THE Ass AND THE MULE. 



II. 



THE ASS AND THE MULE. 



0, that I had been writ down an ass ! Dogberry. 



I. THE ASS. 



UFFON lias well observed that the ass is de- 

 spised and neglected only because we possess a 

 more noble and powerful animal in the horse, 

 and that if the horse were unknown, and the 

 care and attention that we lavish upon him 

 were transferred to his now neglected and despised rival, the 

 latter would be increased in size and developed in mental qual- 

 ities to an extent which it would be difficult to anticipate, but 

 which Eastern travelers, who have observed both animals in 

 their native climates, and among nations by whom they are 

 equally valued, and the good qualities of each justly appreci- 

 ated, assure us to be the fact. 



The character and habits of the horse and the ass are in 

 many respects directly opposed. The one is proud, fiery, im- 

 petuous, nice in his tastes, and delicate in his constitution; 

 subject, like a pampered menial, to many diseases, and having 

 many wants and habits unknown in a state of nature. The 

 other, on the contrary, is humble, patient, quiet, and hardy. 



For food the ass contents himself with the most harsh and 

 disagreeable herbs, which other animals will scarcely touch ; 

 in the choice of water he is, however, very nice, drinking only 

 that which is perfectly clear, and at brooks with which he is 

 acquainted. 



The qualities of the ass as a working animal are almost or 

 quite unknown in this country, but in other lands he is found 



