OF SHOOTING. 231 



fact, attend to every thing appertaining in any de- 

 gree to this diversion. The mere slaughtering of 

 birds or hares is a barren amusement indeed, when 

 no interest is felt for the manner in which a dog 

 ranges his ground, finds the game, &c. The true 

 sportsman prides himself more on the behaviour and 

 discipline of his dogs than on being able to destroy 

 an abundance of game in a short time. 



Horses, in an enclosed country, I am of opinion, 

 are of little use; but in grouse-shooting they diminish 

 the fatigue, and on this account are very pleasant. 

 For this purpose ponies are used, which have been 

 so accustomed to the sport as to be perfectly recon- 

 ciled to the firing of a gun, and in other respects 

 docile and obedient. 



Now, supposing a gentleman has to go ten or a 

 dozen miles in a morning, before he gets to the 

 ground he intends to shoot upon, it will be necessary 

 that the dogs should ride as well as the sportsman, 

 in order to have them fresh. There is no method I 

 know of so convenient and economical as a gig, so 

 made as that two or three dogs may be put conve- 

 niently under the seat. By this means, both the 

 shooter and dogs will be as fit for the sport as when 

 they started from home. On a shooting excursion 

 to Scotland, or indeed to any distant part, a gig of 

 this description will be found a very convenient 

 vehicle; as, should any of your dogs become lame 

 on the road, you can immediately put them into 

 your gig. 



