The Otter-hound. 73 



his researches into the history of the dog, gives many interesting quota 

 tions from ancient documents showing the pursuit with hounds of 



This subtle spoiler of the beaver kind 



to have been a royal pastime with many of our English kings. In July, 

 1212, the Sheriff of Somerset received commands from King John to 

 " provide necessaries for Ralph, the otter huntsman, and Godfrey, his 

 fellow, with two men and two horses and twelve otter hounds as long as 

 they find employment in capturing otters in your shire." And John, the 

 otter hunter to King Edward I., had twelve otter dogs under his charge. 

 An annual payment, called " Kilgh Dourgon," was made in Wales for 

 the king's water dogs with which they hunted otters ; and James I., an 

 ardent sports man, had for his master of Otter-hounds John Parry to super- 

 intend the hunt and provide for the king's diversion, and so on from 

 reign to reign, otter hunting has, with varying patronage and popularity, 

 remained a British sport, and afc the present day there are, on the 

 authority of " Stonehenge, " at least nine packs hunted, of which the 

 following is a list : " Subscription packs at Carlisle, under the master- 

 ship of Mr. Carrick ; in Northumberland, near Morpeth, under Mr. A. 

 Fenwick ; and at Cockermouth, hunted by a committee. In South Wales, 

 Colonel Pryse and Mr. Moore have each a pack ; while in England the 

 Hon. Geoffrey Hill hunts the otter from his kennels at Hawkestone, 

 Salop, and Mr. Collier's, from Culmstock, near Wellington. In the west, 

 Mr. Cheriton and Mr. Mildmay also pursue the sport." It is neither my 

 province to describe otter hunting nor my purpose to attempt it ; but 

 some reference to it I have considered necessary that the hound engaged 

 in this sport and the qualifications required in him may be better under- 

 stood. From the time when he is driven from his " wicker couch," con- 

 trived ' ' within some hollow trunk, where ancient alders shade the deep 

 still pool," until 



Pierced through and through, 

 On pointed spears they lif t him high in air. 



The mephitic otter gives his pursuers plenty to do, and when it comes to 

 close quarters, be it with terrier or hound, makes, as opportunity offers, 

 good use of his teeth. Traced by his sprainta and seal, and unharboured 

 from his kennel or couch, he finds hard work for men and dogs, as the 



