such Houses where they
are held in the highest Estimation, and at the most proper Seasons.
Four in the Afternoon is deem'd a good Hour for a Dog of Quality and
Distinction: _The dear pretty Soul_ has had a good Meal, and a
thousand Kisses bestow'd on him; and my Lady, perhaps, has been too
free with her _Clary_ after Dinner, and so is gone to take a Nap. The
Valet is kissing her Woman behind the Skreen in the Dining-Room: In
the mean time, _Jewel_ trips down stairs into the Hall, while the
Porter is down in the Kitchen at a Horse-Laughter with the Footmen and
Maids, and the Door committed to the Care of some drunken Chairman, or
poor Fellow out of Place; and a poor-looking Creature is peeping in,
under pretence of asking Charity. The Dog is instantly snapp'd up, and
convey'd away under an old louzy Great-Coat, or a greasy Ridinghood,
to some filthy Cellar or Garret. By and by my Lady wakes, and wants
her _Companion_: 'Sdeath and Fireballs, the House is search'd from top
to bottom, as tho' a Warrant for High-Treason was got into it. Mrs.
_Abigail_ has warning given her, and the _Porter_ is turn'd out of
doors. Every thing is in the greatest Confusion, and nothing but fear
and sorrow appears upon every Countenance. The Footmen and Stablemen
are dispatch'd, like Madmen, North, East, West, and South. The
Trades-People, not immediately knowing the Occasion of this sudden
Consternation, send from all Corners, and hope _my Lord and Lady are
well_. Next Morning the Crier and the News-Papers go to work. My Lady
sees no Company, forbears Plays and Operas, and every Room of the
House looks as if a pestilential Distemper was raging in the Family.

Towards the close of the Evening, a Fellow in a _Soldier's Coat_, with
the Dog very carefully wrapp'd up in one of the Lappets, is knocking
at the Door. A Reprieve to a Malefactor the Morning of Execution, or
the News of a rich Father's Death to an extravagant Heir, cannot be
more welcome than two or three _Yelps_ of the _absent Animal_ shall be
to all the Servants: Happy is that Servant who has the good fortune
first to carry the glad Tidings to my Lady. The Fellow tells a long
Story of his being at his Post in St. _James's Park_, and of his
seeing the Dog under a Woman's Arm; and how he suspected her coming
honestly by it, and what Fatigues and Difficulties he met with in
wresting the poor Creature from her: How the Mob took part against
him, and the risque he run of being sent to the