tf DOCILITY OP ANIMALS. 261 



and instruction. The shepherd's dog, independently of all 

 instruction, seems to be endowed by nature with an innate 

 attachment to the preservation of sheep and cattle. His do- 

 cility is likewise so great, that he not only learns to under- 

 stand the language and commands of the shepherd, and obeys 

 them with faithfulness and alacrity ; but, when at distances 

 beyond the reach of his master's voice, he often stops, looks 

 back, and recognizes the approbation or disapprobation of the 

 shepherd by the mere waving of his hand. He reigns at the 

 head of a flock, and is better heard than the voice of his mas- 

 ter. His vigilance and activity produce order, discipline, and 

 safety. Sheep and cattle are peculiarly subjected to his man- 

 agement, which he prudently conducts and protects, and 

 never employs force against them, except for the preservation 

 of peace and good order. But when the flock committed to 

 his charge is attacked by the fox, the wolf, or other rapacious 

 animals, he makes a full display of his courage and sagacity. 

 In situations of this kind, both his natural and acquired talents 

 are exerted. Three shepherd's dogs are said to be a match 

 for a bear, and four for a lion. 



Every person knows the docility and sagacity of such dogs 

 as are employed in conducting blind mendicants. A blind 

 beggar used to be led through the streets of Rome by a mid- 

 dle-sized dog. This dog, beside leading his master in such a 

 manner as to protect him from all danger, learned to distin- 

 guish not only the streets, but the houses where his master 

 was accustomed to receive alms twice or thrice a week. 

 Whenever the animal came to any of these streets, with which 

 he was well acquainted, he would not leave it till a call had 

 been made at every house where his master was usually suc- 

 cessful in his petitions. When the beggar began to ask alms, ' 

 the dog, being wearied, lay down to rest; but the master was 

 no sooner served or refused, than the dog rose spontaneously, 

 and, without either order or sign, proceeded to the other 

 houses where the beggar generally received some gratuity. 

 When a halfpenny was thrown from a window, such was the 

 sagacity and attention of this dog, that he went about in quest 

 of it, lifted it from the ground with his mouth, and put it into 

 his master's hat. Even when bread was thrown down, the 

 animal would not taste it, unless he received a portion of it 

 from the hand of his master. Without any other instruction 

 than imitation, a mastiff, when accidentally shut out from a 

 house which his master frequented, uniformly rung the bell 

 for admittance Dogs can be taught to go to market with 



