Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

DOGS.

course of his life, to make the acquaintance of some canine prodigy of loyal devotion, if not personally, at least in fancy, through the detailed information of friends? And who, in examining the records of beautiful tenderness and fidelity, which the history of the animal furnishes, has not asked himself whether it were possible to believe that some of the highest moral virtues could be displayed by creatures destined to sink into the sleep of annihilation; or, whether it is not quite rational to suppose that the dog, too, has a soul capable of future indefinite development? This belief, so far from being degrading to humanity, possesses, in our opinion, an elevating tendency. For it shows that the beauty of Love and Truth, and unselfish Faith is an inherent beauty, altogether independent of the medium through which these virtues are manifested, or of the abodes they may have taken to themselves; in brief, that the love, and truth, and unselfish devotion of a dog are not a whit less admirable than the same qualities in a woman who would die for her lover, or a patriot who would die for his country!

We have no sympathy with the individual who is not fond of Dogs, precisely as we have no sympathy with the individual who takes no pleasure in the innocent sports, and endearing caresses of children. It is true that some men have been led, by a savage or affected contempt for mankind, to cultivate the friendship of the dog, and when the favourite dies, ostentatiously to erect a monument over its remains, with the inscription that the master had been blessed with but "one friend, and that there that friend's dust reposed." We doubt whether such persons have any real appreciation of the noble qualities of the animal, whom they use as an unconscious ally in their war against the world. It is probable that, could the poor deceived beast (fondled not for his own sake) be made to comprehend that he had been elevated to a forced apotheosis, at the expense of the general character of man, whom Burns fancifully calls "the Dog's God," and that simply to gratify the bitter, envious feeling of some disappointed sinner who "hated the world not wisely, but too well," Ponto, or Dash, or Cæsar, would growl uneasily in his grave, and perhaps even The origin of the dog, like the haunt the slumbers of the vain origin of so many other races, creature who had wronged him in higher in the intellectual and spirthe shape of the "dog fiend," of itual grade, is a question of prowhose dreadful appearance we have found obscurity. In remote ages, read in the German legends. The we find him occupying a position affection for the dog to which we the very reverse of that recently refer, is a genial, healthful, goodnatured affection, compounded of esteem, gratitude, and the sense of protection bestowed upon the faithfulest and most trustworthy of dependents. Who has failed, in the

[blocks in formation]

assigned him by Burns. Man was not then his God, but he was the God of man. He was thus deified in the monstrous worships of the far East; his effigy, surrounded with marks and hieroglyphs of honour,

appears on the walls and friezes of temples, which alone remain, to hint of long-dead civilizations; and at a later period, looking from the earth to the heavens, the observer recognized his name in one of the first-mentioned, and most important of the stars. Naturalists are at fault as to the original stock. Buffon asserts that the sheep-dog is to be considered responsible for all other varieties, whilst Hunter agree ing, if we rightly remember, with Cuvier, claims the wolf as his progenitor, "supposing also that the jackal is the same animal further advanced towards civilization, or, the dog returned to its wild state." "Indeed the affinity," says Jesse in his 'Anecdotes of Dogs," "between wolf, jackal, for and dog, cannot fail to attract the notice of the most superficial observer." Now, do they really belong to a single species, necessarily modified by the differences of climate, food and training? Before this inquiry can be answered, another suggests itself as to what may be fairly considered as constituting a species-a simple question apparently, but nevertheless one which possibly involves the most intricate and difficult problem in the whole range of Natural History. "Difference of form," says Jesse again, "is of little significance here; for the pug, grey hound and spaniel are wider apart in this respect than many dogs, and the wild animals just named." It is an unwise conjecture to suppose that such varieties are owing to artificial customs, and artificial breeding through long succession of centuries. Who ever saw the grey hound, for example, trained to the pointer's scent, or the spaniel trained to the bulldog's ferocity? A more satisfactory mode of argument, and a mode which promises clear results, may be founded upon a consideration of the shape of the pupil of

the eye, and its dilating and contracting power in the animals referred to.

