Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-08-06
..DEAT'H OF THE OLD BROWN DOG"

Under this head all the Cincinnati papers of Sa-
turday have editorial notices of the death of
markable dog of that city, well known to the cold
est nhabitant." The Herald says that for twenty
years past he has resided there and has generally
signaizcd himself by attending with great sobriety.
all grand professions. He was buried with due
honors in the yard belonging to the Gazette build
ngs, and it is in contemplation, we learn, to rear
monument to his memory-Mr. Cist, in his Ad-
tertiser; has the following notice Of him
"One of the greatest curiostes Of Cincinnati is
Lear, the old brown dog, who may be seen at al
most any hour of the day in the pureus of city
post office, and us he has hot and probably never
had any owner, may be numbered as one of the ia
miliarS of that esta bshment.
Among the various SUGGESTIONS of postmasters-.
during the whole ncumbencies of Burke. Taylor
and Crawford-amidst all the presidential changes
OF Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren,, Harrison;
Tyler and Polk; he still holds his post. How far
back ne made his first appearance the oldest inhabi
tant cannot tell, but | can find several who have
known and recollec him for twenty years and more.
During this period he never known to follow
any individual, even when tempted by carcsses or
the offer of food in fact he has never been known
TO receive food from any person, invariably refusing
1t when offered at his post He has been followed
by persons curious to ascertain where he feeds but
by some singular process conrives to defeat their
PStPoSe ny disappearing tue moment tnclr eye Is
turned to any other object if but for one moment.
In ehch successive removal Of the post-office he
has always gone along, as If considering himself
part of the establishment-in the last case follow
ing the first dray load of movables. and remaining
at the new Office ever since
He attends all fremans parades, military process
sOns, political mass meetings and every funeral Of
note in the city. AT the funeral pageant last year;
in memory of General jackson, he crawled under
the hearse, and kept under it the whole route
nearly two miles-although considerably exhausted
by the effort, the day being uncommony sultry and
close.
During the whole course of his long life, he has
neverb been known TO have been meddled with by
other dogs. to have taken any notice of his spe-
cies, nor ito have received any i'll usage from any
individual. man or boy. by whom he is extensively
known and regarded privileged tharactef-
Hundreds having business at the post-oflice, who
would unhesitatngly kick any dog out OF the road;
step aside carefully, however great the throng "a
Their than tread on insult the noble brute. He
may be seen occasionally summing himself Mt the
loor of the Trust Company, or Franklin Bank, or
the Bank Exchange, but he is never guilty of ly-
ing at the door Of private residence. My friend
Rabbi Jonas, who believes in the TRANSPORTATION of
souls, suggests that the spirit which animates Lear;
was once that of public officer ind individual
)f the most arisocratic bearing. Apart from tho
lsual instincts and remarkable ssgacity of dogs
here is much that is mysterious, unaccounable in
he history and habits of Lear, part only of which,
are here stated"