The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-06-23
A Reasoning Fox.

We often find the reasoning of man contrast
ed with the instinct of brutes, in manner in
dlcatIng that the reasoning faculty is peculiar
to ourIace. Pope seems to have thought he
was conceding their full claim 10 the sagacity
of the animal creation, when be allowed halt
reasoning powers TO the elephant; yet even the
groveling creature which be places al the low
er end of the scale, sometimes manifest species
of sagacty, more easily explained by assigning
TO II portion OF the computing Potoer, than In
any other manner.
A careful observation of the actions of the in
| ferior races, would probably lead tothe convic-
ton, that few, if any of them are destitute of
the reasoning faculty. The objects 10 which their
reasoning extend being fewer than those which
eGgsgr the human intellect, theis range OF ratio
clnatlon is much more limited; hence, the con-
/ clusons to which their reasoning leads, are
probably less frequently incorrect than ours
The complicated character and ample range of
our ratiocination, no doubt often involve us in
error, from which the simple and direct argu-
mentation ofthe brutes are free. Hence the APP
parently superior accuracy OF instinct to reason.
1t is we'll known that the animals which are
not too powerful or fierce to be domesticated,
are susceptible of instruction: hence it is clear
that their acts are not all nstiuctive.-Friends'
Reriew
"a certain Jaeare, who was one morning
keeping watch in the forest, observed fox
cautiously making his approach TO the stump of
an old tree. When sufficiently near, be took
high and determined leap to the top of it: and
after looking around awhile hopped TO the
ground again. After Reynard hsd repeated
this knightly exercise several times, he went
away; but presently he returned &c the spot,
bearing pretty large and heavy piece of dry
oak in his mouth; and thus burdened, and as it
would seem for the purpose oftesting his vault
ing powers, he renewed his leaps on the stump.
After time, however, and when be found that,
weighed as be was, he could make the ascent
with facility, he desiSed from further efforts,
dropped the piece of wood, and, coIling him
sell up on the stump, remained motlonrss as If
dead. At the approach of evening, an old
SOW and ber progeny, five SIN in number, is
sued from neighboring thicket. and pursuing
their usual track, passed near to the stump In
question. Two of her sucklings followed some
what behind the rest, and Just as they neared
bis ambush, Michel, with the rapidity Of
thought, darted down from his perch upon one
OF them, and in the twinkling of an eye bore it
in triumph to the fastness he had providently
prepared beforehand Confoundpd at the shrieks
OF her offspring, the old sow returned in fury
to the spot, and till late in the night made des-
perate attempts TO storm the murderer's strong
hold: but the fox took the matter very coolly,
and devoured the pig under the very nose Of
It's mother, who at length with great reluctance,
and without being able to revenge herself on
her crafty adversary, was forced to beat a re-
treat" ."-Lloyd's Scandinavian .4dpenfures.
The LATE RAILROAD ACCIDENT in CANADA
The Buffalo Commercial has the following par
ticulars of the fatal accident on the Great Wes-
tern Railway, near London, c. W., on Friday
last
The baggage car was entirely smashed 10 pie
ces. The second-clasS car was very badly bro
ken. The frst-cass car was not much injured.
In the second class car were a number OF Nor
wpgian emigrants, who, it is reported, were
travelling East by mistake. The scene IN the
car was very horrible Six persons--hve men
and one woman were instantly killed, and four
others so much injured as TO die the same
night. In the first class car several persons
mere slightly injured. One gentleman, resid-
ing in The interior of New York State, was
standing on the platform, from which he jump
ed down the embankment, and the cars falling
on him killed him instantly. We have not yet
learned his name. The persons injured were
taken 10 London and Hamilton, and their inju-
ries attended to.