THE POINTER 



Stiff" by the tainted gale with open nose, 

 Outstretched and finely sensible, draws full, 



Fearful, and cautious, on the latent prey ; 

 As in the sun the circling covey basl^ 



Their varied plumes, and, watchful every way, 

 Through the rough stubble turn the secret eye. 



THOMSON. 



I 



"AHE respective virtues of the Pointer and Setter have been 

 discussed without stint for many years, the advocates of each 

 retaining their opinions uninfluenced by the arguments on the other 

 side. It may not be known that no less a person than Sir Walter 

 Scott once had a mild hand in the game. In " St. Ronan's Well," 

 if you turn to the account of the dinner party which led to much 

 ill-humour, you will find these remarks : " The company were 

 talking of shooting, the most animating topic of conversation 

 among Scottish country gentlemen of the younger class, and Tyrrel 

 had mentioned something of a favourite setter, an uncommonly 

 handsome dog, from which he had been for some time separated, 

 but which he expected would rejoin him in the course of next 



