Mind in Animals. 367 



moral grandeur which few men can attain, disdaining to avail 

 themselves of the opportunity of vengeance, and even 

 rewarding evil with good, it does seem an utter absurdity to 

 affirm that they are not acting under the inspiration of Him 

 who gave us the celestial maxim, " Love your enemies." By 

 their actions they show themselves worthy of everlasting life, 

 and what they deserve they will assuredly receive at the 

 hands of Him who is Justice and Truth. Consciously, or 

 unconsciously, the feeling of magnanimity is acknowledged 

 among mankind. Even in the lowest stratum of society it 

 is recognized. As with man, so with the lower animals; 

 and there are many instances on record where the strong 

 have disdained, no matter what the offence had been, to 

 make reprisals upon the weak. 



Bus and Jack are two dogs whose acquaintance I made 

 three years ago. The one is a beagle, and the other a pug. 

 No one that has seen these animals in their frolics and plays, 

 would ever suspect that any differences could arise between 

 them. But when such disagreements do occur, and there is 

 hardly a day that does not witness a dozen or more, it is 

 always Bus that is the instigator. The most trifling act upon 

 the part of Jack will be made the cause of offence, and an 

 excuse for the precipitation of a quarrel. In a rage, Bus will 

 fly into the face of Jack, but the latter will coolly shake him 

 off and walk leisurely away. No provocation will induce him 

 to resent an insult or an injury, especially where Pug or a 

 dog smaller than himself is concerned. It is not that he is 

 afraid of Pug, for, when once aroused in the presence of equal 

 or even superior strength, he becomes a terror. He is too 

 magnanimous to avenge a wrong done him by one less pow- 

 erful than himself. The look which he would give Pug, after 

 one of these attacks had been made, was one of pure con- 

 tempt, and said, as plainly as words could have said, " Your 

 assaults are mere child's play, and are unworthy of recogni- 

 tion by one who is so much your superior in feats of valor." 

 That Pug felt the meaning and force of the look was apparent,. 



