capable of strong attachment to his master, whom he is
at all times ready to defend. His strength is so great, that in
pinning a bull, one of this breed of dogs has been known, by giving a
strong muscular twist of his body, to bring the bull flat on his side.
In consequence also of his strength, high courage, and perseverance, a
bull-dog has gone a greater distance in swimming than any other dog
has been known to do.

It is universally known amongst the lovers of bull-dogs, that when
once exasperated by an opponent or encouraged by the owner, no pain or
punishment will induce him to swerve from his purpose, or in the least
relax the violence of his endeavours to subdue whatever may be the
object of his dislike or resentment. Amidst the many instances which
might be adduced in support of this assertion, we shall notice one
which is well-authenticated. Some years since, when bull-baiting was
more common than in the present improved state of civilization, a
juvenile amateur, at an entertainment of this kind in the north of
England, confident in the courage and purity of blood in his bull-dog,
laid a wager "that he would at four distinct intervals deprive the
animal of one of his feet by amputation, and that after every
individual deprivation he should still attack the bull with his
previous ferocity; and that, lastly, he should continue to do so upon
his stumps." Shocking as the recital must prove to the feelings of
every reader, the experiment was made, and the dog continued to seize
the bull with the same eagerness as before. In a match which was made
for the purpose, one of these animals fought and beat two powerful
Newfoundland dogs.

It must be a matter of congratulation to every humane person, that the
barbarous and cruel custom of bull-baiting no longer exists in this
country. That it tended to brutalize the working classes, whatever its
advocates may have stated to the contrary, cannot be doubted. In the
part of Staffordshire in which I formerly resided, and where the
custom was extremely prevalent, idleness, drunkenness and profligacy,
were conspicuous amongst those who kept bull-dogs. Even females might
be seen at a bull-baiting, in their working dresses as they came out
of a factory, their arms crossed and covered with their aprons,
standing to enjoy the sport, if such it could be called.

The breed of dogs kept by the persons referred to was said to be of
the purest kind, and large sums were frequently give