retty picture Sir Walter Scott has
drawn of the affectionate terrier, which was the companion of his hero
in "Guy Mannering." We see the faithful Wasp "scampering at large in a
thousand wheels round the heath, and come back to jump up to his
master, and assure him that he participated in the pleasures of the
journey." We see him during the fight with the robbers, "annoying
their heels, and repeatedly effecting a moment's diversion in his
master's favour, and pursuing them when they ran away." We hear the
jolly farmer exclaim--"De'il, but your dog's weel entered wi' the
vermin;" and when he goes to see his friend in prison, and brings Wasp
with him, we see the joy of the latter, and hear the remark elicited
by it--"Whisht, Wasp--man! Wow, but he's glad to see you, poor thing."
The whole race of pepper-and-mustard are brought before us--that breed
which are held in such high estimation, not only as vermin-killers,
but for their intelligence and fidelity, and other companionable
qualities.

I could not deny myself the pleasure of introducing this account of
the terrier, as it describes so well their courage, fidelity, and
attachment. "Wasp," we are told, at the close of an eventful day,
"crouched himself on the coverlet at his master's feet, having first
licked his master's hand to ask leave." This is part of the natural
language of the dog, and how expressive it is! They speak by their
eyes, their tail, and by various gestures, and it is almost impossible
to misunderstand their meaning. There is a well-known anecdote of two
terriers who were in the habit of going out together to hunt rabbits.
One of them got so far into a hole that he could not extricate
himself. His companion returned to the house, and by his importunity
and significant gestures induced his master to follow him. He led him
to the hole, made him understand what was the matter, and his
associate was at last dug out.

The following affords another proof of the sagacity of these dogs:--

A respectable farmer, residing in a village near Gosport, had a
terrier dog who was his constant companion. His business frequently
led him across the water to Portsmouth, to which place the dog
regularly attended him. The farmer had a son-in-law, a bookseller at
Portsmouth, to whose house he frequently went, taking the dog with
him. One day, the animal having lost his master in Portsmouth, after
searching for him at his usual haunts, went to the bookseller, and by
vario