CATHARTICS
—are synonimous with purgatives, and include all medicines of that description.
CAUSTICS
—are medicines which externally constitute a destruction of the texture (or superficies) of the parts to which they are applied. Caustics are of different kinds, and of various powers, according to the reduction, or extirpation, for which they are intended. The actual cautery, or red-hot iron, is used in firing, as well as for the farther prevention of sand-cracks already broke out. The antimonial caustic, or butter of antimony, (in judicious hands), is a complete and perfect cure for poll evil, fistula, quittor, and canker in the foot. Lunar caustic is an admirable counteraction to warts, and fast-shooting fungus. Red precipitate is an excellent substitute, when so much strength is not required; few wounds in horses can be brought to a favourable state of cicatrization without it.
CAVESON
—is an article used in the breaking of colts, as well as in the manege: it consists of a semi-circle, of iron or blocked tin, passing round the nose, about five inches above the nostrils, having three hinges or joints, concave on the inside, and covered with leather, list, or woollen cloth. This has three swivel rings, one in the center of the noseband, and one on each side; to all or either of which the reins are affixed, that he may be accustomed, in the ring, to pace either to the right or left. The caveson is mounted with a headstall, somewhat similar to the headstall of a bridle: and to the rings on each side the caveson, are straps long enough to be buckled to the sides of the saddle, that his head may be kept in a proper position (when bearing upon the colt's bit) to render him pliable, and to insure a good mouth.
CHACE
.—A chace is, in general acceptation, considered a receptacle for game, interspersed with fern, thickets, underwood, and probably with small coverts, for its preservation. It is understood to be superior to a park, but inferior to a forest, having none of those laws for its protection. It is not unfrequently the property of a subject, and is then protected by its own manorial rights and privileges. Chaces there are, also, the property of the Crown; and those are generally regulated by the FOREST LAWS, as is the case with Cranbourne Chace, situate in Windsor Forest.
CHASE
.—The chase, as well as other pleasures of equal attraction, has had its most inveterate opponents, as well as its equally determined devotees. Various and vehement have been the declamations against it; equally numerous, and equally energetic, have been the expostulations in its defence. That it was practised, and enthusiastically enjoyed, by the ancients, as perseveringly pursued by the moderns, and will be continued to the end of time, (in opposition to every species of puritanical rigidity,) will not admit of the least contrariety in opinion. The CHASE, taken in a general point of view, includes the chase of every description, and implies a pursuit of GAME (or vermin) found in a state of natural liberty, with a body (called a pack) of hounds, who follow the object, whatever it may be, by the scent left on the ground, (from which an effluvia exhales,) so soon as the game thus found may have broke from their view. Upon the subject of scent, its origin, its duration, and its evaporation, innumerable conjectures have been sported by literary theorists; in opposition to the animadversion upon which, much more might be introduced; but as it must unavoidably terminate, like all other matters of hypothesis, to which no criterion of certainty can be produced, very little entertainment, and no positive information, can be derived from the investigation.
The CHASE, in this its most comprehensive meaning, implies hunting of every kind, whether STAG, FOX or HARE, (with either or all of which, the otter is not of sport or magnitude sufficient to be put in competition.) These three different kinds of chase afford equal sport, but in a more distinct and different way from each other; most admirably adapted to the different inclinations, dispositions, and personal sensations, of the various admirers who enter into its spirit, according to the different stages of life and gradations of age. Fox hunting, it must be admitted, is most applicable and exhilarating to the fire and impetuosity of unrestrained juvenility, or manhood more matured; where, perhaps, the pleasure is enhanced only in proportion to the difficulties of the day, upon the military principle of "the more danger, the more honor."
Stag hunting may probably be more adapted to the taste or prudence (or more appropriate to the wishes) of the SPORTSMAN, who having past the meridian of life, has long since discovered the value of time, and knows how to appreciate its loss: he wishes to insure a chase of two or three hours to a certainty, without employing perhaps double that time before the game is found; with the additional chance of exploring a dull and dreary journey of fifteen or twenty miles home, in a dirty country, with no other consolation, than a great deal of riding, but a blank day.
