of no other favourite or companion. But at the same time he
showed no animosity whatever towards his supposed rival. Here was reason
and refinement too. Besides the friends whom he meets in my house, Rover
also forms attachments of his own, in which he shows a great
discrimination. It is not every one who offers him a bone that he will
trust as a friend. He has one or two intimate acquaintances in the
village whom he regularly visits, and where in case of any remissness on
the part of the cook, he is sure to find a plate of meat. Rover is a
most feeling, sweet dispositioned dog--one instance of his affection and
kindheartedness I cannot omit. He had formed an attachment to a
labourer, who worked about my garden, and would frequently follow him to
his home, where he was caressed by the wife and children. It happened
that the poor wife was taken ill and died. The husband was seriously
afflicted, and showed a feeling above the common. At this time I
observed that Rover had quite lost his spirits, and appeared to pine.
Seeing him in this state one day, when in company with the widowed
labourer, and thinking in some measure to divert the poor fellow's
thoughts from his own sorrows, I remarked to him the state that Rover
was in, and asked him if he could guess the cause. "He is fretting after
poor Peggy," was his reply, giving vent at the same time to a flood of
tears.

JAMES HOGG.

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER.

OLD DANCING.

An "Old Subscriber," who loves a friend and a jest's prosperity, has
sent us a few leaves of "The Dancing Master," printed in 1728, which
form a curious contrast with Mr. Lindsay's elegant treatise, printed at
Mr. Clowes's _musical_ office. What will some of the quadrillers say to
the following exquisite morsel of dancing, entitled, "The Old Maid in
Tears?"--"Longways for as many as will".--(then the notes, and the
following instructions:)--"Note: Each strain is to be play'd twice
ov'er.--The first wo. holds her handkerchief on her face, and goes on
the outside, below the 3d wo. and comes up the middle to her place;
first man follows her (at the same time pointing and smiling at her) up
to his place. First man do the same, only he beckons his wo. to him.
First woman makes a motion of drying first one eye, then the other, and
claps her hands one after another on her sides, (the first man looks
surprizingly at her at the same time,) and turn her partner. First