30 FOX-HUNTING 



His head was what we should call ' snipy,' and he 

 was decidedly on the leg. Crossed with the 

 terriers of the period used for bolting foxes, 

 which were either black-and-tan or red, the fox- 

 terrier as we know him now was eventually 

 evolved. The foot-beagle of the present day also 

 owes many of his good qualities to this ancestor, 

 and it is the dash that he has transmitted to his 

 descendants which now enables a pack of twelve- 

 inch hounds to pursue a hare to death. Amidst 

 Yorkshire dales and Cumberland fells the fox- 

 beagle was used for tracking the fox to his earth 

 by shepherds and farmers, who followed the chase 

 on foot, and who rejoiced in a kill, as much for 

 the sport as for the safety of lamb-fold or hen- 

 roost. 



The author of An Essay on Huntings published in 

 1733, says ^ the north-country beagle is nimble 

 and vigorous, and does his business as furiously 

 as Jehu himself can wish him.' The same writer 

 then tells us, ' there is yet another sort in great 

 favour with small gentry, because they eat but 

 little. These, as their noses are very tender and 

 not far from the ground, I have often seen to 

 make tolerable sport ; but without great care they 



