cocker's manual. 89 



full of Englishmen, and amongst them many enthusiasts of sports. 

 The vessel was found to be in a sinking state. The men were drawn 

 upon deck by the officers, and calmly met their fate as only English- 

 men and the bravest of the brave could do. A few months since a 

 vessel was run into full of Englishmen, and the fright and disorder 

 was a strange contrast between the panic-stricken passengers of the 

 Northfleet and the cool bravery of the Birkenhead. That the sports 

 of a country has much influence on a people is abundantly proved in 

 the history of Rome, Greece, etc. However some may contend to 

 the contrary, and if the following lines contain any truth, cocking 

 should take a much higher stand : 



And some more martial are, 



But cocking fits a man for peace or war ; 

 It makes men bold and fonvard for the field, 

 And learns them there rather to die than yield. 

 Cocking does also constancy create, 

 And arms a man to wrestle with his fate. 

 Be it more happy or severe, his mind 

 Is still the same to a brave end Inclined. 



A PLEA FOE, THE PIT. 



AN ENGLISHMAN S ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF COCK-FIGHTING. 



The Hon. Admiral Rous sends a letter to the London Times, from 

 which the following extract is made : A motion in the House of 

 Commons to increase the punishment to Her Majesty's subjects who 

 indulge in the most ancient and royal amusement of cock-fighting in- 

 duces me to trespass on your columns. It has been argued that it is a 

 wise policy to forbid this sport, owing to its cruelty On this princi- 

 ple, why not make pigeon-shooting illegal when fat Herods, standing 

 over the traps, slay the innocents? Why not legislate against hunting, 

 coursing, fishing ? In the latter amusement, what can be more brutal 

 than impaling worms on hooks or trolling with live bait to catch pike ? 

 Playing with a fine salmon on your hook is a pleasant pastime, 

 although the victim differs in opinion. Neither is there much to be 

 said in favor of grand battues, where hundreds of birds and ground 

 game escape mutilated to live a miserable life or to be eaten by rats. 



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