but the most abject reptile and torpid of beings dis- 

 tinguishes the hand that feeds it, and is touched with 

 the feelino;s of o-ratitude I 



p. S. — In about three days after I left Sussex the 

 tortoise retired into the ground under the hepatica. 



Ap7'il 12, 1772. 



LETTER LIT 



To THE HOXOURABLE DaIXES BaRRIXGTOX. 



The more I reflect on the aropyy-j of animals, the 

 more I am astonished at its effects. Nor is the vio- 

 lence of this affection more wonderful than the short- 

 ness of its duration. Thus every hen is in her turn 

 the virago of the yard, in proportion to the helpless- 

 ness of her brood : and will fly in the face of a dog 

 or a sow in defence of those chickens, which in a 

 few weeks she will drive before her with relentless 

 cruelty. 



This affection sublimes the passions, quickens the 

 invention, and sharpens the sagacity of the brute 

 creation. Thus a hen, just become a mother, is no 

 longer that placid bird she used to be, but with feath- 

 ers standing on end, wings hovering, and clucking 

 note, she runs about like one possessed. Dams will 

 throw themselves in the wav of the greatest danger 

 in order to avert it from their progeny. Thus a par- 

 tridge will tumble along before a sportsman in order 



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