1 10 2 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25778/archive/files/993c8b08b527dae35812911023cabe8d.pdf?Expires=1780531200&Signature=FYLi4j6DqQWIS9zPR4cTcDlElWd0Bq1z8Zz%7E6h0Fjzof30myvAg2wYw1bfClkZ57YwFsWAUla0YdEjVcZ5lRm66yveT2mZfd8h%7EVr1gQWfrC0P6p8mEw5Lw9FCz26ur8DuF7cVTOGeLs1EuaiQ9qI7a2wW-3R7gPxTSjGik-xH65mhzX-2RgzecXShC4%7EOLRDStsf8%7EP1YJbkfbaX9JNbLVOj-x-9spMQQd1lbam3Dv0HmPIVliIC63B7JasBpDm7ZN3cMXkiYXJ%7EDTXPOxJkBiZUn-GTY9eVB9lW6P4auv7CZa-Hh0NHzryIkGpjkylN2yFbFTRG797mjNRjGplkg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM e22416b9873228dff919f417aef4b1fa PDF Text Text VOLUNTEER PHILANTHROPY. A PABEB BEAD BEEOBE THE SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS, HELD IN THE CITY OE YORK, DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1864. "’ k.. BY EDMUND CRISP FISHER. LONDON: WILLIAM RIDGWAY, 169, PICCADILLY. 1864. ��MILITARY DISCIPLINE * AND VOLUNTEER PHILANTHROPY. Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen : It will be difficult to find two principles more seemingly antagonistic than Military Disci­ pline and V olunteer Philanthropy. The Discipline necessary for the cohesion and effectiveness of armies proceeds from set rules framed upon the experience of long years: it is cold, impassive, unimpulsive, non-eclectic, autocratic, tyrannical; it robs man of his individuality, deprives him of free­ will—and looking only at the end to be attained, treats the soldier as a simple part of a great machine, to be strained, forced, and overwrought, if needs be, and cast aside when worn out or other­ wise incapacitated. Reverse the position in all its several particulars, and we have the most distant and opposite end of a far-stretching diagonal,—Volunteer Philanthropy. What the commander of an army is in presence of the enemy, the physician and surgeon are in the sick chamber. The same law governs both their orders—the law of absolute, perfect, unhesitating obedience. Combine the two, clothe the medical professor in the garb and rank of the soldier, and you have the domineering, auto­ cratic Army Surgeon, whose word is law, and with A 2 �4 whom suggestion even becomes interference, and almost dictation. To the mere theorist, the Medical Staff of Armies would appear to be all that is necessary to insure the greatest possible effectiveness of the soldier, covering him, so to speak, with defensive armour against disease and wounds, and enabling him, with the minimum of danger to himself, to inflict the utmost damage upon his antagonist. But the dis­ cipline of his dual profession, or, to be exact, of his military capacity, deprives the army-surgeon in a great degree of those advantages accruing from the discoveries of science which become imme­ diately known, and are as immediately investigated and adopted by members of the civil branch of his profession. Every thing connected with armies is precised in fixed regulations; “ it is written,” is the answer to every proposal for change; the spirit of inquiry is checked and nullified, and innovation is studiously guarded against as imperiling routine and subversive of discipline. On the battle-field, or in hospital, in his twin capacity of physician and surgeon, the army medical man has difficulties to contend with unknown to the civil branch of his profession. In action he is overworked, and his aids are far too few ofttimes to render him even necessary assistance; in hospital he is bound down to his fixed code of regulations; newly-discovered remedies are not furnished by the medical purveyor, and radical change in treatment has first to receive j I �5 the endorsement of his superior officer. Frequently —shall I not say generally?—his operations are in a new and unexplored field, where diseases of novel type require lengthy research and investi­ gation before the proper treatment is discovered; or the same class of disease under different condi­ tions of climate and contingent circumstances, pro­ duces new phases in the patient’s symptoms. He is, in fact, isolated from most of the advantages which the great body of the profession enjoys, and the sick and wounded in his charge—the chief consideration, after all—are by so much less fortu­ nate than the suffering in civil life. It was the knowledge of these facts which led to the appointment of the Sanitary Commission in the British Army during the Crimean war, but it is open to question whether such a Commission would have been permitted to exist if Miss Florence Nightingale and her co-labourers had not proved conclusively that volunteer assistance need in no way interfere with military discipline—the first consideration among soldiers,—and that it could be of real practical benefit to the medical branch of the army, when their respective spheres of action were properly defined. Addressing itself to the Medical Staff alone, subordinating its every movement in the field and hospital to the wishes and wants of that Staff; culling its experience in every region; bound down by no fixed rules or inflexible regula­ tions, the Sanitary Commission might become a �6 valuable supplementary power in the army, and an unfailing- reliance of the army medical officer. Its true arena is recommendatory, its researches are in the first degree eclectic, and it brings the entire force of the whole outside medical profession to bear upon the health of the soldier. The Medical Staff cannot but gain by advice tendered from so high and dis­ interested a source, and it has no cause to fear for its own authority, when the action of the Commis­ sion is purely advisory and guardedly consonant with the most rigid discipline. Military Discipline, in fine, calls to its aid the Volunteer Philanthropy of the entire nation, and Volunteer Philanthropy di­ vests itself of all things savouring of dictation, and, confining itself to suggestion, submits in its turn to discipline. All history and experience prove that Army Me­ dical Staffs, no matter how thoroughly and exten­ sively organized, are sadly deficient at critical moments. The world is accustomed to look at the French nation as the military Power, par excellence, of Europe; everything appertaining to armies, to the utmost efficiency of the soldier, is there reduced to method and rule, until the art of war is so tho­ roughly investigated, and its rules, as it were, so completely averaged, that the art has become almost an exact science. Yet with the experiences of the battle-fields of Solferino and Magenta before us, where the wounded lay for hours, yea, days, without assistance, who will say that the best organized �7 Medical Staff fulfils the requirements expected of it ? Such Staffs are really designed for the ordinary routine of military life, and, to some extent, for the average amount of extra casualties entailed by battle; but a more than ordinary sanguinary engage­ ment and lengthy pursuit of the foe may upset the best calculations, and render an otherwise effective Staff utterly inefficient. It was the knowledge of this fact, gained on the field of Solferino, which led a citizen of Geneva to attempt the formation of an Universal Sanitary Commission. With the grand proposal of Monsieur Henri Dunant it is neither my province nor purpose to deal; but whether he succeed or fail in his enterprise, he will at all events have drawn the attention of the Governments and People of Europe to a subject of momentous interest, earning for himself and his coadjutors the proud title of benefactors of the soldier. At an early period in the history of the civil war in the United States, the citizens of the North recog­ nized the necessity of supplementing- the Army Medical Staff. The movement commenced with the women, and took the form of preparing lint and bandages for the hospitals; but it was soon dis­ covered that vastly more would be required by the enormous force about to be put in the field, and that much really valuable assistance might be rendered by voluntary philanthropy. Two ques­ tions presented themselves for solution:—Firstly, what kind of aid would be accepted by the War �8 Department secondly, how could that assistance he rendered without infringement of military disci­ pline, so as to be acceptable to the Medical Staff? The answer to these important questions could only be obtained at head-quarters, and a deputation of influential citizens was forthwith despatched to Washington. After asking for the appointment of a Special Commission to be charged, as the Depu­ tation expressed itself, with “ preventing the evils that England and France could only investigate and deplore,” the envoys demanded for it the follow­ ing powers from the Government. “ 1. The Commission being organized for the purposes only of inquiry and advice, asks for no legal powers, but only the official recognition and moral countenance of the Government, which will be secured by its public appointment. It asks for a recommendatory order, addressed in its favour to all officers of the Government, to further its inquiries; for per­ mission to correspond and confer, on a confidential footing, with the Medical Bureau and the War Department, proffering such suggestions and counsels as its investigation and studies may, from time to time, prompt and enable it to offer. “2. The Commission seeks no pecuniary remuneration from the Government. Its motives being humane andpatriotic, its labours will be its own reward. The assignment to them of a room in one of the public buildings, with stationery and other neces­ sary conveniences, would meet their expectations in this direc­ tion. “3. The Commission asks leave to sit through the war, either in Washington, or when and where it may find it most convenient and useful; but it will disband should experience render its operations embarrassing to the Government, or �9 Jess necessary and useful than it is now supposed they will prove.” “ The general object of the Commission is, through sugges­ tions reported from time to time to the Medical Bureau and the War Department, to bring to bear upon the health, com­ fort and morale of our troops, the fullest and ripest teachings of sanitary science in its application to military life, whether deduced from theory or practical observation, from general hygienic principles, or