Cruelty in any form is a species of savagery. Civilization can be brought about only by education. The savage does not know that he is a savage. The child does not realize that he is cruel, until he is shown the ways in which the lower animals suffer and are made miserable.
The thoughtless child makes the selfish man or woman, and selfishness lies at the root of crime.
"Evil is wrought by want of thought
As well as want of heart."
Children have tender hearts and quick sensibilities, but they sometimes lack imagination and sympathy through their ignorance of actual conditions. They are easily influenced by one whom they love and respect, and the teacher's power to make the world better by pointing out the great duty of humanity should find more scope than it has done in our educational systems.
"The humane movement is a broad one, reaching from humane treatment of animals on the one hand to peace with all nations on the other. It implies a step beyond animal's rights. It implies character building. Society first said that needless suffering should be prevented; society now says that children must not be permitted to cause pain because of the effect on the children themselves."
Mr. Frank M. Chapman has kindly written for the book the chapters on
"Our Friends the Birds," "Feathered Travelers," "When the Birds Return,"
"Birds' Homes," and "The Robin."
Through the courtesy of Messrs. Houghton Mifflin Company several poems by Celia Thaxter and others have been used. The publications of the English Humanitarian League, especially the pamphlets by Mrs. Florence H. Suckling and some of the writings of Miss Edith Carrington, have proved helpful and suggestive. The compiler has had the assistance of Mrs. Charles A. Lane in editing and preparing material.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
ROVER AND HIS FRIENDS .. Adapted from an English story
FAMOUS DOGS
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF DOGS .. Anna Harris Smith
STORIES OF DOGS
FORSAKE NOT AN OLD FRIEND .. Plutarch
CATS AND DOGS
FAMOUS CATS
KITTY'S CHRISTMAS
TO MY CAT MUFF .. John Owen
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CATS
CAT QUESTIONS .. Lucy Larcom
THE CAT FAMILY
THINGS TO REMEMBER
STORIES OF CATS
A BRAVE GIRL .. Harriet Beecher Stowe
AUNT ESTHER'S RULE .. " "
LION STORIES
THE KING OF BEASTS
THE SHIP OF THE DESERT
A HEAVY LOAD
FAMOUS HORSES
HOW TO TREAT HORSES
CATCHING THE COLT .. Marian Douglass
A REMARKABLE HORSE-TRAINER
THE ARAB TO HIS HORSE .. Bayard Taylor
"WAITING FOR MASTER"