33 



enterprise. He most surely laid the foundation-stone to 

 the Airedale's meteoric leap to the American public's 

 favour, a popularity that, for enthusiasm and numbers, 

 has outstripped that of 'the Old Country. 



About this time, at a small show at Woolwich, another 

 gem was unearthed by Mr. A. E. Jennings, Dumbarton 

 Lass being benched at this show and catalogued at 

 twenty-five pounds. Mr. Fred Gresham, the judge, in 

 spite of her very rough condition of coat, very quickly 

 picked her out from amongst the ruck, and awarded her 

 some first prizes. She was quickly claimed by Mr- 

 Jennings, and for two or three seasons she was well-nigh 

 invincible. She was bred by Capt. Baird Smith, who 

 certainly entertained an angel unawares in this glorious 

 bitch. Barring her coat and colour she was peerless. 

 There was a strong suggestion of the bar sinister in her 

 pedigree, but my own conviction has always been that 

 she was bred true enough, and this is strengthened by 

 the many good sons and daughters she has left behind 

 her. On the break-up of Mr. Jennings's very powerful 

 kennel, she, with the majority of her kennel mates, came 

 into the possession of Mr. Stuart Noble. This well- 

 known fancier up to that time had had little opportunity 

 to indulge what, to him, amounted to a passion for the 

 Airedale, but when at last business cares released him, 

 he took the occasion by both hands, and for a time 

 possessed a team which at that period had never been 

 equalled in one kennel. What stirring memories of 

 strenuous battles are aroused by the names of that 

 famous bitch and Ch. Master Briar, Ch. Arthington 

 Tinner, and Briarwood (who never was, but ought 

 to have been, a champion). 



The happenings were highly sensational at this time, 

 and fears were entertained that a ' ' corner ' ' was pro- 

 jected, but these fears were baseless, and this, for the 

 time, great kennel was dispersed over the face of the 



