The Wound was exposed to the View of all who could delight in it, and sowed up on the Stage. The surly Second of _Miller_ declared at this Time, that he would, that Day Fortnight, fight Mr. _Buck_ at the Same Weapons, declaring himself the Master of the renowned _German_; but _Buck_ denied him the Honour of that Courageous Disciple, and, asserting that he himself had taught that Champion, accepted the Challenge." In No. 449, of the _Spectator_, is the following letter _re_ Hockley-in-the-Hole:-- "MR. SPECTATOR,--I was the other day at the Bear-garden, in hopes to have seen your short face; but not being so fortunate, I must tell you by way of letter, that there is a mystery among the gladiators which has escaped your spectatorial penetration. For, being in a Box at an Alehouse, near that renowned Seat or Honour above mentioned, I overheard two Masters of the Science agreeing to quarrel on the next Opportunity. This was to happen in the Company of a Set of the Fraternity of Basket Hilts, who were to meet that Evening. When that was settled, one asked the other, Will you give Cuts, or receive? the other answered, Receive. It was replied, Are you a passionate Man? No, provided you cut no more, nor no deeper than we agree. I thought it my duty to acquaint you with this, that the people may not pay their money for fighting, and be cheated. "Your humble servant, "SCABBARD RUSTY." It was not sword play alone that was the favourite pastime at Hockley-in-the-Hole, there was cudgel playing--and fighting with "the Ancient Weapon called the Threshing Flail." There is an advertisement extant of a fight with this weapon between John Terrewest and John Parkes of Coventry, whose tombstone affirms that he fought three hundred and fifty battles in different parts of Europe. Fisticuffs also came prominently into vogue early in the eighteenth century, and it is needless to say that Hockley was a favourite place with its professors. The site of the Bear Garden is said to be occupied by the "Coach and Horses," 29, Ray Street, Farringdon Road. [Footnote 55: "Trivia," book ii.] [Footnote 56: Book iii. line 1,000, &c.] [Footnote 57: Harl. MSS. 5931, 46.] [Footnote 58: Dr. Sacheverell.] [Footnote 59: "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," by John Ashton (_Chatto and Windus_).] [Footnote 60: Harl. MSS. 5931, 50.] [Footnote 61: De. Sorbière.] [Footnote 62: Misson.] [Footnote 63: "Comical View of London and Westminster."] [Footnote 64: _Spectator_, No. 436.] [Illustration] CHAPTER XIII.