Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Cruelty, Animal Behaviour, Crime, Zoological Gardens, Government

    Responds to news of the bill for the prevention of cruelty to animals promoted by John V S Townshend (Viscount Raynham), a measure so rigorous that 'you would not have been able to have had a lobster for supper' and which would have made it unsafe 'for any man to open an oyster'. Notes the devastating effect that the bill, which legislates against confinement of animals, would have on the Zoological Society Gardens and its secretary, David W Mitchell. Observes that the bill has as much chance of passing as 'the Master of the Mint passing a bad shilling' and believes Raynham's 'absurd attempt at legislation' is the result of 'the wildest outbreak of animal spirits'.