in the nineteenth century should be held forth to our children's children as instruments of Providence to erect a new standard of morality and fine feelings in the world.

We looked at all this too; and we have also, at other times, turned our eyes around us, and we flatter ourselves not in faultless observation. Without attempting a comparative view with other sports, and balancing one hard-hearted taste with another, we simply beg of our friends to hear or read what some of our ancestors say on the subject, and what some of their ancestors used to say too, and also did, in the matter.

In 1607, a Mr. George Wilson worked a little with pen and ink, and he boldly offered to the world a" commendation of cocks and cock-fighting, wherein is shewn that cock-fighting was before the coming of Christ." Plutarch (he tells us, in the Life of Marcus Antoninus) says, that his Soothsayer warned him to take heed of Cæsar, because Cæsar's cocks were always victorious over his. Then Themistocles, when he strided over Dalmatia, did use cock-fighting, and, before he opened upon the invasion, had a public exhibition before his army, that his men might be taught invincible courage from simple fowls of the air!

This is ancient record, no doubt; but we don't assume our championship for cocking upon this alone. At the close of the seventeenth century another gentleman looked about Greece and Rome, and other early soils; and there he found that one of the principal gods of the Syrians and ancient Greeks was a fighting cock. He finds also, and rests his words upon the authority of Pomponius Mela VOL. XXII. N. S. No. 129.

(and now we beg our friends to pause and ponder, or ponder and pause)-that the Roman Empire did not begin to decline until cocking had fallen into disrepute among the Governors!! Be careful, ye British Pillars of the State! let not mistaken zeal usurp the place of ancient example and dear-bought experience. To the honour of Britain, to the immortal character of its native blood, he goes still farther, and writes that Severus was not able to subdue the Sons of the land until he had rendered his officers passionately emulous of glory, by exhibiting a main of cocks before them. It might be argued from this, we want no stimulus to set such purity of blood on fire; but to meet the possibility, we say, deprive us not of those collaterals, that, from the facts here adduced, can never fail of keeping alive such unequalled heroism as Britons possess.

Both these eulogists-these subtle probers of antiquity, have said all sufficient to establish the fiat of the earliest birth and the original love of man for this said cock-fighting; and they have also shewa the value of that affection in more signal customs than one : but they go beyond this rampart of fame: they even search the Scriptures, to prove by analogy, aud thereby justify, the practice, that the Great Creator not only gave the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, and the fishes in the sea for our use, our controul, and our well-being, but for our pastimes and pleasure: and from our hearts we believe they are both right.

We cannot quote the many interesting exhortations of these men to mankind in general, to

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pursue, to cultivate the taste, and to practise this valuable diversion for the good of the State, for the improvement of morals (as they say), and for engendering valour and the love of glory. If Mr. Wilson speaks truly, his words must make the breeders, the feeders, and the fighters of the present day blush for shame-blush that they have lost all the virtuous impulses which the contests of cocks in ancient days taught and generated. "In such places," (pits,) says George Wilson," there is no collusion, deceit, fraud, or cozening tolerated, nor any used, as in most other games and pastimes customarily there is neither are any brawlings or quarrels suffered; but all men must use civil and good behaviour, what degree or calling soever they be of. And also it is there decreed and set down, as an irrevocable order, that no man by cursing, banning, or swearing, shall blaspheme God, or take his name in vain; but that all of them shall speak modesty, and deal according to truth; and whoever shall dissent from it, or do otherwise than is appointed, must undergo the punishment such as the company should prescribe." Other virtues are also strenuously urged as efficaciously to be culled:-" to learn to be valorous, and fight courageously against our enemies, and, as the game cocks do, never to give over, but either get the victory or die valiantly to be vigilant and watchful as they are, aud to avoid slothfulness, which generally reigns so much in us to be constant and loving to our wives, as they are to their hens; and to be tender and careful over those which are so nearly and dearly bound to us by the law of God, as to be of one flesh, one mind, one faith, and one

truth: and, farther, to stretch forth ourselves, and to strain our voices, as they do, in uttering of God's affairs."

