From the drawing in “Modern Dogs (Sporting Division).” (Reproduced by
permission of the Publisher, Mr. Horace Cox.)
]
Certain new features are noticeable in the third edition. The portraits
of those famous greyhounds Master M’Grath and Fullerton were well worth
inclusion, the more so as given on one plate which, as Mr. Lee observes,
affords opportunity to compare the remarkable dissimilarity in build and
conformation between the two most celebrated dogs of their respective
periods, the seventies and the nineties. Admirers of the Welsh foxhound
will appreciate the inclusion of Mr. Wardle’s clever drawing of two
couples of representatives of this breed, famed as far back as the tenth
century, if the hounds appraised in the Laws of Howel Dha were the
ancestors of the modern animal. The author believes that the Ynysfor
pack, owned by Mr. Jones, of Penrhyn Deudraeth, is the one which boasts
the greatest purity of Welsh blood, but he does not think there exists
in Wales or elsewhere “an entire pack of the pure Welsh hound, either of
harrier or of foxhound stamp (for there are two varieties) with the
wire-haired crisp coat.” The hounds which furnished Mr. Wardle for his
portraits were from the otterhunting establishments of Mr. Wynn, of Rug,
now given up, and from that of Mr. E. Buckley. The value of the Welsh
hound for otterhunting has long been appreciated in the Principality.
Mr. Buckley considers those he possesses better than the otterhound, as
they feel the cold less, and their shorter coats dry more quickly.
Summing up all the evidence for and against the Welsh hound, Mr. Lee
holds that a capital case in his favour has been made out. Another new
illustration is that of examples of the Kerry beagle; this breed
survives, so far as is known, only in the kennels of Mr. Clement Ryan
(the Scarteen). In that of Mr. Aubrey Wallis, Master of the recently
established Millstreet Harriers, the blood of the Scarteen black and
tans has been used. The Kerry beagle’s origin has been traced to the
south of France, whence Mr. John Ryan brought them some time during the
latter half of the eighteenth century. Among the new matters which has
been added to the gun-dog section we must notice the Welsh springer,
which in 1902 was accepted as a distinct variety, and allotted separate
classes by the Kennel Club.
The author reviews the evidence advanced by the advocates for this step,
and the Welsh spaniel takes his place among modern dogs; deservedly, for
this is a hardy, courageous, docile dog, and possesses excellent nose.
The Welsh variety stands out much higher on the leg than other spaniels,
and Mr. Wardle’s picture gives the idea of a dog at once sporting and
handsome. The third edition of Modern (Sporting) Dogs is in every way a
worthy successor to its forerunners. Higher praise could not be given.
The building of cottages in the country is a matter that has attracted
much attention latterly, and this little work,[9] though it embraces the
erection of buildings other than the labourer’s cottage, will be found
of practical assistance to all who may contemplate building as a
business. The authors display practical knowledge of their subject, from
foundation to roof, if we may use the expression, and they show up in a
lurid light the wanton absurdity of the building laws now in force in
some localities. This is a subject to which public attention was drawn
by the public-spirited action of Sir William Grantham not very long ago;
and in the interests of the poorer classes it is much to be hoped that
the more unreasonable clauses of these bye-laws will be revised to make
cottage building possible. All classes of small dwellings, from that
which costs £1,000 downwards to erect, are considered; and most of the
materials in general use are dealt with. An exception occurs in the clay
blocks, which, protected by weather boarding, Sir Walter Gilbey has so
successfully employed on his Essex property. This method of
construction, cheap, efficient, and picturesque as it has proved,
deserves to be more widely known. The pictures, drawings, and
photographs are admirable, and the plans are clearly and well drawn.
Bridge is said to be losing some of its vogue, but the appearance of a
fifth edition of the work[10] by “Cut Cavendish” seems to contradict the
assertion. As the author observes, “unfortunately, with many people it
has developed into a form of disease.” This is true, but the regrettable
fact that bridge takes the shape of monomania with some enthusiasts does
not affect the merit of the game, which, pursued in moderation, deserves
all the praise bestowed upon it. The author has, as in previous
editions, made a point of giving counsel and explanation in the most
lucid form, and his book may be cordially recommended to all who wish to
improve their play. We had been about to say “who are learning the
game,” but hesitate to use a phrase which should imply the existence of
any one who has failed to master it! A welcome addition to the work is
an exposition of “Misery bridge.”
Not only is this form of the game an excellent one for two players,
infinitely superior, in our judgment, to double dummy bridge, it is a
capital education for the four-handed game. It may safely be said that
any player who has attained to proficiency in misery bridge may take a
hand in the parent game without fear of incurring those silent anathemas
which befall the incompetent player who ventures into skilled company.
Half-a-dozen short stories are included in this little book,[11] the
title of which promises a Turf atmosphere. Two of the collection,
however, deal with racing, the others having scarcely a bowing
acquaintance with the course. All are readable, nevertheless, and may be
recommended as suitable to while away the tedium of a railway journey.
“Our Van.”