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diff --git a/old/64111-0.txt b/old/64111-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index bb59102..0000000 --- a/old/64111-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,37620 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Pugilistica, Volume 3 (of 3), by Henry -Downes Miles - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Pugilistica, Volume 3 (of 3) - The History of British Boxing - -Author: Henry Downes Miles - -Release Date: December 22, 2020 [eBook #64111] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Carol Brown, deaurider and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The Internet - Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUGILISTICA, VOLUME 3 (OF 3) *** - - - - -PUGILISTICA - - -THE HISTORY - -OF - -BRITISH BOXING - - - - - [Illustration: SAYERS AND HEENAN, April 17th, 1860. _See_ pages - 419-435. _Frontispiece_] - - - - -PUGILISTICA - - -THE HISTORY - -OF - -BRITISH BOXING - - -CONTAINING - -LIVES OF THE MOST CELEBRATED PUGILISTS; FULL REPORTS OF THEIR BATTLES -FROM CONTEMPORARY NEWSPAPERS, WITH AUTHENTIC PORTRAITS, PERSONAL -ANECDOTES, AND SKETCHES OF THE PRINCIPAL PATRONS OF THE PRIZE RING, -FORMING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE RING FROM FIG AND BROUGHTON, -1719-40, TO THE LAST CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE BETWEEN KING AND HEENAN, IN -DECEMBER 1863 - - -BY HENRY DOWNES MILES - -EDITOR OF “THE SPORTSMAN’S MAGAZINE.” AUTHOR OF “THE BOOK OF FIELD -SPORTS,” “ENGLISH COUNTRY LIFE,” ETC., ETC. - - - - -VOLUME THREE - - - - -Edinburgh -JOHN GRANT -1906 - - - - -TO - -LEAR JAMES DREW, ESQ., - -A PATRON OF SPORT, AND A - -SUPPORTER OF THE RECREATIONS OF THE PEOPLE, - -THIS VOLUME OF LIVES OF THE - -MODERN BOXERS IS DEDICATED, AS A - -TOKEN OF FRIENDSHIP, RESPECT, AND ESTEEM, - -BY - -THE AUTHOR. - - -_Wood Green._ - - - - -PREFACE TO VOL. III. - - -The Reader who has attentively accompanied us through the biographies -which form the contents of our first and second volumes will not find -the memoirs in this third and concluding volume of less interest and -variety of incident than the former. - -The period comprised herein extends from the year 1835 (the first -appearance of Bendigo), and contains the battles of Caunt, Nick Ward, -Deaf Burke, William Perry (the “Tipton”), Harry Broome, Tom Paddock, -Harry Orme, Aaron Jones, Nat Langham, Tom Sayers, and Jem Mace, -closing with the last Championship fight between Tom King and John -Camel Heenan, on the 10th of December, 1863. - -In these chapters of the “Decline and Fall” of Pugilism it has been -the aim of the author to “write his annals true,” “nothing extenuate -nor set down aught in malice;” leaving the deeds of each of the -Champions to be judged by the “test of time, which proveth all -things.” - -In these pages will be found all the battles of the actual Champions, -and of those who contended with them for that once-coveted -distinction. It must be evident, however, that the space of three -volumes thrice multiplied would not suffice to record the numerous -battles of the middle and light weight men of this period; indeed, -they do not come within the scope of this work. As these include some -of the best battles of the later days of the P.R., and for the -greater part fall within the memory of the writer of these pages, he -will collect them in a series of “PENCILLINGS OF PUGILISTS.” These -“Reminiscences” of the Ring, will form, when completed, a concurrent -stream of pugilistic history, subsidiary and contemporary with this -last volume of this work. - -In bidding farewell to his subject the writer would plead, with the -Latin poet―― - - “Nor is the book the index of my mind, - But as I feel an honest wish to find - Some way of pleasing, be it grave or witty; - Accius were else the greatest brute in Rome, - Terence a rake, who never dined at home, - And those who sing of wars all fighters and banditti.”[1] - - - [1] “Nec liber indicium est animi, sed honesta voluntas - Plurima mulcendis auribus apta refert; - Accius esset atrox; conviva Terentius esset; - Essent pugnaces, qui fera bella canunt.” - OVID. - - - - -PUGILISTICA - - [Illustration: WILLIAM THOMPSON (“BENDIGO”) OF NOTTINGHAM.] - - - - -PUGILISTICA: - -THE HISTORY OF BRITISH BOXING. - - - - -PERIOD VII. - -FROM THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF BENDIGO (WILLIAM THOMPSON) TO HIS LAST -BATTLE WITH CAUNT (1845). - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -WILLIAM THOMPSON (“BENDIGO”), OF NOTTINGHAM, CHAMPION. 1835-1850. - - -William Thompson, whose pseudonym of Bendigo has given its name to a -district or territory of our Antipodean empire, first saw the light on -the 11th day of October, in the year 1811, in the city of Nottingham, -renowned, in the days of rotten boroughs and protracted contested -elections, for its pugnacious populace, its riotous mobs, and rampant -Radicalism, succeeded, in a like spirit, even in later “reformed” -times, by its lion-like “lambs,”[2] and “tiger-Tories.” William was -one of three sons at a birth, and, we are assured, of a family holding -a respectable position among their neighbours, some of them filling -the ministerial pulpit, and others belonging to a strait and strict -denomination of dissent. The late Viscount Palmerston expressed his -opinion that had not John Bright, the coadjutor of Cobden and -Gladstonian Cabinet Minister of our own day, been born a Quaker, he -must have grown up a pugilist; a similar reflection suggests itself to -those who knew the character and genius of William Thompson; with the -difference that in his case the young pugilist did grow into an -elderly Methodist parson, as we shall hereafter see, while the -Broadbrim secular Minister has not yet figured in the roped -twenty-four feet. - -There is a closer psychological connection between fighting and -fanaticism, pugnacity and Puritanism, than saints and Stigginses can -afford to admit, and the readiness of wordy disputants to resort to -the argumentum ad hominem, or ad baculinum, and the facile step from -preachee to floggee of parsons of all sects and times, need no -citations of history to prove. The young Bendigo, as we shall see -hereafter, became another illustration of the wisdom of Seneca,[3] and -took to theological disputation when he could no longer convince his -opponents by knock-down blows. - -Of the earlier portion of the career of Bendigo, previous to his first -victory over the gigantic Ben Caunt, in July, 1835, much apocryphal -stuff has been fabricated by an obscure biographer. - -In 1832, William Thompson, then in his twenty-first year, beat Bill -Faulker, a Nottingham notoriety. In April, 1833, he defeated Charley -Martin, and in the following month polished off Lin Jackson, another -local celebrity. - -Tom Cox (of Nottingham), who had beaten Sam Merriman, was defeated -easily in June, 1833; and in August of the same year (1833) Charles -Skelton and Tom Burton[4] are said to have fallen beneath Bendigo’s -conquering fist. Moreover (surely his biographer is poking fun at us) -he is credited with beating Bill Mason in Sept. 1833, and Bill -Winterflood in October! Now as we know no Bill Winterflood except Bill -Moulds, the Bath champion, and he never met Bendigo at all, are we not -justified in rejecting such “history”? - -The last in this list is a defeat of one Bingham, who is set down as -“Champion,” in January, 1834, which brings us near enough to Bendigo’s -first appearance in the blue posted rails of the P. R. with Caunt on -July 21st, 1835. On that day, we read―― - - “A fight took place in the Nottingham district between two - youngsters who were both fated to develop into Champions of - England. The meeting-place was near Appleby House, on the - Ashbourne Road, about thirty miles from Nottingham.” Both - men were natives of Nottinghamshire; the elder one, William - Thompson, hailing from the county town; while the younger, - Benjamin Caunt, was a native of the village of Hucknall, - where his parents had been tenants of the poet, Lord - Byron――a fact of which the athlete was always intensely - proud. Caunt on this occasion made his first appearance in - any ring, and having been born on the 22nd of March, 1815, - had only just completed his twenty-first year, and had - therefore a very considerable disadvantage in point of age. - On the other hand, he was a youngster of herculean - proportions and giant strength; stood 6ft. 2in. in height, - and his fighting weight was 14st. 7lb. Thus, in point of - size, it was a horse to a hen; but Caunt had no science at - all, while Bendigo had a very considerable share of it. The - big ’un was seconded by Butler (Caunt’s uncle) and Bamford, - and Bendigo by Turner