Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Politics, Government

Institutions mentioned:

House of Commons

    Describes a 'Great Match at the Swell Westminster Pit, between Lord D[erby]'s dog, "Chelmsford" and the "Westbury Pup"', references to the parliamentary battle between Frederick Thesiger (1st Baron Chelmsford) and Richard Bethell (1st Baron Westbury) over the latter's Lunacy Bill. The article describes the behaviour and physical characteristics of the dogs participating in the contest, portraits based on the political characteristics of the statesman after whom they are named. For example, Westbury is described as 'A bull-terrier of extraordinary game' who 'certainly recalls the best performances of the celebrated dog Brougham, and is, if anything, a quicker dog on his legs, sharper in his bite, stronger in the jaw, and immeasurably nastier in temper'. (124)