150 EEMINISCENCES OP THE LEWS. 



the Lews than I ever kept before, as the dogs 

 got prematurely old from the effects of the 

 climate; and, from the impossibihty of being 

 properly conditioned, could not do the same 

 work they would have done in other countries. 

 Besides, from the birds being widely scattered, 

 they had to gallop hard, or they were of no 

 use. If a brace did my work for two hours 

 and a half, it was as much as I expected of 

 them ; and I generally gave three brace enough 

 every day we shot, which was as often as the 

 weather would let us. I tried every dodge I 

 knew of with my kennels, but I never was 

 satisfied with the appearance of my dogs, 

 though I was more than satisfied with their 

 performance. Though I say it who should not 

 say it, I had a real, good team of dogs, for I 

 never kept a moderate one, or bred from any- 

 thing but first-rate animals. The real Gordons 

 — I don't mean your show cart-horses, but 

 your thorough-bred racers, compact, sinewy, 

 and bony enough for all working purposes, 

 staunch as steel, docile, and sensible — are a 

 noble breed, and like their old master, well 

 deserve the name of the " gallant Gordons ; " 

 and those who have them pure, will rue the 

 day they ever tried to change their real style, 

 and shape, and make. I always took them in 



