UNCERTAINTY OF THE TERM, HARRIER. 79 



THE HARRIER. 



IN the early days of the modern Hunt, that is to say, between two and three 

 centuries since, it was with Hounds, as with Race Horses, the appropriate species 

 or breeds were not yet definitely settled and established, but individuals were selected 

 for each sporting- purpose, which seemed naturally to possess the requisite qualifi- 

 cations. Thus for hunting- the ' Hare, Stagge, Bucke, Roe or Otter, the while 

 Hound, or the white with black spots, or the white with some few liver spots* were 

 preferred : the white with black ears and a black spot at the setting on of the tail, 

 being esteemed the most beautiful.' And these indeed, it was said, would hunt any 

 chase, being- always found of good scent and qualification, and well able to endure 

 both woods and waters. There appears to have been no established smaller sized 

 Variety of the Hound for the express purpose of Hare Hunting, like the modern 

 Harrier. 



Nor must we boast greatly of the correctness of our modern system in this respect, 

 the confusion of Writers, whether merely Dictionary Compilers, or practical Sports- 

 men, being equally notable and extraordinary with respect to the HARRIER, as 

 the Beagle. Witness in the first place, the following luminous extract from the 

 Sportsman's Dictionary, or Gentleman's Companion, under the head of Harrier. 

 " So much for Harriers, a deal may be said for and against the several kinds : it is 

 a wide unsettled point to give an opinion upon ; but to sum up the whole in a few 

 words, staunch true hounds of any sort, are desirable, and whoever has them of 

 pretty equal age and speed, with the requisites of packing and hunting well 

 together, whether Southern, Northern, Foxstrain or Beagle, can boast an 

 invaluable advantage in the diversion, and which few gentlemen let them breed 

 ever so true, can attain to but in years." Previously to this, every Variety of the 

 Hound, had been ransacked and quoted. 



Even our oracle in the Kennel and the Chase, Mr. Beckford himself, affords us 

 no certain guidance, or help towards discrimination, in this case, using the terms 



Harrier and Beagle synonimously. Speaking of the Harriers, he says like old 



hounds they dwell upon the scent, and cannot get forward ; nor do they ever 

 make a bold cast ; so much are they afraid of leaving the scent behind them. 

 Hence it is, that they poke about, and try the same place ten times over, rather 

 than they will leave it ; and when they do, are totally at a loss which way to go, 

 for want of knowing the nature of the animal they are in pursuit of." It is true 

 he is here describing Harriers as hunting the fox ; still that shews the Harrier a 

 distinct Variety from the Fox-hound, but by no means gives the general character 



