THE ANCIEN BEGIME 99 



o-ettino- through fences, I can remember in my time the mode of 

 neo-otiatiug strong close-trimmed blackthorn hedges. You took a good 

 run and a flying leap which landed you on your stomach on top of the 

 hedo-e. The spring of the fence and an opportune flourish of the legs 

 sent your heels in the air, and you slid off the hedge, landing on your 

 hands on the far side. A neat conclusion to the manoeuvre for an 

 accomplished performer was to do a cart-wheel, like a gutter-snipe, 

 and so finish right end up and smiling. Thornproof breeches were 

 indispensable. 



TEINITY FOOT BEAGLES 



1876 



By Harry Scarlett 



We went to the Kennels to start to the meet, 



The Kennels are kept in a very back street. 



There were Eover, and Eosebud, and Dickybird too, 



And others, but really I can't tell you who, 



For the rest of the names I can hardly remember 



Since the pretty King Charles ^ was destroyed last November. 



The worshipful Master ^ now striding comes out. 

 Who goes at each step half a furlong (about), 

 A yard long his body, his legs rather more. 

 And Valentine Whitby the name that he bore. 

 Well, we got to the meet and we came on her lair. 

 Or form, in the turnips, and put up the hare. 

 Lapwing starts like a rocket and runs like a deer,^ 

 While Euler and Dollimop bring up the rear. 



1 A hound called Chancellor, of doubtful parentage, drafted. 



- Valentine Whitby Vickers, 6 feet 3 inches, who never appeared tired. 

 Now dead. 



'^ It was not till 1895 or so, just twenty years later, that their speed became 

 comparable to that of eagles. The ira[irovement is evidence of great skill and 

 diligence on the part of all concerned in maintaining the quality of the pack. 



F. C. K. 



