THE BLACK-TAN SETTEE. 79 



Calver of East Harling, Norfolk, having been the chief breeders in those districts. 

 Mr. Burdett's Ned was a very handsome, useful-looking dog, and was sold at a 

 good price, together with his brother Eock, to Sir J. Eivett Carnac, of Warborne, 

 Hampshire, by whom they were shot over for two or three seasons. Mr. Pearce 

 won several prizes with Argyll II., Eegent, and Euby at the early shows ; but 

 it was not till the appearance of Kent, shown by Sir E. Hoafe at the Ashburnham 

 Hall Show, London, in 1863, that the strong furore, which from that time set in, 

 was displayed. Beating Argyll II., bred by Mr. Pearce (but shown in another 

 name, having been previously sold), he was at once claimed by Mr. Pearce at 

 the selling price (30 guineas), and proved a profitable investment, earning for 

 his owner a large annual income for several years at the stud, and winning several 

 prizes in the champion classes, together with' the gold medal at the Paris Show 

 of 1865. On the show bench his grand head and rich colour drew general attention 

 to him, and it was only to those that could see him out that his rather weak hind- 

 quarters were visible. Taking prize after prize at Cremorne, Birmingham (four 

 times), Islington (twice), Worcester and Paris, his extraordinary career naturally 

 caused a great amount of jealousy, and he was called by the opposition party a 

 " cur," a " mongrel," a " half -bloodhound," and a dozen other bad names. Since 

 that time, however, the real facts of the case have been revealed; and there is 

 little doubt that he was descended on his sire's side from Mr. Jobling's kennel, 

 and on his dam's from that of Mr. Adamson. He was bought when a puppy by 

 Sir E. Hoare from an old rabbit- catcher on his estate, who had brought him up 

 under a cat. Probably to his early confinement and bad rearing may be attributed 

 his weak hind-quarters. So convinced, however, was Mr. Pearce of his purity of 

 breeding that he determined to put the matter to the test of experiment, and 

 offered to trust one of his stock out of Eegent to the care of the writer of this 

 article, to be brought up where he could not possibly see game, and at the 

 proper age, namely, nine or ten months, to be introduced to it without 

 previously being entered to it in any way. The result was in accordance with 

 Mr. Pearce's prophecy, for the puppy not only beat his ground in fine style, but 

 at the end of a few hours' work began to stand his birds as only a well-bred pointer 

 or setter will do, without any artificial education of any kind. Of course the report 

 of this trial added greatly to Kent's reputation, and, being followed by the successes 

 of Eex (the above puppy) at Stafford and Shrewsbury, where he won three cups, 

 beating in the final trial Mr. Field's Duke, who had gained a high reputation in 

 previous years, Kent had so strong a run at the stud for several years, that it 

 would be difficult in the present day to find a black- tan setter without a strain 

 of his blood. Mr. Pearce's Eegent had several large litters by him, including 

 Eex, Young Kent, lona, La Eeine, Dame, Deal, and Silk all winners at shows 

 or field trials. Mr. Stokes's Shot, successful at Birmingham and Islington in 

 1868-9, was out of La Eeine ; and Mr. J. H. Salter's Young Eex, winner at 

 Brighton in 1876, is by Eex. 



But, in spite of the above successes, it cannot be denied that the general 

 opinion of good sportsmen in the south has not been in favour of the breed 



