Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-07-14

of She trunk, delicate as it IS. could mol
grasp it, and the spectators who saw him
repeat his trials concluded he would a.
bandon the attempt. He, however, rea-
soned differently. Placing his trunk
close to the plank. and immediately o.
yer the piece Of money. he blew with all
his force, and the shilling was immediate
ly.dislodged and placed within his grasp.
In this case there was evident refiec-
ton, reasoning from cause to effect,
and nice adaptation of means to the
end. in words there was design.
We have noticed in late number OF
of the London Lancet, an interesting
account of intellectual development in
a couple Of dogs belonging to a French
gent eman by the name of Leopard, res
ident in London. The dogs are Of the
spanish breed, and tie writer says,
when introduced 10 him by Mr.. L., with
true French politeness, both bowed very
sraciously. and then seated themselves
on the hearth rug. A great vaeiety OF
experiments were then made with the
animals. such as going through the exer-
else Of the naed-age, exchanging variety
of different cooured cards with each o.
Their, bringing to their master meat.
bread Or cards, as commanded. Mr.. l..
sitting with his back to the dogs. and Civ
ing his directions in such a manner, and
at the suggestions of the writer. as to put
their intelligence to severe test. So
rapid were his orders. that, without a
perfect understanding of his words. ODE
dience would have boen impossible.
The writer adds.
"After many other performances, e.
vincns the wonderful sagacity and per-
iception of the dogs, Mr. Leonard invited
me to play game of domuos with one
of them. The younger and sEishter
animal then seated himself on a chair at
the table. MIR. l.. and myself placed
our selves apostle. Six dominoes we re
placed on their edges in the usual man
ner before the dog having -GoubIe num-
Der took it in his mouth, and put it in the
table; placed a corresponding piece on
the one side; the dog immed lately played
another correctly, and so on until the
pieces were engaged. Other six domi-
nos were given to each, ani'I intention
ally placed aOrong rambler. The dog
looked surprised, rery earnestly at me,
and at length gros6let5 and family barked
angryly. Finding that no notice was
taken Of his circumstances. he pushed a
way the wrong dominos with his nose,
and took up suitable one from his own
pieces. and placed il. iii its stead.sI then
played correctly; the dog followed and
won the game. His play must have
been the result oil his own observation
and judgment, as not the slightest infor-
nation was or could have been given by
Mr.. l.. to his dog.
Mr.. l.. is gentleman of fortune and
the instruction of his dogs has been taken
lup merely for his own amusement and
diversion. He has found that by indu
cling the animal to repeat again and a.
gain what was required. not only would
the dog become ca2a bic of performing
that specific act, but that part of the
the brain which was brought into activity
by the mental effort, would beco me more
largely developed, and henes perma.
nent increase of mental power to be OBJ.
tanned. The fact is in accordance with
the known laws of the Physiology of the
nervous system.
| Such instances of intelligence nigh
be multiplied to any extent, bnt it is un
necessary. Every person who has OBJ
served the actions Of horses, dogs, foxes,
and indeed all other animals, must have
noticed numerous cases involving the ex
ercise OF memory, design and a e~pereep
ton OF relation between cause ane
effect; and thus proving that reason, OF
the power of combination and infering !.
possessed by brutes. The power, it il
true, is less perfect than in a man, cir
cumstance we should naturally infcl
from the greater prop ortionate volume o
brain. and is more perfect swansemen
in the latter that in the former; still i
may be reasonably inferred that the diff
erenc is only 10 degree and not in kind
I We come to the conclusion then. tina
the question with which this pape
commences sh.uld be answered in tn,
affirmative, that brutes do reason. A
general belief to this fact would it is be
lleved, materially change the treatmen
which they, under sshe mistaken ide;
that they were destitute of intellect
have been accustomed to receive from
man. Placed by the Creator at the heat
Of ''earth's countless .myriads. man
station IS sufficiently elevated ard re
sponsible, without assuming distinction
or imputing inferiorities which do not ex
!. ist.
, 1t may not be amiss to. remark here
that the question under discussion, has
no connection with the duration Of mind
or the. glorious destinies Of man hereaf
ter. The immortality Of the soul doe.
not depend on its power of reason. Fl,
who brought life and Immortality t,
! light might had tso pleased him, as ca
; silly conferred the gift of endless exis
, tence onffhe "spirit Of the beasts tina
, goeth downwards." as npon the 'spiri
} Of the man that goeth upwards
/, Otisco, .4mak 1929.