26 OCTOBER 1895, Page 15

go THE EDITOR OF TEE 4 ' SPECTATOR,"] SIR, — The following example

of canine intelligence may interest your readers, and help to establish the fact that dogs do understood human language more than is generally realised. Not long ago, one of my guests was describing to me one evening, after dinner, how much she suffered from cold feet, especially at night. In the course of our talk I said to her, "you ought to use a hot-water bottle, and I can lend you one to-night." On which she told me that she always took one about with her. In a very short time, my collie having slipped from the room unobserved, returned with my friend's indiarubber hot-water bottle, which he had brought down from her bedroom. I inquired where it was kept, and was told it had been hung on a hook by the window. So the dog must have taken some trouble to accomplish his purpose. I should add that the dog has a trick of bringing down shoes occasionally from upstairs, but has never before or since brought down any other article.—I am, Sir, 8to.,

S. B.