174 MEMOIR OF 



again under him, sharing the sport together as 

 of yore, and bearing him on eagle wings to the 

 front of the chase. 



Such a dream would surely be far less 

 unnatural and far happier than the endless in- 

 consequential visions in which men, dipped in 

 Lethe's stream, are so apt to indulge. 



But, though Russell would ofttimes allude 

 with tearful regret to the memory of Billy, he 

 conferred the same honour on Cottager and 

 Monkey ; and there they all stood in the dining- 

 room at Tordown as if the gods in a moment 

 of compassion had transformed the trio into 

 easy armchairs, determined that Russell and his 

 friends, like Baucis and Philemon, should not 

 be parted even by death. 



Such was his mode of cherishing the remem- 

 brance of the faithful brute companions that had 

 served him so well in life ; and on their part 

 they were still, as it were, doing him grateful 

 service by administering tO the comfort of him- 

 self and guests, and reminding them of many a 

 bygone day of thrilling sport and innocent 

 recreation. 



Frederick the Great, we are told, expressed 

 a wish even in his w^ll to be buried with his 

 favourite dogs, and especially near the horse 

 that had carried him so often to victory ; but 

 Russell's fancy for conserving the relics of his 

 mute friends and enjoying their company, still 