from the experience of the Crimean, the East Indian, and the Italian wars. Its objects are purely advisory. “ The specific points to which its attention would be directed may here be partly indicated, but in some part may depend upon the course of events, and the results of its own observa­ tions and promptings, when fairly at work. If it knew pre­ cisely what the results of its own inquiries would be, it would state them at once, without asking for that authority and those governmental facilities essential to a successful investigation of the subject. As the Government may select its own Com­ missioners,—the persons named in the recommendation of the Medical Bureau being wholly undesirous, however willing, to serve, if other persons more deserving of the confidence of the Government and of the public can be nominated,—it is hoped that the character of the Commission will be the best warrant the Government can have that the inquiries of the Commission, both as to their nature and the manner of conducting them, will be pursued with discretion and a careful eye to avoiding impertinent and offensive interference with the legal authority and official rights of any of the bureaus with which it may be brought in contact.” “ The Commission proposes a practical inquiry into the ma­ terial of the volunteer force, with reference to the laws and usages of the several States in the matter of inspection, with the hope of assimilating their regulations with those of the army proper, alike in the appointment of medical and other �10 officers and in the rigorous application of just rules and prin­ ciples to recruiting and inspection laws. This inquiry would exhaust every topic appertaining to the materiel of the army, considered as a subject of sanitary and medical care. “ The Commission would inquire with scientific thorough­ ness into the subject of diet, cooking, cooks, clothing, tents, camping grounds, transports, transitory depots, with their ex­ posures, camp police, with reference to settling the question, How far the regulations of the Army proper are or can be practically carried out among the volunteer regiments, and what changes or modifications are desirable from their peculiar character and circumstances ? Everything appertaining to outfit, cleanliness, precautions against damp, cold, heat, ma­ laria, infection; crude, unvaried, or ill-cooked food, and an irregular or careless regimental commissariat, would fall under this head. “ The Commission would inquire into the organization of military hospitals, general and regimental; the precise regula­ tions and routine through which the services of the patriotic women of the country may be made available as nurses; the nature and sufficiency of hospital supplies; the method of obtaining and regulating all other extra and unbought supplies contributing to the comfort of the sick; the question of am­ bulances and field service, and of extra medical aid ; and what­ ever else relates to the care, relief, or cure of the sick and wounded—their investigations being guided by the highest and latest medical and military experience, and carefully adapted to the nature and wants of our immediate army, and its peculiar origin and circumstances.” There was every necessity for the establishment of such a Commission with such objects, and armed with the required powers. The Army of the United States had suddenly risen from 15,000 to 80,000 men, while the old Medical Staff, based on the �11 peace establishment, stood in absolute need of re­ organization and proportionate increase. But the bureaucracy there, as elsewhere, frowned upon all suggestion as impertinent interference, and steadily resisted reform; and it was only after many days’ delay that the required authority was accorded by the War Department, and the Sanitary Commission of the United States came into being. The organization of the United States Sanitary Commission, the mode in which it obtains its vast resources from the masses of the people and distri­ butes them over an area half as large as the Conti­ nent of Europe, is well worthy investigation. The Commission, it may be said, has greatly exceeded the duties marked out by itself at the commence­ ment of its career; it has gone far beyond merely advising the Medical Staff, for it now supplements it in an extraordinary manner, even to the extent of rendering medical assistance in the hospital and field, and in the front of battle itself.* The supplies furnished to the different armies of the Republic by the Commission are of the most varied description, comprising everything required by the soldier outside of purely military requisites. The Government has not pecuniarily aided the Commission in this labour of love to the extent of a single dollar; every article, every pound of the two millions sterling contributed in specie, has been given by the citizens as- a free-will offering. The * See Appendix, (Note A.) �12 Commission, in fact, has been the Almoner of the people, the channel through which its offerings have been conveyed to the soldiers. No better idea of its work can be found, than by giving a list of the supplies furnished by it to the Army of the Potomac, at the close of the battle of Gettysburgh, which took place in the month of July, 1863. Clothing, &c. Drawers, woollen 5,310 prs. „ cotton 1,833 „ Shirts, woollen . 7,178 „ cotton 3,266 Pillows 2,114 Pillow-cases 264 Bed-sacks ; 1,630 Blankets 1,007 Sheets 274 Wrappers . 508 Handkerchiefs . 2,659 Stockings, woollen 3,560 prs. „ cotton 2,258 „ Bed Utensils 728 Towels & Napkins 10,000 Sponges 2,300 Combs 1,500 Buckets 200 Soap, Castile 250 lbs. Oil-silk Tin-basins & cups Old linen and bandages Water tanks Water coolers . Bay Rum and Eau de Cologne Eans . Chloride of Lime Shoes & Slippers Crutches . Lanthorns . Candles Canvas Mosquito-netting Paper Pants, Coats, Hats Plaster Pood, &c. Poultry and Mut­ Berries ton Bread . 11,000 lbs. Tamarinds . Butter 6,430 „ Eggs . 8,500 doz. Lemons Garden vegetables 675 bsh. Oranges 300 yds. 7,000 100 brls. 7 46 225 bots. 3,500 11 brls. 4,000 prs. 1,200 180 350 lbs. 300 yds. 648 pcs. 237 qrs. 189 pcs. 16 rolls 48 bsh. . 12,900 lvs. 750 gals. 116 box. 46 �18 Coffee 850 lbs. Chocolate . 831 „ Tea 426 „ White Sugar 6,800 „ Syrups 785bots. Brandy 1,250 „ Whiskey 1,168 „ Wine 1,148 „ Ale . 600 gals. Biscuit, rusks, &c 134 bar. Preserved Meats 500 lbs. Ice 20,000 „ Concentrated Beef Soup 3,800 „ Concent. Milk . 12,500 „ Prep. Farina 7,000 „ Dried Fruit Jellies Preserved Fish . Pickles Tobacco Tobacco pipes. . Indian Meal Starch Codfish Canned Fruit „ Oysters Brandy Peaches . Catsup Vinegar Jam. Ginger 3,500 lbs. 2,000 jars 3,600 lbs. 400 gals. 100 lbs. 1,000 1,621 lbs. 1,074 „ 3,848 ,, 582 cans 72 „ 303 jars. 43 „ 24 hots. 43 jars All the perishable articles in this list (amounting* to over 60 tons), were taken to the ground in refrig*erating wag*g*ons. The estimated value of the articles, exclusive of the cost of collection and transportation to the scene of action, was 75,000 dollars; kitchens, sleeping* apartments, shelters, were established by the Commission’s numerous agents; and crowds of wounded attended to, who could not be treated by the over-taxed surgeons of the army. There was every need of this, for no less than 14,860 wounded (of whom 1810 belonged to the opposing forces) crowded the hospitals, beside 5,452 of the enemy who were captured, and treated elsewhere. The Commission made and makes no difference whatever in its gifts to friend or foe, regarding the sufferers as men, not soldiers. �14 ’ This is but an example of the Commission’s la­ bours on a single field : multiply this result by the different armies operating over an extent of territory large as the battle-fields of the first Napoleon, in­ volving expenses for transport (all paid by itself or furnished gratuitously by public companies), ship­ ping, and trains being in charge of its own agents, and waggons, horses and mules owned by itself, and some idea may be formed of the magnitude of its operations. The outgoings are public, the incomings are not so well known; yet these involve a greater amount of labour and management than even the former. In all the cities, towns and villages of the Free States, the citizens, and notably the women, have organized themselves into Branch Aid Socie­ ties, which furnish contributions in kind and money to a Central Committee in the various districts; these again communicate with the Main Branches in the great centres, such as New York, Philadel­ phia, Washington, Chicago, and Saint Louis, whence the supplies are distributed to the troops in the field. As a still more popular mode of engaging the sympathies of the public, Sanitary Commission Fairs have been held in many of the principal cities, and large sums raised thereby for the benefit of the soldiers. The State of California sent in one lump 500,000 dollars (£100,000 sterling) in gold to the Treasurer. The Fair at Chicago realized 50,000 dollars, that held in the city of Cincinnati 268,611 dollars, Brooklyn over 400,000 dollars, Philadel­ �15 phia over 700,000 dollars, and the city of New York upwards of 1,000,000 dollars. Yet, vast as are these contributions, the calls for aid are still greater, and that notwithstanding the increasing liberality of the public as the operations of the Com­ mission become more widely known. It is well to remark that the Commission makes it a rule to pay all its employees, not merely as a matter of justice, but of sound policy. Every ex­ pense, from first to last, of carrying on these gi­ gantic operations is, however, less than three per cent of its income. Its doors are ever open to all comers, and any one may inspect its books who sees fit. The Medical Staff of the United States Army at present regards the Commission as its faithful hand­ maiden in the field, the hospital and the camp, and nothing but praise is now heard from those who formerly were its bitter opponents.