196 THE POINTER. 



standing fixed and pointing to game, we see the 

 result of a long course of severe training ; and it is 

 a curious fact, that by a succession of generations 

 having been constantly educated to this purpose, it 

 has become almost innate, and young dogs of the 

 true breed point with scarcely any instruction : this 

 habit is so firm in some, that the late Mr. Gilpin is 

 reported to 'have painted a brace of pointers while in 

 the act, and that they stood an hour and a quarter 

 without moving !* But although the quality is admir- 

 able, it is nevertheless true that training will accom- 

 plish the same habit in common fox-hounds, and even 

 in other animals, as is attested in the case of the 

 Hampshire pig, which was celebrated for this faculty. 

 It is said that pointer dogs were not known in 

 England before the revolution of 1688 ; but it may 

 be answered, that as soon as shooting supplanted 

 hawking and coursing, there could be no serious 

 obstacle in forming dogs to that sport. The pointer 

 is quite smooth, commonly marked like the fox- 

 hound, or with more spreading dark colours ; there 

 are some of the best breed entirely black. In 

 habit it is rather lazy, does not encounter close 

 cover nor take the water so readily as the spaniel, 

 but is still a favourite for his powerful nostrils and 



* These were Pluto and Juno, the property of Col. Thorn- 

 ton. Dash, another pointer belonging to the same sportsman, 

 was sold for 160 worth of Burgundy and Champagne, one 

 hogshead of claret, an elegant gun, and a pointer, with the pro- 

 viso, that if an accident should disable the dog, he was to be 

 returned to the Colonel at the price pf 50 ! See Sportman's 

 Repository, 



