336 Modern Dogs. 



alarm and protection ; and in consequence are 

 dedicated only to the comforts of the tea table, the 

 fire-side carpet, the luxurious indulgences of the 

 sofa, and the warm lap of the mistress. As a proof 

 of the delicacy of this little animal, it is averred that 

 if held up by its legs the texture of the skin is so 

 exceedingly fine when interveningly opposed to the 

 sun, or a strong light, that the distinct chain of the 

 intestinal canal is truly perceptible to a nice 

 observer." The fallacy of this must be apparent. 



When the Italian greyhound became fashionable 

 in this country there is nothing to tell us, but that it 

 was a favourite at Court in the time of the Stuarts 

 there is no doubt whatever, though I fancy at that 

 time it was a bigger and stronger animal than it 

 came to be at the early part of this century. In the 

 picture gallery at Hampton Court there is a portrait 

 of the Queen of James I. in the act of mounting a 

 horse attended by a black servant. In the picture 

 are included several Italian greyhounds, some of 

 them fawn in colour, others blue and blue and white, 

 and they are undoubtedly going to accompany 

 their royal mistress on her equestrian excursion. 

 These dogs, although much of the make and build 

 of the Italian greyhounds of the present day, appear 

 to be somewhat larger, going perhaps up to i61b. in 

 weight ; still they are unmistakably of the same 



