er would be beaten
so long as he had life_. The poor wretch fought till not a feature of
his countenance could be seen, his head and face being swollen to a
frightful size, and his eyes quite closed. He attempted to tear them
open that he might see his antagonist; and was at last taken off the
stage. Not satisfied with this brutal scene, the spectators offered a
purse of ten guineas for another battle. This golden bait caught the eye
of another Gipsy, who, but a few months before, had ruptured a
blood-vessel in fighting. Throwing up his hat on the stage, the sign of
challenge, he was soon met with a fellow as degraded as himself, but with
much more strength and activity. He was three times laid prostrate at
the feet of his antagonist, and was taken away almost lifeless. His
conqueror put a half-crown into his hand as he was carried off, saying,
it was a little something for him to drink. About three months after
this, the author saw this poor Gipsy in his tent, in the last stage of a
consumption; but he was without any marks of true penitence. Surely the
way of wickedness is full of misery!

What a disgrace is this demoralizing mode of amusement to our country!
Degrading to the greatest degree, it is nevertheless pursued with avidity
by all classes of people; and large bets are often depending on these
brutal exercises. Gentlemen, noblemen, and even ladies, are, on such
occasions, mixed with the most degraded part of the community. In the
instance referred to it is said, that fifty pounds were taken by
admitting carriages into the field in which the fight took place. Where
were the peace-officers at this time? Perhaps some of them spectators of
the horrid scene!

Verily our men of rank and fortune are guilty in encouraging these
shocking practices; and they are little better than murderers, who goad
their fellow-men on to fight by the offer of money. Such persons are
frequently instruments of sending sinners, the most unprepared, into the
presence of a righteous God. What an account will they have to give when
they meet the victims of their amusement at the bar of Christ!

The Gipsies often fight with each other at fairs, and other places where
they meet in great numbers. This is their way of settling old grudges;
but so soon as one yields, the quarrel is made up, and they repair to a
public house to renew their friendship. This forgiving spirit is a
pleasing trait in their character.

CHAP. V