* The reason is obvious. The Sanitary Commission has solved a question which is still an enigma to other nations, for it has proved by three years of colossal labours that Military Discipline and Volunteer Philanthropy can exist side by side, and work together harmo­ niously for the exceeding benefit of the Army. Lest I be accused of national partiality for an organization which will reflect glory upon the American people long after this war is over, I may be permitted to quote the words of an English * See Appendix (Note B.) �16 philosopher, whose reputation stands as high in my country as in his own. Mr. John Stuart Mill thus writes in reference to the United States Sani­ tary Commission :— “It would be unpardonable did I omit to express my warmest feelings of admiration for the Sanitary Commission. History has afforded no other example—though it is to be hoped that it will hereafter afford many—of so great a work of usefulness extemporized by the spontaneous self-devotion and organizing genius of a people, altogether independently of the Government.” This Volunteer Sanitary Commission has fur­ nished to the different armies of the Republic since the commencement of the war, four millions of pounds sterling- of army necessaries, comforts, and luxuries. Its establishment, org-anization, magnitude and achievements prove three things:— Firstly. The Armies of a Nation can be ren­ dered incomparably more efficient by the volun­ teer aid and assistance of the people,—without the slightest infringement of military discipline, or inter­ ference with the constituted medical authorities of armies. Secondly. The American Civil War affords the brightest precedent of spontaneous and yet organized benevolence, and furnishes an example which other nations will do well to emulate. Thirdly. The whole of the American people— men, women, and children alike, in thus rendering their armies efficient, prove conclusively that the �war is not carried on—as many in Europe suppose, —by the Government of a minority, but is waged by the great mass of the citizens themselves. In no other way can you explain the colossal achievements of this Volunteer Commission. �18 APPENDIX. Note A. After the defeat of General Burnside’s army at Fredericks­ burg, in the month of December 1862, the surgeons sent forward by the Sanitary Commission treated upwards of 8,000 wounded on the field. At Gettysburgh, 13,050 Federals, and 7,260 Confederates were cared for by the medical employees of that body. There have been few engagements during the war in which the Commission has not similarly rendered aid to the overworked medical staff of the different armies. During General Gillmore’s attack on Fort Wagner, in Charleston Har­ bour, the Belief Agents of the Commission marched with the assaulting columns to the very moat around the fort: the Port Boyal Free Press thus refers to their courageous labours :— “ The Officers of the Sanitary Commission have won for them­ selves a splendid reputation in this Department. They have, by their discretion and zeal, saved many valuable lives. Under the guns of Wagner, in the hottest of the fire, their trained corps picked up and carried off the wounded almost as they fell. As many of our men were struck while ascending the parapet and then rolled into the moat, which at high water contains six feet of water, they must inevitably have perished had they been suffered to re­ main. But the men who were detailed for service with Dr. Marsh (chief agent of the Commission in the Department) went about their work with intrepidity and coolness worthy of all praise. The skill and experience of the members of the Commission has, since the battle, been unremittingly employed to render comfortable the sick and wounded.” The Commission has established a special “Field Belief Corps,” the members of which are provided with light waggons, containing such remedies and necessaries as surgeons most require in the heat of an engagement; and these waggons with �19 their attendants are always to be found in the front of the battle where men are falling the fastest. At the close of the action, the members of the corps hunt up the straggling wounded, assist them to the ambulances and temporary hospitals, and treat them both surgically and medically when the atten­ tion of regular army surgeons is engaged elsewhere. Depabtment of Special Relief. The objects for which this Department was created, are thus described by the Commission itself. 1. To supply to the sick men of the newly-arrived regiments such -medicines, food, and care, as it is impossible for them to receive in the midst of the confusion, and with the unavoidable lack of facilities, from their own officers. The men to be thus aided are those who are not so sick as to have a claim upon a gene­ ral hospital, and yet need immediate care to guard them against serious sickness. 2. To furnish suitable food, lodging, care, and assistance, to men who are honourably discharged from service, sent from general hospitals, or from their regiments; but who are often delayed a day or more in the city—sometimes many days—before they obtain their papers and pay. 3. To communicate with distant regiments in behalf of discharged men, whose certificates of disability or descriptive lists on which to draw their pay, prove to be defective ; the invalid soldiers mean­ time being cared for, and not exposed to the fatigue and risk of going in person to their regiments to have their papers corrected. 4. To act as the unpaid agent, or attorney, of discharged soldiers who are too feeble, or too utterly disabled to present their own claims at the paymaster’s office. 5. To look into the condition of discharged men who assume to be without means to pay the expense of going to their homes ; and to furnish the necessary means where we find the man is true, and the need real. 6. To secure to disabled soldiers railway tickets at reduced rates ; and, through an agent at the railroad station, to see that these men are not robbed or imposed upon by sharpers. 7. To see that all men who are discharged and paid off, do at once leave the city for their homes; or in cases where they have been induced by evil companions to remain behind, to endeavour to rescue them, and see them started with through tickets to their own towns. . 8. To make reasonably clean and comfortable before they leave the city, such discharged men as are deficient in cleanliness and clothes. 9. To be prepared to meet at once with food or other aid, such immediate necessities as arise when sick men arrive in the city in large numbers from battle-fields, or distant hospitals. �20 10. To keep a watchful eye upon all soldiers who are out of hospitals, yet not in service ; and give information to the proper authorities of such soldiers as seem endeavouring to avoid duty, or to desert from the ranks. Soldiers’ Homes. There is a period in the soldier’s career when he may be considered no longer under military surveillance and care, and yet not restored to civil life and the sympathy of his friends or family; men, for instance, discharged or waiting for their discharge from service, or sick or wounded, and unable to pro­ ceed home. To meet such cases,—and there are tens of thou­ sands such,—the Sanitary Commission has established “ Sol­ diers’ Homes” in the great cities of the North .and within easy distance of the principal armies. At the “ Home” on North Capitol Street, Washington, the Commission had provided no less than 89,986 nights’ lodging, and 331,315 meals up to the 1st October 1863, and at Cairo, Illinois, to the same date, 79,550 lodgings and 190,150 meals. It must be borne in mind that all this relief is furnished absolutely gratuitously. “Nurses’ Homes.” Similar homes have been provided for the nurses (male and female) of the Army and the Commission when not engaged in their duties or about to proceed to other fields of labour. Relief is here given also to the wives, mothers and sisters of the troops in search of relatives in the army, and who might other­ wise be friendless and destitute. Other objects oe the “Special Reliee.” This branch of the Commission obtains “ discharge papers” for the men entitled to them; their back-pay; and railroad and other tickets at reduced rates for soldiers returning home. “ The Hospital Directory,” established by this Department, contains the name and address of every sick and wounded man in all the military hospitals throughout the country, with a full statement of the ailment from which he is suffering, and his present whereabouts. �21 An important Fact. The various labours of the United States Sanitary Commis­ sion are purely gratuitous. No charge has ever been made, no return other than simple thanks is ever expected for its con­ stantly increasing labours and outlay. Note B. Testimonials from GENERAL Army Officers. grant. “ Headquarters Department of the Tennessee. “ Vicksburg, Miss., Sept. 28, 1863. “ Commanding Officer, Cairo, Ill. “ Sir,—Direct the Post Quartermaster at Cairo to call upon the United States Sanitary agent at your place, and see exactly what buildings they require to be erected for their charitable and humane purposes. “ The Commission has been of such great service to the country, and at Cairo are doing so much for this army at this time, that I am disposed to extend their facilities for doing good in every way in my power. ****** (Signed) “ U. S. Grant, “ Major General.” MAJOR GENERAL ROSECRANS. “ Headquarters, Department of the Cumberland. “ Murfreesboro, February 2, 1863. “ The General Commanding presents his warmest acknow­ ledgments to the friends of the soldiers of this army. * * * While he highly appreciates and does not undervalue the �2'2 charities which have been lavished on this Army, experience has demonstrated the importance of system and impartiality, as well as judgment and economy, in the forwarding and dis­ tribution of these supplies. In all these respects, the United States Sanitary Commission stands unrivalled. Its organiza­ tion, experience, and large facilities for the work are such that the General does not hesitate to recommend, in the most urgent manner, all those who desire to send sanitary supplies to confide them to the care of this Commission. They will thus insure the supplies reaching their destination without wastage, or expense of agents or transportation, and their being distributed in a judicious manner without disorder or interference with the regulations and usages of the service. “ This Commission acts in full concert with the Medical Department of the Army, and enjoys its confidence,” &c. “ W. S. Rosecrabs. ' “Major General, Commanding Department.” MAJOR GENERAL MEADE. “ Headquarters, Army of the Potomac. “ Friday, April 8,1864. A Jfc -Jfc * -Jfe jfc “ It has been my duty to make inquiry as to the practical working and benefit of the United States Sanitary Commission, and it affords me great pleasure to be able to bear testimony, so far as this army is concerned, to the inestimable benefits and blessings conferred by this noble association on the suffering, sick, and wounded soldiers. * * * * # “ Now, although the Government is most liberal and generous in all its provisions for the sick and wounded, yet it is impos­ sible to keep constantly on hand either the personnel or supplies required in an emergency of this kind. * * * All the additional aid from every source was here most urgently needed, and it gives me great pleasure to say that,/hw the * �23 reports of my medical officers, I am satisfied the United States Sanitary Commission were fully up to the work before them. “ George Gt. Meade, " Major General, Commanding Army of the Potomac.” Opinions of two Armt Surgeons. THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. u We could not do without the Sanitary Commission.” THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. “ It gives no trouble : there is no interference.” THE END.- �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Victorian Blogging Description An account of the resource A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library &amp; Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Conway Hall Library & Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Conway Hall Ethical Society Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Pamphlet Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Military discipline and volunteer philanthropy: a paper read before the Social Science Congress held in the city of York, during the month of September, 1864 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Fisher, Edmund Crisp Description An account of the resource Place of publication: London Collation: 23 p. ; 21 cm. Notes: The United States Sanitary Commission (USSC) was a private relief agency created by federal legislation on June 18 1861, to support sick and wounded soldiers of the United States Army (Federal /Northern / Union Army) during the American Civil War. From the library of Dr Moncure Conway. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available William Ridgway Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Military Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (Military discipline and volunteer philanthropy: a paper read before the Social Science Congress held in the city of York, during the month of September, 1864), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span> Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context G5376 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Language A language of the resource English American Civil War Conway Tracts Discipline Military Military Volunteers United States - Army United States Sanitary Commission https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25778/archive/files/a7ac9ed79fcc039a49de1703333fd8a3.pdf?Expires=1780531200&Signature=PKgKgTO5%7EsdvgA%7EHs9LoX8xyJzp1MgpSAhN2fIHT20MABzm5VyI4KtXE1hFNi8sx8RgOHs%7ENiHAXDIHdZugJbW7qm0bSm2sLJiKcaa6Sewbf2JFTn9TM1cbxjlMaB-%7EXj1KxeF8jGB1griC2YXDF-EcsJ%7E6ijPf3DZEYy9mDPaej1DZuxmKDkd36UPM%7EYKkA3if8E9em1%7EHi6dNezBHWtviYK04dU20hlGdSJPe-QP7LM0DUWBA22p1SfyCe%7EF-N9ttt89ugqbWSHf-Np2GzSh8uuH%7EO5%7EEM52EuS5TF26SiccS7bqhYyFF8DDhgwr4PPo1-6HH0wSgOUtGifA%7Eetg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 945787813f43551115fb4000a338c996 PDF Text Text Plate 1 COMFORT. �ct^ BITS AND BEARING REINS, BY EDWARD FORDHAM FLOWER. SECOND EDITION. LONDON: WILLIAM RIDGWAY, 169, PICCADILLY, W. 1875. ��AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION. As my name has lately been associated with efforts to abolish the barbarous custom of driving carriage horses with Gag bearing-reins, sharp Curbs, and atrocious Bits, to show that I do not speak without knowledge and experience, I will sketch a few facts in my past life, bearing on the subject of horses. I do not remember the time when I could not ride. At four years of age I used to accompany a servant to our post town, three miles from my father’s residence, for letters, and before I was five went alone every morning on my pony for them. My father was an excellent rider, and hunted with Lord Salisbury’s hounds at that time. I used to go out frequently with him. I and my little pony (Moses) were well known to the then Dowager Lady Salisbury, whom I used to follow as well as I could, by scrambling up and down the banks, and along the Hertfordshire lanes. I well remember being sent, at ten years of age, alone, a distance of forty miles to carry a letter, and bring back the answer the next day, that being a quicker way of sending it across the country than by post. �4 That ride was done on a donkey, a fine Spanish ass, which my father imported with a large flock of Merino sheep. In my eleventh year I went, on that same donkey, from our residence near Hert­ ford to Guildford in Surrey on a similar errand; indeed, at that time, riding and driving formed a large item in my scheme of education, much to my satisfaction. Then the scene changed: but the ruling passion was still the same. We were in America, bound for what was then the “Far West.” The road over the Alleghany mountains for long distances was a mere track, or worse. I was then just thirteen, and I drove a pair of horses in an American car­ riage all the way, three hundred miles, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. My mother, who was lame, did not like to trust the driving to any one but me. Had I used bearing-reins, curbs, &c. we should soon have come to grief. Then we floated down the Ohio (in arks) before there were any steamboats on its waters; and another long and difficult driving journey brought us to our destination. During the next few years I took many long journeys with my horse and dogs, sometimes lying out all night under a tree and light­ ing a fire to scare the wolves, when I would make a pillow of the saddle, and lie close to my horse’s back for warmth. In that way we became friends, and I can never look upon horses but with feelings of sympathy, knowing how well they appreciate �it, and how they suffer when neglected or un kindly treated. But I must get on with my story, though it is tempting to linger over some of those wild journeys of my youth. Another change, and I returned to England, but was never without a horse. When I could not afford to give high prices, there was one fault I could always put up with, and that was what is called “temper.” If a horse had a character for being vicious, that was the horse for me. I knew that probably by judicious management and kindness I could make him tractable, so I frequently got a capital animal at a very low price, and I have done as much riding and driving about the country as any one, with no bearing-reins, and generally with a plain snaffle bridle. A few years ago, I bought a fine horse with a bad character, he was a roarer, a jibber, a bolter, and the late coachman told me I should never be able to drive him; but I liked his looks, and the result confirmed my good opinion. The roaring soon ceased after the tight gag bearing-rein was taken away; an easy bit was put in his mouth instead of the severe one, which had caused him to be restive through sheer pain; he became perfectly tractable, and I have driven him for years both in double and single harness with great comfort and safety. I have for many seasons been well known in various hunting fields in the Midland counties, but �6 * CQ T in consequence of a severe illness I have lately been obliged to give up hunting; and last year I came to live in London, thinking that the Row and the Park would in future be field enough for me; and so it would, and a very enjoyable one, were it not disfigured and disgraced by the bar­ barous and senseless use of spurs, whips, curbs, gag bits, and bearing-reins. Fashion is strong— stronger, I fear, than humanity—but still I have hopes. Fashion no longer orders horses to be cropped, docked, and nicked; therefore these new forms of distortion and cruelty may give way. If a few leaders of fashion would join with men and women of common sense and lovers of humanity, we should soon wipe out this blot upon our civili­ zation. I am happy to have been allowed to raise my feeble voice in the cause : and I heartily thank all those (and they are many) who have come for­ ward to help and encourage me. I shall persevere and though I am old, I do not despair of livin long enough to have it engraved on my tombstone, “ He was one of those men who caused the bearingrein to be abolished.” E. F. FLOWER. 