CAN1\E FIDELITY. 333 



I have given are good, what does it signify to 

 you whether I follow them cr not ? A country 

 fellow used to call every directing post he saw 

 a doctor. He was asked why he called them 

 so ? " Why, master,"'"' said he, " I never see 

 them but they put me in mind of the parson 

 of our parish, who constantly points out a road 

 to us he does not follow himself.""^ 



If I can add to the amusement of such as 

 follow this diversion, I shall not think that I 

 have been ill employed ; and if the rules which 

 are here given may any way tend to preserve 

 that friendly animal, the hound, from one un- 

 necessary lash, I shall not think that they have 

 been written in vain.*' It never was my expec- 

 tation to be able to send you a complete trea- 



* Strangely unfortunate should I think myself, if, while 

 I profess to be a friend to dogs, I should prove their bit- 

 terest enemy, and if those rules, which were intended to 

 lessen, should increase their sutFerings ; convinced as I am 

 by experience, that a regular system of education is the 

 surest means to render correction unnecessary. Hard is 

 that heart (if any such there be) which can ill-use a crea- 

 ture so affectionate and so good ; who has renounced his 

 native liberty to associate with man, to whose service his 

 whole life is dedicated ; who, sensible of every kindness, 

 is grateful for the smallest favour ; while the worst usage 

 cannot estrange his affection, in which he is, beyond all 

 example, constant, faithful and disinterested ; who guards 

 him by night, and amuses him by day ; and is, perhaps, the 

 only companion that will not forsake him in adversity. 



