the other belonged to a neighbouring
farmer. Capt. R----'s dog was in the practice of going messages, and
even of bringing butchers' meat and other articles from Cupar. One
day, while returning charged with a basket containing some pieces of
mutton, he was attacked by some of the curs of the town, who, no
doubt, thought the prize worth contending for. The assault was fierce,
and of some duration; but the messenger, after doing his utmost, was
at last overpowered and compelled to yield up the basket, though not
before he had secured a part of its contents. The piece saved from the
wreck he ran off with, at full speed, to the quarters of his old
enemy, at whose feet he laid it down, stretching himself beside it
till he had eaten it up. A few snuffs, a few whispers in the ear, and
other dog-like 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 afterwards quarrelled,
but were always on friendly terms."

That society and culture soften and moderate the passions of dogs
cannot be doubted, and they constantly imbibe feelings from those of
their master. Thus, if he is a coward, his dog is generally found to
be one. Dogs are, however, in many respects, rational beings; and some
proofs of this will be given in the present work. They will watch the
countenance of their master--they will understand words, which,
though addressed to others, they will apply to themselves, and act
accordingly. Thus a dog, which, from its mangy state, was ordered to
be destroyed, took the first opportunity of quitting the ship, and
would never afterwards come near a sailor belonging to it. If I desire
the servant to wash a little terrier, who is apparently asleep at my
feet, he will quit the room, and hide himself for some hours. A dog,
though pressed with hunger, will never seize a piece of meat in
presence of his master, though with his eyes, his movements, and his
voice, he will make the most humble and expressive petition. Is not
this reasoning?

But there is one faculty in the dog which would appear perfectly
incomprehensible. It is the sense of smelling. He will not only scent
various kinds of game at considerable distances, but he has been known
to trace the odour of his master's feet through all the winding
streets of a populous city. This extreme sensibility is very
wonderful. It would thus appear that the feelings of