[Footnote 9: The Quakers and the poet Cowper likewise, in their laudable
zeal for the happiness of the brute-creation, have given an improper
description of the nature of the crime of these diversions. They have
made it to consist in a man's deriving pleasure from the sufferings of the
animals in question, whereas it should have been made to consist in his
making a pleasure of a pursuit which puts them to pain. The most
abandoned sportsman, it is to be presumed, never hunts them because
he enjoys their sufferings. His pleasure arises from considerations of
another nature.]
SECT. II.
_Diversions of the field judged first by the morality of the Old
Testament--original charter to kill animals--condition annexed to
it--sentiments of Cowper--rights and duties springing from this
charter--violation of it the violation of a moral law--diversions in
question not allowable by this standard._
The Quakers usually try the lawfulness of field-diversions, which
include hunting and shooting, by two standards, and first by the
morality of the old Testament.
They believe in common with other christians, that men have a right to
take away the lives of animals for their food. The great creator of the
universe, to whom every thing that is in it belongs, gave to Noah and
his descendants a grant or charter for this purpose.
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