THE BEAR. 25 
Col. Thornton, in his “ Sporting Tour through the 
Northern parts of England and the Highlands of 
Scotland” (1804), states that on the island of Inch- 
merin, which is the largest island in Loch Lomond, 
being nearly two miles in circumference, beautifully 
wooded and well stocked with deer, Lord Graham 
had turned out a few wild Bears. Whether this isa 
misprint for Boars, we have no means of knowing, but 
from the employment of the adjective “wild,” this is 
probable, or he may have been misled by the Scottish 
pronunciation referred to by Jamieson. 
When native Bears no longer existed, our ancestors 
imported foreign ones for a purpose that does no 
credit to the manners and customs of the times. 
BEAR-BAITING, FROM A CARVED SEAT OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, 
IN GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL, 
b] 
“ Bear-baiting” in all its cruelty was a favourite 
pastime with our forefathers. 
Fitz-Stephen, who lived in the reign of Henry II., 
tells us that in the forenoon of every holiday during 
the winter season the young Londoners were amused 
with Boars opposed to each other in battle, or with 
Bulls and full-grown Bears baited by dogs. There 
were several places in the vicinity of the metropolis 
set apart for the baiting of beasts, and especially the 
