20 ANIMALS OF THE 



" The last variety, and the most wonderful of 

 all that I shall mention, is the Great Irish Wolf 

 Dog, that may be considered as the first of the 

 canine species. This animal, which is very rare 

 even in the only country in the world where it is 

 to be found, is rather kept for show than use, 

 there being neither wolves nor any other formi- 

 dable beasts of prey in Ireland, that seem to re- 

 quire so powerful an antagonist. The wolf dog 

 is therefore bred up in the houses of the great, or 

 such gentlemen as chuse to keep him as a curio- 

 sity, being neither good for hunting the hare, the 

 fox, or the stag, and equally unserviceable as a 

 house dog. Nevertheless, he is extremely beau- 

 tiful and majestic to appearance, being the great- 

 est of the dog kind to be seen in the world. 

 The largest of those I have seen, and I have seen 

 above a dozen, was about four feet high, or as 

 tall as a calf of a year old. He was made ex- 

 tremely like a greyhound, but rather more robust, 

 and inclining to the figure of the French matin, 

 or the great Dane. His eye was mild, his colour 

 white, and his nature seemed heavy and phlegma- 

 tic. This I ascribed to his having been bred 

 up to a size beyond his nature ; for we see in man, 

 and all other animals, that such as are overgrown 

 are neither so vigorous nor alert as those of a 

 more moderate stature. The greatest pains have 

 been taken with these to enlarge the breed, both 

 by food and matching. This end was effectually 

 obtained, indeed, for the size was enormous ; 

 but, as it seemed to me, at the expense of the ani- 

 mal's fierceness, vigilance, and sagacity. How- 



