246 THE BULL-TERRIER. 



this Dog must have killed more than five thousand rats, the aggregate weight of which nearly 

 equals a ton and a half. He could not be daunted by size or numbers, and was repeatedly 

 matched against the largest rats that could be procured. 



He used to go about his work in the most systematic and business-like style, picking out 

 all the largest and most powerful rats first, so as to take the most difficult part of the task 

 while he was fresh. When fatigued with his exertions, he would lie down and permit his 

 master to wash his mouth and refresh him by fanning him, and then would set to work with 

 renewed vigor. He was a most excitable little creature during his younger days, running 

 about the room with such preternatural activity that a gentleman to whom he was exhibited 

 declared that he could not distinguish the Dog's head from his tail, or pronounce judgment on 

 the color of his fur. 



As he grew older, however, he became more sedate in his demeanor, and used to sit in 

 state every evening on a crimson velvet cushion edged with gold fringe, and flanked with a 

 candle on each side, so that he might be inspected at leisure. 



However quiet he might be in external demeanor, he was hardly less excitable in disposi- 

 tion, and actually died from the effects of over-excitement. He happened to hear or to smell 

 a rat which was in a cage in another room ; and being chained in an adjoining apartment, and 

 unable even to see the rat, he chafed and fretted himself into such feverish agitation that he 

 died in a short time afterwards, although he was permitted to kill the rat. There are Dogs 

 which have destroyed more rats in less time than this little creature ; but none which was 

 nearly so successful in proportion to its size and weight. 



A larger variety of the Bull-terrier was formerly in great request for dislodging foxes 

 from their holes, or "earths," as their burrows are technically termed ; and one or two of 

 these animals were invariably borne on the strength of each pack of foxhounds. There used 

 to be a special strain of these Dogs, named Fox-terriers, which were bred and trained for this 

 purpose alone. 



The mental powers of this Dog are very considerable, and the animal is capable of per- 

 forming self-taught feats which argue no small amount of intellect. There are several exam- 

 ples of Dogs which could in some degree appreciate the object of money, and which would 

 take a coin to the proper shop and exchange it for food. A well-known black-and-tan Terrier, 

 named Prince, was accustomed to make his own purchases of biscuit as often as he could 

 obtain the gift of a penny for that purpose. On several occasions the baker whom he honored 

 with his custom thought to put him off by giving him a burnt biscuit in exchange for his 

 penny. The Dog was very much aggrieved at this inequitable treatment, but at the time 

 could find no opportunity of showing his resentment. However, when he next received an 

 eleemosynary penny, he wended his way to the baker's as usual, with the coin between his 

 teeth, and waited to be served. As soon as the baker proffered him a biscuit, Prince drew up 

 his lips, so as to exhibit the penny, and then walked coolly out of the shop, transferring his 

 custom to another member of the same trade who lived on the opposite side of the road. 



Several instances of a similar nature have been recorded, but in no case does the animal 

 appear to have comprehended the difference of value between the various coins of the realm. 

 The elephant, for example, readily learns to take a coin from a visitor, and to exchange it for 

 apples, cakes, or similar dainties, at a neighboring stall. But he seems to be ignorant of the 

 fact that he ought to receive twice as many cakes for a penny as for a halfpenny, and is quite 

 contented so long as he gives a coin and receives cakes. 



One of these Dogs, named Peter, an inhabitant of Dover, displays great ingenuity in 

 adapting himself to the pressure of circumstances. 



Several years since, he had the mishap to fall under the wheels of a carriage, and to be 

 lamed in both his fore-legs. In consequence of this accident his limbs are so enfeebled that he 

 cannot trust their powers in leaping, and therefore has taught himself to jump with his hind- 

 legs alone, after the manner of a kangaroo. He can spring upon a chair or on a low wall 

 without any difficulty, and does so after the usual manner of Dogs. But when he is forced to 

 return again to earth he mistrusts his fore-limbs, and alights upon his hinder feet, making one 

 or two small leaps upon those members before he ventures to place his fore-feet on the ground. 