Hare hunting is, in the estimation of the sporting world, held in a certain degree inferior to the other two, (so far as hard riding and personal courage is concerned;) because the exercise is not so violent, nor is the chase of equal duration. Indeed, strong advocates for STAG and FOX hunting hold this sport exceedingly cheap, and satirically say, "it is better calculated for the initiation of juveniles, the entertainment of women, and the amusement of those gentlemen in the more advanced stages of life, who, like the old woman in the farce, is highly pleased with the sound of the fiddle, though no longer able to dance." Hare hunting, however, though not so attracting to those who wish to recount the difficulties, the toils and vicissitudes of the day, after a long chase, yet to the contemplative mind of reflection, much more of the minutiæ of hunting, and the instinct of animals, is to be enjoyed than in either of the other two: of this most probably ample proof will be adduced, when they come to be separately enlarged upon under their different heads.
CHALLENGE
—is a term used for the first tongue of a hound after throwing into covert, to draw either for fox, or an out-lying deer. Upon the challenge of a single hound, if he is staunch, and to be relied on, a general silence ensues; ears are all open for a repetition, and every eye for a view; the huntsman (who well knows how far to depend upon the truth of the declaration) instantly encourages the pack to the promised point, by "hark to Gamboy!" "hark to Galloper!" or whatever may be the name of the favourite hound so to be relied on. The hounds by this means are immediately rallied to the precise spot, and ready to go off in a body with their game, as a lucky find frequently follows an unexpected challenge; more particularly in the present fashion of going to covert, at a time of day when our predecessors of only one generation past used to return.
CHAFFING
,—so called, is a loss of hair, and laceration of the skin, by the pad of the saddle having got too hard in the stuffing from constant use, and for want of timely circumspection. It is also frequently occasioned by the extreme heat and friction, in continuing to travel very long stages in the hotter months, without more frequent relief or rest to the horse. This is a very common fault, or act of indiscretion, with the mechanical part of the community; who possessing rather too much of the spirit of trade, anxiously endeavour (in the extent of their sagacity) to do much more, in less time, than nature ever intended, by humanely travelling a horse two stages instead of one, thereby saving most arithmetically one half the expence, upon the city principle of Old Philpot, that "a penny saved, is a penny got."
There cannot be a more prudent precaution in either sportsman or traveller, than an occasional inspection of the stuffing of the saddle, which invariably gets hard with constant use: it should sometimes be beat and softened with a stick, afterwards lightly raised in every part with the point of a packing needle, and made smooth and free from lumps upon the surface, by which means every chance of injury will be avoided. Nothing can be productive of more anxiety than a sore back of the horse, either to the traveller on his journey, or a sportsman in the field; or any thing more mortifying, than to recollect such injury originated in the neglect of the master, and not in a fault of the horse. The backs of some well-bred and thin-skinned horses, particularly young ones, are subject to chaffing and warbles upon very slight occasions; to counteract which, nothing can be better, more simple, or more easily obtained, than two or three table-spoonsful of the best white wine vinegar, bathed cold upon the part, and that so soon as the saddle is taken off, and while the pores are open.
CHARGE
—was a favourite part of former practice in farriery, and consisted of compositions in the form of an adhesive mass, which being plastered upon the part afflicted, was there left to act as a corroborant, an emollient, a discutient, a repellent, or, in fact, to effect any purpose intended, or that the case might require. These preparations were applied in different states, and were denominated hot or cold charges, according to the mode in which they were laid on. As, however, no great proofs of their efficacy were ever established, or any authenticated records of their utility known, they seem to have glided out of modern practice, and been totally superseded by the more rational introduction of penetrative stimulants, in fomentations, embrocations, &c. which come into more immediate contact with the affected parts, where injury has been sustained.
CHEST
—is the part of a horse comprehended in the side view, from his wither to the bottom of his ribs near the elbow, at the upper part of the fore arm; and is perfectly understood, when we say, "that horse is well let down, and deep in the chest." If, in addition to this, he is "round in the barrel," he may then be said to have a good carcase. To judge well of the chest, it is necessary to come before, and take a front view, if which is broad, and the horse stands wide and firm, it is a proof of strength; but if narrow in the breast, (alias the chest,) he will not only be very likely to cut before, but to become chest-foundered, if put to any extraordinary exertions.
