Diary sub-note: Ember Day
1356. Battle of Poitiers
S.R. 6.40, S.S. 7.6
Shopped in the morning. Went to Switzerland by 2.o.clock train. Spent night in train. Reached Paris at 11.40. Left Paris at 12.20. Travelled with Lesley, Marjory & 2 little ones.
Diary footnote, accompanying a photograph of a Mastiff. THE MASTIFF. This massive and imposing dog has been indigenous to Britain for many centuries, and is reputed to have been imported into Cornwall by the Phœnicians. Originally a wolf hunter, he turned his attention to bull-baiting. On the enquiry of that sport, he became a watch-dog, for which duty his awe-inspiring appearance and deep voice are eminently suited. He is not naturally ferocious, but proves an awkward customer for tramps, when roused.
