Page:Henry Stephens Salt - A Plea for Vegetarianism and Other Essays.pdf/73

Then, again, there is the plea of humanity—unmentioned throughout Sir Henry Thompson’s article. If the purse is worthy of consideration in the settlement of this question, the heart can hardly be disregarded. And in spite of all the sneers that are often levelled at “humanitarians and “sentimentalists,” I believe that there is a very real and very strong feeling among most people about this institution of the slaughter-house, though if ever they manifest any qualm of an awakening conscience they are speedily reassured by the family physician, who informs them that he has specially studied these matters, and that it is madness to attempt to live without butcher's meat. Well, indeed, would it be if all kindly people who say a “grace” over their food would think of the history of such a meal! If they would reflect on the agony of terror endured by imported cattle during the journey by sea or land ; the disease too often engendered by the filth and misery of the voyage ; the thirst, the hunger, the despair, and, finally, the horrors of the slaughter-house; and, then, if they would recollect Sir Henry Thompson’s words, “It is a vulgar error to regard meat in any form as necessary to life,” I fancy they