Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-07
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY Z.
Dogs in Council.
From the Leeds (England) Mercury.

From the Leeds (England) Mercury
1t is curious question whether animals take
not ce Of the events which are passing around
them, but which,. nevertheless are apparently
outside of the sphere of their instinct, NJ. Inc
ophile Gautier, the well-known French journal,
list and writer, hasraised this gu, stion IN regard
to the animals which were in Paris during the
Siege; and he brings forward several facts when
he saws tel uader has own observation, to prove
that thcy not only took notice OF passing events
but regulated their movements accordingly he
observes thst the dogs took notice, from the very
h-st day, of the abnormal coniltl IN OF Parls.
The unusual movements OF the inhabitants, Inc
almost universal change from civil to military
costume, the exercising of the mobiles and the
national guards on the public parades, the &C u.
tinual sounding OF the trumpet and beating OF
drums kept them constantly excited ana uneasy
and set them to rejecting, some OF .hem, reiu-
gees from the suburbs, with their masters, vlsi
bly, lost their power OF finding their way ABOUT.
They hestated in the choice OF streets, were I'M
certain of the traces, scented their path, and at
every corner consulted some other dog that
lived in the neighborhoo1. The suburban dogs
were scared ut 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
LIVERY morning" says N. Gautier, there as
sembled before our door what appeared to be a
council Of dogs, presided over by broad backed,
bandy-legged, brown and yellow terrier. Inc
ed 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, Va
ried mutterings, purslng OF the lips, movements
OF the tail and expressive play of the physlog-
Monty. Every now and then u new conner seem
ed to bring news, and the council commented on
il, and after awhile dispersed" This went on
during the first month or two Of the siege when
bread was plentiful, the stock of beet WAS stu
considerable, and the desrness of forage rendered
horse meat abundant The animals did not sut,
their ra,ions diminished as those of men did
The poor creatures could not understand it, and
gaZed ut their owners with wondering eyes when
their meagre pittance was placed before them
They seemed to ask what they had done to he so
punished. Many masters abaad oned 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. Al.
Gautier says he was continually followed by
them, they uttering faint cries all the while. ana
some times venturing to put their noses to ms
hand. Soon they began 10 perceive that people
looked at them in strange manner, and, under
pretense Of caressi1 G them, felt their hesh, as
butcher would. to ascertain If they were IN Jod
condition. The cats perceived this sooner tnsn
the dogs did, and became exceedingly cautious
4. to whom they allow, to touch them on the
least quick movement they fed to the roof or
cellar; but at length the dogs 'smelt rat and
ran away when any one called or whist led to
them. The canine council, before mentioned,
diminished daily, and there soon renamed no
one Of its members but the dreaming terrier,
who, however, was only dreaming IN appear
ance; for in reality he was always on the guard,
seeming danger affair off, and showing his heels
u. the approach of any one a al SUSPECT US.