1812. 
THEIR ATTACHMENT TO MAN. 
245 
them enough of the latter : but their services were invaluable, often 
contributing to our safety, and always, to our ease, by their constant 
vigilance j as we felt a confidence that no danger could approach us 
at night without being announced by their barking. No circum- 
stances could render the value and fidelity of these animals so con- 
spicuous and sensible, as a journey through regions which, abounding 
in wild beasts of almost every class, gave continual opportunities of 
witnessing the strong contrast in their habits, between the ferocious 
beasts of prey which fly at the approach of man, and these kind, but 
too often injured, companions of the human race. Many times when 
we have been travelling over plains where those have fled the moment 
we appeared in sight, have I turned my eyes towards my dogs, to 
admire their attachment, and have felt a grateful affection towards 
them for preferring our society to the wild liberty of other quadru- 
peds. Often, in the middle of the night, when all my people have 
been fast asleep around the fire, have I stood to contemplate these 
faithful animals lying by their side, and have learnt to esteem them 
for their social inclination to mankind. When wandering over path- 
less deserts, oppressed with vexation and distress at the conduct of my 
own men, I have turned to these, as my only friends, and felt how 
much inferior to them was man when actuated only by selfish views. 
The familiarity which subsists between this animal and our own 
race, is so common to almost every country of the globe, that any 
remark upon it must seem superfluous ; but I cannot avoid believing 
that it is the universality of the fact which prevents the greater part 
of mankind from reflecting duly on the subject. While almost every 
other quadruped fears man as its most formidable enemy ; here is 
one which regards him as his companion, and follows him as his 
friend. We must not mistake the nature of the case : it is not 
because we train him to our use, and have made choice of him in 
preference to other animals; but because this particular species, 
feels a natural desire to be useful to man and from spontaneous 
impulse attaches itself to him. Were it not so, we should see 
in various countries an equal familiarity with various other 
quadrupeds ; according to the habits, the taste, or the caprice 
of different nations. But every where it is the dog only, which 
