96 TEOUT TAMED. [CH. v. 



health, high spirits, and keen appetite of the latter, a fair set-off 

 against the delicacies and caresses bestowed by the prettiest and 

 most indulgent of mistresses. Though the collie is the shepherd's 

 constant companion, the shepherd well knows that always petting 



the dog would spoil him. Sir J s M e, a Highlander, 



observed to his gamekeeper, that he never saw the shepherds 

 coaxing and caressing their collies. "True," the man replied, 

 " but you never saw one strike his dog ; he is always kind to them." 

 Hear this, ye ladies, who would be right glad that your pretty pets 

 were a hundred times more obedient than you find them. 



164. There are few animals whose confidence, if not attachment, 

 may not be gained by constant kindness without petting. One 



summer's morning I walked from Ross to breakfast with Mr. G s 



at his picturesque old-fashioned house, built near a small tributary 

 to the Wye. I was specially invited to see some tame trout, whose 



timidity Mr. C s had overcome by feeding them regularly every 



day. Until he made his appearance near the waters, not a fish was 

 visible ; and it was very interesting to watch the perfect confidence 

 they evinced, I might add pleasure, whenever he approached the 

 banks. He said he felt sure he could get them to feed out of his 

 hands, if he chose to devote sufficient time to them. There was 

 one fine fellow for whom all the rest most respectfully made way. 

 He weighed close upon 5 Ibs. This was proved ; for a party, 

 whose name I dare not mention, secretly caught the animal in order 

 to weigh it, and though he immediately replaced it in the water 

 perfectly uninjured, yet its old distrust was so much re-awakened 



that it hid itself for four or five months. Mr. C s naturally 



thought that it had been captured by some poacher, and had met 

 with the same unlucky fate as a former favourite, of still larger 

 dimensions, which a newly-hired cook had contrived to secure 

 whilst it was basking in the shallows ; and had served up at dinner 

 time, in the full expectation of receiving much commendation for 

 her piscatory skill. 



165. Judicious perseverance, in other words, consistency, will 

 not only teach accomplishments, but correct bad manners. The 

 oldest friend I possess used to allow a favourite dog to sleep in his 

 bed-room. The animal, though he had a very short, clean coat, was 

 always more or less annoyed by those nimblest of tormentors * to 



* It is astonishing what myriads be some intimate, however mys- 



of fleas are bred in the sand in terions, connexion between the 



many hot countries. When walk- two. In India the natives expel 



ing along some of the roads during the intruders from their houses by 



the spring, numbers of the little strewing fresh saffron leaves about 



creatures will pay you the com- the rooms ; and a decoction from 



pliment of attaching themselves these said leaves, applied liberally 



to your dress and person. At to a dog's coat, rids him of the 



Bermuda they so regularly make unwelcome visitors, however nu- 



their appearance with the whales, merous. I have read that the 



that the Niggers think there must same good effect will be produced 



