THE BEAR. 143 



fruit. They ascend the highest trees, with surprising agility : 

 with one paw they hold themselves fast to the branches, and with 

 the other they gather the fruit. They are remarkably fond of 

 honey, for which they seek with great avidity and cunning, and 

 will encounter any difficulties to obtain it. 



The bear is easily irritated, and his resentment is always furi- 

 ous, and often capricious. When tamed, he appears mild arid 

 obedient, but never ought to be too far trusted. He may be 

 taught to walk upright, to dance, and play many curious pranks ; 

 and the multitude are highly entertained with the clumsy motions 

 of this rugged and unwieldy creature. The youn<* bears show 

 a considerable degree of docility in acquiring these accomplish 

 ments ; the old ones, however, will not submit to this kind of 

 education, but manifest the most ferocious resentment against 

 any attempt to subject them to discipline. 



The bears of America are of a small size, and quite black ; 

 and although ferocious, are not carnivorous. Even when pressed 

 with hunger, they will not eat animal food, but live on vegeta- 

 bles, and are particularly fond of potatoes, honey, and milk. 

 They lodge in the hollow trunks of large trees, which they climb 

 and descend with great agility. The hunters generally take them 

 by setting fire to their habitation. The old ones then come out 

 first, and are slain, and the cubs follow, and are taken alive. 

 The flesh of the young bear is reckoned a great delicacy ; and 

 the paws of the old ones are esteemed an excellent dish. The 

 fat is very sweet, and of great efficacy in curing sprains, and 

 various kinds of swellings. 



Bears are found in most countries whence an increased 

 population has not expelled them : but they seem to prefer a 

 cold, or at least a temperate climate. The Romans exhibited 

 numbers of them in their public spectacles. They were once 

 common in England, and were included in the ancient laws re- 

 specting beasts of chase. Long after their extirpation, they were 

 imported for the inhuman purpose of baiting them, and it is much 

 to be regretted, that this cruel diversion is still used in many parts 

 of that enlightened kingdom. It is much to be wished, that 

 every exhibition of this kind were prohibited under severe pen- 

 alties, that so Englishmen might not be reproached with delight- 

 ing in amusements disgraceful to human nature. 



Every trait of humane and generous feeling displayed by illus- 

 trious characters, reflects honour not only on themselves, but 

 also on the nation which their virtues serve to adorn. 



A very fine bear, having some years ago been presented to the 

 Prince of Wales, was kept in the Tower. By the carelessness 

 of the servant, the door of his den had been left open, and the 

 keeper's wife happening to go across the room, the animal flew 



