176 THE GREAT BREEDERS MR. LUKEY. 



but it is not really either gentlemanly or kind to press liquor. 

 While on the part of the youthful fancier or stranger, it shows 

 a decided want of manhood and a want of that intuitive self- 

 respect which every real gentleman possesses, when they arc 

 led or persuaded through company to partake of more than 

 their head will carry, or retain all their faculties. 



Whenever any man enters into a public fancy of this kind, 

 either dogs, horses, poultry, or even cattle, he will be subject 

 to temptations, and it remains for him to strike out his own 

 line ; at the same time for those who fall into excess contin-. 

 uaJly, I can only express my utmost disgust, as well as pit}', 

 for after twenty years experience as a mastiff breeder, 

 exhibitor, and a public judge, I must say it is a fancier's own 

 fault if he lets his hobby lead him astray or into bad company. 

 It is the men who lower the fancy, not the fancy which 

 necessarily lowers the man. In these remarks I am not 

 writing a temperance lecture merely, nor do I believe (like 

 some fanatical philanthropists or reclaimed drunkards) in 

 total abstinence, or see the necessity or advantage of it ; my 

 object is to vindicate the fancy, and elevate it in my own way 

 as far as lies in my power, how far or otherwise, others may 

 coincide with my views. 



But to return to my subject, 1 found that Mr. Lukey had 

 written April 23rd, 1851, as follows to Mr. Thompson (who 

 had complained of the coarseness of the coat in a puppy he 

 had purchased from Mr. Lukey.) 



" With regard to an}' cross of Newfoundland, I can posr 

 " tively assure you that I never under any circumstance, bred 

 " from a rough coated dog ; I have no doubt but he will shed 

 " brindle, but should he prove black, it is easily accounted 



