Bow, wow, wow!

Whose dog art thou ?'

HE knowledge of the birthplace of a character of such importance as myself will doubtless be of interest to my readers, many of whom will probably, as opportunity serves them, visit a spot which the perusal of the following pages will cause to possess for them so many pleasing associations.

Know, then, that P Park, near Farnham, Surrey, the residence ofCaptain M—, was the locality where I first saw light, in the month of November, 1851. Being one of a numerous family presented by my amiable mother, Dot, to my father, Tiney, I was called by his name, chiefly on account of its being suitable to our diminutive race rather than as a compliment to my parent, with whom my present mistress is but slightly acquainted—in fact, I doubt if she ever saw him. My ancestors originally accompanied the aforesaid Captain M-from the West Indies in the year 1845, and have since resided in England. Our family property lies in the Island of Cuba, and is still possessed by our relations. My immediate connexions are, however, so well pleased with England as to have no thought of returning, being satisfied with receiving constant reports of their kinsfolk and acquaintance by the frequent West India packets.

Without vanity I may be allowed to state that my mother was considered to possess great beauty and delicacy of form, and though not the handsomest of her children, I may say of myself that I have many personal attractions, principally a remarkably fine, silky, and snow-white coat, and delicately-shaped limbs. I am, besides, much noticed for my intelligence and activity. It is universally admitted that my amiability of disposition is remarkable. A sister, who bore my name, unhappily died at the early age of twelve months, in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. H, of Whitby Abbey, Warwickshire, deeply regretted, in March 1851. Her beauty surpassed that of any of my brothers and sisters, but the anxious care of her mistress was such as I fear weakened her constitution, and rendered her unfit to contend with the sad disease to which all puppies are liable-the distemper.

I feel sure this digression must be uninteresting compared with what relates immediately to myself, but ascribe it, dear readers, to my natural affection for my dear little sister (by-the-by she died before I was born).

I passed the first two months of my life at Poyle, where I chiefly spent my time in the kitchen, only occasionally having permission to visit the nursery and schoolroom. Soon after I had completed my second month I learnt from the conversation of my attendant, and the frequent caresses of the children, that I was soon to leave my present home and my fond mother. Accordingly, one afternoon, I found myself placed in a covered basket, and presently jogging along a road for two miles. When the man who conveyed me opened the basket in the kitchen of the house where I was taken, and which I concluded to be Hampton (for my mother told me I was going there), I began to suspect my natural appearance must be something extraordinary from the exclamations and laughter of the servants. I could not take a short run or shake my tail (which certainly was not then very long) without occasioning shouts of merriment. I was afterwards ushered into the drawing-room, and received in the most enthusiastic manner, and even allowed to run across the table from one person to another. I heard myself continually compared to my poor little. sister that died, and every one was wondering whether I should be thought as small, and droll, and pretty as she was.

I thus learnt that I was not to remain long where I was; and indeed, early the next morning, I was placed in the same basket in which I had travelled the previous day, but with the addition of a soft piece of flannel to lie on. I thought it as well to squeal a little at first, lest I should be forgotten, or allowed to be smothered; but I was soon tired of this, and fell so fast asleep that I was unconscious of having been a traveller by two railways, and of having passed through London, when I arrived at Coventry.

After a short journey in a fly I was at last released from my confinement, when I immediately began to feel hungry; but I had no occasion to say so, for I was taken most carefully to a large room and a nice fire, and some delicious bread and milk placed before me; and I must add that I was called a dear little dog, and complimented and kissed instead of being laughed at as I was at Hampton. After another half-hour I was taken into an apartment more grand than I had ever seen before, and very kindly received by a lady who I thought, probably, was to be my mistress, for I heard her mention my sister Tiney. A gentleman and lady coming in soon afterwards, I gathered from their

I only remained in Warwickshire a few days, and my next journey was again by railroad, but with the lady and gentleman who superintended my education, and not this time in a basket, but concealed under the lady's shawl. I am sure I must have been pretty, for when she did allow any one to see me they were charmed with me. At last we arrived at Windsor. Here I was extremely petted, people coming to see me as a sight; and even the Colonel of my master's regiment went down on his knees to play with me. I was not allowed to see the Queen lest she should take a fancy to me, but once I called on the Duchess of Kent, and returning overheard some workmen say that they thought me the prettiest creature they had ever seen, and that 'The Queen had not such a beauty.' I think they spoke the truth.

A few days after I was taken to pay a visit to the Queen's dogs; one pretty white greyhound took a great fancy to me, and he was the only one I admired; and when a family of pugs came out to greet me with their flat faces, I could not help feeling pleased with my personal appearance. The young master often came to play with me, and he used to try and frighten me with a little pretence white dog, which had been given him as a present, but I soon became wise enough to find out the difference between a real and a sham one. I felt myself getting too old to be amused with such trifles; and one day in my walk I felt proud to find that from my now formidable appearance even children ran away from me.

From Windsor we went to the Isle of Wight, and on our return to Whitby Abbey I remained with my first mistress, from whom I had been parted during this time for the purpose of education. She became very fond of me, and I soon began to find out that by my little coaxing ways I made myself a great favourite. Whenever I was naughty (for even little dogs will be naughty sometimes) my governess was called in, and as I knew she only found fault with me when there was occasion, I felt very sorry, and extremely ashamed when, as a still greater punishment, my master was also brought in to speak to me. Here, occasionally, I had a large black playfellow, a dog of my master's, called Rodney, and I became very fond of him out of doors, but felt a little jealous when master brought him into the house. My three young masters came in the summer, and they were all anxious to get me to play with them. Occasionally I was obliged to snarl to keep them in order, but upon the whole they

behaved well to me, and I was only declared to be in the way when I ran after their ball at cricket.

