THE HUMANE SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In his Monastic Life in the Middle Ages, Cardinal Gasquet has an interesting reference to a popular mediaeval work, Dives and Pauper, editions of which were printed by Pynson in 1493 and Wynkyn de Worde in 1496. The book was probably written in the beginning of the fifteenth century, It contains some remarkable references to humane slaughter, " When God forbade man to eat flesh he forbade him to slay beasts in any cruel way," the writer makes one of his characters say, " For God that made all hath care of all, and He will take vengeance upon all that misuse His creatures," and he continues, " they that out of cruelty and vanity torment beasts or fowl, more than is proper for man's living, they sin in case full grievously."—I am, Sir, &c.,
ALFRED TRESIDDER SHEPPARD.
Saffron Walden, Essex.
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