58 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



In his work, "The Dogs of the British Islands" 

 (edition of 1867), he writes: "As some difference 

 of opinion appears to exist with regard to setters, we 

 have determined thoroughly to satisfy ourselves as 

 to their origin and best form, and we have called all 

 the best authorities to our assistance. We propose 

 to place the result of our labors before the public, and 

 to add our own conclusions. 



"There is no doubt that the sport of hawking was 

 known and practiced by the ancient Britons, and that 

 the Roman was totally ignorant of the science; but 

 the invader at once came to the conclusion that the 

 system might be improved and introduced the land 

 spaniel, if not the water dog also, into this country. 



"These dogs roused the game, and this was all that 

 the hawker required of them in those early days ; but 

 in after years, as we shall see, dogs were required to 

 point, or, in the language of the quaint old writer, 

 'Sodainely stop and fall down upon their bellies/ and 

 having so done, when within two or three yards, 'then 

 shall your setter stick and by no persuasion go fur- 

 ther till yourself come in and use your pleasure/ 



"At first, then, without doubt, the spaniel was 

 merely used as a springer for the hawk, which was 



