52 AN ENGLISH SQUIRE 



carriers ; while necessarily he is an eminent member 

 of the coaching club, and the critics are hard put to 

 it when they set to picking faults in his turn-out. 

 Consequently there is always something worth looking 

 at in his paddocks ; and nothing can be prettier in 

 the way of pets than the colts and the fillies of 

 illustrious race that come whinnying at their master's 

 heels, seeking to rub their silken muzzles on his 

 shoulder, and hunting after apples or sugar in the 

 broad pockets of his shooting-coat. 



Except, perhaps, the occupants of the kennels. At 

 the hall they still shoot over dogs, for the country 

 is little adapted to walking in line. And the squire's 

 setters are so many pictures. What action they show 

 when you see them out ! what dash and fire, and yet 

 what perfect training ! They are rather dearer to the 

 keeper than his own children, and yet he is a most 

 affectionate parent. Broken by gentleness and not 

 brutality, in their wildest swing they always keep their 

 eye on their master, answering to the slightest wave 

 of his hand. " Handsome is as handsome does " ; but 

 their steadiness and splendid action are as admirable as 

 their animated eyes and silken coats, their sinewy loins 

 and feathering sterns. Then there are the Sussex 

 spaniels, that make such merry melody after the 

 pheasants and rabbits ; and the lively little terriers, 

 with their prick ears and game limp ; and, last but 

 not least, the curly retrievers, with a staid demeanour 

 beyond their years, and a world of sagacity in their 

 thoughtful faqes. And everybody and everything about 



