"The Duke of Bedford has just completed at Wooburn a Dog-Kennel, that far exceeds his Grace of Richmond's in all points of extent and magnificence: independently of the immense suite of canine apartments, it has _baths_, _coffee rooms_, _billiard room_, &c., and in the centre is a most spacious _riding house_, &c., for the equestrian amusement of his friends in bad weather."--(_Times, Jan. 31, 1794._) * * * * * "We know not the Nobleman or Gentleman alluded to lately in the House of Commons, as contracting at £800 a year for supplying his Dog-Kennel; but we have heard it said on very good authority, that there are two kennels, not far from Brighton, in Sussex, which cost very little short of this sum. The Duke of Bedford's Dog-Kennel is a mere nothing to either of those alluded to."--(_Times, April 13, 1796._) * * * * * "THE FUNERAL!! "It was not a Tom Cat, for its melodious squalls plainly proved it had long been qualified for the Opera.--It was, however, a prodigious favourite with its Mistress. Long had it lived upon the fat of the land, in Charlotte St., Queen Anne St., where it took great care of Number One! For the space of six years and three months did its Mistress indulge it with 'Rivers of Milk;' and besides it was a sad Cat, for the matter of that, in skimming the cream off everything worth skimming. But as Cats, though they may have nine lives, are not immortal, poor Ralph fell sick and died--without giving time even for a consultation of Physicians! His Mistress, after the first transports of grief were subsided, sent for a Surgeon, who opened the body. He reported that poison was not the cause, as suspected, of his death, but that he was literally killed with kindness. In plain English, he died of a Plethora, for he was fat at heart. "Away posted the Lady and purchased a piece of ground, just large enough to swing a Cat in, at the new burial ground in Mary-le-bonne. The charge was trifling, only two guineas; an Undertaker provided a coffin in miniature: _Grimalkin_, after having lain in state, and several of the frail sisterhood, friends of the Lady, partaken of wine and cake, of which plenty was provided; a Hearse with White Plumes drove to the door, and the Lady, a Chief Mourner, attended by her weeping friends, who filled several Mourning Coaches, followed Ralph to the grave last Tuesday week, like 'Niobe all in tears;' and after the body had been deposited in the earth, though with but 'maimed rites,' 'tis true, she returned slowly to the house of mourning.