BETTiyO-EOOMS, nOESE-BAZAAES, ETC. 241 



rivalry in foreign climes. Matches are played between 

 the Victorians and the Sydney club ; and although I 

 believe at present the old colony has the pull, we may 

 expect, as practice makes perfect, to see the tables 

 turned, and " the old man beaten by the boy." 



I have seen some capital black-breasted Eeds out 

 here ; but if any cock-fighting is carried on, it is done 

 " under the rose." And although there are some most 

 ''varmint" looking "tykes," both in Melbourne and on 

 the diggings, they appear to be kept for their legitimate 

 purpose — that of guarding the house or tent. 



There is a Tattersall's-yard in Melbourne, with an 

 hotel attached, where turf business is transacted. There 

 is the Turf-Club Hotel, several private clubs, and a 

 public betting-room in Bourke Street, where a man can 

 "get pepper" to any amount about what horses he 

 fancies best. Business is also done here on the home 

 events. Several horse-bazaars are held in the town every 

 morning, where the " horsey" gentlemen of the neigh- 

 bourhood are wont to congregate and compare notes ; 

 and if a sporting man is wanted, he is generally to be 

 found in Eow's Bazaar, or Watson's Sale-yard. There 

 are public billiard-rooms for the nobs, skittle-alleys for 

 the mob, and chess divans for the sober coffee- drinkers ; 

 and each class is ably represented. Much to the credit 

 of the town, there are no public gaming-houses, although 

 I have not the least doubt that, if a man fancies himself, 

 he can anywhere, " on the quiet," find his match at 

 a hand of crib or blind all-fours. 



