Cocking and Its Votaries.

Cock a doodle-doo.

Little COCKING GEORGE.

of the former pastime. In support of this assertion that the two sports were inseparable, I quote the following extract from the return list of Chester Races, for the year 1834:—"In consequence of the general expectation that the battles in the cocking would be well fought and each last long, J. Jackson, Esq., Clerk of the Course, having been solicited to postpone the hour of starting until three o'clock, with his usual wish to accommodate the supporters of this highly interesting sporting meeting, consented to the arrangement." The articles of the great county mains invariably contained the words, "To be fought during the race week," the first in-go taking place before the races, and the second after dinner. However, the new sport flourishes on the ashes of the old, though long may its dying embers keep alight!

The main referred to was the last Lord Derby ever fought at Chester, for ere the next race week came round the veteran peer was dead. He won the match in question, which was against Mr. (afterwards Sir) Henry Bold Houghton, and was for 20 guineas a battle and 500 guineas the odd, by twenty-eight battles to six, Potter and Woodcock the feeders. The following year, 1835, Cheshire told a different story, for Wickstead, feeding for the home county, beat Clarke, the Lancashire feeder, by eighteen battles to thirteen, and the loss her cockers sustained by the death of Lord Derby, which took place in October, 1834, was for the first, although not by any means the last, time felt in the county Palatine, for many still sigh, in more senses than a sporting one, for the high and palmy days of the old Lord of Knowsley. The old pit in St. John's Street, Chester, to which I have made many a pilgrimage, appears, save that three sides of the gallery which surrounded it have been taken down, to be much the same as

Cocking and Its Votaries.

34

it was in days of yore, and shows far less change than do
"the times." The two rooms, one for each master of the
match, are there, and, externally, the building has not been
altered; little, therefore (except, must I say it? the men
and the cocks), is wanting to restore it to its former
greatness.

The year before Lord Derby died, Cocking had been
prohibited within five miles of Temple Bar, and the year
following his death saw the prohibition extended to the
"provinces." The mains, therefore, ceased to appear in
the advertisements of the various race meetings, and they
were not recorded in the *Racing Calendars* after 1840.
The last great matches, chronicled officially, were fought
at Chester, Newton, and Liverpool, and were between
Sir Henry Bold Houghton and Mr. Thomas Holyoake;
Capt. White and Dr. Bellyse; Mr. Legh and Mr.
Thomas Holyoake; and the gentlemen of Lancashire
and Cheshire. In these mains, Woodcock, Hines,
Potter, and Davies were the feeders. After the main
between Hines and Potter, at the Liverpool July
Meeting of 1840, which was won by the former, after
4 days' play, by 17 main and 5 bye to the latter's 12
main and 3 bye battles, Cocking appears, for a time, to
have fallen out of the list of sporting fixtures, at all events,
few matches of consequence were made in the succeeding
decade.

In 1849, the law was made more stringent against
Cocking, but the lovers of the sport were not easily
to be deterred from its practice, and, with Lords
Sefton and Huntingfield, the Berkeleys, and Admiral
Rous representing "the upper ten," and Messrs. Cobden,
Plummer, Smith of Worcester, Hopkinson, Eades, and
Beckett, the middle classes, the mains would seem to

Cocking and Its Votaries.

GAME COCK AND FOX.

have gained strength, as is often the case, from increased
opposition; at any rate, they went on merrily and regularly
for many years. Amongst other matches, at Elmore's
farm at Uxendon, in 1850, Lord Sefton beat Lord Hun-
tingfield, in a main in which Davis, senior, fed and set the
Croxteth birds, whilst Stringer fed and Harry Gum set
Lord Huntingfield's; in a marquee specially erected for
the purpose at Jem Mason's at Hendon, in 1852, Messrs.
Eades and Beckett fought and beat that good sports-
man, Grantley Berkeley (C. F. and Davis, senior, feeders),
before a very aristocratic company; and, going back to
Elmore's, Lord Sefton won a main against Mr. Eades, the
the timber-merchant, in which Davis, senior, and Frith,
respectively, fed the birds. Lord Sefton's birds were
chiefly brown-red, of Dr. Belyse's strain, and are thus
alluded to by Lord Lytton in his poem, "Glenaveril,"
published this year (1885):—

"Tho' fierce of heart as Sefton's fighting-cocks."

At the Kensington Riding School, and at Allen's Riding
School, Mr. Smith, of Worcester, for whom Hadley fed
and Harry Booth set, fought and beat the present Lord
Sefton, and Mr. Cobden, the Mr. Cobden whose care and
attention in regard to breeding still leave their mark on
many a fighting-cock.

Near the "Black Boy," at Tottenham, Harry Gum
established at a pit, where many Welsh mains were con-
tested; and both at the "Sir John Barleycorn," in Thomas
Street, and at the "Half Moon," at Holloway, Mr.
Plummer, whose cocks were bred from Vauxhall Clark's
and "Squire" Giffard's strains, fought matches against
Mr. Cobden, who, as before mentioned, relied greatly on
Lord Germaine's blood. Newmarket was a favourite
battle-field with Mr. Cobden, and there it was that he

