OUR FOUR-FOOTED COMPANIONS. 285 



cumstances. It must be stated, also, that this expression 

 of sympathy had a decidedly quieting effect upon the suf- 

 ferer, his moans becoming less piteous so soon as he was 

 infolded in the arms of his comforter ; and the manner in 

 which he laid his cheek upon the bosom of his friend was 

 as expressive as anything could be of sympathy appreciated. 

 This really affecting spectacle lasted a considerable time, 

 and, while watching it, I felt that, even had it stood alone, 

 it would in itself have been sufficient to prove the essential 

 identity of some of the noblest among human emotions 

 with those of the lower animals. 



6. I have a setter just now which has been made a pet 

 of since a puppy. As he has a very fine nose, and is at lib- 

 erty to go wherever he pleases, he often finds bits of food 

 which he very well knows he has no right to take. If the 

 food he finds happens to be of a dainty description, his con- 

 scientious scruples are overcome by the temptations of ap- 

 petite ; but if the food should be of a less palatable kind, he 

 generally carries it to me in order to obtain my permission 

 to eat it. Now, as no one over beats or even scolds this dog 

 for stealing, his only object in thus asking permission to 

 eat what he finds must be that of quieting his conscience. 

 It should be added that when he brings stolen property to 

 me it does not always follow that he is allowed to keep it. 



7. One other curious fact may here be mentioned about 

 this dog. Although naturally a very vivacious animal, 

 and, when out for a walk with myself or any other young 

 person, perpetually ranging about in search of game, yet if 

 taken out for a walk by an elderly person he keeps close 

 to heel all the time — pacing along with a slow step and se- 

 date manner, as different as possible from that which is 



natural to him. This curious behavior is quite spontaneous 

 on his part, and appears to rise from his sense of the re- 

 spect that is due to age. 



8. A terrier I once owned used to be very fond of catch- 



