We now come to the noble Dog, indued by the Creator with qualities which
especially fit him to be the companion of man. Such he is in all parts
of the world; and although wild dogs exist, they appear, like savage
human beings, to have retrograded from a state of civilisation. The
mongrels and curs, too, have evidently deteriorated, and lost the
characteristic traits of their nobler ancestors.
What staunch fidelity, what affection, what courage, what devotion and
generosity does the dog exhibit! Judged by the anecdotes I am about to
narrate of him--a few only of the numberless instances recorded of his
wonderful powers of mind--he must, I think, be considered the most
sagacious of all animals, the mighty elephant not excepted.