The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-23
Antipathies.
THE ROOTED DISLIKE SHOWN BY DOGS FOR CATS
AND CERTAIN MEN.

Antlpathiss.
THE ROOTED DISLIKE SHOWN BY DOGS PoRcAT
AND CERTAIN MEN.
TLondon Globe.l
The rooted dislike manifested by the
canine race for postmen has lately been the
subject of a lively discussion In our COZ
INNS but without receiving any explana-
tion which could he deemed altogether
satisfactory. IL remains still open 10 as
much doubt and argument as ever why
dog should De provoked 10 greater anger
by the sight Of man clad in MIR. Fawcett's
livery than by the appearance OF any
ordinary subject OF her Majesty. The
phenomenon II attributed To freak OF in
stnct, and that Is about all that can be said
about it, az about many other pecuiarities
noticed in various species OF the brute
creation. II a collection could be made OF
all those cases where an animal, Without
any apparent cause, has taken sudden
dislike 10 one person or thing rather than
another, some puZZlng problems wouIu
be presented 10y II for the study oi
psychologists. The most notable example
OF this sort OF thing is, no douDt, Tue
bull and his red rag, which might lusl
as well have been blue, white, yellow,
or black. for anything that we could tel,
unless we had the uniform testimony OF
centuries 10 enlighten us on the SUBJECT;
WHY should mosquitoes and other spitefui
or hungry insects persistently attack one
person while they allow another 10 steep
almost I'm peace? No theory has been au-
yanced to account properly for this, ana
determined arguer may maintain. II ne
liles. that even i'm this case the attack maze
ON the sufferer is prompted by ieeling OF
capricious malice on the part OF the ass'iiI-
ants. 49,. ,u,,o,.
R,,t IL is in dogs that the best illlistra-
tionS are found Of the curious caprice I'D
question. Why should dog, OF all otheI
beasts. be affected with agony at the souno
Of music? There are plenty OF dogs APP
pertaining to the most various breeds,
which are convulsed with inward tortures
M the sound Of an organ-grinder, ana
howl with a dismal note, betoking much
anguish OF mind, even ut the sound OF
niano in the room above or concertina
outside the house. Again. why should dogs
and eats exhibit for one another that ma
tlral aversion which has made II a pro-
verbal phrase TO speak Of cat-and.dog
liievY IL will be said that they are natural
enemies. and that each, being caniVorOus
beast. is prepared to Kill and eat the other.
Rut il would re hard TO find ease where
either had actually been deyoured 10y the
victorious enemy; and II Is obvious
to any one who has ever seen q uog
run at cat that it is the spirit OF sport
and adventure which urges INN on
10 the attack. and not hunger or the desire
Of utilizing the dead body OF the victim.
Moreover, there are probably not As many
AZ five dogs out Of every ten which have
either the pluck or the inclination to make
A serious attack, and yet the eat. VINO Is
luite well aware that there Is nothing 10
he feared from the meaner-spirited ours,
will exhibit almost as much uneasiness ana
wrath in their presence as at the slght OF
bull-terrier.
When il comes to the case of dogs be-
bayior in the presence OF man there are
,tilI more difficulties. Almost all dogs
have an instructive mistrust Of tramps, ana
his NAV possibly be understood upon the
round that these individuals have hang
log look about them, ard seem TO be intent
mon some mysterious business which is
OF suspicion at the hrsi
lance. Dogs are excellent judges Of
character and OF the signs which
indicate persons intention, ana are
luite able TO distinguish man VINO
is intent upon his own business from one
who is inclined to NEEDLE with what does
moi concern him. Another object OF com-
mon attack by this race of quadrupeds Is
the leg of a breech-wearing fO0tman, and
il will be observed that the most digniied
md solemn Of these ornamental gentlemen
IRE apt TO lose their presence OF mind as
,OOn rs they become aware that there Is
spaniel. or even pug. smiling around tne
back OF their calves. In this instance IL Is
probably the inviting look OF the part
attacked which proves too strong
temptation to the canine mnd ana u
would he hardly fair to include this among
he cases Of unexplained antlpathy. IL Is
believed that the snappishness OF pet dogs,
when their mistresses are touched or APP
proceeds from Jealousy, and
doubtless this cause will account Tor nun
lreds OF ill-tempered acts INDUCED III moi
only by ugly poodles and toy terriers bul
nv parrots, monkeys, and many 0ther tame
creatures. But why should dog walking
along the street pick out one cart or car
rage rather than another 10 run De-
hind and bark at? Why should he snarl
md snap at some goOd-bumored man
who IN vain attempts to concillate |
him, while at the very first sight he will be
recoGcled to another Of morose and surly
characters In many of these eases The
reason is to be found i'm some episode OF
the animals life unObserved or forgotten !
by other people. Dogs are quick observers,
but bad at generalization, and it will often |
happen that one who has once been NAL |
treated 10y man wearing particular cos
tune will bear malice all his life against
nfhers clad in the same Uarh.