Greyfriars' Bobby, the Dog at his Master's Grave
"A Very singular and interesting occurrence was lately brought to light in the Burgh Court, by the hearing of a summons in regard to a dog-tax. Eight and a-half years ago it seems a man named Gray, of whom nothing more is known, except that he was poor, and lived in a quiet way in some obscure part of the town, was buried in Old Greyfriars'-churchyard. His grave, levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, is now scarcely discernible; but though no human interest would seem to attach to it, the sacred spot has not been wholly disregarded and forgotten. During all these years the dead man's faithful dog has kept constant watch and guard over the grave, and it was this animal for which the collectors sought to recover the tax. James Brown, the old curator of the burial-ground, remembers Gray's funeral; and the dog, a Scotch terrier, was, he says, one of the most conspicuous of the mourners. The grave was closed in as usual, and next morning 'Bobby,' as the dog is called, was found lying on the newly-made mound. This was an innovation which old James could not permit, for there was an order at the gate stating, in the most intelligible characters, that dogs were not admitted. 'Bobby' was accordingly driven out; but next morning he was there again, and for the second time was discharged. The third morning was cold and wet, and when the man saw the faithful animal, in spite of all chastisement, still lying shivering on the grave, he took pity on him and gave him some food. This recognition of devotion gave 'Bobby' the right to make the churchyard his home; and from that time to the present he has never spent a night away from his master's grave. Often, in bad weather, attempts have been made to keep him within doors, but by dismal howls he has succeeded in making it known that this interference is not agreeable to him, and latterly he has always been allowed to have his way. At almost any time during the day he may be seen in or about the churchyard; and no matter how rough the night may be, nothing can induce him to forsake the hallowed spot, whose identity, despite the irresistible obliteration it has undergone, he has so faithfully preserved. 'Bobby' has many friends, and the tax-gatherers have by no means proved his enemies. A weekly treat of steaks was long allowed by Serjeant Scott, of the Engineers; but for more than six years he has been regularly fed by Mr. John Trail, of the restaurant, 6, Greyfriars'-place. He is constant and punctual in his calls, being guided in his mid-day visits by the sound of the timegun. On the ground of 'harbouring' the dog in this way, proceedings were taken against Mr. Trail for payment of the tax. The defendant expressed his willingness, could he claim the dog, to be responsible for the tax; but so long as the animal refused to attach himself to any one, it was impossible, he argued, to fix the ownership—and the court, seeing the peculiar circumstances of the case, dismissed the summons.
"A Very singular and interesting occurrence was lately brought to light in the Burgh Court, by the hearing of a summons in regard to a dog-tax. Eight and a-half years ago it seems a man named Gray, of whom nothing more is known, except that he was poor, and lived in a quiet way in some obscure part of the town, was buried in Old Greyfriars'-churchyard. His grave, levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, is now scarcely discernible; but though no human interest would seem to attach to it, the sacred spot has not been wholly disregarded and forgotten. During all these years the dead man's faithful dog has kept constant watch and guard over the grave, and it was this animal for which the collectors sought to recover the tax. James Brown, the old curator of the burial-ground, remembers Gray's funeral; and the dog, a Scotch terrier, was, he says, one of the most conspicuous of the mourners. The grave was closed in as usual, and next morning 'Bobby,' as the dog is called, was found lying on the newly-made mound. This was an innovation which old James could not permit, for there was an order at the gate stating, in the most intelligible characters, that dogs were not admitted. 'Bobby' was accordingly driven out; but next morning he was there again, and for the second time was discharged. The third morning was cold and wet, and when the man saw the faithful animal, in spite of all chastisement, still lying shivering on the grave, he took pity on him and gave him some food. This recognition of devotion gave 'Bobby' the right to make the churchyard his home; and from that time to the present he has never spent a night away from his master's grave. Often, in bad weather, attempts have been made to keep him within doors, but by dismal howls he has succeeded in making it known that this interference is not agreeable to him, and latterly he has always been allowed to have his way. At almost any time during the day he may be seen in or about the churchyard; and no matter how rough the night may be, nothing can induce him to forsake the hallowed spot, whose identity, despite the irresistible obliteration it has undergone, he has so faithfully preserved. 'Bobby' has many friends, and the tax-gatherers have by no means proved his enemies. A weekly treat of steaks was long allowed by Serjeant Scott, of the Engineers; but for more than six years he has been regularly fed by Mr. John Trail, of the restaurant, 6, Greyfriars'-place. He is constant and punctual in his calls, being guided in his mid-day visits by the sound of the timegun. On the ground of 'harbouring' the dog in this way, proceedings were taken against Mr. Trail for payment of the tax. The defendant expressed his willingness, could he claim the dog, to be responsible for the tax; but so long as the animal refused to attach himself to any one, it was impossible, he argued, to fix the ownership—and the court, seeing the peculiar circumstances of the case, dismissed the summons.
It appears that 'Bobby' is a Sabbath observer—at least to this extent, that he knows that the place of refreshment at which he gets his dinner on week days is closed on Sunday; and he is sagacious enough to provide for this contingency by saving, during the week, odd scraps of food, which he hides beneath a tombstone adjoining the grave over which he keeps watch and ward. While sitting for his portrait in Mr. Steele's studio, 'Bobby,' on hearing the report of the time-gun — his usual call to dinner — got quite excited, and refused to be pacified until supplied with his mid-day meal. —Scotsman, April 18th, 1867.
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