546 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
tiaement of their flogs, and we sincerely trust; that com¬ 
mittees will awake to the gravity of tlie offence, and 
formally decline to pose as the rivals of the local bill- 
sticker in his advertising transactions. We understand 
that a sheep-dog ow ner was informed hy the Kennel 
Club that they declined to permit his giving a cup to the 
best dog fathered by a sire he had at stud : why, there¬ 
fore, do they not protest against similar advertisements 
emanating from other owners, and thus save themselves 
from inconsistency and the public from eventual disap¬ 
pointment ? 
Mr. Chas. S. Keller, of Washington, D. C.. claims the 
name Porte Crayon for lug white black and tan setter dog 
Puppy, by Druid, out of Leader, purchased from C. Z. 
Whey, Esq. 
—Mr. James R. TUly’s Gordon setter hitches Dream 
and Whip have been bred to Mr. G. S. Sedgwick's Gordon 
dog, Jock, Jr. 
—Mr. N. Elmore, of Granby. Conn., lias bought the 
fawn, tan and white. English pure beagle Drive, hy New 
Jersey Fly, out of imported Centennial Lucy, winner of 
first prize at Centennial Show-. 
Mr. Henry W. Livingston, of this city, has purchased 
from Mr. George P. Armstrong the Willoughby pug dog, 
"Punch." by Nunns’ champion " Baron," out of Lady 
Fanny Fitzwigram’s Willoughby bitch. "Punch" was 
imported bv Hr. Armstrong in April last, and was whelped 
August 19,'1878. 
F. S. Wolf's (Bath, N. Y.) spaniel bitch whelped Fri¬ 
day night, July 25, three gyps and twelve dogs, by Wal¬ 
lace’s Sport. All brown and white. 
OUR 'LONDON LETTER. 
Editor Forest and Stream :— 
Would you very kindly request your astronomers, your 
star gazers, and those amongst you who are wise in wands 
and weather, and can see farther through a milestone 
than a mason, to confine their attention to their own side 
of the herring pond, and leave us alone. For ever since 
your prophets have taken to wiring us to look out for 
squalls we have not had a decent day. To-day is the 
10th day of July. Of summer, or even of moderately 
warm weather, we liave as yet had none ; and as I write 
the rain still pours down in torrents, as it did yesterday 
and every day for the last six weeks : every day, in fact, 
since it left off snowing. All the opprobrious terms that 
could be thought of have been hurled at the head of this 
state of affairs, and ancient dictionaries ransacked for 
additional words of obloquy. People have taken to 
cursing and swearing who never said had words before : 
thus reputations have been lost, and it is even hinted that 
the safety of the soul of the oldest inhabitant is, to say 
the least, only problematical. 
Well, sir, the great Alexandra Palace show is past and 
gone, as no doubt you know by this time. Over twelve 
hundred specimens were ranged upon the roomy benches, 
built on purpose for them in the spacious music Rail of 
the palace. Thfe judging, which was not quite finished 
until the forenoon of the second day, was got through 
with as much care and particularity on the part of the 
adjudicators as human beings could exhibit; but a 
chosen band of angels couldn't please some of our Eng¬ 
lish exhibitors. 
The bloodhounds were, as they ever are at our great- 
national show r s, quite a grand sight. Brutus, Rolio and 
Don appeared in the arena to contest for the champion 
cup. The brows of these champions have been crowned 
many times and eft. with laurel wreaths. Different 
judges agree to differ as to the merits of each. I know' 
which of the three I should prefer myself, but I shall 
think twice ere I plunge myself into the midst of the 
bloodhound war now so bitterly ragiug among English 
breeders. The language and vituperation which is per¬ 
mitted to appear in the otherwise useful columns of one 
or two of the lesser London sporting papers are, to say 
the least, very intemperate. Such language, indeed, is 
more suited for Billingsgate than Belgravia, No, I don’t 
go in. Inter median tulissimus ibis; hut this doesn't 
hold good as regards dungliills. One of the principal ad¬ 
mirers of Don, the chief I might say of the Cossacks of 
the Don, is the Rev. G, Hodson; hut. whatever others 
think, I haven’t a doubt this gentleman really believes 
Don is the right dog in the right place. One of the oldest 
breeders of the bloodhound m England is Mr. Nicholls, 
and in his time he has turned out some of the most 
wonderful creations that ever existed. Probably the 
youngest, and certainly this year the luckiest, exhibitor 
is Mr. Singer, carrying off no less than four firsts, a thing 
which, says another noted breeder, may never be done 
again. " We'll see," says Singer. "In the bright lexi¬ 
con of youth, etc., etc." Other breeders of distinction 
are Messrs. Brough, Ray, Beaufoy and Morrell, the latter 
gentleman belonging to a race of people long distinguished 
for their love of the pure old English bloodhound. 
