a mob of Christian savages, were indulging themselves in the inhuman amusement of baiting a bull, the poor animal (which was, by nature, perfectly gentle, but which had been privately baited in the morning, and goaded with sharp instruments, in order to render him furious enough for public exhibition), altho' tied down with ropes, in his agony and rage, baited as he was by dogs, and gored by monsters in the shape of men, burst from his tethers, to the great terror of his tormentors, and the no small danger of the inhabitants of the place. After this, the poor beast was doomed to become the victim of still greater barbarity. He was entangled again, with ropes, and, horrible to relate, his hoofs were cut off, and was again baited, defending himself upon his mangled bleeding stumps! The magistrates of Bury have repeatedly attempted to prevent such infernal proceedings, but the demons are sanctioned, it seems, by an act of Parliament. Surely such act is highly disgraceful to the period of the world in which we live, to the country in general, and to the character of the British nation."—Monthly Mag. vol. xii, p. 464.
Let it be recorded in the annals of infamy, that George Staverton, by will, dated May 15, 1661, gave the whole rent of his Stains-house, after two lives, to buy a bull for ever; which bull he gave to the poor of the parish and town of Workingham, Berks, being baited, and the offal, hide, and gift money to be sold, and given in stockings and shoes to poor children. It is thus that an affectation of charity is grafted up on base cruelty. What an insult, and perversion of understanding!
Badger-baiting is the concomitant sport of bull-baiting, and, if possible, is more brutal and abominable, since the animal has less power to defend itself.
