CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 5. CARNIVORA. 209 



came on the beaeli accompanied by his Newfoundland dog. He directed the attention of the 

 animal to the vessel, and put a short stick into his mouth. The intelligent and courageous fellow 

 at once understood his meaning, sprang into the sea, and fought his way through the waves. He 

 could not, however, get close enough to the vessel to deliver that with which he was charged : 

 but the crew understood what was meant, and they made fast a rope to another piece of wood, 

 and threw it toward him. The noble beast dropped his own piece of wood, and immediately seized 

 that which had been cast to him, and then, with a degree of strength and determination scarcely 

 credible — for he was again and again lost under the waves — he dragged it through the surge ami 

 delivered it to his master. A line of communication was thus formed, and every man on board 

 was rescued. 



It would be easy to fill pages of similar instances. This animal is at the same time of a very 

 noble disposition — an instance of which is thus related by Dr. Abel : 



""When this dog left his master's house, he was often assailed by a number of little noisy dogs 

 in the street. He usually passed them with apparent unconcern, as if they were beneath his 

 notice; but one little cur was particularly troublesome, and at length carried his impudence so 

 far as to bite the Newfoundland dog in the leg. This was a degree of wanton insult beyond what 

 he could patiently endure, and he instantly turned round, ran after the offender, and seized him 

 by the skin of the back. In this way he carried him in his mouth to the quay, and, holding him 

 some time over the water, at length dropped him into it. He did not, however, seem to design 

 that the culprit should be punished, capitally. He waited a little while, until the poor animal, 

 who was unused to that element, was not only well ducked, but nearly sinking, and then plunged 

 in, and brought him safe to land." 



It appears that there are two breeds of the Newfoundland dog well known to dog-fanciers — one 

 very large, and the other smaller, but noted for its intelligence. Specimens of this latter have 

 been taken to Europe, and used as retrievers. They are principally valuable for the fearless man- 

 ner in which they will penetrate the thickest cover. They are exceedingly muscular, strong, and 

 generally black. 



The celebrated epitaph of Lord Byron upon an animal of this interesting variety vividly paints 

 the virtues of the race : 



'• When some proud man returns to earth, 

 Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth, 

 The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe, 

 And storied urns record who rests below. 

 When all is done, upon the tomb is seen — 



Not what he was, but what he should have been. • 



But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend, 

 The first to welcome, foremost to defend, 

 Whose honest heart is still his master's own, 

 Who labors, fights, lives, breathes for him alone, 

 Unhonor'd falls, unnoticed all his worth, 

 Denied in heaven the soul he had on earth : 

 While man, vain insect, hopes to be forgiven, 

 And claims himself a sole, exclusive heaven. 

 man ! thou feeble tenant of an hour, 

 Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power, 

 Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust, 

 Degraded mass of animated dust ! 

 Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat ; 

 Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit ! 

 By nature vile, ennobling but by name, 

 Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. 

 Te, who perchance behold this simple urn, 

 Pass on — it honors none you wish to mourn : 

 To mark a friend's remains these stones arise ; ,. 



; I never knew but one — and here he lies." 



* 



The Labrador Dog is a large and fine animal, resembling the Newfoundland dog. The 

 Esquimaux Dog, C. f. borealis, is a remarkable breed, about the size of a pointer, robust and 

 veil proportioned, with upright and pointed ears, strong, thick-set legs, and a long bushy tail. 

 Yol. L— 27 