["Cocking and Its Votaries.", "beat Tom Harrison, Cousens, and Arnold; drew with\nBeastall; and was beaten by Mr. Smith, of Worcester,\nand Brough, of Carlisle, the latter feeding for the New-\ncastle people. To carry the history of the sport into\n\"the seventies\" would be trenching on dangerous\nground, nor would it serve any good purpose to indicate\nthe exact site of the present \"Cock-pit Royal,\" or to tell\nhow and where the lovers of \"feather\" now bring off those\nquiet mains, by the results of which, Cocking is shown\nto be something more than the wreck of its former self,\nsomething better than a mere *nominis umbra*.", "The present generation is taught to discountenance\nCock-fighting, and it must be allowed that the Royal\nSport is unsuited to this Radical age. It is proved to\nhave been the favourite diversion of the Greeks and\nRomans; the Dardanii, a people of Troas, had on their\ncoins the representation of two cocks fighting; and\nJacobus Palmerius traces it to the days of Cæsus, King\nof Lydia, 558 years before the birth of Christ. Cocking\nis, therefore, far older than the British or any other\nexisting constitution, and how our grandfathers and grand-\nmothers presumed to interfere with such a sport is\nastounding. What would Dr. Wild, Nonconformist\ndivine and poet, the foremost advocate of the amuse-\nment in the seventeenth century, have written of these\nnineteenth century spoil-sports, when, of certain of his\nown contemporaries, he felt constrained to say—", "\"Go you, tame gallants, you that have a name,\nAnd would accounted be cocks of the Game;", "Though Peacocks, Woodcocks, Weathercocks you be,\nIf you're not Fighting-cocks, you're not for me\"?", "Father of the Turf", "Treguonwell Frampton Esqr.", "Treguonwell Frampton Esqr.\nSons of Sir William de化的 Barons of Newmarket and King William the First, and King George the Third, and King George the Fourth, and King George the Fifth, and King George the Sixth, and King George the Seventh, and King George the Eighth, and King George the Ninth, and King George the Tenth, and King George the Eleventh, and King George the Twelfth, and King George the Thirteenth, and King George the Fourteenth, and King George the Fifteenth, and King George the Sixteenth, and King George the Seventeenth, and King George the Eighteenth, and King George the Nineteenth, and King George the Twentieth, and King George the Twenty-first, and King George the Twenty-second, and King George the Twenty-third, and King George the Twenty-fourth, and King George the Twenty-fifth, and King George the Twenty-sixth, and King George the Twenty-seventh, and King George the Twenty-eighth, and King George the Twenty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-first, and King George the Thirty-second, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-five, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the Thirty-seventh, and King George the Thirty-eighth, and King George the Thirty-ninth, and King George the Thirty-twelfth, and King George the Thirty-third, and King George the Thirty-fourth, and King George the Thirty-fifth, and King George the Thirty-sixth, and King George the

# APPENDIX.

## ARTICLES FOR A COCK-MATCH.

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT made this day of between and

The said parties agree to fight a Main of Cocks on the day of 18, according to the usual Rules of Cocking, for £ aside, or £ the Main and £ a Battle, or £ a Cock. To give in the weights of Cocks at from 1 lbs. ozs. to 1 lbs. ozs., at o'clock of the morning of Fighting. Top and bottom weights to be fixed battles; to weigh on the Pit, and to weigh to a half of an ounce, and match all that fall within an ounce under 5lbs.; and all that fall within two ounces above 5lbs. One ounce to be allowed for spurs. To commence fighting at o'clock.

Pounds aside has this day been deposited in the hands of, which is to be forfeited by the party not complying with the terms of this Agreement. The remainder of the money to be staked by each party on the morning of fighting, before the first battle.

To fight in fair spurs and hackles; an umpire to be chosen, if either of the parties so desire, either before or during the fighting, and his decision to be final. Either party bringing a cock a quarter of an ounce over the stipulated weight, such cock to lose his battle in the main, and also his Battle Money.

If the fighting should be interrupted, the Stake-holder is to say when and where the Main is to be fought out.

Signed,

ii.

Appendix.

RULES OBSERVED IN COCKING

At the Cock-Pit Royal, Westminster.

I.—That every person show and put his cock into the pit with a fair hackle, not too near shorn or cut, or any other fraud.

II.—That every cock to fight as he is first shown in the pit, without shearing or cutting any feathers afterwards to a disadvantage, without the consent of both the masters of the match.

III.—When both cocks are set down to fight and one of them runs away before they have struck three mouthing blows, it is adjudged no battle to the bettor.

IV.—No person to set-to but those that are appointed by the masters of the match.

V.—When a cock shall come to setting-to and both cocks refuse to fight ten times, according to the law, then a fresh cock to be hodelled, and the masters of the match to agree which of them shall turn the cock down; after which if both fight, or both refuse, to be deemed a drawn battle; but if one fight, and the other refuse, the battle to be allowed won by the fighting cock.

VI.—After telling twice twenty by the person appointed by the masters to tell the law, the cocks to be set-to, beak to beak, if they both see; but if either be blind, then the blind cock to touch; and on their refusing to fight, the person appointed, as before, is to tell ten between each setting-to, till one of the cocks has refused fighting ten times successively.

VII.—When £10 to a crown is laid on the battle, and not taken after twice twenty is told, the battle is determined on that cock the odds is on.

VIII.—That no person shall make any cavil or speech about matching of cocks, either to the matchers or owners of the cocks, after the cocks be once put together.

IX.—A master of the match has a right to remove any person out of the lower ring.

COCKS SPARRING;

OR
The whole Manner of ordering Cocks
previous to the Battle.

From a curious Paper said to be written
by — Frampton, Esq. Master of
the Race Horses and Game Cocks, to
King William the Third, &c.

An Engraving.

IN dieting and ordering Cocks for
battle consists all the profit and
pleasure to be derived from the
sport of cock-fighting. For this
reason, men skilful in raising game
birds are very cautious in divulging
their secrets on that subject: they
know very well that the best Cock
undieted, is unable to encounter the
worst that has been carefully at-
tended to in this particular. Let
others be as sparing as they please
of their experience and observa-
tions, for my part I shall not con-
ceal any thing that may tend to
the propagation of the art and
mystery of cock-fighting; to that
end let the Sportsman receive the
following instructions:—

The time of taking up your
Cocks is the latter end of August;
for from that time to the latter end
of May cocking is seasonable and
in highest request.

Having taken up your Cocks,
examine them well, be sure they
are sound, that they be hard gum-
med, and have all their feathers

complete; keep them in clean pens,
and be careful they neither want
water nor meat.

For the first four days after your
Cocks are penned, feed them with
the crumb of old manchet cut in
square bits, about a handful at a
time, and feed them three times a-
day, at sun rise, at noon, and at
sun going down, and let their wa-
ter be from the coldest spring you
can find.

Having fed your Cocks in this
manner for four days, or so long
as you think they have purged
themselves of their corn, worms,
gravel, and other course feeding,
then in the morning take them
from their pens, and let them spar
a while.