CHEST-FOUNDERING
,—a debility in the shoulders, chest and fore-quarters of a horse, seemingly less understood, and certainly less explained hitherto, than any one disorder or defect to which the horse is incident. Those who have written upon this subject, evidently echo each other; as they literally and individually say, "it proceeds from hard labour, whereby the horse becomes surfeited; so that, upon the whole, it is no more than a severe cold, and is to be managed accordingly." These are, in fact, the very words of Bracken, who precedes it with this remark: "Most authors agree it is so;" giving no opinion of his own, beyond its originating in a "severe cold," and is to be "managed accordingly." He says, "the signs are a staring coat, and heaving of the flanks more than common." That a chest-foundered horse may happen to have a staring coat, or a heaving of the flanks, from some different or remote cause, cannot be denied; but that either of them are diagnostic symptoms of chest-founder, no scientific practitioner will ever admit.
A horse said to be chest-foundered, is almost invariably contracted in the breast between the points of the shoulders; becoming narrower there, as if there was a wasting of those particular parts. If you put him into a trot, he moves his legs one before the other with great difficulty, as if they were internally connected, and prevented farther extension by two latent links of a chain. When pressed to a gallop, the case becomes instantly decisive; he labours to get his legs from under him without success; a general constriction pervades the whole of his fore parts; and his action may, with much more propriety, be termed jumping than galloping.
Although no one author has given a proof he ever bestowed an explanatory thought, or condescended to transmit a single line, upon the absolute cause of this very common defect, yet it by no means seems sufficiently involved in ambiguity, to render fair conjecture, or professional opinion, a matter of the least difficulty. As the disorder is invariably fixed upon those subjects who have done the most expeditious and constant work, without having been ever known to affect those who have done little or none; so it is natural to conclude, the intercostal and subclavian muscles must have sustained injury, from the incessant vibrative concussions occasioned by the almost eternal contraction and expansion of those parts, in such labour as horses are put to who become subject to the misfortune, which partakes much more of oppressed nature than of disease. It should seem, by the great number of horses (decidedly chest-foundered) who experience evident relief, and go with much less pain and difficulty, when they have got warm, that the muscular parts acquire rigidity when in a state of inaction, but expand, and gradually throw off the stricture, so soon as the circulation is encreased by action, and perspiration produced; both which subsiding, the previous stiffness returns. Let, however, what will be the cause, (and upon which the best opinions may vary,) instances are very rarely or ever known of perfect cure, or complete eradication. Long rest, by either a summer or winter's run, will always be found productive of relief, and sometimes hold forth a descriptive promise of permanence, which very mild and gentle work may continue; but hard riding, long journies, or severe labour, will always produce a relapse.
CHILDERS
—was distinguished from four others in succession of the same name, by the appellation of the Devonshire, or Flying Childers, having been the fleetest horse ever bred or trained in this kingdom, and said to have ran a mile in a minute. The fact, however, was not so; he went the fourth of a mile at the rate of a mile in a minute, and beat every horse of his time with ease. He was bred by Mr. Childers; was foaled in 1715; and got by Darley's Arabian, dam (Betty Leedes) by Careless. He covered as a stallion, and was sire of Firetail, Blacklegs, Second, Plaistow, Snip, and Commoner; all good runners, particularly the first three; also Blaze, Winall, and Spanking Roger; horses of some note; as well as Lord W. Manners's Poppet, (an extraordinary runner at five years old,) Steady, Fleece'em, &c. He covered but very few mares, except the Duke of Devonshire's.
Bartlet's Childers was likewise bred by Mr. Childers, and was own brother to Flying Childers.
Hampton Court Childers was got by the Devonshire Childers, dam (Duchess) by the Newcastle Turk; and was likewise bred by Mr. Childers.
Smale's Childers was bred by Mr. Smale, and foaled in 1726. He was got by Bartlet's Childers; dam by the Byerley Turk.
Childers, commonly called Grey Childers, was bred by Lord Chedworth, and got by the Devonshire Childers; dam by Sir W. Wharton's Commoner.
