New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-28
PIETY IN ANIMALS.
From The SATURDAY. Rerfe1c.

The SATURDAY. Reutf1r.
Proofs of sagacity involving what wOnd seem
processes of judgment. inference and generalization
fairly equal TO those of the average man, have been
made familiar TO us by the reports OF naturallsts
without number II not by opportunities of personal
observation. OF what requirements pnimals OF all
sorts are capable. under ans skiful and patient
tuitiOn all must be fairly convinced. To this cul-
ture of the intellect and the emotions are taught
by DR. Lindsay to superadd the development OF the
religious feeling in animals, whether IN the form 81
atural piety or of a kind OF animal huiturkdmPf.
Not only does the dog for instance, worship his
master and learn from his example TO display de-
corum in kirk or chapel but, in common with many
another species outside the pale OF humanity, he Is
capable of reli gious feeling and action of direct
and spontaneous character. The seemly behavior
of the Scottish collie IN kirk is conspicuous among
the attributes which have given that sagaciOus
ouadruped its high and wel-earned reputation.
Nor Is devotional decorum, all impartial critics of
the ways of animals will learn with pleasure. con-
fined to a single class OF theological opinion. In
France a Catholic country. on the contrary, dogs
attend prayer mass with their masters, exhibiting
IN the grand cathedrals of that beautiful land be-
coming behavior, including gravity OF look and de-
meanor. silence and motioncssness. an attitude OF
apparent attention OF intentness and probable
feeling of awe, produced 10 may be, by the dim re-
ligious light of such edifces or by the varied I'M
pressye sights aud sounds that environ them "a
kind OF conduct in short. only too instructive OF
suggestive 10 lrreverent man. Nay, more EN-
phatic still is taught by his canine compan-
Ion TO many lax Roman Catholic, since we are
Taught. on the authority of :. southey' Whatever
thar may bel, thar in Catholic countries church
OF fasting"
Nor are dogs the only animals that may
claim occasionally 10 be pi0us. while col
lies regularly attend church, they cannot be
SAID, as rule, 10 take any active or intelll-
gent part the service; but in the case OF the par
rot which Is not usually allowed 10 attend church,
the bird not unfrequently takes prominent and
certainly Intelligent part in the private worship OF
it's masters household such parrots, for instance,
make responses at the proper tlmean exercise that
mplies q rood deal more than mere memory, mere
attention TO the service. They bave been taught,
moreover, OF they have learned, 10 repeat mans
creeds to rscte prayers and even, or otherwise IN
certain sense 10 act domestic ehaplains-as sub
stitutes In other words, for man himself. As in so
many other cases, the behavior-nay., the very
speech-the remarks conversation of the Bird are
suitable 10 place. time and other circumstances.
THUS certain English bishops parrot Is Tor wasl
ia the habit of saying-sometimes quite devouuy
and with becoming solemnity, at other times sarcas
tcay or ironically but in either case at proper sea-
sons and appropriately 10 the circumstance" Let
us prayD OF another told that II s. could sing
in Correct time and measure" There is happy
land"