THE COACH-DOG, &c. 117 



temptible offender in his mouth, and composedly dropped it over 

 the quay into the river, without offering it any further injury. 



THE DALMATIAN, OR COACH DOG.. 



Is very common at present in England, and is esteemed an 

 elegant attendant on a carriage. It is, however, to be hoped, 

 that the progress of refinement and good taste, will abolish the 

 custom of depriving the poor animal of so useful and ornamental 

 an appendage as its ears, which is so generally practised through 

 the mistaken notion of increasing its beauty. Are not the deco- 

 rations which Nature bestows on each animal, its greatest orna- 

 ments, and is not an adherence to her laws the perfection of 

 taste ? 



THE IRISH WOLF-DOG 



Is the largest of the canine species, and its appearance the 

 most beautiful and majestic. It was peculiar to Ireland, but is 

 now almost extinct. This was, according to Buffon, the famous 

 Wolossian dog of antiquity. 



Wolves are no longer to be met with in Ireland ; and this 

 kind of dog is unserviceable for hunting either the stag, the fox, 

 or the hare ; we need not therefore be at a loss to discover the 

 cause of the breed being neglected : it would, however, be worth 

 ^reserving, as it is a beautiful animal, its aspect mild, and its dis- 

 position gentle. Although it never seeks to quarrel with any 

 other dogs, it is far superior in combat both to the bull-dog and 

 mastiff, exhibiting those characteristic qualities so much to be 

 admired in rational, as well as irrational beings ; strength and 

 courage, combined with peaceableness of disposition. 



THE HIGHLAND GREYHOUND 



Is a large, fierce, and powerful animal. It was formerly much 

 esteemed by the chieftains of Scotland, and used in their grand 

 hunting parties, but is now become rare. 



THE COMMON GREYHOUND 



Is the swiftest of all the canine race, but as it wants the fac- 

 ulty of scenting its game, it pursues it by the eye. M. Buffon 

 supposes this to be a variety of the Irish wolf-dog, rendered 

 more delicate by the difference of climate and management; 

 and it must be confessed, that both in its form and disposition, it 

 bears no small resemblance to that animal. 



Greyhounds were formerly so much esteemed, that by the 

 forest laws of King Canute, it was enacted that no person un- 

 der the degree of a gentleman, should keep any dog of that kind. 



