In reply to the agriculturist, as to whence the supply of
manure for farming could be derived, were the number of cattle
essentially reduced, we have simply to call attention to the fact,
that the manure of the farm-yard has no magical properties in
it which are not contained in the food upon which the cattle
have fed, and is only best for the production of food for cattle ;
and if it be desired to produce food for man, this can be
abundantly secured by the ploughing in of green crops, and the
abundant supplies of the richest of all manm-e, to be obtained
in the waste and sewerage of our cities. It is one of the most
interesting aspects of the improvement of agriculture, to con-
sider that these sources of manure, now principally lost, will
ultimately be brought into use ; and Liebig, in a recent work,
points thus hopefully to the immense mass of fossil phosphates,
which may be dug in various parts of our country, promising,
when brought to bear, as certainly to realize the success of
agriculture in the future, as the immense beds of coal in certain
parts of England have long been, and udU continue to be, the
source of the manufacturing wealth of such districts.
Again, to the common inquiry, “ What are animals made for,
if not to be eaten ? ” we quote a few remarks by tbe talented
author of “ Fruits and Farinacea the Proper Food of Man,”* (a
work most complete of its kind, and presenting abundance of
argument and illustration upon nearly every feature of diet
likely to engage the attention) meeting also the popular inquiry
upon this subject in the words of one of our most distinguished
poets.
“ ‘ Why were sheep, oxen, &c., created, if not for the use of
man ?’ I might briefly reply, that they were brought into existence
by the same power and for a similar purpose, as all other animals,
many of which man never knew, and probably never ^rill know ;
and many others of which are absolutely injurious and destruc-
tive to him. At no time, perhaps, are the pride and imbecility of
man more apparent, than when he imagines all things, animate
and inanimate, to have been created solely for his pleasure.
• Pago 96. Published by Pitman, 20, Paternoster Row.
INTRODUCTION.
29
There exist millions of suns with their revolving orbs, which
the eye of man has never \s-itnessed ; and myriads of anima s,
on this globe and others, enjoy their sports and pastimes, un-
heeded and unseen by him ; how, then, could they have been
created for his use ? ”
" Ask for what end the heavenly bodies shine.
Earth for whoso use ? Pride answers—* ’Tis for mine I
For me kind nature wakes her genial power,
Suckles each herb, and spreads out every flower ;
Annual for me, the grape, the rose renew.
The juice nectareous, and the balmy dew ;
For me the mine a thousand treasures brings ;
For me health gushes from a thousand springs ;
Seas roll to waft me, suns to light me rise ;
My footstool earth, my canopy the skies.’
Has God (thou fool !) worked solely for thy good, —
Thy joy, thy pastime, thy attire, thy food?
Who for thy table feeds the wanton fawn,
For him as kindly spreads the flowery lawn.
Is it for thee the lark ascends and sings ?
Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings.
Is it for thee the linnet pours Ms throat?
Loves of his own and raptures swell the note.
Know, Nature’s children all divide her care ;
Page 20
Presented as published in 1891. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In reply to the agriculturist, as to whence the supply of manure for farming could be derived, were the number of cattle essentially reduced, we have simply to call attention to the fact, that the manure of the farm-yard has no magical properties in it which are not contained in the food upon which the cattle have fed, and is only best for the production of food for cattle ; and if it be desired to produce food for man, this can be abundantly secured by the ploughing in of green crops, and the abundant supplies of the richest of all manure, to be obtained in the waste and sewerage of our cities. It is one of the most interesting aspects of the improvement of agriculture, to consider that these sources of manure, now principally lost, will ultimately be brought into use ; and Liebig, in a recent work, points thus hopefully to the immense mass of fossil phosphates, which may be dug in various parts of our country, promising, when brought to bear, as certainly to realize the success of agriculture in the future, as the immense beds of coal in certain parts of England have long been, and and will continue to be, the source of the manufacturing wealth of such districts.
Again, to the common inquiry, “ What are animals made for, if not to be eaten ? ” we quote a few remarks by the talented author of “ Fruits and Farinacea the Proper Food of Man,”* (a work most complete of its kind, and presenting abundance of argument and illustration upon nearly every feature of diet likely to engage the attention) meeting also the popular inquiry upon this subject in the words of one of our most distinguished poets.
“ ‘ Why were sheep, oxen, &c., created, if not for the use of man ?’ I might briefly reply, that they were brought into existence by the same power and for a similar purpose, as all other animals, many of which man never knew, and probably never will know ; and many others of which are absolutely injurious and destructive to him. At no time, perhaps, are the pride and imbecility of man more apparent, than when he imagines all things, animate and inanimate, to have been created solely for his pleasure.
• Pago 96. Published by Pitman, 20, Paternoster Row.
There exist millions of suns with their revolving orbs, which the eye of man has never witnessed ; and myriads of anima s, on this globe and others, enjoy their sports and pastimes, unheeded and unseen by him ; how, then, could they have been created for his use ? ”
" Ask for what end the heavenly bodies shine.
Earth for whoso use ? Pride answers—* ’Tis for mine I For me kind nature wakes her genial power,
Suckles each herb, and spreads out every flower ;
Annual for me, the grape, the rose renew.
The juice nectareous, and the balmy dew ;
For me the mine a thousand treasures brings ;
For me health gushes from a thousand springs ;
Seas roll to waft me, suns to light me rise ;
My footstool earth, my canopy the skies.’
Has God (thou fool !) worked solely for thy good, —
Thy joy, thy pastime, thy attire, thy food?
Who for thy table feeds the wanton fawn,
For him as kindly spreads the flowery lawn.
Is it for thee the lark ascends and sings ?
Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings.
Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat?
Loves of his own and raptures swell the note.
Know, Nature’s children all divide her care ;