THE MASTIFF. 



men or Dogs. It is avciso to inflicting an injury on a smaller animal, even 

 when it has been sorely provoked, and either looks down upon its puny 

 tormenter with sovereign disdain, or inflicts just suflicient punishment to 

 indicate the vast strength which it could employ, but which it would not 

 condescend to waste upon so insigniflcant a foe. 



Yet, with all this nobility of its gentle nature, it is a most determined and 

 courageous animal in fight, and, when defending its master or his property, becomes 

 a foe which few opponents would like to face. These qualifications of mingled 

 courage and gentleness adapt it especially for the service of watch-dog, a task 

 in which the animal is as likely to fail by overweening zeal as by neglect of 

 its duty. It sometimes happens that a watch-dog is too hasty in its judgment, 



112 