Among the mastiff men, and hovering near the benches 
of their favorites, the owners of such noble dogs as the 
Emperor, Beau, the grand brindled Cardinal, Young 
Lady Love, and the. lovely Lurline, etc., will be found'. 
And here, in all probability, you shall also find "F ould 
Squire Kingdon,” author of the "Lyme Hall Mastiff.’’ 
His form, action still, though slightly bending under the 
pressure of years, will certainly be the centre figure of a 
group of laughing listeners, to whom ho lavs down the 
law, and says and tries to prove that there isn't a single 
mastiff in all that vast assembly. Quite a character is 
Kingdon, in his old frieze coat and his too scanty 
breeches, which keep proudly aloof from his purser's 
shoes ; and his very broad-brimmed old felt hat, and the 
invariable bag hung over his shoulders. I never saw 
Kingdon otherwise, and I declare to you honestly I be¬ 
lieve he sleeps with that ancient bag around him, and if 
he be sent to his grave -without it. he will rise again, and 
rnool around to hunt it up. At one great show a quick¬ 
footed wag ran swiftly round the benches telling every¬ 
body, “Here comes Kingdon, with a new hat." And 
sure enough, never did you see so excited a mob rushing 
to a door to meet a man. 
"Hurra!" everyone cried. Bloodhound men ran, and 
mastiff men ran, and even skye men forgot their animosi¬ 
ties for the time being, arid nibbed shoulders as they 
rushed towards the entrance hall ; and the very judges 
left the ring and joined the mob of excited exhibitors. 
And when the crowd roached their destination, what did 
they sed? Why, t' ould Squire coming along, and looking 
the’ picture of placidity, chewing a straw and Wearing 
the same old hat■ 
Past the mastiffs, you carue to the benches where stood 
or lay the princely St. Bernards. And here Gresham 
rules the greatest sway, and will: but let him look well 
to his laurels, for Dr. Russell is hard at his heels. The 
kennels of either of those gentlemen are well worth a 
visit, and I believe they would make a Yankee visitor 
welcome. 
Here at this Palace Show the pointers, setters and 
spaniels would have pleased the eye of the most fastidious 
sportsman that ever handled a gun. and among the rows 
and rows of fox terriers a stranger would get bewildered. 
Dachshunds mustered strongly, and were carefully judged 
by the Rev. G. F. Lovell, a conscientious clergyman. A 
novice would get a hit mixed among the collies, but 
here too the judge managed to pick out the best. In 
walking round this show you come at last to the orches¬ 
tra. and climb tip amongst the toy and fancy dogs. This 
is a little show itself, presided over by its own peculiar- 
interests, and the points of these pretty pets are just as 
fiercely contested by their fair owners as are the points 
of Uie bloodhotmds far away at the other end of the hall.. 
This is a part of tlie show which is a kind of purgatory 
to the reporter, The ladies watch his coming as the 
spider does the fly, and when he walks into their parlor, 
t hen, oh my ! at one end of a row of cages he iB caught 
by Mrs. B. who breeds the same dogs and is at daggers 
drawn with Lady C. Mrs. B. has been fortunate to-day 
and she is delighted with the judging. 
' 1 Hodson did quite right in putting me first ? " Bhe says. 
•Oh? decidedly, - ’ says the reporter; "it was a walk 
over for you," 
■•And isn't Poppets looking charming?'’ 
" Oh, delightful!" replies the reporter. 
" And what do you think that nasty, spiteful old thing, 
LadyC., has been saying ? ” asks Mrs. B. 
" Don't know, I'm sure ; she would say anything." 
"Well, she’s gone and told everybody that Hodson 
never looked at tlie dog, but nearly all the time at me.” 
"Why," says tlie reporter, “such audacity I never- 
heard 1 Hodson look at a woman ! Why he never looked 
at a woman in the ring in Iris life," 
But while he says so the reporter has to bite his lip 
vengefully to keep back the laugh. 
Hardly has lie escaped the clutches of Mrs. B, before 
he is hooked by Lady C. She has been crying. 
‘ - Did you ever see such judging in your life ? ’’ she asks. 
"Shameful!" says the reporter. 
■My Topsey to be beaten by a wretched thing like 
Poppets. Just look at the little love." 
■‘Sweet wee Topsey,” says the reporter: "dear little 
"Did you notice what awful ears Mrs. B. has?” 
"Oh! shocking,” says the reporter.- (N. B. — Mind it 
I iB Mrs. B.’s dog, hot herself, that is referred to.) 
" And she's quite mangy about the forearms.” 
"Yes, indeed.” the reporter says. 
"Oh I but," says Lady C., as she screws away a tear 
with the corner of an embroidered kerchief, “I could 
liave forgiven all that, hut did you observe how Poppets 
carried her tail. Gordon Stables, M.D.. R.N. 
