Page images
PDF
EPUB

he swam him over to the ship; encouraged some of the crew to lay hold of the end of a rope, which he threw out to them for that purpose, and others to fasten themselves to the horse's tail; then turned about, and carried them safe on shore.

4. This animal's natural aptness for swimming, the great size of his body, the firmness and strength of his limbs, prevented him from being easily overpowered by the swell of the sea. But, unfortunately, this generous and active veteran himself became a victim to death.

5. Fourteen young persons he had actually saved; and while endeavouring to preserve more than it was possible for him to do in so short a time, he and his horse were both drowned. The occasion of this was as follows.

6. After the seventh turn, having stayed a little longer than usual to rest himself, the poor wretches on board were afraid that he did not intend to return; for this reason, being impatient, they redoubled their prayers and cries for assistance, upon which, his tenderest feelings being wrought upon, he again hastened to their relief ere his horse was sufficiently rested.

7. The poor animal, almost spent, now sunk the sooner under his burden, inasmuch as too many sought to be saved at one time; and one of them, as it was thought, happened unluckily to catch hold of the horse's bridle, and by that inean drew his head under water.

8. This bold and enterprising philanthropist commands our esteem and admiration the more, as he had put himself into this danger for the relief of others, without himself being able to swim. The Dutch East India Company caused a monument to be erected to the memory of this unfortunate philanthropist.

ST. PAUL'S SPEECH BEFORE KING AGRIPPA.

I THIN THINK myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews, especially, as

I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me

patiently.

2. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; who knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that, after the straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Phari

see.

3. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers. Unto which promise, our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come; for which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

4. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

5. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

6. Whereupon, as I went to Damascus, with authority and commission from the chief priests, at mid-day, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me, and them who journeyed with me.

7. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou per

secutest.

8. But rise, and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister, and a witness, both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan

unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith which is in me.

9. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision; but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes, the Jews caught me in the teinple, and went about to kill me.

10. Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great; saying no other things, than those which Moses and the prophets did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first who should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

MONTAIGNE thinks it some reflection upon

human nature itself, that few people take delight in seeing beasts caress or play together, but almost every one is pleased to see them lacerate and worry one another.

2. It is gratifying to perceive that the benevolent precepts of Christianity have in a great measure mitigated the treatment of brute animals, although many cruel sports are still allowed by the most cultivated nations, such as bullbaiting, cock-fighting, dog-fighting, and the like.

3. We should find it hard to vindicate the destroying of any thing that has life, merely out of wantonness; yet in this principle our children are bred up; and one of the first pleasures we allow them, is the license of inflicting pain upon poor animals.

4. Almost as soon as we are sensible what life is ourselves, we make it our sport to take it from other creatures. I cannot but believe a very good use might be made of the fancy which children have for birds and insects.

5. Mr. Locke takes notice of a mother who often procured these animals for her children, but rewarded or punished

them as they treated them well or ill. This was no other than entering them betimes into a daily exercise of humanity, and improving their very diversion to a virtue.

6. The laws of self defence undoubtedly justify us in destroying those animals which would destroy us, which injure our properties, or annoy our persons; but not even these, wheneyer their situation incapacitates them from hurting us.

7. I know of no right which we have to shoot a bear on an inaccessible island of ice, or an eagle on the mountain's top, whose lives cannot injure, nor deaths procure us any benefit. We are unable to give life, and therefore ought not wantonly to take it away from the meanest insect, without sufficient reason. They all receive it from the same benevolent hand as ourselves, and have therefore an equal right to enjoy it.

8. God has been pleased to create numberless animals intended for our sustenance; and that they are so intended, the agreeable flavour of their flesh to our palates, and the wholesome nutriment which it administers to our stomachs, are sufficient proofs.

9. These, as they are formed for our use, propagated by our culture, and fed by our care, we have certainly a right to deprive of life, because it is given and preserved to them on that condition.

10. But this should always be performed with all the tenderness and compassion which so disagreeable an office will permit; and no circumstances ought to be omitted which can render their executions as quick and easy as possible.

SPEECH OF NICOLAUS.

THE Athenians, having made war upon the Syracusians, the army of the former, under the command of Nicias and Demosthenes, was totally defeated, and the generals obliged to surrender at discretion. The victors, having entered their capital in triumph, the next day a council was held to deliberate what was to be done with the prisoners.

2. Diocles, one of the leaders of the greatest authority among the people, proposed that all the Athenians who were born of free parents, and all such Sicilians as had joined with them, should be imprisoned, and be maintained on bread and water only; that the slaves, and all the Atticks, should be publickly sold; and that the two Athenian generals should be first scourged with rods, and then put to death.

3. This last article exceedingly disgusted all wise and compassionate Syracusians. Hermocrates, who was very famous for his probity and justice, attempted to make some remonstrances to the people; but they would not hear him; and the shouts which echoed from all sides prevented him from continuing his speech.

4. At that instant, Nicolaus, a man venerable for his great age and gravity, who in this war had lost two sons, the only heirs to his name and estate, made his servants carry him to the tribunal for harangues; and the instant he appeared, a profound silence ensued, when he addressed them in the following manner.

5. "You here behold an unfortunate father, who has felt more than any other Syracusian the fatal effects of this war, by the death of two sons, who formed all the consolation, and were the only supports, of my old age.

6. "I cannot, indeed, forbear admiring their patriotism in sacrificing to their country's welfare a life which they would one day have been deprived of by the common course of nature; but then, I cannot but be sensibly affected with the cruel wound which their death hath made in my heart, nor forbear detesting the Athenians, the authors of this unhappy war, as the murderers of my children.

7. "But, however, there is one circumstance which I cannot conceal, that I am less sensible for my private afflictions, than for the honour of my country, which I see exposed to eternal infamy, by the barbarous advice which is now given you. The Athenians, I own, for declaring war so unjustly against us, merit the severest treatment which could be inflicted on them; but have not the gods, the just avengers of wrongs, sufficiently punished them, and avenged us?

8. "When their generals laid down their arms and surrendered, did they not do this in hopes of having their lives

« PreviousContinue »