386 ALL ABOUT DOGS 



in a short time, but also conforms to the man- 

 ners and dispositions of those who have authority 

 over him. He takes his tone from the house he 

 inhabits, like the rest of the domestic staff, he is dis- 

 dainful among the great and churlish among the 

 clowns. Always assiduous in serving his master, and 

 only friendly to his friends ; he is indifferent to all oth- 

 ers and declares himself openly against such as are de- 

 pendent like himself. He knows a beggar by his voice, 

 by his clothes or his gestures and challenges his ap- 

 proach. When, at night, or other occasions, the protec- 

 tion of the house is entrusted to his care, he seems 

 proud of the charge, he continues a vigilant sentinel, 

 he goes his rounds, scents strangers at a distance and 

 gives them warning he is upon duty. If they attempt 

 to break in upon his territory, he becomes more fierce, 

 flies at them, threatens, fights, and either conquers 

 alone or alarms those who have most at interest in 

 coming to his assistance, however, when he has con- 

 quered, he quickly reposes, and abstains from what he 

 has prevented others from abusing, giving thus, at 

 once, a lesson of courage, temperance and fidelity." 



I think it was in May, 1881, I sustained one of my 

 severest losses in connection with dogs. I was at 

 that time owner of a very well-known and high class, 

 all white, medium-sized Bull Bitch, which I called 

 "Lady Rozelle " (her portrait appears in one of 

 the illustrations to this book, as well as that of 

 my Smooth Collie Bitch, " Lady Nellie," even more 

 celebrated in her own line) and had taken a great 

 number of prizes at all the leading shows. I was 



