Hence very erroneous views are held in relation to the courage of this animal.

Some naturalists, led away by what appears to be a feeling of envy or anger, accuse the lion of downright _cowardice_, denying him a single noble quality of all those that have from earliest times been ascribed to him! Others, on the contrary, assert that he knows no fear, either of man or beast; and these endow him with many virtues besides courage.

Both parties back up their views, not by mere assertions, but by an ample narration of well-attested facts! How is this?
There is a dilemma here.

Both cannot be right in their opinions?
And yet, odd as it may appear to say so, both _are_ right in a certain sense.
The fact is, _some lions are cowardly, while others are brave_.
The truth of this might be shown by whole pages of facts, but in this little volume we have not room.

I think, however, boy reader, I can satisfy you with an analogy.
Answer me--Do you know any species of animal, the individuals of which are exactly alike in character?
Think over the dogs _of your acquaintance_! Are they alike, or anything near it?
Are not some of them noble, generous, faithful, brave to the death?
Are not others mean, sneaking, cowardly curs?
So is it with lions.
Now, you are satisfied that my statement about the lions may be true.
There are many causes to affect the courage and ferocity of the lion.
His age--the state of his stomach--the season of the year--the hour of the day--but, above all, the _sort of hunters that belong to the district he inhabits_.
This last fact appears quite natural to those who believe in the _intellect_ of animals, which of course _I_ do.