THE DOG. 153 



inhabitants of the houses about the church daily fed the 

 affectionate creature, and the sexton built him a kennel. 

 But he would not quit the spot ; and there he died. 



One instance of the effect produced by observing the 

 attachment of a dog to its master, is worthy of record. 

 At the battle of Castiglione, when the ranks of the 

 Imperialists were broken, and the heat of pursuit was 

 great, Bonaparte reached the spot where a multitude of 

 French and Austrians had fallen, and amidst the pile of 

 corpses he observed a little Barbet dog. The faithful 

 animal stood with its fore-feet fixed on the breast of an 

 Austrian officer, and its eyes were riveted on those of 

 its dead master. Nothing occurred to divert his atten- 

 tion or alter his attitude. Bonaparte, struck with the 

 sight, stopped his horse, called his attendants around 

 him, and pointed it out to them. 



" The dog," he said, " as if he had known my voice, 

 removed his eyes from his master, and throwing them 

 on me for a moment, resumed his former posture ; but 

 in that momentary look there was a mute eloquence 

 beyond the power of language ; it was a reproach, with 

 all the poignancy of bitterness." Bonaparte felt the 

 appeal ; he considered the upbraidings of the animal a 

 demand for mercy, and he gave orders for the carnage 

 to be instantly stayed. 



