Tue Ass anv tHe MUte. 45 
i. 
THE ASS AND THE MULE: 
0, that 1 bad been writ down an ase !—Dogterry. 
I—THE AS8s. 
UFFON has well observed that the ass is de- 
spised and neglected only because we possess a 
more noble and powerful animal in the horse, 
and that if the horse were unknown, and the 
care and attention that we lavish upon him 
were paused to his now neglected and despised rival, the 
latter would be increased in size and developed in mental qual- 
ities to an extent which it would be difficult to anticipate, but 
which Eastern travelers, who have observed both animals in 
their native climates, and among nations by whom they are 
equally valued, and the good qualities of each justly appreci- 
ated, assure us to be the fact. 
The character and habits of the horse and the ass are in 
many respects directly opposed. The one is proud, fiery, im- 
petuous, nice in his tastes, and delicate in his constitution; 
subject, like a pampered menial, to many diseases, and having 
many wants and habits unknown in a state of nature. The 
other, on the contrary, is humble, patient, quiet, and hardy. 
For food the ass contents himself with the most harsh and 
disagreeable herbs, which other animals will scarcely touch; 
in the choice of water he is, however, very nice, drinking only 
that which is perfectly clear, and at brooks with which he is 
acquainted. 
The qualities of the ass as a working animal are almost or 
quite unknown in this country, but in other lands he is found 
