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the business of hardening and working up to 

 temper, is in some measure producible in a figu- 

 rative sense here, as by its literal application to 

 the operation of art upon a piece of ductile 

 metal), after a fault or blunder, which he may 

 have been hurried into at some distance, whe- 

 ther perceived by you or not, will come in 

 immediately to receive, from under your hand, 

 this certificate of his forgiveness; or, as it were, 

 this fresh issue of his commission ; and then 

 spring with redoubled vigour after having 

 received it. I have seen more than one dog 

 who, on coming in thus after some faultless 

 blunder, would not stir a foot without a com- 

 plete dressing: mere encouragement would not 

 do. I shall perhaps hazard some imputation 

 on my veracity in adding, that one I have seen, 

 and at the period of his highest range and cou- 

 rage, who, if on such occasion you had let the 

 whip fall too lightly, under the clear conviction 

 of no fault, w r ould gambol off for a short dis- 

 tance, and then come back for more. I have 

 smiled, not without vexation, at the necessity 

 of being obliged to take the trouble of something 

 like a smart flogging; after which he would shrug 

 up his shoulders, as though to shake from his 

 sides what he now deemed a proper sense of 

 whipcord, and instantly take his range off with 

 all his usual gallantry. It is from materials 



