LIFE AT ELLEEAY. 93 



calculations of the number of lines to be allotted to various pro- 

 posed poems, such as "St. Hubert," "The Manse," "The Ocean 

 Queen," there are elaborate memoranda of the " broods proposed 

 for next spring." " The spangled cock," and " Lord Derby," the 

 black brass-winged cock, bred from Caradice with the Keswick 

 Gray," the " Red Liverpool hen," the " Paisley hen," large and 

 small, and many other distinguished fowls, take a prominent posi- 

 tion in these curious lists. The name of " Lord Derby," in partic- 

 ular, from its frequent occurrence, implies that that high-bred 

 animal, doubtless of the Kuowsley stock, was one of the prime 

 favorites of the establishment. The phraseology and figures in 

 these memoranda are sometimes altogether unintelligible to the 

 uninitiated. 



Of the many fields of fame on which "Lord Derby," "Caradice," 

 and their fellows must have distinguished themselves, there is but 

 one brief record. It is given by one of a party present (James 

 Newby), who recollects "a main of cocks being fought in the 

 drawing-room at Elleray, before the flooring was laid down, and 

 its being covered with sods for this occasion. The rival competi- 

 tors were Mr. Wilson and Mr. Richard Watson. All the neigh- 

 boring farmers were invited, and, after the sport, entertained at a 

 genteel supper served from Mrs. Ullock's. Wilson was the victor, 

 and won a handsome silver drinking-cup, bearing an inscription, 

 with date, etc." 



The solemnity of these proceedings illustrates the enthusiasm 

 with which this sport was cultivated in those days by such amateurs 

 as Wilson, who really believed that they were keeping up one of 

 the characteristic and time-honored institutions of the country.* 



Soft on thee fall the breath of time, 



And still retain in heavenly clime 

 The bloom that charms in this"'' — 

 is ranged the following " List of Cocks for a main with W. and T.," of which a specimen may 

 suffice : — 



1. A heavy cock from Dobinson £5 8 



2. " " from Keene 5 8 



3. " « " 5 8 



4. Piled cock, Oldfield 5 2 



"Lord Derby 11 comes in as No. 13, £4 10s., and the total makes up 22 birds. Of these "13 are 

 to be chosen for the main, and perhaps two byes. J. w." 



* Before passing from the subject, I may mention an amusing illustration of it, showing that, at 

 a date considerably more recent than that of the above event, the rearing of game-cocks was zeal- 

 ously practised in Scotland by some worthy gentlemen of the old school. One Sunday, in St. 

 John's Chapel, Edinburgh, an old gentleman, a friend of my fathers, was sitting gravely in his 



