CHAPTER V. 

 THE BEAGLE. 



THIS is perhaps the only variety of hound that has 

 profited by the institution of dog shows. He has 

 clone so because he is small and affectionate, pretty 

 and docile, and in many respects admirably suited to 

 be a " pet dog." Unfortunately, he is so true to his 

 instincts of hunting the rabbit, and even the hare, 

 as to prove rather a nuisance than otherwise in 

 country places, where his bell-like, melodious voice 

 will be continually heard in the coverts where the 

 little hound is bustling the game about, much to the 

 annoyance of the head keeper and his under 

 strappers. 



The beagle, said to be the " brach " of past gene- 

 rations, can boast of ancient lineage. Perhaps he 

 was one of our original British dogs, but, as an old 

 writer very truly observes, " his origin is lost in the 

 mists of obscurity." However, he came from under 

 his cloud about the time of good Queen Bess, who 

 was said to be the fortunate possessor of a pack of 



