g, who had previously played the agreeable
with all her might to the visitor, snarled and flew at her, and during
the whole walk followed her, growling and snapping at her heels
whenever opportunity served. The dog certainly went through two or
three links of inference, from the disappearance of the coveted spoil
to Lady Penrhyn's order, and from Lady Penrhyn's order to the remark
made by her visitor.

Monsieur Blaze, in his "History of Dogs," mentions one who was taught
to pronounce several words. The editor of the "Dumfries Courier" has
declared most solemnly that he "heard a pug repeatedly pronounce the
word 'William,' almost as distinctly as ever it was enunciated by the
human voice. He saw the dog lying on a rug before the fire, when one
of his master's sons, whose name is William, and to whom he is more
obedient than to any one else, happened to give him a shove, when the
animal ejaculated, for the first time, the word 'William.' The whole
party were as much amazed as Balsam was when his ass spoke; and though
they could hardly believe their own ears, one of them exclaimed,
'Could you really find it in your heart to hurt the poor dog after he
has so distinctly pronounced your name?' This led to a series of
experiments, which have been repeated for the satisfaction of various
persons, but still the animal performs with difficulty. When his
master seizes his fore-legs, and commands him to say 'William,' he
treats the hearer With a gurring voluntary; and after this species of
music has been protracted for a longer or a shorter period, his voice
seems to fall a full octave before he comes out with the important
word."

In the "Bibliotheque Germanique," published in 1720, there is an
account of a dog at Berlin, who was made to pronounce a few words, but
the one which he ejaculated most distinctly was "Elizabeth." Sir
William Gell also had a dog which was well known to repeat some words,
but it should be mentioned that he never did this except his master
held his jaws in a peculiar way.[R]

It has been said of the pug dog that he is applicable to no sport,
appropriated to no useful purpose, susceptible of no predominant
passion, and in no way remarkable for any pre-eminent quality. He
seems, indeed, intended to be the patient follower of a ruminating
philosopher, or the adulatory and consolatory companion of an old
maid; but is now gradually becoming discarded as a pet, and is seldom
seen peeping out of a carriage wi