and to prevent the interference of the police.

In connection with cock-fighting I remember a horrible incident that
occurred in the West Indies. A gentleman who was passionately fond of
the sport, and prided himself on the victories of his cocks, had the
misfortune to see one of his birds so terribly wounded in the first
onset that, although not killed, it was impossible for it to continue
the fight. His rage at the mishap knew no bounds, and he vented it madly
on the poor creature. He roasted it alive--standing by and hearing its
piteous cries. In the midst of the horrible torture the wretched man
became so excited that a fit of apoplexy supervened, and he positively
expired before the poor bird at the fire!

CHAPTER XII. THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL.

It appears that horse-races were customary at public festivals even as
early as the times of the patriarchs. They originated among the eastern
nations, who were the first to discover the physical aptitudes of the
noble animal and the spirited emulation of which he is capable. The
Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, in succession, all indulged in the
excitement; and it is a curious fact that the Romans, like the English
jockeys of the present day, rode in different colours.

Horse-racing began very early in England. Fitz-Stephen, who wrote in
the time of Henry VIII., mentions the delight taken by the citizens of
London in the diversion. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth it appears to
have greatly flourished, and to have been carried to such an excess as
to have ruined many of the nobility.

The celebrated George, Earl of Cumberland, is said to have wasted more
of his estates than any of his ancestors, and principally by his love
of the turf and the tilt-yard. In the reign of James I., Croydon in the
South, and Garterly in the North, were celebrated courses. Camden also
states that in 1607 there were meetings near York, and the prize was
a small golden bell; hence the origin of the saying 'bearing off the
bell.'

Lord Herbert of Cherbury denounced the practice. 'The exercise,'
says this gallant philosopher, 'I do not approve of is running of
horses--there being much CHEATING in that kind,--neither do I see why a
brave man should delight in a creature whose chief use is to help him to
run away.' As far as the cheating is concerned, the philosopher may be
right, but most assuredly his views of the horse do no credit to his
Lordship's understanding.

It appea