To perfect the History of Bull-baiting I must 

 tell you, that the famed Dogs have Crosses or 

 Roses of various Coloured Ribbon stuck with 

 Pitch on their Foreheads ; and such like the 

 Ladies are very ready to bestow on Dogs or Bull 

 that do valiantly ; and when 'tis stuck on the 

 Bulls Forehead, that Dog is holla'd that fetches 

 it off; tho' the true Courage and Art is to hold 

 the Bull by the Nose till he roars ; which a 

 courageous Bull scorns to do. 



Often the Men are tossed as well as the Dogs ; 

 and Men, Bull, and Dogs seem exceeding pleased, 

 and as earnest at the sport as if it were for their 

 Lives or Livelihoods. 



Many great Wagers are laid on both sides ; 

 and great Journeys will Men and Dogs go for 

 such a Diversion. I knew a Gentleman that 

 bought a Bull in Hertfordshire on purpose to go 

 a Progress with him, at a great charge, into most 

 of the great Towns in the West of England. 



This is a sport the English much delight in ; 

 and not only the baser sort but the greatest 

 Lords and Ladies. 



John Houghton. 



44 



