THE BULL-DOG 7<Ot 



to the extreme end of the town and set him down, 

 after which they quietly walked home together. 



THE BULL-DOG. 



There can be little doubt respecting the original 

 country of this dog, as all authors are agreed in opinion 

 that it is of British origin. Some writers affirm that 

 it was the bull-dog and not the mastiff which was held 

 in such high estimation when the Romans invaded 

 Britain. But if it was the bull-dog it must have been 

 a very different animal in point of size from what it is 

 at the present day, for the best breed is now low in 

 stature, very deep-chested, and strongly made about 

 the shoulders and thighs ; the muscles of both of 

 which are extremely developed. His head is broad, 

 his nose short and flat, with the under jaw projecting 

 beyond the upper one, producing a fierce and disagree- 

 able aspect. His eyes are distant, and prominent, ap- 

 pearing as if forced out of their sockets, and giving him 

 a suspicious-like leer, which, with the distention of his 

 nostrils, produce a contemptuous look ; and in con- 

 junction with these, the teeth being always exposed, 

 he has the constant appearance of grinning, while he 

 is perfectly placid. He is the most ferocious and 

 unrelenting of the canine tribe, and is, doubtless, 

 courageous beyond every other animal in the world ; 

 for no animal, however great in magnitude, will be 

 exempt from his attack. He is hardly capable of any 

 education, and seems fitted only for combat and 

 ferocity. He gives no warning by barking when he 

 attacks, and holds with such determined pertinacity 

 the part that he seizes upon, that it is with the utmost 

 difficulty he can be disengaged. He generally lays 

 hold of the lip, tongue, or side of the cheek or eye, 

 which he maintains in spite of the most desperate 



