m THE ME^ANG^£ABAW STATES. Ifil 



discourse, in whicli be first endeavoured to 

 show llie great benefit tliat is produced by 

 cock-figiiting, and the remarkable pleasure 

 enjoyed by witnesses oi such combats; after 

 which, he remarked that this amusement 

 had much fallen into disuse in his state dur- 

 ing the iast few years, and this he lament- 

 ed with sorrow; and (inally, opening hi^ 

 mind, he declared that his intention was to 

 restore it in his dominion. This was his pur^ 

 pose in bringing up in bis palace and by liis 

 own care the handsome cock he had in his 

 band. The way of preparing tliis royal cock , 

 in order to make of it a warrior, was one 

 not a little curious; this was practised be- 

 fore me in the foil owning manner and ac- 

 companied by several superstitions. Having 

 ended bis discourse, tiie king took the head 

 of the cock, passed its beak twice tlirough 

 tlie flame ol the lamp, after which he marie 

 the animal walk six or seven steps, which 

 was repeated six or seven times; tins pre- 



