In 1805, writing in crude English, Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker showed a refined heart:
Little W. Drinker inform'd of a sad sight he yesterday saw in the street as he was going to his Aunt Nancys, a pig, he said with her tail cut of close to her body, her ears cut off close to her head, she lifted her feet very high as she walked, and was smelling about after her 2 little pigs that were at a distance from her - when he came near her he discover'd that both her eyes were out. it was not a recent abuse by the Childs account her eyes were nearly shut, but lumps of red flesh growing out of them. - Whoever was the Perpetrator of this cruel act, was guilty, in my opinion of a henious or hateful sin, and, I think, will be likely to suffer for it, in this world or the next. - I have often seen, as I walk'd in the streets, marks of cruelty that have been exercised on the poor animals, horses, Hogs, Dogs &c. those things in what is called a civelized land, is intolerable. (Quoted from the Diary of Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker.)
* * *
Today, cruelty to animals is hundreds of times worse in numbers and pain. Part of it goes by the name of vivisection. Another part, by the name of factory farming. That is why we are a staunch supporter of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
For a brief biography of Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker, click here. To learn about PETA, click here.
Comments