Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-06-01
The Bull Dog.

The Bull Dog is the most brutal and
the least intelligent Of its species; its de-
pressed forehead, its under-hanging jaws
aud blcod,hot eyes, Unite in forming the
tersonifcation Of the ,asase. Although b
capable of some attachment, it cannot be
relied upon as friend. So utterly with
out intellect is the courage ofthe bull dog,
that it will attack anything that gives
offence. This dog has never been pet in
the United States, bu: in England among
large class Of citizens, it is carefully rais-
ed and employed in bull-baits. In these
bull-baits the dog, while fastened to the
nose of some unfortunate bull, has one leg
after another cut of with Knife to test
its courage and this display has been
hailed by the p.aulits of the rural popula-
tion, and the encouragement of the sciobs
Of the nobility. History relates that Alex
auder once witnessed bull dog attack a
famed lion, and being willing to save the
lions life, ordered the dog to be taken of,
"but the labor Of men and all their strength
could not loosen the ireful aud deep
biting teeth" The dog vas then mutt
lated by its keeper, and not ONLY its limbs,
but its body, we're severed from his head,
"whereat the king was wonderfully mov-
ed, and sorrowfully repepted his rashness
in destroying beast of SO noble spirit"
"a very natural feeling one would sup
pose to every generous mind.
Many years ago an English ship was at
one of our docks, on board Of which was
bull dog. The animal was so ferocious
that he gained an extensive rcputa'ion.
Chained at the gangway Of the ship, he
spent all the livelong day in the hopeless
task of sp.inging at every person who pas
sed along, either on pleasure or business
The owner, first mate Of the vessel, would
sit for hours and detail the wonderful deeds
Of this mighty dog. Crowds Of idlers daily
collected, and there stood the hero or
rather there raved the insane creature at
the multitude, each individual indulging the
vague hope that he would presently
break loose and pitch into somebody, and
thus show bis powers.
Among the idlers was an Indian who
occasionally visited the city, and made a
few pence by shooting an arrow at pennies
stuck in the end of stick. Upon the very
appearance Of the Indian, the bull dog was
particularly violent, greatly tc the amu.c-
meut Of the follow, who took malicious
pleasure in irritating the animal. The
mate finally iuterfered, and told the Indian
to go away, lest the dog might break loose
aud cat him up. The 1udiau, not the
least alarmed, in broken English aunounc-
ed to tie crowd that fthe dog mas brought
down to the ground, and chained to post,
he would, for five dollars, fight the dog
with nothing but his hands and teeth. The
money was raised, and the mate, aftet et
pressing much reluctance at the idea Of
having the Indian killed, brought the dog
down and fastened him to post. The
Indian put away his bow and arrow and
knife, laid Lis neck bare and rolled up his
sleeves A ring was formed, and the
b,ttlo con named
The Indian approached the dog craw-
ling upon all fours, barking aud growing
as il he was one himself. The bull dog
meanwhile jumped and fOamed at the
mouth, while his eyes beamed living fire
with irritation. The Indian, however,
kept up his pantomime, and gradually
brought his face in fearful proximity to
tie dogs teeth. The mate now interfered
for be felt confident tho Indian would get
killed ,u. The crowd hai fec'r' t'"ex