CH. XVIIL] SHOW-WOMAN'S DOG. 309 



named by one of the company. The last trick was very cleverly 

 done, and puzzled us very much, as we i.e. the grown-up part of 

 the audience were most intently watching not him but his mistress, 

 in order to discover what signs she made to guide him in his choice 

 of the cards ; but we could not perceive that she moved hand or 

 foot, or made any signal whatever. Indeed, the dog seemed to pay 

 but little regard to her, but to receive his orders direct from any one 

 who gave them. In fact, his teaching must have been perfect, and 

 his intellect wonderful. Now I dare say I shall be laughed at for 

 introducing an anecdote of a learned dog, and told that it was * all 

 trick.' No doubt it was * all trick,' but it was a very clever one, and 

 showed how capable of education dogs are far more so than we 

 imagine. For here was a dog performing tricks so cleverly that not 

 one out of four or five persons, who were most attentively watching, 

 could find out how he was assisted by his mistress." 



562. In following Beckford's advice respecting your 

 making, as far as is practicable, your dog your " constant 

 companion," do not, however, forget that you require him 

 to evince great diligence and perseverance in the field ; 

 and, therefore, that his highest enjoyment must consist 

 in being allowed to hunt. 



563. Now, it seems to be a principle of nature, 

 of canine as well as human nature, to feel, through 

 life, most attachment to that pursuit, whatever it may 

 be, which is most followed in youth. If a dog is per- 

 mitted as a youngster to have the run of the kitchen, 

 he will be too fond of it when grown up. If he is 

 allowed to amuse himself in every way his fancy dic- 

 tates, he will think little of the privilege of hunting. 

 Therefore, the hours he cannot pass with you (after you 

 have commenced his education), I am sorry to say it, 

 but I must do so, he ought to be in his kennel loose in 

 his kennel,* not tied up ; for straining at his collar 

 would throw out his elbows, and so make him grow up 

 bandy-legged. If, however, he must be fastened, let it 



* Twice a day he should be pensities. If he has acquired the 



allowed to runout, that he may disagreeable trick of howling when 



not be compelled to adopt habits shut up, put a muzzle on him. 

 wholly opposed to his natural pro- 



