e animal creation, the dog-kind
alone seems an exception, and their sagacity and fidelity to the
human race was an incalculable blessing bestowed upon them. These
remarks are fully borne out in a very interesting article on the dog
in the "Quarterly Review" of September, 1843.

A fine, handsome, and valuable black dog of the Newfoundland species,
belonging to Mr. Floyd, solicitor, Holmfirth, committed suicide by
drowning itself in the river which flows at the back of its owner's
habitation. For some days previous the animal seemed less animated
than usual, but on this particular occasion he was noticed to throw
himself into the water and endeavour to sink by preserving perfect
stillness of the legs and feet. Being dragged out of the stream, the
dog was tied up for a time, but had no sooner been released than he
again hastened to the water and again tried to sink, and was again got
out. This occurred many times, until at length the animal with
repeated efforts appeared to get exhausted, and by dint of keeping his
head determinedly under water for a few minutes succeeded at last in
obtaining his object, for when taken out this time he was indeed dead.
The case is worth recording, as affording another proof of the general
instinct and sagacity of the canine race.

Mr. Nicol, late of Pall Mall, told me he saw an old foxhound
deliberately drown itself, and was ready to make oath of it.

Mrs. Kaye, residing opposite Windsor Park Wall, Datchet, had a
beautiful Newfoundland dog. For the convenience of the family a boat
was kept, that they might at times cross the water without the
inconvenience of going a considerable way round to Datchet Bridge. The
dog was so delighted with the aquatic trips, that he very rarely
permitted the boat to go without him. It happened that the coachman,
who had been but little accustomed to the depths and shallows of the
water, intending a forcible push with the punt pole, which was not
long enough to reach the bottom, fell over the side of the boat in the
deepest part of the water, and in the central part of the current,
which accident was observed by a part of the family then at the front
windows of the house; sudden and dreadful as the alarm was, they had
the consolation of seeing the sagacious animal instantaneously follow
his companion, when after diving, and making two or three abortive
attempts, by laying hold of different parts of his apparel, which as
repeatedly gave way or overpowered h