EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS OF THE DOG. 113 



to speak, but as one might imagine with very partial success. A curious account of an attempt of 

 this kind was communicated by the great philosopher Leibnitz to the French Academy. 



"A little boy, a peasant's son, imagined that he perceived in the Dog's voice an indistinct 

 resemblance to certain words, and therefore took it into his head to teach him to speak. For this 

 purpose he spared neither time nor pains with his pupil, who was about three years old when his 

 learned education commenced, and in process of time he was able to articulate no fewer than thirty 

 distinct words. He was, however, somewhat of a truant, and did not very willingly exert his talent, 

 and was rather pressed than otherwise into the service of literature. It was necessary that the words 

 should be pronounced to him each time, and then he repeated them after his preceptor. Leibnitz 

 attests that he heard the animal talk in this way, and the French Academicians add, that unless they 

 had receded the testimony of so celebrated a person they would scarcely have dared to report the 

 circumstance. It took place in Mesnia, in Saxony." * 



But actions speak louder than words," and although the Dog is not gifted with the power of 



BLACK RETRIEVER. 



articulate speech, he is yet capable of expressing his feelings by look and gesture as eloquently as most 

 people. It is altogether wonderful to see how a Dog's whole expression and demeanour are changed 

 by a word or look either of praise or blame. The eye, the mouth, the ear, the tail, the whole trunk, 

 all are called into requisition, and together speak a language which is unmistakable. Mr. Darwin gives 

 a most interesting account of the mode of expression of two opposite states of mind in the Dog ; an 

 account which, like everything written by the same author, leaves nothing to be desired for clearness 

 and accuracy. 



"When a Dog approaches a strange Dog or man in a savage or hostile frame of mind, he walks 

 upright and very stiffly ; his head is slightly raised, or not much lowered, the tail is held erect and quite 

 rigid ; the hairs bristle, especially along the neck and back ; the pricked ears are directed forwards, and 

 the eyes have a fixed stare. These actions follow from the Dog's intention to attack his enemy, and 

 are thus to a large extent intelligible. As he prepares to spring, with a savage growl, on his enemy, 

 the canine teeth are uncovered, and the ears are pressed close backwards on the head. Let us now 

 suppose that the Dog suddenly discovers that the man whom he is approaching is not a stranger, but 

 his master ; and let it be observed how completely and instantaneously his whole bearing is reversed. 



* Youatt. 

 64 



