r with George and
the Hanoverians--struck all my hopes to the ground. I woke from my
dream of triumph to find myself sold to the stout man in gaiters.

I never saw my brother again. I was never able to tell my fond and
doting mother that I, like her, had taken a prize. I was never able to
chat with my father over a bone, comparing with him experiences of the
show bench. The stout, gaitered man took me away into a far country.

The next morning he took me out into the fields, and looked at me from
time to time, as if he expected me to do something. Unwilling to
disappoint him, I sat down and began my usual exercise for lengthening
my tail. He at once struck me violently. We went a little farther, and I
noticed that he looked more and more displeased; but I could not imagine
what it could be that so distressed him. Presently one of those common
partridge birds had the impertinence to fly out close to me. I caught it
at once, and looked round for applause. There only came another shower
of blows.

"What's the good of your taking prizes," he said, "if you're such an
idiot in the field?--might as well have a greyhound."

"I wish you had," I said under my breath.

I spent a week in torment, and then it occurred to me that this
low-born, gaitered person would have been better pleased with my
brother. So I tried to recall the tricks with which my brother had
particularly aggravated me; and, the next time I smelt a partridge, I
lay down, as I had seen my brother do, and lifted a foolish foot. I was
rewarded with a pat and encouragement.

I have now sunk entirely to my brother's level. My master pronounces me
to be a most excellent sporting dog. But I shall never forget the blows
and angry words that were necessary to make me renounce my ideal of what
a setter should be; and deep in my heart I still cherish, with
passionate devotion, my views on duty, and my honourable family pride.

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
Edinburgh & London

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