In the severe winter of the year 1793, a hair-dresser at Hanover went out of the city gate, in the dusk of the evening, with one of his friends, who had business at a neighbouring village, in order to shew him the road, as the ground was then covered with snow. They were scarce arrived in the open country, when they met a Dog, who came running from a different part, and, by his whining noise and piteous gestures, seemed desirous to gain their attention. On their noticing him, the Dog ran back a little part of the way-then returned to them-and, by his actions, indicated his desire that they should follow him. Struck by the expressive countenance of the Dog, they agreed to follow him, and therefore turned towards the way from whence he came. They had not gone many yards, before the Dog, by his frisking about, and repeated gambols, appeared to express great joy at this circumstance. He then continued running a little way before them, and at times returning to point out to them the road from whence he came. After following him for some time, the Dog suddenly stopped, when, on examining the place, they discovered the body of a man, apparently frozen to death, around whom the Dog went moaning most piteously. They conveyed the body to a neighbouring village, where, by proper care, suspended animation was restored, and the Dog was thus providentially the means of preserving his master's life.

The Dog, likewise, affords man great assistance in his dominion over other animals. The shepherd would with difficulty keep his flock together without the aid of his dog; for the sheep pay more ready obedience to him, than to the shepherd himself. Besides, he contributes greatly to the amusement of man, not only by his playful tricks, and affectionate attention when walking or in the house, but by the part he takes in all country diversions. Hunting and shooting could not be practised without the Dog.

The flesh of the Dog is eaten in some places, particularly in China.

The Shepherd's Dog has already been mentioned. The Hound is chiefly used for the chase. The Mastiff is very valuable as a guard, and is frequently kept in farm-yards. The Bull-dog is a fierce, horrid animal. It is so named, because it is the species that was employed in Bull-baits; but it is so quarrelsome, that it will fight and attack any creature. and so strong that it is dangerous; for this reason it is always chained, or, if allowed to run about, is muzzled, to prevent mischief.

The Blood-hound is little known in this country at present; but in former times was much prized, and employed to hunt out thieves and robbers. A story is told, that not long ago, a farmer lost a great many sheep. The robbery was repeated very often, and though he took a great deal of trouble to discover who stole them, he could not learn any thing of the thief. At last, a gentleman who lived in the neighbourhood, and who had a blood-hound, proposed to carry him to the field the next time any sheep were taken, to see if he could trace the footsteps of the person who had committed the theft. This was accordingly done. The blood-hound examined the field for some minutes. At last he found the scent, and left the field, running straight along with his nose close to the ground. The men followed him. He went to a village some miles distant, ran through a house into a garden behind, and when he got to the end of the garden he stopped, and would not move from the spot. Some of the people told the woman of the house the cause of their coming. She said her husband was out, and denied, very positively, having any knowledge of the sheep. By this time it was seen that the Blood-hound had scratched a deep hole in the earth, and seemed desirous of getting at something underground. The men, therefore, when the husband returned, insisted on digging, to see if any thing was buried there. The man objected strongly,.

but in yain; and, after digging a little, a trap-door was seen, which, when opened, led into a place where the skins and remains of the poor sheep were found.

The Blood-hound was sometimes used in the West Indies to trace out any unfortunate slave who had run away from his master; but, as the slave-trade is now abolished, that is, put an end to, it is to be hoped there will be no slaves in the course of some years.

The Greyhound is remarkably elegant in his form. His sense of smelling is not acute; but he is so swift, that when he pursues the hare, he never loses sight of the poor terrified animal.

The Spaniel and the Pointer are both used for shooting.

The Poodle is extremely intelligent, and seems kept only for the amusement of his master. He may be taught easily to fetch and carry, open a door, poise a stick on his nose, jump up at the word of command, and many other tricks.

The Lap-dog is the least interesting of all the tribe; yet some ladies are so foolishly fond of it, that they have as much care taken in washing and combing the little beast, as if it were a child. Indeed, there have been instances of dogs of this class being pampered with chickens and every dainty. It is to be hoped that they are rare. It is not only silly, but wicked, to lavish on a brute money that might be bestowed on the poor. What can that person say in palliation of her sinful extravagance, who has allowed a poor neighbour to starve, whilst she has fed her Dog on delicacies! There is a wide difference between such absurd indulgence, and a proper care of the animals Providence entrusts to our protection.

The Newfoundland Dog is a large noble creature, very sagacious, and most faithful in his attachment to his master. A Dog, something of this kind, is employed in a country named Kamtschatka, to draw sledges over the ice.

The Terrier is a small, snappish, black dog; but is particularly mentioned here, to record the sagacity and attachment of one individual. A poor old woman, during a heavy fall of snow, went to the next market town, accompanied only by her little dog. The snow had drifted, and she, mistaking the road, fell, and was overwhelmed by it. The terrier returned home to his master, and pulled his coat, and tried every means in his power to make him go to the assistance of his perishing wife. The stupid old man drove the faithful creature away. He then went to a neighbour's house, and succeeded in getting an old friend of his mistress, who knew the Dog, to follow him. When he came to the spot, he scratched with his feet, and his companion guessed the fact. She went for assistance, but by the time the poor old woman was dug out, she was quite dead. Probably, if the master had had half the sense the Dog had, his wife might have been saved.

It is not unusual to see people go about with dancing Dogs: these are a set of half-starved animals, dressed up in petticoats, and taught, by dint of blows, to dance and play many antics. Their strange attitudes may make children laugh, but never can please any one who reflects on the means that have been used to make them learn these tricks. The same may be said of the learned Dog, who knows his letters, &c.

The nobleness, generosity, and gratitude of the Dog, may often make man blush. The Dog never forgets the master who feeds, protects, and caresses him. How often does man entirely forget his great and benevolent Creator, who daily loads him with blessings!

REFLECTIONS ON RETIRING TO REST.

It is good, when we lay on the pillow our head,
And the silence of night all around us is spread,
To reflect on the deeds we have done thro' the day,
Nor allow it to pass without profit away.

A day-what a trifle !—and yet the amount
Of the days we have spent forms an awful account,
And the time may arrive when the world we would
give,

Were it ours, might we have but another to live.

In whose service have we through the day been employ'd,

And what are the pleasures we mostly enjoy'd!
Our desires, and our wishes, to what did they tend,
To the world we are in, or the world without end?

Hath the sense of His presence encompass'd us round,

Without whom not a sparrow can fall to the ground!
Have our hearts turn'd to Him with devotion most true,
Or been occupied only with things that we view ?

Have we often reflected how soon we must go
To the mansions of bliss, or the regions of woe?
Have we felt unto God a repentance sincere,
And in faith to the Saviour of sinners draw near?

Let us with ourselves solemn conference hold, Ere sleep's silken fetters our senses unfold; And forgiveness implore for the sins of the day, Nor allow them to pass unre pented away.