I/O SIR WALTER SCOTT AND HIS DOGS. 



named Finette, with large mild eyes, soft silken hair, and 

 long curly ears, the favorite of the parlor ; and then a 

 venerable old greyhound, wagging his tail, came out to 

 join the party as he saw them going by his quarters, and 

 was cheered by Scott with a hearty, kind word as an old 

 friend and comrade. 



In his walks Scott would often stop and talk to one or 

 another of his four-footed friends, as if they were in fact 

 rational companions ; and, from being talked to and treated 

 in this way, they really seemed to acquire more sagacity 

 than other dogs. 



Old Maida seemed to consider himself as a sort of pres 

 ident of the younger dogs, as a dog of years and reflection, 

 whose mind was upon more serious and weighty topics 

 than theirs. As he padded along, the younger dogs would 

 sometimes try to ensnare him into a frolic, by jumping 

 upon his neck and making a snap at his ears. Old Maida 

 would bear this in silent dignity for a while, and then 

 suddenly, as if his patience were exhausted, he would catch 

 one of his tormentors by the neck and tumble him in the 

 dirt, giving an apologetic look to his master at the same 

 time, as much as to say, &quot;You see, sir, I can t help join 

 ing a little in this nonsense.&quot; 



&quot; Ah,&quot; said Scott, &quot; I Ve no doubt that, when Maida is 

 alone with these young dogs, he throws dignity aside and 

 plays the boy as much as any of them, but he is ashamed 