CHOLIC
.—The disorder so called in horses, is properly divided into two kinds, and should be carefully attended to in the attack, before medicines are administered in one, which might have been more applicable in the other. One species of cholic (which is the most common) originates in a retention of confined air, from having been supplied with too much flatulent provender, or too much water, at an improper time. This disorder, in general, soon submits to warm, cordial, anodyne medicines, accompanied by friction and flank rubbing; seldom terminating in death, though always accompanied with symptoms of danger. The other is produced by hardened fæces plugging up the intestinal canal, and frequently proves fatal: the least delay is dangerous, and too much expedition cannot be used to obtain relief. In the "Gentleman's Stable Directory," they will be found distinctly described, and the mode of cure explained.
CLICKET
—is the sporting term for the act of COPULATION with both HARES and FOXES. During the first warm weeks in February, when the males and females seek each other, they are then said to be CLICKETTING; or that at this particular season they go to CLICKET. After conception, they are said to be knit; when the DOE HARE or VIXEN FOX will make the most powerful and persevering efforts before the hounds to save their lives. Jack hares and DOG FOXES at this season generally fly their country, and lead long chases.
CLYSTERS
—are, in a variety of cases, and upon many emergencies, so truly and so expeditiously useful, (without the least danger of being injurious,) that their salutary effects cannot be too well known, or too generally understood. They are differently prepared, from a decoction of the aromatic garden herbs, as marshmallows, camomile flowers, and wormwood, gruel, a handful of salt, and half a pint of oil; or, indeed, from any of the prescriptions with which books upon physic and farriery are generally loaded. When prepared, and of a proper warmth, they are gently conveyed into the body through a wooden pipe, to which is fixed a large bullock's bladder, containing the clyster to be injected. The pipe having been previously moistened upon the surface, with either sweet oil or lard, is then insinuated within the sphincter of the anus; when which is effected, the string hanging from the bladder (and to the other end of which the cork is annexed, that plugs up the internal mouth of the pipe confined in the bladder) is steadily pulled with the right hand, while the left is employed in keeping the pipe in its proper situation, and supporting the bladder with its contents: upon the cork's being withdrawn, and a free passage made for the clyster, the hands are pressed moderately, and in motion upon the bladder, so as to force the whole into the body; when which is done, the pipe is gently taken away, and the effect of course is waited for, or repeated, if necessary. The mild and advantageous mode of obtaining relief by clysters, is greatly preferable to the rough old method of extracting the dung from the rectum by introducing the hand, which is not only producing unnecessary pain to the patient, but very frequently of exciting inflammation. Every sportsman of experience must know, that, upon all emergencies, in fever, cholic, strangury, inflammation of the lungs or kidnies, a clyster may be so soon prepared, and so soon administered, (particularly in remote situations in the country,) that no gentleman, anxious for the safety and preservation of his stud or stock, should be without such articles as would enable him to adopt some extemporaneous means of relief, till assistance (which is sometimes at a great distance) could be obtained.
COAT
.—The coat of a horse (which the hair is called) is not only an object of sporting exultation when the horse is in fine condition, but, to the judicious and penetrating eye, is in a great degree indicative of the state of health. Nothing will so soon demonstrate the ability, the care and attention of the GROOM, as the coat of his horse. If the coat is observed to become suddenly rough, standing different ways, with a dusty hue underneath, and the hair to look harsh and bristly upon the surface, the blood is then sizey, and tending to an unhealthy state; the porous system has been collapsed by some chilling exposure to wet or cold; the integument acquires a tightness and rigidity, which, if not relieved, soon displays itself in some slight degree of disease: this may, in general, be prevented, by taking away blood, and proceeding upon a short course of antimonial alteratives.
COCKING
—was formerly a sport so exceedingly prevalent (from the great and perpetual variety it afforded in betting) that matches were constantly fighting between different counties, as well as opulent individuals, and at most of the horse-races in every part of the kingdom, for very considerable sums of money. This practice, however, like every other species of sporting, in the course of time, opened so great a field for villainy amongst the subordinates, who become unavoidably instrumental, (as feeders, setters-to, and assistants,) that, in addition to the incredible expence of breeding, walking, feeding, matching, removing and carrying cocks from one walk to another, collecting them when brought up to fight, injuries sustained upon their walks, consequent disappointments when taken up, with a long train of collateral considerations, have very much reduced both the sport and the breed in every part of England.
