PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 469 



day. When perfect in certain lessons by himself, he was 

 associated with other horses whose education was furthei 

 advanced. And it was the practice of that great master 

 to reward his horses with slices of carrot or apple when 

 they performed well. 



11. Astley may give us a useful hint in our far easier 

 task of dog-breaking. We see that he endeavored by 

 kindness and patience to make the horse thoroughly com- 

 prehend the meaning of certain words and signals before 

 he allowed him any companion. So ought you, by what 

 may be termed " initiatory lessons," to make your 

 young dog perfectly understand the meaning of certain 

 words and signs before you hunt him in the company 

 of another dog nay, before you hunt him at ah 1 ; and, 

 in pursuance of Astley's plan, you ought to give these 

 lessons when you are alone with the dog, and his atten- 

 tion is not likely to be withdrawn to other matters. 

 Give them, also, when he is fasting, as his faculties will 

 then be clearer, and he will be more eager to obtain any 

 rewards of biscuit or other food. 



12. Be assured that by a consistent adherence to the 

 simple rules which I will explain, you can obtain the 

 perfection I have described, 8, with more ease and ex- 

 pedition than you probably imagine to be practicable ; 

 and, if you will zealously follow my advice, I promise, 

 that, instead of having to give up your shooting in Sep- 

 tember for I am supposing you to be in England 

 while you break in your pup, you shall then be able to 

 take him into the field, provided he is tolerably well bred 



