THE SPANIEL. 135 



o'clock in the evening the dog escaped his confinement and 

 found his way to the theatre where he discovered his master 

 in the midst of the pit, though it was crowded at the time. 

 The Blenheim spaniel is similar to the King Charles breed, 

 though somewhat different in its markings, fuller about the 

 muzzle and shorter in the back. Blenheims have been known 

 to show great intelligence and affection. A story is told of 

 one who upon being attacked by two cats, obtained the 

 assistance of a third cat, waylaid his enemies one at a time 

 and, with the assistance of his friend, taught them better 

 manners. The Maltese dog is another favourite species, much 

 admired and petted by ladies. 



The Sagacity Captain Brown gives the following from a letter 

 of the "Water written by a gentleman at Dijon in France, to 

 Spaniel ^is friend in London, dated August 15, 1764: 

 "Since my arrival here a man has been broken on the 

 wheel, with no other proof to condemn him than that of a 

 water-spaniel. The circumstances attending it being so very 

 singular and striking, I beg leave to communicate them to 

 you. A farmer, who had been to receive a sum of money, 

 was waylaid, robbed, and murdered, by two villains. The 

 farmer's dog returned with all speed to the house of the 

 person who had paid the money, and expressed such amazing 

 anxiety that he would follow him, pulling him several times 

 by the sleeve and skirt of the coat, that, at length, the gen- 

 tleman yielded to his importunity. The dog led him to the 

 field, a little from the roadside, where the body lay. From 

 thence the gentleman went to a public-house, in order to 

 alarm the country. The moment he entered, (as the two 

 villains were there drinking), the dog seized the murderer by 

 the throat, and the other made his escape. This man lay 

 in prison three months, during which time they visited him 

 once a-week with the spaniel, and though they made him 

 change his clothes with other prisoners, and always stand in 

 the midst of a crowd, yet did the animal always find him 



