348 
ASS* 
species would have ere now been extinguished* 
Nevertheless, we have good reasons to believe 
that, were the same care bestowed on the ass that 
is spent upon the horse, were the same industry 
used in crossing the breed and improving it, we 
should see the ass become, from his present mean 
state, a very portly and serviceable animal ; w.e 
should find him rival the horse in some of his per- 
fections, and exceed him in others. The ass, bulk 
for bulk, is stronger than the horse ; is more sure- 
footed ; and, though more slow in his motions, 
he is much less apt to start out of the way. 
An old man, who a few years ago sold vegetables 
in London, used in his employment an ass, which 
conveyed his baskets from door to door. Frequent- 
ly he gave the poor industrious creature a hand- 
ful of hay, or some pieces of bread, or greens, 
by way of refreshment and reward. The old 
pan had no need of any goad for the animal, and 
seldom indeed had he to lift up his hand to drive 
it on. His kind treatment was one day remarked 
to him, and he was asked whether his beast was 
apt to be stubborn. Ah ! Master,*’ he replied 
it is of no use to be cruel, and as for stubborn- 
ness I cannot complain, for he is ready to do any 
thing, and to go any where. I bred him myself. 
He is sometimes skittish and playful, and once run 
ay^ay from me ; you will hardly believe it, but 
there were more than fifty people after him, at- 
tempting in vain to stop him ; yet he turned back 
of himself, and never stopped till he ran his head 
kindly into my bosom/* 
The Spaniards, of all people in Europe, seem 
alone to be acquainted with the value of the ass. 
They take all proper precautions to improve the 
breed ; and Goldsmith saw a jack-ass, from that 
country, above fifteen hands high. This animal, 
fpiyeyer, seems originally a native of Arabia, At 
