414 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



manners, and grateful and solicitous for every at- 

 tention. 



Some of these animals will allow a stranger to come 

 into the premises they are appointed to watch over, 

 and will go peaceably along with him through every 

 portion of them, so long as he touches nothing ; but 

 the moment he attempts to lay hold of any of the pro- 

 perty, the animal informs him, first, by a gentle growl- 

 ing ; and if that prove ineffectual, by harsher means. 

 At night they are particularly watchful, and it is 

 dangerous to approach them unless well known, and 

 even then not always, as the following will testify : — 

 A very large mastiff was kept by Sir H. Lee of 

 Ditchley, Oxfordshire, the ancestor of the late earls 

 of Litchfield. This dog never received any particular 

 kindness or attention from his master, and was kept 

 solely to guard the house and yard. 



One night Sir Harry retired to his chamber attended 

 by his favourite valet, who was an Italian, when the 

 mastiff followed them up the stairs, an unusual cir- 

 cumstance, never having been known to do the like 

 before. To his master's astonishment, the dog pre- 

 sented himself at the bed-room door, and being deemed 

 an intruder, he was instantly ordered* to be driven 

 away ; this being done, and the door shut, the animal 

 began to paw and scratch violently at the door, and 

 howled loudly for admission. The servant was di- 

 rected to turn him away again, but the dog was not to 

 be discouraged, and he returned again, and appeared 

 more importunate than before. 



The apparent obstinacy of the animal wearied Sir 

 Harry, who was astonished beyond measure that the 

 dog should display so much fondness for the society 

 of a master who had never shown him the slightest 

 kindness, and desiring to retire to rest, he ordered the 



