THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 105 



swamp, we found hares in great numbers, 

 which we shot to present to our hospi- 

 table acquaintances in the town, by whom 

 they were much'coveted. There are several 

 soi disant sportsmen at Quimper, but out 

 of the number only two have the slight- 

 est pretension to this honourable title ; 

 they are very tolerable shots, but both 

 their dogs and themselves have much to 

 learn before they can hope to be on a 

 par with even a third-rate performer in 

 this country. 



The high courage, good training, doci- 

 lity, and admirable qualities of our setters 

 astonished all the chasseurs in and about 

 the town, and several gentlemen were in 

 the habit of requesting permission to ac- 

 company us, for the purpose of seeing our 

 dogs work. They had never heard of dogs 

 backing or dropping to shot ; and their 

 surprise was great on beholding our well- 

 broke animals acquit themselves as all 

 F 3 



