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A Morning Call

HE accompanying en- Toomer, then under-keeper of Broomy graving represents a Lodge, in the New Forest, was breaking. lively scene. A num- It played and often came to feed with ber of puppies are just them. From this circumstance it occurred taking their meal, to Toomer, to use his own expression, when, unexpectedly, a "that, having broken many a dog as pig, moved by curi- obstinate as a Pig, he would try if he osity, puts his head in could also succeed in breaking a Pig." at the door. He appears to be almost The little animal would often go out as surprised as the puppies themselves, with the puppies to some distance from and stands there with an expression of home, and Toomer would entice it further wonderment upon his face. by a sort of pudding made of barley-meal, The dogs, you will see, are startled and which he carried in one of his pockets. are scattering in all directions, tumbling The other he filled with stones, which he over one another in most ridiculous threw at the Pig whenever she misbe fashion haved, as he was not able to catch and I don't suppose the pig means any correct her in the same manner as he did harm to the puppies, for, as a rule, these his dogs. He informed Sir Henry Mild. two species of the animal kingdom dwell may, who communicated to the writer this together on pretty good terms. Both are account, that he found the animal very to be found at almost every farm-house, tractable, and that he soon taught her and afford us an example of good-will what he wished by this mode of reward that may exist between different animals. and punishment. In proof that swine are not destitute of Sir Henry Mildmay informed me that sagacity, it would perhaps be unnecessary he had frequently seen her out with to recite any other accounts than those of Toomer, when she quartered her ground the various "learned Pigs" which have at stood when she came on game, having an different times been exhibited in this excellent nose, and backed other dogs as country.

But an instance more surpris- well as he ever saw a pointer. When sh ing than these was afforded by Toomer, came on the cold scent of game she slack. the gamekeeper of the late Sir Henry ened her trot, and gradually dropped her Mildmay , actually breaking in a black ears and tail till she was certain, and she New Forest Sow to find game, back and then fell down on her knees. As soon as stand, nearly as well as a pointer. This the game rose, she always returned to Sow, when very young, took a great par- Toomer, grunting very loudly for her tiality to some pointer puppies that reward of pudding if it was not immedi they were fed. Sir Henry sent her back to Mrs. Toomer, where she died the usual death of a Pig, and was converted into bacon. ately given to her. When Toomer died, having been accustomed to feed with the his widow sent the Pig to Sir Henry dogs, and to partake of the flesh on which Mildmay, who kept it for three years, but never used it except for the purpose of amusing his friends. In doing this, a fowl was put into a cabbage net and hidden among the fern in some part of Travellers furnish us with thrilling the park, and the extraordinary animal accounts of the savage ferocity of this never failed to find it in a very brief time. I animal when found in a wild state. It is Sir Henry was at length obliged to part a dreadful beast to encounter, and the with this Sow from a circumstance as sin- hunter finds it best to keep at a respectful gular as the other occurrences of her life. distance from it. A great number of lambs had been lost, In his native forest the Wild Boar is a and a person having been sent to watch most formidable animal, and, when hard the flock, the animal was detected in the beset, defends himself with great energy very act of devouring a lamb. This car- and resolution, his strength and tusks nivorous propensity was ascribed to her rendering him a terrific opponent. The hazardous chase of this animal is still | congregating with the general herd, eagerly followed in Germany, and the which consists only of females and their wooded regions of Europe; and it is also young, for which the mothers fight with one of the wild sports of the East. The the utmost fury. The Wild Boar, howold males are said to live solitarily, never ever, is easily reclaimed. الله