136 THE MASTIFF IN THE l8TH CENTURY. 



In 1722, Sam Croxall, D.D., published his translation of 

 ysop and other Fables, and introduces the mastiff in Fable 

 xix., stating "A lean hungry half starved wolf happened to 

 meet with a jolly plump well fed mastiff." Here we again 

 see indirect mention made of the (sagina) plump, fat, thick-set 

 appearance of the mastiff. Again in his Fable of " The 

 Country Mouse and the City Mouse" (which is also given 

 by Horace, Lib. ii., Satire iv.) we have mention of the mastiff's 

 terrific bark. 



The mastiff is frequently mentioned by writers of that date. 

 Smollett in his Roderick Random, published 1748, describing 

 the siege of Carthagena, (March 1741) says : "After all a 

 " sufficient number remained to fall before the walls of San 

 " Lazero, where they behaved like their own country mastiffs, 

 " which shut their eyes, run into the jaws of the bear, and 

 " have their heads crushed for their valour." This simile of 

 Smollett's is plainly borrowed from Shakespeare's Hen. v., 

 act hi., scene 7. 



Coming to a later date, in the old ballad of Cumnor Hall, 

 telling of the tragedy of Amy Robsart (which was first 

 published about 1775 in Evan's Ancient Ballads, and which 

 has been attributed to Wm. Julius Mickle) is the following 

 mention of the national watchdog then so universal a 

 favourite. 



" The mastif howl'd at village door " 

 " The oaks were shattered on the green 

 ' Woe was the hour for never more 

 " That hapless Countess ere was seen ! " 



This ballad on Cumnor Hall is given in the preface of Sir 

 W. Scott's novel of Kenilworth, Cumnor or Cumner Hall 



itself was about 3 miles from Oxford. In a field adjoining 



