76 LECTURE VI. 



municated to me from a quarter which need not 

 leave a doubt of its authenticity, and affords an 

 affecting proof of love and gratitude in ani- 

 mals who, I am sorry to say, are too often ill- 

 treated. 



A vessel was driven by a storm on the beach 

 of Lydd, in Kent, a place some of you are pro- 

 bably acquainted with. The surf was rolling 

 furiously, and eight men were calling for help; 

 but not a boat could be got off to their assistance ; 

 although I have no doubt but that some of you 

 now present would have tried, for the Brighton 

 fishermen have done many brave things. How- 

 ever, a gentleman at length came on the beach, 

 accompanied by his Newfoundland dog. He 

 directed the attention of the noble animal to the 

 vessel, and put a short stick into his mouth. The 

 dog at once understood his meaning, and sprang 

 into the sea, fighting his way through the foam- 

 ing waves. He could not, however, get close 

 enough to the vessel to deliver the stick he was 

 charged with, but the crew joyfully made fast a 

 rope to another piece of wood and threw it 

 towards him. The sagacious dog saw the 

 whole business in an instant he dropped his 

 own piece, and immediately seized that which 



