The Foresight and Sagacity of Mrs. _Margery_'s Dog calls to my
Mind a Circumstance, which happened when I was a Boy. Some Gentlemen
in the Place where I lived had been hunting, and were got under a
great Tree to shelter themselves from a Thunder Storm; when a Dog that
always followed one of the Gentlemen leaped up his Horse several
Times, and then ran away and barked. At last, the Gentlemen all
followed to see what he would be at; and they were no sooner gone from
the Tree, but it was shivered in Pieces by Lightning! 'Tis remarkable,
that as soon as they came from the Tree the Dog appeared to be very
well satisfied, and barked no more. The Gentleman after this always
regarded the Dog as his Friend, treated him in his Old Age with great
Tenderness, and fed him with Milk as long as he lived.

My old Master _Grierson_ had also a Dog, that ought to be
mentioned with Regard; for he used to set him up as a Pattern of
Sagacity and Prudence, not only to his Journeymen, but to the whole
Neighbours. This Dog had been taught a thousand Tricks, and among
other Feats he could dance, tumble, and drink Wine and Punch till he
was little better than mad. It happened one Day, when the Men had made
him drunk with Liquor, and he was capering about, that he fell into a
large Vessel of boiling Water. They soon got him out, and he
recovered; but he was very much hurt, and being sensible, that this
Accident arose from his losing his Senses by Drinking, he would never
taste any strong Liquor afterwards.--My old Master, on relating this
Story, and shewing the Dog, used to address us thus, _Ah, my
Friends, had you but half the Sense of this poor Dog here, you would
never get fuddled, and be Fools._

I am, Sir, Your's, &c. W.B.