THE BARBAKIANS 



23 



Soc. You have already said that the barking and biting of dogs 

 is in accordance with their nature. Do you mean that in so doing 

 they are as God made them ? 



Dr. W. Yes, that must be so. 



Soc. Being as God made them, the barking and biting of dogs is 

 good and admirable ? 



Dr. W. Ye-es. 



Soc. Yet you have implied that men are to regard, or rather 



/ 



Socrates and Dr. Watts. 



ignore, as base and vulgar, that barking and biting of dogs which, as 

 the work of God, is good and admirable. They are, in short, to despise 

 the work of God ? 



Dr. W. (after an awhivard pause). Sir, I had not hitherto thought 

 of the matter in that light. But I now see that the barking and 

 biting of dogs, being according to nature, cannot be base or vulgar, 

 but when well and worthily done, is deserving of the admiration of 

 men of sense and piety. 



Soc. I congratulate you, sir, on your candour. Nothing is more 



