"DIGNITY AND IMPUDENCE." 121

case of Wallace, and as in that of the mastiff which Emily
Bronte cowed by one box in the ear, the lesson had been
learned thoroughly; Dick never again, unless in such an
instance of wilful protracted teasing as I have referred to,
took to biting his friends.
 His affection was as ardent as his temper was quick, and
the convulsions of delight, the ecstatic caresses he lavished on
members of the family when they returned from a temporary
absence, were demonstrations to see rather than to hear of.
 Dick is said to have been the most entertaining companion
in a walk, always making amusing discoveries, full of the
freshest zest and the most unwearied energy. He had a
passion for sport, of which I shall have more to say hereafter;
but, sport or no sport, he never failed to find objects of interest
on his way, and to impart the interest to his fortunate com-
panion.
 Like Wallace, Dick could be easily induced to go through
a variety of tricks-which, in my opinion, are slightly dis-
paraging to very sensible or bright dogs, seeing that these
tricks are purely artificial, entirely distinct from the dog's
natural sagacity and genuine feats, and can be imparted, if
proper pains be taken, to far inferior dogs-I mean dogs that
have merely the faculty of mimicry, apart from intuition,
steadfastness, and a power of love which makes wise. One of
Dick's many tricks was to go through the form of sitting in
his own chair at table with the family when they were at
meals (though his food was taken elsewhere), and of speaking
when he was told-that is, at a certain word and sign, starting
off in his own dog language of yelping and whining, till he
was requested to be quiet.
 Q