e sentiment
of the race is depressed.--_Alcott._

An English medical author says, "It is no doubt true that the
constant use of animal food disqualifies the mind for literary
application. We can scarcely imagine a philosopher living on horse
flesh like a Tartar, or on buffalo meat like an Indian; and it is a
fact that these tribes appear incapable of civilization until they
acquire the habit of using a less stimulating diet, and begin to
cultivate the fruits of the earth for their own use. The difference,
in the success of Christian missions, between such people and those
whose chief sustenance is farinaceous food, is very striking and
worthy of especial notice. In the East, and in Polynesia, literature
and Christian doctrines are seized upon with avidity. But in vain
were the most earnest labors of the best men to introduce reading
and writing among the American Indians until they had first been
taught to grow corn and to eat bread."

An American gentleman traveling in the East met a Brahmin priest,
who refused to shake hands with him for fear of pollution. The
reason he assigned was that Americans eat hogs. Said the priest,
"Why, I have heard that in America they put hogs' flesh in barrels
and eat it after it has been dead six months! Horrible!"

Pork is by no means a favorite food in Scotland. King James is said
to have abhorred pork almost as much as he did tobacco. He said, "If
I were to give a banquet to the devil, I would provide a loin of
pork and a poll of ling, with a pipe of tobacco for digestion!"
--_Scott._

The Hindu would as soon think of becoming a cannibal as of eating
swine's flesh. It is stated that the Indian mutiny so frightful in
its results originated in a fear among the Sepoys that they would be
forced to eat pork. A lady in India had an amusing experience which
illustrates the Hindu sentiment on the subject of pig. Arriving late
at a grand dinner, she and her husband saw the first course being
carried in as they went down the hall. A row of khitmutgars was
drawn up, waiting to follow the dish into the dining-room, and serve
their respective employers; as a dish of ham was carried by, each
man gravely and deliberately spat upon it! Needless to say, Mrs. B.
and her lord waited for the second course.

Both the ancient Syrians and Egyptians abstaine