106 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



propsrly educated dogs should do. ' ' Mais 

 regardez done commeils couchent.^' " C'est 

 inconcevable /" they would exclaim, when 

 our setters were in the field or swamp. 



It was inquired of me, ** D'ouvient elle 

 cette race de chiens?'' ''England and 

 Ireland," was my reply ; but if I had 

 been asked how the breed was originally 

 produced, I think I should have been 

 puzzled to answer the question. It is 

 hard to say by what means the breed of 

 setters was first established, and I can- 

 not help suspecting that we are indebted 

 to chance and experiment for this beau- 

 tiful and useful animal. 



As the setter is my favourite dog in 

 the field, and decidedly the most useful 

 for general shooting in France, I have 

 devoted much time and attention to the 

 subject, and have even founded a breed 

 of my own. I will here take leave to 

 offer a few observations as to the crosses, 