35, Hyde Park Gardens. * See Sir Arthur Helps’ “ Some Talk about Animals and their Masters,” p. 68. �A FEW WORDS ABOUT BEARING-REINS. The evils of Bearing-reins, of which the sole use is to hold the horse’s head at an unnatural and dangerous height, have been so frequently and so conclusively pointed out, that it might have been hoped they would have become as obsolete as crop­ ping, docking, and nicking. So far from this being the case, the evil has been continued in an aggravated form by the introduction of the “ Gag bearing-rein.” The mouth of the horse is extremely sensitive. The most valuable qualification for a horseman is that he should possess what is termed “ Hands.” The rarity of this qualification arises from the fact that the hand of man is naturally far less sensitive than the mouth of the horse. Hence Ladies have generally better hands than gentlemen, and gentle­ men better hands than grooms. A horse in harness, without a bearing-rein, has the free command of his limbs, under the direction and control of his driver, communicated to him by the ordinary bit. If the driver has good hands the horse yields a prompt and ready obedi­ ence, and the most perfect sympathy exists between him and his master. A slip or a stumble is not likely to occur, and should it happen recovery is easy. �8 The first step1 in the wrong direction is the use of the old fashioned or simple bearing-rein (Pl. 2). In this the bearing-rein is attached to the ring of the driving bit at B ; it passes through a loop attached to the bridle at C, and is fastened to a hook on the pad at A. The pad is prevented from moving forward by the crupper. Thus the head and tail of the horse are tied together, more or less tightly, according as the bearing-rein and crupper are respectively buckled. This bearing-rein acts as a single or fixed pulley (Pl. 2, fig. 1), in which A, the power, is equivalent to B, the weight. A is the groom’s hand or the power, B the horse’s mouth or the weight, and C the pulley. This bearing-rein may at any time be unhooked from the pad, and the horse thus released from its pressure; a great relief when kept standing for hours, and especially when going up hill. Latterly a far more complicated and powerful instrument has come into fashion. This is the Bedouin, or Gag bearing-rein (Pl. 3), which is attached to the top of the bridle (at E). It is then passed through a swivel attached to the separate bearing-rein bit, which has nothing to do with the driving. Thence it passes through the drop ring (C), and is attached to the pad and crupper as in the former case. The effect of this is to double the power by which it can be tightened, for by mechanics we learn that �1 DISCOMFORT. ���r** r B* TORTURE. �9 1 lb. applied at A is equivalent to 2 lbs. at B, a fact which every one can prove for himself. Thus it is evident what force is brought to bear on the horse’s mouth, a sufficiently sensitive organ, even when unencumbered by another heavy bit, with cruel cutting power. Severe as is the simple bearing-rein explained in Pl. 2, its evil is doubled by the Gag system, for its elevating power is as we have shown doubled, nor can the coachman relax this terrible and dan­ gerous gag bit, for separate as it is from the driving apparatus, it would fall out of the horse’s mouth, and to put it in again would take time and persuasion, or rather force. The pain thus occasioned to the horse is intense. The action of every muscle is impeded. If a false step is taken, recovery is rendered difficult. Dis­ comfort makes the poor animal restless. The impatient movements occasioned by his distress, are not unfrequently visited by a cut from the whip of an ignorant coachman; the horse is called unruly and ill-tempered, when he is only miserable. Some new instrument of torture is forced into his mouth in the shape of a Bit, devised for the very purpose of inflicting pain, until, with temper and mouth both ruined, he passes into the hands of a Bus driver or Cabman, when his bearing-rein is cast aside, and for the first time he is treated with common sense and humanity. It is a severe penance to any man who loves a �10 horse to walk along the fashionable streets or the Park, and to witness the sufferings of horses from this absurd and cruel practice. Little does the benevolent Dowager who sits absorbed in the pages of the last tract of the “ Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,” know of the sufferings of the two noble animals by whom she is leisurely drawn along the “ Lady’s mile.” She probably fancies that the high prancing step, and the toss of the head which scatters flakes of foam at every step are expressions of pride and satisfaction at their task, when in fact they are occasioned by pain, and a vain attempt to obtain a momentary relief from their suffering. Although the evil of bearing-reins has always been clear to me, as will be seen by any one who reads my introduction, the first time I expressed my opinion in public was at the annual meeting of the “ Royal Society for the Suppression of Cruelty to Animals ” in 1868, following an eloquent and powerful speech by the late Earl of Romney. In the appendix I shall reproduce part of that speech, and my own also, as they have probably never been read by any one from that time to this. But no steps were taken to mitigate the evil, indeed it has been increasing fearfully ever since, while the eyes of the carriage driving public seem closed, and their hearts callous. This last year I made another appeal through the �i 11 newspapers. Several Editors were kind enough to insert a few short letters of mine, which have been extensively read both in town and country, and I am happy to say with much good effect. Ex­ pressions of sympathy and encouragement have come to me from all quarters. Many noblemen, gentlemen, and ladies have written to thank and encourage me to persevere,—some to say they never have used bearing-reins, some that they shall in future abolish them, or that they have done so, and that their horses go much better without them. Lord Portsmouth, for instance, a high authority, says:—UI never allow a bearing-rein to be used in my establishment, nor did my father before me ; I am sure they are both useless and cruel.” Thirty or forty years ago, when country people were obliged to drive long distances, the simple bearing-rein was sometimes used, but then it was always unfastened in going up hill, to ease the horse and allow him to exert his strength; but now I seldom or never see a bearing-rein unfas­ tened, even when standing for hours. At that time Four-in-hands were much more common than they are now, as also were fast coaches, and then there were plenty of good coachmen. The “Tantivy ” was a famous coach, going from Lon­ don to Birmingham, via Oxford, 120 miles each day. There were four drivers, three of whom used the simple bearing-rein, but Cracknell, who �12 drove from London to Oxford, never did. I well remember sitting on the box with him when one of his fellow coachmen was ill, and for months he drove the whole distance in one day, and back the next, ten miles an hour, including stoppages, and was always exact to time. His horses had no bearing-reins or cruppers, and soon after that all the other coachmen left them off. But now some gentlemen who drive “four in hand” say they cannot hold their horses without gag reins, curbs, and sharp bits, and even then when they pull up a groom or two has to stand at their heads to keep them quiet, they being so irritated by all those barbarous contrivances. These are some of the facts and arguments with which I plead the cause of this long suffer­ ing and much abused friend and slave of man. I have written warmly, but I believe truthfully; and now I only ask my readers to look with observing and unprejudiced eyes upon their own and other horses, and they will see that I have not exagge­ rated the case. Many, I am sure, will then agree with me, and act as common sense and humanity dictate, abandoning at once and for ever the use of the Gag Bearing-rein. �APPENDIX. Since my first edition was printed, we have had to lament the loss of one who, in his interesting works on various subjects, has said much to deprecate this form of cruelty ; he was one of the first to give mo sympathy and encouragement, and I have a melancholy pleasure in pro­ ducing a short letter from him, as his valuable opinion must give weight to mine. Dear Mr. Flower, Your letter in the “Daily News” of to-day looks well, and I trust will have a good effect. You have evi­ dently been careful not in the least to exaggerate the suffering and the mischief caused by this foolish and detestable bearing-rein. Yours very truly, ARTHUR HELPS. CRUELTY TO HORSES. To the Editor of the “Times.” Sir,—Much has been written and said about cruelty to animals, and a very excellent Society is doing much to suppress it, in many ways very successfully; but there is one most cruel and barbarous practice going on all around us, of which they take no notice, possibly because the perpetrators are in the higher classes of society, which really makes it much worse, for they ought to know better. This stupid and cruel practice is the use of the gag or Bedouin bearing-rein to carriage horses; which not only puts the animal to present torture, but by forcing the head into an unnatural position, brings on many painful and fatal disorders. Let any one watch the horses in the Park, or standing as they do for hours at the theatres, �14 shops, &c., with foaming mouths, and tongues swollen and hanging out, trying to get a little case to their poor heads and necks, by tossing them up, putting them side­ ways, or in any possible position, vainly appealing to their unheeding or ignorant masters, or coachmen to slacken, if only for a few minutes, the torturing rein, and then say, if we can call ourselves a humane people ? Probably, the master or mistress only hires the horses and cares nothing about them, so long as they get through their work, perhaps thinking that a horse with his head stuck up in the air looks finer than in a natural and graceful position. Many other evils of this bearing-rein might be pointed out, especially when coupled, as they frequently are, with one or other of the atrocious bits now in use; but what I have now said may be enough to draw the attention of some who, while they consider themselves lovers of humanity, and are anxious to suppress cruelty when they see it in isolated cases, and among the lower orders, yet are all the time inflicting it in this aggravated and senseless manner.