388 THE BEAR. 



placid to its master, when tamed, yet it is still to 

 be distrusted, and managed with caution, as it is 

 often treacherous and resentful without a cause. 



This animal is capable of some degree of in- 

 struction. There are few but have seen it dance 

 in awkward measures upon its hind-feet, to the 

 voice or the instrument of its leader ; and it must 

 be confessed, that the dancer is often found to be 

 the best performer of the two. I am told, that 

 it is first taught to perform in this manner, by 

 setting it upon hot plates of iron, and then play- 

 ing to it while in this uneasy situation. 



The bear, when come to maturity, can never 

 be tamed ; it then continues in its native fierce- 

 ness, and, though caged still formidably impotent, 

 at the approach of its keeper flies to meet him. 

 But notwithstanding the fierceness of this animal, 

 the natives in those countries where it is found, 

 hunt it with great perseverance and alacrity. The 

 least dangerous method of taking it is by intoxi- 

 cating it, by throwing brandy upon honey, which 

 it seems to be chiefly fond of, and seeks for in 

 the hollow of trees. In Canada, where the black 

 bears are very common, and where their dens are 

 made in trees that are hollow towards the top, 

 they are taken by setting fire to their retreats, 

 which are often above thirty feet from the ground. 

 The old one is generally seen first to issue from 

 her den, and is shot by the hunters. The young 

 ones, as they descend, are caught in a noose, and 

 are either kept or killed for provision. Their 

 paws are said to be a great delicacy, and their 

 hams are well enough known at the tables of the 