Sparring is performed in the fol-
lowing manner:—cover your Cocks'
heels with hots made of leather,
and be sure you cover their spurs,
that they cannot bruise or wound
one another. Having selected some
green field or quiet spot, let the
champions meet together, but only
two at one time, having been first
cut out of their feathers for the
battle; let them spar a good while,
but by no means suffer them to
draw blood. The benefit that will
accuse from this practice is this;
the exercise breaks the glut that is
within them, chafes their bodies,
and prepares them for purgation.

Having sparred as much as is
sufficient, which you will know
when you see them pant and grow
weary, then take them up; and,
taking off their hots, give them a
Diaphoretic, or sweating, after this
manner:—you must put them in
deep straw-baskets made for the
purpose; or, for want of them, take
a couple of cock-bags, and fill these
with straw about half way, then
put in your Cocks severally, and
cover

THE SPORTING MAGAZINE.

THE SPORTING MAGAZINE.

cover them over to the top, then shut down the lids and let them sweat, but do not forget to give them first some white sugar-candy *chopped rosemary*, and butter, incorporated well together; let the quantity to each bird be about the bigness of a common wall-nut, This will cleanse them of their grease, increase their strength, and prolong their breath.

Towards the evening take them out of their stoves, lick their eyes and heads with your tongue, and return them to their pens, and having filled their troughs with square cut manchets, make *urine* therein, and let them feed while it is hot, this will cause their scouring to work, and wonderfully cleanse both the head and body.

After this, diet your Cocks with bread made after this manner :—of wheat-meal and oat-meal take each a gallon, and knead them into a stiff paste with ale, the whites of half a score eggs, and some butter; having wrought the dough very well, make it into broad thick cakes, and when they are four days old, cut them into square pieces; do not use liquorice, anniseeds, or hot spices, as some do in their cakes; for these things make the Cock so hot at the heart that at the finish of the battle he will be suffocated and overcome with his own heat. In short, that food is always best which is most consentaneous to his own natural feeding.

The second day after *sparring*, take your Cocks, one at a time, into a fair green close, and having a dunghill cock in your hands, shew it to him and then retreat, still holding out the Cock; by this you will entice him to follow; and now and then permit the game bird to have a blow at that you hold in

your hands, and thus chase him up and down for half an hour; when he begins to pant, being well heated, take him up and carry him home, and give him his scouring; take half a pound of fresh butter and beat it in a mortar with the leaves of *herb of grace*, *hysop*, and *rosemary*, till they all look like a green salve; give him thereof a piece as big as a walnut, stove him till evening, and then feed him according to former prescription.

The next day feed him and let him have rest, but *spar* the next day after; thus do for the first fortnight; either *sparring* or *chasing*, and after every heat a scouring, which will keep him from being fat and puffy.

Feed him the second fortnight as you did the first, but you must not *spar* or *chase* him above twice a-week, observing still, that if you heat him much, you must stove him long, and give him a greater quantity of scouring. When well in breath, slight heats, small scourings, and little stoving, will serve the turn and your purpose.

The third fortnight (which is the time thought sufficient for ordering a Cock for battle) you must feed as before, but you must not *spar* him at all for fear of making his head sore, but you may moderately chase him at pleasure.—Then give him his scouring well rolled in *brown sugar-candy*, which will prevent the scouring from making the Cock sick;—now you may let him fight, having first given him rest for four days, observing that he come empty into the pit.

These rules I have always observed, and, from a long experience, pronounce them to be the best.

Anno 1697.

F.

Appeneix.

iii.

X.—No person can make a confirmed bet void, without mutual consent.

XI.—Bets to be paid on clear proof by creditable witnesses, though not demanded immediately after the battle is over.

XII.—It is recommended that all disputes be finally determined by the master of the match, and two other gentlemen that they shall appoint; and in case they cannot agree, then they four to agree on a fifth, whose determination shall be final.

The following rules relating to the methods of matching and fighting of cocks in London, said to have been in practice there ever since the reign of King Charles II., which methods of Fighting a Main are:—

To begin the same by fighting the lightest pair of cocks (which fall in a match) first, proceeding upwards, to the end; that every lighter pair may fight earlier than those that are heavier.

In matching (with relation to the battles) it is a rule always in London,

That after the cocks of the main are weighed, and the match bills are compared,

That every pair of dead or equal weight are separated, and fight against others, provided that it appears that the main can be enlarged by adding thereto one battle or more thereby.

1863. January 17th.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

Before Justices WIGHTMAN, CROMPTON & MELLOR.

Cockfighting.—Morley v. Greenhalgh.

This was an appeal from the convictions of Justices at Barnsley for cock-fighting.

It appeared that the respondent took out a summons against Job Morley, George Frickleton, John Peel, Richard Jackson, and John Lockwood, labourers, for that on the 10th March last, at the township of Woolley, they did then and there assist at a cock-fight, and act in the management of a certain place, then and there being used for the purpose of fighting cocks.

iv.

Appendix.

The cock-fighting took place in a quarry belonging to Godfrey Wentworth, Esq., in the presence of upwards of one hundred persons. It was proved that one of the cocks was taken out of the pit by Job Morley, and John Peel was seen by the police (who were in disguise) to run away with another bird. The appellants were convicted, but only took part in the proceedings by throwing stones and preventing the police approaching the quarry.

The conviction of the appellants was under the third section of the 12th & 13th Vict., cap. 92, and they appealed against the conviction on the ground that the words of that section only apply to the encouraging, aiding, or assisting at the fighting of cocks in any place regularly kept or used for that purpose, as mentioned in the first clause of the said section, and that there was no evidence to show that the stone quarry was a place so kept or used.

The magistrates held that the quarry was a place within the meaning of the Act for the purpose of cock-fighting, and was so used on the day of fighting.

Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., in support of the conviction, said the question for the opinion of the Court turned upon the construction to be given to the third section of the 12th & 13th Vic., cap. 92.

The judgment of the Court was asked upon the point, whether it was an offence to fight cocks, or assist in their fighting in any place, or was it confined to a place habitually used for that purpose?