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, E. F. FLOWER. THE GAG BEARING-REIN. To the Editor of the “ Daily News,” August 20. Sir,—You were so good as to insert a letter from me on this subject in your impression of the 10th inst., and I have been kindly responded to by many communica­ tions, public and private. I have also to thank you heartily in the name of humanity for your excellent article on the 11th. Surely, enough, one might think, had been said on this subject, but such evils are slow of cure. I have always paid much attention to horses and to their treat­ ment, and since I have lived in London have been parti­ cularly struck with the general unkindness of coachmen �15 to their dumb slaves, and the ignorance and indifference of masters and mistresses. I seldom ride in the Park, or in the fashionable streets during the season, without having my feelings outraged by some flagrant sight of suffering and cruelty. When I have occasionally called the attention of a coachman to it or asked him to slacken a rein, he generally tells me to mind my own business, and if I spoke to the master he would probably say, “ Oh, the horses are not mine, I only hire them.” Whereas if I speak to a carter and explain to him how much more comfortably the animal would draw his load if left free, he usually thanks me, and often does what I suggest. Indeed, I find as a rule much less sympathy between drivers and their horses in the upper than in the lower classes, and yet it is to prosecute the latter that the energies and funds of the Royal Society for the Preven­ tion of Cruelty to Animals are applied. Beyond printing arguments, and distributing them to those who ask for them, the Society say they can do nothing; but surely this infliction of the gag bearing-rein ought to come within the Act for “ torturing animals,” under which there are hundreds of convictions every year. I have not heard of one gentleman or gentleman’s coachman being brought to justice, though his horses may stand gagged and tor­ tured for half the night. No wonder there are so many complaints of the want of good horses, of the high price, and of their wearing out so soon. By inserting this you will oblige yours obediently, E. F. FLOWER. GAG BEARING-REINS. To the Editor of the “Daily News.” Sir,—Allow me space for a few lines on one point which I omitted in my former letter on this subject. �16 There is frequently a cross bar at the bottom of the bit, and when the bearing-rein is taken away, it is possible that the horse, by rubbing the pole or shaft, may catch the bit on it, and cause an accident, therefore the cross bar ought to be cut away (it is of no use), or a new bit substituted, which saddlers call a “ Liverpool bit,"’"’ or a plain snaffle, which for single harness is best of all, if a coachman has good hands and knows how to drive by judicious management, and not, as is too often the case entirely by main force, though with some horses it may be necessary to have a curb, especially if their mouths have been spoiled by bad driving. I am happy to know that in consequence of the present discussion some of your readers have abolished the bar­ barous invention of the gag bearing-rein, and they assure me their horses go much better.—-Yours obediently, E. F. FLOWER. AN EARNEST APPEAL TO LADIES WHO OWN OR DRIVE CARRIAGE HORSES. Cruelty of the Gag Bit and Bearing-rein. —You all know the oft-quoted lines of Gray: “ * * * * where ignorance is bliss] ’Tis folly to be wise.” Upon that principle, I suppose, people shut their eyes to much of the misery going on around them; but if by knowledge they can remedy the evil, it is surely folly to be ignorant. Ladies little know the amount of pain that is being inflicted upon their carriage horses by the uso of the gag bearing-rein, and the atrociously sharp bits and curbs which their coachmen are so fond of using. When next you step out of your carriage or go into the Park or fashionable streets, just look at the animals’ mouths, �17 which are naturally as sensitive as any part of your own frame—how they are frequently foaming, quivering, lace­ rated by all that torturing iron, while their heads are gagged up by a strong leather rein, through a double pulley to the saddle, which is made tight to the tail by the crupper; so that the mouth and tail of the poor animal are tied together; and in that way they have to draw their load or stand for hours at theatres, shops, &c., unrelieved, while probably the coachman amuses himself by “ touching them up” with his whip if they venture by restlessness to show the agony they are enduring. The coachman’s excuse for extra sharp bits, curbs, and reins, generally is that the horses pull. Of course they pull when they are hurt, to get away from the pain. Few horses pull whose mouths have not been spoiled by rough hands and hard bits. Ladies are accused of liking to see horses with their heads stuck up in the air (like wooden rocking horses) and their legs prancing. Surely it is because they do not know how much more graceful a well-fed, not overworked horse is in its free, natural attitudes. Do, ladies, look at your horses’ mouths; do not mind what your coachmen say about the necessity of such barbarous atrocities of gag bearing-reins and sharp bits, and the irritating use of the whip; make yourself acquainted with the animals to whom you owe so much of your comfort and pleasure—they will well repay you for any consideration and kindness. Let them be driven with as little pain to themselves as possible, and there will be far less danger of their running away, kicking, stumbling, or falling down, as nearly all accidents arise from some irritating cause to the horse, either in the harness or the driver. C. F. B �18 “ Another source of great suffering to animals, and with which I am less practically acquainted, is the use of the bit. What is suitable for one horse is not suitable for another; and in changing a bit, it is a matter of the greatest consequence that it is suitable, otherwise you will be putting the animal to unnecessary pain. And then there is the bearing-rein: the use of this shows a want of information and knowledge of the horse, and a great lack of knowing what are the capabilities of the animal.”—Extract from Speech delivered at Torquay by Baroness Burdett Coutts (1874). From the “Daily News,” August 12th, 1874. In our impression on Monday a Correspondent made an appeal to the owners or hirers of carriage horses to aban­ don the use of the gag bearing-rein, which inflicts a very considerable amount of pain and discomfort on these muchenduring animals. We fancy that the ladies and gentle­ men in question have no idea whatever of the torture which is thus inflicted on horses, or they would immediately order their grooms to go back to the old bearing­ rein, or abandon both altogether. The old one was bad enough, to be sure. Its only object was to keep the head of the horse high in .the air, and to make it paw and rear at starting, for the admiration of nurserymaids; but it did not at all add to the safety of the inmates of the carriage in going down hill, when the horse could not possibly recover from a stumble, while the unfortunate animal, in going up hill, lost that chance of “ putting its head down to its work ” which is natural to beasts of draught. The gag bearing-rein, however, is infinitely worse in its opera­ tion, chaining up the animal’s head in an unnatural and cramped position; while, as our Correspondent says, it is generally used in combination with a bit so inhumanly �19 i ; | j K I constructed as to provoke the temper of the quietest horse going. It is no wonder that perfectly broken horses hired for the season from some job-master are returned to him at the end of three months in a fair way to become habitual jibbers, through the fashion in which they have been treated by some reckless groom who wants to cut a dash at starting. As for gentlemen who own the horses they drive, the comfort of these animals should be to them a matter of constant attention, and not left to depend on the caprice or ignorance of a servant. We are i sorry to hear, moreover, that this evil English fashion is | being copied abroad, where bearing-reins of every dei! scription were at one time wholly unknown. Of course, whatever England does in the way of horses and carriages | must seem good in the eyes of the lucky speculator on the I Bourse, whose only aim is to have a gorgeous turn-out in il the Bois. But English gentlemen are said to know their fl horses, and have a tender care for them; and we shall B be glad to find the instrument of torture we have men[|tioned put aside as unworthy of the humaner tendencies :qof our time. F, ■ From the “ Evening Standard.” In another column our readers will see that Mr. Flower renews his protest against bearing-reins, and lays before d the public his own experience. What he says on the sub 91ject is well worthy of attention, and cannot be dismissed gjas the utterance of some unpractical humanitarian. For 4a generation past the writer has been pretty well known ajas a cross-country rider in Warwickshire, and he is, theremfore, presumably well qualified to speak about horses. ilAnd the bearing-rein question is one which ought, just dhow, certainly to engage the attention of those who care do do real work in the prevention of cruelty to animals. J b 2 �20 It is whispered that when the conference of humanitarian was recently in session at the Albert Hall, there were some fine specimens of horse torture to be seen in the waiting carriages outside. Besides, the old-fashioned bearing-rein which was sometimes not worse than merely uncomfort able, is being superseded by a bearing-rein which hauls at the bit by a pulley, giving a pull of two pounds at the mouth for every one on the rein. This, when tightly fitted has the unsightly effect of sometimes causing the tongue of the horse to hang out of its mouth. So it is supplemented by a curb bit fitted with a hoop, in which the tongue is held straight, the bar of the curb passing under the tongue, and acting cruelly on the most tender and sensitive part of the mouth. Not only are such fashions as these cruel, but their adoption spoils good horses, and indicates that in all probability the coachman knows but little of his business. GAG BEARING-REINS. From the Spectator. A correspondent of more than one of the morning papers, Mr. E. F. Flower, has been descanting with great force and good sense on the absurdity of bearing-reins, a part of the harness which has no effect on the horse except an irritating one, which, when a “ gag bearing-rein” is used, as it is now more and more frequently in London, is a simple instrument of torture. The truth is that the popularity of bearing-reins is due almost entirely to grooms and coach­ men, who have an ignorant liking for that uneasy motion of the horse’s head which it induces, and which, they think, imposes on the world as “ fire.” Now, a very large number of the class of self-made rich men, having no knowledge of their own horses, are completely in the hands of their coachmen and grooms, and yield an implicit faith, �21 therefore, to the efficiency of the bearing-rein. If a few long haired gentlemen or ladies would try how far it would add to the freedom of their own movements to have their back hair fastened tight down to the small of their waists, they would form a better notion of the delights and utili­ ties of the bearing-rein. “ In England,” says an American paper, “ the greatest cruelty to horses comes from the use of the bearing-rein, which is used for pomposity. The horses, with heads stuck in the air, and mouths fretted and foaming, look so much more dashing and spirited ! The other day, while the Congress concerning cruelty was in session, there was a long line of coaches in front of the building, and in many horses were suffering most intensely, while the wealthy owners were weeping over the woes of the animals of the poor.” To the Editor of the Daily News. Sept. 12. Sir,—I have just received the following letter, and as it bears forcibly upon the subject of my former letters -to you, I shall be obliged by your giving it a place in your valuable paper.