The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-09
MISCELLANEOUS.

WONDERFUL INSTANCE OF SAGACITY IN A
DoG.-We take the following from the Trinity
| California; Times. 1t records one of the most
remarkable instances of which we have ever
heard, of canine sagacity:
William Dredge lives about five miles from
town, at the base of the mountains which tower
north of us. short time after midnight, on
the morning of Wednesday last, he was reused
| from his slumbers by the howl of dog No
menace on his part could rid him of the pres
ence of the strange intruder. The dog contin-
ued to walk around the cabin, still repeating
his dismal moaning and bowling, occasionally
making efforts to effect an entrance through
the closed doorway. Surprised and somewhat
alarmed at this singular demonstration, Mr..
Dredge at last hastily dressed himself and I'M
boted the door, when large mastiff rushed in.
The dog at once caught hold of his trousers,
and employed every gentle means to induce
the man to accompany him outside. Dredge's
first impression was, that the animal was mad.
and yet, so peculiar aud earnest were the dumb
entreaties, that he finally yielded, and proceed.
ed without the cabin. A joyful yell was the
result, and the delighted brute, now capering
and wagging his tail before him, and now re-
turning and gently selling him by the hand and
trousers, induced Dredge to follow him.
Their course was up the precipitous side of
0h0 houhIaiu, anu sOOH tHey were forcing their
way through a snowdrift that had settled in
one OF its numerous assures. Here comes the
wonder. Upon the snow lay the body of a
woman, who had evidently persisted from cold
and exhaustion. Her limbs were already stiff.
ened in death but what was the surprise of
Mr.. Dredge to see that faithful dog ferret out,
from bundle of clothing that lay by the side
OF the woman, young child about two years
OF age, still warm and living. A little inspec.
ton, aided by the starlight and the brightness
OF the snow, enabled him to discover that the
person of the woman was nearly naked. With
mothers affection, she had stripped her own
person in order to furnish warmth to her ex-
posed infant. The trusty dog had completed
her work of selfsacrifce.
Mr.. Dredge Immediately conveyed the child
to his cabin, and, arousing some of his neigh
bors, proceeded again to the mountain to Sc
cure from the attack of wild beasts the person
OF the unfortunate woman. Her body was bu-
ried the next day. The child and dog have
been adopted by this good Samaritan but as
yet he has been unable to obtain any light as
to the name of the woman, or how she happened
to stray on the dismal mountain side at such
an unfortunate hour. The child is doing we'll,
and is truly handsome boy.
AMERICAN PUBL1eATIoNs.-The preface of a
pamphlet lately published by Sampson Low,
Son, Il Co., prominent London booksellers and
publishers, contains the following numerical
summary of publications in this country during
the last five years:
"From the absence of any literary journal in
the country prior to 1850, or any special atten-
ton paid to- the subject, the utmost care and
research do not enable us to give any reliable
information prior to 1850; all that we can
learn rests upon the computation of the general
Essayist and Statistician, amongst whom it
seems to be generally agreed, that in the
twelve years ending 1912, nearly half the pub
locations issued in the United States were re-
prints of English books, and that the entire
number of works did not exceed two thousand
There are no means of verifying either this
number or the proportion; but the increase
and comparative nationality of the literature
during the last fire years are very striking,
testifying at once, by its progressive character
to the position, strength, and value, of the lite
nature OF the country at the present day.
"During 1852, unavoidably including many
really published in the preceding six months,
we find there were $50 new books and new
editions; 3l2 of which were reprints of English
books, and sc translations from other countries.
During 1853, 879 new books and new editions
including 298 reprints of English books, and
81 translations. During 1854, 765 new books
and new editions of which 277 were reprints
of English books, and i translations. During
1855, 1892 new books and new editions, inclu-
ding $50 reprints of English books, and SO
translations. And during the six months, to
July, 1856, ISL new books and new editions !;
of which but l02 were reprints of English
books, and 26 trauslations."
ENGLISH COPYRIGHTS ON AMERICAN Books
We learn from one of the firm of Sampson Low
Son, Co., London, now on visit to the Uni
ted States, that the privilege of American au
thors, under certain conditions, to copyright
protection in England, may soon be definitely
settled The English house publish Mrs. Stoves
new work, Dred," and Miss Warmers " Hills
of the Shamuc "and they lay claims to copy.