THE MASTIFF FOR BAITING PURPOSES. 117 



in the Harlean Library, no. 15, and runs : " At a bear garden 

 " at Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell Green, this 

 "present Monday, * * two beardogs to jump 



" three jumps apiece at the bear, which jumps highest for 

 "ten shillings to be spent, also a variety of bull and bear 

 " baiting, etc., and a bulldog to be drawn up with fireworks." 

 Here we see the mastiff described as the beardog, (canis 

 ursarius) and the bulldog under that term mentioned; the 

 activity of the mastiffs at that date is shown by their powers 

 of jumping. Another announcement dated 1730, runs as 

 follows : "At His Majesty's Bear Garden, at Hockley in the 

 Hole, Sept. i4th, 1730, Likewise a dog, to be dressed up 

 with fireworks over him, and turned loose with the man in 

 the ground. Also a bull to be let loose at the same time, and 

 a cat to be tied to the bull's tail. 



Gay, who wrote his Fables for the young Duke of Cumber- 

 land about 1725, in the xxxivth fable of "The Mastiffs" 

 mentions Hockley Hole and Mary-bone, both celebrated bear 

 gardens. In the Beggar's Opera, Mrs. Peacham says: "You 

 must go to Hockley Hole and Mary-bone child to see valour." 



The ancient city of Chester was long celebrated for its bull 

 and bear baitings, which took place in the centre of the city, 

 near the junction of the four principal streets, and near St. 

 Peter's Church. Here at the cross, which is supposed to be 

 situated on the site of the Roman Praetorium, the Mayor and 

 Corporation used annually to attend in their official habili- 

 ments, not only to countenance the diversion of the ring, but 

 to participate in the enjoyment of witnessing it. The Mayor 

 having arrived at the Prentice, (the seat of magistry) the 

 court crier commenced a proclamation, which ran thus : 

 " Oyez ! Oyez ! Oyez ! If any man stand within twenty yards 



