This place was formerly of those infamous localities only equalled by , at , and , in the valley of the Fleet. It was the resort of thieves, highwaymen, and bullbaiters. Its site was marked by , itself almost demolished by the Clerkenwell improvements of -. The ill-omened name of Hockleyin-the-Hole seems to have been derived from the frequent overflows of the Fleet. Hockley, in Saxon, says Camden, means a

muddy field ;

The upper portion of the thoroughfare in con-

On the site of the

Coach and Horses,

The earliest advertisement of the amusements at Hockley occurs in the of the . In the spring of the following year it was announced that men were

to fight at sword for a bet of half-a-guinea, and

six

to wrestle for

three

pairs of gloves, at half-a-crown each pair.. The entertainment to begin exactly at

three

o'clock.

We having observed the late boldness of a sort of men that stile themselves masters of the noble science of defence, passing through this city with beat of drums, colours displayed, swords drawn, with a numerous company of people following them, dispersing their printed bills, thereby inviting persons to be spectators of those inhuman sights which are directly contrary to the practice and profession of the Christian religion, whereby barbarous principles are instilled in the minds of men; we think ourselves obliged to represent this matter, that some method may be speedily taken to prevent their passage through the city in such a tumultuous manner, on so unwarrantable a design.

You must go to Hockley-in-the-Hole and Marybone, child, to learn valour,

In

1709

a most tragical occurrence took place at Hockley-in-the-Hole. Christopher Preston, the proprietor of the Bear Garden, was attacked by

one

of his own bears, and almost devoured, before his friends were aware of his danger. A sermon upon this sad event was preached in the church of St. James's by the Rev. Dr. Pead, the then incumbent of Clerkenwell.

When the bull and bears were paraded in the street, or swordsmen were to fight, bills such as the following were distributed among the crowd:--

A trial of skill to be performed between two profound masters of the noble science of self-defence, on Wednesday next, the 13th of July, 1709, at two o'clock precisely. I, George Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most parts of the West Indies-viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and several other parts of the world, in all twenty-five times upon the stage, and was never yet worsted, and am now lately come to London, do invite James Harris to meet and exercise at the following weapons: back-sword, sword and dagger, sword and buckler, single falchion, and case of falchions. I, James Harris, master of the said noble science of defence who formerly rid in the Horse Guards, and hath fought 110 prizes, and never left a stage to any man, will not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold inviter at the time and place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and from him no favour. No person to be upon the stage but the seconds.

Vivat Regina.

At his Majesty's Bear Garden, in Hockley-in-the-Hole, a trial of skill is to be performed to-morrow, being the 9th instant (without beat of drum), between these following masters:--I, John Terrewest, of Oundle, in Northamptonshire, master of the noble science of defence, do invite you, William King, who lately fought Mr. Joseph Thomas, once more to meet me and exercise at the usual weapons.--I, William King, will not fail to meet this fair inviter, desiring a clear stage, and, from him, no favour. note. There is lately built a pleasant cool gallery for gentlemen.(Advertisement in the Postboy for July 8th, 1701.)

At the Bear Garden, Hockley-in-the-Hole,

1710

.-This is to give notice to all gentlemen gamesters, and others, that on this present Monday is a match to be fought by

two

dogs,

one

from Newgate Market against

one

from Hony Lane Market, at a bull, for a guinea, to be spent.

Five

let-goes out of hand; which goes fairest and farthest in wins all. Likewise a

green bull

to be baited, which was never baited before, and a bull to be turned loose, with fireworks all over him; also a mad ass to be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting and bear-baiting and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin exactly at

three

of the clock.

In the Indian kings mentioned by Addison came to Hockley-in-the-Hole, to see the rough playing at backsword, dagger, single falchion, and quarter-staff. In Steele described a combat here, in the . The result of these fights was, it appears, often arranged beforehand, and the losing man often undertook to receive the cuts, provided they were not too many or too deep. About this time the proprietor of the Bear Garden left Hockley, and started a new garden at Marylebone, and for a time Hockley-in-the-Hole fell into disrepute with

the fancy.

In we find swordsmen having bouts with single sword, their left hands being tied down. When a favourite dog was tossed by a Hockley-in-the-Hole bull,

[extra_illustrations.2.309.1]  his master and his friends used to run and try to catch him on their shoulders, for fear he should be hurt in the fall. Good sensitive creatures! It was also the custom to stick ribbon crosses on the foreheads of favourite bull-dogs, and when these were removed and stuck on the bull's forehead, the dog was cheered on till he had recovered his treasured decoration. Cowardly dogs stole under the bull's legs, and often got trampled to death. The really

plucky

The old dwelling-house that adjoined the Bear Garden was, in later years, the

Coach and Horses

R. Turpin

minions of the moon,

[extra_illustrations.2.309.1] St. Mark, the Evangelist