The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-01-16
The Dogs and Cats In Paris During
the Siege.


1t is curious question whether ami
mails take notice of the events which are
passing around them, but which never
theless are apparently outside of the
sphere of their instinct. Nj. Theophile
Gautier, the well-known French jour
nalist and writer, has raised this ques-
ton in regard TO 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
accordingly. He observes that the dogs
took notice from the very first day of
the abnormal condition of Paris. The
, unusual movements of the inhabitants,
the almost universal change from civil
to military costume, the exercising of
the Mobiles and the National Guards ON
the public parades, the continual sound
ing of the trumpet and beating of drums
kept them constantly excited and un-
easy, and set them to rejecting. Some
of them, refugees from the suburbs,
with their masters, visibly lost their
power of finding their way about. They
hesitated III the choice of streets, were
| llllCtI VI bllO bldCt5, blltlI
path, and, at every corner, consulted
some other dog which lived in the neigh
borhood. These suburban dogs were
scared at the noise of passing vehicles,
and ran from them, while the city dogs
scarcely took the trouble to get out of
the way of the wheels. Every morn
ing" says M. Gautier, "there assem-
bled before our door what appeared to
be council of dogs, presided over by q
broad backed, bandy-legged, brown and
yellow terrier. The other dogs paid
him great Difference, and 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
banks, varied mutterings, pursuing OF
the lips, movements of the tail, and ex
pressive playo the physiognomy. Every
now and then new conner seemed tC
bring news and the council commented
on it, and after awhile 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 animals die
not suffer then but soon things began
as those of men did The poor crea
lures could not understand it, and gazeC
Mt their owners with wondering eye
when their meager pittance was placed
before them. They seemed to ask wha
they had done to be so punished. Man,
masters abandoned their dogs, not hav
ing the courage to kill them and thes
animals were to be seen at night wan
dering, like shadows, near the walls, ant
, trying to induce kind-looking person.
t to have pity on them. NJ. Gautie
! says he was continually followed
| by them, they uttering fain
! cries all the while, and sometime
venturing to put their noses to his hand
Soon they began to perceive that peopl
? looked at them III strange manner
and, under pretense of caressing them
felt their flesh, as butcher would, t
ascertain if they were in good condition
The cats perceived this sooner than tn
} dogs did, and became exceedingly eau
tious as to whom they allowed to touc
them on the least quick movement
they fled to the roof or cellar but a
length the dogs smelt rat, )" and IA,
away when any one called or whistled t
them. The canine council, before men
TONED, diminished daily, and there 500
remained no one of its members. bu
the dreaming terrier, who, however, wa
only dreaming in appearance for j
! reality he was always on his guard
seeming danger afar off, and showin
his heels at the approach of any one a
: all suspicious.