THE SETTER. 17 



shooting excursion ; I lifted him over the ditches, and though 

 he was not able to gallop, whenever the bitch came to a point, 

 he also set as steadily as possible : nor was this all happening 

 to pass a small bush, with the whelp close to me (for he could 

 not run) when the bitch was at a distance, he made a dead set, 

 I regarded him for some time I never saw a handsomer or 

 a steadier point : and when I had satisfied myself with looking 

 at what appeared to me little less than a phenomenon, I kicked 

 the bush and up rose a pheasant. Thenceforward the whelp con- 

 stantly accompanied me, whenever I went out for the purpose 

 of shooting ; as soon as he acquired sufficient strength, he be- 

 gan to run, set, and backed without the least teaching ; he has 

 uniformly manifested an acuteness of olfactory nerve quite as- 

 tonishing ; but, I am sorry to add, that it is only by incessant 

 hard labour he can be kept steady. 



He was bred by a Mr. Harley, who resides near Dumfries. 

 He is liver coloured, about the middle size, and extremely hand- 

 *ome: I am inclined to think that this is the true bred Eng- 

 lish setter, the dog so celebrated when the net was as much in 

 fashion, as the fowling-piece is at the present day. 



Dogs the most distinguished for acute sense of smell hart 

 large broad heads. 



