ll one morning, accompanied
by his faithful canine assistant, Ladie. Arrived among the flock, the
shepherd pointed out a diseased animal; and making the accustomed
signal for the dog to capture it, "poor Mailie" was speedily sprawling
on her back, and gently held down by the dog till the arrival of her
keeper, who proceeded to clip off a portion of her wool, and apply the
healing balsam. During the operation, Ladie continued to gaze on the
operator with close attention; and the sheep having been released, he
was directed to capture in succession two or three more of the flock,
which underwent similar treatment. The sagacious animal had now become
initiated into the mysteries of his master's vocation, for off he set
unbidden through the flock, and picked out with unerring precision
those sheep which were affected with maggots in their skin, and held
them down until the arrival of his master; who was thus, by the
extraordinary instinct of Ladie, saved a world of trouble, while the
operation of clipping and smearing was also greatly facilitated.

Often as I have attempted to make acquaintance with a colley-dog, I
have never been able to succeed in producing any degree of
familiarity. On the contrary, he has always regarded me with looks of
shyness and suspicion. His master appears to be the only being to whom
he is capable of showing any degree of attachment; and coiled up on
his great-coat, or reposing at his feet, he eyes a stranger with
distrust, if not with anger. At the same time there is a look of
extraordinary intelligence, which perhaps is possessed by no other
animal in a greater degree. It has been said of him, that although he
has not the noble port of the Newfoundland dog, the affectionate
fondling of the spaniel, nor the fierce attachment which renders the
mastiff so efficient a guard, yet he exceeds them all in readiness and
extent of intelligence, combined with a degree of docility unequalled,
perhaps, by any other animal in existence. There is, if the expression
may be used, a philosophic look about him, which shows thought,
patience, energy, and vigilance. During a recent visit in Cumberland,
I took some pains to make myself acquainted with the character of this
dog, and I am now convinced that too much cannot be said of his
wonderful properties. He protects with indefatigable exertions the
flock committed to his charge. When we consider the dreary wilds, the
almost inaccessible heights, the rugged hills a