MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 23 



I killed ; but many, indeed, have been killed 

 since on my account. 



I had been at man-fights, dog-fights, and cock- 

 fights, without feeling much compassion. Indeed, 

 with the last of these exhibitions, I was more 

 entertained at seeing the wry faces, contortions, 

 and agitations of the clowns who surrounded the 

 cock-pit, or circle, than I was with the cocks 

 fighting.* 'It was long before I felt disgusted at 

 seeing men fight. This, however, happened at 

 last. A travelling merchant, or respectable pedlar, 

 a slim-made, genteel-looking man, had perhaps 

 forgotten himself over a glass, and not minded 

 what company he was in. He could not, however, 

 be long in such society without being insulted ; 

 but, be that as it might, a fight ensued, in which 

 the stranger was over-matched. I saw only the 

 concluding part, and was extremely shocked ; for 

 the stranger was sitting propped up with his arms 

 behind him, quite spent and speechless, and looked 

 like a corpse. After sitting a short time in this 

 helpless state, his opponent walked coolly up to 

 him, and with a blow on the face or head laid him 

 flat on the ground. I thought he was killed, at 

 which I became so frantic with rage and indig- 

 nation, that I believe, at the moment, if I had 

 had a pistol at hand, I would have shot the sturdy 

 barbarian. 



In going along with my narrative, I have noticed 

 some of the first impressions which produced a 

 change, and left a strong effect on my mind. 

 In some of these, the change was quick and decisive; 

 in others of a more tardy nature; and prejudices 



[* Some of the facial eccentricities that attracted Bewick may be 

 studied in Hogarth's famous print of "The Cockpit," 1759.] 



