The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1875-06-26 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

COCK-FIGHTING.  The Times has published the following letter from Admiral Rous:—  Sir,—A motion in the House of Commons to increase the punishment to Her Majesty's subjects who indulge in the most ancient and Royal amusement of cockfighting induces me to trespass on your columns. It has been argued that it is a wise policy to forbid this sport, owing to its cruelty. On this principle, why not make pigeon-shooting illegal when fat Herods, standing over the traps, slay the innocents? Why not legislate against hunting, coursing, fishing? In the latter amusement, what can be more brutal than impaling worms on hooks, or trolling with live bait to catch pike? Playing with a fine salmon on your hook is a pleasant pastime, although the victim differs in opinion. Neither is there much to be said in favour of grand battues, where hundreds of birds and ground game escape mutilated to live a miserable life or to be eaten by rats. All these amusements must of necessity be cruel, but they are sanctioned by the upper classes, and the cruelty is ignored. With respect to the champions of the cockpit, is it a greater boon for a young cock to be well fed and reared to fight a battle, if victorious to be petted for the remainder of his life, with half-a-dozen little hens for his comfort, or to cut his throat early in life to satisfy the appetite of a carnivorous man? And this man, who daily is an accessory to the murder of youth in the shape of veal, lamb, and Spring chickens, prides himself on his amiability, and in the House of Commons expatiates on the cruelty of allowing pugnacious birds to contend in fair fight, to the admiration of thousands of good, honest men who delight in such specimens of first-rate pluck and courage. A vegetarian may indulge in such romance, or a Fakir who declines to wash or comb his hair for fear of disturbing a happy family. It must be clear to every man that in this country there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. The Snob sticks to the former, but the thoroughbred gentleman stands by the poor man. In ancient times the gamecock was considered an emblem of divinity by the Syrians and Greeks.  When Themistocles besieged Dalmatia, he corn manded that two cocks should be fought in the open view of his army, and exhorted them to behave as these stout-hearted creatures fought. Pomponius Mela, the historian, asserted that the Roman Empire did . not begin to decline until cocking had fallen into disrepute among its Governors. He proves that Severus was not able to conquer Britain until he had rendered his principal officers passionately emulous of glosy by exhibiting a main of cocks every day before them. The soothsayers warned Mark Antony to take heed of Cesar, because his cocks were always beaten by him. The great Gustavus told the King of Denmark he had no cause to fear the Imperialists, since they had given up cocking and were devoted to drinking and dancing. Christian, King of Denmark, said "Were I to lead an army against the great Infidel of Constantinople I would choose none but cockers for my commanders, and none but lovers of the sport for soldiers." Our Henry