BERGH, HENRY, b. N. 1., 1823; educated at Columbia college, and author of several works of fiction, among them a drama called Love's Attractions, Married Off, The &eon Paragon, The streets of Sew York, etc. He was secretary of legation at St. Peters burg in 1863, and subsequently vice-consul. Nearly 20 years ago he became interested in the treatment of domestic anhnals, and in face of much opposition he succeeded, in 1866, in getting an incorporation of the " American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals." The work of the society commended itself to the better class of the peo ple, and its growth was rapid and substantial. The report for the first year showed 101 prosecutions; 41 for beating horses or other animals with clubs, whips, etc.; 10 for con veying animals in a cruel and inhuman manner; 15 for driving horses unfit to be used, 3 for overloading; 12 for starving or abandoning horses or other animals; and 20 for various acts of cruelty to cattle, dogs, cats, poultry, etc. In the thirteen years end ing with 1878, there were 6S09 prosecutions, including, besides the offenses named, driving horses until they fell dead, dragging horses' with broken legs through the streets, selling diseased animals, plucking poultry while alive, dog and cock tight inn. using instruments of torture, malicious mutilating, wounding, or poisoning of animals, etc. When the society began operations, the common method of transporting sheep and calves was by tying their legs and piling them one on another in a truck, the driver not seldom seating himself comfo;tahly upon the agonizing heap, and taking his ease, while they bleated and groaned beneath him. Now such animals are carried
standing iu large cages. The main room of the society contains a curious collection of the bits, spurs, gags, fetters, goads, and other instruments of torture heretofore used, fit to be shown with similar engines employed in the palmy days of the.• Spanish inquisi tion upon men and women who failed to believe in the dogmas held by their tormentors. Since the organization of Mr. B.•s society, 13 branches have been started in the state of New York. In the other states of the union and in Canada, there are now 62 societies devoted to tire same object; and England and other foreign countries have followed the example. In Nov., 1878, the "International Society of America" held its first session to consider the question of the transportation of cattle. It must be added that the humane work begun by most B. soon enlisted the sympathies of women, and some of m his ablest assistants and ost generous donors are found among the estimable ladies in Now York and elsewhere. The present society has for six years published a journal to advocate its purposes, and its drinking hydrants for man and beast iu various parts of the city and tire parks keep it in constant memory.