and Merryman. Throughout twenty-two - rounds Caunt stood up with indomitable pluck and perseverance - to receive a long way the lion’s share of the punishment, - while his shifty opponent always avoided the return by - getting down. Caunt at last, in a rage at these tactics, - which he could not counteract or endure, rushed across the - ring, called on him to stand up, before the call of “Time” - by the umpires, and then struck Bendigo before he rose from - his second’s knee. The referee and umpires having decided - that this blow was foul, the stakes, £25 a side, were - awarded to Bendigo. “It was the expressed opinion of the - spectators that, had Caunt kept his temper and husbanded his - strength, the issue would have gone the other way, as he - proved himself game to the backbone, while his opponent was - made up of dodges from heel to headpiece.” - -This fight had the effect of calling the attention of backers to both -men. Of Bendigo’s cleverness there could be no question, while Caunt’s -enormous strength and unflinching pluck were equally indisputable; and -it is a curious illustration of the circular theory of events that -these two men, whose pugilistic career may fairly be said to have -commenced in this fight――when they were, of course, at the bottom of -the ladder――should meet again when they were half-way up, and a third -time when they stood on the topmost round. - -This victory over the gigantic wrestler of Hucknall Torkard could not -fail to bring his conqueror prominently before the eyes of the boxing -world. John Leechman, alias Brassey, of Bradford (of whom hereafter), -Charley Langan, Looney, of Liverpool, Bob Hampson, also of -Liverpool――indeed, all the big ’uns of the “North Countrie” were -anxious to have a shy at the audacious 11st. 10lb. man who had beaten -Ben the Giant. - -In November, 1835, Brassey, of Bradford, announced by letter in -_Bell’s Life_, that he was prepared to meet Bendigo half-way between -Nottingham and the Yorkshire town for £50 a side. But the erratic -Bendigo was wandering about the country, exhibiting with Peter Taylor, -Sam Pixton, Levi Eckersley, & Co., electrifying the yokels by his -tricks of agility and strength, and his irrepressible chaff and -natural humour――gifts which made him, formidable as he really was, a -sort of practical clown to the boxing ring. Hence nothing came of the -challenges and appointments, although Bendigo, by a letter in a -Midland sporting paper, in February, 1836, declared himself ready to -make a match for £25 a side with Tom Britton or Jem Corbett――Bendigo -to be under 12st. on the day. He also threw down the gauntlet to “any -12st. man in the four counties of Nottingham, Leicester, Derbyshire, -and Lincolnshire; money ready at his sporting house in Sheffield”――a -rather amusing challenge, as it excluded Brassey, of Bradford, and -three well-known Lancashire heavy weights. Tom Britton replied to this -challenge that he would not fight under £100, being engaged in -business; but informed Bendigo that he could find two 12st. candidates -for his favours for £25 or £50, if he would attend at the “Grapes,” -Peter Street, Liverpool. - -John Leechman (Brassey) now came out with a definite cartel, that he -was open to fight any 12st. man within 100 miles of Bradford for £25 -or £50, and that his money was ready at the “Stag’s Head,” Preston -Street, Sheffield. This brought Bendigo to the scratch, and the match -was made for £25 a side, to come off on Tuesday, May 24th, 1836. The -deposits were duly made, and on the appointed day, May 24th, 1836, the -men met nine miles from Sheffield, on the Doncaster road. No reliable -report of this fight, which was for £25 a side, is extant: nothing -beyond a paragraph in the following week’s papers, declaring it to be -won by Bendigo, “after a severe contest of 52 rounds, in which the -superiority of science was on the side of the lesser man, Bendigo -weighing 11st. 12lb., Brassey nearly 13st.” - -Brassey and his friends were not satisfied with this defeat, and -immediately proposed a fresh match for £50; and Jem Bailey (not of -Bristol, but an Irishman, afterwards twice beaten by Brassey) also -challenged Bendigo. Bendigo accepted Bailey’s offer, but Paddy’s -friends hung back and forfeited the deposit. - -Our hero now visited London, and was for some weeks an object of some -curiosity, putting up at Jem Burn’s, where he kept the company alive -by his eccentric “patter.” Jem offered to back Bendigo against -Fitzmaurice (who had been beaten by Deaf Burke), but Fitz’s friends -also backed out. It may be remarked, par parenthese, that the Deaf ’un -was in America during this paper warfare. - -At this period a remarkably clever eleven stone black, hight Jem -Wharton, who fought under the names of “Young Molyneux,” and “The -Morocco Prince,” had successively polished off Tom M’Keevor, Evans, -Wilsden, and Bill Fisher, and fought a gallant drawn battle of _four -hours and seven minutes_, and 200 rounds, with the game Tom Britton, -was the talk of the provincial fancy. A match was proposed for £50, -half-way between Nottingham and London. But in the interval of talk -Molyneux got matched with Harry Preston, and a most interesting fight, -from the crafty style of both men, was lost for ever. A forfeit in the -interim was paid to Bendigo by Flint, of Coventry. - -Molyneux also accepted Bendy’s offer, but insisted on raising the -stakes to £100 a side, and to Bendy confining himself to 11st. 7lb. -(!) Molyneux not to exceed 11st. 2lb., &c., &c. - -To these stipulations Bendy replied: “My Liverpool friends will back -me £100 to £80, or £50 to £40, at catch weight, against Young -Molyneux. I shall be in London in a few weeks, and shall be happy to -meet Luke Rogers for £50 or £100, as Looney’s match is off, owing to -his being under lock and key for his day’s amusement with Bob -Hampson.――Nottingham, November 25, 1836.” Molyneux got matched with -Bailey, of Manchester, and this second affair fell through. - -At length, in December, articles were signed with Young Langan -(Charley), of Liverpool, to fight within two months, catch weight, and -the day fixed for the 24th of January, 1837, when the men met at -Woore, eight miles from Newcastle, in Staffordshire. At a few minutes -to one o’clock Bendy appeared, esquired by Harris Birchall and Jem -Corbett; Young Langan waited on by two of his countrymen. Langan -weighed within 2lb. of 13st.; Bendigo 11st. 10lb. on this occasion. -The battle was a characteristic one. The “long ’un,” as he was called -by the bystanders, began by “forcing the fighting,” a game which -suited the active and shifty Bendigo, who punished his opponent -fearfully for almost every rush. Cautioned by his friends, Langan -tried “out-fighting,” but Bendy was not to be cajoled into countering -with so long-armed and heavy an opponent. He feigned weakness, and -Langan, being encouraged to “go in,” found he had indeed “caught a -Tartar.” He was upper-cut, fibbed, and thrown, until, “blind as a -pup,” his seconds gave in for him at the close of the 92nd round, and -one hour and thirty-three minutes. - -Negotiations with Tom Britton, of Liverpool, fell through, as Britton -could not come up to Bendy’s minimum of £100 a side. - -Bendigo and his trainer, Peter Taylor, were now in high favour, and a -sparring tour among the Lancashire and Yorkshire tykes was organised -and arranged. Bendigo also wrote in the London and provincial papers -that he was “ready to fight any man in England at 11st. 10lb. for £50 -to £100 a side; and, as he is really in want of a job, he will not -refuse any 12st. customer, and will not himself exceed 11st. 10lb. -Money always ready.” - -At this period Looney, declaring that Bendigo had shuffled out of -meeting him for £50, claimed the Championship in a boastful letter. -This was too much for Jem Ward, who then kept the “Star” tavern in -Williamson Square, Liverpool; so he addressed an epistle to the editor -of _Bell’s Life_, offering to meet Mr. Looney for £200, “if there is -no big ’un to save the title of Champion from the degradation into -which it has fallen.” - -Ward’s letter had the effect of leading to a meeting of Looney’s -friends, whereat that boxer discreetly declared that he never meant to -include Ward in his general challenge for £100 or £200, as he -considered that Ward had retired. Barring, therefore, Ward, Mister -Looney renewed his claim. Hereupon a gentleman from Nottingham, -disputing Looney’s claim to fight for “a Championship stake,” offered -to back Bendigo against him for £50 a side and “as much more as he -could get.” This was closed with, and a deposit made. On the following -Tuesday, at Matt Robinson’s, “Molly Moloney” tavern, Liverpool, -articles were signed for £50 a side (afterwards