270 HARE. 
of them the kindest treatment had not the least ef- 
fect. Mr.C. describes these animals as having each a 
character of his own : — (e Such they were in fact ; 
and their countenances were so expressive of that 
character, that when I looked only on the face of 
either, I immediately knew which it was. It is 
said that a shepherd, however numerous his flock, 
soon becomes so familiar with their features, that 
he can, by that indication only, distinguish each 
from all the rest ; and yet, to a common observer, 
the difference is hardly perceptible. I doubt not 
that the same discrimination in the cast of counte- 
nances would be discoverable in hares, and am per- 
suaded that among a thousand of them no two could 
be found exactly similar ; a circumstance little sus- 
pected by those who have not had opportunity to 
observe it. These creatures have a singular sagacity 
in discovering the minutest alteration that is made 
in the place to which they are accustomed, and in- 
stantly apply their nose to the examination of a new 
object. A small hole being burnt in the carpet, it 
was mended with a patch, and that patch in a mo- 
ment underwent the strictest scrutiny. They seem, 
too, to be very much directed by the smell in the 
choice of their favourites : to some persons, though 
they saw them daily, they could never be recon- 
ciled, and would even scream when they attempted 
to touch them : but a miller coming in, engaged 
their affections at once ; his powdered coat had 
charms that were irresistible. It is no wonder that 
my intimate acquaintance with these specimens of 
