White's Chocolate-house, Sept. 19.
This was left for me here for the use of the company of the house.
"To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.
"Sir,
September 15.
"The account you gave lately of a certain dog-kennel or near Suffolk Street,[167] was not so punctual as to the list of the dogs as might have been expected from a person of Mr. Bickerstaff's intelligence; for if you'll despatch Pacolet thither some evening, it is ten to one but he finds, besides those you mentioned, "Towzer, a large French mongrel, that was not long ago in a tattered condition, but has now got new hair; is not fleet; but when he grapples, bites even to the marrow.
"Spring, a little French greyhound, that lately made a false trip to Tunbridge.
"Sly, an old battered foxhound, that began the game in France.
"Lightfoot, a fine-skinned Flanders dog, that belonged to a pack at Ghent; but having lost flesh, is come to Paris for the benefit of the air.
"With several others, that in time may be worth notice.
"Your familiar will see also, how anxious the keepers are about the prey, and indeed not without very good reason, for they have their share of everything; nay, not so much as a poor rabbit can be run down, but these carnivorous curs swallow a quarter of it. Some mechanics in the neighbourhood, that have entered into this civil society (and who furnish part of the carrion and oatmeal for the dogs) have the skin; and the bones are picked clean by a little French shock that belongs to the family, &c. I am,
"Sir,
Your humble Servant, &c.
"I had almost forgotten to tell you, that Ringwood bites at Hampstead with false teeth."[168]
FOOTNOTES:
[157] See No. 66.
[158] Printed in Swift's Works.
[159] No. 66.
[160] Cf. Rabelais, Book I., chap. xli.