The conversation about goats took a wide range and included performances both actual and apochryphal. George asked what variety of goat it was that was credited with eating tomato-cans, umbrellas, boots, and similar things usually considered inedible, and was told he must seek it in the upper districts of New York and at Hoboken and other suburban places. But while Mr. Graham would not aver that the goat lived upon the articles mentioned, he positively assured the youths that he had seen the creature devour newspapers and bill-posters with apparent relish, and that it didn't seem to make any difference to him whether the newspapers were Republican or Democratic, secular or religious. He was sure that the digestion of the goat was one of the best in the world and could justly be envied by a great many men. “But leaving all jest aside,” said he, “the goat is a hardy feeder and can live on very little; he has been called the poor man's cow, as he can be kept by people who cannot afford the expense of a cow and the milk of the goat is rich and nutritious. Invalids are sometimes nourished on it when the milk of the cow does not answer the purpose, and in some countries large flocks of goats are maintained for their milk. The medicinal properties of goat's milk and whey are well known, and cheese made from goat's milk brings a higher price in the market than that from cow's milk.”
“I found what Buffon, the naturalist, said of the goat,” said George, “and it is worth remembering. He considers the goat superior to the sheep both in intelligence and agility. He is stronger, lighter, and more agile than the sheep, he is sprightly, capricious and given to wander, and it is with difficulty he can be confined to a flock. He loves to retire into solitude, and climb steep and rugged places. Though he seems to feel the effects of severe cold, he is not afraid of rain or storms or too great a degree of heat: he cheerfully exposes himself to the sun and without inconvenience sleeps under its most severe rays.”
The various kinds of goat, the Angora and Cashmere varieties, which supply the wool for shawls and other fine fabrics, the Syrian goat with pendulous ears, the Swiss goat which is kept in large flocks and is highly profitable to its owners, and the common goat which is found in all civilized countries of the world, all were discussed and duly considered. But the youths were disappointed in the animal, as they were obliged to offset his numerous good qualities with the fact that he is wayward and unruly, and does not form any serious attachment to his owner. The youths decided that they would not enter the business of rearing goats, but be content with the pet animals they then possessed.
George suggested that it was time to look after their horses. While they are busy with those favorites we will lay down our pen for the present, in the hope that we will be allowed to listen whenever they again discuss the members of the animal kingdom.
