174 On the Use and Abuse of 



at home, and enemies from abroad^ the gym- 

 nastic exercises, with some exceptions, and 

 under proper regulations, are worthy of the 

 admiration and imitation of all free and ci-^ 

 vilized states. But there was another kind of 

 popular sport, common to the less polished 

 states of Greece, and which has been practised 

 by mankind, not only in the rude and bar- 

 barous, but (to the disgrace of humanity) in 

 the most advanced and polished period of 

 civilized life. This amusement depended on 

 the contests of ferocious animals, whose natural 

 antipathies were made use of, and designedly 

 enfiamed to gratify a depraved and barbarous 

 taste. — " They delight," says Lucian, (speak- 

 ing of the Greeks,) " to behold the combats of 

 bold and generous animals, and their own 

 contentions are still more animated."- — The 

 savage ferocity inspired by the frequent re- 

 petition of such barbarous exhibitions, accounts 

 in some measure for the conduct of the Ephori 

 of Sparta, who, when they declared war 

 against the Helots, ordered that the young 

 bull-dogs should be employed in worrying 

 these miserable slaves. To the Greeks may be 

 attributed two barbarous diversions which 

 have been eagerly adopted by succeeding 

 nations. The fighting of cocks, and the di- 

 version of bull-fights. The former was first 



