16 Cock'Jighting^ S^x. 



wherein the feeling of animals are con- 

 cerned, since fighting in /the game cock, 

 is a natural and irresistiole passion, and 

 can never take place against his will, 

 since those engaged in regular com- 

 bat, upon the arena, would do so volun- 

 tarily, and with equal ardour, did they 

 meet in the desert. Another and similar 

 mistake is the supposed additional cruelty 

 of arming the heels of the cock with steel, 

 which, on the contrary, conduces to shorten 

 the period of their sufferings. Throwing 

 at cocks, indeed, is really a diabolical and 

 contemptible act of barbarity, as are all 

 other tortures which animals are cornpelled 

 to undergo. Such are totally against the 

 laws of reason, common sense, and com- 

 mon humanity, and sufficient to bring into 

 disgrace and contempt, the code of laws 

 in which they are tolerated. The human 

 being who can feel pleasurable sensations, 

 on witnessing the agonized feelings, harass- 

 ment and affright, of even the meanest 

 brute animal, deserves, in the first instance, 

 supreme and pointed contempt ; in the next 



