Our keen snse of the ridiculous helps us to endure much that should never be endured; and the easy laugh with which an American citizen recognizes the rascality of the men whom he permits to rule him, is a death-blow to the reforms which are essential alike to his well-being and to his self-respect.

The day must come, though it seems far distant yet, when an advanced civilization will question its own right to condemn wild creatures to lifelong captivity, for the amusement which we call complacently instruction.