226 THE TERRlERi 



leap, and exhibit a thousand pleasing dexteritie*. 

 The dancing dogs at Sadler's Wells were curiously 

 instructed. After storming a fort, and performing 

 various other feats, one of them was brought in as a 

 deserter, was shot, and carried off as dead by his 

 companions. The mode in which a Dog is taught 

 to point out different cards that are placed near him 

 (a common trick) is this. — He is first taught, by re- 

 peated trials, to know something by a certain mark ; 

 and then to distinp;uish one ace from another. Food 

 is frequently offered to him on a card he is unac- 

 quainted with, after which he is sent to search it out 

 from the pack ; and after a little experience he never 

 mistakes. Profiting by the discovery of receiving 

 food and caresses as a reward for his care, he soon 

 becomes able to know each particular card ; which, 

 when it is called for, he brings with an air of gaiety, 

 and without any confusion : and in reality, it is no 

 more surprising to see a Dog distinguish one card 

 from thirty others, than it is to sec him distinguish in 

 the street his master's door from those of his neigh- 

 bours *. 



It is recorded of a Dog belonging to a nobleman 

 of the Medici fiimily, that it always attended at its 

 master's table; changed the plates for him; and car- 

 ried him his wine in a glass placed on a salver, with- 

 out spilling the smallest drop. It would also hold 

 the stirrup in its teeth while its master was mount- 

 inp- his horse. 



* Goldsmith. 