increased to £100), to -fight on the 13th of June, 1837, half-way between Nottingham and -Liverpool. A spot near Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, was the -rendezvous, and thither the men repaired. Looney arrived in Manchester -from his training-quarters at Aintree, and Bendigo from Crosby, on the -overnight, when there was some spirited betting at five and -occasionally six to four on Looney. - -The next morning proving beautifully fine brought hundreds from -distant parts to the spot, in the usual description of drags, until -there was not a stable left wherein to rest a jaded prad, or a bit of -hay or corn in many places to eat. Looney had fought many battles, the -most conspicuous of which were with Fisher (whom he defeated twice, -and another ended in a wrangle) and Bob Hampson, who suffered defeat -three times by him. Bendigo, as we have seen, had scored victories -over Caunt, Brassey, and young Langan. A little after eleven the -magnets of the day left their hotels, and were immediately followed by -an immense body on foot to the summit of a rasping hill, where a most -excellent inner and outer ring was formed with new ropes and stakes, -the latter being painted sky blue; near the top were the letters L. P. -R. (signifying Liverpool Prize Ring), encircled in a wreath of gold; -the one to which the handkerchiefs were attached was, with the crown, -gilt. Soon after twelve o’clock the men entered the ring amidst the -cheers of their friends――Bendigo first. They good-humouredly shook -hands, and proceeded to peel. Young Molyneux (who was loudly cheered), -along with Joe Birchall, appeared for Looney, whilst Peter Taylor and -Young Langan were the assistants of Bendigo. The colours――green and -gold for Looney; blue bird’s-eye for Bendigo. A little after one -o’clock, the betting being five to four on Looney, with many takers, -commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The appearance of Bendigo, on coming to the - scratch, was of the first order, and as fair as a lily, - whilst Looney displayed a scorbutic eruption on his - back. Both seeming confident of victory put up their - fives, caution and “stock-taking” for a few moments - being the order of the day. Looney made a half-round - right-hander, which told slightly on the ear. He then - made three hits at the head and body, which Bendigo - stepped away from, and dropped a little left ’un on the - chin. Bendigo was not idle, but on the defensive, and - succeeded in putting in two left-handers on the - canister, and blood, the first, made its appearance - from the mouth and under the left eye of Looney. This - was a long round; in the close Bendigo was thrown. - - 2.――Looney, all anxious, made play left and right; one - told on the ear, a scramble, both fighting; Bendigo - thrown, but fell cat fashion. - - 3.――Bendigo put the staggers on Looney with a - left-handed poke on the head; closed, and both down on - their sides. - - 4.――Both came up smiling. Bendigo made two short hits, - had his left intended for the “attic” stopped, but put - in a straight one on the breast, and the round finished - by both men hammering away right and left in splendid - style until Looney was sent down. - - 5.――Two light body blows were exchanged, and Looney was - thrown. - - 6.――Bendigo got away from two right-handers, received a - little one on the left ear, and both down one over the - other. - - 7.――Looney made two short hits with the left; Bendigo - stopped his right at the ear; some capital in-fighting - took place, in which Looney got his right eye out, and - Bendigo slipped down. - - 8.――This was another good round, but in the end Bendigo - got his man on the ropes in such a position as to - operate pretty freely on his face, and showers of - “claret” were the consequence. Looney fell through the - ropes, Bendigo over him. - - 9.――Looney came up as gay as possible, with two to one - against him, and a slashing round ended in favour of - Bendigo; Looney down. - - 10.――Bendigo sent home a tremendous whack on the left - eye, which drew claret. Looney seemed amazed, and put - up his hand to “wipe away the tear.” Looney thrown. - - 11.――A very long struggle on the ropes, in which Looney - appeared awkwardly situated, but he got down with - little damage. - - 12.――Up to this round there was not a visible mark of - punishment on Bendigo. Looney put in two hits on the - left ear, but was thrown through the ropes, Bendigo - over him. - - 13.――Looney hit short with his right on the body, but - was more successful in the next effort; planted it on - the ribs, and staggered Bendigo to the ropes, where - both struggled down. - - 14.――A capital round, in which some heavy hits were - exchanged, and Looney fell. - - 15.――Looney staggered his man again with his right, - and, in making another hit, Bendigo dropped on his - nether end, throwing up his legs and laughing. (Great - disapprobation.) - - 16.――Looney again delivered his right on the ribs. - Bendigo bored him to the ropes, and Looney got down. - - 17.――Looney put in two smart hits on the left ear, and - one on the ribs. Bendigo dropped on his knees. - - 18.――Bendigo pressed Looney on the ropes, held him for - some time in a helpless position, and gave it him - severely in the face, the claret flowing copiously. He - was lowered to the earth by a little stratagem on the - part of his seconds. - - 19.――Notwithstanding the loss of blood in the last - round, Looney was lively to the call, went up to his - man, and knocked him through the ropes with a body - blow. - - 20.――Looney caught his man with his right; a struggle - on the ropes in favour of Bendigo. Both down. - - 21.――Another struggle on the ropes, in which Bendigo - was forced through. - - 22.――A rallying round, which Looney finished by - knocking his man through the rope by a blow on the - breast. - - 23.――Looney again put in his right; another struggle on - the ropes, until they were forced to the ground. - - 24.――Looney rushed in and was going to work when - Bendigo fell. - - 25.――Bendigo put in a smart hit on the face, caught it - in return on the head, and was thrown over the ropes. - - 26.――Bendigo popped in three very heavy hits on the - face, put three hits on the body, and went down as if - weak. - - 27.――Looney hit short. Bendigo gave it him on the conk, - and threw him a clever somersault. - - 28.――Looney put in his right heavily on the ribs, which - compliment was returned by a stinger on the head, which - staggered him down. - - 29.――Both got to a close, and Bendigo was thrown, - coming on his head. - - 30.――A slashing round; give and take was “the ticket” - on the ribs and head, until both went down weak. - - 31.――Both got to the ropes, and went down together. - Ditto the next round. - - 33.――Bendigo put in two facers, and threw his man - heavily. - - 34.――After an exchange, Bendigo caught hold and threw - Looney heavily. - - 35.――Bendigo got on the ropes, and Looney dragged him - down on his back. - - 36, 37.――Two struggling rounds at the ropes; Looney - under in the falls. - - 38.――Looney planted a nasty one on the ribs, followed - his man up, and forced Bendigo through the ropes. - - 39.――Looney planted three tidy hits on the head and - body, as did Bendigo on the mug, again tapping the - claret; but in the end was whirled on the ground. - - 40.――A rally in favour of Bendigo, who threw Looney. - - 41.――Looney caught Bendigo’s head, put in a smart upper - cut, but was thrown clean. - - 42.――Bendigo’s left arm appeared a little black from - the effects of Looney’s right, as did his ear, but with - the exception of a small bump on his left eye he had - not a scratch on his face, whilst Looney’s phiz began - to assume a frightful aspect, his left eye completely - closed, with a terrible gash over it, one under, - another over his right, and his nose and mouth in a - shocking state of disorder. Still he was game and - confident of the victory; he rushed in, put in two - sharpish hits on the head, and downed Bendigo in a heap - on the grass. - - 43.――Body blows exchanged. Bendigo under in the fall. - - 44.――A rally in favour of Bendigo, in which Looney - clasped him round the legs; but it was considered more - by accident than design. He let go, and went down. - - 45.――Looney rushed in, and in the struggle went down on - his nether end. - - 46, 47, 48, 49.――Struggling rounds――favour of Bendigo. - - 50.――Bendigo shot out his left, and, in going down, - Looney caught his head, but, not observing Hoyle’s rule - of “when in doubt take the trick,” held back his fist, - and let him go. - - 51.――Looney popped one in the ear, but was thrown - through the ropes. - - 52, 53, 54.――Nothing done. In the latter Looney missed - a heavy upper cut, and swung himself through the ropes. - - 55.