Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1896 — Rice-Eaters. [ARTICLE]

Rice-Eaters.

The Fortnightly Review Is of the opinion that diet has more or less Influence upon character, but does not concede that a vegetable diet renders the eater more gentle than a diet of which animal food forms a part. Vegetarians, it says, are prone to contrast the gentleness of our domestic herbivora with the ferocity often displayed by carnivorous animals. A little reflection, however, shows that the food cannot be the main cause of the disposition in either case. Many of the herbivora are capable of displaying the utmost ferocity. Savage attacks upon inoffensive persons by bulls, horses and stags are by no means uncommon in this country; while in the East “rogue” elephants, wild boars and other herbivorous animals often inflict serious Injuries upon human beings who chance to come In their way. So, likewise, the ordinarily mild Hindu, feeding on rice or wheat flour, is Hable to become riotous, uncontrollable and bloodthirsty when Influenced by religious fanaticism. Perhaps th* mischievous effects upon the habit* and disposition, ascribed to animal food, are due to the alcoholic Hquors which are consumed at the same time. The disposition of an average Individual leading a temperate life would probably not be altered for the better were he to substitute vegetarian diet for his ordinary fare. When a man goes away from home, he has a lot of fun, if you let him teU it It seems easier to manage the bust ness of other people than your own.