2, 
The Pointer 289 
pointer is serviceable in light coverts, as coppices, cars or broom, with a 
bell on his collar to direct.attention to the right quarter. I neither commend 
nor recommend this method, only signify the possibility of the thing. 
“T once had such a Proteus, as many gentlemen in the vicinity will 
remember, who would stand for a gun at one bird, drop for a net at another, 
and so on as I thought fit. In covert he would do the work of a brace of 
spaniels. ‘Take him into field directly, he was as clean and regular in his 
hunting as if he had never acted in a lower character. This supports 
my assertion of general utility. Some will set the springing spaniel in 
opposition to the pointer, arguing that more chances are had from the 
former than the latter, because they pass nothing, and so consequently 
find more game. Allowing the first datum, the conclusion is by no means 
deducible. Suppose both on a parity of goodness in their different kinds. 
The spaniel must not hunt faster than a man can walk up to him. A 
rating pointer, moderately speaking, will beat four times the ground; 
and if he springs or misses half (which is in a decent dog not to be imagined), 
still the balance of find will be on his side. The only advantage a spaniel 
can have is in strong furze; and there he must spring his game at great 
uncertainty of shooting, unless constitution and resolution drive in up to 
the middle; in which situation—non equidom invideo. There are many 
pointers, which, by use, will stand woodcock very well. And I know one 
of a very eminent physician (Dr. Bigsbye) that, if she found in covert, 
unperceived, would give tongue for discovery, and that repeatedly, till 
she was relieved from her point. 
“Tt is not my intention to depreciate the springing spaniel, as being 
of little or no consequence, for I am really a great advocate for that knot of 
slavery. And when I say a pointer may be made to do, and has done, 
such a variety of works, I still think it acting out of character, whenever 
he represents his superior or inferior. 
“There was a breed of rough pointers introduced to Suffolk by the late Earl 
of Powis, from Lorraine, of which I remember a very few capital. Novelty, 
and the little satisfaction of deceiving and surprising strangers, were their chief 
recommendation. .Sullenness, and a violent attachment to mutton, brought 
them into disgrace, and they have been discontinued for many years.” 
The rough pointer is the dog shown in Sydenham Edwards’s illustration 
of the pointer, and is variously named Russian pointer, Russian setter and 
Russian retriever. We remember seeing some of these- dogs at the Chicago 
