CHAPTER XIV 



THE BEAGLE 



HARE-HUNTING is an older sport than the chase of 

 the fox. Turbervile, writing in 1576, had the 

 temerity to maintain that " of all chases the hare 

 maketh greatest pastime and pleasure and showeth 

 most cunning in hunting, and is meetest for gentle- 

 men of all other hunting, for that they may find 

 them at all times and hunt them at most seasons of 

 the year ; also that their pastime shall be always 

 in sight whereby they may judge the goodness of 

 their hounds without great pains or travail ; also 

 it is great pleasure to behold the subtlety of the 

 little poor beast, and what shift she can make for 

 herself ; wherefore the huntsman must be wary and 

 wise to mark her subtleties." He further considered 

 that " a hound which is a perfect good haryer may 

 be bold to hunt in chase, for the hare is the very 

 proper beast to enter hounds well and to make them 

 tender nosed ; afterwards when you would make your 

 hounds to the hart they will quickly forsake the hare, 

 because the venison of an hart is much more delicate 

 and dainty than the hare's is, and hounds do much 

 more desire it because the hart is also a greater 

 scent than the hare." Unfortunately, however, he 



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