242 DOGS 



favourite bitch who has reared him many Htters 

 of puppies. 



I have written at more or less length on the dogs 

 I consider most companionable. But there are 

 others, not so common or not so popular, whose 

 acquaintance is nevertheless worth cultivating. In 

 the way of friendly companionship, there is little to 

 be said for the pointer. It is not his fault, poor 

 beast ; he does his own work to perfection, but 

 from time immemorial he has been banished to the 

 kennel and the company of keepers of a single idea. 

 It is different with the setter. He is so handsome, 

 and his face is so full of sympathetic intelligence, 

 that his master could hardly help making friends 

 with him : when the pointer was sent off to the 

 kennel, the setter was invited into the parlour. I 

 have known many setters in the stubbles and on the 

 moors, but there was one of my own to whom I 

 became specially attached. It was a case of love 

 at first sight, and I loved her so much that I was 

 foolish enough to bring her up to London. She 

 was an embarrassing companion in walks in Pic- 

 cadilly and the Parks. Her beauty drew all eyes, 

 and in the affability of her manners she met the 

 advances of all and sundry. Sometimes she gave 

 introductions to desirable acquaintances : quite as 

 often it was the reverse. Doubtless the dog-stealers 

 were on her track, though I knew it not. One 

 dusky evening she disappeared. Moral : never keep 

 a favourite in London. 