THE SPIKE COLLAR. 
Delaware City, Del., June 37,1879. 
Editor Forest and Stream :— 
In the Chioago Field of May 24, 1870,1 noticed a letter 
from "Badger,” entitled “Retrieving," in which he ad¬ 
vocates the use of "force’’when the dog refuses to be 
persuaded. He asks, "What course would the advocates 
of the coaxing Bystem take in such a case? AVhat would 
' Mr. Killbird do V ” 
In the issue of June 14, of the same paper, Kit Killbird 
Bays. " The fact of my believing that Badger never broke 
a dog in In's life, nor owned perhaps not more than two 
or three, is sufficient in itself for foregoing any lengthy 
discussion with, him on the subject of dog-breaking.” 
How nicely he would slip around the corner and away 
from the argument. But, Kit, this won’t do. In one of 
your letters on the "spike collar" you tried the same 
dodge. I refer to that of Jan 5, 1877, speaking of 
"Signal:” “Did he ever refuse to bring?" Oh, yes, 
repeatedly; and once for a few days, from a circum¬ 
stance that occurred, abandoned it entirety. How did 1 
get him to resume this important blanch of learning? 
Well, I object to the question [my italics]. We are argu¬ 
ing the efficacy of the spike, and not my own theory. 
Suffice it to say, lie did resume, and in better style than 
before.” Pear Kit, can’t you see the entire absence of 
logic in this eel-like manner of wriggling out of your 
own side of the question? You attack the spike collar— 
the advocate of the spi ke defends it, and attacks your 
theory. Yon say, " We are arguing the efficacy of’ the 
spikeand not my own theory.” It is plain to'be seen 
that you give no argument in favor of your own theory. 
But who ever heard an argument which had not two 
sides? Would it do to say to Mr, Edison, “Your tele¬ 
phone will not transmit sounds, no matter how many 
learned men of the electric profession have seen, heard 
and used it successfully for that purpose ; uo matter if 
the press does pronounce it a success—I say it wpn’t do 
its work, "It does not attain all the ends, nor perfect 
its work (in your letter April 30, 1878, “a dog in every 
branch of tuition") in every branch which he and its 
otlier advocates claim for it" (your own words touohing 
the spike collar). 1 have a way of my own which will 
and does do it successfully.” how do you do it? You 
answer, " 1 object to the question. Suffice it to say, I 
can and did do it.” 
Now, in the name of common sense, is this argument—-is 
it reason —is it common sense 9 Now, Kit, don’t you get 
your fur up, and “ cuss,” for I give you my word I won't 
"cuss "you back. Let us get at the matter systematic¬ 
ally You say the spike collar won't do what Is claimed 
for it. I say it will! You have made a statement and 
so have I. Prove the truth of yours, and so will I of 
mine. I hereby challenge you to send me a setter or 
pointer dog, no matter what his age is, provided lie has 
full use of liis limbs and head, is not blind or deaf, that I 
cannot teach to retrieve by use of the spike collar, and 
that without drawing one drop of blood. I will agree to 
send you one or a dozen dogs which you cannot teach to 
retrieve without using force. You to forfeit $100 if you 
fail with your system, and I Will forfeit $100 if 1 fail with 
my system. One-half the amount to be deposited with 
the editor of Forest and Stream by each of us, and as 
soon as you please. Put up, or “ close” up. Now, don’t 
think that T prefer force to persuasion—not by any 
means. If a dog can, by a reasnoable amount of per¬ 
suasion, be induced to do your bidding promptly, that is 
all you want; but if he won't ? Ah, there’s the rub 1 
If he won't, now wbat are you going to do about it ? Oh, 
Kit, I am afraid you will take that spike collar off that 
nail and make him do It. Or will you, as you suggest in 
one of your letters, wait until he is more in the humor of 
obeying ? Methinlis it would he very gratifying to take a 
friend out hunting, and if the dogs did not feel inclined 
to limit satisfactorily, make your friend wait until an- 
other day when your dogs are.in the humor of doing 
your bidding. I will not argue (?) in your style, as you 
do in speaking of those • ; pioneer breakers ” who speak 
for the spike collar: “ I’ll be ratted if I believe anything 
they say. and I am just going to say quits and get 
away.” 1 will say that I do believe you can do what you 
say, but how 9 Prove it! Prove that you can break the 
most stubborn and headstrong dog that can be produced, 
by persuasion without force, and that I cannot break the 
same dog with the spike collar, and it will not take me 
long to acknowledge the superiority of your system. 
“I never dispatched a line to your journal touching 
upon the art of handling the dog, that was not prompted 
by a sense of duty. ”■— Kit Killbird in Chicago Field, June 
14, 1879. 
