124 Ifcinas of tbe 1Rot>, IRifie, anb (Sun 



well requited the labour of cultivation ; he had an 

 innate civility and evenness of temper, which very 

 few could ruffle, always preserving the most unassuming 

 behaviour ; and whilst reciting a fund of fen-shooting 

 anecdotes was ever indefatigable in procuring amuse- 

 ment for his employers. 



One circumstance happened in the course of our 

 shooting acquaintance, which, however it may evince 

 Old Merry's attachment to his dog, might have been 

 attended with serious consequences. This favourite dog 

 was of the old English water-spaniel kind, and con- 

 stantly went with his master, to whom he used to 

 bring coots and wild-ducks when moulting, or the 

 young flappers in astonishing quantities. One afternoon 

 the dog showed symptoms of being unwell, refused the 

 food offered him, took no notice of the birds as usual 

 and scarcely roused himself at the discharge of the 

 guns. Upon our return, the dog was at one end of 

 the punt, and the howl it almost incessantly uttered* 

 added to the darkness of the evening, and the reflections 

 upon the cause by which these howlings were produced, 

 rendered it as unpleasant a voyage as was ever made ; 

 for Merry made no doubt but that the dog was going 

 mad, and meant to secure and administer some never- 

 failing remedy as soon as he got him home ; the dog 

 however, frustrated his intention, for when landed at 

 the house, he directly set off, and what became of him 

 was never discovered." 



Mr. Stuart- Wortley and other expert gunners of the 

 present day maintain that pigeon-shooting now is very 

 different from what it used to be, that the birds are far 



