Star.
London, England, 1825-07-28 00:00:00

MARGATh, JULY !7.

Theft-aux of visitants to this favourite watering place Is without
precedent, as within the last two weeks not less than 2000 have ar-
rived by the steam-vessels only, the coaches have been also well
loaded, the town fills fast. The new stone wall erecting at the en-
trance of the town goes on rapidly, as the Commissinners use every
effort to make it complete. The subscription for building the new
Church proceeds well, upwards of 12.3004 is already subscribed.—
Wednesday last a grand sailing match took place between the
owners of the fishing vessels belonging to this place, for a sum of
IS sovereigns, given by Capt. Dvarsaan. Seven vessels started ;
the prize was won by the Ann, Captain Staanacc ; the various
MIUMIVIIIS made by the contending parties gave great satisfaction
to the numerous spectators, the whole being in full slew.

FIGHTS OF ANIMALS.

. -~.._

Two centutres ago, combats with animals were
Arnowe the amusements of the Court. Bear-baiting
was a Royal pastime, and one of the sports of Eng-
land's maiden Queen, who honotired it with her express
patronage. So much, indeed, did Elizabeth esteem this
re.fined pleasure, that, by an order of the Privy Council,
dated July, 1591, plays were prohibited from being
acted on ThursdAys, as !s they were a great hurt and
destruction of the game of bear-baiting and like pas-
tiMes,which are maintained for her Majesty's pleasure."
•
Only think of Shakspeare and Bea Jonson being su-
perseded by a bear-ward
Lion fights, too, were net =frequent in the reign of Elisabeth;
and &owe Mates one combat, in which the lion, after beating two
dogs, was so severely torn by the third as to refuse to renew the
engagement, and escaped into the interior part of his den. In the
reign of James I. there was a combat, or rather an attempted mai-
-1 bat between a lion and a bear; but the latest instance of anything
of the sort we have, was a stag and tiger fight, which took place
at Ascot some years ago, under the patronage of the sporting Duke
of Cumberland (an account of which is related in thePereyAmcdoses
if Reims). A space was fenced in on a lawn by the road sidemith
toiling 15 feet high,into which an old stagwas tuthed,and shortly after
edger was led in blindfolded. The moment his eyes were =moored
and that be saw the deer, he crouched down on his belly, and creep-
ing like a cat after a mouse, watched an opportunity of safely seising
his prey. The stag, however warily turned as be turned, sad this
strange antagonist, still found himself opposed by his formidable ant-
lers. In vain the tiger attempted to turn his Banks, the stag had too
much generalship, and this cautious warfare lasted until it became
tedious, and in order to hasten the combat, the keepers initatid
the tiger, when immediately, instead of attacking the deer, with a
furious bound be cleared the toiling that enclosed him, crossed the
road, and rushed into the opposite wood. It happened that a herd
of fallow deer were feeding not far from the scene of Reties, and
en the haunch of one of them the tiger fastened, nor could be be dis-
engaged until his keepers killed the deer and separated the haunch
he had seised, which he never left from his hold a moment ; they
than covered his eyes, and led him away with the haunch in
his mouth.