228 
THE RAT. 
secured with silver-mounted muzzles ? Pray, would not this 
form an interesting addition to the royal procession 1 or 
would it not give as great an impetus to the downfall of 
vermin, as was given, on the contrary, to the red-herring 
trade by his His Gracious Majesty, George III., having a 
dish of those fish brought daily to table ? 
I will leave this matter for the consideration of persons 
of rank and influence. But if such a man were chosen, he 
should be one well qualified to deliver interesting lectures 
through the country upon the evil effects of vermin, not 
only to individuals, but to the nation at large. 
Some have asserted that there never was such a perfect 
specimen of a dog as the one I have described ; hut that is 
a mistake, for the model I chose was a dog by the name of 
Pincher, and the property of a gentleman, who bought it 
of a dyer, in Oxford. Pincher had been my property ; but 
he had been ill-used and shyed when a puppy. Still, for 
exquisite symmetry and brilliancy of colour, he v/as the most 
perfect specimen of a black-tan bull-terrier of any man in 
England. 
Thus we perceive that the dog-fancier is not of that low, 
ignoble character that some people would wish to rate it ; 
since we find among them, not only humble artisans, but 
kings, queens, princes, and princesses, in every period. 
Ladies of all ages and degrees, lords of every grade, and 
pi'iests, parsons, and poets. Indeed show me, if you can, a 
fancy that embodies such a host of talent of all ages, ranks, 
and nations, as the dog fancy. Still I admit that all do not 
select black-tan bull- terriers for parlour boarders or nursery 
companions ; yet each has his fancy, and let him enjoy 
it, so long as he does not abuse it. At the same time bear 
in mind that there is a vast difierence detween dog-fanciers 
and dog-stealers, — just about as much as there is between 
the man robbing and the man robbed. 
The scoundrel dog-stealers spoil the appearance of nearly 
all the best dogs in London, because, to prevent their being 
stolen, their masters are compelled to keep them constantly 
chained up, from their puppyhood upwards ; and by their 
being continually set on their haunches, their fore legs be- 
come bowed, and their hind ones contracted, which entirely 
spoils their grace and action. Again, many breed these 
