136 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



out, and fly at him. On the day of trial, when the prisoner 

 was at the bar, the dog was let loose in the court-house, and 

 in the midst of some hundreds he found him out (though 

 dressed entirely in new clothes), and would have torn him 

 to pieces had he been allowed ; in consequence of which he 

 was condemned, and at the place of execution he confessed 

 the fact," 



The Terrier. There are many varieties of terrier including 

 numerous celebrated breeds. The English, Scotch, Skye, Bull 

 and Fox terriers being the best known. Innumerable stories 

 of the intelligence and sagacity of the various breeds might 

 be told if space permitted, but it must sufiSce to say that for 

 sportsmanlike qualities, for general intelligence and sagacity, 

 and for affection for his master, the terrier of whatever breed 

 will hold his own against any other dog. Dogs are said to 

 have natural antipathies, and that of the BuII-dog for the 

 bull is an obvious illustration. An equal antipathy is shown 

 by the English terrier for the rat and by the Fox-terrier 

 for the cat, though the latter is perhaps as much a matter 

 of education as of nature. Terriers are, however, among the 

 best known of dogs and therefore need the less description. 



The Mastiff. The Mastiff is said to be of an original breed 

 indigenous to England, whence some were exported to Italy in 

 the days of the Roman emperors. The breed has since been 

 crossed by stag and blood hounds and the present is a 

 magnificent animal of great power and noble character. The 

 ancient breed was brindled yellow and black, the present is 

 usually deeper or lighter buff" with dark muzzle and cars. 

 The mastiff is sometimes twenfy-nine or thirty inches in 

 height at the shoulder. 



The Mastiff's The Mastiff" is the best of watch dogs, for he 

 Fidelity, brings an intelligence to bear upon his duty 

 which is in the highest degree surprising. He has been 

 known to walk by the side of an intending thief "for- 

 bidding his laying hands upon any article, yet abstaining 



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