In July we went to London. I was anxious to see this great place, but I do not think I should like to live there. There is no clean grass. Whenever I went out I came in black, and this I thought in time might spoil my complexion. For a little change of air we went again to the Isle of Wight, and I felt the sea air revive me very much, particularly of an evening, when I amused myself trying to catch little animals called sand-hoppers, who jumped about on the sand. Occasionally I caught hold of another animal, which I heard was a crab, but I found it most prudent not to meddle with them, as they sometimes gave me a pinch.

This summer we travelled about a great deal. We drove in the pony-carriage with Jenny, and Rodney ran by our side. I prefer travelling in the ponycarriage to the railroad, it makes such odd noises; and then its whistles wake me out of my sleep and I am told to lie down again, and when I get out of the carriage the mistress hides me in her shawl and won't let any one see me. This I think rather hard, as I feel I need never be ashamed of myself.

One day a carriage drove up to the door, and I was delighted to see my old mistress. She remained a short time with us; and during her stay we drove one afternoon to a gentleman's house, where we got out and walked in the garden. I always try to remember correctly the names of places I visit, to whom they belong, &c. (pardon my observing that it is a desirable habit for every one). The place we this day saw was

Park, the seat of Colonel - a gentleman noted for his recherché taste and great hospitality. I have travelled and seen so much lately that I thought nothing could surprise me, but I must own I was greatly puzzled to see a large white lady and gentleman standing quite still and never moving-not even speaking to a little dog. They rather frightened me, not being accustomed to such rude manners, and I tried in vain to attract their notice. I barked to see that would have any effect, but no, they still remained immovable. I was glad to see Rodney was equally astonished. At last, however, we summoned up courage enough to go and smell them, and gradually we discovered they were only pretence, like my little plaything dog; so we both concluded that ladies and gentlemen have playthings as well as dogs.

A short time after this we visited Oxford. I had heard that this was a very famous place for learning, and that many here received their education. Being naturally anxious to improve myself, I tried to visit some of the Colleges, but directly I made my appear

ance I was sent away; so I could gain nothing, not even a little Dog Latin. I must say I think they might have been a little more civil; but perhaps manners are only considered in a secondary light—as regards little dogs. Still I must say the grass in the squares, or what I heard called 'Quads,' looked very inviting, and I should like very much to have had a run on it with Rodney. The night we left Oxford we slept at Woodstock. I did not like the country near Woodstock; it was very dirty, and there were no hills for me to run up. We paid some visits on our way, and at one place the children, I think, would have liked to have kept me, but I heard a gentleman say, 'it would be a good thing to have a flock of them, and then they could be sheared like sheep;' which made me rather afraid that he meant my beautiful hair was to be cut, so I was glad when I saw Jenny, with the ponycarriage, make her appearance. It became rather dark before we arrived at Farnborough, but my shawl kept me perfectly warm. The next morning there

appeared to be a great bustle among the dogs. My master took me out walking, but soon snatched me up in a hurry, and presently I saw the field covered with dogs, with their tails pointed, which never seemed to be quiet. I felt rather inclined to talk to them, but my wishing to do so was soon stopped on hearing a gentleman say to my master, 'If you were to let your little dog down they would soon eat her up.' I remained perfectly quiet after this, and I must add that I did not feel very sorry when these cruel creatures were ordered away by a man on horseback, in a red coat, with a long whip in his hand. After leaving Farnborough we drove to Southam, and soon after arrived at Whitby, which I remembered perfectly, and ran about to visit all my old haunts, not forgetting the place where the men threw away their bones after dinner.

PACIOUS the room, full of bright warmth and light,

God's own blest sunshine fell on many a sight
Most sad to see. Gathered together there
Were suffering children, tended now with care
Most loving, gentle nurses moved around
Soothing the weary ones, but a sad sound
Rang ever and anon throughout the ward--
A sound of woe that touched the deepest chord
Of pity and brought the unbidden tears.
In cosy cot, a child of tenderest years
Lay moaning, and his plaintive voice rose high:
'Oh, Woman!' was his constant, weary cry.
His call was not 'Oh, Mother!' that sweet name
Sent but a thrill of terror through his frame;
The white-capped stranger nurse, whose tender care
Was freely given, was more to him than her ;
And for the nurse he had no other call

Than Woman, Oh, Woman.' That cry did fall
Like sad appeal on all who heard it, long
Marring the music of the light heart's song.
'Oh, Woman!' children's voices call for you,
A call God hears. Oh! rise from ease, and do

What you can do, for He has given you power
To tend and soothe the children; dark clouds lower
Over our city streets; the children cry

'Oh, Woman! come and seek us out, we lie
Right in your path-come, give your tender care
To us, neglected and ill-used.' Their prayer
Is mute and wordless here, but ringing out
In sad and plaintive wail God's throne about.
'Oh, Woman!' seek them out whose mother's care
Alas! has ceased toward the child she bare,'
Yet God does not forget. Ye who of late
Beside the Child Christ's cradle knelt to wait
For Christmas blessing and knelt not in vain,
Ah! hearken to the children's cry of pain;
Save them from cruelty; the Mothers, too,
May through your love amend. Oh, Woman true,
Go forth this New Year with God-given might,
Help thou the helpless, make some dark place bright
To little children, and some other day,

In those bright streets where boys and girls shall play,
The children's thanks shall make more brightly shine
The crown which through Christ's love shall then be
thine.
D. H.