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America Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat-Part25_TingFang Wu(1842-1922)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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he is unable to see its evil side even though in other respects



he may be humane and kind-hearted. Thus the sorry spectacle is presented

of highly civilized and humane people displaying their courage



by hunting and attacking wild animals, not only in their own native country

but in foreign lands as well. Such personages are, I regret to have to add,



not unknown in the United States.

The fact that hunting has been followed from time immemorial,



that the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians

indulged in this pastime, does not make it any more suitable an occupation



for us to-day. The good qualities of temper and patience

which hunting demands are equally well developed by athletic sports.



I understand that a good huntingestablishment will cost as much as

$10,000 (2000 Pounds) a year. Surely those who can afford so much on luxuries



could find a more refinedamusement in yachting and similar recreations.

To sail a yacht successfully in half a gale of wind, is, I should imagine,



more venturesome, more exciting, and a pastime requiring a manifestation

of more of the qualities of daring, than shooting a frightened animal



from the safe retreat of the saddle of a trusty horse;

and not even the hunt of the wild beast can equal in true sportsmanship



a contest with the wind and the waves, for it is only occasionally

that a beast shows fight because he is wounded, and even then



man is well protected by his gun; but whether yachting or swimming

the sportsman's attitude of watchfulness is uninterrupted.



I fancy it is convention and custom, rather than conviction

of the superiority of the sport, that has given hunting its pre-eminence.



It is on record that four thousand years ago the ancient emperors of China

started periodically on hunting expeditions. They thus sought relief from



the monotony of life in those days; in the days of the Stuarts, in England,

royalty found pleasure in shows which were childish and even immoral.



Of course in barbarous countries all savages used to hunt for food.

For them hunting was an economic necessity, and it is no slander



to say that the modern hunt is a relic of barbarism.

It is, indeed, a matter of surprise to me that this cruel practice



has not ceased, but still exists in this twentieth century.

It goes without saying that hunting means killing the defenseless,



inflicting misery and death on the helpless; even if it be admitted

that there is some justification for killing a ferocious and dangerous animal,



why should we take pleasure in hunting and killing the fox,

the deer, the hare, the otter, and similar creatures?



People who hunt boast of their bravery and fearlessness,

and to show their intrepidity and excellent shooting



they go to the wilderness and other countries to carry on their "sport".

I admire their fearless courage but I am compelled to express my opinion



that such actions are not consistent with those of a good-hearted

humane gentleman.



Still less excuse is there for the practice of shooting.

What right have we to wantonly kill these harmless and defenseless birds



flying in the air? I once watched pigeon shooting at a famous watering place,

the poor birds were allowed to fly from the trap-holes simply that



they might be ruthlessly killed or maimed. That was wanton cruelty;

to reprobate too strongly such revolting barbarity is almost impossible.



I am glad to say that such cruel practices did not come under my observation

during my residence in the States, and I hope that they are not American vices



but are prohibited by law. No country, with the least claim to civilization,

should allow such things, and our descendants will be astonished



that people calling themselves civilized should have indulged

in such wholesale and gratuitous atrocities. When people allow animals



to be murdered -- for it is nothing but murder -- for the sake of sport,

they ought not to be surprised that men are murdered by criminals






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