A CLEVER DOG.
[TO THE EDITOR OR THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Some time ago I sent you my recollections of a dog who knew a halfpenny from a penny, and who could count up as far as two. I have been able to obtain authentic information of a dog whose mental powers were still more advanced, and who, in his day, besides being celebrated for his abilities, was of substan- tial benefit to a charitable institution in his town. The dog I refer to was a little white fox terrier, Prin by name, who lived at the Lion Hotel, at Kidderminster, for three or four years ; but now, alas he is dead, and nothing remains of him but his head in a glass case.
I had heard of this dog some months ago, but on Saturday last, having to make a visit to Kidderminster, I went to see him. The facts I give about him are based on the statements of Mr. Lloyd, his master, and they are fully substantiated by the evidence of many others. I have before me a statement of the proceeds of "Dog Prin's box, Lion Hotel ; subscriptions to the Infirmary." The contributions began in September, 1874, and ended on April 25, 1876, and daring that period the sum of /13 14s. 6d. was contributed through Prin's instrumentality.
He began by displaying a fancy for playing with coins, not unusual amongst terriers, and he advanced to a discovery that he could exchange the coins for biscuits. He learnt that for a halfpenny be could get two biscuits, and for a penny, three ; and having become able to distinguish between the two coins, it was found impossible to cheat him. If he had contributed a penny, he would not leave the bar till he had had his third biscuit ; and if there was nobody to attend to his wants, he kept the coin in his mouth till he could be served. Indeed, it was this persistence which ultimately caused poor Prin's death, for there is every reason to fear that he fell a victim to copper-poisoning.
By a little training he was taught to place the coins, after he had got the biscuits, upon the top of a small box fixed on the wall, and they were dropped for him through a slot. He never objected to part with them in this way, and having received the quid pro quo, be gave complete evidence of his appreciation of the honourable understanding which is so absolutely necessary for all commercial transactions.
An authenticated case like this is of extreme value, for just as the elementary stages of any science or discovery are the most difficult and the slowest in accomplishment, so are the primary stages of all mental processes. To find the preliminary steps of the evolution of mathematics and commerce in a dog is therefore a very important observation,—and everything bearing on these early phases of intellect should be carefully recorded.—
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