THE BULL-DOG. 115 



provide for themselves, but they always return to their masters 

 as soon as the cold weather commences, when they are poorly 

 fed with the offals of fish. In this part of the world, fish is a 

 principal article of food, not only of the dogs, but also of the 

 inhabitants. 



We have been somewhat prolix in this article of the dogs of 

 Kamtschatka, as it constitutes an interesting circumstance in the 

 history of the animal creation, and affords, in addition to an in- 

 finity of others, a striking instance of the wisdom and goodness 

 of the Creator, in thus providing in such various modes for the 

 conveniency of both men and animals in different parts of the 

 globe ; for it must be observed, that the people of Kamtschatka 

 would be in a comfortless situation without their dogs ; and that 

 these could not well subsist during the winter without their mas- 

 ters, as it evidently appears from their never failing to return as 

 soon as that rigorous season commences. 



We shall now proceed to make some remarks on the principal 

 distinctions of the canine race. 



THE BULL-DOG 



Is probably the most courageous animal that Nature has pro- 

 duced. It is not so large as many other kinds of dogs, but very 

 strong and muscular. Its nose is short, and its aspect fierce. Its 

 courage in attacking the bull is well known, and to the disgrace 

 of humanity has been too often put to the trial. The persevering 

 resolution and ardour of these dogs, is exhibited in an instance 

 which happened sorneyenrs ago at a bull-baiting in the north of 

 England : A person, confident of the courage of his dog, laid 

 some trifling wager, that he would, at separate times, cut off its 

 four feet, and that, after every amputation, it would attack the 

 bull. The barbarous experiment was tried, and the dog contin- 

 ued to seize the bull in the same mariner as if he had been per- 

 fectly whole, exhibiting at the same time a striking example of 

 his ferocious courage, and of the barbarity of his unfeeling owner. 



The number of this species of dogs is very much diminished, 

 and its total extinction would be a desirable circumstance ; for 

 as it always makes its attacks without barking, it is a very dan- 

 gerous animal, and ought never to be approached by strangers 

 without great caution. However, as the barbarous diversion of 

 bull-baiting is now almost entirely laid aside, the breed of bull- 

 dogs will be little attended to, and probably will be soon lost in 

 the confusion of intermixtures. 



The refinement of the last and the present age, has produced 

 a happy effect in abolishing those cruel diversions and savage 

 customs which formerly disgraced human nature. The bull- 

 fights in Spain, and the bull-baitings of England, are now almost 



