Characteristics of Animals.
All animals are neat by habit—even the hog, which has been unjustly esteemed the very type of filth. We can think of no animal that does not look neat when in its free normal condition. Even the toad, that makes his house in the dirt, when he comes forth from his hiding-place, looks as slick as a new pin, and not a particle of dirt sticks to the eel, though he plows in the mud for his living. The woodchuck burrows in the sand-hill, and, though he has no washbowl, nor towel, nor comb, nor brush, who ever saw one dirty or with hair disheveled? The whole feathered creation are as careful of their personl appearance and as nice and tidy in their dress as a bride. It is only in their domestic, abnormal condition that the inferior animals look filthy and are filthy; and here it is not their fault, but their misfortune. They are under the dominion of man, subject to his mercy, which sometimes is cruelty, and too seldom is considerate kindness.