The Beagle. 135 



also kept a pack of beagles, and when, in 1695, he 

 hunted them during a visit to Welbeck four hundred 

 horsemen were out, a number which is not ap- 

 proached at the present day, when such hounds are 

 usually followed on foot. 



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, he 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 sur- 

 prised with the pace they could go, and found a good 

 hunter more useful than a pony in following them. 

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

 line until he puzzles it out, and, throwing his 

 musically sweet voice, calls the remainder of his 

 fellows to him and away they gallop and cry, crawling 

 through fences or topping stone walls, on the scent 

 of poor puss. Beagles run very keenly, but are not 

 so savage on the line as a foxhound. 



The author of " Thoughts on Hunting," having 

 heard much of the excellence of a certain pack 

 of beagles, sent his coachman to fetch them, in 

 order that the diminutive hounds might be given 

 a fair trial. The coachman was evidently not the 



