He
spoke feelingly, from what appeared to be the recollection of
unpleasant experience, of the way in which spirited dogs behave when
any one takes them forcibly by the ears. He explained in a short
parenthesis the best way of dealing with dog-fights. He also described
in simple language the consequences which result from being
bitten--consequences which range from hydrophobia and tetanus down to
simple blood-poisoning. Then he passed on to show that human bites,
inflicted, so he said, oftener with the tongue than with the teeth,
were far more dangerous than those of dogs. The congregation became
greatly interested at this point, and allowed themselves to be swept
forward by a violent sophism which carried the preacher far beyond the
original statement of Solomon. All quarrelling, not merely interfering
with existing quarrels of long standing, was denounced in forcible
language. Major Kent felt uncomfortable; then, as the preacher worked
himself up, resentful. Finally, he was cowed. Meldon seized the
psychological moment and closed his discourse with a quotation from the
poetry of Dr. Watts. He made a remarkably apposite citation of the
well-known lines which exonerate dogs, bears, and lions from any blame
when they bark, bite, growl, or fight, and emphasised the entirely
different position of the human race.
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