THE BEAGLE. 095 



colours occupying a greater extent of surface. It is this dog 

 which is now ahnost universally used in Britain and Ireland 

 for hare-hunting. 



The harrier pursues the hare with much eagerness and 

 swiftness, allowing her but little time to breathe or double. 

 The keenest sportsman, and well mounted, frequently find 

 it difficult to keep up with the pack ; and when following 

 a strong hare, becomes rather fatiguing work. The mingled 

 voices of a pack of harriers produce a cheerful and agree- 

 able harmony. 



Mr. Beckford justly remarks, that '• harriers, to be good, 

 like all other hounds, must be kept to their own game : if 

 iliey are permitted to run a fox, they are afterwards spoiled, 

 and no reliance can thereafter be placed upon them. Hounds 

 of all kinds cannot be perfect, unless used to one scent and 

 one style of hunting.'' Somerville says, 



" A different hound for every different chase 

 Select with judgment ; nor the timorous hare 

 O'ermatcVd destroy, but leave that vile offence 

 To the mean, murderous, coursing crew, intent 

 On blood and spoil." 



THE BEAGLE. 



The beagle is the smallest of the dogs of the chase. In 

 form he bears considerable resemblance to the harrier ; but 

 with his limbs proportionally much shorter, and on that ac- 

 count much inferior to that dog in point of speed. His 

 sense of smell, however, is equally acute, and he pursues the 

 hare with indefatigable vigilance and energy. Every wind- 

 ing, and all her mazes are traced by him with a matchless 

 degree of exactness, whilst the soft and melodious tones of 

 the pack afford ecstatic pleasure to the lovers of the chase, 



