ORIGIN OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 21 



fighting should have originated in classic times, and among 

 the most polished and civilized people of antiquity. This 

 practice is said to have been introduced into Britain by the 

 Caesars, and to it we owe our introduction to the domestic fowl. 

 In England, cock-fighting, for a long period, was considered 

 peculiarly a royal pastime, and was exhibited as such in public 

 assemblies on a scale of considerable grandeur and expense, 

 until about a century since. A hundred years ago, it was a 

 regular amusement at what is called Shrovetide, and was even 

 allowed and promoted at the public schools ; the master him- 

 self furnishing the boys, at his own expense, with the birds 

 necessary for their brutal pleasure. 



But the cock has not been called to suffering alone, in order 

 to establish his consequence and respectability. To him was 

 given the privilege of reclaiming St. Peter when he denied 

 his Master. From time immemorial, his " shrill clarion" has 

 " ushered in the morn," and in every farm-house he has served 

 the purpose of time-keeper in the " witching hours of night." 

 By popular superstition, he has been invested with the fear- 

 ful power of dismissing the ghosts of the churchyard to their 

 prison in the tombs. The ghost of Hamlet's father, about to 

 make an important disclosure to his son, suddenly hears the 

 crowing of the cock, on which he announces no less abruptly 

 that he "snuffs the morning air," and vanishes to his dreary 

 home. As Shakspeare sd beautifully writes too, the office of 

 cock-crowing is likewise at a certain season rendered still 

 more important : 



" Some say that over against that season comes, 

 Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, 

 The bird of dawning singeth all night long ; 

 And then they say, no spirit walks abroad. 

 The nights are wholesome then, no planets strike, 

 No fairy takes, nor witch has power to harm, 

 So hallowed and so gracious is the time." 



