FROM THE " SPECTATOR? 241 



it was in pain, for he would whine piteously, 

 and would not let me rest till he had it again 

 in his possession. It was most amusing to 

 see him when a parcel of new balls arrived, 

 he having been told beforehand that one was 

 coming. He would find out directly who 

 had it, and become impatient and cross 

 indeed if he did not get it directly. When 

 the parcel was given him, his great delight 

 was to open it himself and select one. A red 

 ball was usually preferred, but not always. 

 All were subjected to the most varied trials 

 gnawed, smelt, and rolled, till the one 

 which pleased his fancy was finally selected ; 

 of the rest he would take no notice what- 

 ever. 



Sprig was thoroughly a gentleman, and on 

 most occasions he was most attentive to lady 

 visitors. He never noticed gentlemen. On 

 one occasion, when my daughters were out, 

 a dear friend called (Nero's mistress). She 

 told us afterwards that Sprig had been a 

 most attentive beau. He met her at the hall 

 door, welcomed her in his odd fashion, 

 trotted before her into the drawing-room, 

 16 