Mr. Justice Wightman said that the present was a precisely similar case to that of Clarke v. Haigh.

That was a considered judgment in full Court, and they decided that mere cock-fighting was not an offence.

The Court had been asked to review that decision, but he was more disposed to confirm that decision.

The other learned Judges concurred.

Judgment for the appellants.

COCKING

nor for the safety of their children, but only because the one will not give way unto the other." This so encouraged the Grecians, that they fought gallantly, and obtained the victory over the Persians; upon which cock fighting was, by a particular law, ordained to be annually practised by the Athenians.

The inhabitants of Delos were great lovers of this sport, and Tamagra, a city of Bælotia, the isle of Rhodes, Chalcis in Eulæa, and the country of Media, were famous for their generous and magnanimous race of chickens. It appears they had some method of preparing the birds for battle. Cock fighting was an institution partly political, at Athens, and was continued there for the purpose of improving the seeds of valour in the minds of their youths.—But it was afterwards perverted and abused, both there and in other parts of Greece, to a common pastime and amusement, without any moral, political, or religious intention, as it is now followed and practised amongst us. It appears that the Romans, who borrowed this, as well as many other things, from Greece, used quails as well as cocks for fighting. The first cause of contention between the two brothers, Bassianus and Geta, sons of the Emperor Septimius Severus, happened, according to Herodian, in their youth about fighting their quails and cocks. Cocks and quails, fitted for the purpose of engaging one another to the last gasp for diversion, are frequently compared in the Roman writers, and with much propriety to gladiators. The fathers of the church inveigh with great warmth against the spectacles of the arena—the wanton shedding of human blood in sport. One would have thought that with this, cock fighting would also have been discarded, under the mild and humane genius of Christianity; but it was reserved for this enlightened era, to practise it with new and aggravating circumstances of cruelty.—The Shrove Tuesday massacre is now, indeed, abolished; but that monstrous barbarity, the battle-royal and the Welch-main, still continue amongst us—a striking disgrace to the manly character of Britons.

It is probable that cock fighting was first introduced into this island by the Romans. The bird itself was here before Cæsar's arrival.

William Fitz Stephen, who wrote the life of Becket, in the reign of Henry II. is the first of our writers who mentions cocking, describing it as the sport of school-boys on Shrove Tuesday. The theatre (the cock-pit) it seems was the school, and the master was the comptroller and director of the sport; from this time at least, the diversion, however absurd, and even culpable, was continued amongst us. It was followed, though disapproved and prohibited (39 Edward III.); also in the reign of Henry VIII. and A. D. 1569. It has by some been called a royal diversion, and every one knows the cock-pit at Whitehall was erected by a crowned head, for the more magnificent celebrating of the sport. It was prohibited, however, by one of Oliver's acts, March 31, 1654.

Eugene by J. Scott

Engraved by J. Baillenger.

COCK FIGHTING.

COCKING

AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING COCK-MATCHES.

Fryday March 31. 1654. Ordered by His Highness the Lord Protector, and his Council, That this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published.

HENRY SCOBELL, Clerk of the Council.

*London, Printed by William du-Gard and Henry Hills, Printers to His Highness the Lord Protector, 1654.*

Whereas, the Publique Meetings and Assemblies of People together in divers parts of this Nation, under pretence of Matches for Cock-fighting, are by experience found to tend many times to the disturbance of the publique Peace, and are commonly accompanied with Gaming, Drinking, Swearing, Quarrelling, and other dissolute practices, to the dishonour of God, and do often produce the ruine of Persons and their Families: For prevention thereof, Be it Ordained by his Highness the Lord Protector, by and with the advice and consent of his Council, That from henceforth there shall be no publique or set meetings of Assemblies of any persons within England or Wales, upon Matches made for Cock-fighting; And that every such meeting, and assembly of people for the end and purposes aforesaid, is hereby declared to be an unlawful Assembly, and shall be so adjudged, deemed and taken to be, and punished; And all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Maiors, Bayliffs, Constables, and Head-boroughs, within their several Counties, Cities, Limits, and Jurisdictions, are hereby required to suppress, hinder, and disperse all such meetings and assemblies.

Friday March 31. 1654. Ordered by his Highness the Lord Protector, and his Council, That this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published.

Henry Scobell, Clerk of the Council.

There is always a great secret made amongst cock-feeders of their arts of training; being an amateur of the cock-pit, and having seen the management of many different feeders, I am really inclined to deny them the greater part of the merit they would arrogate to themselves. I am convinced that a great deal depends upon breed, and *nearly* all the rest upon the cocks being well walked, and in good condition, both of body and plumage. A well-walked cock will strike harder, and fight, in steel, with more vigour and success when he has been taken from his walk for three or four days, than one that has been ill-walked, but has had all the improvement that feeding can give. For fighting in silver, more trim, exercise, and physic are required.

A very proper and indispensable prelude to feeding of any sort is the breeding up of cocks that will bear such a course of training as they are usually subjected to. Corn of the finest quality and of the

COCKING

easiest digestion—that which has been housed the ripest, presents itself as the food best adapted to the whole feathered tribe, though the habits of some lead them to devour animal food, fish, and other substances. But what is the condition of such birds? what their propensities? We need scarcely bestow a single thought upon the appropriate answer; and in that answer, will be found the impolicy of bringing up game chickens, as of training game cocks, upon raw meat, according to the general practice (it is apprehended), when worms are obtained with difficulty. Much better would it be to convert the meat into gentles, by means of artificial heat, in the same manner as anglers procure such worms by the heat of the sun and the blowing of flies. For this purpose (seeing that the worms would be mostly required early in the year), some large blow-flies may be put away in autumn, and be raised from the dormant state by heat, so as to impregnate (or blow) animal matter in abundance; nor will they readily leave the genial retreat provided for them, though left at large, if they are sheltered from the action of the boisterous winds that prevail early in the year.

