70 British Dogs. 



scarlet sleeve of the master of the Bedale, and when they see it standing 

 at danger they draw up to a standstill, and allow his spotted beauties to 

 cross scathless. But the N.E.B,. is accustomed to take things easy, and 

 the traveller who has crawled through Quaker Straits by the North 

 Passage without having his time wasted or his temper spoilt must have 

 dropped into a hopeless state of uselessness. 



" The music of hounds breaking covert, blended with the windings of the 

 huntsman's horn, is something to be remembered with pleasure ; but it 

 is reserved for those whose nights are spent within earshot of the kennel 

 to listen to that matchless song of unpricked music which, once heard, is 

 never to be forgotten the midnight chorus of a pack of foxhounds, as it 

 breaks on the ear and swells in tuneful cadences in the dark and stilly 

 night ; when Harmony and Audible pitch the keynote, and Musical and 

 Singwell and Songstress carry on the air, waking old Charon and 

 Crowner, that put in the bass notes, while Vocal and Tuneful and 

 Rhapsody and Eantipole and a score more swell the choir and prolong 

 the song. The wakened kennelman starts from his pillow, but, catching 

 bon-accord notes ere he can clutch the handle of the riot bell, gives pious 

 thanks that it is Harmony, and not old Discord, that breaks his dreams, 

 composes himself, and drops off to sleep again." 



To the foregoing remarks by " Vert " we add the following, as giving 

 information on points not touched upon by him. 



Two qualities have always been considered essential in the Foxhound 

 nose and endurance, and to that is now added speed. To ensure 

 the latter two qualities perfect symmetry is essential; by which is 

 meant harmony and due proportion of each part relatively to the other 

 and to the whole, and as applied in the present instance, includes the 

 adaptability for displaying a high rate of speed conjointly with great 

 stoutness by the special development and strengthening of certain parts 

 towards that end. 



Mere size has nothing to do with this, and on that point there is still 

 difference of opinion, although still the balance, as in the days of 

 Somerville and Beckford, is in favour of a middle sized hound, but that 

 must always be a question to be determined to a considerable extent 

 by the nature of the country to be hunted. 



On the subject of size Beckford says, " I most approve of hounds of 

 the middle size, and believe all animals of that description are strongest 



