178 OUR HOME PETS 



play, could he only be allowed to indulge in 

 it. He is really as interesting as he is beauti- 

 ful. The most scrupulous care must be exer- 

 cised about his food. Little meat and no 

 grease must go into his stomach. He cannot 

 do without regular exercise, and unfortunate 

 creature! he, too, must wear mittens. The 

 Maltese is rarely seen in America, and can 

 never be common anywhere. 



The King Charles and the Blenheim span- 

 iels are always beautiful and charming pets, 

 whether they happen to be in fashion or not, 

 and they have the advantage of not requir- 

 ing such absolute and exclusive devotion that 

 their mistress or their maid must sacrifice 

 everything to their care. One may keep ei- 

 ther of these dogs and still have leisure to 

 read a little and entertain occasionally. 



The King Charles should be a fine black 

 with rich tan markings ; the Blenheim white 

 with markings of red. Both have round 

 heads, snub-noses, and projecting foreheads ; 

 eyes large and dark and far apart; ears set 

 far down and very long, with heavy fringe of 

 hair. The hair of the body should be soft and 

 wavy but not curly, and on the docked tail 