Exercise and good water appear to us primarily essential requisites in training cocks; and the walks provided for them should possess the means of obtaining both. As, in attaining the first mentioned, frequent runs will be required, the advantage of a field adjacent would mainly conduce thereto, so also conveniences should be provided for separating the quarrelsome from each other. This latter more especially, since the practice of permitting the stags and younger chickens to spar occasionally, will improve their wind, try their pluck, and reduce the quantity of fat which gathers round the gizzard, the heart, &c. in highly fed animals; besides, that when these bouts are over, if one does not give in, or run under the other, they will be always at it, and must be separated.

Wherever the convenience exists of making a small streamlet of fine clear water, this course should be adopted in preference to using shallow pans that require frequent filling, which soon get muddled by the fowls walking over them, and the readiness of attendants to replace clean water instead, seldom keeps pace with the spoliation and wants of the game animals, which stand in need of much drinking.

“ Rules and Orders for Cocking, at the Cock-Pit Royal,
Westminster.

“On the weighing morning, the person whose chance it is to weigh last, is to set his cocks and number his pens, both main and byes, and leave the key of the pens upon the weighing table (or the other party, if he pleases, may put a lock on the door) before any cock is put into the scale, and after the first pack of cocks are weighed, a person appointed by him that weighed first shall go into the other pens to see that no other cocks are weighed but what are so set and numbered, provided they are within the articles of weight that the match specifies; if not, to take the following cock or cocks,

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COCKING

until the whole number of main and bye cocks are weighed. And after they are all weighed, you are to proceed as soon as possible to match them, beginning at the least weight first, and so on; and equal weights or nearest weights to be separated, provided by that separation a greater number of battles can be made, and not otherwise; and all blanks, that is, choice of cocks, are to be filled up on the weighing day, and the battles divided and struck off for each day's play, as agreed on, and the cocks that weigh the least are to fight the first day, and so upwards.

“At the time agreed on by both parties to begin fighting, the cocks that are to fight the first battle are brought upon the pit by the feeders, or their helpers; and after being examined, to see they answer the marks and colours specified in the match-bill, they are given to the setters-to, who, after chopping them in hand, give them to the gentlemen who are called masters of the match (who always sit opposite to each other) when they turn them down upon the mat; and the setters-to are not to touch them, except they either hang in the mat, in each other, or get close to the edge of the pit, until they leave off fighting, so long as a person can count forty.

“When both cocks leave off fighting, until one of the setters-to, or a person appointed for telling the law, can tell forty gradually; then the setters-to are to make the nearest way to their cocks, and as soon as they have taken them up to carry them into the middle of the pit, and immediately deliver them on their legs, beak to beak, and not touch them any more till they have refused fighting, so long as the teller of the law can count ten, unless they are on their backs, or hung in each other, or in the mat: then they are to set-to again in the same manner as before, and continue it till one cock refuses fighting ten several times, one after another, when it is that cock's battle that fought within the law.

“But it sometimes happens that both cocks refuse fighting while the law is telling; when this happens, a fresh cock is to be hovedelled, and brought upon the mat as soon as possible, and the setters-to are to toss up which cock is to be set-to first, and he that gets the chance is to choose. Then the other which is to be set-to last, must be taken up, but not carried off the pit; then setting the hovedelled cock down to the other, five separate times, telling ten between each setting-to, and then the same to the other cock; and if one fights and the other refuses, it is a battle to the fighting cock; but if both fight, or both refuse, it is a drawn battle. The reason of setting-to five times to each cock, is, that ten times setting-to being the long law for one cock only, so on their both refusing, the law is to be equally divided between them, as they are both entitled to it alike.

“Another way of deciding a battle is, if any person offers to lay ten pounds to a crown (that is, if he is a person thought capable of paying when he loses, or one who stakes his money upon the mat) and no person takes it until the law-teller tells forty and calls out three separate times, "Will any one take it?" and no one does, it is the cock's battle the odds are laid on, and the setters-to are not to

141

COCKING

touch the cocks during the time the forty is telling, without either cock is hung in the mat, or on his back, or hung together.

"If a cock should die before the long law is told out, although he fought in the law, and the other did not, he loses his battle; for there cannot be a better rule for a cock winning his battle than killing his adversary in the limited time he is entitled to by cock laws.

"There are often disputes between the setters-to, as also with the spectators, respecting their counting the long law, for often both cocks refuse fighting until four or five, or more or less times, are told; then they begin telling from that cock's fighting, and counting but once refused, but they should continue their number on, until one cock has refused ten times; for, when the law is begun to be told, it is for both cocks: for if one cock fights within the long law, and the other not, it is a battle to the cock that fought, counting from the first setting-to.

"All disputes about bets, or the battle being won or lost, ought to be decided by the spectators; for, if the bets are not paid, nor the battles settled according to judgment then given, it will be good evidence in law, if an action is brought for the recovery of such bets. The crowing and mantling of a cock, or fighting at the setter-to's hand, before he is put to the other cock, or breaking from his an-tagonist, is allowed no fight."

The cocking season usually begins about Shrovetide, and has an equal duration with that of racing; races being seldom held without the addition of cock-fighting. There is, perhaps, scarcely a county in England, in which this sport does not prevail in some degree; but the Cock-pit-Royal, Tufton-street, Westminster, is the grand theatre. The battles commence there, each night, throughout the season, at a quarter before six o'clock precisely. We have had, in all times, some men of quality and distinction attached to this sport.

The fighting principle is by no means confined to the domestic cock, since other birds partake of it in a proportionate degree; for example, the pheasant and partridge, and even the sparrow and diminutive tom-tit! There is considerable analogy between the sports of the Turf and the Cock-pit. They are both derived from classical antiquity, and have, together, been patronised and practised for centuries, in this country almost exclusively; the chief exception, perhaps, being the native Hindoos, or inhabitants of India, who have, from the early ages, practised this sport with their large breed of cocks. The game-cock, like the race-horse, is a fine-boned, clean-shaped, and symmetrical variety of the species, discovered by man from those outward and visible signs, to be properly adapted to those purposes to which they were consequently applied. Game-fowls and race-horses are kept rigidly apart from commixture with any other variety, since they, being possessed of a peculiar intrinsic superiority, any alien or inferior cross must necessarily have the effect of destroying the integrity of the breed; in fact, of rendering it totally incompetent to its intended purposes. In one respect, there is a difference

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COC

of opinion between the cock-walk and the breeding stud. In the former, they make no scruple to breed in and in, that is, from the nearest affinities, putting the game pullets to their own sire.

