AvutL M, 189?.] 
REASON IN A MOUSE AND IN A DOG. 
RossviLLE, S. I,, N. Y— Editor Forest and Stream: In 
Ms very interesting remarks on "Instinct and Reason" In the 
Natural History department of F( rest and Stream (April 
3, 1897), Von W. says: "The opinions of the Rev. Charles 
Josiah Adams are especially interesting as coming from a 
source from which we usually look for nothing but opposi- 
tion to scientific research." 
I know that in this remark he does not refer to Charles 
Josiah Adams, but to the Reverend gentleman of that name. 
It is trueth»t too many clergymen condemn "scientific re- 
search." There is a "science so-called" in which there is 
nothing beneficial to be found in this day as in the day of St. 
Paul. It is simply an attitude of mind. It is a pretense of 
knowing where nothing can be known. It is in the pictur- 
esque language of the street being "stuck on one's self." 
That was the trouble with the old Gnostics against whom St. 
Paul militated. That is the trouble with many a modern 
clergyman. It is also the trouble with many a modern 
scientist. The truth is that neither any man nor any school 
(]to borrow from the vocabulary of the street again) "knows 
it all." It seems to me just as true that there is neither man 
nor school who (or which) does not know something — sym- 
bolize, stand for, some truth or some phase of truth. 
The scientist knows those things which are cognized by 
the external senses, and the generalizations based uijon 
those cognitions. The clergyman knows those things which 
are cognized by the inner senses — imagination, "faith, hope, 
charity"; which, I submit, have as certainly sensory quality, 
as touch, taste, smell, hearing, sight. 
So far as I am personally concerned, I have always claimed 
the right to use both external and internal senses — to be 
pleased and benefited by the facts which come to me 
through either, and to pass, with tongue and pen, the pleas- 
ure and benefit on to others. I have occasionally found a 
scientist foolish enough to say that I should not use my "faith, 
hope, charity;" as I have once in a while found a clergyman 
who was foolish enough to say that I should not use my eyes 
and ears. At each I have simply smiled and gone on using 
the senses which correlate me to matter and those which 
correlate me to spirit. It seems to me that any man who 
does not do so — well, there are idiots complete, and idiots 
nartial. 
For a good many years now I have been a scientific psy- 
chologist. The result is that I hold more and more firmly 
those things which I mean by biophilism; all animals (man 
and the lower) are essentially one in sense and in faculty. It 
is the plain duty of all sentient beings to "love one another." 
Man being the highest of all sentient beings it is plainly his 
duty to do the most loving. There being no way of avoiding 
his taking the life and the service of his humbler fellow 
creature, he is bound in the nature of things to do so as 
mercifully as possible, or suffer the consequences. Immor- 
tality being something natural to man it must be also 
sometbing natural to the lower animal. 
Both man and the lower animal are instinctive in their 
actions. They are both also rational in their actions. Some 
time ago I published an account of how two rats stole eggs. 
One of them lay on its back and held the egg with its paws 
on its breast and abdomen, while the other dragged it by the 
tail to, and into, their hole. I vouch for the accuracy of this 
observation, which is not the less to be accepted because La 
Fontaine records a similar action by rats 300 years ago. I 
refer to this observation here only that I may tell a 
mouse story, which I hope may go as widely over the 
world as did the rat story. The mouse story I have 
not published before. It was told me on a steamer on 
Arthur Kill a few days ago by a lady, who began with an 
appreciative laugh at my rat story, which she had read 
somewhere. She said that she and her mother had both 
been laid up with la grippe. They were living in a flat. 
They kept some food in an old-fashioned washstand, in the 
room to whicb they were mostly confined. The mice got at 
the food. They wondered how. They could find no hole 
through which a mouse could possibly get into the compart- 
ment in which the food was kept. But the mystery was ex- 
plained. The narrator sat one day alone in the room paint- 
ing. A little mouse came from somewhere. It approached 
the stand. The compartment which contained the food was 
closed by folding doors — to one of which was attached a 
cleat to cover the crack between the two. Not being at all 
afraid of the mouse— which evidences her to be a woman of 
exceptionally firm mind — the lady kept on painting with an 
eye on the intruder to see what it would do. lb evidently 
knew where the food was— through the sense of smell no 
doubt, though some other mouse might have informed it. 
It sat upon its haunches and looked up. The bottom 
of the doors was considerably above it, for the stand 
was raised some three inches from the floor by feet. 
It seemed to deliberate. Then it made a leap, and 
struck the doors at the bottom at the place of their touching 
on the cleat, at the very point where a blow would be most 
likely to jar them open. This action was repeated three 
times. The last time one little paw went back of the cleat, 
which had been jarred out somewhat, and the other succeeded 
in catching so as to support the mouse's body. The result? 
