THE BEAGLE. 
695 
colours occupying a greater extent of surface. It is this dog 
which is now almost universally used in Britain and Ireland 
for hare-hunting. 
The harrier pursues the hare with much eagerness and 
swiftness, allowing her but little time to breathe or double. 
The keenest sportsman, and well mounted, frequently find 
it difficult to keep up with the pack ; and when following 
a strong hare, becomes rather fatiguing work. The mingled 
voices of a pack of harriers produce a cheerful and agree 
able harmony, 
Mr. Beckford justly remarks, that “ harriers, to be good, 
like all other hounds, must be kept to their own game : if 
they are permitted to run a fox, they are afterwards spoiled, 
and no reliance can thereafter be placed upon them. Hounds 
of all kinds cannot be perfect, unless used to one scent and 
one style of hunting.” Somerville says, 
u A different hound for every different chase 
Select with judgment; nor the timorous hare 
O’ermatch’d destroy, but leave that vile offence 
To the mean, murderous, coursing crew, intent 
On blood and spoil.” 
THE BEAGLE. 
The beagle is the smallest of the dogs of the chase. In 
form he bears considerable resemblance to the harrier; but 
with his limbs proportionally much shorter, and on that ac¬ 
count much inferior to that dog in point of speed. His 
sense of smell, however, is equally acute, and he pursues the 
hare with indefatigable vigilance and energy. Every wind¬ 
ing, and all her mazes are traced by him with a matchless 
degree of exactness, whilst the soft and melodious tones of 
the pack afford ecstatic pleasure to the lovers of the chase, 
