follow. And that such was the case we have the evidence of the patriarch Job, who speaks of the "dogs of his flock." Henceforth the dog is found in all parts of the world, everywhere the companion of man, and the guardian of his property. See, says the poet Burns, how the dog worships his master; "with what reverence he crouches at his feet-with what reverence he looks up to himwith what delight he fawns upon him, and with what cheerful alacrity he obeys him."

Numerous other instances of the love and sagacity of the dog might be drawn from the writings of eminent authors; one or two will be sufficient. "To his master," says Buffon, the naturalist, "the dog flies with alacrity, and submissively lays at his feet all his courage, strength, and talent. He has all the ardour of friendship, and fidelity, and constancy in his affections that man can have. Neither interest nor desire of revenge can corrupt him, and he has no fear but that of displeasing. He is all zeal and obedience. He speedily forgets ill-usage, or only recollects it to make returning attachment the stronger. He licks the hand that causes him pain, and subdues his anger by submission. The training of the dog seems to have been the first art invented by man, and the fruit of that art was the conquest and peaceable possession of the earth."

Thus, as the guardian of the flocks from wolves and other dangerous enemies, the careful and faith

ful watcher over the person and property of his master, a useful beast of draught and burden, a scavenger for the streets, and a willing and obedient servant, the dog is found in all parts of the world.

But there is one other characteristic of this noble animal, I have not yet mentioned—that of a preserver of human life. Mr. Youatt tells us that he has seen a Newfoundland dog which on five distinct occasions saved the lives of men or children from drowning; and I have myself the honour of an acquaintance with a noble fellow of the same breed who has saved no fewer than four children and two men from watery graves. Of such facts, and of the usefulness of the dogs of St. Bernard in their peculiar offices of mercy and humanity, we shall, however, have something more to say by and by.

But not only during life is the dog an interesting and useful animal. After death we convert his skin into leather and make it into gloves, leggings, saddles, and many other articles; we use his teeth to burnish the gold on our picture frames, and his hair to mix with mortar with which to build our houses. In some countries his flesh is considered a dainty, and many thousands of people in Asia, Africa, and America, breed and fatten him expressly for food-but I think I should prefer a slice of beef or mutton.

CHAPTER II.

THE HISTORY AND ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE DOG.

The subtle dog scours with sagacious nose

Along the field, and snuffs each breeze that blows.-GAY.

As soon as the wild dog was reclaimed and came to acknowledge his master, he was employed in the extirpation of these dangerous and destructive animals, and by his help man has been enabled to "replenish the earth and subdue it," according to the divine command given to our first parent.

Of the origin of the dog naturalists differ. M. Buffon considers the shepherd's dog the original type, and in a curious genealogical table traces all the varieties of the dog to this one; but others consider the wolf as the first parent of the dog. But I am inclined to think with Mr. Youatt, that, though there are many points of resemblance between the wolf and the dog, the latter is a distinct animal. It is true that the one will breed with the other, and instances have been known of the partial taming of the wolf, but the dispositions, habits, and general character of the two animals are so decidedly opposite as to make us doubt the theory of their common origin.

As soon as the Israelites were settled in the land of Canaan, we find from the sacred writings that they made great use of the dog as a scavenger, and it is probable that troops of vagabond dogs prowled about the ancient Jewish cities as they do now about the streets of Constantinople, Smyrna, and other cities of the east, where, but for his useful labours, pestilence and death would quickly ensue from the collection of carrion, filth, and garbage.

The Hebrews appear to have had a great dislike to our friend the dog, and to a certain extent this feeling continues among the modern Jews. This dislike existed during the continuance of the Israelites in Palestine, and it is to its prevalence that so many terms of reproach are common among us even now, such as "dog," "cur," "puppy," "hound," "dogcheap,” to “lead the life of a dog," and so on. But the Jews, like other nations, used the dog as a guardian of their flocks and herds, though they, as well as the Mohammedans and Hindoos of the present day, regard him as an unclean animal. To call a man 66 a dog" is even now considered among Eastern peoples the most opprobrious term they can employ. By the Jews the dog never seems to have been employed, as with us, in the hunting and pursuit of game and wild animals.

The Egyptians, however, and the Ethiopians held the dog in great veneration, and erected temples to his honour; and as the former people were the open enemies of the Israelites, the dislike of the latter to this faithful animal may probably be thereby accounted for. Among the ancient Greeks and Romans the dog was highly estimated. They employed it in hunting, and set great store upon the pure breed of their hounds. They properly valued his staunch and incorruptible fidelity, and many touching accounts of his love for his master are to be found among the ancient poets. You