――Bendigo got Looney’s head in chancery, peppered - away, and again the crimson stream flowed. Both down. - - 56.――A struggle. Both down. - - 57.――A close, in which Looney threw Bendigo a burster, - with his head doubled under. - - 58.――Bendigo, being doubled on the ropes, received a - few heavy hits on the ribs, but on Looney striving for - his head he got away, and both went down. - - 59.――A close, Looney receiving a shattering throw. - - 60.――Looney had his man on the ropes, but was too weak - to hold him, and received another burster for his - pains. - - 61.――Looney, again on the ropes, caught pepper in the - face until it assumed a frightful appearance, and the - claret gushed freely; he escaped by the cords being - pressed down. - - 62.――Looney’s right eye was now fast drawing to a - close, but his game was undeniable, and he still - calculated on victory; he rushed in wildly, caught - Bendigo in his arms, and threw him. - - 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68.――Strange to say these rounds - were in favour of Looney, without any mischief, in the - latter of which Bendigo was driven against one of the - posts by a hit on the breast, from which he rebounded, - and fell forwards on the turf. - - 69.――Looney rushed in, Bendigo caught his head, drew - his cork, and threw him. - - 70, 71.――Bendigo’s optics all right, and very cautious. - The first a scrambling round, Looney under. Bendigo, in - the next, went to a close, and was whirled down. - - 72.――A little altercation took place in this round, - owing to Bendigo falling on his back without a blow - being struck, which was the case, but it was not done - for the purpose of evading a blow. Looney was creeping - up to him, and his heel, in retreating, caught a tuft - of grass and threw him, which appeared to be the - general opinion. - - 73.――Bendigo gave three facers, but was thrown. - - 74.――Looney bored his man to the ropes, and sent him - through them by a muzzler. - - 75.――Bendigo slipped his left at the all but closed - eye, and went down. (Cries of “Cur.”) - - 76.――Looney put in with his right, and gained the - throw. - - 77.――Hugging. Looney down. - - 78.――Bendigo made a hit, and got down by the ropes. - - 79, 80.――Looney received two hits on the body, and was - thrown in each. - - 81, 82.――In both of these rounds Looney was thrown - heavily, but put in a well-meant hit on the head. - - 83.――Bendigo, on the ropes, received a heavy hit on the - ribs. Looney was about to repeat the dose, but was - stopped by the cries of “Foul,” and he left him. - - 84.――Another rush. Bendigo whirled down. - - 85.――Looney was floored cleverly by a spanking hit on - the chops. - - Nothing particular occurred in the next six rounds; the - throws, with the exception of one, being in favour of - Bendigo. - - 92.――Bendigo showed a good feeling in this round. In - the struggle Looney got seated on the under rope, but - Bendigo would not take advantage, and walked away. - - 93, 94.――Looney down in both these rounds. - - 95.――Looney rallied a little, and made two hits tell - with the right on the ear, and Bendigo went down rather - shook. - - 96, 97.――Both down together. Bendigo gave a muzzler in - the last, got his man on the ropes, but was too weak to - hold him. - - 98.――Looney put in his right on the temple, but was - thrown very heavily. - - 99, and last.――Looney came up as blind as a bat, and - rushed in with his right, when Bendigo mustered up all - his remaining strength and gave him another fall. - Molyneux, finding it useless to prolong the contest, - gave the signal of defeat, after fighting two hours and - twenty-four minutes. - - REMARKS.――It will be seen by the above account that - Bendigo won all the three events――first blood, first - knock down, and the battle. He stands with his right - leg foremost, has a good knowledge of wrestling, steps - nimbly backwards to avoid, and hits out tremendously - with his left. He was trained under the care of Jem - Ward and Peter Taylor, who must have spared no pains in - tutoring him, being much improved since he fought Young - Langan; and no doubt will prove a troublesome customer - to any 12-stone man who may meet him. He walked about a - quarter of a mile to his carriage. A tint of black only - appeared under his left eye, but his bodily punishment - must be severe, as he could not bear to be touched on - the left side. He arrived in Manchester the same - evening per gig, and proceeded to Newton races the - following morning. Poor Looney was terribly punished - about the face, being cut under and over each eye, and - his lips and nose terribly mangled: besides the loss of - a grinder or two, he lost a great quantity of blood - from nose, mouth, and other gashes in the face. He is - possessed of most unflinching game, but is slow in his - motions; he strikes very heavy with his right, but it - is too long a time in arriving at its destination. All - that could be done for him by his seconds, Molyneux and - Birchall, was done. The ring was sometimes in great - disorder, owing to want of attention on the part of the - ring-keepers. - -Bendigo, on the occasion of a joint benefit with Peter Taylor at the -Queen’s Theatre, Liverpool――which northern city at this period -appeared to have become the metropolis of milling, _vice_ London and -Bristol superseded――boldly claimed the belt. Looney disputed the -claim, complaining that Bendigo had recently refused him another -chance, though ready to make a new match for £50. Tom Britton also -demurred to the Championship claim, and offered to fight Bendy at -11st. 10lb.; money ready to £100 at Mrs. Ford’s, “Belt Tavern,” -Whitechapel, Liverpool. - -Fisher, Molyneux (proposing the impossible 11st. 7lb.), and others now -rushed into letter-writing, but Bendy kept up his claim and his price; -and so ran out the year 1837 and part of 1838, the Championship -remaining in abeyance, as Jem Ward had retired, and the Deaf ’un was -still in America. - -Bendy’s old opponent and fellow-townsman next re-appeared on the -scene. Ben Caunt, who in the interim had beaten Ben Butler, at Stoney -Stratford, in August, 1837, and Boneford, a big countryman, at Sunrise -Hill, Notts, in October of the same year, proposed to meet “the -self-styled Champion” for £100. Bendigo, _more suo_, thereupon -observed, that “at that price, or any other, the big, chuckle-headed -navvy was as good as a gift of the money to him.” - -All, therefore, went merrily; the instalments were “tabled” as agreed; -Bendy was a good boy, and took care of himself; Big Ben worked hard, -and got himself down to 15st. 7lb. (!), as will be seen in our account -of this tourney, which, according to the plan of our work, must appear -in the memoir of the victor, BEN CAUNT (Chapter II., _post_), in the -present volume. In this unequal encounter, after seventy-five rounds, -Bendigo, who from a mistake had no spikes in his shoes, had the fight -given against him for going down without a blow. Two to one was laid -on Bendigo within four rounds of the close of the battle. - -No slur on the skill, honesty, or bravery of Bendigo was cast by the -umpires and referee in this battle, when they gave their decision that -he had fallen without a blow, and handed over the stakes to Caunt. -Bendigo proposed, before the decision, to make a match for £500, each -to raise £200, to be added to the old battle-money. This Ben declined, -but declared his readiness to enter into new articles for £100. -Another match was accordingly made for £100 a side, to take place on -Monday, July 20th, 1838. Bendigo, after bumper benefits in Liverpool, -Derby, and Nottingham, now came to London, with Peter Taylor, and took -up his quarters at Tom Spring’s, where he became an object of much -curiosity; his animal spirits and practical joking being almost too -much for Tom Winter’s quiescent and almost sedate temperament. In -London he also took a benefit, “before going into strict training,” -said the bills. There was “somewhat too much of this,” for Ben also -was taking benefits in Notts, Leicester, and Derby. In the month of -June it may be noted Deaf Burke returned from America, a fact which -occasioned a hitch in Bendigo’s arrangements, as we shall presently -see, for on June 24th, 1838, we read in _Bell’s Life_: “The match -between Caunt and Bendigo is off by mutual consent, and Caunt desires -us to state, that he is now open to fight any man in the world, -barring neither country nor colour, for from £50 to £500. What does -this mean?” The following paragraph in the ensuing week’s paper may -show what it meant:―― - - “BENDIGO AND CAUNT.