There is reason for believing that the preceding article on the breed, contributed to the original edition of "British Dogs" by "Wildfowler," was a powerful incentive to that study of the Basset which has resulted in its becoming a recognised British breed.

Mr. Everett Millais (who died soon after succeeding to the title on the death of his father) imported Model in 1874, the portrait of which, drawn by Mr. R. H. Moore, from an oil painting by Sir J. E. Millais, R. A., is given with this chapter (Fig. 52). Mr. E. Millais was at that time under the impression that Model was the first of the breed imported, and that hound was certainly the first of his kind exhibited at an English dog show. It appears, however, from a pamphlet ("Bassets: their Use and Breeding") subsequently written and published by Mr. Millais, and to which it will be necessary to refer on several points, that Lord Onslow possessed, prior to Model's importation, several Bassets, which had been given to him by Lord Galway, who had been presented with them by Comte Tournon, of Montmelas. These are the first imported Bassets on record; but it would be against fair inference from undoubted evidence to suppose that Bassets, like other French breeds, had not been brought to England centuries ago, although the blood has been absorbed and lost in the flood of other varieties. At the time, however, that Mr. Millais obtained Model, no other representative of the breed could be found in this country, and his owner, therefore, resorted to a Beagle cross, claiming that in the second generation he was able to show hounds at the Agricultural Hall in 1877 which it was impossible to distinguish from pure Bassets. He gave up this strain when Lord Onslow imported Fino and Finette from Comte le Couteulx, the breeder of Model.

The next great impulse towards popularising these hounds here was, undoubtedly, the importation of specimens from the best French kennels, by "Wildfowler" and Mr. G. R. Krehl; to a remarkable extent by the latter's Fino de Paris, a hound of great beauty and of concentrated pedigree, whose blood runs in the majority of Bassets of the day.

Fino de Paris deserves a few words to himself, so potent has his influence been upon the breed. Mr. Krehl showed excellent judgment in acquiring him in 1880. Mr. Millais, who could have had him at an earlier date, believed him to be Model's brother, but he had the bloodhound type of head to which we have bred since, while Model's was more on the lines of a Foxhound's. Now we may trace the foundation of the breed as it is to-day in Great Britain. The union of Model with Lord Onslow's Finette produced Garenne and Proctor. The latter, put to Juno, a bitch imported by Lord Onslow, produced Cigarette, who became the dam of Medore by Champion Bourbon (Fino de Paris ex Guinevere). The alliance of Medore with Fino VI. (a son of Fino V. by Vivien, a granddaughter of Fino de Paris) resulted in the birth of Champions Forester, Fresco, Merlin, and Flora, all names of great moment in the Basset-hound world.

The next potent factor in the establishment of the breed in this country came into play in 1883. It is related of certain voyagers that, when in immediate danger of shipwreck, and it was found no one of their number was capable of conducting the devotions suitable to the perilous occasion, a brilliant idea presented itself to one of them, who exclaimed: "Let us make a collection." In the doggy world, when a breed does not prosper as its devotees desire, some one possessed of specimens writes to the newspapers, and says, "Let us form a club"; and, calling a few friends together, a club is formed, and a standard framed to match existing specimens, by which all future dogs of the breed are to be judged.

In 1883, then, the Basset Club was instituted, and the immense increase of these hounds in England is largely due to its influence. The Club proposed to itself the task of defining the true type, of publishing a full and minute description of the breed, and also a book of pedigrees. A fourth edition of the Stud Book (originally compiled by Mr. Everett Millais) was published in 1900, having been corrected and brought up to date by Mrs. Tottie.

Turning, for the time being, from this part of the subject to a consideration of the uses of Bassets, it will be seen, from "Wild-fowler's" contribution, that in France their chief use is in serving the gun, and especially in driving ground game from the coverts to the open glades, rides, or avenues, wherein the shooters take up their position; and although not kept exclusively to that work, yet there is no mention of them being used as we do our Harriers and Beagles.

At the time that Arrian lived hounds corresponding to the modern Basset were used for hunting, as we use the term, many centuries before "villainous saltpetre was digged out of the bowels of the harmless earth" for the making of gunpowder. Such use of hounds was an absolute necessity of the then existing circumstances; and, no doubt, in times nearer to our own, Bassets were also used to drive game within reach of the bowman's shaft long before the "mimic thunder" of the iron tube roused the echo, as it sounded the death of hare or pheasant.

Bassets are now employed to a considerable extent in hare-hunting in this country, in packs, as Harriers are used, and, in many instances, with marked success.

Mr. Fred. W. Blain, of Bromborough, Cheshire, well known in the earlier days of the breed, wrote to the previous edition of "British Dogs": -

"During the past few years the number of Basset-hounds in this country has greatly increased, and I am glad to see that they are growing in favour as sporting dogs. For hare-hunting they are excellent, and for some reasons I think they are preferable to Beagles. They are by no means as slow as most people imagine, and they will go on for hours at top speed, showing great endurance and pluck. Like most delicate-nosed hounds, such as Bloodhounds, Otter-hounds, and the old Southern Hounds, Bassets are inclined to dwell very much on a scent, and to be rather too free with their tongue; they like to work out every inch of the trail, and, as they invariably cast back of their own accord, they hunt best when left pretty much to themselves. They should not be pressed, especially at the beginning, before they are well settled to their work.