156 Conscience in Animals. [April, 
to have been overcome by a paroxysm of rage ; for when I 
returned I found that he had torn all the bottoms of the 
window-curtains to shreds. When I first opened the door 
he jumped about as dogs in general do under similar circum- 
stances, having apparently forgotten, in his joy at seeing 
me, the damage he had done. But when, without speaking, 
I picked up one of the torn shreds of the curtains, the 
terrier gave a howl, and rushing out of the room, ran up 
stairs screaming as loudly as he was able. The only inter- 
pretation I can assign to this conduct is, that his former fit 
of passion having subsided, the dog was sorry at having 
done what he knew would annoy me ; and not being able to 
endure in my presence the remorse of his smitten con- 
science, he ran to the farthest corner of the house crying 
peccavi in the language of his nature. 
I could give several other cases of conscientious adtion on 
the part of this terrier, but as the present article is already 
too long I shall confine myself to giving but one other case. 
This, however, is the most unequivocal instance I have ever 
known of conscience being manifested by an animal. 
I had had this dog for several years, and had never — even 
in his puppyhood — known him to steal. On the contrary, 
he used to make an excellent guard to protect property from 
other animals, servants, &c., even though these were his 
best friends.* * Nevertheless, on one occasion he was very 
hungry, and in the room where I was reading and he was 
sitting, there was, within easy reach, a savoury mutton chop. 
I was greatly surprised to see him stealthily remove this 
chop and take it under a sofa. However, I pretended not 
turned round, and trotted home. Next day he went out with my friend as 
before, but after he had gone a short distance he looked up at his face signifi- 
cantly, and again trotted home with a dignified air. After this my friend could 
never induce the terrier to go out with him again. It is remarkable, also, that 
this animal’s sensitiveness was not only of a selfish kind, but extended itself 
in sympathy for others. Whenever he saw a man striking a dog, whether in 
the house or outside, near at hand or at a distance, he used to rush to the pro- 
tection of his fellow, snarling and snapping in a most threatening way. 
Again, when driving with me in a dog-cart, he always used to seize the sleeve 
of my coat every time I touched the horse with the whip. 
* I have seen this dog escort a donkey which had baskets on its back filled 
with apples. Although the dog did not know that he was being observed by 
anybody, he did his duty with the utmost faithfulness ; for every time the 
donkey turned back its head to take an apple out of the baskets, the dog 
snapped at its nose ; and such was his watchfulness, that, although his com- 
panion was keenly desirous of tasting some of the fruit, he never allowed him 
to get a single apple during the half-hour they were left together. I have also 
seen this terrier protecting meat from other terriers (his sons), which lived in 
the same house with him, and with which he was on the very best of terms. 
More curious still, I have seen him seize my wristbands while they were being 
worn by a friend to whom I had temporarily lent them. 
