In one of the Balearic Islands there dwelt a retired general of France, or rather one who was induced to leave his native soil by the revolutionary proceedings in 1790. His fortune was small, his pursuits confined, and his acquaintance limited; he was remarkably fond of animals and had a great faculty in taming them: his great hobby was to induce animals of various genera to dwell in peace together. Among these creatures were two donkeys and a monkey; at first the antipathy of the donkeys was so great, that Pug’s life was continually in danger. He being compelled to live under the same roof with them, like a prudent animal, determined to try and conciliate them.
He watched the nature of their provender, and being often at liberty, never failed to bring them vegetables or fruit. Mutual interest healed the discord which no other means could have accomplished, and soon the friendship of Pug and the donkeys became as notorious as their former hatred and dissention. Pug now thought, that the donkeys were the gainers by his friendship, and reaped all the sweets of that rare bond, he therefore resolved to have some return for the numerous carrots and herbs he gave them. Several times he placed provender in their mangers and then enticed them with morsels and a peculiar chatter: as soon as they learned it, he used to place the herbs, and then hasten to the animals, leap on the back of one, and then begin his chatter, the animals immediately set off to reach the spot where the food was deposited; the delight of Pug was not to be exceeded; he screamed, chattered, and urged the one he rode to win the race. The old general, as soon as he discovered the prank, was so charmed, that he often induced Pug to repeat it before any guests who were with him, and particularly before the English naval officers, who frequently called on him, when there, for the purpose of conveying to him all the intelligence they could of the affairs of the continent.
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