of barking at people on the highway is
liable any day to subject his owner or keeper to large liabilities;
for if he frightens a horse by leaping or barking at him in mere
play, and the horse runs away, or tips over the vehicle to which he
is hitched, his owner or keeper is responsible for double the
damages thus caused by his dog. Hence I repeat the injunction, Get
rid of such a dog or break him of the habit; and if this cannot be
done, then break his neck.

Perhaps it might be well to say, in this connection, that any
traveller on the road, either riding or walking peaceably, who is
suddenly assaulted by a dog, whether licensed or not, may legally
kill him, and thus relieve his owner or keeper of a disagreeable
duty.[122]

[122] 11 Gray, 29; 1 Allen, 191; 3 Allen, 191.

CHAPTER XVII.

FOOT-PATHS.

Air, sunlight, and exercise are absolutely essential for the proper
physical and intellectual development of human beings. Thoreau
thought it necessary for people who wished to preserve their health
and spirits to spend four hours a day in the open air, sauntering
through the woods and over the hills and fields, free from all
worldly engagements. No doubt he spoke from his own personal
standpoint, and many persons do not require so much exercise in the
open air as he did in order to preserve their health and spirits;
but the proper observance of the laws of health certainly requires
every one to spend a portion of every pleasant day in the open air,
and on foot if possible. Since the morning stars first sang
together, the whole creation has been groaning and travailing in
preparing the earth for the habitation of man; and the influence and
teachings of Nature have ever aided powerfully in perfecting man and
upbuilding the ruling nations of the world.

The progenitors of every vigorous race have always found in forest
and wilderness the tonics and sources of their strength. It took
forty years of wandering in the wilderness to prepare the Israelites
for the occupation of the promised land. In the open and out-door
life of the Athenians was developed a civilization noble in high
aspirations for the ideal in beauty and life, rich in literary and
oratorical achievements, and glorious in the great and profound
thoughts of immortal teachers and philosophers. The august and
all-conquering civilization of the Romans had its origin on Palatine
Hill when herdsmen and wolves roamed over it. In Holland, where the