ine companions; for kindness to animals is, perhaps, as
strong an indication of the possession of generous sentiments as any
that can be adduced. The late Lord Grenville, a distinguished
statesman, an elegant scholar, and an amiable man, affords an
illustration of the opinion: It is thus that he eloquently makes his
favourite Zephyr speak:--

"Captum oculis, senioque hebetem, morboque gravatum,
Dulcis here, antiquo me quod amore foves,
Suave habet et carum Zephyrus tuus, et leviore
Se sentit mortis conditione premi.
Interiere quidem, tibi quae placuisse solebant,
Et formae dotes, et facile ingenium:
Deficiunt sensus, tremulae scintillula vitae
Vix micat, in cinerem mox abitura brevem.
Sola manet, vetuli tibi nec despecta ministri,
Mens grata, ipsaque in morte memor domini.
Hanc tu igitur, pro blanditiis mollique lepore,
Et prompta ad nutus sedulitate tuos,
Pro saltu cursuque levi, lusuque protervo,
Hanc nostri extremum pignus amoris habe.
Jamque vale! Elysii subeo loca laeta, piorum
Quae dat Persephone manibus esse canum."

In the previous pages I have endeavoured to give my readers some idea
of the general character of the dog, and I will now proceed to
illustrate it more fully by anecdotes peculiar to different breeds.
These animals will then be found to deserve the encomiums bestowed
upon them by Buffon, "as possessing such an ardour of sentiment, with
fidelity and constancy in their affection, that neither ambition,
interest, nor desire of revenge, can corrupt them, and that they have
no fear but that of displeasing. They are, in fact, all zeal, ardour,
and obedience. More inclined to remember benefits than injuries; more
docile and tractable than any other animal, the dog is not only
instructed, but conforms himself to the manners, movements, and habits
of those who govern him. He is always eager to obey his master, and
will defend his property at the risk of his own life." Pope says, that
history is more full of examples of fidelity in the dog than in
friends; and Lord Byron characterises him as--

"in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend;
Whose honest heart is still his master's own;
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone;"

and truly indeed may he be called

"The rich man's guardian, and the poor man's friend."

[Illustration]

[Illus