"ware sheep," so that whenever he sees hare or sheep, the lash may ever be associated in his recollection with the sight of them, or the sound of the same words.

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Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting" contains more ample instructions, and may be recommended as the first and best prose work on the subject. Every gentleman sportsman, and lover of high-bred dogs, (as all such sportsmen are,) is supposed to be familiar with Gay's poem on "RURAL SPORTS," and Somerville's on the "CHASE." Both are well adapted to beguile a day of dirty weather, and to form, perhaps, the best substitute for, if any thing on the "earth beneath" can be compared with, the thing itself, when, mounted on a sure and gallant steed, fond, like his master, of the chase, and carrying him firmly at the stern of the pack, all well together, with heads up, and tails down, they are running now, after occasional losses, in breathless and almost mute assurance of victory!

What Lord Chatham once said of a battle, is particularly applicable to a good fox chase. It should be sharp, short, and decisive. Hence, in view of the uncleared and difficult country over which the chase lies for the most part, in our country, the gray fox gives us the best sport. One thing should be borne in mind, that care should be taken in breaking in young dogs, and with all dogs, in the commencement of the season, to choose a good scent-lying day, and be careful of all circumstances which may contribute to insure a taste of blood. Thus a stimulus is given, the effect of which will be enjoyed throughout the season. As in some other undertakings, confidence goes a long way towards insuring a successful issue to the enterprise.

CHAPTER V.

THE SHEPHERD'S DOG.

THE extension of sheep husbandry which is going on in the United States, and the importance of his services therein, bid fair to place the Shepherd's dog very soon in the front rank for real utility in the public estimation. It may, in fact, be affirmed that this branch of rural industry cannot be pursued with complete success without his aid-especially in all that part of our country, to wit: the mountain ranges, from Maryland to Georgia, which nature may be said to have designed for our national sheep pastures, and which must be so appropriated, when their peculiar advantages for that important object shall have gotten to be more generally understood.

Of this breed of dogs there are several varieties, few specimens of which have been imported. The Pyrenean, or St. Bernard's dog, is one of great size, immense strength, and indomitable courage. He accompanies the large merino flocks of Spain in their annual migrations to the mountains, protecting them from the numerous wolves with which the Pyrenees abound. Two individuals (unfortunately both males), splendid specimens of that breed, were sent to the writer of these sketches by that spotless patriot, and illustrious friend of

our country, GENERAL LAFAYETTE; recommended by him, from personal experience, as being of inestimable value to wool-growers in all regions exposed to the depredations of wolves and sheep-killing dogs. With a view to this agricultural necessity of our country, the author of this work has ventured to put in requisition, for the procurement of another pair, the kind offices of G. W. LAFAYETTE, who, with all his other virtues and purity of character, inherits, also, in all its force, his honoured father's devoted and generous attachment to America.

The Pyrenean, or St. Bernard dogs, sent by General Lafayette, were white, with a large portion of light brown colour. There are said to be two breeds of the Pyrenean, as well as of the Newfoundland :-one with longer, the other with shorter hair. Both are trained, in the winter time, to " carry a basket with some food and wine; and thus equipped, they sally forth from the Hospice of St. Bernard's, and other passes, in search of travellers who may have lost their way, or fallen beneath the snows of the preceding night. They are followed by the monks devoted to that service of humanity; and, every winter, several lives are saved by their united means."

But the true shepherd's dog, most in use, and best adapted to the common care of sheep, and all the duties connected with that business-except that of protection from wolves-is a much smaller animal, seldom two feet high. From General Lafayette, on another occasion, we received a pair that were perfectly black; with head and nose sharp and pointed, and with a manner and countenance indicating uncommon alertness and intelligence. They were placed the day of their arrival, for