.—The pointer is that species of dog well known to contribute more to the contemplative pleasures and pursuits of a sportsman, than any other in the canine catalogue. This peculiar breed, on account of their universality and general utility, have been so incredibly crossed, re-crossed, bred in, and bred out, to gratify the various opinions, (as prompted by fancy, caprice, or speculation,) that they are now to be found of all sizes, and all qualifications; from the slow, short-headed, heavy-shouldered remains of the original Spanish pointer, (who will tire in half a day's work,) to the cross of in and in with a FOX HOUND, of which none are ever known to tire; many of them having speed enough to catch a leveret three parts grown, when they jump up before them. Pointers, forty or fifty years since, were hardly ever seen but entirely white, or variegated with liver-coloured spots; except the then Duke of Kingston's black and white, which were considered superior to every breed in the kingdom, and sold for most extravagant sums after his death. They are now, from the constantly increasing attachment to field sports, to be seen of every description, from pure white, and a flea-bitten blue or grey, to a universal liver-colour, and a perfect black. In a choice of pointers for general use, that is for every species of GAME, the extremes in size, as well as in speed, are better avoided, and the line of mediocrity adhered to: overgrown, heavy dogs, soon get weary in the hot and early part of the season: the smaller sort have also their inconveniencies in hunting in very high turnips, heath, broom-fields, &c.
As some advantages have been obtained by the various crosses, both in respect to speed, and the durability of fatigue, so something has been sacrificed on the score of patient forbearance, and olfactory sensibility; the gradational shades of one species introduced by every change having so diversified the original stock, that a much greater degree of trouble is requisite in breaking now than formerly, to bring a POINTER of perfection into the field. The impatient volatility of some men probably prompted them to indulge a design of introducing a breed of pointers, with speed sufficient to outstrip the rapidity of their own imaginations, that they might enjoy the unprecedented and supreme felicity of hunting and shooting at the same time; hence, perhaps, arose the emulative struggle for a superiority of speed in addition to POINT, which, it must be acknowledged, has at length reached the very summit of perfection. Pointers are never considered complete, unless they are perfectly staunch to "BIRD, DOG, and GUN;" which implies, first, standing singly to a bird or a covey; secondly, to backing (or pointing instantaneously likewise) the moment he perceives another dog to STAND; and lastly, not to stir from his point, upon the firing of any gun in company, provided the GAME is neither sprung or started at which he made his original point.
The art of breaking pointers for the field, was, twenty or thirty years since, looked upon as a very mysterious and difficult piece of business; many (called dog-breakers) deriving a subsistence from the employment: the charm, however, has been long since broken, and the process is known to be so exceedingly simple, that a tolerable well-bred pointer puppy may have the foundation of all his future perfections theoretically inculcated in the VERY KITCHEN or PARLOUR of his MASTER, before he is taken into the field. This is so truly and practically possible, that it may be done with two or three brace together in a large room, or small yard, with no other assistance, than the alternate words of "TO-HO!" "TAKE HEED!" and "HAVE A CARE!" (with the small field whip in hand to impress attention,) although meat is tossed before them in every direction; when not a dog will stir till the signal of "HIE-ON" is heard, which they eagerly obey; but are as instantly stopped at the very moment of seizing their meat, by either of the cautions previously mentioned. Young dogs, having thus imbibed the principles upon which they are to act, have nature, and their instinctive impulse, to point out their practice when brought into the field: few are seen who hunt too little, the major part are inclined to range too much, and then it is that the cool and steady patience of the experienced sportsman becomes necessary to check the impetuosity. Juvenile gunners frequently spoil young dogs, by keeping them under as little restraint as they wish to be kept themselves; and too often let them break away out of all reasonable distance, till they acquire a habit of inattention and disobedience, of which some are with very great difficulty, if ever, divested.
