THE COMMON OX. 393 



their back, and with which, in dry grounds, they are 

 oftentimes so much teased, that they run about, 

 with their tails extended, in the greatest agitation 

 and alarm, will not pass the bank of the water to 

 attack them. These animals are fond of meadows, 

 where there are trees in the hedge-rows, and where 

 ihe grasses are rich and succulent. In the western 

 islands of Scotland, and on some parts of the 

 Scottish coasts, from want of better nutriment, 

 cattle are often fed, during the winter season, on 

 sea- weed; and it is said that this will so fatten them, 

 as to render them fit for killing. In some of the 

 villages of the sea coasts of Ireland, the inhabitants 

 feed their Cows on fish boiled down into soup. 



The baiting of Bulls, as it is called, that is, the 

 chaining of them to a stake or ring, to be torn in 

 pieces by Dogs trained for the purpose, is pur- 

 sued in some few of the English towns, with a de- 

 gree of savage ferocity which reflects the highest 

 disgrace on a civilized and Christian country. It is 

 a detestable practice, which ought by all means to 

 be abolished, since, (without any consideration for 

 the sufferings of a tormented animal,) its evident 

 tendency is to corrupt the heart, and steel it against 

 every proper feeling of humanity. Its origin is 

 supposed to have been derived from an ancient 

 custom, in the manor of Tutbury, in Staffordshire. 

 A Bull was given annually, in the month of August, 

 by the prior of Tutbury, to the minstrels. After 

 undergoing the torture of having his horns cut, his 



ears 



