BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS. 77 



the sun," so affirms another ; and there are not only 

 specks, but blots in sporting ; we know it, there- 

 fore let us render thena as little objectionable as 

 possible. 



But there is often cruelty of far deeper dye prac- 

 tised in carrying out shooting, than the killing or 

 wounding birds ; the last is often accidental, and 

 never wished for by the true sportsman ; but there 

 is a very great deal of cruelty often practised on the 

 dogs during their breaking. This business is entrusted 

 to men who, though perhaps very expert in breaking 

 dogs, so as to make them perfect by some means or 

 other, are not very particular as to whether those 

 means are consistent with reason and humanity, or 

 the reverse ; such men do not reason much, and 

 really hold a dog criminal if (we will say) he runs 

 into his game, that is, does not stop and stand, or 

 point, before he disturbs it. Now suppose a dog 

 has unfortunately not a very keen perception of 

 scent ; not winding the covey, of course he goes on 

 ranging in search of one ; up and away they go, the 

 unlucky animal is caught, and most cruelly flogged 