When all the leading expences are brought into one point of view previous to a MAIN of COCKS being placed in the pens, and the aggregate of expenditure annexed to the match money, (then to be deposited,) it plainly appears, that any man so fighting, is doing it at a disadvantage of two to one against himself. If he wins, he wins but the match money; this, probably, may, or may not, even pay his expence: if he loses, he has then lost both the deposit, and his previous expenditure in breeding, feeding, &c. constituting loss upon loss; and if he wins, he is no gainer, because the winning has been absorbed in the predatory payments already described. In fact, COCKING then (divested of every moral consideration in respect to its alledged cruelty) is the most ungentleman-like, the least entertaining, and the most doubtful in probable profit, that any sportsman of honour and integrity can possibly engage in: but as fashions continually vary, and it may hereafter undergo a renewal, farther particulars respecting the sport will be found under the proper heads of Game Cock, and Cockpit Royal.
COCKNEY
—is the distinguished appellation by which those gentlemen are honoured, who, being natives of the Metropolis, are supposed never to have very far exceeded the vibrative limits of St. Paul's clock, or Bow bell. The term, however, well known as it is, would not have been entitled to a place in this collection, had it not been thought necessary to communicate to the sporting world, a derivation so very little known. A citizen of the above description making an excursion with his son to the neighbourhood of Highgate, the lad (who had never before taken a journey of such magnitude and extent) happening to hear a horse neigh, (which was quite new to him,) hastily exclaimed, "How that horse barks!"—"Barks! you booby," replied the father; "Neighs! you mean. A dog barks; a horse neighs!" They had not proceeded far, when the youth, finding his ears assailed by the sudden crowing of a cock, was so fascinated with the shrill and unexpected sound, that he instantly attracted his companion's attention with, "Hark, father, how that cock neighs!" To which happy effusion of fancy, citizens will probably stand indebted for the name of cockney to the end of time.
COCK-FEEDER
—signifies a person whose occupation it is to collect, handle and feed a pen of cocks, to fight such main or match as may be made or agreed on, by those who deposit the battle money, and are called the MASTERS of the MATCH. These find or procure the cocks, of which the feeder takes charge; and to his judgment is submitted the entire management of selecting, rejecting, feeding, physicing, sweating, sparring, weighing, cutting out, (alias trimming,) and bringing his bag and cock to the pit; where, upon delivering it to the setter-to, his function ceases in respect to that particular cock, till death has sealed his disgrace, or success proclaimed his victory.
COCK-MATCH
;—an agreement and article entered into by opposite parties, to shew any number of cocks (as "twenty-one, thirty-one, or forty-one) on each side in the main and ten in the byes, to fight for ten guineas a battle, and fifty the odd." The cocks so agreed to be matched, are under the management of their different feeders till the day specified in the article for their being shewn and weighed; which day is, upon most occasions, the day but one preceding the day on which the main begins to be fought. This ceremony is attended to with the most scrupulous nicety on each side; every cock is weighed precisely to a quarter of an ounce; his colour described almost to a feather; his marks in the eye, the right and left norrel, the in right and out left in the feet, are all taken down in writing with the same accuracy as the weight; the whole being entered in the match-bills to be produced, read, and compared, with the cocks as they are brought to pit at the commencement of every battle.
The number of cocks having been shewn and weighed on each side, the match-bills containing their weights are compared; and all those who are either dead weights, or within an ounce of each other, are said to fall in, and are called main battles; in contra-distinction to those who do not come within the ounce of each other, and are thrown into the byes; which are generally fought for a trifling sum, and have no affinity whatever to the MAIN. Should the cocks thus falling in constitute either a very small or an even number, it is usual then to separate cocks of dead weights, or the nearest so, to match against others, (giving or taking an ounce in weight,) that the main may be extended in respect to the number of battles, and that number to be odd; thereby preventing, if possible, the MAINS being undecided; which, indeed, sometimes happens unavoidably by the chance of a drawn battle.
