^'?.o. 



COCK-FIGHTING. [^^97- 



those that prescribe them in Eurojjc (much more blamable 

 than those that sell themj are the Pests of Mankind. The 

 common opinion is that Buffalo-¥\Q.&\\ and Fruit contribute 

 much towards causing this Distemper, and, nevertheless, that 

 is the Flesh which is most sold at the Butchers. 



To speak Truth, Batavia is not a Place of very good 

 Cheer. They want a great many Things, and what they 

 have in common with us are scarce, high priz'd, and bad, in 

 comparison of Ours. China-Vovk, which I spoke of not long 

 since, is luscious and insipid : The Poultry is not much 

 better, and consequently the Eggs. The Pasture, quite 

 different from ours of Euroiic, occasions bad Flesh, bad Milk, 

 and bad Butter, but all these are to be had in small quan- 

 tities. 



What I have just now said of the Poultry, brings into my 

 Eemembrance the Sport of Cock-fighting, which is one of 

 the greatest and most common Diversions of this Island. 

 They breed up great numbers of these Animals on purpose, 

 and arm them with sharp Iron Spurs, which they made use 

 of with greater Dexterity than Force. The Javans are the 

 Managers of these Sports, and whoever will, may come to 

 them Gratis : Almost every Body is concern'd in Wagering 

 more or less, and somtimes considerable Sums are lay'd. 

 Whereas in England, where this Diversion is likewise com- 

 mon, they disfigure their Cocks by cutting off their Tails, and 

 plucking out Feathers out of other parts of their Body,^ they 

 here leave them in their natural State. 'Tis true they are 

 not so nimble as the English Cocks, but that Inconvenience 

 being equal on both sides, it is no advantage to either, and 

 the Combatants appear Nobler and more fierce. Some of 

 tliese Cocks have greatly enrich'd their Masters. 



There are very fierce Beasts in this Island, such as the 

 Bhinoceros and Tyger : These last are of a prodigious bigness. 



1 In orig. : " comme les Athletes ont accoutume de se debarasser de 

 lours habits pour etre phis agiles," omitted by translator. 



