THE DOG. . BB

degree the result of domestication and kind treatment. In
the East they have neither of these advantages, and are
therefore fierce, cruel, and greedy, a character they main.
tain to this day; for Mohammedanism proscribes them as
unclean, and hence, though they are very numerous in the
towns of Western Asia, they belong to no one, and, sub-
sisting on any chance food they may pick up, become fero-
cious and savage to a degree unknown to us. Indeed, in
many places it would be very dangerous to go into the
streets alone, or unarmed at night; and even powerful and
resolute men are sometimes prevented from entering the
gates, unless under the guidance of an inhabitant to over-
awe the dogs. This quality renders them very serviceable
to the Arabs and other nomade tribes, in the care of their
flocks; but still they will not bear any comparison with
our faithful and sagacious shepherd’s dog.

Bloodhounds were formerly trained for the chase, and for
warlike purposes. These dogs were very dangerous, and the
Psalmist probably alludes to them when he says, “ Deliver my
soul from the sword, and my darling from the power of the
dog.” And in the Book of Proverbs is the following adage :
“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging
not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”