[ 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 August, 1869, issue carried an essay entitled "Some Common Objects on the Sea-Shore," which the author describes as "a few notes on some objects of natural history which may be said to be indigenous to the margins of the melancholy ocean" (290). This is somewhat ironic, as the author's main concern is discuss the various sorts of people one encounters at the beach, and he mentions Newfoundlands in his brief consideration of children at the shore:
To me there is something pathetic in the very presence of these children on the shores. The sea is old and grey, full of sad memories, stern and strong in its calmest and most gentle moods. Yet the child makes a playfellow of it, as simply as a child makes a playmate of the rough, shaggy dog whom every one else is afraid to touch. Indeed I have seen a pretty game of three, between a boy, a Newfoundland, and the tide. The Newfoundland ran and barked at a wave, the boy shouted and kicked it with his diminutive bluchers, the wave growled in a good-humoured way, and seemed to enjoy the sport thoroughly. All the time that dog, however, did not quite trust the grim humour of the sea, for he kept a knowing eye on his young charge, especially when the latter ventured to follow the wave farther than usual in its movements. (290 -291)