the subject under consideration; their imagination more lively, yet under perfect control; in fact, the whole of their intellectual and sentimental powers more active, and their propensities less powerful; and, consequently, their penetration deeper, and their judgment sounder. 437. Who is there that has not experienced the difficulty of applying the mind and attention, after a full meal of animal food, to any subject requiring deep thought and research? And after what is called "a good dinner”, do not most people find a considerable diminution of mental energy, and a disposition to sleep, rather than to bodily or mental activity; till diffusible stimulants have roused the dormant powers into an unnatural, and therefore dangerous action ? None of these depressing effects are experienced by those who enjoy a more natural diet: with them (as it has been justly remark) "it is morning all day long." Nor are the different effects of the two diets confined to these immediate impressions: they become gradually more permanent; and, consequently, the whole of the mental powers are in the one case deteriorated, and in the other improved. CHAPTER XIV. VEGETABLE DIET FAVOURABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PASSIONS AND PROPENSITIES, AND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MAN'S MORAL POWERS. 438. IT has been previously stated (25), that cruelty and crime marked the progress of mankind in the use of animal food; and this inference appears to be confirmed by every fact and observation that bears upon the subject. It is, however, rendered much more injurious in its effects, by the craving which it universally excites for fermented liquors; and which are almost rendered indispensable, when it forms a material portion of diet. "Where animal food is used in a great proportion," says Sir John Sinclair, "fermented liquors become in a great measure necessary to obviate, in some degree, the septic tendency of such a way of living." Upon this point, certain advocates of total abstinence from fermented liquors appear to be in error;-thinking it necessary to increase the quantity of animal food in their diet, in consequence of relinquishing ale, wine, and spirits. Physiology teaches us a directly contrary lesson;-namely, that if fermented and distilled liquors be renounced, animal food should also be dispensed with. I have little doubt, the neglect of this rule is the cause of some constitutions being unable to carry out the principles of total abstinence; and I have been informed, by members of the Society, that after several years abstinence from diffusible stimulants, the desire for animal food has abated. Much better would it be for their general health if, instead of taking the alarm at this indication, and flying to medicine, condiments, and other substitutes for the usual stimulants, they obeyed the voice of Nature, and entirely abandoned a diet inconsistent with a rigid observance of their rules. Animal food is undoubtedly the cause of much mischief in this respect; and so long as it shall be considered necessary to health, strength, and enjoyment, the root of the evil intemperance will not be reached. But, if the flesh of animals be discarded and a diet of fruit and farinacea adopted, the craving for intoxicating liquors, as well as the necessity for them will vanish together. 439. As soon as divine permission was granted to Noah and his descendants to eat animal food, we read that the former "planted a vineyard: and he drank of the wine, and was drunken."* When Jacob brought to his father Isaac the savoury meat which he loved, we read likewise "that he brought him wine, and he drank.” † When Judah was called to weeping and mourning, it on the contrary encouraged "joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine.”‡ Solomon was well aware of the indissoluble union subsisting between animal diet and the diffusible stimuli: hence his sage advice-" Be not amongst wine-bibbers; *GENESIS ix. 20, 21. + Ibid. xxvii. 25. ISAIAH Xxii. 13. amongst riotous eaters of flesh.”* The joint influence of these two stimulants upon the passions and propensities of mankind, is universally admitted; but as the most dreadful manifestations are generally the result of inebriation, the stimulating property of the solid food is overlooked, as well as the thirst it creates for the diffusible stimulants. Various facts, however, prove to a demonstration, that feeding upon flesh has a much greater tendency than vegetable food, to encourage the development and strengthen the activity of the selfish and lower propensities; and to give them a predominance over the intellectual and moral faculties. 440. In the first place, let us glance at the widely different tempers and dispositions of carnivorous and herbivorous animals: the former are savage and ferocious creatures, that generally shun the light of day, and prowl about by night, that they may the more easily kill and devour their prey; while the others wander tranquilly on the plains in herds, enjoy the light of the sun, and manifesting their innocence and sociability by various playful sports and gambols with each other. Even the temper of the carnivorous animal may be greatly subdued, by rearing it upon a less stimulating diet; for if the accounts received on reputable authority are to be depended upon -even the tiger, when taken very young, carefully restrained from animal food, and confined to a vegetable and milk-diet, will manifest none of the ferocity of its fellows; but if it be permitted afterwards to eat flesh, it will become cruel and destructive. * PROVERBS xxiii. 20. 441. Similar evidence is also afforded by feeding the herbivora on animal food. Diomedes, king of Thrace, killed by Hercules, fed his mares with the flesh of miserable strangers, cut in pieces for the purpose; which made them so fierce and unmanageable that they were obliged to be kept in stalls of brass, and tied up with iron chains. * "In Norway, as well as in some parts of Hadramant and the Coromandel coasts", says Bishop Heber, "the cattle are fed upon the refuse of fish; which fattens them rapidly, but serves (at the same time) totally to change their nature, and render them unmaneagably ferocious." (103.) 442. This difference of effect between a flesh and a vegetable diet upon animals, derives additional confirmation from Scripture. Isaiah-describing the period when universal harmony, benevolence, and love shall prevail on the earth-says:-"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock." + Now, though these may be regarded merely as figurative expressions, yet the prophet evidently intended to point out the relation which existed between the natural food of the lion, and a ferocious disposition; and the gentleness resulting from vegetable aliment. In general, also, those nations and individuals who indulge much in flesh-meat, are more licentious, ferocious, and cruel, than those who subsist on a less stimulating diet; and men noted for barbarity and violence, have an irresistible penchant for animal food; while those who are blessed with milder dispositions, and more benevolent feelings, seem instinctively to adopt a vegetable diet. * DIODORUS. Book IV. Chap. I. + Chap. LXV. Ver. 25. |