330 FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



although it were his master's. He stood steadily to his birds ; 

 but it was difficult to break him of chasing the Hare. He was 

 deficient in speed. His redeeming quality was his excellent 

 scent, unequalled in any other kind of dog. 



" To convince our readers of the value of this particulai 

 breed, we may mention the very singular sale of Col. Thornton's 

 dog Dash, who was purchased by Sir Richard Symons for one 

 hundred and sixty pounds' worth of Champagne and Burgundy, 

 a hogshead of Claret, and an elegant gun and another Pointer, 

 with a stipulation that if any accident befell the dog, he was to 

 be returned to his former owner for fifty guineas. Dash unfor- 

 tunately broke his leg, and in accordance with the agreement 

 of sale, was returned to the Colonel, who considered him a for- 

 tunate acquisition as a stallion to breed from. See Blain or 

 Daniel." 



This animal, which was once considered very valuable, is now 

 entirely superseded by the improved, or English dogs. He was 

 often what is vulgarly called do^Me-nosed, having a deep fur- 

 row between the nostrils ; and to this peculiarity, I have heard 

 the excellence of their scenting powers attributed, of course ab- 

 surdly. Mr. Youatt, on the contrary, I am surprised to see, at- 

 tributes the deficiency of the same powers, in a certain French 

 breed, having the like deforaiity, to the same cause. I quite 

 agree with Dr. Lewis, in regarding any such reason, whether 

 for good or evil qualities, as wholly visionary. 



Ugliness, want of speed, and ill temper, are causes which 

 have banished the Spanish Pointer from the kennel of the true 

 sportsman. More of the blood is to be found in the Pointer 

 commonly used in this country, than in the English breed, the 

 points and characteristics of which are well laid down as follows, 

 by Dr. Lewis. 



" The English Pointer will now claim more particularly our 

 attention. It is quite useless to go into a general description of 

 an animal of whom we have already said much, and with whom 

 we are all familiar ; but we will endeavor to mention the most 

 striking points of the species, which marks can be referred to as 

 guides in the purchase of a dog. 



