Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-03
The Cats and Dogs i'm Paris Daring
the siege
From the Leeds Eng. J

From the Leeds eng Mercury
notice of the events which are passing around
them, but which nevertheless are apparently
outside Of the sphere of their instinct. M. The
ophile Gautier, the we'll known French journal
list and writer, has raised this question in regard
10 the animals which were in Paris during the
siege; and he brings forward several facts,
which he says fell under his own observation, to
prove that they not only took notice OF passing
events, but regulated their movements accord
ingly. He observes that the dogs took notice,
from the very first day, of the abnormal condi-
ton of Paris. The unusual movements Of the
inhabitants, the almost universal change from
civil 10 military costume, the exercising of the
Mobiles and the National Guards on the public
parades, the continual sounding of the trumpet
and beating of drums kept them constantly ex-
c ted and uneasy, and set them TO rehecting-
Some Of them, refugees from the suburbs,
with their masters. visibly lost their power of
finding their way about They hesitated in the
choice Of Streets were uncertain of their traces,
suited some other dog which lived in the neigh
borhood. These suburban dogs were scared at
the NOISE of passing vehicles, and ran from
trouble to get out OF the way OF the wheels.
every morning." says NJ. Gautier, ~'there as
sembled before our door what appeared to be
council OF dogs, presided over by q broad
hack ed, ndy-legged, brown and yellow terrier.
The other dogs paid him great difference, aud
listened to him attentively. 1t was evident that
he spoke to them, not after the manner of men,
in an articulate language, but by short bsrks,
varied mutterings, pursuing of the lips, move
ments OF the tail, and expressive play OF the
physiognomy. Every now and then new COM
er seemed to bring news; and the council com
mented on it. and after u while dispersed" This
went on during the first month or two of the
siege, when bread was plentiful, the stock of
beef was still considerable, and the dearness of
forage rendered horse-meat abundant The an
finals did not suffer then; but soon things began
to change, and their rations diminished as those
OF men did. The poor creatures could not I'M
derstand it, and gazed at their owners with won
derful eyes when their meagre pittance was
placed before them. They seemed 70 ask what
they had done to DO 80 punished. Many mas
tiers abandoned their dogs, not having the cour-
age to kill them; and these animals were to be
seen at night wandering, like shadows, near the
walls, and trying to induce kind looking persons
| to have pity on them. M. Gautier says he was
| continually followed by them, they uttering
| faint cries all the while, and sometimes ventur-
| ing to put their noses to his hand. Soon they
began to perceive that people looked at them in
a strange manner, and, under pretense of ca
ressing them felt their flesh, as q butcher would
| to ASCERTAIN If they were in good condition. The
cats perceived this sooner than the dogs did,
| and became exceedingly cautious as to whom
| they allowed to touch them; on the least quick
movement they fled to the roof or cellar; but at
| length the dogs 'smet q rat" and ran away
| when any one called or whistled to them. The
canine council, before mentioned, diminished
daily. and there soon remained no one OF its
| members but the dreaming terrier, who, how
| ever, was only dreaming In appearance; for IN
| reality he was always on his guard, seeming
| danger afar of, and showing his heels at the
approach Of any one at all suspicious.