[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
remarkable instance of the effect that can be produced upon a dog by the human voice was related to me yesterday. Some of your correspondents would consider it confirmatory of their notion that dogs have mind enough to understand words; but I myself rather believe that the sound of the voice acts upon the feelings of dumb animals just as instrumental music acts upon 1113. The story is as follows :—A clergyman had for a long time a dog, and no other domestic animal. He and his servant made a great pet of the dog. At last, however, the clergyman took to keeping a few fowls, and the servant fed them. The dog showed himself very jealous and out of humour, at this ; and when Sunday came round, and he was left alone, he took the opportunity to kill and bury two hens. A claw half uncovered betrayed what fie had done. His master did not beat him, but took hold of him, and talked to him, most bitterly, most severely. "You've been guilty of the sin of murder, Sir,—and on the Sabbath Day, too ; and you, a clergyman's dog, taking a mean advantage of my absence !" Sze. He talked on and on for a long time, in the same serious and reproachful strain. Early the next morning the master had to leave home for a day or so ; and he did so without speaking a word of kindness to the dog, because he said he wished him to feel himself in disgrace. On his return, the first thing he was told was, "The dog is dead. He never ate nor drank after you had spoken to him ; he just lay and pined away, and he died an
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