To a great many of my readers the genial features of this enthusiastic fancier will be very familiar, and they will hardly require to be told he lived for many years at Sunderland, where he practised as a solicitor, and "made things hum" in the doggy line while he was there; but since he has taken up, I hope, a more lucrative, though, I fear, quite as anxious and laborious a profession, we have seldom the pleasure of seeing him at the shows. In response to my appeal for some particulars of his canine experiences, he has kindly sent me such a detailed account of the doings of his extensive kennel, that I think I cannot do better than give it in his own words. In the matter of Bedlington Terriers, I imagine he stands quite at the head of the Fancy, both from the number and quality of the specimens at one time or another in his kennel, most of which I well remember. And there are few, if any, private individuals who have had a more extended personal experience of dogs in general, or kept greater variety of breeds, so that it is not to be wondered at his services being often in request as judge, while his great popularity as a fancier made his company always acceptable to his troops of friends amongst Doggy People.

A life-like portrait of Mr. W. E. Alcock and of Jack Warkworth, one of his celebrated Bedlington Terriers, are given with this sketch.

"I was born a lover of animals, and of dogs in particular. When quite a child I remember having a Black-and-tan Terrier, a Skye, and a Retriever, and then follow several others, a Bull, a Brindled Bull-terrier, several Fox-terriers, Spaniels, Pointers, and Setters, one of the last named an Irishman, and, had he ever been shown, I am sure would have held his own in the ring.

"It was not, however, until July 26th, 1880, that I began to show dogs. This was at West Hartlepool, where I won second prize with a Smooth Fox-terrier, Stormer (K.C.S.B. 9,859), the late Colonel J. A. Cowen being judge. Stormer won me many more prizes about that time. Amongst the other Smooth Fox-terriers I have owned have been Avenger (9,804, a winner at the Alexandra Palace, Edinburgh, etc.), Cresswell Vesper (11,203, by Champion Rattler, a winner of some fifty prizes in all, including first and cup, Darlington, 1881, E. M. Southwell, judge), Belgrave Rally (1,515), and Rutland (11,185); whilst in Wire-hairs the following have at various times been inmates of my kennel: Cresswell Venture (a winner of many prizes in the North, and sold by me to Mr. A. H. Clarke, of Nottingham), Humbledon Hazard (who won some thirty firsts and specials, including Stockport, Durham, Berwick, Edinburgh, Newcastle), Humbledon Harlequin (who won for me about twenty prizes, including first and special, Birkenhead), and last, but not least, Humbledon Nimrod (30,968, a dog I purchased from Fred. Holland, huntsman to the Bedale Fox-hounds, after having awarded him two firsts at Thirsk Show on August 19th, 1891). He won a number of prizes for me, including three firsts, Edinburgh Scottish Kennel Club Show (Mr. Redmond, judge); two firsts, Crystal Palace (Mr. Clear, judge); first, Hanley (under Mr. Astley); and first, Newcastle-on-Tyne (the late George Hellewell, judge).

MR. W. E. ALCOCK.

From photo by Norman May & Co., Cheltenham.

"In 1878 and 1879 I owned a small pack of Beagles, but parted with them in 1880, with the exception of one, then a puppy, Lexicon by name, who afterwards won five firsts, one second, and a V.H.C. at seven shows, when he was bought from me by the late Colonel J. A. Cowen.

" Other winners I have owned have been: -

"Bull-terriers: Young Turk (6,599), first, Crystal Palace, etc. Lion (9,511), a winner of eight firsts.

"Dandle Dinmonts: Steam (8,665), first, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, etc. Cresswell Vera, first, Stockton, etc. Humbledon Blue Peter, a first-prize winner.

"Irish Terriers: Bassetlaw Paddy, first and specials, St. Helens, etc., and sire of Benevolence, etc. Humbledon Brilliant, firsts and specials, Blackburn, Northampton, etc. Humbledon Brightness, and Toe-rags, both winners.

"Old English Terriers: Humbledon Billy (21,734), a winner of many prizes, including first, Darlington. The Welsher (21,740), sold by me to Mr. A. Maxwell, who won first and special, Westminster Aquarium, March 10th, 1886, when he was bought by Dr. Kerr.

"Airedale Terriers: Humbledon Gay Lass, a winner of several firsts and seconds. Merle Gadfly, firsts, Edinburgh, Birkenhead, Carlisle, Sunderland. Humbledon Hornet, first and special, Aberdeen, and many other prizes, and sold by me for exportation to Madagascar. Humbledon Mosquito, two firsts and specials, Edinburgh, and four firsts, Haarlem, where he was claimed at catalogue price.

"Scottish Terriers: Tiree (30,061), firsts, Agricultural Hall, Edinburgh, Dundee, Crystal Palace; Challenge, Manchester; Challenge Cup, Edinburgh; Challenge, Edinburgh, 1892, etc. I afterwards sold him to Messrs. Toon and Symonds for exportation to America, where he held his own. Glenelg (32,523), first, Sunderland, Jarrow, etc. Humbledon Hurasser, first, Sunderland, etc.

MR. W. E. ALCOCK'S BEDLINGTON TERRIER JACK WARKWORTH.

From photo by H. A. Marlee, Sunderland.

Pointers: Cresswell Shot (13,355), a winner of some forty prizes in the North, under Colonels J. A. Cowen and James Allison (both now deceased), Messrs. James Hedley, R. B. Summerson, George Procter, George Raper, Brailsford, and Bishop. Actress and Anxiety, both first-prize winners.

"English Setter: Humbledon Heather, purchased from Mr. R. Chapman, of Glenboig, and a winner of over thirty firsts and specials, including Birkenhead, Sunderland, etc. At the latter show he won the special for the Best Dog in the Show, whilst on several occasions he won specials for the Best Sporting Dog. I sold him for exportation to Italy.