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him running away if so inclined, that artificial spurs lessen their 

 sufferings by shortening them. The persons who generally exclaim 

 most against the sport are those who are not conversant with the 

 nature of the game cock, and have never seen a cock-fight, they must 

 therefore be incapable of forming a correct judgment on the subject. 

 It must also not be forgotten that the game cock was reared in 

 every enjoyment and luxury till two years old, and then had a fair 

 chance of his life ; whereas an ordinary chicken is reared until some 

 five or six months old, perhaps crammed, and finally killed, not 

 always by any means in as merciful a manner as the game cock. 

 It is not desired to write a defence of the sport, but simply to put 

 both sides of the question before the reader, who will I trust 

 approach the subject with what one of our greatest statesmen calls 

 " an open mind." 



