DOG SHOWS. 265 



small toy dogs were in cages every here and 

 there. The growling and snarling put me very 

 much in mind of a visit to the Zoological Gar- 

 dens in Regent's Park about feeding- time, and 

 the stench that assailed me was by no means 

 pleasant. 



After having stated my mission, I was re- 

 quested to return in half-an-hour, when I found 

 every vestige of the bed gone, though, where it 

 had been stowed I knew not. 



A pretty good-sized fighting and rat pit was 

 placed in readiness in the centre of the room. 



On each side of the fireplace was a small 

 cupboard, and in them a badger, some rats in 

 a large wire cage, and a game-cock in another 

 held a prominent position. 



Giving him to understand the particular 

 animal I wanted, he requested me " to step up 

 the ladder into the cock-loft, and look out 



one." 



On getting up, such a fearful row ensued, 

 that I thought I should be torn to bits, and 

 the stench was enough to knock me down, so 

 I beat a rather hasty retreat, but had time to 

 see there were about fifty dogs of all kinds, 



