ABSTRACT
Apart from the disorders and intemperance which deservedly caused the suppression of these and similar gatherings for the purpose of merry-making, many national characteristics found in them a fit opportunity for display. The growth of a feeling of sympathy with the dumb creatures has stopped such cruel amusements of the populace as bull-baiting and cock-fighting. There has been a distinct gain to morality in the more frequent amusements of the nation, with no corresponding loss of hilarity, if many old-fashioned habits and characteristics have somewhat dropped out of sight. Until the present century, the only protest which has been effectually made against revelry and excess in popular amusements came from the Puritans. A curious survival of savagery comes out at all festive gatherings of Englishmen, which may be noticed also very prominently in unsophisticated boy nature – a keen love of throwing stones or sticks.
