432 



ASS. 



pasture. In his choice of water he is remarkably 

 nice, and will drink only of that which is clear. 

 He has also an aversion to mud or water in his 

 road, and will pass out of the ay rather than wet 

 his feet in a puddle. He is by no means void of 

 docility, as vulgarly supposed ; but may be made 

 to practise several exercises not usual with his 

 race. His voice, as is well known, is a most hideous 

 bray ; a discordant succession of flats and sharps. 

 This is most strong in the male animal ; the voice 

 of the female being weaker, though somewhat 

 shriller. It is singular, however, that some au- 

 thors have denied that the female Ass can properly 

 be said to bray ; and Aldrovandus censures Ovid 

 for this line : Et ruciit e scahra turpis Asella 

 mola. " 



The good qualities of this despised and often 

 ill-treated animal are so prettily detailed by the 

 ingenious Abbe la Pluche, that I shall make no 

 apology for here inserting his eulogy. 



I confess," says this agreeable writer, that 

 the Ass is not master of very shining qualities ; 

 but then he enjoys those that are very solid. If we 

 resort to other animals for distinguished services, 

 this at least furnishes us with such as are most neces- 

 sary. His voice is not altogether melodious, nor 

 his air majestic, nor his manners very lively ; but 

 then a fine voice has very little merit with people 

 of solidity. With him the want of a noble air hath 

 its compensation in a mild and modest counte- 

 nance ; and instead of the boisterous and irregu- 

 lar qualities of the Horse, which are frequently 



