CHAPTER LXVI 



THE MALTESE 



HUMAN nature being much the same through all 

 generations, changing little with the progress of the 

 centuries, it is not at all startling to know that the 

 luxurious dames of Greece and Rome possessed their 

 lilliputian lapdogs, of which presumably they made 

 as much fuss as do the ladies of to-day. Some- 

 how it makes time feel short to think that the 

 identical breed beloved by the Roman matrons is still 

 with us in the Maltese. Strabo says : " There is 

 a town in Sicily called Melita, whence are exported 

 many beautiful dogs called Canes MelitL They 

 were the peculiar favourites of the women, but 

 now " (A.D. 25) " there is less account made of these 

 animals, which are not bigger than common ferrets 

 or weasels, yet they are not small in understanding 

 nor unstable in their love.'* Although they were also 

 found in Malta it is questionable if there is any 

 reason for calling them after that island. 



Although this charming little toy is gifted with 

 great intelligence as well as a beautiful silky coat, 

 in which its form is almost concealed, it is not so 

 widely found as one would imagine. Mr. W. E. 

 Weller, who has bred them for many years, writes : 