The door was pulled and pushed open as rationally as a hu- 
man hand could have done it. The lady could not allow her 
food to be spoiled, of course. The mouse was scared away, 
but the lady must have regretted the necessity of preventing 
its enjoying what it had come at by rational procedui-e — as 
certainly rational as was ever human procedure. 
The time is gone by when we should see such expressions 
as this in literature — from Dumas's (p&re) "The Man in the 
Iron Mask": "Only, in addition to the instinct of the ani- 
mal, Grimaud subjoined the reasoning faculties of man." 
The truth is that every sentient being is governed by^t least 
two things — instinct and reason. Man is, should be, or may 
be, governed more by reason than by instinct, but every man 
is governed more or less by instinct. Every lower animal is 
governed more by instinct than by reason, but every lower 
animal may be, and on occasion is, governed by reason. My 
new dog. Bumper, without teaching, when only three months 
old opened a door which swung toward him by placing his 
paw in the crack, not more than an inch wide, by which the 
door stood ajar, making the crack wide enough for the inser- 
tion of his nose, standkig aside, and making the crack wide 
enough for the passage of his body. What is done by direc- 
tion may be done from simple impulse or instinct. What is 
done by indirection can only be done by reason. 
What is instinct? The fashion is to answer, as "Von W" 
does, "inherited experience." I think that it is more. The 
first mouse, dog, man, the first sentient being that ever 
fouQd itself on earth acted instinctively. But back of it 
there was no "experience" of any one of its kind (or his 
kind) to inherit. The truth, it seems to me, is that through 
which the great author (whom the Christian calls God; and I 
know of no better name) takes care of His creature. What 
is reason ? That through which the creature takes care (or 
tries to take care) of itself. 
Through instinct God takes care of me. And He just as 
certainly takes care of the mouse and of the dog in the same 
way. The more instinctive I am the more I know the mind 
of nature, the more I am sure of immortality. May not the 
mouse and the dog know more about subjective things than 
I do? It seems to me that the highest province of reason is 
in the positive, not in the negative. It seems to me that my 
duty is to love the truth — ^to let the facts come to me from 
where they may, and through, indifferently, my internal or 
external senses. The man who does so is the true scientist. 
Chaklss Josiah Adams. 
POn-RBT AND STREAM. 
American Fet Dog Club. 
Mr. and Mrs. C. Frederick Spaulding, of Prospect 
street. East Orange, graciously took it upon themselves to 
entertain the members of the American Pet Dog Club at 
the Essex County Club on Wednesday last. 
The day was a delightful one, and all the out-of-town 
members were met at the Orange Station at 1:37 P. M., and 
conveyed in carriages to the club house in Hutton Park. 
The club is a national organization, and has members in 
many States, which brought out many persons from afar, 
some coming from as far as Atlanta, Ga. The objects of 
the club are to encourage the breeding of small dogs to the 
highest standard of perfection, and advance a general 
knowledge of the proper care and treatment of household 
pet or toy dogs. 
There is no more enthusiastic member, and few have 
done more for the club than the charming hostess of 
Wednesday's entertainment, and outings of this kind do 
more toward bringing such organizations into popular fa- 
vor than almost anything else can. The membership 
turned out in great force, and amongst others the follow- 
ing were present. Mrs. Walter Stanton, New York, Presi- 
dent of the club; Mrs. C. Frederick Spaulding, E. Orange; 
Mrs. Robert J. Lowry, Atlanta, Ga.; Vice-Presidents. Mrs. 
R. K. Pritchard, Brooklyn: Miss Roselle, New York; Mrs. 
Blakeley Hale, New York; Mrs, Thomas Barr, E. Orange; 
Mrs. and Miss Earth, St. Louis; Mr. W. E. Taylor, New 
York; Capt. Robert J. Lowry, Atlanta, Ga.; Mr. Edward F. 
Murphy, New York; Mr. T. Farren Rackham, Secretary, 
E. Orange; Mr. E. H. Morris, Nordorf; Mr. C. Frederick 
Spaulding, Mr. W. Fryer, New York; Mr. W. Burkehart, 
Brooklyn, and others. 
Immediately after the arrival of the members at the 
club house luncheon was called, after which the business 
of the club was put through as speedily as possible and the 
members were invited to spend the afternoon with friends 
of Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding, most of whom came from New 
York and the Oranges, and numbered fully 150. 
The afternoon reception was a most enjoyable one ; the 
fact that it was Lent kept few persons away, and the vast 
number of gentlemen who were present was a frequent 
topic of conversation. Most of the receiving party were 
New York ladies, who ably performed their duties. The 
refreshments were presided over and served by Mrs. Wal- 
lace Blackford, of Brooklyn, in a most dignified manner. 
