188 DOCILITY AND ATTACHMENT OF A DOG. 



displeasure marked on his countenance, without beat- 

 ing him. When he was most incensed against an 

 unfortunate cat that happened to fall in his way, his 

 master would snatch him up in his amis, and quiet 

 him in an instant. Time rendered his attachment 

 so strong, that it seemed as if no provocation could 

 induce him to bite Mr. Lofft or the children. A dis- 

 pute having, on some occasion, arisen between this 

 gentleman and one of his little boys, after proper ex- 

 postulation, he was attempting to put the child out of 

 the room, who made resistance. The dog, seeing the 

 bustle, supposed his master was going to beat the 

 boy, and tried to pull him away by the skirts of his 

 coat ; which pleasing action gave such a turn to the 

 contest as to reconcile the father and son. 



The sensibility of this animal was also shown by 

 his great fondness for music. He would sit for hours 

 on a chair by the piano, listening to the soft strains of 

 dementi's or Pleyel's sonatas. And Mr. Lofft adds, 

 that he has frequently seen him beat time with his 

 tail whilst some favourite airs were playing. 



Men and dogs are not the only animals influenced 

 by musical sounds. The horses at the equestrian thea- 

 tres, which move in measured steps, are all taught by 

 music. And extraordinary stories have been related 

 of the attention of spiders to music, though they have 

 not fallen under the observation of any person with 

 whom I am acquainted. 



