94 THE AET OF TRALNiXG AXIMALS. 



notes, and to detect false ones in a musical performance. The 

 story seems improbable, but may be true ; however, it is worth 

 telling : 



" Frederick Schwartz, a merchant retired from business in 

 Darmstadt, occupied his leisure hours, which were many, al- 

 most exclusively with music. His passion for the art acquired 

 such an intensity that he required every one about him to fall 

 in with his musical predilections by either vocal or instrumental 

 cooperation. Poodle, the dog, was the only one unable to ren- 

 der any musical assistance. As worthy Herr Schwartz felt the 

 utter impossibility of making Poodle aflPord any practical aid, 

 he determined to train him to till the office of critic in his own 

 harmonious community. He succeeded, too, by an ingenious 

 method. Whenever a note out of tune proceeded from a voice 

 or an instrument j every time that a musical fault was com- 

 mitted by any member of the family — and such fliults were 

 committed purposely — the rod was applied to Poodle's back, 

 and he naturally began to bark <ind howl. He was exactly in 

 the position of the whipping boy, who pursued his studies with 

 the royal prince. AVhenever the prince made a grammatical 

 blunder, the whipping boy had to smart for it. Before long, 

 simple threats were substituted for smitings of his (Poodle's) 

 back 5 afterward a look sufficed to set the creature barking ; 

 and little by little Poodle familiarized himself with wrong notes 

 and other musical atrocities, until at last a mistake could not 

 be committed without his rebuking it either by a bark or a 

 growl. He thus became, as far as music was concerned, the 

 most impartial judge, the most conscientious critic in the whole 

 grand duchy of Hesse Darmstadt. 



" Unfortunately, his appreciation of musical art was com- 

 pletely and solely negative. He bestowed no praise, but only 

 blame. Sing with expression, perform with talent, the dog 

 would remain impassive and cold ; but at the slightest incor- 

 rectness of intonation he ground his teeth, lashed his tail, 

 growled, yelped, and barked aloud. So long as he flourished — 

 and he may flourish still— not a concert or an opera was re- 

 hearsed in Darmstadt without inviting Herr Frederick Schwartz 

 and his dog — but more especially the dog. If the prima donna 

 made the slightest slip, the dog looked at his master with an 

 air of disapprobation. If the hautboys came in too late, Poodle 

 pricked up his ears; if the clarionet hurried the movement, 

 Poodle fidgeted on his bench ; if the kettle-drummer broke the 

 time. Poodle uttered audible murmurs. In fact, no piece was 

 considered properly executed unless the canine connoisseur re- 

 mained quiet on his seat. 



