24 CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



of his subdued companion, with the most ludicrous affectation of the terrible growling that might 

 bespeak the loftiest description of dog indignation. Bass has, for .sonic time, ceased to tolerate this 

 tyranny, having, on one occasion, given the little fellow an admonitory shake ; but he is, at all times, 

 in perfect good humour with him ; though Raith, from jealousy, is always glad to avail himself of an 

 opportunity of flying at him." 



When a dog attacked Bass in the street or road, he would run away, rather than quarrel ; but, 

 when compelled to fight, he turned upon the foe, threw him down, and then, without biting him, 

 would lay his whole immense bulk down upon him till he was nearly smothered a mode of treatment 

 which was attributed to his youth. 



Of his strength, the following is an instance : It was the duty of a postman to whom Bass took 

 a special fancy besides delivering letters, to take a bag from one receiving-house to another, and this 

 he gave the dog to carry, who followed him through all the villas in the neighbourhood, where he had 

 deliveries to -make, and always parted with him opposite to the gate of the Convent of St. Margaret's, 

 and returned home. When his owner's gate was shut, to prevent his following the postman, the 

 dog always leaped a high wall to get after him. 



One day, this postman, from some cause or other, sent another man in his place. Bass went up 

 to him, curiously scanning his face, whilst the man rather retired from the dog, as if anxious to decline 

 his acquaintance. But Bass, following, showed strong symptoms that he meant to have the post-bag, 

 while the man seemed equally intent on retaining it. At length, as all Bass's civil entreaties failed, 

 lie raised himself on his hind legs, put a great fore paw on each of the man's shoulders, laid him flat on 

 his back in the road, and coolly walked away with the bag. The man got up, much dismayed, follow- 

 ing the dog, and trying, in vain, what coaxing would do ; but he was relieved at the first house he 

 called at, by being told that the dog always carried the bag. Bass walked with the man to all the 

 houses at which he had to deliver letters, and along the road till he came to the gate of St. Margaret's, 

 where he dropped the bag, and, making his bow to the postman, returned home. 



About six months afterwards, Bass was described by Sir Thomas as in great strength and beauty, 

 following the carriage regularly being very much attached to the horses continuing to be extremely 

 good-natured and playful, and very affectionate ; and, above all things, as never forgetting a person 

 who had once done him a kindness. 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 



THIS powerful, intelligent, and docile animal, is a native of the country the name of which it bears, 

 and may be considered as a distinct race. Its introduction into Britain is comparatively of recent date; 

 and the fine animal known to us by this name is in size inferior to the dog in its native state, where 

 it measures about six feet and a half from the nose to the extremity of the tail, the length of which 

 is two feet. In its own country it only barks when greatly irritated, and then with a manifestly 

 painful effort, producing a sound which is described as being particularly harsh. 



The dog is employed by the settlers as a beast of burden, in drawing wood from the interior to the 

 coast. Three or four of them, yoked to a sledge, will draw two or three hundredweight of wood with 

 great facility for several miles. In this service they are said to be so willing and sagacious, as to need 

 110 driver or guide, bvit having delivered their burden, they return without delay to the wood, in the 

 expectation of receiving food as a recompense for their labour. In this country the Newfoundland 

 dog gives proof of an active disposition ; he delights in being employed ; and the pride of being 

 useful makes him take uncommon pleasure in carrying in his mouth a stick, a basket, or any other 

 article ; and it would be dangerous for a stranger to dispute possession with him. 



Hamilton, who has described Antrim, in riding from Portrush to the Giant's Causeway, with 

 some company, had occasion to ford the river Bust, near the sea ; and, as the fishermen were about to 

 haul their nets, they stopped to see their success. As soon as the dog they had saw the men move, 

 lie instantly ran down the river of his own accord, and took post in the middle of it, on sonic shallows, 



* Caois Terra; Novce. 



