Not an Educated Dog

1901

In the "Floresta Espanola" of Melchior de Santa Cruz the author has an anecdote of Cardinal Pedro Concalez. That prelate noticed that one of the priests in his retinue, a Biscayan, carried a short sword under his cloak. The cardinal reproved him and told him that it was wrong for a cleric to carry arms. The Biscayan replied that he carried the weapon to defend himself if he were attacked by a dog. The cardinal said that in case he saw a dog running at him he should begin to recite from the gospel of St. John. The priest acknowledged that this was a good way, but held to the dagger, "because there are some dogs who do not understand Latin."