11. Astley may give us a useful hint in our far easier task of
dog-breaking. We see that he endeavored by kindness and patience to make
the horse thoroughly comprehend the meaning of certain words and signals
before he allowed him any companion. So ought you, by what may be termed
"initiatory lessons," to make your young dog perfectly understand the
meaning of certain words and signs before you hunt him in the company of
another dog--nay, before you hunt him at all; and, in pursuance of
Astley's plan, you ought to give these lessons when you are alone with the
dog, and his attention is not likely to be withdrawn to other matters.
Give them, also, when he is fasting, as his faculties will then be
clearer, and he will be more eager to obtain any rewards of biscuit or
other food.

12. Be assured that by a consistent adherence to the simple rules which I
will explain, you can obtain the perfection I have described, 8, with more
ease and expedition than you probably imagine to be practicable; and, if
you will zealously follow my advice, I promise, that, instead of having to
give up your shooting in September--for I am supposing you to be in
England--while you break in your pup, you shall then be able to take him
into the field, provided he is tolerably well bred and well disposed,
perfectly obedient; and, except that he will not have a well-confirmed,
judicious range, almost perfectly made; at least so far made, that he will
only commit such faults as naturally arise from want of experience. Let me
remind you also that the keep of dogs is expensive, and supplies an
argument for making them earn their bread by hunting to a _useful_ purpose
so soon as they are of an age to work without injury to their
constitution. Time, moreover, is valuable to us all, or most of us fancy
it is. Surely, then, that system of education is best which imparts the
most expeditiously the required degree of knowledge.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] It may be satisfactory to others to know the opinion of so undeniable
an authority as Colonel Hawker. The Colonel, in the Tenth Edition of his
invaluable Book on Shooting, writes--page 285--"Since the publication of
the last edition, Lieut.-Col. Hutchinson's valuable work on 'Dog-breaking'
has appeared. It is a perfect _vade mecum_ for both Sportsmen and Keeper,
and I have great pleasure in giving a cordial welcome to a work which so
ably supplies my own deficiencies."

[3] The American Quail so closely resembles