An aspirant after the laurels of the sod and cock-pit, whom, from his natural penchant for strife and contention, for battle, murder, and sudden death, we can do no less than dub a hero by nature, born to defend his own dunghill,—must adopt the following fundamental rules, if he would insure success and not subject himself to the painful and disgraceful necessity of retracing his steps. Let him seek and practice the best advice, provide the best breed of cocks, the best breeders and trainers, (honest, if he can find such); and, without sparing any necessary expense in keeping, feeding, and training, let him bring them to the pit at the best age, and in the most blooming condition.

In the days of Charles II. and old Frampton, the get of SOURCE were all the ton. So many new best breeds, that is, fashionable changes of colour succeeded, from that early period to the time from which we can date our first reckoning, that our allotted space would be insufficient for the bare catalogue.

Black cocks formerly contended for popular favour awhile, but without success; they have, however, bequeathed the legacy of a portion of their blood to the pit, as is proved by one of the present favourites, the black-breasted red cock. This colour has, however, found a rival in the Norwich or Gurney pied cock. Both colours have proved successful in country mains, and at the Cock-pit-Royal, in the metropolis. Cocks are heeled for battle with steel or silver spurs, and much, or, by chance, every thing, may depend on the judicious fixing of these spurs; a thing to be determined by the mode in which the cock uses his natural weapons. An experienced cocker only, of course, can be au fait at this critical business, and his lesson will not be quite learned unless he has witnessed a trial of the cock and his peculiar mode of striking. Young cocks are called stags, and the bird is in his prime at two years old. A Welch main, in which the survivors continue to fight to the last gasp, until the last have no fellow combatant surviving to do him the final charitable office, must needs glut the most heroic thirst of blood, even that of Cadwallader himself, were he in existence.

COCK-FEEDER signifies a person whose occupation it is to collect, handle, and feed a pen of cocks, to fight such main or match as may be made or agreed on, by those who deposit the battle money, and are called the masters of the match. These find or procure the cocks, of which the feeder takes charge; and to his judgment is submitted the entire management of selecting, rejecting, feeding, physicing, sweating, sparring, weighing, cutting out, (alias trimming,) and bringing his bag and cock to the pit; where, upon delivering it to the setter-to, his function ceases

in respect to that particular cock, till death has sealed his disgrace, or success proclaimed his victory.

COCK-MATCH, an agreement and article entered into by opposite parties, to shew any number of cocks (as twenty-one, thirty-one, forty-one,) on each side in the main, and ten in the byes, to fight for ten guineas a battle, and fifty the odd." The cocks so agreed to be matched, are under the management of their different feeders till the day specified in the article for their being shewn and weighed; which day is, upon most occasions, the

143

31..Shady Breasted Brown Red, Low Flat Smooth Comb, Shd B Brn R Lo Flt Smith Co 4 0 2

32..Small Spotted Breasted Crow Wing Red, Long Thin Comb, Sml Spd B Crw Wg R Lo Thn C 4 0 1

33..Black and Shady Breasted Poyle Wing Red, Low Short B & Shd B Poy Wg R Lo Sht 4 2 3

34..Brick Breasted Brown Red, Low Comb, Lowest to Rj Bk B Brn R Lo Co Lo'to Rj 4 0 3

35..Blotched Breasted Ginger Red, Low Comb, Peak Bad Blo B Gin R Lo Co Pk 4 3 0

36..Spotted Breasted Carrotty Poyle, High Seedy Comb, Spd B Cart Poy Hi Sedy Co 4 2 1

37..Spotted Breasted Light Shouldered Yellow Duck Wing, Spd B Lt Shld Yel Dk Wg 4 3 3

38..Dun Breasted Red Dun, Spangled Pinions, Low Comb Dn B R Dn Spng Pin Lo Co 4 3 3

39..Spotted Breasted Beasy Yellow Duck, Low Comb, Le Spd B Bea Yel Dk Lo Co Lr 4 2 3

40..Treakled Breasted Marigole Duck Wing, Low Broad Comb Trk B Margl Dk Wg Lo Bro 4 3 0

41..Starling Breasted Red Shit Wing, Low Comb, Scared Star B R Swg Lo Co Ceard 4 9 0

42..Black Breasted Tawney Duck Wing, Low Comb, Fow B B Tny Dk W Lo Co Fl 4 9 3

43..Spotted Breasted Tawney Yellow, Little High Comb, Spd B Tny Yel Lit Hi Co 4 1 3

44..Treakled Breasted Yellow Duck, High Comb, Beak Trk B Yel Dk Hi Co Bk 4 2 1

45..Mealy Breasted Mealy Yellow, Low Comb, Nob Back Mea B Mea Yel Lo Co Nb Bk 4 1 1

46..Streaky Breasted Dun Poyle, Low Comb, Little Mou St B Dn Poy Lo Co Lit Mo 4 2 3

47..Black Breasted Brass Wing Black, High Comb, Nick B B Brss Wg B Hi Co Nkd 4 3 3

48..Spotted and Mealy Breasted Custard Mealy, Low Comb Spd & Mea B Curd Mea Lo Co 4 2 3

49..Large Spotted Breasted Yellow, Broad Comb, High o Lrg Spd B Yel Brd Co Hi 4 9 1

50..Dun and Spangled Breasted Spangle Dun, Low Comb, Dn & Spng B Spn Dn Lo Co 4 9 2

51..Brick Breasted Orange Ginger, Low Comb, Broad Ba Bk B O Gin Lo Co Brd Bl 4 3 1

52..Starling Breasted Silver Duck Wing, High Comb, Cu Star B Sil Dk Wg Hi Co Cu 4 2 3

53..Brick Breasted Beasy Red Dun, Low Comb, Scared Bk B Bea R Dn Lo Co Scr'd 4 4 3

54..Black Breasted Beasy Red, Low Broad Comb, Fowl B B Bea R Lo Brd Co Fl 4 6 3

55..Freckle Breasted Yellow, High Comb, Peak Back, 4 2 1

having three battles ahead in the main, is a winner of fifteen guineas upon the single battles; and winning the main also, he wins the twenty-five guineas upon that event; making himself the creditor for forty guineas: but in the byes, B having the advantage of four battles to two won

which it is erected: it is usually of an oblong or circular form, surrounded with seats, to which the spectators pay for admission; and, in great mains, or subscription matches, the feeders generally agree with the masters of the match, to receive the whole of this door money, (equally

COC

divided between them,) as their compensation for the fortnight or three weeks they are engaged in feeding the cocks.

