[ Lawrence / British Field Sports ]
John Lawrence (1753-1839) was an English author of sporting and farm management works. This book was published under his pseudonym, William Henry Scott.
The full title of this work is British Field Sports, Embracing Practical Instructions in Shooting, Hunting, Coursing, Racing, Cocking, Fishing, &c. ; with observations on the breaking and training of dogs and horses ; also the management of fowling pieces, and all other sporting implements. It was first published in 1818 (London: Sherwood, Neely, and Jones) and had a 2nd edition in 1820, from which the quotes below are taken.
Indicative of Lawrence's strong interest in hunting, he groups Newfoundlands among the "Sporting Dogs" of Britain.
Lawrence's first remark on Newfoundlands comes on p. 121, where he is lamenting the fact many sheep dogs of the country are not bred to interact appropriately with sheep.
The Continental Sheep Dog, as Sir Joseph Banks tells us, most truly is far better and more rationally trained, the sheep, void of all fear, looking upon him as their natural friend and protector: his discipline is also more precise and his duties more complicated than with us. The Dog of the Continent also, and of Newfoundland, has been favoured by nature, with a larger portion of sagacity, than can be boasted by any of the Species on this Island.
Lawrence's main treatment of Newfoundlands concerns their aptitude as hunting dogs:
The NEWFOUNDLAND DOG, so well known of late years in this country, has been introduced into the Field by some few persons, for the purpose of fetching and carrying Game, in which service, it is probable, from his great sagacity and docility, he may acquit himself most satisfactorily. This noble animal, of the largest size of the genus, and devoted to draught in his native country, appears to be specifically the same, or a variety of a great Dog of the North of Europe, perhaps imported thence into the Island of Newfoundland, on its first colonization. Notwithstanding his size and formidable aspect, he is one of the most blameless and good-natured of animals, neither the natural nor intentional enemy of any other; on the contrary, instinctively and voluntarily the friend of all, seeking every occasion to assist and oblige, and in his attachment to human nature equal even to the Spaniel, and inferior to him only, in the qualifications of a Courtier. To finish the strictly well merited eloge of this wonderful brute, where are we, whether among Bipeds or Quadrupeds, to find his superior for kindness of heart, susceptibility of attachment, voluntary industry and proffers of service, courage, fortitude, perseverance? We have a rum story of a Dog in former days, actually taught to speak and converse in Germany; now it is acknowledged, antiquity confers truth, or God knows what would become of the many tales which we entertain without a doubt of their veracity. Let us then suppose, merely for the sake of a ground, that a Newfoundland Dog had simply the addition, and no other, of the gift of speech and of language, how would he stand, precisely, in comparison with our own boasted human nature? But it is enough for the author to offer the problem, the solution he leaves to Divines and Philosophers. The POODLE is a large rough Dog, of similar qualifications with the Newfoundland. (131 - 134)
Newfoundlands are next referenced during a discussion of using spaniels for pheasant hunting.
Colonel Hawker says rationally, that, for one who goes alone into thick Underwood, to get Shots, a brace or two of well broke Spaniels, are best; but yet he recommends a single high-couraged old Pointer, taught to break his point, and dash upon the Pheasants before they can run out of Shot; or a Newfoundland Dog, for the same purpose. (233)
In his chapter "Miscellanea," following a discussion of the guns used in field sport, Lawrence quotes, in its entirety, Lord Byron's famous "Epitaph on the Monument to a Newfoundland Dog" (treated separately here at The Cultured Newf).
The next (and final) mention of Newfoundlands comes in a section discussing otter hunting. Considering which breeds are best suited for this type of work, Lawrence remarks that:
Any strong and high-couraged Dogs, however, which will take water readily, may answer this purpose; and perhaps none better than the larger Water Spaniel and the Newfoundland Dog. (441-442)