Essays on Hunting
First published in 1733, this book has possible references to the Basset. The first edition is not available electronically, so here we include excerpts from the second and third editions.Walter Gilbey, in his book Hounds in the Old Days (1913), quotes from Essays on Hunting and highlights:
There were beagles both rough and smooth, and each kind had their admirers. The rough were held the better of the two, as the smooth, though usually "deep hung, thick lipped and large nostrilled", were often so "soft, solid and bad quartered as to be shoulder-shook and crippled" after the first season of work. Also the smooth beagle had the unpardonable fault of "crooked legs like the terrier or right Bath turnspit".
that Gilbey feels is a direct reference to the Basset (Hound).
The book appears in three editions (1733, 1781 and 1820) and has been edited and reorganized between editions, resulting in omissions and additions.
Below we have therefore highlighted excerpts from the 3rd (chapter on Hounds) and the 2nd edition (chapter on Different sorts of Harriers). Both chapters can be read online - se sidepanel, but we reccommend the third edition as it uses relatively modern English.
Hounds
… … But as each of them, with a little Application, will joyfully follow the sweet-scented Hare, the Query is, what Kind is preferable for that delightful Exercise ?The most satisfactory Reply to every Hunter is, that his own Kind is best. But such as are setting up a new Cry, I would advise to begin to breed on the middle-size Dogs, betwixt the Southern Hound and the Northern Beagle. 'Tis true, the finest and most curious Sport is generally with the former. Whether it be the particular Formation of their long Trunks, or the extraordinary Moisture that always cleaves to the Noses and Lips of this Sort of Dogs, I need not enquire in this Place: But certain it is, that they are endued with the most accurate Sense of smelling, and can often take and distinguish the Scent an Hour after the lighter Beagles can make nothing of it.
Their Slowness also better disposes them to receive the Commands and Directions of the Huntsman ; and their much Phlegm, (for there seems to be a Difference in the Constitutions of other Animals, as well as Man) I say, their Phlegm gives them Patience to proceed with Caution and Regularity; to make sure of every Step as they go, carefully to describe every Indenture, to unravel each puzzling Trick of Figure.
But these grave sort of Dogs are however fittest for Masters of the same Temper: As they are able to hunt in cold Scent, they are too apt to make it so, by their want of Speed and Vigor to push forward, and keep it warm; their Exactness often renders them trifling and tedious; and like some nice Dames, who stand picking out every Dust and Mote, whilst they might dress the Meat.
… … There is yet another Sort in great Favour with small Gentry, because they eat but little. These, as their Noses are very tender, and not far from the Ground, I have often seen to make tolerable Sport; but without great Care, they are flirting and magotty, and very apt to chaunt and chatter on any, or on no Occasion. A Rabbit, Mouse, or Wesel will please them, instead of lawful Game ; and in Truth 'tis seldom they understand (if I may use that Expression) their Business, or perform their Office with Judgment or Discretion.
The Mixture of all, or any of these, I should judge to be better; especially, if a distinguishable Portion of Southern Blood be remaining in their Veins. The managing the Litters, I must leave to the Discretion of the Squire, and his Man. But I know by Experience, a Race may be produced, that by running with less Speed, will surer and sooner arrive at the End; a Race that carry with them a good Share of the Nose, and Steddiness of the deep Curtels, the Vigour and Activity of the chackling Beagle; the Strength and Toughness of the right Buck-hound, and the tuneful Voices, that are a Compound of all ; but enough of this.
Different sorts of Harriers
Editors note: From the 2nd edition, 1788 of Essays on Hunting - omitted from the 3rd edition… … Beagles, rough or smooth, have their admirers ; they spend their tongues free in treble or tenor, and go a greater rate than the southern Hounds, but tail abominably. They run low to ground, therefore enjoy the scent better than taller Dogs, especially when the atmosphere lies low. In an enclosed country they do best, as they must with the Hare, and at trailing or default, are pretty good for hedgerows, yet I have seen eighty couple in the field, out of which, in a winter's sport, I observed not four couple that could be depended on, the majority being so propense to challenge feather or sleak; yet by the assistance of a clever Huntsman, and the soil well trod, I have sometimes seen pretty diversion.
Of the two sorts I prefer the rough, or wire-haired, being generally good shouldered Dogs, and well filleted.
Smooth-haired Beagles are commonly deep hung, thick lipped, and large nostrilled, but often so soft, solid, and bad quartered, as to be shoulder-shook and crippled the first season's hunt, and have frequently that unpardonable fault of crook legs, like the Tarrier (Editors note: Terrier), or right Bath Turnspit.
I know admirers of this sort, but they are no favourites of mine as few will endure a tolerable hunt, or at default bear hard charging. After two hours running, observe them crippled and down; the Huntsman may go on himself, for what assistance many of them give him; and it is plain from their form and shape (for nature makes nothing in vain) that they are not designed for hard exercise.
First Edition
Author:
unknown
Published:
1733
Second Edition
Published as:
Cynegetica : or Essays on sporting: consisting of observations on hare hunting etc etc
Published:
1788, by John Stockdale, London
Author:
William Blane
Read online:
archive.org
Third Edition
Author:
unknown
Published:
1820, by Edward Jeffery & Son, London
Read online:
Archive org