SETTER TO RETRIEVE. 649 



all along keep steadily in view the supposition, that you 

 had commenced with a dog un vitiated by evil associates, 

 either biped or quadruped ; for assuredly you would find 

 it far easier to give a thoroughly good education to such 

 a pupil, than to complete the tuition (particularly in his 

 range) of one usually considered broken, and who must, 

 in the natural order of things, have acquired some habits 

 more or less opposed to your own system. If, as a pup- 

 py, he had been allowed to self-hunt and chase, your 

 labor would be herculean. And inevitably this would 

 have been your task had you ever allowed him to associ- 

 ate with any dog who " self-hunted." The oldest friend 

 in your kennel might be led astray by forming an inti- 

 macy with the veriest cur, if a " self-hunter." There is a 

 fascination in the vice above all, in killing young hares 

 and rabbits that the steadiest dog cannot resist when he 

 has been persuaded to join in the sport by some vaga- 

 bond of a poacher possessing a tolerable nose, rendered 

 keenly discerning by experience. 



308. I hope that by this time we too well understand 

 each other for you now to wonder why I think that you 

 should not commence hunting your young dog where 

 game is abundant. Professional breakers prefer such 

 ground, because, from getting plenty of points, it enables 

 them to train their dogs more quickly, and sufficiently 

 well to ensure an early sale. This is their object, and 

 they succeed. My object is that you shall establish 

 ultimately great perseverance and a fine range in your 

 young dog, let birds be ever so scarce. If you show 



28 



