8; 



George IV, when Prince Regent, was 

 exceedingly fond of the cock-pit. It is said 

 that on one occasion he and the Duke of York 

 lost so much money over a main, that they had 

 to send out to a neighbouring tavern to borrow 

 what was necessary to pay their losses. The 

 keeper of the tavern was given a free licence 

 in recognition of this service to royalty 



In the year 1814, appeared a little book,* 

 now rare and much prized by collectors, which 

 gives an admirable account of the methods of 

 the cock master during the Regency 



This work was written by W. Sketchley of 

 Nottingham as the fruit of fifty years' experience. 

 The intending cocker who proposed to establish 

 a breed of his own, is advised to seek every 

 opportunity of being present at regular mains, 

 and seeing well-bred brothers whose mode of 

 fighting is good ; they must be steady, good 

 heelers, oi ready mouth and " deep game." 

 Brothers would not always prove equally good ; 

 but if close in-bred to a regular set of sisters, 

 this might be expected to correct any defects 

 in the progeny 



Black-reds were most esteemed, but different 

 breeds were preferred in various parts of the 



The Cocker. By W. Sketchley 



