64 REMINISCEXCES OF A SPORTSMAJST. 



liberty. As we frequently go to visit our relations and 

 friends for two or three weeks in the summer and 

 autumn, I am sometimes obliged to leave Malbrook at 

 home, for dogs are not always welcome visitors; although, 

 to speak the truth, I have a very poor opinion of those 

 persons who entertain a prejudice against these faithful, 

 affectionate, courageous, and noble animals. On these 

 occasions poor Malbrook for two or three days will go 

 and lie at my bedroom door, and during this period he 

 will hardly take any food ; but when, on my return, the 

 carriage arrives at the door and he hears my knock, his 

 joy and pleasure is unbounded, and for at least ten 

 minutes he jumps and capers about, barking all the 

 time just like a mad dog, and his affectionate caresses 

 displayed towards me are unceasing. It is the peculiar 

 characteristic of the Spitz hound that they strongly 

 attach themselves to one person, and it will be gene- 

 rally found that to this individual their love and 

 affection is unbounded. It is chiefly owing to this 

 peculiar quality that these dogs are such great favourites 

 with the Grermans ; and formerly you might see one of 

 the dogs sitting on the seat of a light German spring 

 waggon which conveyed merchandise from Switzerland 

 into Grermany and into Holland. A daughter of mine 

 purchased Malbrook for me when about six months old, 

 from a gardener near Brussels, and he is now rather 

 more than three years old. I have taught him several 

 tricks, such as jumping over a stick, giving me his paw 

 when asked, and when I tell him in French to kiss me, 

 he springs up and touches my face with his tongue, &c. ; 

 and when I pass any person's house where I have been 

 in the habit of frequently visiting, he always begins 

 barking, as much as to say, " I conclude you are going 



