THE PARTRIDGE. 161 



way of bagging game, and properly equipped, or rather suitably 

 dressed, as every gentleman should be under all circumstances, 

 whether in the ballroom, encompassed on every side by a gay 

 throng of sparkling eyes, not less fatal in their glances oftentimes 

 than the reeking shot that is sent whirling from his unerring gun, 

 or in the wide-extended stubble-field, surrounded by his faithful 

 setters, stanch pointers, crafty marksman, and jovial companions. 

 The uncleared state of our country, and a comfortable scarcity of 

 game in the Middle States, render it necessary to have two dogs ; 

 at all events, it is much better to have them, and, from our ex- 

 perience, we are led to recommend one to be a pointer and the 

 other a setter. The weather in the early part of the season is 

 often very warm and dry ; and the setter, if overworked, will most 

 assuredly give out if not lavishly supplied with water, which, by- 

 the-by, it is often impossible to obtain in some districts of country ; 

 while the pointer, on the other hand, will suffer very little or no 

 inconvenience either from the heat or thirst. The setter, however, 

 is peculiarly serviceable at this period of the season: being well 

 protected by his long shaggy hair, he does not for a moment hesi- 

 tate to penetrate the closest coverts, to which the birds are so apt 

 to take when disturbed. It is quite impossible for the smooth- 

 haired, wiry pointer to insinuate himself into these brakes or fast- 

 nesses ; and if, in his eagerness to keep up with his companion, he 

 is forced into such places, he always retires from them with his 

 body and tail dreadfully lacerated by the thorns and briers that 

 are now flourishing so thick and rank. 



Having provided ourselves with dogs and all necessary ammuni- 

 tion, we will now imagine that we have arrived, at a late hour in 

 the afternoon, at the tavern or farm-house from which we purpose 

 to sally the next morning in pursuit of game. The first thing to 

 be attended to by every sensible sportsman is the welfare of his 

 dogs, as most of his enjoyment depends upon their exertions, 

 and therefore no trouble on his part should be spared to keep them 

 in proper condition. The dogs being well fed and comfortably 



boused, the sportsman may then think of his own comfort. We 



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