said that both this dog and the second prize winner were of the Newfoundland type, but being assured by the judge that they were such as the monks had, he said no more on the matter. The writer of the report evidently did not consider them the genuine article. However, this was the first class ever provided for St. Bernards at a dog show in the British Isles, and it was not until 1866 that the Birmingham Council followed the good example. Prior to this date, the exhibitors at the National show had to put their St. Bernards in the variety class, where the above-named Monk won in 1862, and Mr. Macdona's celebrated dog Tell, of great fame at that time and later, in 1865.

The first special class at Birmingham had an entry of thirteen; here again Tell won, a kennel companion named Bernard, second; and by this time Mr. Macdona had come quite to the front as the reintroducer and actual populariser of this noble variety. In 1868 the variety had progressed to such an extent that the management at Curzon Hall provided two classes for them, viz., rough and smooth, and the latter had an entry of eighteen, the former one of eight only, both first prizes being won by Mr. Macdona. Then in 1869, at the Islington show, held at Laycock's Dairy-yard, the first big thing of the kind the present writer ever attended, two classes

were again provided, and once more did the Hilbre House kennels furnish the leading winners, the smooth dog Monarque making his début on this occasion, taking an easy first, with his kennel companions Victor and Jungfrau second and third. Tell won in the other class, with Sir C. Islam's Leo second, and Mr. Macdona's Hedwig third. It will be seen, such advances had the variety made, that in all six prizes were given. So came about the popularisation of the St. Bernard, and, as the saying goes, he has never looked behind him since -gone on prospering rather, for where at that time one good enough to win at a big show would be worth fifty or one hundred pounds, to-day one with similar ability would, perhaps, command three or four times that sum. For as well as being the biggest and handsomest of the canine race, he is the most valuable.

Much has of late been written as to the deterioration of the mastiff, owing to its so-called admirers breeding them for certain points to an exaggeration, but such cannot with fairness be said with regard to the St. Bernard. Whether the latter is easier to breed true to type than other large varieties of the canine race it is difficult to say, but there is no doubt that there are more good St. Bernards to be found now in 1893 than there are of any other big dog.

Monarque, Tell, and one or two others stood well ahead in their day. Then came Mr. Murchison's Thor, Mr. F. Gresham's Hector, The Shah, and Abbess, Miss Aglionby's Jura, one of the very best shortcoated bitches I ever saw, followed by Mr. Macdona's Bayard; all of which in reality stood head and shoulders above other competitors. Menthon—a big black and tan ugly dog. quite wrong according to prevailing ideas, maybe right according to the style and character of a hundred years ago, resembling a half-bred bloodhound or Thibetan mastiff did a considerable amount of winning at the earlier shows, but happily, if he was used at stud at all, he has not passed down his defects to the present generation.

Mr. F. Gresham, at Shefford, in Bedfordshire, and the late Mr. J. H. Murchison, following Mr. Macdona, gave greatest attention to breeding and importing choice specimens. At one period, about 1874, the former with such animals as Monk, Abbess, Hector, The Shah, Dagmar and Othman, possessed a kennel of St. Bernards which up to that time had not been equalled. At one of the Alexandra Palace shows, the Shefford strain made a record by winning first and second prizes in open rough dogs, the same in bitches and in smooth dogs, first honours in smooth bitches, all three

prizes in puppies, as well as both cups that were offered.

Not long after this time, about 1882, Mr. R. Thornton introduced a beautiful smooth bitch, a brindle with white markings, called Leila, and for a year or so she was the best of her race appearing in public. Then longing eyes were cast at her from the other side of the Atlantic, and she with Mr. S. W. Smith's Duke of Leeds and two others of less note were sold for £800, this being about the first occasion upon which our American cousins opened their pockets to take from us some of our best show dogs.

Without much interlude we are brought right up to the institution of the St. Bernard Club in 1882, when the variety obtained another fillip, and two years later the Rev. Arthur Carter introduced his immense puppy Plinlimmon, the biggest and handsomest dog ever seen up to that time. So it was considered such things had reached a climax, and Plinlimmon, who was bred by Mr. W. M. Pothecary, of Lymm, Cheshire, would be the dog of the century. Proving the chief attraction at all shows where he appeared, he reclined in dignity on his bench, he held levees throughout the day, he gave his paw to the ladies, he beamed pleasantly on the children. His colour was handsome and bright, he

was as active as a kitten, had not too much coat, measured 33 inches at the shoulders, and weighed 210lb. when not too fat. Until 1886, Plinlimmon had not suffered defeat since arriving at maturity. However, in the autumn of that year, he had his colours lowered by a much smaller dog, Mr. King-Patten's Prince Battenberg, who, at Birmingham, was placed over the giant for the special cup-a decision that astounded his many admirers. Still, Mr. Patten's dog was a very perfect specimen so far as he went, and although his head was more typical than that of Plinlimmon, alongside the latter Prince appeared very small. He was a great favourite with some. judges.

For such a dog as Plinlimmon there was a prompt demand. Mr. Carter was induced to sell him, then he became the property of different individuals. Mr. J. F. Smith, Sheffield, had him for a time, so had Mr. S. W. Smith, Leeds, and the latter sold him to an American actor, now deceased, Mr. J. K. Emmott, for something like £800. Poor Plinlimmon was transferred from the boards of the bench to those of the theatre, and he died in the States only two years ago, leaving however, many of his excellences behind him stamped upon the features of a most numerous progeny. There was but one fault to find with "Plin," as his friends loved to call him,