In the wolf, jackal and dog, the pupil is round, however contracted ; whereas, in the fox as in the cat, "it contracts vertically into an elongated figure, like the section of a lens." This is a permanent character, not affected by artificial circumstances, and may be looked upon as, in some degree, settling the pretensions of the fox, at least, to an ancient, close relationship with the dog. But there is a stronger argument still in favour of the view, that the fox, if not an utter alien to the dog, is no doubt of a "distinct species." This is suggested to us by the discovery of Mr. Gulliver, that whilst "the blood-corpuscles of the dog and wolf agree exactly, those of all true foxes are distinctly smaller." At this point, we may dismiss the fox as attempting, in accordance with his mean and cunning nature, to win an honorable distinction upon false pretences. But the case of the wolf is stronger. The question remains an open one: is he the "first father" of the canine race? Here we must revert to what constitutes a species. Hunter defines it to be," the power of breeding together, and of continuing the breed with each other." The first condition of this definition has been fulfilled, in the result of a connection between a dog and a wolf, belonging to Lords Clanbrassil and Pembroke more than half a century ago, as the following curious epitaph, still to be seen in the garden at Wilton House, conclusively testifies:

"HERE LIES LUPA, Whose Grand-mother was a Wolf, Whose father and Grand-father

were Dogs, and whose Mother was half Wolf and half Dog. She died on the 16th Oct., 1782, Aged 12 years.

of breeding together," the experiment has never been carried far enough to establish the other fact, essential to the complete fulfilment of the conditions of Hunter's definition, viz: that "the progeny would continue fertile inter se.'

But though the dog and the wolf acknowledges the "divine right" of are thus proved to have the "power his Master to govern, with more of practical, profound sincerity, than was ever displayed by the most bigoted of legitimists, should suddenly become extinct? The misfortune attending such a catastrophe, would not be confined to the poor Shepherd among the hills of Scotland or on the Italian Campagnas, but would carry a keen sense of insecurity among the wealthy inhabitants of many a proud metropolis! And not only so, but were the event possible, who can doubt that the best and purest affections of millions would be cruelly tried. by the loss of companions, who, though not endowed with the gift of tongues, had secured a place in the hearts of those with whom they lived, by unnumbered acts of devotion and unselfish duty?

The question of species is, therefore, unsettled. Only, before quitting this part of the subject, we will quote a few brief sentences from Mr. Jesse's work, which go to prove that the dog is a breed independent and sui generis. "The Wolf," he says, "has oblique eyes; the eyes of dogs have never retrograded to that position. If the dog descended from the wolf, a constant tendency would have been observed in the former to revert to the original type or species. This is a law in all other cross-breeds, but amongst all the varieties of dogs, the tendency has not existed. I may also add, that the number of teats of the female wolf has never been known to vary. With respect to the dog they do vary, some having more and others a less number."

But, whatever may be the doubt which hangs over the origin of the dog, there can be none as to the importance of his position in man's household, a position so marked that a French author has felt himself justified in affirming, that "there is nothing on earth so necessary to the comfort of man (with the single exception of women) as the dog." Let us not hastily put down this assertion as only another instance of the proverbial exaggeration of the French mind and mode of reasoning.

The opinion is worthy of all respect, because it is essentially true. What would be the immediate consequences to men in almost every quarter of the globe, if the species of this faithful canine subject, who

It was but a few weeks since, that calling casually upon a friendone whom the world has been accustomed to pronounce a Phlegmatic-we found him deeply agitated, the tears starting to his eyes, and his whole frame trembling with

emotion.

The cause was the recent death of a favourite pointer, a dog that had never been out of his sight, as he told us (with one peculiar exception) for more than a few hours, during the space of nine years, and who that morning had crawled to his feet as he sat at breakfast, and looking affectionately in his face, had been seized by a brief convulsion-and died. Our friend, who was a physician, made a post mortem examination of the animal's body, and discovered that his death had been caused by a disease, closely resembling an aneurism of the heart. He further stated that he had been absent from home for some months, during which the dog pined, and would only eat when on the verge of absolute starvation.

The poor brute survived after his return but a few days!

turning, charged with a basket containing some pieces of mutton, he Can any one doubt that in this was attacked by some of the curs instance the dog died of the ulti- of the town, who, no doubt, thought mate effects of protracted anxiety, the prize worth contending for. caused by his master's absence, The assault was fierce, and of some aggravated by his refusal to par- duration; but the messenger after take of any regular meals? But doing his utmost, was at last overdogs have been known to die in powered and compelled to yield up like manner with human beings, the basket, though not before he from the excess of sudden joy, no had secured a part of its contents. less than from anxiety and grief. The piece saved from the wreck he An English officer had a dog of ran off with at full speed to the noble breed, which he left with his quarters of his old enemy, at whose family in England, while he accom- feet he laid it down, stretching himpanied an expedition to America, self beside it until he had eaten it during the war of the colonies. up. A few snuffs, a few whispers Throughout his absence the animal in the ear, and other dog-like appeared very much dejected.When the officer returned home, the dog who happened to be lying at the door of an apartment into which his master was about to enter, immediately recognized him, leapt upon his neck, licked his face, and in a few moments fell dead at his feet. Many anecdotes are recorded, illustrative of the fidelity of dogs and the Romanlike steadfastness of purpose which they exhibit when any thing has been placed under their charge.

