INTRODUCTION. c 
it embraced with its four paws, and It could 
not abfolutely be compelled to quit its pofi- 
tion. Deceived by its inftinfl:^ it ftill ima- 
gined itfelf to be on the back of its mother, 
and under her protedion. As it feemed per- 
fedly at eafe on the peruke, I refolved to fuf- 
fer it to remain, and to feed it there with 
goats milk. It continued in its error for 
three weeks ; but after that period emanci- 
pating itfelf from its own authority, it quit- 
ted the foftering peruke, and by its amufing 
tricks became the friend and the favourite 
of the whole family. 
I had, however, w^ithout fufpeding it, in- 
troduced the wolf among my flocks. One 
morning, on entering my chamber, the door 
of which I had been fo imprudent as to leave 
open, I beheld my unworthy pupil making 
a hearty breakfaft on my noble colledion. 
In the firft tranfports of my paffion I refolv- 
ed to ftrangle it in my arms ; but rage and 
fury foon gave place to pity, when I perceiv- 
ed that its voracioufnefs had expofed it to the 
moft cruel punifliment. In eating the bee- 
tles it had fwailowed fome of the pins upon 
which they were fixed ; and, though it made 
B 3 a thoufanj 
