of these charming black, or red, or chocolate specimens are much smaller than the original whites, 4lb. and 6lb. weight each being not unusual, and moreover these "toys are not snappish and ill-natured, their temperament and disposition being more what one likes to see in a companionable dog.

That these comparatively new varieties, at any rate new to this country, have a future before them I do not doubt at all; they are in enthusiastic hands and a specialist club has been formed to look after their interests, which is giving particular attention to the smaller varieties. Her Majesty the Queen has a companionable and handsome little fellow, a beautiful red sable called Marco, and the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone's favourite dog is a little black specimen which glories in the name of Fritz. Not long ago the club, established in 1891, combined with the Toy Spaniel and other clubs, and had a show of its own, no fewer than fourteen classes for Pomeranians being provided, and these attracted sixty odd entries, including a number of the most charming specimens ever brought together. The royal favourite Marco is now about five years old. This is what Mr. T. Marples, who specially interviewed the little dog at Osborne for the British Fancier, says of him :

"From a fancier's or exhibition point of view

Marco occupies a high position, and, in short, may be described as a most typical specimen of his race. In substantiation of this we may point to the fact of his having at the late Kennel Club Show, the first time he was ever exhibited, carried off not only first prize in his class, but also the gold medal given by the Pomeranian Club. In colour, Marco is a deep red sable, excepting on the tail and hind feathering, which merges into a very pale tint of the same hue, almost white. In build he is proportionate and symmetrical, scaling probably about 12lb. in weight. He has the correct coat, which is both straight and profuse, especially about the neck, where it forms a dense frill or mane. He is heavily feathered about the thighs, and his caudal appendage, which is quite orthodox in its carriage, is covered with a profuse quantity of hair, which, fountain-like, flows over his back. His eyes, in colour, match the colour of the dog's body, and he is bright, sharp, and intelligent looking, with small, erectly carried ears, which appear sensitive to every sound.

"Fortunate in being the recipient of such Royal care and companionship, Marco is a most attractive little fellow and doubtless deserving of the caresses lovingly bestowed upon him by his Royal mistress."

Her Majesty has, however, other Pomeranians, which are more or less fawn and white in colour,

including a particularly charming specimen, bred at Windsor, and winner of leading prizes wherever shown, called Fluffie. This beautiful little creature appeared, with several other of Her Majesty's Pomeranians, at Cruft's show in 1892, where they carried away a great number of prizes. At this gathering there were ninety-four Pomeranians entered, although not nearly that number of dogs were benched, many being entered in more than one class. All were of the small size, and possibly in the course of a few years the royal example will be followed, and the Pomeranian become a fashionable variety.

At the present time Miss Hamilton, of Seend, Wiltshire, has a particularly choice and interesting kennel of Pomeranians, including several good whites, some charming blacks, and specimens of other colours, many of which have been bred by her. The diminutive orange and white dog Prince of Orange is especially choice, weighing about 5lb. This exquisite little creature was first shown by Mrs. Gordon Lynn, of Southsea, who at one time possessed an excellent collection of Pomeranians. Indeed, honours in this respect may be said to have been pretty equally divided between Her Majesty, Mrs. Gordon Lynn, Mrs. Thomas, and Miss Hamilton. Mrs. Thomas, of Ealing Dean, has at the present time a valuable and an unique kennel of the variety.

Here we find only blacks and an occasional chocolate and fawn or two; her Schatzel, Black Boy and Queen Bee; with Lady Dinah, but 3lb. weight, being perhaps the best. Most of Mrs. Thomas' dogs have been imported from Germany, and there is considerable risk in so doing, as many of them die before becoming acclimatised, but when once nicely settled down they are healthy and strong, and quite as able to withstand the rigours of our fickle climate as our own toy spaniels and delicate terriers.

The points and description of the Pomeranian, as drawn up by the club, are as follows:

Appearance. The Pomeranian in build and appearance should somewhat resemble the Chow Chow, but the head must be much finer and the ears closer together, and in coat he should be almost a duplicate of a well-coated Scotch collie, with the difference that his coat should be softer in texture, long and lustrous, with a fluffy under-coat, and standing out from the body more than does the collie's. He should be a compact, short-coupled dog, well knit in frame, with his tail curled tightly over the back, and covered with long, flowing hair. His head and face should be foxlike, with small, erect ears that appear sensible to every sound; he should exhibit great intelligence in his expression,

docility in his disposition, and activity and buoyancy in his deportment.

"Head.-Somewhat foxy in outline, or wedgeshaped, the skull being large in proportion to the muzzle, which should finish rather fine, and be free from lippiness. The head in its profile may exhibit a little stop,' which, however, must not be too pronounced, and the hair on head and face must be smooth or short-coated.

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"Eyes. Should be medium in size, rather oblique in shape, not set too wide apart, bright and dark in colour, showing great intelligence and docility of temper. In a white dog black rings round the eyes are preferable.

"Ears. Should be small, and carried perfectly erect or pricked, like a fox's, and, like the head, should be covered with soft, short hair.

"Nose. In black, black and tan, or white dogs the nose should be black; in other coloured Pomeranians it may more often be brown or liver-coloured, but in all cases the nose must be self and not particoloured, and never white.

"Neck and Shoulders.-The neck, if anything, should be rather short, well set in, and lionlike, covered with a profuse mane, and frill of long, straight, glossy hair, sweeping from the under jaw, and covering the whole of the front part of the