52 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



creatures seek protection from the vicissitudes of the 

 elements according to their habits and constitutions. 

 It is one of the most forcible impulses of nature which 

 prompts; them to do so, and it is one with which the 

 lowest classes of animals are endowed : it is innate, or 

 hereditary. Varieties of circumstances lead to numer- 

 ous difficulties, necessities, desires, pleasures, pains, and 

 conclusions by which instinct is cultivated, till it 

 almost appears to assume the refinement of reason, and 

 analogy enables us to trace so many degrees of this 

 faculty in the brute creation that we are almost led to 

 the belief that they are gifted with the latter power. 

 Somerville thus beautifully expresses himself : 



" Nor will it less delight th' attentive sage 



T* observe that instinct, which unerring guides 

 The brutal race, which mimicks reason's lore, 

 And oft transcends." 



Among our domesticated animals none possesses so 

 near an approach to the power of reasoning as the dog. 

 Many extraordinary examples might be introduced, and 

 I have in my own possession two which serve to illus- 

 trate this remark. They are both terriers ; one a rough, 

 hardy, Scotch-bred animal that will attack any living 

 creature he may be set upon ; the other is of the Isle of 

 Skye kind (a lady), she would not kill a mouse. The 

 former is constantly tied up in the yard ; the latter has 

 the privilege of the house, and every room in it. 

 Whenever she sees me preparing for a walk she 

 instantly runs off to the dog, and, by her joyous move- 

 ments and a peculiar whimper, prepares him for the 

 pleasure of being my companion, and in the absence of 

 the faculty of speech it is quite obvious she has a 

 method of conveying her ideas to her fellow-creature. 

 Being thickly surrounded by game, the hares, rabbits, 

 and pheasants will occasionally visit my garden, which 

 is open to the yard in which the dog is secured, and I 

 can decide for a certainty when game is trespassing by 

 the peculiar manner he has of throwing his tongue. It 

 is quite a different note from that which he utters when 



