440 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



instantly ; and he must not stir from his own point at 

 the rising of a bird or the firing of the gun, provided 

 the game is neither sprung nor started at which he 

 made his original point. 



THE SETTER 



Was originally bred from the Spanish pointer, and 

 the largest breed of the English spaniels. 



By considerable care and training, it has become the 

 most valuable of our hunting dogs ; being at once 

 hardy, nimble, and handsome ; possessed of the most 

 exquisite scent and sagacity, while its colour is of a 

 most pleasing variety, and having a disposition aUke 

 affable, humble, and affectionate. 



The manner in which these dogs seek their game, is 

 thus beautifully described by Somerville :— 



** When autumn smiles, all beauteous in decay. 



And paints each chequered grove with various hues. 

 My setter ranges in the mud-shorn fields, 

 His nose in air erect ; from ridge to ridge 

 Panting he bounds ; his quartered ground divides 

 In equal intervals, nor careless leaves 

 One inch untried ; at length the tainted gales 

 His nostrils wide inhale ; quick joy elates 

 His beating heart, which, awed by discipline 

 Severe, he dares not own, but cautions creeps 

 Low covering, step by step, at last attains 

 His proper distance : where he stops at once. 

 And points with his instructive nose upon 

 The trembling prey.** 



These dogs will frequently take to the water after 

 game, and will fetch it out without hurting a feather ; 



