36 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



Let none, then, think hardly of the ass, a much 

 abused, yet valuable animal. If one should be pos- 

 sessed or occasionally used by a reader of this volume, 

 the writer would ask that these facts may obtain for it 

 kind treatment. The following should also lead to the 

 same result. An old man, who some years ago sold 

 vegetables in London, employed an ass to convey his 

 baskets from door to door. Frequently did he give the 

 industrious animal a handful of hay, or some pieces of 

 bread, or greens, by way of refreshment and reward. He 

 had no need of any goad, and seldom indeed was the 

 hand lifted to urge the ass onwards. One day the kind 

 treatment of the aged man was remarked, and he was 

 asked if his beast were apt to be stubborn 1 " Ah, mas- 

 ter," he replied, " it is. of no use to be cruel ; and as for 

 stubbornness I cannot complain, for he is ready to do 

 anything, or to go anywhere. I bred him myself. He 

 is sometimes skittish and playful, and once ran away 

 from me. You will hardly believe it, but there were 

 more than fifty people after him, attempting in vain 

 stop him ; yet he turned back of himself, and neve: 

 stopped till he ran his head kindly into my bosom." 