Miss Ada Blackford poured chocolate charmingly ; and the 
above were most ably assisted by Mrg. Fi-ank Norton, 
Mrs. Augustus Meeker, Mrs. Thomas Barr, Miss Grace 
Norton, Mrs. Irving Smith and Mrs. E. K. Rhodes. 
Isler's orchestra was in attendance. At about 5:30 the 
guests began to depart, but an invitation was extended to 
a few favored ones to remain and participate in a supper, 
which was greatly enjoyed, and afterward short but witty 
speeches brought forth much laughter. Vocal and instru- 
mental music concluded the enjoyable entertainment. 
T. Farrer Rackham. 
Pointer Club of America« 
The board of governors of the Pointer Club of America 
held a meeting on April 16, at the room of the Atherican 
Kernel Club. Present: Messrs. Webster, Mortimer, Jaivis, 
Brush and Lewis. The minutes of the last meetiDg were read 
and accepted. 
It was resolved that the American Field Pointer Cup, which 
was competed for at the Westminster Kennel Club's show, 
shall be awarded to Mr. W Gould Brokaw's pointer dog Sir 
Walter (reserve), on the ground that the Glen Rock Kennel, 
the owner of JVIolton Banner, was not a member ©f the 
Pointer Club. 
It was resolved that the president of the Pointer Club shall 
be the custodian of the American Field Pointer Cup until the 
conditions are complied with by the winner, which accom- 
pany it. 
It was resolved that the special prize offered by the Pointer 
Club at St. Louis bench show for the best pointer dog in 
the show, which was awarded to the Glen Rock Kennel, 
shall revert to the club, on the ground that the Glen Rock 
Kennel is not a member of the Pointer Club, 
It was resolved that the special prize awarded at the 
Westminster Kennel Club's bench bbow to Alice Leslie 
shall be paid to her owner, Mr. E. M. Beale. 
The question of eetabliehing tor competition a trophy to 
be known as the Breeders' Trophy Cup was freely discussed, 
and it was resolved that the secretary shall send to each of 
the members in form a series of questions covering the sub- 
ject in detail. 
The meeting adiourncd. 
International Fox Terrier Club. 
Port HcRON, April 15. — Editor Forest and Stream: The 
Internatiotjal Fox Terrier Club will hold its first show here 
May 24 and 35, made up with the following classes for 
smooth and wire dogs and bitches. Classes divided as fol- 
lows: Open to all dogs and bitches respectively. Winners' 
class, that have won five firsts. Limit cla^s, that have won 
three firsts. Novice class, that never won first under A. K. 
C. or C. K. C. rules. Puppy class, under twelve months. 
J. J. Lynn, Sec'y-Treas. 
POINTS AND FLUSHES. 
Vol. XIII. of the American Kennel Club Stud Book, con- 
taining the registrations of 1896, is now in book form It is 
neatly printed and bound. The numbers are Irom 39,078 to 
43,58'9. Besides the regisi rations, it contains lists ot oflicers, 
active members, associate members ; kennel names, prefixes 
and affixes; field trial winnings, 1896;bench shows and judges^ 
1896; bench show winners, 1896; cancellations, corrections, 
etc. As a record, it is invaluable to all owners and fanciers 
of (logs. Address Mr. A. P. Vredenburgh, Secretary, A. 
K. C, 55 Liberty street. New York. 
We have some inquiries concerning the old strains of Eng- 
lish setters, and in particular the one bred by the late Ethan 
AUin, Pomfi-et Center, Conn. His dogs were famous in 
New England shooting up to the time of his death. We 
will be obliged to any of our readers who will give us the 
names and addresses of owners of the native strains men- 
tioned. 
Mr, George Keller, under date of April 15, informs us that 
he lost hl& blue belton setter three weeks ago. His address 
la U ^ark Terrace, 'Kartford. Oqqq., aija bis nsm« and ^cl 
S9S 
dress are on her collar. He describes her as being a bluish 
or grayish-black haired dog, with a sprinkling of white fauir 
under the belly and on the feathering of the legs and tail. 
He will give a suitable reward for her return. 
The twenty -second field trial spring meeting of the Kennel 
Club, took place on the estate of Capt. Pretyman, Trimley, 
England. The Derby had twenty-six starters. The winners 
were: First, Mr. 0. Austin's Irish setter dog Sam Sullivan; 
Second, Mr. R. LI. Purcell Llewellin's blue belton setter bitch 
Kitty Wind'em ; Third, Mr. Ellas Bishop's liver and white 
pointer dog Prince Pedro; equal fourth, Mr. R. LI. Purcell 
Llewellin's black white and tan setter bitch Gem Corbet and 
Mr. W. L. Nicholson's liver and white pointer bitch Drayton 
Belle; equal fifth, Sir H. F. de Traftord's Irish setter dog 
Barton Punch and J\lr. H. Drory's liver and white pointer 
dog Roy of Meirelbeke. The winners in the All-Age Stakes 
were: First, Mon A. Morren's pointer dogBendigoof Brussels; 
Second, Mr. F. C. Lowe's setter bitch" Mabel of Kippen; 
Third, Mr. H. W. Wilson's Irish setter dog Bonny Pat of 
Coldhill; Fourth, Mr. B. 0. Warwick's liver and white pointer 
bitch Dolly of Budhill, 
The daily press reports the death of Owney, the dog 
which had won so much notoriety by his peregrinations 
through the country with the postal service. He had be- 
come old and ill-tempered, and was shot for attempting to 
bite a postal clerk. 
