THE INSTINCT OF DOGS. 103 



distance, is very difficult to be accounted for. A re- 

 markable instance of this instinct was once displayed 

 by a setter dog belonging to me. ]Many years ago, when 

 on the staff in Ireland, I purchased at Waterford a very 

 handsome blood-red setter. In a few days I eml)arked 

 in the packet which sailed from Waterford to Milford 

 Haven with my dog. At the latter place I remained 

 only a few hours at the inn, and then ordered a post- 

 chaise to pay a visit to an old friend who lived about 

 fifteen miles off, in Cardiganshire, the road passing 

 through rather an intricate and mountainous country ; 

 the setter I took inside the carriage. On my arrival 

 at my friend's house I begged him that he would give 

 particular orders to his groom to look well after the 

 dog, to prevent it escaping from the stable. 



On the following morning I was going to visit my 

 setter, when I met my host, who informed me with regret 

 that the dog had slipped his collar and left the stable, 

 but added, You may depend upon it he is only 

 running about the premises. I entertained the same 

 opinion ; but two or three hours having passed away 

 without the dog making his appearance, my friend told 

 me that he would send his groom on horseback to find 

 out whether the dog had returned to the inn ; remarking 

 that he had heard such wonderful stories of the instinct 

 of dogs in finding their way back to places under the 

 most difficult circumstances, that he really should not 

 feel satisfied in his mind if I did not allow the servant 

 to go to the place where I lauded. The man went, 

 found the lost dog at the inn, and to my great astonish- 

 ment returned with him next morning. This animal 

 had only been on shore a few hours, crossed a moun- 

 tainous country inside a post-chase ; yet amidst all these 



