90 



SAGACITY OF DOGS. 



other morning, as he was going to recline on his 

 favourite spot, he perceived that a heavy dew had 

 wet the grass, and he ventured to the hall, took the 

 mat in his teeth, placed it on the lawn, and then 

 composedly lay down on it. 



Such instances of sagacity clearly prove, to my 

 mind, that some animals are endued with a capacity 

 that enables them to observe, and to act from reflec- 

 tion : whether it is called reason or instinct is imma- 

 terial ; the facts are the same, and are incontroverti- 

 ble. It is evident that there are gradations of the in- 

 tellectual powers ; and, consequently, that some spe- 

 cies of creatures are far more intelligent than others. 

 Dogs seem highly favoured in this respect, and to 

 possess more sense than most of their fellow-brutes ; 

 but, as they live on such a very familiar footing with 

 man, I think it probable that they owe part of their 

 superiority to that circumstance. In the qualities of 

 the heart they must be allowed to excel; for what 

 creature is so docile, so faithful, so affectionate, or so 

 generous as the dog ? He does not show his attach- 

 ment merely by following his master and protecting 

 his property, but will sacrifice his own life to defend 

 him when attacked. His powers of discrimination 

 are very great ; for the same dog that is gentle, tract- 

 able, and playful with the family to which he be- 

 longs, becomes^ on the approach of a stranger, particu- 



