BEAGLES. 



85 



inches is certainly quite the maximum height, and the 

 wording of the standard fixed by the Harrier and Beagle 

 Association is ' No beagle to be over sixteen inches.' In very 

 large and slightly fenced fields or over the open downs the 

 standard may be fourteen inches, as in countries of this sort 

 a pack of beagles up to fifteen or sixteen inches would run 

 away from people on foot. It must, however, be borne in 

 mind that no pack which cannot go faster than men can run 



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• The pleasure of it.' 



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will show sport and kill their 

 hares, while for the comfort of 

 faint-hearted sportsmen it may 

 be recollected that ' poor puss ' 

 comparatively seldom runs 

 straight, and that a good deal 

 of the fun may be generally 

 seen from a neighbouring hill. 

 If the standards adopted are 



less, according to the country to be hunted, than those above 

 mentioned, a strong hare will soon run the pack ' out of scent,' 

 the hounds will tire before half the day is over, and in cold 

 windy weather will be perished if they have to cross water. 



These remarks upon the pace of the pack suggest one 

 precaution which should if possible be taken, wherever the 

 ' merry beaglers ' enjoy their diversion : one man on horseback 

 should be in attendance ; but it is essential that this person 



