THE ASS. 



the firft place in the lift of ufeful quadrupeds. It is comparifon alone 

 degrades him ; we do not conlider him merely as an Afs, but as an Afs 

 compared with a Horfe; in Ihort, we blame him for not polTeliing figure 

 and qualities to which he has no pretentions. Although the Afs is, in 

 general, neglected and delpifed, he is neverthelefs highly ferviceable and 

 profitable to his mafter, to whom he is ftrongly attached. If he is obftinate 

 and perverfe, he is generally made fo by education. Inftead of perfualive 

 and encouraging treatment, he ufually receives hard blows and feverity; 

 and if he be fo fortunate as to efcape thefe, he is generally tormented by 

 ruftics and children, till he contracts habits of refentment which he never 

 lofes but with his life. However he may be charged with obftinacy, this 

 difpofition is well compenfated by his lingular patience and perfeverance. 

 Contented and fubmilnve, he gladly accepts, and even feems grateful for the 

 provender which is wafted by other animals, and the coarfeft diet is to him 

 a luxury: thiftles, briars, thorns, leaves, and even ftraw, fatisfy his moderate 

 appetite. It is neceflary, however, to give him plenty of water, otherwife 

 he will not thrive (a;) and, in this inftance alone, he is delicate; he will 

 drink none but the clearer!, and gives the preference to rivulets with which 

 he is well acquainted (b.) He carefully avoids wetting his feet, and will 

 turn out of his path rather than walk through a puddle. He is fond of 

 rolling in the duft, though encumbered with his load. When he is overladen, 

 he hangs down his head, and lowers his ears; and, if greatly abufed, opens his 

 mouth and draws back his lips in a fcornful manner. It is impoffible to make 

 him move with his eyes covered. His paces are like thole of the Horfe, 

 only in miniature: his voice is a difagreeable difcordant bray, produced by an 

 alternate fucceftion of flats and lharps, at diftant intervals. The voice of the 

 female is thriller and clearer than that of the male. 



The Ik in of this animal is remarkably hard, thick, and dry; this is, 

 perhaps, the reafon why it is lefs fubjecl: to vermin than any other quadruped, 

 and lefs fenfible to the whip, and the flinging of flies. It is elaftic, and is 

 ufed for different purpofes, fuch as to make drums, Ihoes, parchment for the 

 leaves of pocket-books, &c. 



(a) Diet. Raison. (b) Buffon. 



