FROM BRUSSELS TO PARIS IN A DOG PHAETON. A Belgian Author's Novel, Equipage.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 424, 30 November 1889, Page 3

FROM BRUSSELS TO PARIS IN A DOG PHAETON. A Belgian Author's Novel, Equipage.

The Paris correspondent of the 'Daily News' writes : I have met M. Nantct, the Belgian author, who follows the usage of his country in utilising the "dog as a draught aninial. He has a little phaeton drawn by dog£ in which he drives about when at home, and in w hich he has come from Brussels to Paris. M. Nan Let thinks that Belgium with hercheerlebs sky and sodden soil is ablo to hold her own, and be among the most prosperous nations of Europe, because the dog is not only the friend and comrade but the carrier of the poor man. The costermonger and his wife in Paris or Londen are broken down prematurely by fatigue, and the stabling and fodder for a donkey i 3 a heavy tax on their profits, but their Belgian brethren can house their dogs with themselves. The dogs, after beinsj unharnessed, dine with their masters, and in winter sleep before the kitchen lire. The strength of a good draught dog is marvellous. He does not spoil roads like a horse, and when tired he asks to lie down, a favour always granted ; and, on being rested, goes on again cheerfully. ■ The pair which drew M. Nantet i« of average size and strength, and had a long line of ancestors, who did good work in their time as carriers. When at an inn their master used to unharness them and take them with him into the coffee-room, where they lay down at his feet. He drove all the way, unless when there was a steep hill to climb. At a place called Louvroil the Mayor heard he had come into the town, aud informed him that his equipage came within the reach of the Grammont Law for the Protection of Animals. ' Very well,' answered the Belgian, who was preparing to start, and he ordered the dogs to get into the phaeton and sit on the seat, while he drew them. They obeyed, and stayed there until they were beyond the bounds of the commune, where they descended to be harnessed. To avoid crowds who might think well to take part with the dogs against their master, M. Nantet lcept clear of large towns. At Compiegne he telegraphed to a number of Bolgians here at what time he was likely to reach Paris, and they went out to meet him. When he was sighted the dogs were goingr at a brisk pace. He thinks they could have done the journey comfortably in five days, but as he is as much their friend as their owner he gave them seven.