The subjects of this sketch are another instance of husband and wife with congenial tastes, and both keenly interested in live stock, and, strange to say, both seem to like the varieties which are rather out of the common.

Mr. Brooke has been known as one of the most ardent supporters of the Dogue de Bordeaux, of which he had some of the finest specimens seen in this country - Sans Peur, Dragonne, Matador du Midi were amongst his best. He has also had some good Esquimaux, Hairless Dogs, Dingoes, Thibet Dogs, and other distinguished foreigners, and has several wolves, which he has succeeded in taming, and has a better opinion of wolves in general than is held by the public at large. He also takes an interest in Bull-dogs, usually keeping some - Aston Thornfield, Battle-axe, and Baby Bacchus have been some of his winners - and has been the Hon. Secretary of one of the Bull-dog Clubs for some time.

Mrs. Brooke is quite an enthusiast, not only with dogs, but cats and poultry - in fact, I think anything she takes up, she does with all her might; and the number of prizes, with one variety and another, she has taken since she has lived in this country - I believe both she and her husband were educated, and spent most of their youth, on the Continent - must be considerable.

From the fact of my being sometimes called upon to judge what my friend Mr. Brough calls the "wild beasts" - that is, the Foreign Dog Classes - I have often had the pleasure of seeing the dogs from this kennel in the show rings, and can testify to the ability with which Mr. and Mrs. Brooke handle breeds which are not "everybody's money," and the zeal and energy exerted to show them to the best advantage.

MRS. H. C. BROOKE.

Some of my readers may have seen the correspondence in the fancier papers about a Thibet Dog belonging to this kennel, which has been attacked by an anonymous correspondent who signs with the pseudonym "Crossnant." I have been so much amused at some poetical sarcasm on the matter which lately appeared in a well-known weekly paper which caters more especially for the fair sex amongst fanciers, that I venture to reproduce it here, in case some of my readers may not have seen it, as persons and dogs referred to may be recognised by those who take an interest in the "foreigners": -

"For lo! a star arose in the East, and his name was Crossnant, and he gave unto the judges 'beans,' and eke all old traditions did he upset, saying, 'Lo! I that am, say so shall it be, and all that hath gone before vanisheth away, like smoke before the wind.'

"Ye Foreign Dog judges Pray list to my rhyme, You shocking imposters Should be all 'doing time.'

MR. H. C. BROOKE.

From photo by A. R. Pichett. Bexiey Heath.

"Ye Foreign Dogs also Attend to my call, You've really no right To be winning at all.

"The Thibetan Mastiff Hale quick 'fore the 'beak,' The underhung villain On his skull hath a peak!

"Beshamed, let him cover His head with a hat, For Crossnant hath spoken, 'His skull shall be flat.'

"What though plead old writers For peak, wrinkle, haw; Lo! Crossnant hath spoken, Let these things be no more!'

"And those sinners the Elk-hounds - Imposters indeed! - Crossnant speaks, ' Be ye henceforth Known as Samoyede.'

"See Lane running, trembling - An arch-sinner he - Gresham, Brooke, and Temple Are climbing a tree,

"For Crossnant hath spoken, 'Ye know nought at all' - The dread of his vengeance Hath routed them all.

" 'Peccavi, peccavi,'

Each sinner loud cries, 'All that's ever been written We know now was lies.

" ' Forgive us, clear Crossnant - We're willing to learn; The wicked old writers We gladly will burn.

" 'Instruct us, sweet Crossnant - We wait thy command; So in Foreign Dog circles Shall joy fill the land.'

- B."

I have not been told, but I have a strong suspicion who it is that writes under the name of "Crossnant."

However, as all kinds of people are required to make a world, so are all kinds of dogs wanted to make a show, and it is well that there are in the ranks of Doggy People those, like Mr. and Mrs. Brooke, who take a delight in procuring and producing some of the curiosities and rarities of the canine race, and their entries are welcomed by the secretaries of many a show, and afford instructive entertainment to the visitors bent on seeing all that is new or strange to them.

I am pleased to be able to give portraits of both these fanciers, who are well known and popular.