odd story of a Newfoundland dog.
An immense black good-humoured Newfoundland dog. He came from Oxford and
had lived all his life at a brewery. Instructions were given with him
that if he were let out every morning alone, he would immediately find
out the river; regularly take a swim; and gravely come home again. This
he did with the greatest punctuality, but after a little while was
observed to smell of beer. She was so sure that he smelt of beer that
she resolved to watch him. Accordingly, he was seen to come back from
his swim, round the usual corner, and to go up a flight of steps into a
beer-shop. Being instantly followed, the beer-shop-keeper is seen to
take down a pot (pewter pot), and is heard to say: 'Well, old chap! Come
for your beer as usual, have you?' Upon which he draws a pint and puts
it down, and the dog drinks it. Being required to explain how this comes
to pass, the man says, 'Yes ma'am. I know he's your dog ma'am, but I
didn't when he first come. He looked in ma'am--as a Brickmaker
might--and then he come in--as a Brickmaker might--and he wagged his
tail at the pots, and he giv' a sniff round, and conveyed to me as he
was used to beer. So I draw'd him a drop, and he drunk it up. Next
morning he come agen by the clock and I drawed him a pint, and ever
since he has took his pint reglar.'"

CHAPTER IX.

FIRST PAID READINGS.

1858-1859.

First Series--Exeter Audience--Impressions of
Dublin--Irish Car-driver--Young Ireland and Old
England--Reception in Belfast--At Harrogate--At
York--At Manchester--Continued Successes--Scene
at Edinburgh--At Dundee--At Aberdeen and
Perth--At Glasgow--Glasgow Audience--Subjects
of First Readings--First Library Edition of his
Books--At Coventry--Frith's Portrait of
Dickens.

DICKENS gave his paid public Readings successively, with not long
intervals, at four several dates; in 1858-9, in 1861-63, in 1866-67, and
in 1868-70; the first series under Mr. Arthur Smith's management, the
second under Mr. Headland's, and the third and fourth, in America as
well as before and after it, under that of Mr. George Dolby, who,
excepting in America, acted for the Messrs. Chappell. The references in
the present chapter are to the first series only.

It began with sixteen nights at St. Martin's Hall, the first on the 29th
of April, the last on the 22nd of July, 1858; and there was afterwards a
provincial