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.