34 



earth, not through any diminution of enthusiasm on Mr. 

 Noble's part, but through sheer unmerited misfortune. 

 Lass found a home in the kennel of Mr. Jos. A. 

 Lauriii, of Montreal, and that is equivalent to saying 

 that the " best time " that genial fancier could possibly 

 give Kitty was hers. Somewhere about 1896 a small 

 coterie of breeders was established at Bath and Chippen- 

 ham.. One of these gentlemen, Mr. Fred. Orledge, was 

 the first to astonish the Airedale world with the pro- 

 duction of the aforementioned Briarwood, benched fcr 

 the first time at St. Pancras Show, London. He took 

 all Airedale hearts by storm. Mr. Hunter Johnston 

 was the lucky individual to become the owner of this 

 superlatively grand puppy at this show, and that veteran 

 fancier, whose knowledge of the breed was then, and 

 perhaps is now, equal to that of any breeder, however 

 eminent, would be the first to admit that Briarwood 

 was one of the finest investments he ever handled, 

 out of one of the most amazingly consistent winner 

 producers within my memory, Bath Lady, and a tap root 

 for three-quarters of the front rankers of to-day. H'ynd- 

 man Briar was the sire, a son of Willow Nut, but, in my 

 judgment, an infinitely superior Terrier. But yet, despite 

 great chances, he failed utterly and lamentably in getting 

 anything near first-class, except by the alliance with this 

 remarkable matron. So that breeders of this line of blood 

 will be wise in their generation in putting their money 

 on the bitch side of the house. This is amply proved, be- 

 cause, when put to Ch. Clonmel Marvel, the result was 

 winners, and the same result when allied to Ch. Master 

 Briar was evolved. 



Ch. Clonmel Kitty was the next that this prolific gold 

 niine produced. She was bought by the writer for four 

 pounds, and afterwards sold for very many times that 

 figure. I have never seen a more thoroughly charming 

 animal than old Kitty. She is still alive and looks like 



