330 SPANISH-TOWN. 



" The aboriginal inhabitarxts of these islands are 

 represented as possessing at the time of the discovery 

 a small domesticated Dog, which they called an Alco. 

 This little inmate of their homes was remarkable for 

 a gentle quietness of temper, and for an attachment 

 that made it the constant companion of its master. 

 When the indolent and pleasant life of the island was 

 terminated by the servitude imposed by the Spaniards, 

 and the dream in the shade, and the noontide slumber 

 by the fountain, which had been exchanged for no 

 ruder exercise than the choral song, and the evening 

 dance, were succeeded by the labour by day, and the 

 weariness by night ; — and life became an endless 

 repetition of the same toil and suffering, the hopeless 

 despondency in which the Indian perished swept away 

 also the attached inmate of his home. 



" The domesticated Dog is every where the counter- 

 part of his master. His instincts and appetites as- 

 sume the passions and pursuits of the being he serves, 

 and mould him into races as varied as the condition 

 of mankind. From an animal of pursuit with the 

 huntsman ; of vigilant guardianship with the keeper 

 of flocks and herds ; and of sleepless watchfulness 

 with the confiding household ; — he becomes an in- 

 dulged menial or a pampered favourite at the family 

 board. Preserved and perpetuated in the several 

 accidents of breed, to administer to the wants and 

 pleasures of man, we may estimate the social con- 

 dition of a people by the developed character of their 

 Dogs. 



*' All writers agree in representing the Alco as a 



