118 THE BEAGLE THE HARRIER, &c. 



THE BEAGLE 



Is the smallest of all the dogs kept for the chase, and is used 

 only in hunting the hare. It is far inferior in speed to that ani- 

 mal, which is the principal object of its pursuit ; but by its ex- 

 quisite scent it traces her footsteps through all her turnings and 

 windings with the greatest exactness, and with wonderful perse- 

 verance, until she becomes at length exhausted, and unable any 

 longer to continue her flight. 



THE HARRIER 



Differs from the beagle in being somewhat larger, as also 

 more nimble and vigorous. It pursues the hare with eager im- 

 petuosity, and scarcely gives her any time to breathe ; and the 

 most active sportsman finds it sufficient exercise to keep up with 

 the pack. These hounds exert their voices with cheerfulness, 

 and make that lively harmony which has ever delighted the ears 

 of the true sportsman. 



THE FOX-HOUND. 



Great Britain excels all other countries in her breed of fox- 

 hounds, whether we consider their swiftness, or their perseve- 

 rance. The climate seems congenial to their nature, for the race 

 is said to degenerate when transplanted into foreign countries; 

 and it is certain, that in no part of the world is there so much 

 attention paid to their breeding and management. This, indeed, 

 is not a matter of wonder, when we consider that the attach- 

 ment of the English to the chase is so remarkable, as to be 

 reckoned a trait of the national character. This propensity is 

 so prevalent, that scarcely any price is thought too high for 

 hounds of approved excellence. 



These dogs are also trained to hunt the stag ; and as a proof 

 of their perseverance and spirit in supporting a long continu- 

 ance of vigorous exertion, it is sufficient to observe, that a large 

 stag having been turned out of Whinfield park, in Westmoreland, 

 was pursued until the whole pack was thrown out, except two 

 staunch dogs, which continued the chase. The stag returned to 

 the park, made his last effort in leaping over the wall, and at the 

 moment he had accomplished it, dropped down dead. The fore- 

 most of the two hounds also reached the wall, but being too much 

 exhausted, it lay down and immediately expired ; the other, un- 

 able any longer to continue the pursuit, fell down dead within a 

 small distance of the place. This is perhaps the longest chase 

 recorded in the annals of stag-hunting. They advanced as far as 

 Redkirk, near Annan, in Scotland, distant from Whinfield park 

 forty-six miles by the post-road, so that the circuitous route they 