Now, friend Kill ird. if you have a secret locked 
within your bosom, which enables you, by a mysterious | 
means unknown to your brother sportsman, to teach a 
stubborn, headstrong or vicious dog to retrieve promptly, 
without using force, It is your bounden duty as a pro¬ 
moter of the interests of field sports, to disclose it to the 
thousands of sportsmen who would gladly receive it ? 
“Ye advocates of the spike collar are continually 
harping on the whip, the wlnp, the whip, just as if a man 
couldn’t own a whip without handling it with the instinct 
of a brute.”—“K it Killird. in Chicago Field, April 20, 
1878. 
Just so, Mr. Killbird, with the spike collar. Is it neces¬ 
sary to liang your dog by the neck to a gate-post just 
because you liave a piece of rope in your possession? 
You would have people believe that every man who uses 
a spike collar is a brute. We do not rule by force alone,. 
but hy a judicious blending of force and persuasion—we 
caresB our dog while we tell him he must. And I defy 
you to find greater affection existing between man and 
dog than exists between myself and my dogs. Does a 
father punish his son for disobedience from brutal and 
selfish motives ? Is it kindness toward a child to enforce 
obedience only when it pleases the child? For instance, 
"Johnny, go to school, and I’ll give you some candy." 
‘ 1 All right, sir, we’ve got an easy lesson to-day, and Til 
go.” Next day. “Papa, I want to go swimming?" You 
cannot go swimming to-day ; go to school, and' I’ll give 
you some candy.'’ “ I don’t want any candy ; I’d rather 
go swimming,” and away he starts. Now, what will the 
parent who loves the boy do—let him go this time, and 
depend upon his being more in the humor of going to 
school next time? Not by a good long shot—will lie? 
Won't he take down his spike collar (in the shape of a 
birch) and with it persuade him that he must obey. 
Now, you must not say “ bosh.” and slip around the 
comer again, but come'right up to the “ scratch," and 
present such argument as will completely shatter mine, 
and send it flying to the winds. 
"Kit Kffl birtl’s Dog Paths to Success," page 33“ It 
may answer very well for old, hard-headed dogs, whose, 
education has been neglected, where ‘ severe cases re¬ 
quire severe remedies.' " How does this tally with the 
statement that “ it does not attain all the ends which its 
advocates claim for it?” Then on page 24 of the same 
work: " I know I rub the gTain Of a few trainers when 1 
denounce the use of the spike collar upon young dogs. 
Nevertheless I am entitled to a right of opinion when 
based on the grounds of experience [my italics again].” 
“ On the grounds of experience,” when up to the date of 
writing your hook you had never used one? "On the 
grounds of experience," when you “hung the collar on a 
nail, and would not put it on your f Brunette's ’ neck for 
fifty dollars in gold ?” “ One little ‘ Kit' has lost his mil 
(wit), and he can't have any pie." Now, doesn’t it look 
like it? I fear you have launched your bark without a 
compass, and with a near-sighted captain at the wheel. 
Thousands of sportsmen are standing ready to help you 
right your ship if you will only admit that the light¬ 
house is a light-house and not a passing vessel. Throw 
aside 'your prejudices—your—I was going to say pig¬ 
headedness, but I won't—and give the spikes a fair trial. 
Then tell the sportsmen of America what you think of it 
Don't ever again condemn a thing untried. Page 24 of 
your' hook " The use Of the spike emanated with pro¬ 
fessional breakers, who train and educate dogs for a 
pecuniary consideration, and whose aim is to attain their 
ends in a given period or short a space as possible.” Just 
so, Mr. Killbird : by its use the dog can be brought to 
the highest degree of perfection in the shortest possible 
time. I knew you thought so, and am glad to hear' yon 
say so. "Tell the truth and—” You cry for names of 
dogs broken on the spike collar, and from testimony from 
those who have used it to their satisfaction. Here are a 
few of the dogs :—Sanborn’s Nellie, Horace Gause’s (Wil¬ 
mington, Del.) Fire Fly and Kelpie; Collender’s Rory 
O'Moore, Burges' Rufus, cured of gun shyness; M, Von 
Gulin’s Queen, Duke 2d, Duchess 3d, Old Imported Duke; 
M. Yon Gulin’s two Bismarck dogs, Count and Mack : 
Sami. Armstrong’s (Del. City) Bismarck dog, Sam ; Win. 
A. Price's (Del. City) Scott: Geo. A. Clarks (DeL City, 
Del., P. M.) Mack, and a host of others. If The Forest 
and Stream gives the space, will send testimonials suffi¬ 
cient to fill your pages in solid agate, or hy applying to the 
inventor a printed list will be sent to any sportsman. 
I did not intend taking up so much valuable space in 
your columns when I started, but each time I refer to 
Mr. Killbird’s letters “ another point appeaas upon my 
spike collar, until from sheer fear that Kit will invent a 
collar with more spikes on than Von Gulin's, I must 
stop. M. Von Culin. 