――On the authority of a letter signed - Caunt, we last week stated that this match was off by mutual - consent; but we have since been informed by our Nottingham - correspondent that such is not the fact, and that Caunt’s - deposits are forfeited. Our correspondent adds that Caunt’s - backer tried to get the match off, on the plea that it was a - pity to see so little a man as Bendigo fight a giant like - Caunt, who was anxious to enter the ring with Burke. He was, - however, told that the fight must go on, and he promised to - attend, but he neither came nor sent the deposit, but - forwarded a letter to London stating that the match was off - by mutual consent. As a proof that Bendigo’s backers - intended the mill to go on, the deposit (£20) was received - from Sheffield on the Thursday prior to the Monday, and on - that very day £19 towards the next £20 deposit was raised.” - -Thus pleasantly released from his engagement with his gigantic -competitor, Bendigo instantly responded to the cartel of Deaf Burke, -issued on his landing from the New World, in which the Deaf ’un defied -any man in the Eastern or Western hemisphere to meet him for £100 to -£500, within the twenty-four feet of ropes. £100 was remitted to Peter -Crawley to make the match; but lo! Burke had gone over to France (Owen -Swift, Young Sam, Jack Adams, &c., were already there) with a “noble -Earl,” and at two several meetings, to which the Deaf ’un was -summoned, though Bendigo’s “ready” was there, there was no cash from -across the water, and Jem Burn announced to Peter Crawley, that he had -“a letter” from Paris that “Mister Burke,” who was on a Continental -tour, could not fight for less than £200. In the midst of the ridicule -and censure of this proposal, so inconsistent with his own published -challenge, a gentleman offered to put down the other hundred himself -for Bendigo. Crawley, however, declined to put down £50 of Bendigo’s -money until guaranteed the £100. Thus the matter fell through. The -public feeling in this matter was not badly expressed in a -contemporaneous “squib” entitled:―― - - - HEROIC STANZAS FROM BENDIGO TO DEAF BURKE. - - Why, truly, my nabs of the torpid auricular, - Your conduct of late ha’nt been wery particular, - And I tell you in werse, which I’m no hand at tagging, - That I shrewdly suspect you of bouncing and bragging. - - When a challenge you gave, and defiance was hurl’d - To any professor of fives in the world, - Of course I consider’d that nothing was wrong, - Tho’ I fancied you com’d it a trifle too strong. - - I knew you were brave, and as strong as a horse, - And remembered your sending poor Simon to dorse; - And you told us how Yankees all quak’d at your name, - And “guessed” they ne’er witnessed such bottom and game. - - You swore as Jem Ward had retir’d on the shelf, - Your mind was made up to be Champion yourself; - And you dar’d all the world to contend for the prize, - While you barred neither country, nor colour, nor size. - - This was all wastly well, but how came you to trot - Ere you knew if your challenge was answer’d or not, - And to cut from your quarters in London adrift - On the coming consarn between Adams and Swift? - - I tell you, my Deaf ’un, without any flourish, - Your conduct appears most confoundedly currish; - And as straightforward dealing was always my plan, - If you wish for a customer, I am your man. - - You boast, my “Venetian,”[5] whoe’er may attack you, - You have lordlings and dukes in attendance to back you; - Well, as folks can’t suppose you are telling us fibs, - Pray, are these patricians to fork out the dibs? - - I give you my word, Peter Crawley, my crony, - On my part is ready for posting the pony; - How is it, on yours, that your pal, Jemmy Burn, - In spite of your chaffing, keeps dropping astern? - - Do you fancy that conduct like this will content us? - Oh, let no folks say of you “_Non est Inwentus_;” - Come forward, if e’er as a man you have felt, - For Bendigo dares you to strive for the belt. - - Presume not brave fellows henceforward to taunt, - For though of my prowess I’ve no wish to vaunt, - An out-and-out good one I fac’d in big Caunt, - Who in stature and muscle match’d owld John of Gaunt. - - In capital style you exhibit, I’m told, - As statues of worthies wot figur’d of old; - Apollor, and Wenus, and Mars to the letter―― - Wouldn’t _Back-us_, my cove, suit a precious deal better? - - But perhaps, arter all――such, believe me, my trust is―― - I may not exactly be doing you justice; - And when you’re aware I will meet you at milling, - At the scratch you may show yourself ready and willing. - - It will give me much pleasure, my Deaf ’un, I swear, - To see how you’ll show off your attitudes there―― - While I, glad to see you returned from your mizzling, - As you’re partial to statues, may give you a chiselling. - - I trust that in Paris you show’d in prime feather, - And that you and old Soult had a bottle together; - I’d like to have seen how you sported your tanners, - And mark the French polish you got on your manners. - - But perhaps it is time to leave off, my prime feller, - For I an’t wery much of a writer or speller; - Yourself and your pals of the Fancy arn’t green, - And will doubtless diskiver at once what I mean. - - They may call me a fool, and the words won’t affront, - For ’tis sartain they can’t say the same of my blunt; - They may swear you are sartain to vanquish me――good―― - But pray do not crow till you’re out of the wood. - - For the present farewell! May we soon have a shy, - And if I don’t floor you, my Deaf ’un. I’ll try―― - So off, without any desire to offend, I go, - Remaining, in hopes the best man may win―― - “BENDIGO.” - -September came, and the Deaf ’un was still studying “Paris graces and -parley-vous,” seconding Owen Swift in his second fight with Jack Adams -at Villiers, on the 5th of September, 1838. The police prosecution by -the French authorities sent home the tourist, but meantime Bendy’s -friends had been offended by some of his eccentric escapades, and had -withdrawn the cash from Peter’s hands. In November Bendigo writes to -the editor of _Bell’s Life_, that “he was induced to challenge Burke -on the promise of certain friends at Nottingham to stand by him; but -they having broken faith with him, he could not go on. His readiness -and disposition to fight Burke or any other man continue the same, -and, whenever friends will come forward to back him, he will be found -glad of the opportunity to prove that there is no unmeaning bounce -about him, and that he is neither deficient in courage nor integrity.” - -Such an appeal had an immediate response. The match was made at -Sheffield, Burke’s friends proposing to stake £100 to £80, and a -lively interest was soon awakened. On the occasion of the third -deposit, on the 27th of November, at Jem Burn’s, in Great Windmill -Street, the aristocratic muster was numerous, and five to four was -freely laid on Burke, who was present, full of quaint fun, for the -Deaf ’un, as well as Bendy, was indeed a “character.” Burke said he -had “lowered his price by £50, rather than not ’commodate Mishter -Bendys, as he ses his frinds is backards in comin forards.” The -articles specified that the battle should take place within -thirty-four miles of Nottingham, and the day to be the 15th of -January, 1839. These articles were afterwards revised, and the fight -postponed to February 12th, the stakes――£100 Burke to £80 Bendigo. The -Deaf ’un went into training near Brighton, but removed later to -Finchley; Bendigo at Crosby, near Liverpool. Here, on Sunday, January -4th, Bendigo had a narrow escape of his life, as the following -paragraph records:―― - - “NARROW ESCAPE OF BENDIGO.――During the storm on Sunday night - Bendigo who is in training at Crosby, near Liverpool, - narrowly escaped being ‘gathered unto his fathers.’ It - appears that Peter Taylor went to meet Bendigo on Monday - morning, but not finding him at the appointed place, - proceeded at once to Crosby, when he discovered that the - house in which he had left his friend on the previous - evening was almost in ruins, the roof having been blown in, - and nearly every window broken. Peter’s fears were, however, - soon allayed by ascertaining that Bendigo was at a - neighbouring cottage, where he found him between a pair of - blankets, and looking quite chapfallen. Bendigo said that he - would sooner face three Burkes than pass such another night. - He went to bed about nine o’clock, but awoke about eleven, - by his bed rocking under him, the wind whistling around him, - and the bricks tumbling down the chimney. Every minute he - expected the house to fall in upon him, and at three o’clock - the hurricane increased so much in violence that he got out - of bed, put on his clothes, and made his escape out of the - window. He had not left the house ten minutes before the - roof was blown in. A knight of the awl kindly gave him - shelter, and he has since obtained fresh quarters in the - same village.” - -As the day approached, intense interest prevailed both in London and -Liverpool, to say nothing of Nottingham, Birmingham, Derby, and -Manchester, all of which towns sent their contingents of amateurs. Jem -Ward undertook to give Bendy “the finishing touch,” and reported him -“in prime twig,” while Burke was declared by Tommy Roundhead, his -faithful red-nosed “secretary” and “esquire,” to be “strong as a -rhinoceros and bold as a lion.” - -At length the eventful morn of Tuesday, the 12th of February, 1839, -dawned; it was Shrove Tuesday, and the concourse on all the roads to -Ashby-de-la-Zouch, for which the “office” was given, was something -more marvellous than that which was occasioned by the “gentle passage -of arms” in which Richard Cœur-de-Lion figured, for which see -“Ivanhoe.” But we will leave _Bell’s Life_ to tell the further -proceedings of the tournament. - -According to articles, the men were to meet within 35 miles of -Nottingham, and it was finally agreed that they should meet at the -“Red Lion,” at Appleby, in Warwickshire, on the Monday, to agree upon -the battle-field. A centre of attraction having been thus appointed, -the men were moved from their training quarters, to be near the scene -of action. Burke, attended by Jem Burn, King Dick, Tommy Roundhead -(his secretary), and other friends, took up his position at -Atherstone, while Bendy, under the fostering care of Jem and Nick Ward -and Peter Taylor, approached in an opposite direction. The contest -seemed to excite extraordinary interest, and the bustle of preparation -was observable in all directions. In Atherstone, a most pugnacious -town by ancient charter, Burke was hailed with great favour, as a -precursor of the local sports of Tuesday; for, from time “whereto the -memory of man runneth not to the contrary,” on Shrove Tuesday the -inhabitants of the village exercise a sort of prescriptive right to -settle all disputes in fistic or other combat. - -It was decided to pitch the ring as near Appleby as possible, and if -practicable to have the men in the ring at ten o’clock. In the interim -all sorts of vehicles were pressed into the service, horses were at a -high premium, and the most ludicrous shifts were made to procure -conveyances. In some instances mourning coaches, and even a hearse, -were irreverently brought into use, while nags of the most unseemly -description were drawn from their privacy and honoured by being hooked -as leaders to post-chaises, or harnessed to any out-of-the-way kind of -vehicle that fortune dictated. Beds and other accommodation were also -difficult to procure, and, as in times of yore, hundreds, _de -necessitate_, sat up all night to be up early in the morning. - -Long before dawn on Tuesday multitudes were progressing towards -Appleby, and at nine o’clock the assemblage in front of Burke’s -domicile was immense. The crowd continued to increase steadily until -the arrival of a cavalcade of “swell drags” from the direction of -Leicester, which gave the signal for departure, as in and upon these -were the patrician supporters of the Deaf ’un. On the arrival of these -traps the Burke party instantly prepared for a start. Jem Ward and -Bendigo, who were located about two miles off, were also in readiness, -and lost no time in repairing to the trysting-place, which, to the -dismay of the toddlers and the discomfiture of the prads, proved to be -at least seven miles off. The ring was formed on the top of a hill, in -the parish of Heather, which spot was not reached by the Deaf ’un, -owing to various impediments, until half-past eleven o’clock. A vast -crowd had preceded him, and hailed his approach with cheers, but it -was evident that thousands were yet to arrive, and fortunately for -them an unexpected delay in the arrival of Bendigo proved favourable -to their hopes, by protracting the commencement of hostilities. - -It was nearly half-past twelve before the actual arrival of Bendigo -was made known, and at that time, upon a moderate calculation, there -were not less than 15,000 persons present of all degrees, the -aristocracy forming no inconsiderable portion. - -From some inexplicable delay it wanted only a quarter to one when -Burke entered the ring, attended by King Dick and Jackson, and if good -humour and confidence could be taken as indications of success his -friends had no reason to grumble. While waiting for the arrival of -Bendigo an incident occurred which produced considerable laughter: it -was the approach of a well-dressed and not unlikely woman, who, -forcing her way through the well-packed mass of spectators, ran up to -the roped arena, and, seizing the Deaf ’un by the hand as an old -acquaintance, wished him success, and, but for the intervening rope, -would no doubt have added an embrace. She then seated herself in front -of the inner circle, and waited the issue of the battle, subsequently -cheering her favourite throughout his exertions. Shortly before one -o’clock Bendigo made his salaam amidst deafening shouts, attended by -Peter Taylor and Nick Ward, and, walking up to Burke, shook him -heartily by the hand. The men then commenced their toilets, and on -being stripped to their drawers a subject of much contention arose; -Bendigo, on examining Burke’s drawers, discovered a belt round his -waist, which he insisted should be taken off. In vain did Burke and -his friends assure him it was merely a belt to sustain a truss which -he wore in consequence of a rupture, and, as it was below his waist, -was of no importance; in vain, too, did the referee pronounce it to be -perfectly fair; Bendigo was not to be driven from his point, and it -was not till the obnoxious belt was taken off that he was satisfied. -The belt was exhibited, and fully corroborated the opinion of the -referee as to its perfect inutility as a means of defence. - -The signal having been given, the men threw off their great coats, -and, advancing to the scratch, threw themselves into position; and -now, for the first time, a superficial estimate of their condition -could be formed. Burke presented all that fine muscular development -for which he is famed, but he was pale, and it struck us most forcibly -that his flesh wanted that firmness and consistency, the sure -consequence of perfect training, and to the attainment of which the -mode in which he passed his time was anything but conducive; still he -was playful and confident, and regarded his adversary with a look of -conscious superiority. Bendigo, in point of muscularity, was inferior -to Burke, especially in the shoulders, arms, and neck, but he appeared -in perfect condition, and firm as iron. The colour of his skin was -healthful; his countenance exhibited perfect self-possession, and wore -an easy smile of confidence. The current odds, on setting to, were six -to four on Burke, with plenty of takers. In Nottingham, where the -physical qualities of Bendigo were better known, the odds had been as -low as five to four. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The position of Burke was easy and - unconstrained. He stood rather square, his left foot in - advance, and his arms well up, as if waiting for his - antagonist to break ground. Bendigo, on the contrary, - dropped his right shoulder, stooped a little, and, - right foot foremost, seemed prepared to let fly left or - right as the opportunity offered. After a little - manœuvring, he made a catching feint with his left, but - found the Deaf ’un immovably on his guard. They changed - ground, both ready, when Bendigo let go his right, and - caught Burke on the ribs, leaving a visible impression - of his knuckles. More manœuvring. Bendigo tried his - left, but was stopped. The Deaf ’un popped in his - right, and caught Bendigo on the ear, but soon had a - slap in return from Bendigo’s right, under the eye, as - straight as an arrow. (Cheers for Bendigo.) Both - steady. Bendigo made two or three feints with his left, - but did not draw the Deaf ’un. Each evidently meaning - mischief, and getting closer together. Counter hits - with the left, when both, by mutual consent, got to a - rally, and severe hits, right and left, were exchanged. - The Deaf ’un closed, but Bendigo broke away, and - turning round renewed the rally. Heavy exchanges - followed, when they again closed, and trying for the - fall both went down in the corner. (There was a cry of - first blood from Bendigo’s left ear; but, although very - red from the Deaf ’un’s visitations, the referee, who - examined it, decided there was no claret.) - - 2.