A CHINESE PROCLAMATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2710, 23 November 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

A CHINESE PROCLAMATION.

j The Governor of Ningpo has issued the following proclamation totheagriculturists | of his district, enjoining them not to kill certain of the smaller animals. It is in a metre of six syllables, as the more paternal decrees of Chinese administrators frequently are .-—"Frogs are produced in the middle of your fields; although they are little things they are small human beings in form. They cherish a life-long attachment to their natal soil, and at night they melodiously sing in coucert with clear voices. Moreover, they protect your crops by eating locusts, thus deserving the gratitude of the people. Why go after dark with lanterns, scheming to capture the harmless and useful things ? Although they may be nice flavouring for your rice, it is heartless to flay them. Henceforward it is forbidden to buy or sell them, and those who do so will be severely punished. Sparrows, again, sing at their season sweetly in the trees. They are not like wolves, tigers, or leopards, which may take to injuring men when they grow large. Why go out with nets to catch them all from the hills and woods ? Know that for the strong to slay the feeble for food is the way of wild beasts and rapacious birds. Resist the lust of your mouths and bellies for saToury meats, and thus act in unison with heaven, which loves to preserve life. Both these sorts of creatures you are forbidden to catch from henceforth. Do not flatter yourselves that after this warning the punishment for disobedience will be mild."