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CHAPTER XXXIX. 



THE BEAGLE. 



IN " Cynographia Britannica" the following allusion is made to the Beagle: 



" Of the hound tribe the Beagle is the least, and is only used for the purpose of hare- 

 hunting. Their method of finding is very similar to the Harrier, but they are far inferior in 

 point of swiftness ; yet to those sportsmen who hunt in a dry and enclosed country, where 

 the coverts are not too large and strong, and who delight in unravelling the intricate mazes 

 of the doubling hare, more than in the death, they afford no inconsiderable degree of 

 amusement. 



" When the atmosphere is a little hazy, and the scent low, they catch it better than the 

 taller dogs, spending their tongues freely in treble or tenor, and though more soft yet not 

 less melodious than the Harrier. But as most sportsmen prefer the faster and stronger dogs, 

 these are by no means in such repute as formerly, a complete cry or pack of them being very 

 rarely seen. They are now (A.D. 1800) chiefly kept as finders to the Greyhounds in coursing, 

 which purpose they answer extremely well, hence they are frequently called Finders. 



" The varieties are generally distinguished by the parts where they are bred, as the 

 Southern Beagle, bearing a strong resemblance to the slow, deep-mouthed Southern Hound, 

 but much smaller ; the Northern Beagle which is lighter formed, with shorter ears, and swifter. 

 A cross between these two is esteemed preferable to either. 



" The Southern Beagles are smooth-haired, with long ears, and generally so loosely 

 formed that they cannot for a continuance be hunted in a heavy country without being crippled. 

 Besides which they have frequently some very great faults in a hound, as crooked legs, tailing 

 or lagging behind when they begin to tire, or are too small. 



" The Northern, which are commonly wire-haired, straight-limbed, and better formed in 

 their shoulders and haunches, endure bad weather and long exercise with less inconvenience 

 than the Southern. They hunt hedge-rows, thread the brakes, and runset " (/. e., follows the 

 hare through the mews or opening in the hedges which she passes backwards and forwards 

 through) " with the hare with great spirit, but it is evident to the most common observer that 

 neither of them are calculated to bear much fatigue. 



" Beagles, like other hounds, are of various colours, and preferred as the fancy of the owner 

 dictates. In height about twelve inches, and are hunted and treated in the same manner as 

 the Harrier. 



" The term Beagle has been indiscriminately used by many for the Harrier and the Beagle 

 but it is now wholly confined to the latter. They are seldom crossed with others unless to 

 diminish their size, and are apt to challenge any scent when hot, even that of birds." 



Three years later, in 1803, some very interesting remarks on the breed appeared in the 

 " Sportsman's Cabinet," which are valuable as showing that the Beagle is essentially the same 

 dog now as it was then. The writer in the " Sportsman's Cabinet " appears to have the 

 modern prejudice against Beagles, for he commences his remarks as follows : 



