THE ENGLISH SETTER. 707 



dog. Mauy prefer him to the pointer ; and if water is plen- 

 tiful he is certainly more useful; for his feet are much better 

 ■defended against the sharp cutting of the heath, than those 

 of the pointer ; as a great deal of hair grows between the 

 toes, and round the ball of the foot, of which the pointer is 

 almost destitute. Besides, he ranges much faster, and can 

 endure much more fatigue. He can serve in thick coverts, 

 where a pointer will not enter, and on this account is useful 

 in woodcock-shooting, where springers or cockers are not 

 kept. 



Formerly the setter was used for the purpose of taking 

 partridges with the draw-net ; and was generally taught to 

 squat down when the game was within a proper distance, — 

 hence the name setter. 



The setter, besides his uses in the field, is much em- 

 ployed in duck-shooting, as he is an excellent swimmer, and 

 takes the water very readily. He is naturally of a timid 

 disposition, and much afraid of correction, which, if inflicted 

 with too much severity, never fails to render him ever after- 

 wards unfit for field-sports. He becomes what is termed 

 blinked, and in this case is so overpowered with fear, when 

 threatened with correction, that he will sink at his master's 

 feet, and will steal away, after which it will be impossible 

 to rouse him to further exertion in finding game ; conse- 

 quently it is of much consequence that both breaker and 

 master should cautiously ascertain the dog's natural character. 



The following beautiful stanzas of Somerville finely de- 

 picts the style of ranging by the setter : — 



** When Autumn smiles, all beauteous in decay, 

 And paints each chequer'd grove with various hues, 

 My setter ranges in the new-shorn fields, 

 His nose in air erect ; from i-idge to ridge 

 Panting he bounds, his quuitcr'd ground divides 



