EETTING-EOOMS, HOESE-BAZAAES, ETC. 241 



rivalry in foreign climes. Matches are played between 

 the Victorians and the Sydney club ; and although I 

 believe at present the old colony has the pull, we may 

 expect, as practice makes perfect, to see the tables 

 turned, and " the old man beaten by the boy." 



I have seen some capital black-breasted Eeds out 

 here ; but if any cock-fighting is carried on, it is done 

 " under the rose." And although there are some most 

 "varmint" looking "tykes," both in Melbourne and on 

 the diggings, they appear to be kept for their legitimate 

 purpose that of guarding the house or tent. 



There is a Tattersall's-yard in Melbourne, with an 

 hotel attached, where turf business is transacted. There 

 is the Turf-Club Hotel, several private clubs, and a 

 public betting-room in Bourke Street, where a man can 

 " get pepper " to any amount about what horses he 

 fancies best. Business is also done here on the home 

 events. Several horse-bazaars are held in the town every 

 morning, where the "horsey" gentlemen of the neigh- 

 bourhood are wont to congregate and compare notes; 

 and if a sporting man is wanted, he is generally to be 

 found in Row's Bazaar, or Watson's Sale-yard. There 

 are public billiard-rooms for the nobs, skittle-alleys for 

 the mob, and chess divans for the sober cofiee-drinkers ; 

 and each class is ably represented. Much to the credit 

 of the town, there are no public gaming-houses, although 

 I have not the least doubt that, if a man fancies himself, 

 he can anywhere, " on the quiet," find his match at 

 a hand of crib or blind all-fours. 



