92 Modern Dogs. 



hounds so small that they could be carried in a 

 lady's glove. Well, either the hounds must have 

 been far smaller than the least of our toy terriers of 

 to-day (which is extremely unlikely), or the glove of 

 more capacious dimensions than a u fives Dent and 

 Aldcroft " of the present time (which is extremely 

 improbable), or the story an exaggeration (which is 

 perhaps true). So there is only one conclusion to 

 be arrived at, that these so-called " singing beagles " 

 of our virgin queen were somewhat of a myth, or 

 that one of them, and not the whole pack, could be 

 ensconced in my lady's gauntlet. 



Approaching more modern times, George IV. had 

 a pack of beagles of which he was so fond that one 

 of the best portraits of himself was taken in their 

 company, His Royal Highness being surrounded by 

 his merry little pack, and most typical hounds they 

 are, full of character, and almost better than any we 

 know at the present day. Colonel Thornton hunted 

 with them on Brighton Downs, and expressed himself 

 surprised with the pace they could go, and found 

 a good hunter more useful than a pony in following 

 them. But of late years beagles have been, and still 

 are, mostly used when hunting is done on foot. A 

 good beagle is slow but sure ; he dwells on a cold 

 line until he puzzles it out, and, throwing his 

 musically smart voice, calls the remainder of his 



