36 ANIMAL SKETCHES. CHAP. n. 



the fact, not to be too sure that the bear thought to himself, 

 " a current will bring me the object ; I'll make a current 

 with my paw." That is a piece of reasoning perhaps 

 beyond the bear. Probably he simply pawed after the 

 cocoa-nut, and was mightily pleased when it carne towards 

 him ; but if through experience he learnt that pawing had 

 the desired effect, a definite habit might be instituted. 



With all his faults, his clumsy form (which is not his 

 fault), his awkward gait (which he cannot help, poor fellow), 

 and his predatory disposition (which, after all, is his nature), 

 I confess to some liking for Bruin the bear. Were I a poet 

 I would sing his praises. Burns has his mouse, Wordsworth 

 his green-linnet, Shelley his sky-lark, Blake his burning 

 tiger. Why may I not in verse apostrophize the bear ? It 

 is indeed difficult to throw over his choicest gift, the 

 unctuous product of the coiffeur's laboratory (by the vulgar 

 called bear's-grease) the delicate glamour of poesy; but 

 even this shall not daunt my muse : 



Inveterate shuffler ! murmurous plantigrade ! 



"Why sitt'st thou ever mumbling at thy toes 



Revolving many ills ? What are thy woes ? 

 Dost mourn thy missing tail ? Or hath it made 

 Thee sad that man so meanly hath repaid 



Thy many gifts, the rug that tempts repose, 



The busby striking terror to his foes 

 But dear (how dear !) to many a nursery-maid ? 



Yet are we not ungrateful (take this bun !) 

 Still round thy choicest gift fond memory plays 

 Mid sweetest scents of fragrant orange-sprays 



Ah happy years ! when life had scarce begun, 



Ere baldness came with age. Ah fragrant years ! 



I thank thee for them, Bruin, through my tears. 



