360 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Dr. Hans Sloane to Mr. Ray. 



Sir, — This day a large tiger was baited by three bear- 

 dogs, one after another. The first dog he killed ; the 

 second was a match for him, and sometimes he had the 

 better, sometimes the dog ; but the battle was at last 

 draAvn, and neither cared for engaging any farther. The 

 third dog had likewise sometimes the better and some- 

 times the worse of it, and it came also to a drawn 

 battle. But the wisest dog of all was a fourth, that 

 neither by fair means nor foul could be brought to go 

 within reach of the tiger, who was chained in the middle 

 of a large cockpit. The OAvner got about £300 for this 

 show, the best seats being a guinea, and the worst bs. 

 The tiger used his paws very much to cufi" his adversaries 

 with, and sometimes would exert his claws, but not 

 often, using his jaws most, and aiming at under or upper 

 sides of the neck, where wounds are dangerous. He had 

 a fowl given him alive, which, by means of his feet and 

 mouth, he very artfidly first plucked and then eat ; the 

 feathers, such as got into his mouth, being troublesome. 

 The remainders of his drink in which he has lapped, is 

 said by his keeper to kill dogs and other animals that 

 drink after him, being by his foam made poisonous and 

 ropy. I hope you will pardon this tedious narration, 

 because I am apt to think it is very rare that such a 

 battle happens, or such a fine tiger is seen here. 



I am, &c. 



London, March 9, 169j. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Black Notley, March 14, — 9|. 



Sir, — Yours of the 9th instant I received Friday last, 

 and next post came to hand a letter from Mr. Smith, 



