[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] Sta,—The very week of
my arrival in this beautiful city was signalised by a most unfortunate triumph on the part of the friends of pseudo•science. By a majority of 3-88 to 85—the University sanctioned the practice of Vivisection in Oxford, in the supposed interest of humanity.; and for two days we have lost a household pet, a very amusing and affectionate dog, who has probably proved one of the first victims of these new grand inquisitors. As one who has valued and loved many medical men,—
" Life-grapplers with the primal curse, Utility their meed," allow me to entreat them not to ostracise themselves, not to raise a strong barrier of feeling between them and all other classes in the community, not to persist in a practice which must encarnalise and brutalise the minds of medical students. Let me grant, what is doubtful, that they can thus obtain some knowledge, some useful knowledge even, possibly valuable in the application of the healing art, and freely grant that their motive is a noble one, to lengthen human life, remove some pressing ills, and increase our command of the domain of know- ledge; still, all this does not pay for the moral injury wrought to the hearts of the young by deadening them to the sufferings of God's creatures. Doth God take care for oxen ? Ay, most assuredly ; as the Mosaic Law, trumpet-tongued, proclaims, which forbade even to seethe a kid in its mother's milk. Was not Nineveh spared for its children and " much cattle " P Did not our Lord tell us that God takes heed of sparrows even ? Does not St. Paul himself give us to understand that the creature, the brute creation, is in some sense predestined to im- mortality,—" shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, and have a share in the liberty of the children of God" ?
Sport is a separate question. Foxes would be exterminated, were they not preserved for sport, and have always a fair chance of getting off. Battues are almost given up by civilised human beings. Skill is needful to the sportsman to shoot and kill. The bungler is unintentionally cruel, and should be punished by ridicule.
But, to return to the matter in hand, what can be more un- fortunate for a University, than that learned cruelty should be established in its midst? Is there not enough to tempt our human weakness to social excess, without legalising the tortures of dumb creatures ? Does not all experience prove that dis- section and medical operations, which are needful, drive young men to the wine-cup and punch-bowl by way of reaction ? Must we add the far more defiling horrors of vivisection ? I will not do more than glance at the fearful sufferings of God's trustful creatures, for, as Lear says,— "That way, madness lies." •
But, I repeat, I, who have loved medical men, entreat them not to persevere in a course which would end by making them the pariahs of the community. Public opinion will not tolerate those horrors that hold their revels in France and Germany. Surely, the University can reconsider its vote, and cancel a resolution which will be fatal to the moral healthfulness of Oxford.—I am, Sir, &c.,
9 Keble Terrace, Oxford, June filth. ARCHER GTJRNEY.
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