We have a curious account, recorded in Stow's Annals, of an engagement between three Mastiffs and a Lion, in the presence of James the First. "One of the Dogs being put into the den, was soon disabled by the Lion, which took it by the head and neck, and dragged it about another Dog was then let loose, and served in the same manner: but the third being put in, immediately seized the Lion by the lip, and held him for a considerable time; till being severely torn by his claws, the Dog was obliged to quit its hold; and the Lion, greatly exhausted in the conflict, refused to renew the engagement; but taking a sudden leap over the Dogs, fled into the interior part of his den. Two of the Dogs soon died of their wounds: the last survived, and was taken great care of by the king's son; who said, "he that had fought with the king of beasts, should never after fight with any inferior creature."

The Mastiffs of Great Britain were noted in the time of the Roman Emperors, who appointed an officer, whose sole business it was to breed and send from hence such as would prove equal to the combats of the amphitheatre.

The following anecdote will shew, that the Mastiff, conscious of its superior strength, knows how to chastise the impertinence of an inferior:-A large Dog of this kind, belonging to the late M. Ridley, Esq. of Heaton, near Newcastle, being frequently molested by a Mongrel, and teazed by its continual barking, at last took it up in his mouth by the back, and with great composure dropped it over the quay into the river, without doing any farther injury to an enemy so much his inferior.

The Mastiff, in its pure and unmixed state, is now sel2 U

dom to be met with. The generality of Dogs distinguished by that name, seem to be compounded of the Bull-Dog, Danish Mastiff, and the Ban-Dog.

Is a variety of this fierce tribe, not often to be seen at present. It is lighter, smaller, more active and vigilant, than the Mastiff, but not so powerful; its nose is smaller, and possesses, in some degree, the scent of the Hound; its hair is rougher, and generally of a yellowish grey, streaked with shades of a black or brown colour. It does not invariably, like the preceding kinds, attack its adversary in front, but frequently seizes cattle by the flank. It attacks with eagerness, and its bite is keen and dangerous.

HAS been erroneously called the Danish Dog; and by M. Buffon, the Harrier of Bengal; but for what reason it is difficult to ascertain, as its incapacity of scenting is sufficient to destroy all affinity to any Dog employed in the pursuit of the Hare.

It is common in this country at present, and is frequently kept in genteel houses, as an elegant attendant on a carriage. We do not, however, admire the cruel practice of depriving the poor animal of its ears, in order to encrease its beauty; a practice so general, that we do not remember ever to have seen one of these Dogs unmutilated in that way.

Is the largest of the Dog kind, and its appearance the most beautiful and majestic. It is only to be found in Ireland, where it was formerly of great use in clearing the country from Wolves. It is now extremely rare, and is kept rather for show than use, being equally unserviceable for hunting either the Stag, the Fox, or the Hare.

These Dogs are about three feet high, generally of a white or cinnamon colour, and made somewhat like a Greyhound, but more robust: their aspect is mild, and

their disposition gentle and peaceable: their strength is so great, that in combat the Mastiff or Bull-Dog is far from being equal to them. They mostly seize their antagonists by the back, and shake them to death, which their great size generally enables them to do with ease.

M. Buffon supposes the Great Danish Dog to be only a variety of the Irish Greyhound. Next to this, in size and strength, is

THE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GREYHOUND, OR WOLF-DOG,

WHICH was formerly used by the chieftains of that country in their grand hunting parties. One of them, which we saw some years ago, was a large, powerful, fiercelooking Dog; its ears were pendulous, and its eyes half hid in the hair; its body was strong and muscular, and covered with harsh, wirey, reddish hair, mixed with white.

THE GAZEHOUND

WAS somewhat similar to the Greyhound; and, like that animal, hunted only by the eye. It was formerly in It was used in great repute, but is now unknown to us. hunting either the Fox, the Hare, or the Stag. It would select from the rest the fattest Deer, pursue it by the eye, and though it should rejoin the herd, would infallibly fix the same, and pursue it till taken. upon