3 2 6 
CRIMINAL ANIMALS 
hidden in the fern whose protection might have been 
urged as an excuse for her ferocity ; and her conduct, 
must be ascribed to some such ancient and inbred 
malignity as possessed the “ dun cow of Warwick.' ” 
No doubt the last animal, if legend be true, was 
possessed by a deeper and darker instinct of hatred 
to the human race ; for she used to mingle with 
the herds and entice the milkmaids to perform their 
kindly office by all kinds of endearments known to 
her race, and then most cruelly kill them, until the 
renowned Guy of Warwick rid the country of the 
monster, avenged the milkmaids, and earned himself 
a place in story. But the cow of Hawarden may 
in time win its way to the marvellous, and have a 
place in the great Gladstone myth by the side of 
“Joe” — or “Io” — once the friend, now the foe of 
the hero, whose legend is in after-ages to be identified 
with the rationalistic record of the promise of “ three 
acres and a cow.” The danger to which Mr. 
Gladstone was exposed, which was a very real one, 
suggests the question whether there is not some 
ground for supposing that, apart from questions or 
our own convenience, there are not some desperately 
Ivicked animals which are not only wicked per se , but 
quite conscious that they are doing actions which place 
them outside the pale both of human and animal 
consideration ? We believe that there is not the 
least doubt of it, any more than there is a doubt 
whether certain so-called “ criminal lunatics ” richly 
deserve hanging. If animals had no power of self- 
