128 Quadrupeds. 
was very carefully attended to. In the time of Elizabeth, 
we are informed, there were no Asses in this country. 
Our treatment of this very useful animal is both wanton 
and cruel, and most ungrateful, considering the great 
services he renders us at so little expense. The ears 
of the Ass are of an uncommon length ; and he is 
of a greyish or dun colour, with a black cross on his 
back and shoulders. When very young, the Ass is 
sprightly, and even tolerably handsome; but he soon 
loses these qualifications, either by age or ill-treatment, 
and becomes slow, sullen, and headstrong. The female 
is passionately fond of her young one ; and it is said she 
will even cross fire and water to protect or rejoin it. 
The Ass is also sometimes greatly attached to its owner, 
whom he scents at a distance, and plainly distinguishes 
from others in a crowd. 
The female goes with young eleven months, and 
seldom produces more than one foal at a time : the teeth 
follow the same order of appearance and renewal as 
those of the horse. Asses' milk has long been cele- 
brated for its sanative qualities ; invalids suffering 
from debility of the digestive and assimilative functions 
make use of it with great advantage ; and to those 
also who are consumptive it is very generally recom- 
mended. 
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. Frequently he gave the 
poor industrious creature a handful of hay, or some 
pieces of bread, or greens, by way of refreshment or 
reward. The old man 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 re- 
marked to him, and he was asked if his beast was apt to 
be stubborn ? " Ah ! master," replied he, " it is of no use 
to be cruel, and as for stubbornness, I cannot complain ; 
for he is ready to do anything and go anywhere. I bred 
him myself. He is sometimes skittish and playful, and 
once ran away from me ; you will hardly believe it, but 
there were more than fifty people after him, attempting 
in vain to stop him ; yet he turned back of himself, 