—Yours obediently, E. F. FLOWER. 35, Iljde Park gardens, Sept. 5. Derby, Sept. 4. My dear Sir,—I have read with deep interest your letter of the 10th of last month relative to the use of bearing-reins, as they are now frequently applied to single and double harness. Everyone who has noticed, as you have done, the torture to which some horses are subjected by having their heads held in such an unnatural �22 position for a length of time, must feel with you the desir­ ability of abating this evil as much as possible. You have only alluded to horses driven in London, but thou­ sands of poor animals are sadly irritated and injured throughout the country by the improper use of the bear­ ing-rein. As soon as I had read your admirable letter on this subject, two circumstances occurred to my mind which I doubt not will interest you. About 40 years ago I was driving with my father in a gig when, on descending a slight hill, the horse, a very valuable one, stumbled. My father, having great strength in his arms, and being an unusually good whip, retained his seat, and although the poor animal broke his knees badly, he re­ covered himself before we alighted. We noticed the repeated but fruitless efforts the poor horse made to save himself from falling, and in doing this his weight upon the bearing-rein actually drew the hook (which was the old-fashion D-shaped one) straight out, which liberated the rein, and allowed the horse to regain his feet. We noticed the ill effect of the bearing-rein, and discarded its use for the future j and it is my firm belief, from per­ sonal observation and matured experience, that horses do their work with infinitely less fatigue to themselves and less danger in falling, in case they stumble, if they have the free use of their heads. About the same period my father purchased a nearly thoroughbred mare for a frac­ tion of her value in consequence of the gentleman to whom she belonged being unable to drive her. She had a tender mouth, and the moment the coachman put the bedouin rein on the hook of the pad she reared and plunged so violently as to be really dangerous; but after being driven by us a few times without a bearing-rein, �23 she became the most docile creature ever driven in single or double harness. There are undoubtedly some few horses whose heads cannot be sufficiently held up to be driven with comfort without the bearing-rein, but these need not be so tight as to cause the horse pain, or prevent his putting his head in a natural position. In the great majority of cases it would prove greatly to the interest of all owners of horses to discard the use of the bearing or bedouin reins.—Yours very truly, HERBERT M. HOLMES. E. F. Flower, Esq. P.S. When I am again in town, I shall be much pleased to spend an hour with you, and hear the progress you are making in your philanthropic efforts in behalf of the London horses. I am glad to say there is little to complain of in this part of the country; several gentlemen have abandoned the use of bearing-reins since reading your letters in our local papers. One, who drives into town most days eight miles of hilly road, assures me he does it now in a quarter of an hour less time, and with less distress to the horses. * To the Editor of the Times. Aug. 13, 1874 Sir,—From horses you certainly earn to-day an unani­ mous vote of thanks for your insertion of Mr. Flower’s appeal “ against ” bearing-reins. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has constantly advocated the same humane course through its journal, the Animal World. Your co-operation was, however, the �24 very power that was wanted to set the mattter before the public in the proper light. The only solid argument in favour of bearing-reins is that a horse is thereby held better together for show purposes. Let it, then, be con­ ceded that bearing-reins are admissible with a dress car­ riage on state occasions; also, too, if horses are heavy in hand, the streets crowded, and the coachman an indifferent whip. But for horses to have their heads kept constantly in one most unnatural position during long country drives, up hills and over bad roads, during “ hours” of waiting to take up at night, when there are even none to admire save a snoring Jehu, is alike cruel and unworthy of a nation pro­ minent in all things, but most prominent in the matter of horses. It is not only to our own horses that we do a grievous injury, but also to those of our numerous foreign imitators in all that concerns equine treatment. The night waiting beared up to the sky is the most important of all; for master and servant, if they do not sleep at one time sleep at another. With horses it is different. They can, and do, sleep standing, if allowed, but how is it possible for them to do so in their forced attitude ? At 3 a.m. possibly, they reach their stable. The coach­ man is tired; so in nine cases out of ten he just takes off the harness, puts on the head-stall, and goes to bed. In the early morning, while the coachman yet sleeps, the groom comes, rouses the horses, does out the stable, and to save himself the trouble of re-grooming the animals, puts on the rack chain, even in the stable confining their heads. Thus do horses fall sick and break down, by being deprived of their natural rest, and tortured for show. Let me beseech masters to apply themselves to the subject. Let them only “ try ” the experiment of giving up bearing-reins. They will �25 certainly never take to them again if they appreciate the increased usefulness of their horses. Let them make the essay now in the country, and in the name of humanity I urge them next year in London to order their coachmen “never to put on bearing-reins at night/’ and if, perchance, they be necessary, as is possible in a few cases, that they be invariably loosened when waiting about after “ setting down.” There are perhaps, Sir, but few arts of civilization which Russia can bring to England. This one, though, there assuredly is, of the treatment of horses. The country of the Duchess of Edinburgh boasts some of the finest cattle in the world; incomparably powerful, docile, fast, and high-actioned horses, unabused by bearing-reins, high ports, heavy lever bits, curb chains, blinkers, ill-fitting, hard, heavy collars, hideous cumbrous pads, and unsightly cruppers. With plain snaffle-bits, the Russian coachman drives his three stallions at full gallop through crowded streets. The vehicle is lighter than anything we see in England, the collar of the smallest and most comfortable descripton, and, save the traces, a few thin straps repre­ sent the rest of the harness. Surely there is something herein for us to learn, and if there be any one willing to profit by it, he can see excellent specimens of Russian harness in the International Exhibition before it closes. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, C. E. H. VINCENT, Corresponding Mem­ ber of the Russian Society (Moscow Branch) for the Protection of Animals; and Delegate for the same at the recent International Congress. Jffaval and Military Club, W., Aug. 13, 1874. �26 Part of a Speech by the late Earl of Romney at the Annual Meeting of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1868. “ I will now speak of the upper classes. 1 regret to say that a practice is now being revived which was in vogue some thirty or forty years ago, but had been dis­ continued, and that is putting bearing-reins upon horses. I have no doubt that half the persons who adopt this practice are quite unconscious of the cruelty of it. I well recollect that when Sir Francis Head came over from North America, he drew attention to the extreme folly, without going further than that, when you want an animal to work, of putting something upon him which tends to restrain him from doing that work. For some time the foolish fashion went out, but I regret to say that it seems now to be reviving. It must be a source of grief to see the number of animals in carriages to which this bearing-rein is applied. The first thing is, whatever may be the form of the neck of the horse, to bring him so to speak into the same line, and the bearing-rein is introduced in order to bring his head into the required position. He is then attached to a carriage, and what is the next step ? Perhaps the carriage is ordered to the door a couple of hours before it suits the convenience of the riders to enter it, and they let the horse stand there exposed to the heat of the sun and the biting of the flies; and there is the wretched animal with his head stuck up in the air, unable to drive away a fly; and among those persons who allow that, let me earnestly ask are there any ladies or gentlemen who come here and satisfy their conscience by subscribing a guinea a year to this Society, in order that some wretched costermonger, who has to maintain himself and family by working a donkey, may �be brought before a magistrate, committed and punished because his animal has got a sore ? Those persons by their want of sympathy, teach the custom until it comes down to, and is adopted by, the costermonger. If I had the power, I should like to put these people out in the sun half undressed and let the flies bite them, because they would very soon