At the hour previously agreed on, the bags containing the cocks are brought into the pit by the feeders, or whoever they may appoint: they are there received by persons called the setters-to, whose qualifications depend upon a quick eye, a light hand, and agile heel; without the whole of which, celebrity can never be acquired in their way. The cocks being taken from the bags, are most scrupulously compared in feather and marks with the original description entered in the matchbill on the day of weighing; if there should prove the most trifling deviation from which, a mistake, wilful or accidental, is supposed to have taken place, and no progress whatever is made in fighting, till it is completely rectified, and the cause done away. This scrutiny is seriously critical, and made by the feeders, who attend minutely to the match-bill and marks of each other's cocks; which ceremony gone through, and admitted to be right, the feeders retire from the centre of the pit, becoming spectators; and the setters-to are then the sole possessors with the cocks in hand. In this state they are shewn to each other "beak to beak;" and if they "show fight," they are (for form's sake in the first battle only) given into the hands of the makers (called masters) of the match, who are situate in the lowest circular seat opposite to each other, and they giving the cocks a set-to toss upon the mat, the battle begins amidst clamours indescribable, and offers of bets innumerable, according to the pecuniary sensations, opinions, and predictions of the different parties interested in the event, constituting a scene very far beyond the power of description, and which must be seen to be perfectly understood.

There are certain rules and laws of custom to be observed in fighting; the most material of which it is necessary to explain. When once the cocks are pitted, neither of the setters-to have the privilege to touch or handle his cock, so long as they continue to fight, unless their weapons hang in the mat, they are entangled with each other, are got too close to the edge of the pit, or have left off fighting while the umpire or law-teller can count forty; when, in either of these cases, each setter-to instantly handles his cock, bringing them beak to beak in the middle of the pit: if one cock has refused to fight

while the telling forty took place, his adversary, who made the last fight, with either heel or beak, is said to have the first law in his favour. When brought beak to beak, and set on their legs, if the cock who did not fight while the forty was telling, continues to decline fighting, the setter-to of his adversary (or umpire, if there is one) proceeds to tell ten; which being done, they are again handed, and brought beak to beak; if the same cock continues still unwilling or unable to fight, the ceremony of telling ten, and bringing beak to beak, at the conclusion of every ten, takes place, till it has been repeated ten different times, when the cock so refusing to fight has lost his battle. But should he fight during any part of the law, (even in telling the last ten,) what has been told is of no effect, and the first ten must be begun again, whenever a fight is renewed. Instances sometimes happen, when the cock who has the long law in his favour, retreats from the cock seemingly beaten, and in his turn has the law going on against him; so that the cock who fights last has the law in his favour, till one side or other is counted out.

If, during a battle, (either by long fighting or a cut down blow,) any person offers to bet ten pounds to a crown, or throws his hat, glove, or handkerchief, into the pit, which is the same thing, and so understood, though not a word is spoken, the teller immediately begins to tell forty in a deliberate manner, which being done, he proclaims, "ten pounds to a crown is betted; will any body take it? will any body take it?" No reply being made, the battle is won by the cock upon whom the odds were offered. On the contrary, should the bet be accepted in words, or a handkerchief, hat, or glove, be thrown into the pit, during the time of so telling the forty, it is an acceptance of the ten pounds to a crown offered, and the cocks are instantly handed, beak to beak, in consequence. If a cock, having the law in his favour, dies before the long law is told out, his adversary wins the battle, although he did not fight within the law; for there cannot be a greater criterion of victory, than having killed his opponent.

When the cocks are first shewn in the hands of the setters-to, and either refuses to face, that is, to fight, it is deemed no battle, upon the equitable principle, that no man can lose where he has no chance to win. There are frequently disputes

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between the setters-to respecting which cock is in for the law in his favour, during the changes which sometimes happen in setting-to during the process of telling the long law; as well as disputes amongst the spectators concerning bets made, and misunderstandings during the heat of battle; to prevent litigation, and long-standing animosity, it is an invariable rule, that all disputes are to be decided by a majority of the pit; but in all pecuniary altercations, both parties deposit their money before the question is asked, in proof of their readiness to acquiesce in the decision when made. Persons making bets in a pit, which they were afterwards unable or unwilling to pay, were formerly drawn up in a basket by pullies, and suspended during the play; that ceremony, however, is now altogether dispensed with, the aggressor being instantly turned out of the pit, with a variety of cuffs and kicks plentifully bestowed upon him in the gauntlet of his escape.

COCK'S WALK is the place to which a game cock is removed, from the place where he was bred, (and where he walked under his sire,) to the spot where he is to remain till taken up to fight; this is called his walk, of which he is the master, not walking under any other cock. They are commonly sent out to walk at six or seven months old, previous to which they have their combs and gills taken off, and are marked in the eyes, norrils, and feet.— At this age they are called chickens; when turned of a year old, they are termed stags; and at two years old, cocks.

London, Pub. Dic. 1823. By (S) Dickenson, M. New Bond St.

THE SPORTING MAGAZINE.

GAME COCK

in the nineteenth century should be held forth to our children's children as instruments of Providence to erect a new standard of morality and fine feelings in the world.

We looked at all this too; and we have also, at other times, turned our eyes around us, and we flattered ourselves not in faultless observation. Without attempting a comparative view with other sports, and balancing one hard-hearted taste with another, we simply beg of our friends to hear or read what some of our ancestors say on the subject, and what some of their ancestors used to say too, and also did, in the matter.

