MUNGO. 49 



Possibly Mungo may be a selfish specimen of 

 his race, and there may exist brilliant exceptions 

 abounding in affection and other noble qualities. 

 I can only describe him as he is, and, judging by 

 his small cranium and its peculiarly flattened for- 

 mation, I should imagine he is formed to be, not 

 a pattern of all the virtues, but a creature of 

 one idea, and that snake-killing ! To be pro- 

 ficient in that art all the characteristics I have 

 noted in this animal are specially needed, such 

 as lynx -like watchfulness, undaunted courage 

 in fight, persistent curiosity and determination to 

 care for himself under all circumstances. 



We must therefore wink at his failure in moral 

 goodness, and admire the way in which he carries 

 out the purpose for which he was made. He 

 worthily adorns his own special niche in Creation. 





