Voices for the Speechless Part 44

"CLa.s.s III.--_Pigments and Dyes yielded by Animals."_--Division I.

Cochineal and Kermes. Division II. Lac and its applications. Division III.

Nutgalls, Gall Dyes, Blood, etc. Division IV. Sepia, Tyrian Purple, Purree, etc.

"CLa.s.s IV.--_Animal Substances used in Pharmacy and in Perfumery."_ Division I. Musk, Civet, Castorem, Hyraceum, and Ambergris. Division II.

Cantharides, Leeches, etc.

"CLa.s.s V.--_Application of Waste Matters_. Division I. Entrails and Bladders. Division II. Alb.u.men, Casein, etc. Division III. Prussiates of Potash and Chemical Products of Bone, etc. Division IV. Animal Manures--Guano, Coprolites, Animal Carcases, Bones, Fish Manures, etc."

From a table of the value of imports of animal origin brought into the United Kingdom in the year 1875, we take a few items:--

"Live animals, 8,466,226. Wool of various kinds, 23,451,887. Silk, manufactures of all kinds, 12,264,532. Silk, raw and thrown, 3,546,456.

b.u.t.ter, 8,502,084. Cheese, 4,709,508. Eggs, 2,559,860. Bacon and hams, 6,982,470. Hair of various kinds, 1,483,984. Hides, wet and dry, 4,203,371. Hides, tanned or otherwise prepared, 2,814,042. Guano, 1,293,436. Fish, cured or salted, 1,048,546."

The value of the domestic stock in Great Britain and Channel Islands, in 1875, is stated to have been:--

"Horses, 1,349,691 at 16, 21,587,056. Cattle, 6,050,797 at 10, 60,507,970. Sheep, 29,243,790 at 1 10s., 43,865,685. Swine, 2,245,932 at 1 5s., 2,807,415. Total, 128,768,126."

"When we find," says the compiler of the statistics from which we have quoted, "that the figures give an estimated money value exceeding 331,000,000 sterling, and that to this has to be added all the dairy produce; the poultry and their products for Great Britain; the annual clip of British wool, which may be estimated at 160,000,000 lbs., worth at least 8,000,000; the hides and skins, tallow, horns, bones, and other offal, horse and cow hair, woollen rags collected, the game and rabbits, the sea and river fisheries; besides the products of our woollen, leather, glove, silk, soap, and comb manufactures retained for home consumption, furs, brushes, and many other articles, we ought to add a great many millions more to the aggregate value or total."--SIMMONDS: _Animal Products_, p.

xix.

SOCIETIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

The first society formed under this name, or for this object, was the "Royal," of London, in 1825.

The first in America was that of New York, in 1866; that of Pennsylvania, in 1867; and that of Ma.s.sachusetts, in 1868.

They all sprang from the same Christian root with the other great voluntary organizations for religious and moral purposes which distinguished the century just pa.s.sed. All helped to widen the consciousness of the world, and to prepare the way for reformations not then thought of.

In this goodly company of voluntary societies, those for the Protection of Animals are ent.i.tled to an honorable place. It is not too much to say that any list would be incomplete without them.

But they have gone beyond Europe and America, and are spreading over the world. Among their devoted members are found the professors of many religions.

These "Voices," it is hoped, may impel their readers, wherever they may be, to help on, through such Societies, a long delayed work of justice to the humbler creatures of G.o.d. In many countries the young may find juvenile societies to promote the cause in schools and neighborhoods.

But whether inside or outside of organizations, the words of Mr. Longfellow suggest a universal duty,--

"Act, act in the living present, Hearts within and G.o.d o'erhead."