Mr. L. O. Seidel, Sharpsburg, Pa., Secretary of the Cen- 
tral Beagle Club, informs us that the club's annual field 
trials will be held on Nov. 9 to 11. 
Communications for this department are requested. Anything on 
the bicycle in its relation to the sportsman is particularly desirable. 
WHEELING NOTES. 
Very light weight bicycles are desirable under certain 
conditions, but they should never be selected by inexperi- 
enced riders. The factor of safety in the average bicycle 
approaches very closely to bed rock, being estimated at 1.25, 
which means that if any part fails in strength by only as 
much as one- quarter what is expected of it the bicycle may 
be crippled. In the very light wheels this factor of safety 
is still further reduced, and though a skillful wheelman 
may ride such a bicycle with perfect safety it is not wise for 
any other rider to attempt it. 
The experienced rider knows exactly how to humor the 
wheel so as to spare it undue strain. When the surface is 
not of the smoothest he throws a part of his weight in the 
handle bars, thus distributing the stress evenly between the 
two wheels; and at times he helps the machine over bad 
places by changing his weight backward, forward or to the 
pedals. If the rider sits like a dead weight in the saddle 
the wheel will go to pieces with him in a very short time. 
He must be in thorough sympathy with it, and always in read- 
iness to ease that part of the machine which is subjected to 
a sudden shock. Light wheels will never stand coasting, 
for with feet up it is impossible to sit otherwise than as a 
dead weight. 
The safest plan for the novice is to begin with a strong 
wheel, even though it is heavy. Afterward many riders 
will prefer to keep such wheels, both as wearing better and 
also as conducing to their peace of mind. 
We. have all seen the fact stated 'that the so-called "factor 
of safety" is lower in the bicycle than in almost any other 
mechanical product. In high pressure guns, for instance, 
the factor of safety is said to be often as great as 20, mean- 
ing that the guns are made twenty times as strong as is 
theoretically necessary for the strain they must bear. In or- 
dinary guns the factor of safety is 12, in'boilers it is about 6, 
in bridges usually 5, and so on. 
After these figures it is rather startling to be told that in 
bicycles the factor af safety has been reduced to 1^. 
Nervous people are apt to hastily jump at the conclusion 
that a slightly additional weight to that of the rider would 
break the bicycle down and result in a catastrophe; but as a 
matter of fact any high grade bicycle will easily support and 
carry over a good sm-face a weight of a ton, or more than 
thirteen times the weight of the average rider. 
It is only when running at the highest rate of speecj, and 
encountering the maximum of rough surface, that the factor 
of safety is ever approached. It is for such occasions that 
the high gxade bicycle is constructed of the toughest and 
strongest materials ever put in a similar mechanism, and it 
is then that the difference between the real bicycle and the 
dry goods article becomes apparent. 
Members of the Century Wheelmen, of Philadelphia, have 
adopted a plan of insuring their bicycles against theft which 
has many points to commend it to other wheeling clubs. 
The members have formed among themselves a "mutual m- 
surance club, which, in consideration of an initiation fee of 
$1 and assessments of 25 cents paid whenever wheels are 
stolen, guarantees the sum of $50 to the loser of a bicycle. 
One of the cleverest bicycle advertisements seen in the 
trade papers begins with Longfellow's lines: 
"la the elder days of art 
Builders wrought with greatest care 
Each minute and unseen part. 
For the gods see everywhere," 
Convince us that the modern builder of bicycles follows 
this rule and we will all buy his wheels. 
The art of bicycle construction seems to have practically 
reached its limit, and the current models are the strongest 
confirmation of this assertion. Mr. A. H. Overman, who is 
a bicycle manufacturer of ripe experience, in an interview 
published in a Buffalo newspaper is quoted as saying: 
"The improvements of 1897 are in the refinement of the 
wheel. They consist in taking out a quarter of an ounce in 
oae place without weakening the wheel, and putting in 
a sixteenth of an ounce in another place, where it will 
strengthen it." 
Mr. Overman has an idea which, if it could be carried 
out, would do mueh to xsm tbe st^Qdard of bicyc^ CQa> 
