is necessary to calm them. When you see your pupil carried away by excitement beyond the distance of twenty paces, stop him with a severe voice. When he rejoins you, give him a sign to advance again, saying "Gently, gently:" moderate your voice, if his ardour is too great. All these lessons, repeated with patience, will not be lost on a dog of pure breed. You should well know how to distribute your recompenses as well as chastisements: give them at the proper moment, and be prodigal with your favours.

When your dog knows all that we have here named, he is broken, theoretically speaking. Many sportsmen exact more. The education of a pointer is very trifling: he is formed by Nature; in his youth he is. so excited that he forces and starts the game, but he soon knows better: the instinct of the chase causes him to reason; he continues his gallop, but he stops when necessary.

A sportsman understands the powers of his dog: his listeners, who have scarcely believed his tales, are surprised by facts. I know a man who took a burning stick from

the fire, threw it into the centre of the hall, and desired his dog to bring it. The dog walked round the burning brand, fearing to touch it: the order being repeated to him, he at length approached it, and having first extinguished the fire with his urine, seized it in his mouth, and dragged it to the feet of his master.-Si non

vero.

THE PRACTICAL EDUCATION OF

SPORTING DOGS.

"Le bon chasseur fait le bon chien."

Sagesse de Nation.

PROCURE a living partridge and cut his wings secure it from time to time, from distance to distance, in sundry grassy spots. Then attach your bird by a string to a tree or bush. It will at first endeavour to escape, but finding that impossible, it will soon lie close; allow it to remain so, and leave it. Your dog not having observed these preparations, take your gun and the wind, and with him approach the ground that has been touched by the bird. Then repeat the lesson to "seek." Your dog will become impatient as soon as he scents the game, he starts; stop him with a gentle remonstrance; make him return to your side, and

cool his ardour by the words " Gently, gently." As you have only one partridge, and that must die in the lesson, be careful of his life, and allow the practice to last as long as possible. Tell your dog to seek; make him turn to the right and the left; and lastly, when he approaches the game, cry loudly to him to "hold." Should he not stop, a good pull at the spiked collar will instantly have the effect. Then approach your dog, saying to him quietly, "Hold, hold!" Walk round him: your voice and looks will fix him to the spot he has taken. When you have done this several times, take the partridge, put it under his nose that he may scent it without permitting him to touch it. Then let the bird go behind you take your dog away, and recommence your lesson. Do this several times, and above all follow the advice given you before: and the moment your dog has pointed at the bird without the aid of his collar, kill the partridge and make him bring it. When the dog precipitates himself on the bird, and enjoys the pleasure of holding it in his mouth, cut the string by

which it has been attached. Assure yourself that he does not bite the bird, and that he gives it you the moment you desire him. Throw it three or four times in order to make him bring it again, and recommence this practice as often as you can procure a living bird.

This lesson may be also followed up with a rabbit in a court-yard. It is not necessary to secure it; this animal, accustomed to live in burrows, will not endeavour to save itself in an open space: it will remain quiet. If your dog runs after a hare or a rabbit which gets up, he should be severely punished: this custom will cause you to miss many a shot; he should not move till your gun is discharged.

We are now arrived at the period to take your dog to the field. If he is wild, place the collar on him and allow the cord attached to it to trail on the ground; you will then always master him by placing your foot on it. The animal receives a severe shock, the sharp points run into him and soon correct him. But each time that you so stop him