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  ...all the Virtues of Man without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery If inscribed over human ashes, Is but a just tribute to the Memory of BOATSWAIN, a Dog, Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803, And died at Newstead Abbey, November 18. 1808."
The poet, Pope, when about the same age as the writer of this inscription, passed a similar eulogy on his dog,[97] at the expense of human nature; adding, that Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.   " In a still sadder and bitterer spirit, Lord Byron writes of his favourite,
"To mark a friend's remains these stones arise; I never knew but one, and here he lies."[98]
Melancholy, indeed, seems to have been gaining fast upon his mind at this period. In another letter to Mr. Hodgson, he says,--"You know laughing is the sign of a rational animal--so says Dr. Smollet. I think so too, but unluckily my spirits don't always keep pace with my opinions."
Old Murray, the...   Pope, Alexander

Excerpt from Life of Lord Byron, Vol. I With his Letters and Journals. · This quote is tagged Loyalty · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

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