CHAPTER LXII 



THE PEKINGESE 



DOGS are peculiarly susceptible to the caprices of 

 fashion. One variety, after having been quite the 

 rage for some years, may suddenly fall into dis- 

 favour, another entirely supplanting it in popular 

 esteem. We are much like the Athenians of old in 

 our search for something new. True, the subject 

 of this sketch can scarcely be regarded as an inter- 

 loper, for the first were introduced into the country 

 after the occupation of the Summer Palace in Pekin 

 as long ago as 1860. These little dogs had been 

 guarded so jealously by the Imperial Family of China 

 that up to this period it was practically impossible 

 for any to be had for love or money. How they 

 were obtained is explained in the following letter, 

 written by Lord John Hay to Lady Algernon Gordon 

 Lennox, who has kindly given me permission to print 

 it. It should be explained that the gallant Admiral, 

 who was commanding the British squadron, was at 

 the front when the Summer Palace was captured. 

 He writes : "I have noticed that there seems some 

 confusion in the minds of judges and others as 

 to what these dogs are, or should be. First, there 

 is the Palace Spaniel, which is sometimes called 

 a ' sleeve dog,' because of their being carried in 

 the loose sleeve of the Chinese dress ; these are 



