198 THE DOG TRIBE, 



which enables him to receive impressions to a certain amount, even 

 in some instances bordering, as it were, on reason, will exhibit no- 

 thing in his wild state, to exalt him above the surrounding animals 

 no, not above the ass itself. He must submit to the rule and do- 

 minion of rational man, in order to excel the surrounding brutes. 

 To man alone he is indebted for an education. Under man he 

 becomes docile, affectionate, obedient, and surprisingly useful. 

 The Spanish shepherd, who always precedes his flocks in their route 

 across the mountains of Andalusia, places his huge white guardian- 

 dogs in the rear, never doubting of their fidelity. In fact, the dog 

 has received from the hand of Omnipotence a disposition that can 

 be modelled into almost anything short of reason. But at reason 

 his instructor must stop. It is beyond the power of man to impart 

 it to the dog. Man may strive his utmost to effect it, but he will 

 always fail in the attempt. 



Why some of the brute animals are more susceptible of educa- 

 tional impressions than others, is a secret to us mortals and it will 

 for ever be one. But this much we know, that, if we wish to have 

 an animal, which will be the constant companion of man his safe- 

 guard in danger, his assistant in necessity, and his slave in obedi- 

 ence we must apply to the family of the dog in its reclaimed state. 

 In no other class of quadrupeds can such a treasure be found. Take 

 the mule, that is, half-horse, half-ass, and try your best to mould 

 him to your will. In nine times out of ten you will fail. Neither 

 harshness nor gentleness will enable you to break his stubborn dis- 

 position ; and although you may now and then succeed in over- 

 coming his temper for a while, he will set you at defiance in the long 

 run. 



When I was on the west coast of Demerara, I rode a mule in pre- 

 ference to a horse, and I took a kind of pride in my choice, because 

 no other person seemed inclined to engage him. He was a cream- 

 coloured ancl a beautiful animal, and had been imported from the 

 Orinoco, to work in the cattle -mills of the sugar plantations. I gave 

 him the name of Philip. At times he went quietly enough, but 

 every now and then he would show who had been his father, and 

 you would fancy that the devil of stubbornness had got entire pos- 

 session of him. He was never able to dislodge me from the saddle 



