Jerome K. Jerome (1859 - 1927) was an English writer, primarily of humorous works and novels. This book, Jerome's second, was first published in 1886 (London: Field and Tuer), from which edition the text below is taken. The essays that constitute this book were first published in the London literary magazine Home Chimes.
Newfoundlands are mentioned only once in this book. In the chapter "On Vanity and Vanities," Jerome remarks on the vanity of little children, then goes further:
Why even animals are vain. I saw a great Newfoundland dog, the other day, sitting in front of a mirror at the entrance to a shop in Regent's Circus, and examining himself with an amount of smug satisfaction that I have never seen equalled elsewhere, outside a vestry meeting. (21)