APRIL. 1. Il treatment of animals.-2. Motion of the earth.-3. Riches of nature.-4. Sunrising.-5. Structure of the ear.-6. The milky way.-7. Reflections upon the seeds of plants.-8. Azure colour of the sky.-9. Utility and necessity of air.-10. Diversity of soils.-11. Necessity of repose at night.-12. Size of the earth.-13. Generation of birds.-14. Indications of the weather.-15. Position of the sun.-16. Permanency of corporeal beings.17. Utility of rain.-18. Respiration.-19. Proofs of God's goodness derived from the contemplation of his works.-20. Genial influence of the sun's warmth.-21. Connexion and dependance of all living creatures the one upon the other.-22. Of the integral parts of fire.-23. The propagation of plants.-24. Variety of man's face.25. God's general care of his creatures.-26. April flowers.-27. Annual return of migratory birds.-28. Utility of forests.-29. Pleasures derived from the contemplation of nature.-30. The study of the animal world is calculated to excite us to glorify God. DRAWN BY R.WESTALL, R.A. ENGRAVED BY JOHN PYE; PUBLISHED BY JOHN SHARPE, DUKE STREET, PICCADILLY: MAY 1.1823. STURM'S REFLECTIONS. APRIL 1. ILL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS. MAN ill treats animals in so many ways that it would be difficult to enumerate them. This abuse of our power over them arises from two principal causes: the one consists in an over attention to their ease, and the other in a total neglect of them, or, what is worse, in cruel and barbarous treatment of them. Both these extremes are in opposition to the decrees of the Creator of all. In the first our ill treatment of animals arises from the arrogance with which we assume unlimited power over them; but from whence does this opinion spring? What proof have we of this lordly power, which we so arrogantly abuse? And, even supposing that we did possess it, would it be just that we should exercise it in tyranny and cruelty? Every heart which is not corrupted by passions and vicious propensities naturally inclines to feelings of compassion towards every thing possessing animal life. This disposition is highly honourable to man; and it is so profoundly en |