210 On the Use and Abuse of 



an exaggerated statement of the barbarism still 

 prevailing in many parts of this kingdom. — 

 The county assizes for Lancashire afford too 

 many convincing proofs of the increasing mis- 

 chiefs arising from these savage and disgraceful 

 combats. 



The Judges, on these occasions, have fre^ 

 quently declared in the most solemn and im- 

 pressive charges to the Grand Jury, that the 

 number of persons indicted for murder, or 

 manslaughter, In consequence of the bestial 

 mode of fighting practised in this county, far 

 exceeded that of the whole Northern f cirt 

 cuit ', — and that, in future, they were deter- 

 mined to punish with the utmost rigour of the 



by the loss, of the greatest pari of the nose and a part of an 

 ear, belonging to one of the parties, which were acfually 

 bitten oflf by the other, during the fight. — The sufferer 

 exhibited at the trial, part of the ear so torn off; and 

 when asked by the counsel, what bad become of that 

 part oi his nose which was mis&ing— he replied — with 

 perfect naivete^—" That he believed his antagonist had 

 swallowed it ! !'* It has happened to the writer of these 

 remarks to witness, in more than one instance, the pick- 

 ing up in the streets, lacerated portions of ears and 

 fingers a^'cf these detestable and savage broils. Surely 

 either our laws or mannersi might interfere io sup- 

 pressing such deeds of savage barbarity ! 



f At one assizes, no less than nine persons were con- 

 victed of manslaughter, originating fiom these disgraceful 

 encounters. 



