THE ASS. 



bad qualities of this kind he may fometimes polTefs, they do not appear to be 

 the confequences of any natural defect in his conftitution or temper, but, as 

 has been already obferved, arife from the manner ufed in training him, and 

 the bad treatment he receives. We are the rather led to this affertion, from 

 having lately feen one which experiences a very different kind of treatment 

 from his mailer, than is the fate of the generality of Afles. The humane 

 owner of this individual is an old man, whofe employment is the felling of 

 vegetables, which he conveys from door to door, on the back of his Afs. 

 He is conftantly baiting the poor creature with handsful of hay, pieces of 

 bread, or greens, which he procures in his progrefs. It is with pleafure we 

 relate, for we have often curioufly obferved the old man's demeanor towards 

 his Afs, that he feldom carries any inftrument of incitement with him, nor 

 did we ever fee him lift his hand to drive it on. 



Upon our obferving to him, that he feemed to be very kind to his Afs, and 

 enquiring whether he was apt to be ftubborn, how long he had had him } &c. 

 he replied, " Ah ! mailer, it is of no ufe to be cruel, and as for ftubbornnefs I 

 cannot complain, for he is ready to do any thing and will go any where. I 

 bred him myfelf, and have had him thefe two years. He is fometimes fkittifli 

 and playful, and once ran away from me: you will hardly believe it, but 

 there were more than fifty people after him, to flop him, and they were not 

 able to effect it; yet he turned back of himfelf, and never Hopped till he ran 

 his head kindly into my breall." 



The countenance of this individual is open, lively, and cheerful; his pace, 

 nimble and regular; and the only inducement ufed to make him increafe his 

 fpeed, is that of calling him by name, which he readily obeys. 



