92 



DISCRIMINATION OF DOGS. 



with those under his care. I have seen a shepherd 

 point out to his dog a straggUng sheep on a height 

 more than a mile distant. At the well-known signal, 

 the dog went off at full speed, and soon returned 

 with the runaway to the flock. They acquire this 

 command over the sheep merely by their voice, for 

 they are trained too well to their business to injure 

 their fleecy charge with their teeth. 



Dogs that attend drovers have the same qualities. 

 They distinguish accurately the cattle or sheep that 

 belong to the several droves that follow one another ; 

 and will neither suffer one of another flock to enter 

 theirs, nor one of those they guard to escape. 



I need not point out their use in protecting our 

 houses and property from thieves ; but one of their 

 valuable properties I must mention, before I conclude 

 their eulogium. I mean that of conducting the blind. 

 How many unfortunate wretches, deprived of sight, 

 friendless and poor, are led from door to door, to solicit 

 a small pittance from the hand of charity, by a faith- 

 ful dog, who conducts them with as much care, and 

 probably more certainty, than one of their own species ! 



I shall finish this long letter by an instance of sa- 

 gacity and contrivance, in a terrier belonging to Mr. 

 Palmer, that is really surprising. This dog is ex- 

 tremely attached to the horse that draws his master's 

 chaise; and the moment he sees the servant take out 



