HUNTING BEAGLES. 311 



Originally there were several varieties of Beagles, and even now-a-days the difference 

 between many of the packs is very obvious. This difference, at the present time, is certainly 

 chiefly one of size, for the Beagles used for the purpose of being followed on foot would 

 naturally be too fast if above a certain height. Formerly the two distinct breeds of Beagle 

 were the Rough and the Smooth. The rough-coated Beagle was more frequently met with in 

 Wales than in other parts of the country, though it has now almost disappeared from amongst 

 us, being only rarely met with, and then in out-of-the-way places for the most part. 



One of the keenest admirers of the smooth-haired Beagle was King George IV., who, 

 when Prince of Wales, used to hunt with this class of dog; and his Royal Highness's dwarf pack 

 was an institution on Brighton Downs. These dwarf Beagles are, however, almost useless 

 except for following on foot, and run considerable risk of losing their lives by being drowned 

 in the ditches in wet weather. Nevertheless, their superior powers of scent are conspicuous 

 over the larger hounds, more especially when the atmosphere is close, as they run nearer the 

 ground than the latter. 



According to Blaine, the earlier varieties varied from the " deep-flewed diminutive type of 

 the old Southern hound to the fleet and elegant Foxhound Beagle ; to which we may add the 

 pigmy breed called ' Lapdog Beagles.' " 



It is not given to every one to be the happy possessor of broad acres where, in spinney 

 furze or briery brake, or from the tussocks of the uplands, pussy can be dislodged from her 

 seat to give play to the Liliputian hound, and afford hunters the pleasure of a display of 

 the amazing powers of scent possessed by the Beagle. 



There are, however, in England few localities where there is not common land, or, lacking 

 that advantage, farmers too strongly imbued with the genuine English love of sport to interpret 

 too closely the law of trespass when a cry of Beagles, with its followers, are in the case. 

 Even in such districts there may be no ground game preserved, and the master of the 

 musical pack may be in consequence compelled to hunt them on a drag. Here, the choice 

 of articles that will challenge the olfactories of our little hound, and lead them to pursue a 

 Will-o'-the-wisp they can never overtake, is so plethoric as to puzzle. A portion of dead 

 rabbit or hare the skin of a newly killed one is perhaps best a red herring, or oil of 

 aniseed, may be used. The two former must be dragged along the grass by a string. In 

 using aniseed the powder may be resorted to, and the runner should let it out with regularity from 

 a tin similar to that used in the drill sowing of seeds, or, what is better, the man who is sent 

 on to make the drag should rub the soles of his boots with the essential oil of aniseed, and 

 for economy this should be diluted with plain olive oil. It is of course necessary that the 

 application of this should be frequently renewed, and at intervals, when the smell is strong on 

 the boots, the man should tread around so that the hounds may occasionally dwell on the 

 scent, and, whilst giving tongue in melodious tones, also give time for the sportsman following 

 their windings to make up lost ground. 



The following mixture is, perhaps, the best to make a drag for Beagles of an artificial 

 character it is extremely lasting, and the hounds take it up with great readiness. It consists 

 of half an ounce of oil of aniseed, a quarter of an ounce of essential oil of valerian, and an 

 ounce and a quarter of castor oil, mixed. 



With reference to the relation of Beagle to modern Fox-terrier, Markham, in 

 dealing with the diversities of the hounds of his time, after referring to and describing 

 the large slow hounds of the west countries, the middle-sized and more swift, or nimble, 

 as he puts it, hounds of the counties of Worcester, Bedford, &c., where the woods and 



