Chapter CCLXX

From the point of view of the moralist the animal world is on about the same level as a gladiator's show. The creatures are fairly well treated, and set to fight--whereby the strongest, the swiftest, and the cunningest live to fight another day. The spectator has no need to turn his thumbs down, as no quarter is given. He must admit that the skill and training displayed are wonderful. But he must shut his eyes if he would not see that more or less enduring suffering is the meed of both vanquished and victor. And since the great game is going on in every corner of the world, thousands of times a minute; since, were our ears sharp enough, we need not descend to the gates of hell to hear--

....sospiri, pianti, ed alti guai.
Voci alte e fioche, e suon di man con elle

--it seems to follow that, if this world is governed by benevolence, it must be a different sort of benevolence from that of John Howard.