48 MUNGO. 



he has, apparently, no mode of manifesting 

 regard, the expression of his face never alters, 

 he does not try to lick my hand or make any 

 greeting sound. He likes to jump into my lap 

 simply because it is a comfortable place, and, as 

 he is very timid at any unwonted noise, he will 

 run to me for protection, but I am afraid he views 

 me as a means of attaining physical comfort, 

 food, and warmth, and nothing more ! 



All this does not prevent my liking the curious 

 little animal, but one cannot but be struck by the 

 immense difference between its nature and that 

 of the faithful dog, whose devotion to his master 

 will lead him to refuse his food, to take long, 

 toilsome journeys, to wait patiently for weary 

 hours in cold wind and biting frost when bidden 

 to guard his owner's flock, aye, and even to yield 

 up his life, if necessary, to do his master service. 



All this shows, what I have often remarked 

 before, that, to those who are observant of the 

 fact, there is as much difference between the 

 characters of various animals, and even between 

 those of individuals of the same species, as may 

 be found in human beings. 



