IRISH SETTERS PRICES. 123 



THE SETTER. 



The SETTER was originally a Spaniel, perhaps of the larger kind, taught to 

 sit or couch on scenting the game, as the Hound was subsequently taught to 

 stand or point, in the similar circumstance. Had we not the testimony of history, 

 the deep flew and external form of the Setter, even when highly crossed with the 

 Pointer according to modern fashion, fully demonstrate his origin. A Duke of 

 Northumberland of the fourteenth century, has the reputation of being the first 

 Sportsman, 'who broke and trained the Setting dog to the net. In the year 1685, 

 a Yeoman of the name of John Harris of Willdon, in the Parish of Hastlebury, 

 County of Worcester, executed a deed signed by his mark, to Henry Herbert of 

 Robbesford, said County, Esquire, in consideration of ten shillings of lawful English 

 money, well and sufficiently to maintain and keep until the first day of March, for 

 the said Henry Herbert, a Spaniel bitch named Quaud, and fully and effectually 

 train up and teach the said bitch to sit Partridges, Pheasants, and other game, as 

 well and exactly, as the best sitting dogs usually set the same. Mr. Daniel has 

 copied at length, this curious instrument. Setters in Ireland, are, or used to be, 

 termed English Spaniels. Mr. Thornhill thus describes the crack Setters in that 

 Country ; colours deep chesnut and white, or all red, with the nose and roof of the 

 mouth black. In general, Setters partake of the variety of colours in the Spaniel 

 and Pointer. On the same authority, we learn that, the Hibernian Sportsmen are 

 in the habit of giving very liberal prices for the best kinds of this dog : as a proof, 

 a Gentleman in the North of Ireland, gave to his tenant for a setter dog and bitch, 

 the renewal of a lease of a farm for nine hundred and ninety nine years, which 

 farm, had the lease expired, would have cleared to the landlord, above two hundred 

 andjifly pounds per annum. In this case, it is but fair that, we be allowed to 

 presume some additional and valuable consideration. Extraordinary high prices 

 for Setters, in England, have not hitherto come under our notice, and we believe at 

 the present time, a very good Setter may be purchased for ten pounds. Yet Setters, 

 however extremely useful, and preferred by many Sportsmen, are by no means, so 

 numerous as Pointers, the latter breed being the greatest favourites of the day. 



The Setter is a very beautiful and engaging dog, and the more so in proportion 

 to retaining his original breed and form, and being free from the Pointer cross. 

 His eye and countenance have all the softness of the Spaniel, and when of good size, 

 with his soft, deep, and curly flew, and long fringed tail, he makes a charming and 

 enticing appearance in the field. It is difficult however, at present, to find a true 

 setter, so much has the original breed been mixed with the Pointer ; perhaps the 



