CH. i.] ASTLEY AND FKANCONI. 7 



was further 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. Mons. A. Franconi in a similar manner rewards his horses. 

 One evening I was in such a position, at a performance of the 

 Cirque National de Paris, that I could clearly see, during the Lutte 

 des Voliigeurs, that the broad-backed horse held for the men to 

 jump over was continually coaxed with small slices of carrots to 

 remain stationary, whilst receiving their hard thumps as they 

 sprang upon him. I could not make out why the horse was 

 sniffing and apparently nibbling at the chest of the man standing 

 in front of him with a rein in each hand to keep his tail towards 

 the spring-board, until I remarked that a second man, placed in 

 the rear of the other, every now and then, slily passed his hand 

 under his neighbour's arm to give the horse a small piece of 

 carrot. 



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

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

 kindness and patience to make the horse thoroughly 

 comprehend 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 

 all; and, in pursuance of Astley's plan, you ought to give 

 these lessons when you are alone with the dog, and his 

 attention is not likely to be withdrawn to other matters.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. 



13. 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 



