500 DOG-BREAKING. 



whether of the strong kind, the Sussex breed and the 

 Clumber, or the smallest cockers, Blenheims and King 

 Charles'. But whether they are to be trained not to 

 hunt flick* the most difficult part of their tuition, and 

 in which there is generally most failure, and whether 

 they shall be bred to give tongue, or run mute, will de- 

 pend much upon the nature of the country to be hunted, 

 and yet more upon the taste of the proprietor. No 

 fixed rules can be given for a sport that varies so much 

 as cover-shooting. 



70. Of the large kind, most sportsmen will think a 

 couple and a half a sufficient number to hunt at a time. 

 Certainly one of them should retrieve : and they ought 

 to be well broken in not to notice flick. These dogs 

 are most esteemed when they run mute. If they do, 

 they must be hunted with bells in very thick cover ; but 

 the less bells are employed the better, for the tinkling 

 sound, in a greater or smaller degree, annoys all game. 

 Such dogs, when good, are very valuable. 



71. I once shot over a team of Clumber spaniels be- 

 longing to Mr. D z.f The breed the Duke of New- 

 castle's, taking their name from one of his seats are 



* For the benefit of those who have the good fortune, or the bad 

 fortune, as the case may be, of always living within the sound of 

 Bow bells, " Flick," be it observed, is a synonym for " Fur," there- 

 by meaning Hare or Rabbit. 



f Contrary to my usual system, I preserve these anecdotes, aa 

 relating to the Clumber Spaniels, which are so little known, and 

 which 1 so much desire to see introduced in America. H. W. II. 



