The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-09-13
Remarkable French Dogs.

NJ. Rouil, the owner of the dogs, has
been for ten years professor iu an insti-
tuition for deaf mutes, which suggested
to him the idea of trying whether SINH
lar system of education could develop
the intelligence of dogs. He had also
had some experience as prestidigita-
teur; and these two professions combin-
ed to render his exhibitions truly
wonderful. NJ Rouil came by invita-
tion to Mr.. Hamcrton's house, bringing
with him two of his dogs-Bianche, a
poodle, and LYDIA, cross between a
poodle and spaniel. A number of
guests were present to witness the per
formance, and all agree in corrohbsrating
the statements Of Mr.. Hanerton. A
large table was placed in the centre of
the room, and on it were laid some cards
on which the letters Of the alphabet
were printed in large capitals. NJ
Rouil then told Blanche to spell fro.
mage (cheese). She Immediately picked
out an +, and an o, aud then seemed to
hesitate. "You only give us three letters:
there are seven," said NJ. Rouil Blanche
then found NJ, A, G, Il, aud the word
was complete.
She was then asked TO translate and
the word 1?terd (horse) was written in
German characters on slate. Blauche
read it,; or pretended to do so, and put
her paw on the slate as sigu she under
stood. "Giye it to US in French, I" said
NJ. Rouil and the word chepal was i'm
mediately produced. CHOW in English,' D
and without hesitation, she found the
letters for horse.
She then performed thc-remarkablc
feat Of correcting mistake in orthogra.
ply. Mr.. Hamerton wrote the word
meson on the slate, instead. of n,ai;son
(house) and, on being asked where the
error was, Blanche pointedto tho letter
"e," upd then picked .ous.sa Ga" and au
al" tt
In spite Of her succ css, the ANNA
seemed to accomplish her work with
considerable effort, and made sounds OF
complaint. The authority of her master
although exercised with great gcntlcuess,
seemed irresistible as that Of mag
netizer over his subject. Perceiving
this, Mr.. Hamerton suggested giving
her rest, and she was allowed to retire
to corner and enjoy some bon -bons
while LYDIA took her place on the table
Some numbers were now substitute
for the letters of the alphabet Several
problems were written on the slate
which LYDIA apparently solved without
difficulty.
Her master then proposed trying a
little mental arithmetic, and said, LYDIA
if you had ten pieces of sugar, and met
ten Prussian dogs, how many pieces
would you, French dog, give to each
Prussian 2" LYDIA replied to his ques
tion by pointing out the zero with great
energy. ''And now" said her master
''if you were to share with mo 2" LYDIA
took the figure 5 and gave it to him
NJ. Rouil then went out for moment
while Mr.. Hamc: ton asked the dog for
several numbers successfully, which sh C
brought without the slightest hesitation
Blanche then came forward, and a
pack of playing cards was spread on the
table, NJ. Rouil holding another pack in
his hand, and asking the company to
choose card from it. Without making
any mistake, Blanche Immediately
brought the corresponding card from
the pack on the table.
She then played a game of cards with
young lady, and was beaten fer
which she. took refuge in corner with
an all Of deep humiliation.
The most surprising feat of all came
next. A pack of cards was spread on
the floor in the next room, aud the door
nearly closed. NJ. Rouil told one of the
guests to ask the dog in whisper to
fetch any card he chose to name. The
ace Of spades was called for. Blanche
went in search Of it, and Immediately
returned with the right card in her
mouth.
Mr.. uamerton himself then examined
the dog again in her literary acquire
mcnts, and she translated the word chicn
(dog) into English and spelt the word
fen (fire) without difficulty but at this
point NJ Rouil intarnosod and s,id