Star. — 1822-10-25 (London, England)

DOG " MIS" AND THE. RATS! Last night. at a quarter before eight O'clock, the lovers of enjoyed a feast of delight in a prodigious raticide at the Cockpit, Westminster. To introduce our readers fully to the subject, a copy Is necessary of the bill announcing the entertainment-" By Authority." (11.1. Royal Arms are elthibited here.) " The unrivalled Match of Rat.killing. The OWner of that famous and failftirii. lab,. weight, Billy the Rorer; has condescended, at the exprallaessd desire of some Gentlemen qj tke Fancy, that he shall Spin undergo that almost c Bids, otherwise incredible task of Killing 100 Rats In Twelve Minutes. It was performed for the risk of Twenty Sovereigns; and bets were very numerous. He has done it, wonderful to say, In Si minutes ; and will attempt it again at the Westminster Pit, on Thursday Oct. 24, 1822, which will certainly be the last time he will undertake to perform this extraordinary feat. The rats are all to be turned loose at once in a twelve-feet square, and the floor of the pit will be completely white, so that the whole of the rats will be distinctly visible to the amateurs and the dog. It hiving been reported in the Sporting Circles that one ratted escaped, to prevent any suspicion of the masterly manner in which this canine hero can at all times acquit himself, come extra rats will be provided for the occasion. To conclude with a Stake Badger Match. Doors open at seven, and set to at eight.—God save the ring!" From four o'clock the wetneu,of the evening rendered pass. ing through the streets if not difficult, at least extremely unpleasant. But neither the pouring. of rain nor the filth of the ways leading to the scene of Bily'sexploits,could prevent a long string of hackney-coaches from assembling. The Theatre was crowded at an early hour before the appearance of Billy; but, we did not observe the attendance of Ladies, as stated in the account given in a French Paper of a former exhiLition of the same kind.  The appearance of the hero was greeted by the welcorhe of all. The rats, on coming forward were also hailed with a *hoot. The set-to began, and My exerted himself to the utmost. The rats also chewed good breeding. After four minutes and three quarters sharp work, Billy's head was covered with gore, and his backers began to look blue. He was then removed from the pit, and his chaps being washed, he lapped some wine and water, and was soon pronounced all right ! Again he entered the arena, amid the acclamations of the admiring amateurs—in vain did the unfortunate rats lalfour to obtain security by climbing against the sides of the pit, or by crouching beneath the hero. By twos and threes they were caught, and soon their mangled comes proved the valour of the victor. Some of the flying enemy, more valiant than the rest, endeavoured by seizing this Quirdius Ekstruns of heroic dogs by the ears, to procure a respite, or to sell their lives as dearly jas possible ; but his grand paw.soon swept off thebuzzers, and con. signed them to their fate. At seven minutes and a quarter, or according to another watch; foi 'there were two Umpires and two watches, at seven minutes and seventeen seconds the victor relinquished his glorious pursuit, for all his foes lay slaughtered on the ensanguined plain. Billy was then caressed and fondled by many of his friends, havinrso gallantly wen the fifty sovereigns which were stated to, be the prize at stake. Billy is by amateurs estimated a most dexterous dog; be is, unfortunately, what the Frefich Monsieur' call borgno, that is, blind of au eye.. Tnis precious organ was lost to bins some time ago by the intrepidity of an inimical rat, which as he had not seized it in a proper place 'turned round on its murderer, and deprived him by one bite of the privilege of seeing with two eyes in future.  The following verse, stanza, or whatever else it may be called, is a ,litzral transcript from a totnbstone in Wigtown church-yard, in Galloway : Hare lies John Taggart, of honest fame, Of stature low and a leg lame ; Content he was with portion small, Kept a shop in Wigtown, and that's all!  - . - .