56 
The Animal-Lore of Shakspeares Time. 
Spaniel Gentle, Comforter, or Fisting Hound, of which 
Spaniel Dr. Caius speaks with great contempt. Accord- 
G-entie. ] n g ^-Rig wr ^er, an animal whose chief pur¬ 
pose in life was to enliven the solitude of his mistress, to 
amuse her, to give her pleasure, instead' of assisting her 
to destroy some other creature, was a mere “ instrument 
of follie, to plaie and dally withall, to trifle away the 
treasure of time.” In the dedication of Euphues to the 
ladies of England, Lyly speaks less harshly :— 
“ It resteth ladies, that you take the paines to read it [his book], 
but at such times, as you spend in playing with your little dogges : 
and yet will I not pinch you of that pastime, for I am content that 
your dogges lye in your laps, so Euphues may be in your hands, 
that when you shall be wearie in reading of the one, you may be 
ready to sport with the other.” (Euphues and his England , Arber’s 
Reprint, p. 220.) 
According to Ben Jonson, a fashion prevailed of scent¬ 
ing these small pets :— 
“ From perfumed dogs, monkies, sparrows, lildoes, a,nd paraquettoes, 
Good Mercury defend us.” 
(Cynthia's Bevels, v. 3.) 
Mary Queen of Scots had one of these little favourites, 
so despised by the worthy doctor. After her execution 
the animal refused to leave the dead body of its mistress, 
and had to be forcibly removed. That dogs were the pets 
not only of women but, on occasion, of men, is shown by 
the following anecdote. Manningham writes in his dairy, 
1602:— 
“ Mr. Francis Gui le told me howe one Dr. Bullein, the queenes 
kinsman, had a dog which he doted on, soe much that the queene 
understanding of it requested he would graunt hir one desyre, and 
he should have what soever he would aske: shee demaunded his 
dogge ; he gave it, * And now, madame,’ quoth he, ‘ you promised to 
give me my desyre.’ ‘ I will,’ quothe she. ‘ Then, I pray you give me 
my dog againe.’ ” (Diary of John Manningham. Reprinted by Camden 
Society, 1868.) 