Every country-gentleman, either of the old or modern school, ought to be convinced, by such imposing mandates, that this diversion is worthy their patronage, and worthy to receive a niche in the education of their sons; and that no chimerical liberalism should be allowed to prevail over its influence. If distinction in society is to remain with us, what a cheering character does it give to Aristocracy!Nothing but GOOD BLOOD can obtain fame, and ensure high deeds: and we put the question to mankind in general, have not immortal acts, have not heroic performances, have not virtuous emanations almost invariably heaved the bosoms of unmixed blood-blood that has been refined in the veins by education and honorable sentiments, and kept in its pure channel by careful attention?

These alone are sufficient to

warm the hearts of our nobles and gentry: but they may receive a still higher motive for their affectionate interest from many Royal examples. When the King of Denmark went to rescue the Great Gustavus from German Usurpation, what were the words of confidence in his own exertions made use of! "I have nothing to fear; for I am well assured that the Imperialists have given up cock-fighting, and are wholly devoted to effeminate dancing and enervating drunkenness-two infallible signs of a sinking nation!" Louis the XIVth was au desespoir at the want of cocking with his people, and even fancied his fallen fortunes to arise from that spirit at work on our side the water. Our

Eighth Harry might be also adduced as a prominent protector; but we doubt the policy of a reference: there was ever a tyrannical sort of temper in him, that might give our opponents a convenient weapon to weild against us.

We might adorn our pages with many more illustrations, all indicative of the value of our predilection; but we trust we have said enough; and we trust we have opened the minds of all our friends to the pleasure and good effects to be derived from their countenancing and practising the ancient and edifying sport of cock-fighting. We are indebted, and we have a considerable satisfaction in avowing it, that many of our sentiments and quotations are from the perusal of an excellent article on this subject in Blackwood's Magazine for November last; and we could, had we space, present to our readers a sentimental paragraph in John Bull of the 18th May. If irony be meant, it is well clothed; and though it may be intended to present us with its stings, the pith of the argument can be equally

turned to our own account.

YORK SPRING MEETING,

SIR,

THE list for this Meeting did

not present so inviting an appearance as has been seen on some former years, the stakes being fewer and on the whole worse filled than usual. Notwithstanding, a few of them appeared very interesting to the Sporting World, and drew a tolerable attendance of characters. The deficiency was in some measure fully compensated by the establishment of a grand main of cocks, which was fought

at the newly erected Cock Pit, adjoining the Great Assembly Rooms, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between Sir Bellingham Graham, Bart. and Henry Wormald, Esq. which was well attended. (See Sp. Intelligence.)

In front of the Cock Pit there has been erected an elegant Subscription Club House, with a Bet ting Room and every contiguous accommodation, which, for splendid appearance and superb decoration, may vie with any other establish ment of the kind in the kingdom. The whole, I understand, has been fitted up by a spirited resident of the ancient city of Ebor, and he certainly deserves the greatest commendation for thus affording to Noblemen and Gentlemen an additional inducement to visit their meetings; and I doubt not but the accommodation of every description, which is now afforded at York, will be the means of increasing the sport, drawing more company, and be of material advantage to the citizens, who will have cause to appreciate the promoter's spirit, and wish it that support which it undoubtedly deserves.

MONDAY.-The weather was uncommonly fine, and the assemblage on the ground numerous; but the course was soft and heavy, from the quantity of rain which fell during the preceding week. The sport opened with the 20 sovs. Sweepstakes (the All-aged Stakes not having filled), one mile and three-quarters: colts carrying 8st. 5lb. and fillies 8st. 21b.; and here public running declares there appeared a field of six bad ones. Belinda, a sister to Laurel; a filly of Mr. Weatherill, by Whisker, out of a sister to Duport, which was purchased of Mr. Watt last year, after being beat by Veloci