secondary to the quality of his guests, however, who were always
men of reputation either in the literary world, or in the modern
annals of society. The dog Turk was invariably present, and usually
stretched his huge form upon the hearth-rug.

It was a cold night in winter, when Mr. Prideaux's friends were
talking after dinner, that the conversation turned upon the subject
of dogs. Almost every person had an anecdote to relate, and my own
grandfather being present, had no doubt added his mite to the
collection, when Turk suddenly awoke from a sound sleep, and having
stretched himself until he appeared to be awake to the situation,
walked up to his master's side, and rested his large head upon the
table.

"Ha ha, Turk!" exclaimed Mr. Prideaux, "you must have heard our
arguments about the dogs, so you have put in an appearance."

"And a magnificent specimen he is!" remarked my grandfather; "but
although a mastiff is the largest and most imposing of the race, I
do not think it is as sensible as many others."

"As a rule you are right," replied his master, "because they are
generally chained up as watch-dogs, and have not the intimate
association with human beings which is so great an advantage to
house-dogs; but Turk has been my constant companion from the first
month of his existence, and his intelligence is very remarkable. He
understands most things that I say, if they are connected with
himself; he will often lie upon the rug with his large eyes fixed
upon me as though searching my inward thoughts, and he will
frequently be aware instinctively that I wish to go out; upon such