, and the essential services which they have been
frequently known to render to humanity, give them a distinguished rank
in the scale of the brute creation. I will mention another instance of
this.

The Durham packet of Sunderland was, in 1815, wrecked near Clay, in
Norfolk. A faithful dog was employed to use his efforts to carry the
lead-line on shore from the vessel; but there being a very heavy sea,
and a deep beach, it appeared that the drawback of the surf was too
powerful for the animal to contend with. Mr. Parker, ship-builder, of
Wells, and Mr. Jackson, jun., of Clay, who were on the spot, observing
this, instantly rushed into the sea, which was running very high, and
gallantly succeeded, though at a great risk, in catching hold of the
dog, which was much exhausted, but which had all this time kept the
line in his mouth. The line being thus obtained, a communication with
the vessel was established; and a warp being passed from the ship to
the shore, the lives of all on board, nine in number, including two
children, were saved.

Some dogs are of an extremely jealous disposition; and the following
extraordinary instance of it was communicated to me by Mr. Charles
Davis, the well-known and highly-respected huntsman of Her Majesty's
stag-hounds, a man who has gained many friends, and perhaps never lost
one, by his well-regulated conduct and sporting qualifications.

He informed me that a friend of his had a fine Newfoundland dog, which
was a great favourite with the family. While this dog was confined in
the yard, a pet lamb was given to one of the children, which the
former soon discovered to be sharing a great portion of those caresses
which he had been in the habit of receiving. This circumstance
produced so great an effect on the poor animal, that he refused to
eat, and fretted till he became extremely unwell. Thinking that
exercise might be of use to him, he was let loose. No sooner was this
done, than the dog watched his opportunity, and seized the lamb in his
mouth. He was seen conveying it down a lane, about a quarter of a mile
from his master's house, at the bottom of which the river Thames
flowed. On arriving at it, he held the lamb under water till it was
drowned, and thus effectually got rid of his rival. On examining the
lamb, it did not appear to have been bitten, or otherwise injured; and
it might almost be supposed that the dog had chosen the easiest death
in removing the object of his dislike.