200 Modern Dogs. 



Good Queen Bess was fond of her dogs and the 

 sport they showed, and there is nothing unreason- 

 able In supposing that those provided for the 

 purpose above-mentioned In Cowdray Park were In 

 reaHty deerhounds. However, whether my supposi- 

 tion be correct or otherwise, there Is no gainsaying 

 the fact that this mention in the Scottish history 

 is the eadlest to be met with where the deerhound 

 is actually alluded to. 



That he was highly valued by the clans or chief- 

 tains of his native country may be judged from the 

 following pretty story told by Boece. On one 

 occasion many of the PIctish nobility repaired to 

 Craithlint, to meet the King of Scots to hunt 

 and make merry with him, where they found the 

 Scottish dogs far excelled their own in " fair- 

 ness, swiftness, and hardness, and also in long 

 standing up and holding out." The Scottish 

 lords gave their guests both dogs and bitches 

 of their best strains ; but they, not contented, 

 stole one, belonging to the king, from his keeper; 

 and this the most esteemed hound in the lot. The 

 master of the leash being informed of the robbery, 

 pursuit was taken after the thievish Picts, who, being 

 overtaken, refused to give up the royal favourite, and 

 in the end slew the master of the leash with their 

 spears. Then the Scots mustered a stronger force, 



