290 Modern Dogs. 



When the prejudices against the new weapon 

 had worn themselves out, no doubt its popularity 

 increased apace. The Game Laws on the conti- 

 nent being less stringent than in England in 1555, it 

 became necessary to have some legislation whereby 

 the use of firearms should be restricted. Then we 

 have the Elector of Saxony at that time issuing an 

 order prohibiting the use of them excepting under 

 certain conditions, and this because " the carrying 

 of firearms had become so general in our dominions, 

 that not only travellers but shepherds and peasants 

 used them." Shot of some kind was used at that 

 time, but not the well regulated pellets that came in 

 somewhat later, and are used e\en to-day. In 

 Mecklenberg in 1562 a Government regulation pro- 

 hibited the use " of hail shot entirely and absolutely," 

 so no doubt many birds in the duchy at that time 

 would have a considerable respite. The dogs, too, 

 would require to be somewhat steadier, for they must 

 remain standing and quiet during the time their 

 masters are taking aim at the quail or partridge, 

 or the more timid hare. 



Some time after this James I. was reigning in 

 England, and no doubt he with " his shuffling trot 

 and his jerkin " would be giving some attention to 

 the dogs of the field, for was he not one of our most 

 sporting kings? though he did not love the weed 



