The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-18
Curious and Interesting.

IL ls curious question whether animal,
take mott CO of the events which are passing
around them, but which nevertheless are
apparently outside of the sphere of tbei1
instinct: Mr.. Theophile Gautier, a well
known French journalist and writer. has
raised this question in regard to the ami
mails which were in Paris during the seige:
and he brings forward several facts, which
ne says fell under his own observation, to
| prove that they not only took notice of
passing events, but regulated their move.
Inents accordingly. He observes that the
dogs TOOK notice, from the very first day.
OF the abnormal condition of Paris. Tie
unusual movements of the inhabitants. the
almost universal change from civil to mill
taTy costume, the exercising of the Mobiles
and National Guards on the public parades
the continual sounding of the trumpet and
oeating OF drums, kept them constantly
exclted and uneasy, and set them reflect
ing. some of them, refugees from the sub
uros with their masters, visibly lost their
power of finding their way about. They
hesitated in the choice of streets. were mn
certain of the traces, scented their path.
ana at every corner consulted some other
dog which lived ins the neighborhood.
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 morning" says Mr.. eau
tier, "there assembled before our door
what appeared to be a council of DOGS.
presided over by broad back, bandy-
legged, brown-and-yellow terrier. The
other dogs paid him great difference, and
listened to him attentively. 1t was evident
tha1 ne spoke to them, not ter the man
ner OF men, in an articulate language. but
ov snort parks, varied m utterings, pursuing
OF the lips, movements of the tail, and ex.
p pres I'VE play of the physiognomy. Every
bring news; and the council commented
on le, and after while dispersed" This
went on during the first month or two of
the serge, when bread was plentiful. the
stock of beef was still considerable, and
the dearness of forage rendered horse
meat abundant. The animals did not suf- |
fer then but soon things began to change,
and their rations diminished as those of |
men did. The poor creatures could not
understand it, and gazed at their owners
with wandering eyes when their meagre
i plstanse ~ was placed before them. They
30 punished. Many masters abandoned
their dogs, not having the courage 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. Mr.. Gautier
says he was continually followed by them,
they uttering faint cries all the while, and
sometimes venturing to put their noses to
his hand. Soon they began to perceive
that people looked at them in q strange
manner, and, under pretence of caressing
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 fed to
5he roof or the cellar; but at length the
logs "smelt rat" and ran away when
my one called or whistled to them. The
canine council before mentioned, dimin-
shed daily, and there soon remained no
me of its members but The dreaming ter
Ter, who, however, was only dreaming in
N his guard, scenting danger afar off, and
moving his heels at the approach of any
me at all suspicious.-Leeds Mercury.