Better Than Men

In Short

This collection of reflective sketches and travel memoirs contrasts the quiet virtues of animals with the flaws of human nature. Through accounts of New England road trips, Civil War encampments, and international travels, the author introduces a memorable cast of dogs, horses, bears, and even an elephant. Each narrative illustrates elemental virtues like loyalty, forgiveness, and honest devotion. Lasting for its warm, unpretentious prose and earnest defense of animal intelligence, the book challenges traditional notions of human superiority with heartfelt personal stories.

The Story

The narrative opens with an explicit challenge to the accepted belief that human beings occupy the highest moral ground in creation. Moving past theoretical arguments, the author illustrates this premise through a series of vivid personal reminiscences, beginning with a boyhood spent in a New England town. Here, the narrator befriends the local canine population—a group of easy-going vagabonds—and forms a special bond with Rover, a light-brindle, pedigree-less dog devoted to woodchuck hunting.

This friendship leads to an extended excursion across the countryside. Accompanied by Rover and a calico horse named Charlie, the narrator travels from tavern to tavern, resting during the heat of the day and covering twenty miles at an easy pace. The journey brings lighthearted mishaps, such as when Charlie and Rover accidentally scatter a large drove of cattle into the oats, as well as thoughtful encounters with local figures like "Uncle Daniel V——," a Revolutionary War veteran who sings old camp songs in his kitchen. Years later, during the Civil War, a chance meeting with a grieving farmer whose family was buried in the local churchyard brings a somber reflection on human suffering, faith, and loss.

The scope of the narrative then expands to encompass diverse animal companions met across various settings. In a southern camp, a pet bear named Tim falls victim to the temptations of alcohol provided by humans, eventually finding temporary solace in an unlikely friendship with a captive alligator. During the Civil War, a stocky brindle dog named Carlo serves faithfully alongside the Ninth New York Volunteers, earning an informal discharge and the affection of the entire regiment. On the inland waters of North Carolina, an inquisitive pig named Jeff demonstrates how gentle human association can develop surprising intelligence and affection in a universally despised creature.

In England, a maimed, blind rook named Toby finds refuge in the study of a benevolent gentleman, while a courageous Yorkshire terrier named Phiz fearlessly confronts larger dogs despite his small size. The author's travels also reach the Swiss Alps, where sharing biscuit crumbs with wild chipmunks on a high mountain peak prompts reflections on humanity's tendency to destroy innocent life. Even a dangerous circus elephant named Columbus is shown to act not out of inherent malice, but as a deliberate response to cruel confinement. The book closes with quiet observations on canine devotion, recounting how a faithful dog named Charlie kept watch at the gate for a master who would never return.

How It Unfolds

A summer journey begins The narrator sets out across New England with Rover, a stray brindle dog, and Charlie, a calico horse, traveling twenty miles a day between rural taverns.

Mischief on the road While walking ahead of his animals, the narrator watches Charlie and Rover accidentally stampede a drove of cattle through fences and into an oat field.

Listening to an old soldier A stop at a local home introduces Uncle Daniel, a Revolutionary War veteran who marches across his kitchen with a cane while singing old army songs.

Grief in the churchyard During the Civil War, the narrator meets a broken farmer in camp and later visits his family plot, listening as the old man struggles to comprehend the sudden loss of four generations.

The downfall of a pet bear Tim, a captive bear brought up in a barroom, develops a fatal taste for alcohol before finding brief companionship with a six-foot alligator introduced to his pen.

A canine soldier in the ranks Carlo, a dignified dark-brindle dog, joins the Ninth New York Volunteers, eventually wearing a custom uniform and marching behind the band at muster-out.

Lessons on a mountain peak Sitting atop a peak in the Sulphur Range, the narrator shares biscuit crumbs with two wild chipmunks, contemplating humanity's unique habit of killing for sport.

A final, silent vigil In Newport, a devoted dog named Charlie spends his days waiting at the lawn gate, hopelessly watching for the return of an ill master who has passed away.

The People

The Narrator An observant traveler and animal lover who seeks out the company of creature companions, constantly reflecting on how their unselfish conduct compares to human flaws.

Rover A light-brindle, pedigree-less "nobody's dog" with expressive dark eyes and a passion for woodchuck hunting, who travels loyally alongside the narrator's horse.

Charlie the Horse A reliable "calico" horse who learns to answer his master's call, trotting alongside Rover to keep the narrator in sight during long road trips.

Uncle Daniel V—— A humorous, rheumatic Revolutionary War veteran and singer of camp songs who delights in demonstrating how "the Yankee boys flaxed the Britishers."

The Grieving Father A heartbroken farmer met during the Civil War who rejects traditional religious consolation after losing four generations of his family in rapid succession.

Carlo A noble, stocky brindle dog who attaches himself to Company K of the Ninth New York Volunteers, earning the affection and respect of the entire regiment.

Columbus A massive circus elephant who rebels against severe confinement and mistreatment, earning a reputation for dangerous unpredictable outbursts against cruel keepers.

In Its Own Voice

"He was without pedigree, industry, or hope, cared nothing for worldly possessions, was always ready to wag a hearty response to every salutation..."

The author introduces Rover, a homeless town dog whose bright nature and easy friendship eclipse his lack of lineage or practical purpose.

"I realized at once that my zealous companions had got me into trouble."

Watching his horse and dog race through a scattered herd of cattle, the narrator accepts responsibility for the chaotic scene unfolding along the rural road.

"Why, the old elephant was just as smart as any of us."

An experienced showman explains that Columbus the elephant acted with deliberate reason rather than blind fury when turning against his abusive handlers.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book challenges the comforting assumption that human beings are inherently superior to all other creatures. By examining the actions of dogs, horses, birds, and wild animals, the text argues that lower animals frequently display greater honesty, unselfish fidelity, and natural virtue than their human handlers. It critiques human cruelty, whether seen in the sport of hunting, the forced confinement of wild beasts, or the introduction of vices like alcohol to innocent creatures. Through personal anecdotes and quiet observations, the work invites readers to reconsider traditional moral hierarchies, suggesting that true nobility is found in unpretentious kindness, loyalty, and quiet devotion rather than human intellect or authority.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic nature writing, historical memoirs, and gentle, reflective prose will find much to enjoy in this collection. It offers a nostalgic look at nineteenth-century American life, moving from peaceful New England villages to Civil War encampments and foreign travel. The reading experience feels like sitting with a thoughtful, well-traveled companion who speaks with warmth, dry humor, and deep conviction.

Modern readers should be prepared for nineteenth-century sentence structures, period dialect in dialogue, and relaxed narrative pacing that favors quiet observation over dramatic action. Some historical attitudes and archaic perspectives appear, but they are framed by an overarching plea for empathy and kindness. What stays with the reader is the author's sincere reverence for animal life and his insistence that human beings have much to learn from the silent fidelity of their four-legged friends.

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