CONCERNING COCK-FIGHTING. 173 



One of the phases of this ignoble sport was 

 that connected with the Free Grammar Schools 

 of the North. These were endowed with a 

 stipend for the maintenance of a master, but in 

 many cases this was quite insufficient. As the 

 nature of tbe schools entitled the preceptor to 

 nothing more than his salary, the parents of 

 his pupils thought proper to reward his dili- 

 gence by an annual gratuity at Shrovetide, 

 called a " cockpenny." 



In connection with this institution it is re- 

 corded that a singular donation was made 

 to a northern grammar school by a Mr. 

 Graham, a cavalier, of a silver bell, upon which 

 was engraved "Wray Chappie, 1655, to be 

 fought for annually on Shrove Tuesday by 

 cocks." Some weeks previous to that day the 

 boys fixed upon two of their school-fellows for 

 captains, whose parents were able and willing 

 to bear the expense of the coming contest. The 

 master, upon entering school, was saluted by 

 the boys throwing up their caps, and the ex- 

 clamation, " Dux ! Dux ! " On the appointed 

 day, the two captains, with their friends and 

 school-fellows, who were distinguished by blue 

 and red ribbons, marched in procession to the 



