182 LETTER XXX. 



that she saw great numbers of them at Padua, and that 

 it still maintains its place in the favour of the ladies in 

 that city. 



From the mixture of these, and other breeds, we 

 have messets, lap-dogs, dancers, waps, mongrels, and 

 an endless number of varieties and compounds, for 

 which it is difficult to find a name. I shall therefore 

 proceed to a brief description of those kinds which 

 are of greater note and utility. 



THE ROUGH WATER DOG, 



admits of two varieties, one of a larger, and the other 

 of a smaller size; hut they are both remarkable fo 

 their long shaggy hair, and their aptness to fetch any 

 thing, especially out of the water. They are web- 

 footed, and swim with great ease ; they are fond of 

 water, and are extremely useful in hunting ducks, and 

 other aquatic fowl. 



THE NEW ZEALAND DOG,. 



pretty much resembles the shepherd's cur, and is 

 common in the -Society Islands. In those countries 

 the flesh of their dogs constitutes the principal part 

 of the animal food used by the inhabitants. How- 

 ever disagreeable it may appear to us, dog's flesh was 

 a viand on which the Greeks and Romans did not dis- 

 dain to feed ; and Europeans, who have been able to 

 overcome their prejudices, have .tasted the flesh, of 

 these animals,, and found it not unpalatable. Preju- 

 dice, my dear Sir, in many cases, warps our minds 

 more ttyan we imagine, or perhaps are willing to be- 

 lieve. 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG, 



is one of-the largest, as well as the most sagacious and 

 useful animals of the canine race. The dimensions 

 '.of one now or lately kept at Eslington,. in North-um- 

 iberland, the seat of Sir H. G. Liddeil, Bart, were, ac- 

 cording to Mr. Bewick,, as follow: from the nose to- 

 the end of the tail, six feet two inches; the length of 

 .the tail, one foot ten inches; from one fore foot over 

 ithe shoulders to the other, five feet seven inches; 

 girt behind the shoulders, three feet two inches; and 

 .round the upper part of the fore leg, nine inches ami 