That the match may be the better understood, let it be supposed that A stands engaged with B "to shew twenty-one cocks on each side, ten guineas a battle, and fifty the MAIN or odd battle." Of these fifteen fall into the main; and the remaining six are thrown into byes, and fight for two guineas a battle. It is in such case a custom to fight a part of the byes, both before and after such part of the main as is fought on each day, whether it is finished in one day, or is a long main of many days duration. The match being concluded, we find A has won nine main battles and two byes; B six main battles and four byes; when the winning and losing will stand precisely thus: A having three battles ahead in the main, is a winner of fifteen guineas upon the single battles; and winning the main also, he wins the twenty-five guineas upon that event; making himself the creditor for forty guineas: but in the byes, B having the advantage of four battles to two won by A, affords him a drawback of two guineas; and B is the loser of thirty-eight guineas battle-money upon the whole match; it being remembered, the byes were fought for only two guineas a battle; or, in other terms, a guinea each cock. And this it will be necessary for young adventurers to remember, that a match made for "ten guineas a battle," is tantamount to five guineas each cock; and "fifty guineas the odd of the main," is always bona fide understood a deposit (if required) before fighting of five-and-twenty guineas a-side.
Cocks of middling size, and adequate powers, are always considered the sharpest and best fighters; in confirmation of which opinion, custom has established the match weights from three pounds six ounces to four pounds eight; none to be shewn and weighed in the main under the former, or above the latter, unless an extension to either a lower or a higher weight should be agreed on by the parties. Sometimes (but very seldom) a short match, of a different kind, takes place, and is termed a "shag-bag" match, (or battle;) which is no more (the battle money having been previously agreed on) than "turning the cock out at the bag's mouth" in the pit, to meet his opponent, without ever having been brought to the scale, or the weight of his adversary ascertained.
In weighing the cocks, and making the match-bill, it is an invariable rule to begin with the lightest pair, who are to fight first, and so continue according to their weight upwards; such successive pair being heavier than the former, so that the heaviest pair of cocks is fought the last. Various sums being betted upon a match (or main) soon after it is made, it may not be inapplicable to observe, that those who lay the odds in any proportion, as five to four, six to four, two to one, (or whatever odds may be laid,) either upon the main or a single battle, is always entitled to the privilege of choosing his side, although it may not be mentioned; and this right he is possessed of in consequence of laying the odds.
COCKPIT
,—a place appropriated entirely to the purpose of COCK-FIGHTING, for which it is erected; it is usually of an oblong or circular form, surrounded with seats, to which the spectators pay for admission; and in great mains, or subscription matches, the FEEDERS generally agree with the masters of the match to receive the whole of this door money, (equally divided between them,) as their compensation for the fortnight or three weeks they are engaged in feeding the cocks.
COCKPIT ROYAL
.—The cockpit royal is considered sanction sufficient for the diversion of COCK-FIGHTING in every part of the kingdom. It is situate on the south side of St. James's Park, from which it has its entrance, and was erected in the reign of King Charles the Second, who, having been himself fond of the sport, is said to have frequently honoured it with his presence, when matches were made and fought amongst his nobles. It is the only place where long mains, and great SUBSCRIPTION MATCHES, are fought in the Metropolis; some of which are for considerable sums between opulent individuals, who procure their cocks from different parts of the country; and others (particularly the subscription matches) by many members on each side, who breed their cocks in distant counties, but fight them only in town; of which description many matches are annually fought during all the spring months, when both STAGS and COCKS are in the finest feather and highest perfection.
The cockpit is circular, and completely surrounded with seats six tier deep; exclusive of a rail, with standing room all round the summit of the uppermost seat; forming, in the whole, a perfect amphitheatre. The centrical circle upon which the cocks fight is a raised mound of earth, (surrounded with boarding,) about twenty feet in diameter, and should, according to the technical term of the sport, be covered with a fine green turf, denominated sod; in conformity with the general acceptation of the word in the sporting world, where by "the sod" is implied COCKING. By "the turf," RACING is equally understood. In all mains or matches fought in the country parts of the kingdom, cocks invariably fight upon the sod; but as it is an article difficult to obtain in the Metropolis, and would be inconvenient and inapplicable during hard frosty weather, when many matches are fought, matting upon the surface is substituted in its stead.
