162 COMBATS OF MASTIFFS WITH A LION LOATHSOME CRUELTY. 



a match for a bear, and four for a Lion. Stow, in his annals, gives the following- 

 account of a combat between three Mastiffs and a Lion, in the presence of King 

 James the First. 



" One of the Dogs being turned into the Den, was soon disabled by the Lion, 

 who took it by the neck and dragged it about, without its retaining the least 

 power of resistance ; at this moment, another dog was let loose, which he very 

 soon served in the same manner ; but the third being turned into the den, instantly 

 seized the lion by the lip, and so held him for a considerable time, till being 

 severely torn by his claws, the dog was obliged to quit his hold ; but the lion 

 being greatly exhausted by the conflict, refused to renew the engagement, and 

 taking a sudden leap over the dogs, fled into the interior part of the den. Two of 

 the dogs soon died of the wounds they had received ; the last survived, and was 

 taken great care of by the King's Son, (Prince Henry,) who said, " that he who had 

 fought with the King of beasts, should never after be opposed to any animal of an 

 inferior description/' 



The custom of keeping wild beasts prisoners for life, seems to have been common 

 to all Nations. We shall not enter into the rationale of this lengthened curiosity. 

 In course, a pack of various wild and savage beasts, is still kept in the Tower of 

 London, in obedience to precedent, before which, mens' hats fly off as in a storm. 

 Little curiosity is however excited by these rarities at present ; but one relative 

 circumstance has often inspired us with contempt and abhorrence, we had almost 

 said, of human nature ! We allude to the pleasure that thick-sculled bipeds expe- 

 rience, in casting living puppies and cats to the wild beasts, listening to the crump- 

 ing the bones of the victims, and enjoying the exquisite music of their screams 

 and groans ! Oh ! give us four legs, and make beasts of us at once ! These 

 are among the sights with which children are indulged, the lessons which they 

 are taught. 



Notwithstanding all that has been said on the good-nature and docility of the 

 Mastiff, it is obvious there must be exceptions to the general rule, and equally so, 

 that dogs of such size and power, must be capable of great mischief when so 

 disposed : as an example of great consequence, whenever they take to hunting 

 Sheep. It therefore stands the keepers of these dogs in hand, to be extremely 

 watchful of them, and not suffer them to stray unattended from home, to the risk of 

 their acquiring vicious habits. Another needful caution respects personal risk 

 from such animals, in consequence of sudden, indeed unaccountable fits of passion, 

 which may seize them ; such is also the case of Stallions, the danger of 

 horse play being proverbial. But the grounds of these cautions will be better 

 elucidated, and their consequence more sensibly felt, by an example to the 

 purpose. 



Nearly twenty years since, a Butcher at Mitcham, in Surry, had reared, as he 

 supposed, a true-bred Mastiff from a puppy : butchers, however, are not generally 



