238 THE SPORTING WORLD, 



merely a fowl, it would have its utility, but 

 the most enthusiastic of its advocates never 

 pretended it did this, and if the Earl of Derby 

 was alive now with Gillever and Potter, the most 

 celebrated feeders and breeders of game-cocks ever 

 known, at his elbow, all they could aver would 

 be that game-cocks bred and fed by them were 

 the most pugnacious cocks living and the 

 most victorious in the pit, qualifications in no 

 way rendering the bird more valuable, serviceable, 

 or of greater use to the community. I do not 

 infer that the cock-fighter must necessarily be 

 a man devoid of feeling, but say what you 

 will of it, it was a perverted taste finding 

 amusement in its pursuit, and one I can 

 but regret being forced to record as having 

 been ever that of the sportsman and gentleman; 

 as it no longer remains a recognised sport let 

 us hope that as we progress in civihzation 

 there is httle chance of the cock-fighter ever 

 again shewing as a member of the Sporting World. 



