A DOG'S VOCABULARY.
Most of us who own dogs make some attempt to discover how many words, if any, our favourites understand. An American spaniel-lover, with whom I have enjoyed some correspondence, gives me a quaint and humorous example of the linguistic powers of his Cocker spaniel. One of the words that he-knows and, it seems, listens for is "walk," for a walk is the dog's passion ; and the genus certainly learn rather by the route of their emotions than their reason. Now the name of a neighbour and friend of my correspondent is Walker ; and whenever the name is mentioned, though casually and without emphasis, the spaniel leaps into a state of disturbing excitement. This was so certain a result that the name " Walker " has become taboo at meal time, lest the peace should be disturbed by the untimely clamouring of the dog I * * * *
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