THE ASS 417 



circumstance, that as the ass can subsist on a scanty 

 and coarse fare, the female would not only bear the 

 riders and their goods through the desert, but also 

 with her milk contribute to the support of her master 

 and his followers. 



The ass is by no means that stupid animal which 

 he is generally supposed to be. He possesses all the 

 senses in a very high degree, and his perceptions are 

 clear and precise ; and it may be affirmed that he has 

 more solid good qualities than the horse. His dis- 

 position is naturally timid ; hence the caution of his 

 movements, which the thoughtless have improperly 

 attributed to stupidity and obstinacy. 



The ass is robust in constitution, and is liable to 

 few diseases. His temperance is very great, being 

 able to subsist on a scanty meal, of the coarsest 

 herbage. He is more sure-footed than the horse, and 

 superior to him in comparative strength. The Hebrew 

 word athor is a term for the ass, from a root which 

 signifies strong or firm ; and he is less easily startled 

 than the horse, a failing in this quadruped by which 

 many lose their lives. Those very qualities which 

 unthinking men ought to appreciate, have, on the con- 

 trary, the effect of bringing upon the unfortunate 

 and patient animal an overwhelming load of unmerited 

 hardships, barbarous chastisement, and contempt. 

 His services are despised by the rich ; and he is 

 destined only to share the labours of the poor and 

 needy, whose hearts are hardened by poverty, with 

 scarcely a kindly feeling to bestow on the humble and 

 patient animal, who exerts all his energies in their 

 service, and whose scanty meal is often so limited as 

 to be hardly sufficient to sustain life, and on whom, 

 when weak and debilitated, the abject wretch but too 

 frequently wreaks his chagrined feelings. Is it then 



2D 



