FROM THE "SPECTATOR." 321 



a good chase, and at last succeeded in 

 catching the rabbit. 



Now, the dog had evidently discovered 

 the rabbit on its form when ranging about 

 the fields, but thought it unsafe to start it in 

 my absence, for I had left the fields and was 

 now on the high-road. She clearly wanted 

 my help and encouragement in the chase. 

 I would observe that we have here an 

 instance of great caution on the part of the 

 dog. Her natural impulse would be to start 

 the rabbit at once and pursue it. This 

 impulse the dog checked. Moreover, I 

 would point out that my little bitch seemed 

 to exercise her reasoning powers, and that 

 in a marked way. She, as it were, said to 

 herself: "I will not bolt the rabbit in the 

 absence of my master. I will run after him 

 and bring him back, and then, encouraged 

 and helped by him, I shall start the rabbit, 

 and, if possible, catch it." I consider that 

 my little dog showed that it possessed the 

 faculty of reasoning in checking its natural 

 impulse, which would lead it to spring at the 

 rabbit at once, and also in fetching me back 



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