IWETR OBIGIN IN BKIIAIN 



bird — ^the process being curiously similar to that obserred in 

 the case of the modern Learned Pig. The letters of the alphabet 

 were arranged in a circle ; on these were placed a grain of wheat 

 or barley ; and a cook, consecrated or provided for the occamon, 

 was placed within the circle. The required information lyas 

 obtained by placing together those letters from which the bird 

 had pecked the ears of corn. On one occasion, however, a 

 person inimical to priestly interest, officiously examined the 

 grains, and found that those lying on the letters which were 

 not wanted, were made of wax. It is needless to add that, 

 after this, divination — at least through the medium of cocks 

 and grain — ^fell out of fashion. 



Only one degree less cruel than cock-fighting, was the an- 

 cient and popular sport of coek-shymg. Thank goodness it is 

 an affair of the past, and as every boy knows, anything in these 

 days to be thrown at with a view to dislodging it, is termed a 

 cock-shy. But there was a time when at fairs, and othe'" 

 joyful congregations, a real Ime fowl, tied by the leg to a stick, 

 was set up as a mark for brutal bipeds to fling at with sticks 

 and stones. It was " a penny a shy ;" and as the poor fright- 

 ened chicken fluttered considerably, it was by no means an 

 easy matter to hit it. He, however, who was able to accom- 

 plish his laudable intention, and struck the bird dead, received 

 the carcass as his reward ; if he merely lamed it — broke a leg 

 or a wing, or staved in a few ribs, maybe — ^he received a groat. 

 Good old times ! 



The only explanation as to the origin of the pastime is to 

 be found in the works of an old German writer named Cranen- 

 stien. He informs us that while the Danes were masters of 

 England, their behaviour to the natives grew so cruel and 

 outrageous that the oppressed Britons formed a conspiracy, 

 and resolved at one stroke to sever the throats of the tyrants 

 and their own bonds. Shrove Tuesday morning was the time 

 appointed for the execution of the sanguinary design. The 

 town-hall was to be entered by stratagem, the guards surprised 

 and slain, the arms appropriated, and then the carnage was to 

 begin, and to be carried out with the utmost neatness and 

 dispatch. They had reckoned, however, without their host, or 

 rather, without the roost, for while they were stealthily ga- 

 thering in the street preparatory to investing the town-hall, the 

 watchful cocks of the neighbourhood were aroused on their 

 perches, and set up such a crowing as speedily awoke the 

 devoted Danes. Thus was the conspiracy frustrated and the 



