itle--rather like
a Cabinet Minister), is then the source of a sort of pyrotechnic shower
of fish, every one of which is caught and swallowed promptly and neatly,
no matter how or where it may fall. Fanny, by the way, is the most
active seal possible; it is only on extremely rare occasions that she
indulges in an interval of comparative rest, to scratch her head with
her hind foot and devise fresh gymnastics. But, all through the day,
Fanny never forgets Sutton, nor his shower of fish, and half her
evolutions include a glance at the door whence he is wont to emerge, and
a sort of suicidal fling back into the pond in case of his
non-appearance, all which proceedings the solemn turkeys regard with
increasing amazement.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration] Toby, however, provides the great seal-feeding show. Toby
has a perfect set of properties and appliances for his performance,
including a chair, a diving platform, an inclined plane leading
thereunto, and a sort of plank isthmus leading to the chair. He climbs
up on to the chair, and, leaning over the back, catches as many fish as
Sutton will throw for him. He dives off the chair for other fish. He
shuffles up the inclined plane for more fish, amid the sniggers of
spectators, for Toby's march has no claim to magnificence. He tumbles
himself unceremoniously off the platform, he clambers up and kisses
Sutton (keeping his eye on the basket), and all for fish. It is curious
to contrast the perfunctory affection with which Toby gets over the kiss
and takes his reward, with the genuine fondness of his gaze after
Sutton when he leaves--with some fish remaining for other seals. Toby is
a willing worker; he would gladly have the performance twice as long,
while as to an eight hours' day----!

[Illustration]

The seals in the next pond, Tommy and Jenny, are insulted with the
epithet of "common" seals; but Tommy and Jenny are really very
respectable, and if a seal do happen to be born only _Phoca vitulina_,
he can't really help it, and doesn't deserve humiliation so long as he
behaves himself. _Phoca vitulina_ has as excellent power of reason as
any other kind of seal--brain power, acquired, no doubt, from a
continual fish diet. Tommy doesn't feel aggrieved at the slight put upon
him, however, and has a proper notion of his own importance. Watch him
rise from a mere floating patch--slowly, solemnly, and portentously, to
take a look round. He look