98 THE ART OF TRAimNG ANIMALS. 



capable of being taught to do things which seem apparently 

 impossible/' 



Still another French celebrity of the canine kind is described 

 by a writer in Le Siecle, a Paris journal. Mile. Bianca, as she 

 was called, one of the pug breed, created quite a sensation 

 among amusement seekers at the time she was exhibited, and 

 her wonderful feats were witnessed by large audiences. We 

 did not see her performance, but have been assured by persons 

 who did, that the followmg, though perhaps a little highly 

 colored — as is the habit of most French writers — is yet sub- 

 stantially an accm'ate description of the dog's feats. Le Siecle's 

 reporter says : 



" As most of the Parisian papers have mentioned this little 

 phenomenon, who reminds the public of the genius of the illus- 

 trious Munito, I, in turn, wished to make Mile. Bianca's ac- 

 quaintance. She did me the honor to accord a private audience 

 to me, for which I am extremely grateful. To see artists on 

 the theater of their exploits is doubtless very agreeable, but to 

 be introduced into their intimate circle of friendship, is still 

 more precious. If these Imes should fall under Mile. Bianca's 

 eyes — as it is not improbable, for artists generally do not dis- 

 dain to read newspapers where their merits are vaunted — she 

 may see that, though I am only a man, may hert is no stranger 

 to every sentiment of gratitude. Let me say, in the first place, 

 in praise of my heroine, that her modesty exceeds even that of 

 male and female literary people, who are, as everybody knows, 

 a most modest race. Vanity, that horrible fault which some 

 observers have insisted they were able to detect in some men 

 and women — fortunately extremely rare — is no canine vice ; 

 and great as are Mile. Bianca's talents, she remains what 'na- 

 ture made her — simple and good natured, and as sprightly as 

 beautiful. 



" She reads fluently, writes in her way, corrects faults of or- 

 thography, takes part in a game of ecarte, forms a bouquet by 

 the names of flowers or their colors, and barks, or at least is 

 familiar with, nineteen languages. Even if we admit the nat- 

 ural affection which Mile. Bianca's professor has for his excellent 

 pupil has betrayed him into exaggerating the talents of Mile. 

 Bianca some fifteen more tongues than she really possesses, 

 nevertheless she will still be a most distinguished polyglotist. 

 This I can affirm. I gave her the English word ^ God ' to 

 translate into Latin. She instantly, and without hesitation, 

 composed the word ^ Deus.' This is her modus operandi : She 

 is placed on a table sufficiently large to allow her to move 

 easily in every direction. She is in the center of the table. All 



