110 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



leads by a gentle declivity to the river Severn. One day a 

 child, in crossing the street, fell down in the middle of it 

 and a horse and cart, which was descending the hill, would 

 have passed over it, had not a Newfoundland dog rushed 

 to the rescue of the child, caught it up in his mouth, and 

 conveyed it in safety to the foot pavement." 



The promptitude with which he will leap into the water to 

 save the downing, without waiting for any word of command, 

 is another illustration of this faculty. Another case related by 

 Mr. Jesse may be quoted. "In the year 1841, as a labourer, 

 named Rake, in the parish of Botley, near Southampton, 

 was at work in a gravel-pit, the top stratum gave way, and 

 he was buried up to his neck by the great quantity of gravel 

 which fell upon him. He was at the same time so much 

 hurt, two of his ribs being broken, that he found it impos- 

 sible to make any attempt to extricate himself from his 

 perilous situation. Indeed, nothing could be more fearful 

 than the prospect before him. No one was within hearing 

 of his cries, nor was any one likely to come near the spot. 

 He must almost inevitably have perished, had it not been 

 for a Newfoundland dog belonging to his employer. This 

 animal had been watching the man at his work for some 

 days, as if he had been aware that his assistance would be 

 required; for no particular attachment to each other had 

 been exhibited on either side. As soon, however, as the 

 accident occurred, the dog jumped into the pit, and com- 

 menced removing the gravel with his paws; and this he did 

 in. so vigorous and expeditious a manner, that the poor man 

 was at length able to liberate himself, though with extreme 

 difficulty. What an example of kindness, sensibility, and I 

 may add reason, does this instance afford us!" 



Mr. Youatt gives a remarkable illustration, also quoted by 

 Mr. Jesse, of a Newfoundland's apparent perception of danger 

 of quite another sort. Finding it inconvenient to keep this 

 animal Mr. Youatt had given it to a friend, and four years passed 



