1 14 Modern Dogs. 



in those days, for the amusement afforded, may be 

 inferred from the fact that Edward II. (time 1307), 

 had as part of his household, a huntsman and sub- 

 ordinates, to look after his otter hounds. Sometimes 

 the King's otter hunter resided in the hall, and was 

 served there ; on other occasions he had his own 

 residence and lived as he liked. Anyhow, he had 

 " twelve otter dogges " in his care, and in addition 

 a couple of greyhounds. Then there were " two 

 boys" to look after the hounds and feed them. The 

 master of the otter hounds was, as the times went, 

 fairly well rewarded for his duties, he receiving in 

 addition to " a robe in cloth yearly, or a mark in 

 money"- the latter 135. 4^. and an extra allowance 

 of four shillings and eightpence for shoes, twopence 

 per day wages. Each of the so-called " boys " 

 was remunerated at the rate of three halfpence per 

 day. The latter did not appear to have any per- 

 quisites (tips are a more modern institution), but 

 they would doubtless reside in the house or at the 

 kennels. 



It would have been interesting to know as a 

 certainty the class of hounds the above were, but 

 there is little doubt they were hard in coat and 

 rough in hair, much as they are at the present day. 

 Sometime later the otter hound appeared to become 

 less fashionable. He was kept by the " tinkers," 