On each side the circular mound, at its extremity, and exactly opposite to each other, are two small seats for the setters-to; who retire to those seats during long fighting, or when ordered by the betters and spectators so to do. Directly over the centre is suspended from the dome, by a chain, a very large circular branch, containing a great number of candles, affording a profusion of light; for nearly all the matches fought here are very unnaturally decided by night, the company going to pit at six o'clock in the evening.
At the hour previously agreed on, the bags containing the cocks are brought into the pit by the FEEDERS, or who ever they may appoint: they are there received by persons called the setters-to, whose qualifications depend upon a quick eye, a light hand, and agile heel; without the whole of which, celebrity can never be acquired in their way. The cocks being taken from the bags, are most scrupulously compared in feather and marks with the original description entered in the match-bill on the day of weighing; if there should prove the most trifling deviation from which, a mistake wilful or accidental is supposed to have taken place, and no progress whatever is made in fighting, till it is completely rectified, and the cause done away. This scrutiny is seriously critical, and made by the FEEDERS, who attend minutely to the match-bill and marks of each other's cocks; which ceremony gone through, and admitted to be right, the feeders retire from the centre of the pit, becoming spectators; and the setters-to are then the sole possessors with the cocks in hand. In this state they are shewn to each other "beak to beak;" and if they "show fight," they are (for form's sake in the first battle only) given into the hands of the makers (called masters) of the match, who are situate in the lowest circular seat opposite to each other, and they giving the cocks a set-to toss upon the mat, the battle begins amidst clamours indescribable, and offers of bets innumerable, according to the pecuniary sensations, opinions and predictions of the different parties interested in the event, constituting a scene very far beyond the power of description, and which must be seen to be perfectly understood.
Bettings now take place of every kind, as well upon the battle then fighting, as upon the main (meaning the odd battle) of the first three, the first five, &c. Bets made upon the "LONG MAIN," imply the winner of the match at its termination, in contra-distinction to betting upon the main of three, of five, or of seven battles, which are very frequently made. Sometimes the cocks on one side are rather greater favourites than on the other, from an idea of their being better blood, better fed, or in finer condition; in this case, there are offers of, "a shilling,"—"eighteen-pence,"—and not unfrequently even "half a crown for a guinea;" the meaning of which is, the person so offering, is willing to give you either of the sums mentioned, to bet him a guinea upon the battle, he taking his choice for buying the bet. The person receiving the half-crown to bet a guinea, stands precisely thus; if his cock is successful, he is the winner of one pound, three shillings and sixpence; on the contrary, he can be a loser of only eighteen shillings and sixpence, having previously received half a crown from his adversary toward the guinea he has got to pay: a recollection of this advantage is equally necessary in proportional betting of greater magnitude, as sometimes half a guinea is offered for five pounds, or a guinea for ten.
Persons taking these bets, whether for large or small sums, should, if the odds in fighting come to two or three to one in favor of the cock they have backed, immediately take such odds, which is called "hedging," (alluding to a fence for the bet,) and the party then stands the chance of winning a certain number of pounds to the losing of nothing! This is the only mode by which money can be made in a cockpit, and what the professional amateurs are always prompted by prudence to do; as it is a very common thing, during a battle, for the odds to vary, till three, four, or five to one are betted upon each cock: a person taking the five to one each way, will consequently derive an advantage of four guineas from either cock, let which ever will win. There are never wanting persons in a pit who are attached to the cocks on one side or the other; these are always ready to offer bets of ten, eleven, and twelve to four, that the opposite party "does not win two battles running:" If the cocks on that side are healthy, properly fed, and in equal condition, with those in the other pens, these are not bad bets to take. As for instance; A bets B twelve half guineas to four, that Charles Walter (the feeder) does not win two battles running; it happens he wins the first, (which is no more or less than even betting he does;) then B prudently backs the opposite party for two guineas the second battle of the two, and of course stands the winning of four guineas to the losing of nothing.
