Matthew Arnold, Emerson, Bret Harte ; as well as from noble women, not a few. In the belief that the added selections will make this new edition more influential in increasing the rising tide of humane feeling and opinion that marks our day, it is hopefully reissued. A. F. BOSTON, January, 1886. PREFACE. now The compiler of this little book has often heard inquiries by teachers of schools, for selections suitable for reading and recitations by their scholars, in which the duty of kindness to animals should be distinctly taught. To meet such calls, three successive pamphlets of general selections were published, and a fourth consisting of selections from the Poems of Mr. Longfellow. All were received with marked favor by the teachers to whom they became known. This led to their collection afterwards in one volume for private circulation, and the volume is republished for public sale, with a few omissions and additions. All who desire our children to be awakened in their schools to the claims of the humbler creatures are invited to see that copies are put in school libraries, that they may be within the reach of all teachers. And this, not for the sake of the creatures only. As Pope has said, “Nothing stands alone; the chain holds on, , and where it ends, unknown.” Many readers may be surprised to find how many of the great poets have been touched by the sufferings of The poems the “innocent animals,” and how loftily they have pleaded their cause. in the collection are not all complete, because of their length in some cases, and, in others, because a part only of each was suited to the end in view. A very few, however, like “ Geist's Grave ” and “Don," could not be divided satisfactorily. To all who have aided in this humble undertaking, heartiest thanks are given, and especially to its publishers who have accorded to it their coveted approval and the benefit of their large facilities for making the volume widely known. May the lessons of kindness and dependence here taught with so much poetical beauty and with such mingled justice, pathos and humor, find a permanent lodgment in the hearts of all who may read them! A. F. Boston, Mass., U. S. A., June, 1883. CONTENTS, IN THE ORDER PRINTED. . PAGE PAGE Introduction, The Bible. ix, x, xi Egyptian Ritual 39 Results and Duties of Man's Su- Acts of Mercy Justice to the Brute Creation 17 | Love 19 Membership of the Church . 44 Duty to Animals not long recog- 27 For the Sake of the Innocent Ani- Animals and Human Speech 32 In Holy Books 66 Truth 38 The Cid and Bavieca 67 Our Pets 38 The King of Denmark's Ride 69 . . · 153 From "The Lord of Butrago 73 The Swallow. 77 To a Swallow building under our 80 The Swallow, the Owl, and the 82 Cock's Shrill Clarion in the 85 The Statue over the Cathedral 89 The Golden-Crowned Thrush 150 On Landseer's Picture, “Waiting The Aziola 100 Hear the Woodland Linnet 160 103 Why not do it, Sir, To-day 163 116 The Legend of the Cross-Bill 172 The Humming-Bird's Wedding 129 What the Birds say The Hen and the Honey-Bee 131 The Wren's Nest Lost - Three Little Robins 136 The Lost Bird |