[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR "] SIR,—The story in the
Spectator of September 21st reminds me that I once possessed a dog who had precisely the same trick of attacking fire as that mentioned by your corre- spondent. He was a red Irish terrier that I bought in Kildare when so young that I am sure he had not been taught the trick. He would " paw " at a lighted match on the ground, or would seize in his teeth a lighted piece of paper and shake it till be had put it out. In the same way he would " worry " at a cigar-end thrown on the ground, and never leave it till he was satisfied there was no fire left. I may mention that he once, in Canada, killed singlehanded a skunk,—an animal which, as a rule, it is said a dog will not face. I wished myself he had not, as for months afterwards. his presence was evident long before one saw him, on a wet day particularly.—I am, Sir, &c., OLD SOLDIER.
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