THE TERRIER. 225 



tention to the species arose merely from the super- 

 stitious whim of one of the late Emperors, who hap- 

 pened to be born under the sign of the Dog, one of 

 the Japanese constellations. A poor fellow, that had 

 lost his Dog by death, sweating under his load in 

 climbins: the riiountain of interment, was overheard 

 by his neighbour cursing, at a dreadful rate, tlie 

 edict. ^^ Friend, (said his neighbour,) you have 

 reason to thank the Gods that the Emperor was not 

 born under the Horse ; for what v/ould have then 

 been your load !" If these animals happen to do any 

 injury, none but the public executioner date presume 

 to punish them ; and it is even necessary for him to 

 receive a direct order for the purpose from some of 

 the governors *. 



It is singular that the race of European Dogs shew 

 as great ari antipathy to the American species, as 

 tliey do to the Wolf. They never meet with them 

 without e^chibiting every possible sign of dislike; they 

 will fall on and worry them ; while the Wolfish 

 breed, with every mark of timidity, puts its tail be- 

 tween its legs, and runs from their rage. This 

 aversion to the Wolf is natural to all genuine Dogs : 

 for it is Well known that a Whelp, that has never 

 seen a Wolf, will at first sight tremble and run to 

 its master for protection ; an old Dog will naturally 

 attack it \. 



The sagacity and attention of the Dog is so great, 

 that it is not difficult to teach him to dance, hunt. 



* Kaeni},rer, i. b23. t Vtnn. Arct. Zcol. i. 42. 



Vol. I. Q 



