Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-10-08

|
| 1t seemed to falter, one bright summer day
could have won it back with but a smile;
Iwould not smile, and so went my way.
Opride, thou stealest our most treasured things
| Things which to gain we'd risk all else be-
side;
Lost. lost my rosebud, lost my love, alas!
| 1 might have found them but for thee. {
pride. .s
For the SPECTATOR.
A CHAPTER ON PARIS DOGS.
| SOME REMARKs BY A FRIEND
Possibly you may smile at my selection
of a subject. You may infer that the titlt
only indicates local interest in do
nestle animal not attractive alike to all
of us, and which will not be interesting
to the general reader. Such is an oper
question, and to some extent you may
be right, with a taste and judgment
both critical and just. We have seen
proper to submit this article, not only
as reflex of our views, but also as en-
bodying in a condensed and comprehen.
sive manner the result of our observa-
| tions aud ref1exiOns while indulging idle
and charitable moods during sojourn
in the French Capital. If we saw prop
er to pay our twenty COY francs for a
place in the car or basket of that im-
mense Partisan balloon, and rise 1900 feet
above the ruins of the Tuilleries to look
down upon wonderful Paris, its people,
and its dogs. the same mood of idleness
or caprice might tempt us to place on
record some thoughts about the Docs,
as well as the people of such a glorious
and indescribable city. Much may be
said about dogs that may be interesting
and edifying as we'll as amusing. We
cheerfully assure you in all seriousness
and candor, it is a subject that has in
terested and amused us repeatedly in no
small degree. It is also in happy ac-
cord with its surroundings the subject
matter being of that naturally bohemian
type, so charmingly peculiar. SO un
equivOcally characteristic of that gay
and festive Capital of the French. And
now, dear reader, one word more in a
PREDATORY way.
While we are not prepared to assert
that the entire contents of this recorded
tribute to the canine race of Paris only
is strictly true and nicely correct in ev :
cry particular, yet we do claim that it
possesses the necessary elements of mod
ern veracity and historical accuracy in
sufficient amount to satisfy the most
exacting and uncompromising champi-
on of truth as presented to US through
all the most advanced and scientific
lights in these latter days of the French
Republic; all uninfluenced by the tan
gible presence of any "Idees Napoleon
ic." On one occasion our attention was
attracted by long, well written, and
humane contribution to the Figaro,
which related very knowingly and pa
thetically the inhCman manner in which
Carlo, PoDto, and Mira were put to
death when unclaimed, or suspected OF
rabies.
The dogs of Paris are completely at
the mercy of the gavrOche-the street
Arab. A wild Cossack has more mercy
generally, and toward dogs particularly,
happens, the CANNES of the grand and
beautiful metropolis are mercilessly per
secuted, even unto death, by their sworn
| foes, their tireless, ever watchful enemy.
All for filthy lucre, sordid gain. A
premium of franc and a half is offered
for every member of the canine race
| which may be found wandering about
without collar and muzzle, and delivered
at the fourriere or pound. Mans COM
panion has been placed beyond the pale
of civilization. The pet dog of Madame
shares the fate of the eur of the peasant
and the premium offered has opened ur
a new branch of industry for the grace
less urchin in the blue blouse, who di-
| vides his time between dragging un-
willing dogs to the foatrriere and hunt
| ing down the unfortunate tourists who
are taken round by excursion agents in
| vans and carriages. GdvrOche, general
ly suspected of laying forced contribu-
tions on the eatables ana drinkables gro
GERS persist in displaying outside theil
shops, has had very discretionary pow.
ers conferred on him He swoops down
on every dog he meets. and, unless OBJ
served, whips off collar and muzzle
puts string round the neck of the ami
NAL, and drags it along to the place
where he knows he can obtain franc
and half without any questions being
asked. He can dispose of the collar and
muzzle to any marine store-dealer, thus
adding considerably to his days earn
| ings. Now and again he can find 9
purchaser for the unfortunate puppy
which appears instinctively to know
that some foul play is intended. The
innate liking man possesses for his
most faithful companion among dumb
animals is enough to make more than
one person turn round when gaVrocht
lugs his prisoner whining along. The
artful gdnai'a declares the dog has beer
handed him by a policeman, who has
his name and address. He tells the peo
pie who stop him of all the pains anC
penalties he will incur unless his charge
is safely delivered at the fOurriere, hint
| in q nj mi
over each eye would prevent him from
seeing who cut the string which helG
the captive. In nine cases out of ten
the four francs are forthcoming, and the
delighted dog gallops off home or finds
a temporary asylum at the house O
some person, should he be one of those
unwise puppies, the bohemians of tn,
canine race, who prefer to roam about
seeking precarious existence, to being
pampered in hot, stuffy wicker kenne
In Madame's boudoir, and dread the col
lar and chain of servitude.
| Dogs pay tax, and are entitled tt
some sort of protection. In our owr
country this animal has been the subjec
of much municipal and State legislation
some of which may be very wise, bu
most of it very foolish, as the practica
working exhibits in results. Statist
have demonstrated by figures that tn
prefectoral edict has decreased the mu
nicipal revenues, while medical authori
ties and veterinary surgeons of emf
nence assert that muzzling and chainin.
up dogs does not prevent, but rather en-
courages, hydrophobia.
! We are told that in countries wher
the canine race is allowed to roam abou
in half-wild state, madness is almos
unknown, and experience has taugh
US that among the dogs affected witt
rabies the majority have been the pet
which were not allowed to stir from th
side OF their fond master or doting mis-
tress. Poor. pampered creatures of Al
hour, even during their brief lives, kill
ed by fatness and crazed by kindness
lall through defiance Of natures laws