THE ASS. 437 



THE ASS*. 



THE Ass is supposed to have been originally im- 

 ported into Britain, either from Spain, or from 

 some part of Africa. But the animal,, instead of 

 being improved in its breed by domestication, has, 

 in our islands at least, entirely lost its original ele- 

 gance of form, and vivacity of manners. Doomed 

 to a neglect, which the race by no means deserves, 

 it has become the slave and companion only of the 

 poor. Thus, condemned to the very lowest servi- 

 tude, it is not only treated with indignity, but 

 oftentimes experiences all the misery of harsh and 

 ill usage. Naturally patient and persevering, it is 

 loaded with enormous burthens, or compelled to 

 drag the heaviest weights; and, in order to keep it 

 in motion, its sides or back are goaded by a sharp 

 pointed iron prong. Under such treatment, we 

 cannot be surprised that its native spirit is sub- 

 dued; and that, sometimes, it should show itself 

 intractable or stubborn. Persons who are in habits 

 of seeing these animals treated with the kindness 

 and attention they deserve, know that they are 

 naturally mild and gentle, and that they undergo a 



' Equus asinus domesticus. Linnceus. VAne. Buffbn. 

 See the Synopsis, p. 67, No. 43. 



G g 3 reasonable 



