BREEDS 241 



far from effeminate, though nature never intended 

 them to draw a badger or throttle a fox. They 

 take kindly to petting on the hearthrug, but are 

 never so happy as in the field. It makes the heart 

 glad to see their keenness, shaking the roots of the 

 hedge saplings, or tearing through the thicket of 

 » bramble, without the slightest regard to their glossy 

 coats. In the field, perhaps the Clumber is the 

 most useful, though he soon knocks up and must 

 be worked by relays ; he is easily trained to hunt 

 within half gunshot. He is not such a cheery dog 

 to shoot over as the merry little beagle or the 

 more excitable terrier, for he does not give tongue. 

 But he has the great recommendation of being 

 staunch and steady. The Clumber is a French- 

 man. In the middle of the eighteenth century his 

 ancestors were sent to a Duke of Newcastle at 

 Clumber, as a present from the Grand Huntsman of 

 King Louis XV. The Sussex, on the contrary, as 

 the name implies, is pure English. With shorter 

 legs and as long a body, he is lighter built than the 

 Clumber. He gets more excited over his sport, and 

 throws his tongue, though never vociferous. The 

 colour is dull liver, or a bright golden glow. The 

 Sussex has a shapely head, and his charms are his 

 soft expression, and the beauty of his hazel eyes. 

 I never cared greatly for spaniels myself, but no 

 dogs seem to win more on the affections of their 

 masters. A friend of mine, whether travelling at 

 home or abroad, will never be parted from a 



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