In a cockpit, the faculties of every man, who sports his money, must be feelingly alive, to escape the most villainous depredations. The family, who exist only by the most abandoned and unprincipled scenes of infamy, are always prepared to deny their bets when they lose, particularly with noviciates; and with this advantage, they are always supported by gentlemen of their own party on each side of them, ready to swear, "he had no bet with you;" but if he wins, he demands his money of you, and receives it; consequently, in the difference of receiving and not paying, he has ten to one the advantage of a YOUNG ADVENTURER, particularly as you cannot call for "cover," in the ten thousand clamours, and Babel-like building, of a cockpit. At the termination of every battle, the betters leave their seats to adjust, pay and receive the winnings and losings dependent upon the battle just decided; it being a regular point, that the winner makes application to the better who has lost; and no disgrace is annexed to the character of the latter by his omitting to follow the former, it being sufficient to pay the bet when demanded.
There are certain rules and laws of custom to be observed in fighting; the most material of which it is necessary to explain. When once the cocks are pitted, neither of the SETTERS-TO have the privilege to touch or handle his cock, so long as they continue to fight, unless their weapons hang in the mat, they are entangled with each other, are got too close to the edge of the pit, or have left off fighting while the umpire or law-teller can count forty; when, in either of those cases, each setter-to instantly handles his cock, bringing them beak to beak in the middle of the pit: if one cock has refused to fight while the telling forty took place, his adversary, who made the last fight, with either heel or beak, is said to have the first law in his favour. When brought beak to beak, and set on their legs, if the cock who did not fight while the forty was telling, continues to decline fighting, the setter-to of his adversary (or umpire, if there is one) proceeds to tell ten; which being done, they are again handed, and brought beak to beak; if the same cock continues still unwilling or unable to fight, the ceremony of telling ten, and bringing beak to beak, at the conclusion of every ten, takes place, till it has been repeated ten different times, when the cock so refusing to fight has lost his battle. But should he fight during any part of the law, (even in telling the last ten,) what has been told is of no effect, and the first ten must be begun again, whenever a fight is renewed. Instances sometimes happen, when the cock who has the long law in his favour, retreats from the cock seemingly beaten, and in his turn has the law going on against him; so that the cock who fights last has the law in his favour, till one side or other is counted out.
If, during a battle, (either by long fighting or a cut down blow,) any person offers to bet ten pounds to a crown, or throws his hat, glove, or handkerchief, into the pit, which is the same thing, and so understood, though not a word is spoken, the teller immediately begins to tell forty in a deliberate manner, which being done, he proclaims, "ten pounds to a crown is betted; will any body take it? will any body take it?" No reply being made, the battle is won by the cock upon whom the odds were offered. On the contrary, should the bet be accepted in words, or a handkerchief, hat, or glove, be thrown into the pit, during the time of so telling the forty, it is an acceptance of the ten pounds to a crown offered, and the cocks are instantly handed beak to beak in consequence. If a cock, having the law in his favour, dies before the long law is told out, his adversary wins the battle, although he did not fight within the law; for there cannot be a greater criterion of victory, than having killed his opponent.
When the cocks are first shewn in the hands of the setters-to, and either refuses to face, that is, to fight, it is deemed no battle, upon the equitable principle, that no man can lose where he has no chance to win. There are frequently disputes between the setters-to respecting which cock is in for the law in his favour, during the changes which sometimes happen by the various changes in setting-to during the long law; as well as disputes amongst the spectators concerning bets made, and misunderstandings during the heat of battle; to prevent litigation, and long-standing animosity, it is an invariable rule, that all disputes are to be decided by a majority of the pit; but in all pecuniary altercations, both parties deposit their money before the question is asked, in proof of their readiness to acquiesce in the decision when made. Persons making bets in a pit, which they were afterwards unable or unwilling to pay, were formerly drawn up in a basket by pullies, and suspended during the play; that ceremony, however, is now nearly dispensed with, the aggressor being instantly turned out of the pit, with a variety of cuffs and kicks plentifully bestowed upon him in the gauntlet of his escape.