A boy twelve or fourteen years of age, who was climbing on the face of a rock in the Grange quarry, Edinburg, in search of birds' nests, fell into the deep pool below. His companions ran away, calling for help, and a crowd soon collected. A house carpenter, who was present, ran off to the Grange House for Sir Thomas Lauder's Newfoundland dog. The animal immediately sprang into the pool, and made for the place where the body, though under water, was still visible. He dived once or twice, and, seizing the boy's head, which chanced to be uppermost, he in vain attempted to bring the body ashore; for, as if aware of the necessity of using the most gentle treatment to so vulnerable a part, he took so gentle a hold, that the head slipped from him, and the body sunk deeper and deeper at every successive attempt. Again he dived, and appeared on the surface, raising the head gently between his fore-paws, but again it slipped from his grasp and sunk deeper than ever. The dog now seemed to take council with himself. He made one or two circles over the place where the body had disappeared, and then dived. He remained under water so long, that the bystanders began to entertain considerable fears for his safety. At length, to the great satisfaction of those present, he appeared holding the corpse by the arm, and with his head thrown aside, so as to keep the head of his burthen clear above the water; and in this way he bore it to the bank. The body was immediately taken to a house, and all exertions and means were used to restore the body to animation — but in vain. The dog would not leave the body, but staid by it, licking the face, and exhi- biting his full share of the sympathy excited by this melancholy catastrophe. There was not the slightest scratch on the boy's head or face. [Scotchman] (189 - 190)

TRIM. — An acquaintance presented to Mrs. D. of M—, a young Newfoundland dog, who bore the above name. Owing to the professional engagements of his master, or his disinclination to every thing connected with field sports, Trim had received no training. He led a quiet idle life; nor deer, rabbit, duck, racoon, nor any other flesh or fowl, feræ naturæ, were ever disturbed in their haunts by him. He gamboled with the children, black and white; and his excellent temper made him a favorite with all. His strong points of character were developed by mere accident. Mr. D. had declined the practice of law for the occupation of a planter; but, in settling his old business, was occasionally absent on distant circuits.
Trim's usual dormitory was a huge cotton basket, well strewed with cotton in the seed, and placed upon the gallery of the dwelling. From this comfortable birth, he was never known to wander during the season of repose. Extremely regular and inert in his habits, he retired early, and left the protection of the premises to Lion, Tiger, Spot, and the host of "curs of high and low degree," infesting every southern quarter. The first night of the absence of her husband, Mrs. D. heard some noise at her bed-room door, and rose for the purpose of ascertaining the cause. She was surprised, on opening it, to be greeted by Trim, who raised his huge bulk, and wagged his shaggy tail, as a salute to his mistress, and again stretched himself on the floor. She thought it singular that he should have left his snug basket and chosen the hard boards to rest upon; but paid no further attention to the matter, and retired. The next night she was again startled by something stirring in the entry, and, on going to the door, discovered Mr. Trim preparing himself for his night's rest. This was inexplicable. The next day strict examination was made of his basket, to discover if any thing had occurred to disgust him with it; but all appeared dry, warm and comfortable. Trim, nevertheless, continued to occupy his new station. On one occasion, about midnight, Mrs. D. requiring a servant, rang the bell, or gave the usual signal for her appearance; and the slave, as customary, came directly to the chamber door. Here she was met by honest Trim, who, with a low growl, raised up, erected his tail and hair, exhibiting such demonstrations of hostility as to alarm and astonish the Ethiopian.
"Fo, God, Tim, you gwine top Dinah! Who gib you con cake, I wunner! high! Poo, Tim!"
But Trim was inexorable. Dinah went on: “Dis pooty tory fir true!" Trim showed his teeth. — “Who you grin at, eh! You ugly brack devil! Here, Missy, I no can come in; dis Tim take up all de doar.”
And so it was; for when Dinah's mistress reached the door, to inquire into this new fracas, there was Trim; his back up — his fiery eyes fixed on Dinah's feet; his otherwise pendulous chaps contracted to rigid and sinewy lines, forming a sable foil to a double row of ivory — sharp, strong, and formidable as a wolf-trap. So soon, however, as he saw his mistress, and understood from circumstances that Dinah was to be admitted, he put on his best humored looks, and, with one or two gambols that shook the floor, relinquished the contest. Such, however, was the ceremony he had established; and, up to the period of his master's return, any servant desirous of entering his mistress chamber, after usual bed time, was called to a halt by the centinel, and there detained until regularly passed. All the incidents, as detailed, were related to Mr. D. on his reaching home; and feeling some curiosity on the subject, rose during the night, to see how the dog had disposed himself; but Trim was not there. He then threw on his cloak, went to the gallery, and found the late vigilant guard ensconced in his basket, and all his cares buried in the soundest slumbers. Several subsequent investigations were attended with like results. In fine, while the husband remained at home, Trim, — fond of his ease, and relieved from all anxiety, — rolled himself in the cotton, and snored soundly; but so soon as his master mounted for a journey, this faithful friend resumed his vigil over the wife, and, without her permit, peril and pain awaited the adventurous foot that approached the sacred chamber.
Is any comment necessary? Or is it not apparent, that this gallant dog, perceiving the comparatively defenceless situation of his mistress, in the absence of her husband, assumed the responsibility of a protector? and that, upon his return, he was aware that such a duty was no longer necessary? By what name, then, would the moral philosopher distinguish such impulses in an animal totally undisciplined? — Instinct, as we are taught to believe, is uniform. It is evinced by the bird in building its nest, or in defending its young. Reason is said to reflect, and from certain premises to deduce certain inferences. Acting upon occasion, it must necessarily be governed by circumstances. It would startle a schoolman, to assert that Trim was a logician; but it would puzzle him, I imagine, to define, in the incidents detailed, the limit between instinct and ratiocination. (287 - 288)