[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Srai—Thougk some blood-sports are
more revolting than
others, yet, on ethical grounds, it is quite hopeless to rescue any of them from condemnation, as many of us Englishmen have been accustomed to do. Animals should only be killed for the sake of protection, or for food or other justifiable
benefit of man, but then always in the most merciful way and never for man's amusement. To hear a wounded hare cry in the wood when you are out with " the guns," as I have often been, should help to sense the cruelty of " sport " which involves killing.
Last summer I was in Spain, and, for the sake of experience, went to a bull fight. I then realized, as I did not before, the dastardliness of the work ; and when I heard the cheers of men and girls it helped me to see how terribly custom and fashion can deaden the conscience and blind the judgment to the simple law of love.
The essence of the matter is that love must include the desire that all sentient beings should be as free from pain as rectitude will allow. To be comfortable when needless pain is caused, even to an insect, is against love. It is true that all pain that comes is allowed by God, but it is always ruled by love and regulated by wisdom. There are plenty and sufficient means of recreation without resource to such.
I told an Englishman whom I met in Spain, and who, I think, knows the country fairly well, that I should like to speak with one of their priests and ask how it is that they do not bear witness against this cruel sport which takes the place it does in the life of the nation. The Englishman said " I can tell you the answer you would get : Our national sport is bull-fighting, and Englishmen's sport is pheasant shooting. Ours is far nobler, for while the English sportsman is quite safe, the bull-fighter takes his life in his hands.' " Indeed, we English people will never be able to bear witness in the matter, or ever have an unbiassed judgment about ." sport," until we abhor cruelty of all kinds and in all degrees. In my earlier life I have watched " the guns " when out partridge and pheasant shooting. I would not do it again.—
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