Early History 
15 
in 1872). “I have known beag'les broken to the 
gun, be writes. “An old friend of mine, long 
dead, Henry Franklin, Esq., M. D., had such a 
pack at Aldernay, and with such voices as they 
ran in view, one would fancy that the rabbits could 
have heard them across that dangerous tide the 
Swinge, and amongst the green lanes of Guernsey, 
eighteen miles away. These came from Devon¬ 
shire, from a Mr. Clack, but they were rather large 
for the purpose." Another pack that he speaks of, 
is that of James Crane, of Southover House, near 
Dorchester. The members of this pack were small 
ones, but according to our authority were a swift 
lot. Of these he says: “At my urgent request he 
has exhibited them once or twice, and I need hardly 
say, with complete success, winning everywhere. 
His standard is nine inches, and owing to their 
wonderful hind-quarters and general frame develop¬ 
ment, they can account for a rabbit in about five 
minutes. I believe that Mr. Crane originally took 
to the beagles to rid himself of the rabbits which 
had become quite an annoyance on some of his 
furze and moorland, and which, from the nature 
of the ground, were always beating him in keeping 
them within bounds. On this wild tract, which 
forms a wide district commencing about a mile 
from his house, there is every chance for the rabbit 
if pursued by ordinary means. Ferreting is difficult, 
for the old earths are deep, intricate and extensive. 
It is always a great treat to me to have a day’s 
hunting with these beautiful beagles." 
As has been the case with other breeds of dogs, 
crosses of various kinds have been introduced into 
