io INTRODUCTION. 



exchange by currency over barter is that 

 it gives you a choice. While on the subject 

 of purchasing dogs, it is curious to reflect 

 how very little is wanted to convert the dog 

 that is able to purchase into a free agent. 

 If a dog can exchange his faculty for cigar 

 carrying or his tricks against half-pence, 

 why should he not exchange useful services, 

 such as guarding a house or herding sheep, 

 and so become self-supporting ? Imagine a 

 collie paid by the day, and, when his work 

 was over, receiving twopence and going oft 

 to buy his supper. But the vista opened is 

 too far-reaching. One sees down it dogs 

 paid by the hour and by the piece, and then 

 dogs asking for better pay and shorter hours, 

 and, finally, dogs on strike, and dog " black- 

 legs," or "free dogs." 



II. 



A word should be said as to the authenticity 

 of the stories in the present volume. It is 

 a matter of common form for the evening 

 newspapers to talk of the Spectator dog 

 stories as hoaxes, and to refer in their 



