CHAPTER TWELVE. 



THE BEAGLE AND THE HARE. 



THE increasing popularity attending the pursuit 

 of the hare is merely a revival of the chase in 

 its oldest form. The wild hare of ancient 

 days was held in great honour, an animal that would 

 bring out the best quahties of hounds and huntsman to 

 pursue it to a kill. At that period the fox was held in 

 small esteem, an outlaw to be captured by any means, 

 and no one cared how he was " trapped or slain." 



In addition to the actual sport of hunting, the dehrious 

 excitement of riding across country after hounds 

 became appreciated, and in consequence the fox rose 

 at once to his high estate. About the same time when 

 much of the land was enclosed and many landlords 

 wished to increase their head of game, the system of 

 preservation came into vogue. This would have been 

 well enough if not carried to excess, but in countries 

 with a suitable soil and abundant feeding ground, 

 hares quickly multiplied and were a nuisance to the 

 occupier. 



142 