When brought into the field, they should be taught to traverse every yard of the ground, (in proper lengths, and at proper distances,) so that none be left unbeaten; and this should be done with as few words, and as little noise, as possible. Short verbal signals, low vibrative whistles, and the motion of the hand to the right or left, are all that's useful; more does mischief: one steady shot of this description, with a brace of pointers obedient to command, and staunch to DOG and GUN, will kill more game in any country, than a noisy crew with three or four brace of dogs before them. All young pointers should not be permitted to deviate from the proper rule of quartering the ground before them; that is, to cover a line of fourscore yards transversely in the front of his master, taking forty yards to his right, and re-passing him, take the same distance to the left; and in such proportions as not to let his crossings and re-crossings be more than five-and-twenty or thirty yards from each other. If a brace of pointers are in the field, they should alternately cross the same beat, by meeting and passing each other; but never beat the same way in a parallel direction.
Those who wish pointers to bring the GAME when killed, will find it very easy of attainment, by teaching them to fetch and carry before they take the field; it is an amusement they are much delighted with, and never forget: it has, however, one chance of inconvenience annexed to the experiment, if they become hard-mouthed, and take to breaking both flesh and feather; it is a fault, or rather a crime, never obliterated, but with incessant trouble and severity. It is a practice with some to hunt their pointers in coverts, with bells about their necks, both in COCK and PHEASANT shooting; those who do it, hold their pointers (at least their excellence) in very slender estimation, as it invariably reduces their speed; renders them slow, tardy, undisciplined, and inclined to hang and puzzle, by constantly drawing upon the foot of the pheasant, or upon a hare in covert, when one happens to start before them; in a persevering pursuit of which, high-spirited dogs, full of blood, are subject to fits, and of long duration: cutting off half an inch of the tail, or bleeding in the roof of the mouth, is the only extemporaneous remedy in the field. Previous to the beginning of the season, that is, a fortnight before the commencement, each dog should have two doses of physic about four days apart; after which proper attention should be paid to the provision, which should be of a sweet and healthy kind, to preserve as much as possible their faculties in full perfection. From the hardness and heat of the ground in the first weeks of September, it sometimes happens, that the feet become lacerated, inflamed, and exceedingly sore; when which is observed, a plentiful washing, with warm gruel and a sponge, will afford considerable relief; in an hour or two after which, the application of some weak salt and water, or cold white-wine vinegar, will harden the surface, and probably prevent a repetition.
POLE-CAT
.—The pole-cat is a species of vermin, partaking, in some degree, of the figure and propensities of the MARTIN and the FERRET; or rather between both. It is smaller than the one, and considerably larger than the other; is an inhabitant of the bushy coverts in the neighbourhood of lonely farm-houses; to the POULTRY, EGGS, and DOVE-HOUSES, of which they are constant and destructive enemies. The effluvia, or rather stench, arising from their bodies is so truly offensive, that it has long since laid the foundation of the well-known proverbial expression of "stinking like a POLE-CAT."
POLL-EVIL
,—in its first stage, is a tumefaction formed upon the poll of a horse immediately behind the ears, and is, in general, occasioned by a blow, bruise, or, perhaps, sometimes by the heavy weight and constant pressure of old harsh, stubborn harness-halters; as it is a kind of casual defect, or misfortune, with which only draught-horses are known to be much affected. Upon its discovery, when in an early state, repulsion may be attempted by mild restringents, as a few minutes patient fomentation with HOT VINEGAR and a sponge, followed by a slight application of CAMPHORATED SPIRITS; not evidently submitting to which at a third or fourth repetition, but continuing to increase, and display symptoms of impending maturation, those appearances must be immediately encouraged by proper means, and every attempt at repulsion instantly discontinued. Hot fomentations with gruel, immediately succeeded by emollient poultices of linseed powder, milk, and a small quantity of turpentine well incorporated; or bread, milk, and white lily root, bruised to a paste, and applied of a proper warmth, are the best modes of expediting suppuration; when which takes place, no small share of Veterinary knowledge, and professional punctuality, is requisite to obtain a sound and perfect cure.