IIO THE MASTIFF FOR BAITING PURPOSES. 



However the picture shows that 250 years ago it was 

 commonly considered that three mastiffs were more than a 

 match for a bear. In R. Pinson's Antibossicon, published in 

 1521, there are several bear-baiting scenes, which were 

 introduced as a kind of caricature on the assailants. Berjeau 

 in his work, gives a plate of one of these scenes, no. 33. The 

 bear is represented as being assailed by a greater number of 

 mastiffs than was considered fair, two being as I have already 

 explained the recognised legitimate number at the outside, to 

 be slipped at once. These dogs are very roughly drawn, yet 

 their general characteristics are great size, being nearly as 

 large as the bear, their heads are large, with short blunt 

 muzzles, bodies short and stout, sterns short but not docked, 

 and ears cropped. 



In this instance the bear is banded with a rope to a stump 

 in the ground. 



Laneham writing about 1575 of bear-baiting performed 

 before Elizabeth (which was a sport the masculine Queen 

 was greatly addicted to) says : Thirteen bears were provided 

 for this occasion, and were baited by " a great sort of bandog." 

 Vide Nicholl's Progresses, vol. i, fol. 249. 



From Caius we learn that the English trained their mastiffs 

 for baiting the bull and bear, and that the mastiffs wore no 

 collars to protect their throats when baiting the bear. 



Shakespeare says in Hen. vi. scene i : 



" Oft have I seen, a hot swelling cur 

 Run back and bite, because he was withheld, 

 Who being suffer'd with the bears fell paw 

 Hath, clapp'd his tail between his legs and cry'd." 

 And again 



" Why do your dogs bark so ? be there bears in the town ? 



Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 1, Sct'iie 1. 