In 1607, a Mr. George Wilson worked a little with pen and ink, and he boldly offered to the world a " commendation of cocks and cock-fighting, wherein is shewn that cock-fighting was before the coming of Christ." Plutarch (he tells us, in the Life of Marcus Antoninus) says, that his Soothsayer warned him to take heed of Cæsar, because Cæsar's cocks were always notorious over his. Then Theomistocles, when he strided over Dalmatia, did use cock-fighting, and, before he opened upon the invasion, had a public exhibition before his army, that his men might be taught invincible courage from simple fowls of the air!

This is ancient record, no doubt; but we don't assume our championship for cocking upon this alone. At the close of the seventeenth century another gentleman looked about Greece and Rome, and other early soils; and there he found that one of the principal gods of the Syrians and ancient Greeks was a fighting cock. He finds also, and rests his words upon the authority of Pomponius Mela

VOL. XXII. N. S.—No. 129.

—(and now we beg our friends to pause and ponder, or ponder and pause)—that the Roman Empire did not begin to decline until cocking had fallen into disrepute among the Governors!! Be careful, ye British Pillars of the State! let not mistaken zeal usurp the place of ancient example and dear-bought experience. To the honour of Britain, to the immortal character of its native blood, he goes still farther, and writes that Severus was not able to subdue the Sons of the land until he had rendered his officers passionately emulous of glory, by exhibiting a main of cocks before them. It might be argued from this, we want no stimulus to set such purity of blood on fire; but to meet the possibility, we say, deprive us not of those collaterals, that, from the facts here adduced, can never fail of keeping alive such unequalled heroism as Britons possess.

Both these eulogists—these subtle probers of antiquity, have said all sufficient to establish the fiat of the earliest birth and the original love of man for this said cock-fighting; and they have also shewa the value of that affection in more signal customs than one: but they go beyond this rampart of fame: they even search the Scriptures, to prove by analogy, and thereby justify, the practice, that the Great Creator not only gave the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, and the fishes in the sea for our use, our controul, and our well-being, but for our pastimes and pleasure: and from our hearts we believe they are both right.

We cannot quote the many interesting exhortations of these men to maukind in general, to

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pursue, to cultivate the taste, and
to practise this valuable diversion
for the good of the State, for the
improvement of morals (as they
say), and for engendering valour
and the love of glory. If Mr.
Wilson speaks truly, his words
must make the breeders, the feed-
ers, and the fighters of the present
day blush for shame—blush that
they have lost all the virtuous im-
pulses which the contests of cocks
in ancient days taught and gene-
rated. " In such places," (pits,)
says George Wilson, " there is no
collusion, deceit, fraud, or cozening
tolerated, nor any used, as in most
other games and pastimes custom-
arily there is: neither are any
brawlings or quarrels suffered; but
all men must use civil and good
behaviour, what degree or calling
soever they be of. And also it is
there decreed and set down, as an
irrevocable order, that no man by
cursing, banning, or swearing,
shall blaspheme God, or take his
name in vain; but that all of them
shall speak modesty, and deal ac-
cording to truth; and whoever
shall dissent from it, or do other-
wise than is appointed, must un-
dergo the punishment such as the
company should prescribe." Other
virtues are also strenuously urged
as efficaciously to be culled :—" to
learn to be valorous, and fight cou-
rageously against our enemies, and,
as the game cocks do, never to give
over, but either get the victory or
die valiantly: to be vigilant and
watchful as they are, and to avoid
slothfulness, which generally reigns
so much in us : to be constant and
loving to our wives, as they are to
their hens; and to be tender and
careful over those which are so
nearly and dearly bound to us by
the law of God, as to be of one
flesh, one mind, one faith, and one

truth: and, farther, to stretch
forth ourselves, and to strain our
voices, as they do, in uttering of
God's affairs."

Every country-gentleman, either
of the old or modern school, ought
to be convinced, by such imposing
mandates, that this diversion is
worthy their patronage, and worthy
to receive a niche in the education
of their sons; and that no chime-
rical liberalism should be allowed
to prevail over its influence. If
distinction in society is to remain
with us, what a cheering character
does it give to Aristocracy!—
Nothing but good blood can ob-
tain fame, and ensure high deeds:
and we put the question to man-
kind in general, have not immortal
acts, have not heroic performances,
have not virtuous emanations al-
most invariably heaved the bosoms
of unmixed blood—blood that has
been refined in the veins by edu-
cation and honorable sentiments,
and kept in its pure channel by
careful attention?

These alone are sufficient to
warm the hearts of our nobles and
gentry: but they may receive a
still higher motive for their affec-
tionate interest from many Royal
examples. When the King of
Denmark went to rescue the Great
Gustavus from German Usurpa-
tion, what were the words of con-
fidence in his own exertions made
use of! "I have nothing to fear;
for I am well assured that the Im-
perialists have given up cock-fight-
ing, and are wholly devoted to ef-
feminate dancing and enervating
drunkenness—two infallible signs
of a sinking nation!" Louis the
XIVth was au desespoir at the
want of cocking with his people,
and even fancied his fallen for-
tunes to arise from that spirit at
work on our side the water. Our

Eighth Harry might be also ad-
duced as a prominent protector;
but we doubt the policy of a re-
ference: there wasevera tyrannical
sort of temper in him, that might
give our opponents a convenient
weapon to weild against us.

We might adorn our pages with
many more illustrations, all indica-
tive of the value of our predilec-
tion; but we trust we have said
enough; and we trust we have
opened the minds of all our friends
to the pleasure and good effects
to be derived from their countenan-
cing and practising the ancient and
edifying sport of cock-fighting.
We are indebted, and we have a
considerable satisfaction in avow-
ing it, that many of our sentiments
and quotations are from the perusal
of an excellent article on this sub-
ject in Blackwood's Magazine for
November last; and we could, had
we space, present to our readers
a sentimental paragraph in John
Bull of the 18th May. If irony
be meant, it is well clothed; and
though it may be intended to
present us with its stings, the
pith of the argument can be equally
turned to our own account.

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