CHAPTER XVIII 



SPORT WITH BASSET HOUNDS 



i. - Hunting with bassets a new feature — Bassets unknown 

 in England before 1875 — A very old Continental 

 breed — Sir Everett Millais and the Earl of Onslow 

 sponsors in this country — Rise of the basset — 

 Different varieties — Colours — How used on the Con- 

 tinent — Hare-hunting bassets — Different packs — 



, The Walhampton — Messrs, Heseltine — Their success 

 with these hounds — Captain Heseltine's account 

 of basset hounds and hunting — Statistics — Some 

 fine runs — Patience required for this pursuit — Points 

 of the basset 



Hunting with basset hounds is a comparatively new 

 feature in British field sports. It dates back little 

 farther than fourteen or fifteen years, and, in fact, 

 may be said not to have been really established on 

 a businesslike footing until the Messrs. Heseltine 

 began to hunt regularly in the year 1891. It is not 

 a sport which, for various reasons, is ever likely to 

 oust beagles or harriers from their ancient popularity. 

 In the first place, bassets are much more difficult to 

 get hold of and more expensive to buy. In the second 

 place, although they have wonderful noses and are 

 most determined workers, they are, from their very 

 conformation, exceedingly slow, and take several 

 hours, usually from two to three, sometimes even 

 more, to wear down their quarry. This style of 



