Cock-fighting, Cudgel-playing, and Boxing, were practised in some parts of the Metropolis in 1761; and most of the promoters of those elegant customs escaped punishment. Higginson, master of the Tennis-court and Little Theatre in James-street, near the Haymarket, less fortunate, was tried at the bar of the King's-bench, and convicted of encouraging this species of brutality; however, Mr. Higginson contrived either to set the verdict at defiance, or to evade future penalties, for subsequent newspapers contained long accounts of a battle between Meggs, a collier, and the celebrated Nailor, at the Tennis-court, where the seats let at 5_s._ and 10_s._ 6_d._ to an overflowing audience. The reader will forgive me, if I at once proceed to notice this hateful custom of Boxing in its present state; he need not be informed that it has been encouraged by persons of the highest rank, who have been and are now known to disgrace their situation in life, by witnessing the infliction of blows which sometimes produce death, and always disfigure the human form, for the avaricious purpose of betting on either party, to the injury at least of their fortunes. The Magistracy, well aware of the wiles and power of their antagonists in the race between Justice and Depravity, made but few movements for a considerable length of time, by which means they gained to their support all well-disposed persons; in consequence, their exertions have been so far successful, that when matches are made for battles, cavalcades of Lords, Knights, Commoners, dustmen, and the rabble in general, may be observed in motion, destined for an _arena_--they know not where, as the spot fixed upon for the scene of combat is frequently occupied by a party of Officers of the Police previous to their arrival. Thus defeated, they have been known to traverse the roads and fields for miles, to enter some jurisdiction independent of their persecutors. Cock-fighting is yet _permitted_ to be publicly advertised, though but seldom; and Cudgel-playing has lately exhibited some strong symptoms of revival. "HINTS BY THE COBLER OF CRIPPLEGATE, 1761[336:A]. "He could wish to see Butchers' boys, who gallop through the streets of London, punished for so doing, or at least their horses seized for the use of the poor of the parish in which they so offend; for, though a poor man's life may not be worth preserving, his limbs may be of use to him while he crawls upon earth. "Brewers starting their butts in the day-time, he considers as an intolerable nuisance. "Ruinous Houses ought to be pulled down, because they may as well tumble upon the head of an Alderman as upon that of a Cobler. "A regulation in Smithfield-market, he thinks, ought to take place, because a mad Ox may as well gore the lady of a _Knight Banneret_, as a poor Oyster-wench.