317 



THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PIN CHER 



Pincheb was a native of Edinburgh, and was born about 

 1880. It is unfortunate that Dr. John Brown did not 

 write the biography of Pincher, whom he probably knew, 

 while I myself was unacquainted with the hero. This 

 life is based on the recollections of the bereaved survivors 

 of an illustrious hound. 



On the mother's side, Pincher came of an old family 

 of fox-terriers. His paternal descent is wrapped in 

 mystery, but those who know the circumstances best 

 believe that Pincher had bull-terrier blood in his 

 veins. His ears were large and loosely flapping; his 

 tail was 'short, thick, and columnar — that heroic tail 

 which never but once was seen between his legs. 



In very early youth Pincher was bestowed on a lady 

 of mature age and maiden dignity, who dwelt in London. 

 She became much attached to Pincher, but soon restored 

 him to Edinburgh. On consulting her friends, and her 

 own sense of propriety, she did not think it becoming that 

 she should constantly appear in police courts. Yet this 

 was her portion in life, owing to the military instincts of 

 Pincher, still uncontrolled by knowledge of the world. 

 Pincher drank delight of battle with his peers, and Wallace 

 rejoiced not more in the blood of Englishmen than Pincher 

 in the gore of English dogs. Through wide Bayswater 

 he kept avenging Flodden, and was in police courts often. 

 He was therefore restored to the bosom of his family, who 

 resided in Douglas Crescent. 



Eeflection had taught Pincher that a refined Crescent 



