[ Gentleman's Magazine ]
The Gentleman's Magazine was an important and influential monthly magazine in the 18th and 19th Centuries; it began in 1731, ceased regular publication in 1907, and shut down completely in 1922.
The January 1869 issue featured a reminiscence entitled "The Epicure's Christmas Story" — I'm assuming the issue was available prior to January! — by a Walter Maynard.
The story, such as it is, involves the author recollecting a recent summer excursion of his as a way of taking his mind off the cold and snow of December in London. He recounts a spur-of-the-moment trip in July to Brighton, the English seaside resort town. Once there, he notices a dog in the water.
"Whose dog is that?" I asked, referring to an antiquated Newfoundland wading in the water.
"That's a dog they call Jack, sir," said the boatman; "he belongs to a very good-looking party, who brings him down here every morning. Every morning she comes and the dog comes with her. They do say as how that dog has saved many people from drowning; and I dare say he has, for he's wonderful intelligent."
The "good looking party" was watching her dog on the beach, and fully justified the description.
Leaving the boatman, the party, and the Newfoundland hero, I sauntered to a hotel and had some lunch.
The Newfoundland is not mentioned again.