DOG. 287 



der the Dog, in his savage state, a formidable 

 enemy to all other animals : but these readily give 

 way to very different qualities in the domestic dog, 

 whose only ambition seems the defire to please. 

 He is seen to come crouching along, to lay his 

 force, his courage, and all his useful talents, at the 

 feet of his master. He waits his orders, to which 

 he pays implicit obedience: he consults his looks, 

 and a single glance is sufficient to put him in 

 motion': he is more faithful even than the most 

 boasted among men : he is constant in his affec- 

 tions, friendly without interest, and grateful for 

 the slightest favours : much more mindful of be- 

 nefits received than of injuries offered : he is not 

 driven off by unkindness; he still continues hum- 

 ble, submissive, and imploring : his only hope is 

 to be serviceable ; his only terror to displease : he 

 licks the hand that has been just lifted to strike 

 him, and at last disarms resentment by submissive 

 perseverance. More tractable than man, and 

 more pliant than any other animal, the dog is not 

 only soon instructed, but even conforms himself to 

 the manners, movements, and habits of those who 

 govern him. He assumes the very tone of the fa- 

 mily in which he lives. Like other servants, he 

 is haughty with the great, and rustic with the 

 peasant. Always eager to obey and to please his 

 master, or his friends, he pays no attention to 

 strangers, and furiously repels beggars, whom he 

 distinguishes by their dress, their voice, and their 

 gestures. When the charge of a house or garden 

 is committed to him during the night, his bold- 



