The vertue which remaineth in the Spaniel gentle, otherwise called the comforter.

NOtwithstanding many make much of those pritty puppies called Spany∣els gentle, yet if the question were demaunded what property in them they spye, which should make them so acceptable and precious in their sight, I doubt their answer would belong a coyning. But seeing it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise, so, that the reader might reape some benefit by his reading, we will communicate vnto such coniectures as are grounded vpon [ 20] reason. And though some suppose that such dogs are fit for no seruice, I dare say, by their leaues, they be in a wrong boxe. Among all other qualities therefore of nature, which be knowne (for some conditions are couered with continuall and thick clouds, that the eie of our capacities cannot pearse through thē) we find that these litle dogs are good to as•wage the sicknes of the stomack, being oftentimes thereunto applied as a plaster preseruatiue, or borne in the bosom of the diseased and weake person; which effect is performed by their moderate heat. Moreouer the disease and sicknes changeth his place and entreth (though it be not precisely marked) into the dog, which to bee truth, experience can testifie, for these kind of dogs sometime fall sicke, and sometime die, without any harme outwardly inforced, which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman, or gentlewoman or [ 30] owner whatsoeuer, entreth into the dog by the operation of heare intermingled and in∣fected. And thus haue I hetherto handled dogs of a gentle kind whom I haue comprehen∣ded in a triple diuision. Now it remaineth that I annex in due order, such dogs as be of a more homely kind.