An instance is related of a chimney sweeper having entrusted his soot bag, dropped in the middle of the street, to the care of a common cur, who suffered a cart to drive over and crush him to death sooner than abandon his charge.

The "Cyclopædia of Natural History" informs us that "in the neighborhood of Cupar, in the county of Fife, there lived two dogs, mortal enemies to each other, and who always fought desperately when ever they met. Capt. R. was the master of one of them, and the other belonged to a neighboring farmer. Capt. R.'s dog was in the habit of going messages, and even of bring ing butcher's meat and other articles from Cupar. One day while re

courtesies were then exchanged; after which they both set off together for Cupar, where they worried almost every dog in the town, and what is more remarkable, they never quarrelled afterwards, but were always on friendly terms."

The character of the dog is elevated and improved to a wonderful degree by the ameliorating influences of refinement and culture. Under proper training he becomes a gentleman so polite and attentive to etiquette, that he may be admitted with perfect safety into the best society and the most recherche drawing rooms. Smellie, in his "Philosophy of Natural History," says: "The sagacity and talents of the dog are justly celebrated. But when these are improved by association with man and by education, he becomes, in some measure, a rational being. The senses of the dog-particularly that of smelling-give him a superiority over every other quadruped. He reigns at the head of a flock, and his language, whether expressive of blandishment, or of command, is better heard and better understood than the voice of his master. Safety order and discipline are the effects of his vigilance and activity. *

*

When in pursuit of prey, he makes a complete display of his courage and intelligence. In this situation, both natural and acquired talents are exerted. As soon as the voice or the horn of the hunter is heard, the dog demonstrates his joy by the most expressive emotions and accents. By his movements and cries he announces his impatience for combat, and his passion for victory. Sometimes he moves silently along, reconnoitres the ground and endeavours to discover and surprise the enemy. At other times he traces the animal's steps, and by different modulations of voice, and by the movements, particularly of his tail, indicates the distance, the species, and even the age of the fugitive deer. The shepherd's dog not only understands the language of his master, but when too distant to be heard, he knows how to act by signals made with the hand."

* *

In Daniel's "Rural Sports," we find the following remarkable anecdote of the strong memory and sagacity of a dog leading to the preservation of his master's life, under peculiar circumstances of difficulty and danger: "A Scotch grazier, named Archer, having lost his way and being benighted, at last got to a lone cottage, where, on his being admitted, a dog which had left Archer's house four years before, immediately recognized him, and fawned upon him, and when he retired for the night, followed him into his chamber, and there by his gestures induced him narrowly to examine it; and then Archer saw sufficient reason to assure him that he was in the house of murderers. Rendered desperate by the terrors of his situation, he burst into the room where the Banditti were assembled, and wounded his insidious host by a pistol shot; in the confusion

which the sudden explosion occasioned, he opened the door, and though he was fired at, accompanied by his dog Brutus, he exerted all his speed until daylight which enabled him to perceive a house, and the main road at no great distance. Upon his arrival at the house, and telling the master of it his story, he called up some soldiers that were there quartered, and who, by the aid of the dog, retraced the way back to the cottage. Upon examining the building, a trap door was found which opened into a place, where, among the mangled remains of several persons, was the body of the owner, who had received the shot from the grazier's pistol in his neck, and, although not dead, had been by the wretches, his associates, in their quick retreat, thrown into this secret cemetery. He was cured of his wound, delivered up to justice, tried and executed." Here is another anecdote-derived from the same source-equally curious, and much more affecting than the last:

"A merchant had received a large sum of money, and being fatigued with riding in the heat of the day, had retired to rest himself in the shade, and upon remounting his horse had forgotten to take up the bag which contained the money. His dog tried to remind his master of his inadvertency, by crying and barking, which so surprised the merchant, that, in crossing a brook, he observed whether the dog drank, as he had suspicions of his being mad, and which were confirmed by the dog's not lapping any water, and by his increased barking and howling, and at length, by his trying to bite the heels of the horse.

Impressed with the idea of the dog's madness, to prevent mischief, he discharged a pistol at him, and the poor dog fell. After riding some distance, he discovered that

« AnteriorContinuar »