NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOG. 119 



" After many other performances, M. Leonard invited a 

 gentleman to play a game of dominoes with one of them. 

 The younger and slighter dog then seated himself on a chair 

 at the table, and the writer and M. Leonard seated them- 

 selves opposite. Six dominoes were placed on their edges in 

 the usual manner before the dog, and a like number before 

 the writer. The dog having a double number, took one up 

 in his mouth, and put it in the middle of the table; the 

 writer placed a corresponding piece on one side ; the dog 

 immediately played another correctly ; and so on until all 

 the pieces were engaged. Other six dominoes were then given 

 to each, and the writer intentionally played a wrong number. 

 The dog looked surprised, stared very earnestly at the writer, 

 growled, and finally barked angrily. Finding that no notice 

 was taken of his remonstrances, he pushed away the wrong 

 domino with his nose, and took up a suitable one from his 

 own pieces, and placed it in its stead. The writer then 

 played correctly; the dog followed, and won the game. Not 

 the slightest intimation could have been given by M. Leonard 

 to the dog ; this mode of play must have been entirely the 

 result of his own observation and judgment. It should be 

 added, that the performances were strictly private. The 

 owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune, 

 and the instruction of his dogs had been taken up merely as 

 a curious and amusing investigation." 



Some years ago, a Spaniard, named Germondi, exhibited a 

 company of performing dogs in the different towns of Great 

 Britain and Ireland. In Dublin, where he made some stay, 

 he occupied, with his company, the large building at the 

 corner of D'Olier-street, which is now the handsome shop of 

 Messrs. Kinahan. The performances of these dogs were ex- 

 tremely curious. They danced, waltzed, and pirouetted. 

 One, in the costume and character of a lady, sat down to 

 a spinning-wheel, which he kept in motion for a considerable 

 time. 



The company was divided into two groups : one-half ap- 

 pearing in dresses of a red color, and the other being attired 

 in blue. The blues occupied the model of a fortress, which 

 the red troop attacked, drawing up their artillery in front, 

 and opening a heavy fire upon the enemy, which the blues 

 returned with their cannon from the fortress. The reds 

 were, however, at length victorious ; the fortress tottered, 

 and the reds dashed across the defences. Suddenly the 

 blew up with a tremendous crash, and several dogs* 



