Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-09
Oari&tp.
The Shepherds Doc.

To any inquiry Of Scotch shepherd as to
the race of one Of his faithful ministers, YOU
would receive the answer, Hout! he is list a
collie But this designation is far too in
discriminate, for it is applied equally TO the
malapert animal which, at the sound of YOUR
wheels, rushes from every black hut, and,
having pursued you for few score yards with
his petulant yafile, gives his tail a concerted
curl and trots back TO inform the family that he
has driven you off the premises. Far different
is the sheep-dog. Whether employed in driv-
irg on The road, or herdng on the hill, his
grave and earnest aspect evinces his full con-
seriousness that important interests are commit
ted 10 his charge. When on duty he declines
civilities, not surlily, for he is essentially a
gOod-tempered beast, bu. he puts them aside
as illtimed. At an early age the frivolity Of
puppyism departs from him, and he becomes
sedate character. At. home he shares his
masters poIridge; lies on the best place before
fhe fire; suffers with conplacency the caresses
of the children, who tugs his ears and tail, and
twist their little fingers into his long coat
and, without inviting familiarity from slrau-
ger, receives him with dignifed courtesy. -
When accustomed TO the road he will, in his
masters temporary absence, convey the flock
or herd steadily forward, without either over
pacing them or suffering any 10 ramble; and
in the hustle uRa fair he never becomes IN
steady or bewldered. But the hill or moor is
his great theatre. There his rare sagacity,
his perfect education, and his wonderful ac-
complshments, are most conspicuous. On
the large sheep-farms single shepherd has
the charge of from three 10 six or more thoas-
and sheep, varying according 10 the nature Of
the country and climate. In performing his
arduous duties, he has in ordinary seasons no
assistance except from his dogs. Those shep-
herds who have studied political economy in
troduce the principle Of division Of labor into
their kennels When on the hill they are
usually accompanied by two dogs of these,
one is the driving out, and The other the bring
ing in dog. To the first he points out knot
of sheep, and informs him by voice and action,
that he wishes them TO be taken TO distant
hill. The intelligent animal forthwith gathers
the sheep together and acts according TO his
masters Instructions. Hy similar means he
informs the second that lot Of sheep on a dis
tant hill, are 10 be brought to the spot on
which he then stands and with equal certainty
they are shortly at his feet. To either dog he
indicates the individual sheep which he is to
catch and hold. The eagerness and mpeinso-
ity with which the dog rushes at The neck of
his captive would lead you To suppose that the
poor animal was in great danger. Nothing Of
the sort. The dog follows Isaak Walton
precept, and handles him as if he loved him.
The hold is only on the wool. The sheep
stand in no habitual terror Of The dog though
within few yards Of him, the elder will
quietly chew the cud, and the younger shake
their heads and stamp with their feet, provok-
ing him TO frolic, or mimic war. We have
spoken here, simply, of The daily occurrences
Of the sheep-walk- for babes-fur we
fear that the more staggering, bit not very i'll
authenticated, instances Of canine shepherding,
with which we might fill our pages, would
prove TOO strong for southern stomachs. Who
ever has not read the Collie stories Of The great
E''rlc herd and hard, has anyhow a rich
amusement before him. We love the long
'ace' me sharp nose, and sincere couutenance
of sheep-dog:
his honest, sonsic, baws'nt face
Ay sa' him friends in ilka place.
f'oo'f Essays on A pricu7fu-e.