108 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



have become quite common. The tribute paid to him by 

 Sir Edwin Landseer, when he named his famous picture of 

 him " a distinguished member of the humane society", was 

 no more poetical than just. Volumes might be filled with 

 stories of his intelligence and prowess, and it is difficult within 

 present limits to select a due variety of characteristic anecdotes. 

 The Newfound- One of the most marked characteristics of 

 land's Generosity, the Newfoundland dog is his generosity to a 

 fallen foe. His temper is said to be uncertain, though this 

 has been questioned by some who have had large experience 

 of him under varying circumstances. Be this as it may, 

 there are many stories told to his honour of his generosity 

 to his enemies in the moment of victory. A Newfoundland 

 dog, who had for some time treated with becoming dignity 

 the impudence of some mongrels who were amusing them- 

 selves by snapping and snarling at his heels, suddenly turned 

 and sent the crowd of persecutors flying in all directions, 

 except the ringleader, who fell sprawling in the middle of 

 the street, where he was about to receive the punishment he 

 deserved when a cable car came dashing down the hill, right 

 upon the dogs. The big dog saw the danger at once and 

 sprang aside, but his enemy remained upon his back, too 

 terrified to notice anything. The Newfoundland took in the 

 situation, in a moment sprang back in front of the car, seized 

 the cur in his teeth, and snatched him, still whining and 

 begging for mercy, out of the very jaws of death. Laying 

 him in the gutter, he gave a good-natured wag or two of his 

 tail and went his way. Another Newfoundland much bothered 

 by a small cur who was for ever barking at his heels, but 

 who treated his assailant with sublime indifference, was on 

 one occasion aroused to adopt drastic measures by receiving 

 a bite on his leg. Seizing the cur by the loose skin of his 

 back he carried him down to the quay of Cork and after 

 letting him dangle over the water for a little while, dropped 

 him into it. After watching the animal struggle with the 



