RECREA TION. 



265 



CHARACTER OF THE 

 MASTIFF. 



J. L. WlNCHELL. 



There have never been in America as many re- 

 sponsible mastiff breeders as in England. Al- 

 most any large, yellow dog poses for a mastiff 

 among the majority of American breeders. Most 

 of the purchasers of such dogs are like a buyer 

 who, at the New York Bench show, pointed to an 

 extended pedigree, that was tacked up on the 

 back of one of the mastiff benches, and said, 

 " I want a dog with a pedigree like that/' The 

 exhibitor had traced the pedigree of his dog, on 

 paper, almost back to Adam. The would-be 

 purchaser wanted a pedigree to show. As to the 

 dog, that did not matter. 



It is much easier to manufacture an extended 

 pedigree than to breed a fine mastiff ; yet the 

 true mastiff is ranked in this country with any 

 dog that may be called, by its owner, a 

 mastiff, and has to suffer for the short comings 

 of such stock. The typical mastiff of to day is 

 entirely different from that of 100 years ago. He 

 is greatest of all watch dogs and knows no 

 fear. He will not molest even an ill looking in- 

 truder on his master's premises so long as that 

 person behaves himself; but let him make an 

 improper movement or touch any property belong- 

 ing to the owner of the house and he will 

 be promptly warned to keep " hands off." He is 

 not likely to be injured, even then, but may be 

 jumped on and knocked down ; or possibly led 

 from the grounds. Few cases of laceration have 

 ever been recorded against the true mastiff. He 

 seldom sleeps at his post at night. For ages he 

 has been employed as a guard and it has there- 

 fore become natural for him to sleep during the 

 day. 



The mastiff shows a remarkable warmth in 

 his attachments, and on the other hand is 

 moderate in his dislikes. The great beauty of 

 the high bred mastiff is his even disposition. 

 You can always depend on him. He is not to 

 be imposed on. He is often a better judge of 

 character than his master or mistress. Fine 

 clothes do not make the man in his estimation. I 

 would always trust the likes 

 and dislikes of a well bred and 

 well kept mastiff. His value 

 as a house dog and a compan- 

 ion for ladies and children can 

 not be appreciated save by those who have owned 

 one or more. In the absence of the master 

 nothing escapes Sir Lion's watchful eye. He 

 readily adapts himself to circumstances and 

 environment. For instance, my mastiff, Black 

 Prince, whose portrait is shown herewith, when 

 at the lake in the summer, with my children, is 

 most solicitous that they are not drowned. It 

 is all right for them to bathe or play in the 

 water, if quiet, and if they do not go out too far ; 

 but the moment they commence jumping and 

 making much noise, as if they were in trouble, 

 in he goes and out come the children, even if 

 they have to be led out, one by one. The 

 picture shows him watching my boy, who is try- 

 ing to see how far he can go before Prince comes 

 after him. 



OUR CONTRIBUTORS. 



VIII. 



Philip Reade entered West Point in 1864 ; 

 was graduated four years later and assigned to 

 the 3d Infantry, with the grade of 2d lieutenant, 

 May 13, 1867. Some years later he was pro- 

 moted to the grade of 1st lieutenant, and on 

 November 13, 1869, to that of captain, still re- 

 maining in the same regiment. 



In 1875 he was detailed to build a telegraph 

 line from Santa Fe, N. M., to San Diego, Cal., 

 a distance of 1,500 miles. He surveyed several 

 routes, selected the best and built the line solely 

 by the labor of troops, 100 unskilled men being 

 assigned him for the purpose. 



He was engaged in this work for nearly three 

 years. Without money or expert assistance, he 

 felled trees and hauled them to the line, set them 

 u p and strung the wire. Me crossed rivers and 



Subscribe for Recreation. $1.00 a year. 



mountains, deserts of sand and rocky canyons. 

 He was menaced by hostile Indians and im- 

 peded by the prejudices of Mexicans. Every 25 

 or 30 miles he established a telegraph office or a 

 relay station. 



In 1878, he reported that the Pacific slope and 

 the rest of the world had telegraphic communica- 

 tion. He received for this remarkable achieve- 

 ment the thanks of the authorities of New 

 Mexico, Arizona and California. His work was 

 characterized by General Pope as "beyond 

 praise." He also received from General Myer a 

 remarkable reward. 



In 1 88 1 he rejoined his regiment in Montana. 

 Here he had excellent opportunities to indulge 

 his love of hunting and fishing. He was, and 

 still is, an expert rifleman as well as a wing shot, 

 and killed a great deal of both large and small 

 game. He distinguished himself as a long range 



