Chapter II: Preface: No Preface

(FOR FIRST EDITION.)

My respected Publisher has suggested that a Preface may be expected. His opinion on such a subject ought to be law; but as I fear my readers may think that I have already sufficiently bored them, I will beg them, in Irish fashion, to refer any formalist, who considers a Preface necessary, to the _conclusion_ of the work, where a statement will be found of the motive which induced me to write.

W. N. H.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. QUALIFICATIONS, IN BREAKER,--IN
DOG 1

CHAPTER II.

INITIATORY LESSONS WITHIN DOORS. SHOOTING PONIES 9

CHAPTER III.

INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED. SPANIELS 20

CHAPTER IV.

LESSONS IN "FETCHING."--RETRIEVERS 57

CHAPTER V.

INITIATORY LESSONS OUT OF DOORS.--TRICKS 76

CHAPTER VI.

FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER COMMENCED. RANGING 99

CHAPTER VII.

FIRST LESSONS IN SEPTEMBER CONTINUED. CAUTION.--NATURE'S
MYSTERIOUS INFLUENCES 111

CHAPTER VIII.

FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER CONTINUED. CUNNING OF AGE.--RANGE
OF FROM TWO TO SIX DOGS 129

CHAPTER IX.

FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER CONTINUED. "POINT" NOT RELINQUISHED
FOR "DOWN CHARGE" 150

CHAPTER X.

FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER CONTINUED. ASSISTANT.--VERMIN 165

CHAPTER XI.

FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER CONCLUDED. BAR.--LEG STRAP.
--SPIKE-COLLAR 176

CHAPTER XII.

SHOOTING HARES. COURAGE IMPARTED.--"BACKING" TAUGHT 194

CHAPTER XIII.

HINTS TO PURCHASERS. PRICE OF DOGS.--SHEEP KILLING 210

CHAPTER XIV.

A REST BEYOND "HALF-WAY HOUSE." ANECDOTES OF DOGS ON
SERVICE AT HOME 230

CHAPTER XV.

ANECDOTES OF DOGS ON SERVICE ABROAD. RUSSIAN SETTERS 249

CHAPTER XVI.

DISTINGUISHING WHISTLES. "BACKING" THE GUN. RETREAT
FROM AND RESUMPTION OF POINT. RANGE UNACCOMPANIED
BY GUN. HEADING RUNNING BIRDS 278

CHAPTER XVII.

SETTER TO RETRIEVE. BLOODHOUNDS. RETRIEVERS TO "BEAT."
WOUNDED WILDFOWL RETRIEVED BEFORE THE KILLED 294

CHAPTER XVIII.

BECKFORD. ST. JOHN. CONDITION. INOCULATION. VACCINATION.
CONCLUSION 307

POSTSCRIPT: MR. L----G'S LETTER 322