1 AUGUST 1896, Page 16

DOG-STORIES.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Sin.—Kindly allow me to add the two following to yourinterest- ing examples of canine sagacity and intelligence. Forty years ago a large Newfoundland dog at Pontypool, Mon., suffered long and patiently from the aggravating worry of small dogs barking at his heels. At length the evil became insupportable, and seizing one of his aggressors by the nape of his neck, he held him under water in a running stream until he expired. Having learnt his lesson he proceeded to practice it on his remaining foes, and the united protests of the aggrieved owners eventually led to the summary execution of the clever executioner. The other instance is that of a retriever in the neighbourhood of Cardiff belonging to a clergyman whose wife engaged a dumb and deaf nurse for her child. The dog observed these defects and did his best to remedy them by taking hold of the nurse's dress whenever the baby cried in his crib and drawing her towards it. The nurse had also to attend to the front door, and as often as a ring was heard the faithful animal drew the young woman's notice by leading her to the door of the nursery ; but took no notice of the other house-bells, which the nurse was not required to