280 Notes for the Month. [SEPT. 



desperate efforts to escape their attack, as by their hostility (natural or 

 inculcated) to the monkey. The " whipping the blinded bear" was a still 

 more exquisite diversion ; and is described by an old writer thus : " It is 

 performed by five or six strong men standing in a circle with large whips, 

 which they exercise without mercy on the bear, who cannot reach them 

 on account of his chain. Nevertheless, he defends himself with great force 

 and skill, throwing down all such as chance to come within his reach, 

 and tearing their whips out of the hands of others, and breaking them." 



This was in the reign of James. In a still later day, we became more 

 curious and dainty in our amusements ; as the following superior cata- 

 logue of entertainments, in an advertisement in Read's Journal (174 J ), 

 may testify: 



' At the boarded house in Marylebone-fields, on Monday next, will be fought 

 a match, between a wild and savage panther, and twelve English dogs, for 300/. ; 

 fair play for the money, and but one dog allowed on at a time. The doors to open 

 at three o'clock, and the panther to be upon the stage at five. Also, a bear to be 

 baited, and a mad green bull to be turned loose, with fireworks all over him. A 

 dog to be drawn up, with fireworks after him, into the'middle of the yard, and an 

 ass to be baited on the same stage." 



Another advertisement, of about the same date, announces the appearance 

 of a sea bear (" the first ever baited in England"), whom the proprietors 

 have no doubt will " conduct himself in such a manner as to Jill those who 

 are lovers of the sport with delight and satisfaction." 



What is intended by a "green bull," we doubt if any body now alive 

 distinctly understands ; but the t( drawing up a dog with fireworks," con- 

 sisted simply in a spree of wanton barbarity the covering the animal 

 with squibs and crackers, and then setting them on fire, to enjoy his fury 

 or alarm. The same amusement is still popular at Constantinople ; where 

 a splendid mansion was not long since burned to the ground, in conse- 

 quence of the ill-behaviour of two bears, who did not, like the " sea bear," 

 " conduct themselves in such a manner as to give universal satisfaction ;" 

 but, after having been tarred and set on fire, escaped from their tormentors, 

 and ran among a great concourse of canvas pavilions, and tents, setting 

 (in their turn) all on fire before them. But, certainly, these old English sports 

 are very inferior to the bull fight, as regards any display by man of 

 courage or address ; while they fully rival them in offensiveness and cru- 

 elty, inflicted upon the animal. There is, at least, so much to place the 

 bull fighter above the baiter of a bear, or a badger, that there is a fight ; 

 and one in which he must exhibit great skill and activity ; besides 

 exposing himself to considerable risk which is always a circumstance of 

 great interest, and no where more fully appreciated than in England ! 



Two thirds of the delight which we experience, when we see a man 

 balancing himself upon crutches ten feet high, arises out of the idea that he 

 is every moment in danger of falling. Or, when a rope-dancer runs from 

 the ground to the top of a " firework tower," atVauxhall, he does no 

 more except increase the sensible chance of his destruction than if he 

 had passed along the same cord at a fourth part of the same altitude : but, 

 if he did the feat at the lower level, or even took any precaution to ensure 

 himself from being destroyed in doing it, all the attraction of his performances 

 would cease. The same principle would operate, if we looked at the 

 Spanish Picador as he enters the bull ring on horseback, and salutes the 

 spectators lance in hand ! It is impossible to observe this performer, as he 

 advances, coolly and fearlessly, to meet an animal of such power and fury 



