CH. XIV.] 



SHOWMAN'S DOGS. 



245 



who was exhibiting tricks with dogs. He had a great variety. Six 

 were yoked in pairs to a light carriage. On the roof sat a terrier 

 dressed up most fantastically, and who with difficulty retained his 

 elevated position when the carriage was in motion. Two others, 

 one an extremely small animal, called the " petit Caporal," were 

 favoured with places in the interior. There were, also, two slight 

 greyhounds and a Russian poodle. Total, a dozen. It may be 

 worthy of note that all, with, I believe, only one exception, were 

 of the masculine gender. They were miserably thin, but I must 

 admit that they appeared attached to their master. 



DOMINI AND ' DOMINOS.' Par. 434. 



436. When I joined the group, the showman was making a dog, 

 dressed in a petticoat and smart cap, dance a minuet. Then a 

 greyhound leaped, of course gracefully, through a hoop held by a 

 boy over his head ; and afterwards trotted, as ungracefully, on three 

 legs, affecting extreme lameness on each alternately. The man 

 then promised numerous surprising feats if he could but collect 

 as many as twelve sous. On summing up the coppers thrown to 

 him, there appeared to be thirteen. This he averred to be such an 

 unlucky number that he dare not proceed unless some benevolent, 

 Christian-like person would break the charm by adding another 

 sou. His demand was immediately complied with. 



In order to increase the size of the arena at least, such I con- 

 ceived to be the reason, it certainly had the effect he drove the 

 car fast round the circle. He then spread ten cards on the four 



