ANECDOTES ABOUT DOGS 



333 



was obligingly favoured by Mr. Leonard, with an ap- 

 pointment to witness the performance of his extraordi- 

 nary pupils, and he thus describes the interview : 



Two fine dogs of the Spanish breed were introduced 

 by Mr. Leonard, with the customary French politeness, 

 the largest by the name of Philax, the other as Brae (or 

 Spot), the former had been in training three, the latter 

 two years. They were in vigourous health, and having 

 bowed gracefully, took their seats on the hearth rug 

 side by side. Mr. Leonard then gave a lively 

 description of the means he had employed to 

 develop the brain power of these animals, how 

 from being fond of the chase and anxious to 

 possess the best trained dogs, he had employed 

 the usual course of training, how the conviction 

 had been impressed on his mind, that by gentle usage 

 and steady perseverance in making the animal repeat 

 over and over again, what was wanted, not only would 

 he be capable of performing the act required, but the 

 part of the brain which was brought into mental activ- 

 ity by the effort, would become more fully developed 

 and a permanent increase of power obtained. 



After this introduction, Mr. Leonard spoke to 

 his dogs in French in his usual tone, ordering one 

 to walk, the other to lie down, to run, gallop, 

 halt, crouch, etc., which they did as promptly and 

 correctly as the most docile children. Then he 

 put them through the usual exercises of the circus 

 rings, which they performed as well as the best 

 trained ponies at any high class circus. He then placed 

 six cards of different colours on the floor, and sitting 



