CHAP. III. Of the more docile, and sagacious animals, such as Dogs, Horses, Elephants, &c.
Reading edition
There are few people but have either seen or heard of the learned Dog, Le Chien Scavant, and yet his uncommon knowledge, except we should now record it, will appear incredible to posterity. He could read, write, and figure, play cards, spell any person’s names, with many other parts in useful knowledge; and, as Hudibras says,
Greek was to him no more difficile Than to a blackbird ’tis to whistle.
We have heard of a dog who saved money, and lent it out to usury; of a horse that would usually of a morning go out a hunting with the hounds; of the Elephant there are many strange accounts, among the rest of his surprising gratitude and love for his keeper, his vast memory, and retention, and his understanding the language of those among whom he is reared; I say, these and more excellencies of the several creatures are to be found all concentered in the Cat, therefore expecting an implicit belief to all we have advanced, concerning this most sagacious of all sagacious animals, we shall immediately enter upon, and to our history, still reserving to ourselves the honour of having said nothing but was necessary to introduce our hero into the world.