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Sir Hans Sloane to Mr. Ray.. 



SIR, London^ March p. i<5p®, 



THIS Day a large Tyger was baited by 3 Bear- 

 Dogs, one after another. The firft Dog he 

 kill'd ; the fecond was a Match for him, and ibme- 

 times he had the better, fometimes the Dog> but the 

 Battle was at laffc drawn, and neither car'd for enga- 

 ging any farther. The third Dog had likewife fome- 

 times the better, and fometimes the worfe of it 5 and 

 it came alfo to a drawn Battle. But the wifeft Dog 

 of all was a fourth, that neither by fair Means, nQr 

 foul, could be brought to go within reach of the Ty- 

 ger, who was chain'd in the Middle of a large Cock- 

 pit. The Owner got about 300 /. for this Show, the 

 beft Seats being a Guinea, and the worft f s. The 

 Tyger ufed his Paws very much to cuff his Adverft- 

 ries with, and fometimes would exert his Claws, but 

 not often j ufing his Jaws mod, and aiming at under, 

 or upper Sides of the Neck, where Wounds are dan- 

 gerous. He had a Fowl given him alive y which, by 

 means of his Feet and Mouth, hp very artfully firit 

 pluck'd, and then eat > the Feathers, fuch as got in- 

 to his Mouth, being troublefome. The Remainders 

 of his Drink, in which he has lapp'd, is faid by his 

 Keeper to kill Dogs, and other Animals, that drink 

 after him, being by his Fome made poifonous and 

 ropy. I hope you will pardon this tedious Narration, 

 becaufe I am apt to think 'tis very rare that fuch a 

 Battle happens, or fuch a fine Tyger is feeq here, 

 I am, 



Mr. 



