204 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXIII. 



and father, who both belonged to a race of poachers 

 in a country town, and had been taught to find 

 their own living. Beyond a question, Gripp in- 

 herited his system of morality from his respectable 

 ancestors, to whom also he bore the strongest per- 

 sonal resemblance. 



By the same rule, never keep the puppies of a 

 notorious sheep-killing dog, nor of a bad-tempered 

 dog : they are sure to have the same inclinations 

 and tempers as their parents ; and you will find 

 it most difficult, if not impossible, to cure them of 

 these faults. The breeders and teachers of dogs 

 would much facilitate their own labours did they 

 pay more attention to the dispositions and habits 

 of the parents of the puppies whom they take in 

 hand. 



Dogs have quite as different dispositions and 

 tempers as their masters. For my own part, I 

 would never take the trouble to bring up and edu- 

 cate puppies who showed either a sulky or a very 

 timid disposition. Neither of these faults can be 

 so completely got rid of as to make them satisfac- 

 tory assistants or companions. I say companions, 

 for I have so much regard for these animals, that I 

 like them as companions, and care little for dogs 

 who have only been taught to obey and hunt for 

 the gamekeeper. I am very far from intending to 



