I
was much taken with its sagacity in discerning those that do it kind
offices; for, as soon as the good old lady comes in sight who has
waited on it for more than thirty years, it hobbles towards its
benefactress with awkward alacrity; but remains inattentive to
strangers. Thus not only 'the ox knoweth his owner, and the ass has
master's crib,' * but the most abject reptile and torpid of beings
distinguishes the hand that feeds it, and is touched with the feelings
of gratitude!
* Isaiah i. 3.
I am, etc., etc.
P.S. In about three days after I left Sussex the tortoise retired into
the ground under the hepatica.
Letter XIV
To The Honourable Daines Barrington
Selborne, March 26, 1773.
Dear Sir,
The more I reflect on the storge (in Greek) of animals, the more I
am astonished at its effects. Nor is the violence of this affection
more wonderful than the shortness of its duration. Thus every hen
is in her turn the virago of the yard, in proportion to the
helplessness of her brood; and will fly in the face of a dog or a sow
in defence of those chickens, which in a few weeks she will drive
before her with relentless cruelty.
Pages:
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241