THE BEAGLE HOUND. 



BY HERMAN F. SCHELLHASS ( " Pious H."). 



Thro' miry swamp and wooded vale, 

 The Beagles run the cotton-tail. 

 The Hounds give tongue; the welkin rings; 

 'Tis music fit for lords or kings. 



>HE Beagle is undoubtedly one of the oldest breeds of 

 dogs in existence. As in the case of most of the old 

 breeds, its origin is unknown. In examining the 

 various prominent works on the Dog, we find frequent 

 reference to the Beagle during the times of George IV. and 

 Queen Elizabeth, and in once instance, at least, Shakes- 

 peare mentions it. This breed is also spoken of in the 

 Sportsman's Cabinet, an old English work published in 

 1803, and in other old works, and from the descriptions 

 there given it seems to have been, in form and character, 

 the same as it is to-day. 



While, as remarked, the origin of the breed is lost in 

 obscurity, it was unquestionably derived by selection, and 

 evolved from the ordinary Foxhound, the latter having been 

 bred down until the desired size was obtained. The true 

 Beagle is, as designated in the standard, " a miniature 

 Foxhound." 



Of all the breeds of field dogs used in this country, the 

 Beagle, the most musical of the Hound family, has unques- 

 tionably advanced the most in favor and standing with the 

 sportsman. This is partly owing to the fact that compara- 

 tively few of our sportsmen had seen him at home on the 

 trail of a rabbit, as we commonly call our hares and, as 

 a result, his good qualities and value as a field companion 

 were unknown, and consequently could not be appreciated. 

 His having advanced so fast, of late, in favor and apprecia- 



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