but the most abject reptile and torpid of beings dis- 

 tinguishes the hand that feeds it, and is touched with 

 the feelings of gratitude ! 



P. S. — In about three days after I left Sussex the 

 tortoise retired into the ground under the hepatica. 



April 12, 1772. 



LETTER LII. 

 To THE Honourable Daines Barrington. 



The more I reflect on the aTo^r) of animals, the 

 more I am astonished at its effects. Nor is the vio- 

 lence of this affection more wonderful than the short- 

 ness of its duration. Thus every hen is in her turn 

 the virago of the yard, in proportion to the helpless- 

 ness of her brood ; and will fiy in the face of a dog 

 or a sow in defence of those chickens, which in a 

 few weeks she will drive before her with relentless 

 cruelty. 



This affection sublimes the passions, quickens the 

 invention, and sharpens the sagacity of the brute 

 creation. Thus a hen, just become a mother, is no 

 longer that placid bird she used to be, but with feath- 

 ers standing on end, wings hovering, and clucking 

 note, she runs about like one possessed. Dams will 

 throw themselves in the way of the greatest danger 

 in order to avert it from their progeny. Thus a par- 

 tridge will tumble along before a sportsman in order 



181 



