379 Bollandists, May 31. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have had the same fondness for buying and releasing caged birds, and (to go back a long way) Pythagoras to have purchased one day, near Metapontus, from some fishermen all the fish in their net, that he might have the pleasure of releasing them. (Apuleius, _Apologia_.) 380 See these legends collected by Hase (_St Francis. Assisi_). It is said of Cardinal Bellarmine that he used to allow vermin to bite him, saying, “We shall have heaven to reward us for our sufferings, but these poor creatures have nothing but the enjoyment of this present life.” (Bayle, _Dict. philos._ art. “Bellarmine.”) 381 I have noticed, in my _History of Rationalism_, that, although some Popes did undoubtedly try to suppress Spanish bull-fights, this was solely on account of the destruction of human life they caused. Full details on this subject will be found in Concina, _De Spectaculis_ (Romæ, 1752). Bayle says, “Il n’y a point de casuiste qui croie qu’on pèche en faisant combattre des taureaux contre des dogues,” &c. (_Dict. philos._ “Rorarius, C.”) 382 On the ancient amusements of England the reader may consult Seymour’s _Survey of London_ (1734), vol. i. pp. 227-235; Strutt’s _Sports and Pastimes of the English People_. Cock-fighting was a favourite children’s amusement in England as early as the twelfth century. (Hampson’s _Medii Ævi Kalendarii_, vol. i. p. 160.) It was, with foot-ball and several other amusements, for a time suppressed by Edward III., on the ground that they were diverting the people from archery, which was necessary to the military greatness of England.