be able to understand what torture they were inflicting upon those poor unfortunate animals; for while the wealthy classes can have no excuse for their cruelty, often the poor costermonger pleads poverty and the wants of his family as an excuse. The question is, can anything be done by this Society to obviate the evils to which I have referred ? Is there any mode which can be suggested to these persons in order to shew the mis­ chief which they are doing ? I was talking to a job­ master and veterinary surgeon this morning upon the subject, and he assured me that much mischief was done, and that the effect of the bearing-rein upon the con­ struction of some portion of the throat of the horse was to make them roarers, so that we are not only foolish to use such an appliance, but we are wicked as well. The Secretary informs me that there is a book written upon the subject. I think it would be worth while if we were to send it to persons of influence, in order that they may have the subject brought to their notice.” Mr. Flower :—“ I am happy that the noble Lord who has preceded me has touched upon the subject upon which I was anxious to speak, when I was asked to second this resolution. I think that attention must be called to the different departments, if I may so express myself, of the cruelty question to animals; and the particular de- �28 partment to which my attention has been called is that which the noble Lord on my left has so graphically and ably exposed, and to which the higher classes of society have not had their attention sufficiently called, namely, the bearing-rein. Having had, both in America and in Eng­ land, more than fifty years’ experience of the horse, I am prepared to affirm (and I feel assured that you will not omit to attend to the subject) that there is not a more unnecessary or gratuitous cruelty than the bearing-rein as it is now put on the horse by the higher class of society. Among the lower class of society, with whom I have often had to deal, I have got the answer, ‘Look at that horse and compare him with mine.’ I will tell you the difference. The bearing-rein which Sir Francis Head abolished by good writing was compara­ tively a humane bearing-rein to many bearing-reins which we see in London at the present time. I must describe to you what this bearing-rein practically is. In the first place I must tell you that the old fashioned bearing-rein merely took a single rein from each side of the bit, and was fastened to the collar or the saddle. The new fashioned bearing-rein, or Bedouin or gag bearing-rein, is fastened first to the head of the bridle against the horse’s ears, and then a small round piece of leather comes down and passes through a ring in the horse’s bit. It is then passed over the collar to the saddle, and he is reined in by the groom. What is the effect of that ? Instead of the groom, when he reins up the horse, exerting the power of a pound weight, this acts as a pulley, and he exerts the power of two pounds, probably people do not sufficiently consider this when they have these bearing-reins. I will ask you philan­ thropic gentlemen and tender-hearted ladies only to walk down St. James’s Street on a Drawing Room day, and see �29 the agony which is caused to exist there. Ladies in their carriages, going to the Drawing Room, and gentlemen going to the Drawing Room, do not attend to these matters ; the coachman on the box, to save a little trouble in the management of his horses, folding his arms; the footman not getting off, as he should do, to relieve the head when the horse is standing still—all are accessories to what I.denounce as a great and unnecessary cruelty which is practised at the present day. I fully bear out what has been said before me, as I feel so strongly on the subject, having known great injury to arise to horses who have been so treated. Speaking to a dealer some years ago upon the subject, I asked him how it was he was gradually tighten­ ing up horses’ heads from day to day before he sold them. He said that many people would not buy them unless he did so—that London people always wanted their horses to carry their heads high and to step high; and he said, ‘ another thing is, it soon wears them out, and they come for another pair of horses.’ If a horse is naturally a highstepping one, that is one thing, but to get a horse out of his natural gait I hold to be wanton cruelty. Some years ago all the coach horses had bearing-reins, until Sir Francis Head wrote them down. I very well remember observing to a coachman on one occasion that he had not the bearing-rein. He said that he had been reading the writings of Sir Francis Head, and (said he) ‘ How do you imagine that a horse can be the better for having his head and his tail tied together,’ for from the crupper to the mouth there is a tightness which is very bad for the horse. There is one thing which I wish you would observe, and get your friends to observe also, because if you were to do that we should get rid of the tightness of these bearing­ reins. Many of you have no doubt noticed cab horses �30 and omnibus horses at work without any bearing-reins at all. There are many horses which have been worked with a bearing-rein, but would not have strength to do their work if the bearing-rein were applied to them now. They work without the bearing-rein, and they do not tumble down. You will see in St. James’s Street, when there is a Drawing Room, horses stand for two or three hours together. What is the expression of their coun­ tenance ? They throw their heads first on one side and then on the other. They are trussed up like a fowl going to be roasted. They are put in that position which pro­ duces immense pain, which is wanton cruelty. I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to get your friends to consider this point, for I have heard from the very mem­ bers of this Society, “ Oh, no, it is nothing at all—it is merely a matter of habitbut I assure you that until this cruel bearing-rein is done away with, there is little to be done with the ordinary habits of the lower classes of society. I have used bearing-reins myself with som®particular horses, but I have never used the gag bearing­ rein. It is this particular instrument which, after Sir Francis Head had done away with the old bearing-rein, some saddler invented, to sell. I ask you to distinguish between the two things. A slack bearing-rein which is put on many of the working horses, though I do not think them good things, is a comparatively innocuous contrivance, while the bearing-rein strapped up with the tightness with which you see it, is one of the most cruel things which could exist; and I do not think you could do better, when the London season begins, than to have some paper drawn up and sent to every person who keeps a carriage and horses in London. It has been said, ‘ the Society must not interfere with private rights.’ Why, you are not interfering with private rights, but you are �31 interfering with private wrongs. In this same way the Society is interfering all day long with private rights, as these abuses are called. But attention being drawn to this subject, the constant watching it and speaking about it, that will get this abuse done away with. I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that living in a country neigh­ bourhood as I do, I come to London sometimes with a great deal of pleasure; but when I see these cruelties, and see the horses pulled up with that gag rein, the pain is such that I have felt utterly disgusted with it, and have felt inclined to leave London at once. The noble Lord who preceded me so ably described this evil that perhaps it was unnecessary for me to have made the observations I have, but I wish to bear my testimony to that of this Society “ against'Lthe cruelty and pernicious effect of the Bearing-Rein.” THE END. �DARVILL’S ENGLISH RACE-HORSE. In 2 vols., with Plates, price 30$, New Edition. A TREATISE ON THE CARE, TREATMENT, AND TRAINING OF THE ENGLISH RACE-HORSE. With Important Details applicable to bettering the condition of Horses in general. By R. DARVILL, V.S. to the Seventh Hussars. “ Never before was such a book written in any language, so replete with those minute but indispensable particulars of practice, and by a writer who has personally performed his part throughout the whole of the practice. This is the true book of reference for every stud and training groom, and every jockey.”'—Vide Lawrence on the Horse, p. 297. THE FARMERS’ MEDICAL DICTIONARY FOR THE DISEASES OF ANIMALS. By Cuthbert W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S. Price 6$. “ This is a very useful work. It contains a great variety of recipes for the cure of the diseases of domestic animals, which have long been successfully employed in an extensive practice in the south of England.”— Gardeners' Chronicle. “ A capital work.”—Mark Lane Express. WILLIAM RIDGWAY, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Victorian Blogging Description An account of the resource A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library &amp; Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Conway Hall Library & Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Conway Hall Ethical Society Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Pamphlet Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bits and bearing reins Description An account of the resource Edition: 2nd ed. Place of publication: London Collation: 31 p. : ill. (3 plates) ; 22 cm. Notes: Includes bibliographical references. From the library of Dr Moncure Conway. Includes an autobiographical introduction. Appendix including letters sent by the author to the editors of daily newspapers. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Flower, Edward Fordham Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available William Ridgway Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1875 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CT48 Subject The topic of the resource Animal welfare Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (Bits and bearing reins), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Language A language of the resource English Animal Welfare Conway Tracts Horses