COCK-FIGHTING. 431 



ledging tlie supremacy of the victor, and abandoning the place. 

 The Cock sometimes employs his courage and strength in 

 more noble contests, for he does not fear to expose his life for 

 the defence of the poultry-yard. Man, who knows how to utilise 

 even the bad instincts of animals, has not failed to employ the 

 natural combativeness of the Cock in ministering to his plea- 

 sures. In olden times the Greeks delighted in cock-fights ; 

 the Cocks of Rhodes were particularly renowned for their game 

 qualities. It is related that Themistocles, marching against the 

 Persians, who had invaded Greece, and seeing the troops dis- 

 couraged before the battle, recalled to them the obstinacy 

 Cocks displayed in their combats, and then added, " These animals 

 display their courage for the single pleasure of victory ; but 

 you, soldiers ! you go to fight for your gods, for the tombs 

 of your fathers, for your children, for your freedom." These 

 words reanimated the failing ardour of the Greek troops, and 

 the Persians were vanquished. In memory of this event the 

 Athenians consecrated a special day in the year to cock-fighting. 

 The Romans borrowed this pastime from the Greeks. Even in 

 the present day cock-fighting is still in favour in various parts 

 of the East. In Java, Sumatra, and Manilla this amusement is 

 carried to the length of folly. The inhabitants of these countries 

 scarcely ever travel without a favourite Cock, which they carry 

 under their arm. It is by no means rare to find gamblers bet- 

 ting not only their fortune, but even their wives or daughters, 

 upon the strength and dexterity of a champion bird. In 

 England the barbarous practice of cock-fighting in former days 

 was a favourite pastime, nor is it now entirely abandoned. 

 Henry YIII., we read, instituted rules for this then popular 

 sport. From his example most of the English kings patronised it. 

 Charles II. and James II. took it under their special protection. 

 At that time cock-fighting was almost a science, which had volu- 

 minous codes, laws, and regulations, determining the circum- 

 stances of the combat, and settling the interests of betters. Now, 

 however, it is almost exclusively confined to a few of the lower 

 classes, the matches generally taking place on one or other of the 

 few holidays which the hard-working mechanics have at their dis- 

 posal. On these occasions the crowd gathers, the bets are arranged, 



