102 NATURAL HISTOB5T OF THE DOG. 



of these beautiful little creatures. His Royal Highness has, 

 at no sparing outlay, erected a superb kennel for them at 

 Windsor. 



The members of these Spaniel Clubs subscribe a small 

 sum each, and with the amount contributed a handsome col- 

 lar of silver, with gold entablature, is purchased ; a particular 

 day is then named, and judges are appointed, when each 

 member brings to the club-room a dog of his own rearing, 

 and that dog adjudged to possess the greatest number of 

 good points, attains the collar as a prize. Mr. Nolan, of 

 Bachelor's-walk, in Dublin, has one of these collars, and 

 his prize-dog " Blouse," of which we have given a figure, is 

 admitted by all judges to be far superior to any thing of the 

 kind that has ever been seen in any part of the British do- 

 minions, or elsewhere. Mr. Nolan has refused most ex- 

 traordinary offers for this dog, which he keeps as a sire. 

 No price will tempt him to part with his favorite, whom, 

 however, I feel convinced, he will have great pleasure in 

 showing to any admirer of the breed that may call upon 

 him. 



King 'Jharles and Blenheim Spaniels have been known in 

 London to fetch the price of from 150 to 200 guineas! I 

 have already detailed the points on which excellence de- 

 pends. 



The keeper of a gaming house in Dublin had lately a 

 little black and tan Spaniel of this breed, for which he re- 

 fused the sum of eighty guineas ; within a fortnight from 

 his refusal, the animal was run over by a carriage, and 

 killed upon the spot. 



Both the Blenheim and King Charles breeds are remarka- 

 bly affectionate to their owners; they are likewise very 

 watchful, and in other respects extremely sagacious. I 

 recollect reading an account of one which saved his sleeping 

 master's life, by biting his finger, and thus awakening him 

 in time to perceive that a stone summer temple in which he 

 had been reading, was tottering, and about to fall upon him : 

 catching the little dog in his arms, he rushed hastily into the 

 open air, which he had no sooner reached, than the temple 

 was a mass of ruins. 



Both these dogs have also been found perfectly fit foi 

 service in the field, and if the pets were occasionally per- 

 mitted to do duty there, the race would be greatly improved 

 in health and beauty, and considerably enhanced in value. 



