LIKE most other sciences, shooting has experienced the effect 

 of the superiority of modern knowledge; and, since the applica- 

 tion of percussion powder, has perhaps attained the acme of 

 perfection : but, though great attention has been paid to the 

 breeding of setting dogs, it is, nevertheless, doubtful whether our 

 present variety of these animals is superior to tke dog which 

 was formerly used for the net. At all events, the pursuit of 

 feathered game has assumed a very different character ; and the 

 old diversion of hawking and netting has been superseded by 

 the fowling-piece, and almost forgotten. However, while we 

 admit the progressive improvement in the pursuit of the feathered 

 tribe, the same remark appears by no means so applicable to 

 another fascinating department of British field sports : I allude 

 to hunting. I believe (and much regret the circumstance) that 

 the old English talbot is no where to be found : the modern 

 fox-chase is rapid and dashing, and partakes more of the charac- 

 ter of the steeple-race, than of real hunting : the exquisite scent, 

 steady pace, and delightful music, which distinguished the deep- 

 flewed hound are no longer to be met with : thenoble talbot has 

 been superseded by a fleet, unsteady, yelping mongrel, with 

 olfactory organs immeasurably inferior to his predecessor, and 

 utterly inadequate to the pursuit of the fox without almost con- 

 stant assistance from the huntsman. 



That a passion also existed for extraordinary speed in the set- 

 ting dog must be admitted ; but the experiments for this purpose 

 have been generally attended with such ill success, that the idea 

 seems, in some degree, to be abandoned. However, before r a 



