THE COMMON DOG. 81 



times even ferocious. He watches, goes his rounds, 

 scents strangers at a distance, and if they stop, 

 or attempt to break into the house, he flies with 

 fury to oppose their entrance; and by continued 

 barking, and other efforts of passion, he gives the 

 alarm, and thus rouses the family to avert the dan- 

 ger. He is as furious against thieves as he is against 

 rapacious animals. He attacks, wounds, and forces 

 from them whatever plunder they are endeavouring 

 to take away. But, contented with his victory, he 

 will lie down upon the spoil, nor even touch it to 

 satisfy his appetite : thus affording, in the same act, 

 a pleasing example of courage, temperance, and 

 fidelity*/' 



The Dog may be trained to perform various en- 

 tertaining feats. He may be taught to sit upright ; 

 to walk and dance on his hind legs, even on a rope ; 

 to tumble over his head, or beat a drum. He may 

 even, by education, be made to go many miles in 

 search of things that have been left behind, for- 

 gotten, pr lost. He may be harnessed and yoked, 

 like a horse, to assist in drawing along heavy 

 burthens. 



Such is his sagacity, that we are informed of a 

 dumb person in Mantua, who had so well instructed 

 his dog, that on certain signs he would run out of 



* Buffon, par Sonnini, xxiii. p. 1.56. 



G the 



