Middletown transcript., 1878-09-07
NO Sc

in Belgium, but it is a very different
French from that spoken in Paris.
The working classes speak a French
pGtois, but their vernacular seems to
be Flemish. Tourists do not usually
remain at Brussels much longer than
may be necessary to drive over the
city, make an excursion to the field Of
Waterloo, and buy some of the famous
Brussels lace but there is much here
that will repay a much longer and
more careful study. Some of the most
renowned paintings in the world are
on the walls of the Brussels galleries,
and the works of the great masters are
only less numerous here than in the
gallery Of the Louvre. But it is not
my intention to write about the gal
leries, monuments, and architecture of
this city, there is q more interesting
subject: Dogs! Here | have learned
the meaning of the expression: ''tO
work like dog. The canine species
is here used for the purpose of draft to
an extent that have never heard of
their being used elsewhere. They are
used in this way to a limited extent in
Switzerland, and to a greater extent
in Frankfort and Cologne, but in
Brussels they are a very important
factor in the economy of transporta-
ton. 1t is strange that more has not
been written on the subject, and that,
since they prove SO capable they are
not used for light draft in other coun-
tries. The loads they draw are greater
than would be supposed from the
weight of the animal; greater, I am
sure, in proportion to the weight, than
those drawn by horses or mules; but
they are usually employed only as
auxillaries, one dog being harnessed
under cart, the shafts of which are
held and guided by the owner. The
axle of the cart is arched in the mid
die in order to enable the animal to
stand erect. Harnessed with simple
round padded leather collar, pair of
traces, and back-band, the assistance
he gives his master, who does little
more, except on ascending ground,
than guide the cart, is very great.
Usually, not more than one dog is at
tached to a cart, but ] have seen as
many as three, and the American
Consul told me that he had seen six
and eight to one wagon, driven in from
the country, loaded with wood, with
the driver on top. In Brussels, there
are many shops for the manufacture
and sale of dog harness, and in them
you may buy plain set, or one Orna-
mented with polished brass. There is
a dog market held every Sunday in
this city, and every variety Of dog is
bought and sold, the buyers and sellers
being usually market and milk wO-
men. was particular to inquire Of
the American Consul in relation to
the species of dog preferred, but it
seems that they have no particular
breed, and that no systematic effort
has been made to improve the breed.
l observed that the dogs in most COM
mon use we're ours, of medium size,
and of all eolors. They seem to be
very enthusiastic pullerS, moving at
the speed Of a brisk walk for a man,
and they never baulk; but the mo-
ment the wagon stops. the dog lies
down; he is always tired, or has been
taught the wisdom of conserving his
strength.
To all appearances, the dogs of
BRUSSELS lead but dogs life, and all
of them have dropping tails, and a
detected hang-dog air; but, how much
better it is for them, for their country,
and for their prosperity, to be engaged
N some respectable employment, earn
ng an honest livelihood, than to be
killing sheep, gnawing nes,baying at
he moon, or rushing about the streets
With tin pan to their tails, as is the
custom Of too many of our free Amer
can dogs.
In Paris, the white woolly spaniel
S indispensable to fine lady's toilet.
The fair Parisienne, whether she be
f the beau monde or deminsOnde, must
ave her dog, and she leads him by
mall chain when she prOmenades, or
axes him in the carriage when she
Irives. She would no more omit the
title beast than she would forget her
,oots. There are dog BARRIERS in
'aris who earn q livelihood by trim
hing these little pets; the style for
ogs this season is to leave girdle of
air around the body, and around
ach leg above the knee. G. AS
A wise man says: "Never name
our child after living person" The
9asOn is obvious; you don't know
ow that living person may turn out
efore death visits him. And if you