714 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
truly British dog, and had his origin in this country. We 
are borne out in this opinion by finding that, at so early a 
period as the time of the Roman empire, this country was 
celebrated on account of its dogs of this kind; and at the 
period when Great Britain was under the Roman yoke, an 
officer was appointed to live here, whose sole business was 
to breed, select, and send to Rome such as promised, by 
their size and strength, to become fit for the combats of the 
amphitheatre. Dr. Caius informs us that three mastiffs 
were reckoned a match for a bear, and four for a lion. 
From the large size and commanding aspect of the 
mastiff, he is naturally calculated to intimidate strangers; 
consequently is peculiarly well suited for the protection of 
large and extensive premises; and he watches them with the 
most scrupulous care and assiduity. He is so instinctively 
impressed with the importance of his charge, that he will 
lose his life rather than abandon it. But with this com¬ 
manding aspect, he possesses qualities of the best kind. 
He is remarkable for the great mildness of his disposition, 
when disencumbered of his charges, and is as solicitous to 
gain attention, and as faithfully grateful for favours, as the 
most diminutive of the canine race. 
The mastiff has one peculiarity in his character, which 
seems inherent:—his ferocity is always increased by the 
degree of restraint under which he is kept. If kept con¬ 
stantly on the chain, his temper is irritable and ferocious, 
and it is consequently dangerous for a stranger to approach 
him; from whence it evidently appears, that what may be 
considered a friendly kindness on one side, is always pro¬ 
ductive of confidence on the other. He seems conscious of 
his own great strength, power, and authority, and will 
seldom condescend to lower his dignity by servile fawning, 
while he appears to consider his services as only befitting a 
