NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Origin of cock-fighting. 



Jong legs, a large tuft of feathers on the head, 

 and plumage elegantly variegated, in the The- 

 baid, and particularly at Dendera. They are 

 held in great estimation throughout all Egypt, 

 on account of the excellent quality of their flesh. 



The English game-cock is unrivalled by those 

 f any other nation for his invincible courage, 

 and is, on that account, employed as the instru- 

 ment of the barbarous sport of cock-fighting. To 

 trace this custom to its origin, we must look back 

 to ancient times, and lament that it still continues 

 the disgrace of a Christian country. 



When Themistocles, the celebrated Athenian 

 commander, was marching to meet the Persians, 

 who had invaded Greece, seeing that his soldiers 

 manifested very little ardour to meet the enemy, 

 he called their attention to the fury with which 

 cocks engage each other. " Behold/' said he, 

 " the invincible courage of those animals; yet 

 their only motive is their desire to conquer, while 

 you fight for your homes, for the tombs of your 

 fathers, for your liberty." This short address roused 

 the latent courage of the army, and Themistoclea 

 obtained a signal victory. In honour of this 

 event, the Athenians instituted a kind of festival, 

 which was celebrated annually with cock-fights. 

 From them the Romans are said to have learned 

 the practice, and by that warlike people it was first 

 introduced into this island. Henry VIII. was 

 so fond of this sport that he erected a commodi^ 

 ous house for the purpose, which, though now 



