but that he must hunt the flock whenever he

could get loose. did he become, that it was found necessary to confine him closely to his own kennel. One night, however, he contrived to gnaw through the rope that held him, and escape. From that day nothing was heard of him for some time, but a report sprang up that a certain wild dog was in the woods, and that at night he came into the farmyards and worried and killed any poultry or other animals he could find. This was Pincher the terrier. After much trouble he was caught and brought home. Being treated with kindness, he appeared reconciled to his situation; but in less than a year he again escaped, and, being at last caught prowling about a sheep-fold, was tracked by the farmer, and shot dead.

At last, so dangerous an enemy

In some parts of the forests of Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Spain, wild dogs are not uncommon; but in India whole troops of them are known to exist. They are called by various names, as the Pariah dog, the Thibet dog, the Dhole, and the wild dog of the Deccan. But perhaps the most remarkable group of wild dogs is that of the Dingo, of Australia, which is described by Dampier, the traveller, as lean and hungry, and partaking of the character of the wolf. In the island of New Zealand, also, and in many parts of Africa, the wild dogs have not yet been reclaimed and

domesticated, though, as these places become fuller of inhabitants, they doubtless will soon be brought into subjection and used to hunt the more wild and ferocious animals of the forest. One thing is very peculiar with respect to these wild dogs-they none of them bark like our tame Rovers and Fannys; they only howl and snarl; and though they seem brave enough, they appear to want the generosity and noble qualities of their tame brethren. But I have said enough, I think, about wild dogs, so we will go on to the next chapter.

CHAPTER IV.

THE GREYHOUND.

As when th' impatient greyhound, slipped from far,
Bounds o'er the glade to course the fearful hare,
She in her speed does all her safety lay,
And he with double speed pursues the prey;
O'erruns her at the setting sun, but licks
His chaps in vain, yet blows upon the flix;
She seeks the shelter which the covert gives,
And gaining it, she doubts if yet she lives.

OVID.

IRST of dogs for beauty of form is the Greyhound. I

have already told you what dogs belong to the class of which the Greyhound is the head. I need only say, then, that even from the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, it has been used to

hunt the hare and other game. The Greyhound hunts by sight, and was famed in the coursing

matches of the ancients almost as much as it is now. In the extract from Ovid, the Roman poet, at the beginning of this chapter, the characteristic of this handsome dog is well given. The best breed of Greyhounds is that which is native to these islands, and in times past none but "born gentlemen" were allowed to keep them. The English, Irish, and Scotch Greyhounds are all of Celtic origin. Each kind has been the favourite dog of kings and nobles. The unfortunate Charles I. was as fond of the Greyhound as his son Charles II. was of the Spaniel..

Sir Philip Warwick tells us a story which is very characteristic of the Greyhound.

"One evening the king told me to let in Gipsy, the Greyhound, which was scratching at the door. "Methinks, sire,' I ventured to observe, 'you love the Greyhound better than you do the Spaniel.'

"Yes," replied the King, for they equally love their masters, and yet do not flatter them so much!""

Henry II. was extremely fond of hounds, and King John spared no expense to procure swift hounds; he frequently received these animals instead of money, on the issue or removal of grants.

On many old tombs in England the Greyhound is represented lying at the feet of his master; and

even celebrated sculptors did not hesitate to try their skill in modelling portraits of this valuable and faithful servant of man.

An interesting incident is related by Froissart with regard to King Richard II. and one of these dogs. The name of this hound was Mithe; it always accompanied the King on his excursions, and could not be induced to follow any one else. As soon as the monarch was seated upon his horse, the keeper of the hound would let him loose, when he would immediately run and fawn upon his master, evidencing the greatest joy and affection. One day, however, as the King and the Earl of Derby were talking together in the court, the Greyhound, who was wont to leap upon the King, left him and fawned upon the Earl of Derby, Duke of Lancaster, manifesting the same tokens of affection towards him which he had ever before bestowed upon Richard II.

"What does this mean?" said the Duke, who knew not the hound.

"Cousin," replied the King, "it is a token of great good to you, but an evil sign to me."

"How know you that?" said the Earl.

"I well know," replied Richard, "that the Greyhound acknowledges you here this day as King of England, as you shall be, and I shall be deposed. The hound has this knowledge naturally, therefore take him to you. He will follow you,

and forsake me."