THE COCKPIT 229 



other pecked or showed signs of fight, the former was con- 

 sidered conquered." 



Nor were the Provinces behind London in their keenness 

 for the sport. In no part of England was cock-fighting 

 more enthusiastically followed than at Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

 The Newcastle Chronicle of a century ago was full of adver- 

 tisements of this favourite sport, and in one issue six mains 

 are announced, the aggregate prizes of which amounted to 

 ;^730. Nearly all the principal inns had covered pits 

 attached to them, those of more ancient times being open. 

 At first the sports were carried on at short intervals 

 during the season, but by degrees the principal fights were 

 concentrated in the race week, the gentlemen of Northum- 

 berland appearing as the antagonists of the gentlemen of 

 Durham, Cumberland, or Yorkshire. Among the com- 

 petitors in Newcastle cockpits were the Duke of Hamilton, 

 Sir Henry Liddel, General Beckwith, Mr Fenwick of 

 Bywell, etc. After the death of that great cocker Sir 

 Harry Vane, however, the sport was little patronised by 

 the gentry. The pit in Newcastle was usually the centre 

 of a large room round which the seats were ranged, and 

 with an inner circle railed off for bookmakers. Amongst 

 these, about seventy years ago, was one named Sinclair, 

 noted for his extraordinary memory ; he never used pen or 

 pencil, never entered a bet, yet would give or take the odds 

 thirty or forty times without making a mistake. The pit- 

 men were passionately fond of cocking; on pay Saturdays a 

 regular tournament was got up for their delectation, and 

 although the price of admission was as high as half a crown 

 the place would be crowded. 



Long after the sport was put down by Act of Parliament, 

 mains continued to be fought in spite of law, police, and 

 fines, even among the influential people of the town. A 

 well-known magistrate who died only a few years ago 

 kept gamecocks, and, the back part of his house being well 

 screened from public view, frequently had a fight for his 

 own entertainment and that of a select number of friends; 

 among the latter being a learned judge who was delighted 

 to assist in breaking the law — at least when on the Northern 

 Circuit. Cocking, however, is dead and gone, although I 