――Both men showed symptoms of the “ditto repeated” in - the last round, although no great mischief was done, - nor was there much advantage booked, each having given - as good as he got. The Deaf ’un resumed his defensive - position, and was steady. Bendigo again tried the feint - with his left, evidently desirous of leading off with - his right, but the Deaf ’un was awake to this dodge, - and grinned. The Deaf ’un tried his right, but was - stopped. After a pause, during which the men shifted - their ground, Bendigo let go his left, but was prettily - stopped. He was more successful with his right, and - caught the Deaf ’un a stinger under the eye. The - straightness and quickness of these right-hand - deliveries were now conspicuous. Counter hits, left and - right, followed, and the Deaf ’un showed a slight tinge - of claret on the mouth, but it was not claimed. The - Deaf ’un now made up his mind for a determined rally, - and to it they went ding-dong; the stops, hits, and - returns, right and left, were severe, and no flinching. - Bendigo again wheeled round, but the Deaf ’un was with - him, and the rally was renewed with equal vigour and - good will. Bendigo, rather wild at the end, closed, and - after a sharp struggle, both down. (The Deaf ’un’s - _chère amie_, before alluded to, now cheered him, but, - indifferent to her blandishments, he was carried to his - corner piping a little from the severity of his - exertion. Bendigo, on reaching his corner, seemed - freshest, and exhibited less impression from the blows - which he had received than his antagonist.) - - 3.――Both came up strong on their pins, but the Deaf - ’un’s face, especially on the left cheek, was greatly - flushed, and other marks and tokens of searching - deliveries were visible. The Deaf ’un looked serious, - and coughed as if the contents of his pudding-bag were - not altogether satisfied with the disturbance to which - they had been exposed. Sparring for a short time, when - Bendigo let go his right, but was stopped; it was a - heavy hit, and the sound of the dashing knuckles was - distinctly heard. Well-meant blows on both sides - stopped. The Deaf ’un again coughed; his “cat’s meat” - was clearly out of trim. Again did the Deaf ’un stop - Bendigo’s right, but did not attempt to return. He now - seemed to gain a little more confidence, and exhibited - a few of his hanky-panky tricks, making a sort of Merry - Andrew dance; but his jollity was soon stopped, for - Bendigo popped in his left and right heavily, and got - away. The Deaf ’un changed countenance and was more - serious; Bendigo again tried his left-handed feints and - was readiest to fight, but the Deaf ’un stood quiet. - (Even bets offered on Bendigo.) Bendigo closed in upon - his man, who waited on the defensive; but his defensive - system was inexplicable, for Bendigo jobbed him four - times in succession with the right under the left eye, - on the old spot, jumping away each time without an - attempt at return on the part of the Deaf ’un, and - producing a fearful hillock on the Deaf ’un’s - cheek-bone. The Deaf ’un seemed paralysed by the - stinging severity of these repeated visitations and his - friends called on him to go in and fight. He made an - attempt with his right, but was short; at last he - rushed to a rally, and some heavy hits were exchanged; - Bendigo retreated, but kept hitting on the retreat. The - deliveries were rapid and numerous, but those of the - Deaf ’un did not tell on the hard frontispiece of his - opponent. They broke away, but again joined issue, and - the rally was renewed. The jobbing hits, right and - left, from Bendigo were terrific, and the Deaf ’un’s - nose began to weep blood for the state of his left - ogle, which was now fast closing. (The question of - first blood was now decided.) Bendigo broke away again, - the Deaf ’un following, but Bendigo, collecting - himself, jobbed severely, the Deaf ’un apparently no - return, and almost standing to receive. He looked round - and seemed almost stupefied, but still he kept his - legs, when Bendigo went in and repeated his - right-handed jobs again and again; he then closed, gave - the Deaf ’un the crook, threw him, and fell on him. - (The seconds immediately took up their men, and both - showed distress, especially the Deaf ’un, who was - obviously sick, but could not relieve his stomach, - although he tried his finger for that purpose. All were - astonished at his sluggishness. He seemed completely - bothered, and to have lost all power of reflection and - judgment.) - - 4.――The Deaf ’un now came up all the worse from the - effects of the last rattling round, while Bendigo - scarcely showed a scratch. The seconds of the Deaf ’un - called on him “to go in and fight;” he obeyed the call, - but again had Bendigo’s right on his damaged peeper. - Bendigo fought on the retreat, hitting as he stepped - back, but steadying himself he caught the Deaf ’un on - the nose with his right, and sent his pimple flying - backwards with the force of the blow. The Deaf ’un - rushed in, hitting left and right, and in getting back - Bendigo fell over the ropes out of the ring. (The fight - had now lasted sixteen minutes; the Deaf ’un had all - the worst of it, although Bendigo from his exertions - exhibited trifling symptoms of distress.) - - 5.――The Deaf ’un came up boldly, but all his cleverness - seemed to have left him. Bendigo, steady, was first to - fight, popping in his right; exchanges followed, and in - the close both went down, Burke uppermost. - - 6.――“Drops of brandy” were tried with the Deaf ’un, but - his friends seemed to have “dropped down on their - luck.” Still he came up courageously, although his - right as well as his left eye was pinked. - Counter-hitting, in which Bendigo’s right was on the - old spot. A close at the ropes, the Deaf ’un trying for - the fall, but after some pulling both went down and no - harm done. (Three to one on Bendigo, but no takers.) - - 7.――The Deaf ’un’s left eye was now as dark as Erebus, - and as a last resource he tried the rush; he rattled in - to his man without waiting for the attack, but in the - close, after an exchange of hits and a severe struggle, - was thrown. The moment the Deaf ’un was picked up he - cried “Foul!” and asserted that Bendigo had butted him, - looking anxiously at the umpire and referee for a - decision in his favour; but there was no pretence for - the charge, as it was obvious Bendigo merely jerked - back his head to relieve himself from his grasp. Like - “a drowning man,” however, it was obvious he was - anxious to “catch at a straw.” - - 8.――The Deaf ’un showed woeful punishment in the - physog, although not cut. Again did he make a - despairing rush, stopping Bendigo’s right, but in the - second attempt he was not so fortunate, for Bendigo - muzzled, closed, and threw him. - - 9.――The Deaf ’un’s game was now clearly all but up, for - while he showed such prominent proofs of the severity - of his antagonist’s visitations to his nob, the latter - was but little the worse for wear. The Deaf ’un, - however, was determined to cut up well, and again - rattled in left and right, Bendigo retreating and - jobbing as he followed, and at length hitting him down - with a right-handed blow on the pimple. The Deaf ’un, - with one hand and one knee on the ground, looked up, - but Bendigo stood steadily looking at him, and would - not repeat the blow, showing perfect coolness and - self-possession. - - 10, and last.――The Deaf ’un, greatly distressed, still - came up with a determination to produce a change if he - could by in-fighting. He rushed into his man, hitting - left and right, but receiving heavy jobs in return. He - forced Bendigo with his back against the ropes, and, as - he had him in that position, deliberately butted him - twice, when both went down in the struggle for the - fall. Jem Ward immediately cried “Foul!” and appealed - to the referee, who refused to give any decision till - properly appealed to by the umpires. He stepped into - the ring, where he was followed by the umpires, when he - was again appealed to, and at once declared that Burke - had butted, and that therefore Bendigo was entitled to - the victory――a judgment in which, it is due to say, the - umpire of the Deaf ’un, although anxious to protect his - interests, declared in the most honourable manner he - must concur. Several of Bendigo’s friends wished no - advantage of this departure from the new rules to be - taken, foreseeing that a few more rounds must finish - the Deaf ’un; but the decision of the referee was - imperative, and thus ended a contest which disappointed - not only the backers of the Deaf ’un but the admirers - of the Ring generally, who anticipated on the Deaf - ’un’s part a different issue, or at least a better - fight. With regard to the butting, of which we have - no doubt, our impression is that it was done - intentionally, and for the express purpose of - terminating the fight in that way rather than by - prolonging it to submit to additional punishment and - the mortification of a more decided defeat; and we are - the more inclined to this conclusion from the Deaf - ’un’s readiness to claim a butt on the part of Bendigo - in the seventh round, a convincing proof that he was - fully sensible of its nature and consequence. An - attempt was subsequently made to wrangle with the - referee on the soundness of his decision, for the - purpose of sustaining the character of the Deaf ’un, - and exciting a spirit of discontent among his backers. - This was not creditable, and to be classed among these - petty expedients to which some of our modern - “Ringsters” are but too willing to have recourse――namely, - at all events “to win, tie, or wrangle,” a practice to - which every honest man must be opposed. The time - occupied in the contest was exactly four-and-twenty - minutes. In no one of Burke’s former battles was he - more severely punished in the face, not, it is true, in - any vital part, for all Bendigo’s hits, both left and - right, were as straight as a line, going straight from - the shoulder and slap to their destination. There were - no round hits on his part, and the body blows on both - sides were few and far between. - - REMARKS.――Perhaps no battle on record offers a stronger - illustration of the consequences of vanity and - headstrong confidence than that which we have just - recorded. Burke, puffed up by his former successes, and - flattered by the good-natured freedom of young men of - fashion, placed himself beyond the pale of instruction - and advice. He was self-willed and obstinate, and - quarrelled with all who presumed to guide him in the - proper course. His repeated acts of imprudence while in - training called forth the strongest remonstrances, but - in vain; and thus he has found, when too late, that “a - man who will be his own adviser” on such occasions “has - a fool for his client.” Nothing but the most decided - want of condition can account for the slowness which he - exhibited; and, when his career from the time he went - to Brighton till the day of the battle is considered, - that state of constitution is sufficiently explained; - and yet those besotted friends who knew all this were - as prejudiced in his favour that they blindly pinned - their faith to his former reputation, believed no man - alive could beat him, and risked their money, as well - as stultified their judgment, on we issue of his - exertions. But then say these wiseacres, opening their - eyes with well-feigned astonishment, “We could not have - erred. It is impossible, seeing all that we have seen, - and knowing what we have known of the Deaf ’un that he - could have made so bad a fight, and be beaten so hollow - by a countryman!” Oh no! this could not be――and what - follows? Why, the old story――the honest Deaf ’un has - all at once turned rogue――he had been bought and fought - a cross!――he has sold his friends, and must be consigned - to degradation. Why, from the third round it was seen - by the merest tyro in the ring that he had not a - chance. He was completely paralysed by the unexpected - quickness of his adversary, who has, as Jem Ward - foretold, proved himself a better man than has for some - years appeared in the ring. This has been Ward’s - constant cry, and had his advice been taken all the - odds that were offered would have been taken. But no; - the Londoners were not to be beaten out of their - “propriety.” Twos to one, sevens to four, and sixes to - four have, as is well known, been offered over and over - again in sporting houses without takers, and many who - lamented the impossibility of “getting on” before the - fight, have now, after it, the consolation of feeling - that they have “got off” most miraculously. And yet - this was a cross; and the cunning concoctors of the - robbery had the generosity to refuse the hundreds which - were, as it were, forced under their noses. Verily this - is “going the whole hog” with a vengeance; but from the - little we know of such speculations we are inclined to - think that those who hazard such an opinion will be - deemed greater flats than they have proved themselves. - It is an accusation unjust towards a weak, but, we - believe, an honest man, and still more unjust towards - Bendigo, who, throughout, proved himself, in every - respect, a better fighter, as well as a harder hitter, - than Burke, and who, in no part of the battle, was - guilty of an act which would disentitle him to the - honour and profit of his victory. But some facts seem - to be altogether lost sight of in forming a just - estimate of poor Burke’s pretensions, for, independent - of his want of condition, it seems to be forgotten that - instead of fighting or sparring for the last two years - he has been confining himself to the personification of - “the Grecian statues,” forsooth――anything but calculated - to give energy to his limbs――added to which he is - ruptured. We are also informed on medical authority - that the patella or knee-pan of his right leg is as - weak from the fracture which he sustained in the - hospital some time back that he is obliged to support - it by double laced bandages, and he has been altogether - precluded from taking strong walking or running - exercise, never having walked more than ten miles in - any one day of his training. For our own part we - think his day is gone by, and, like many other great - performers, he has appeared once too often; but that he - intentionally deceived his friends we believe to be a - most ungenerous calumny, although his friends may have - deceived themselves. After the fight, Burke, who was - sufficiently well to walk from the ring, returned to - Appleby, and from there to “foot-ball kicking” - Atherstone, where the annual sports were merrily kept - up in his absence. The same night he returned to - Coventry, and arrived by the mail train in London the - next morning, none the worse in his bodily health from - the peppering he received, however mentally he was - “down on his luck.” He complained much of his arms, - which, from the wrists to the elbows, were covered with - bruises, the effects of stopping――and stopping blows, - too, which, had they reached their destination, would - have expedited his downfall. Bendigo returned to - Nottingham the same night, decorated with his well-earned - laurels; and it is to be hoped he will enjoy his - victory with becoming modesty and civility, bearing in - mind that he has yet to conquer Caunt before he can be - proclaimed Champion of England. - -The Deaf ’un, who showed on the Friday at Jem Burn’s, with the -exception of his “nob” was all right. He complains most of having been -stripped of his belt, which was attached to his truss by a loop, and -the absence of which filled him with apprehension. This, combined with -his admitted want of condition, he declares placed him on the wrong -side the winning post. He is, however, most anxious for another trial, -and instructs us to say that he still has supporters who will match -him once more against Bendigo for £100 a side, the fight to come off -in the same ring with Hannan and Walker; Burke to be permitted to wear -his belt, as in the case of Peter Crawley and Jack Langan. It is -needless to say that Burke never again faced Bendigo in the ring, -getting on a match at this time with Jem Bailey. - -For several months the newspapers were rife with challenges from Caunt -to Bendigo and Bendigo to Caunt; each “Champion” roving about the -counties in which he was most popular upon the “benefit dodge,” each -with a star company, and each awakening the city or town where his -company performed with a thundering challenge, while each pugilistic -planet revolved in his own peculiar orbit without giving the other a -chance of a “collision.” - -In this interval Jem Ward presented a “Champion’s” belt to Bendigo, at -the Queen’s Theatre, Liverpool, amid great acclamations, and again the -tiresome game of challenging and making appointments for “a meeting to -draw up articles,” at places where the challenged party never attended -or meant to show, went on. Brassey, of Bradford, too, having in the -interim beaten Young Langan, of Liverpool, and Jem Bailey, put in his -claim and joined the chorus of challengers. Burke also offered himself -for £100, which Bendigo declined, according to his published -challenge. In the latter half of 1839 we read as follows:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――Caunt states that he has been given to understand I - wish to have another trial with him for £200 a side, and - that his money is ready at any sporting house in Sheffield. - Now, Sir, I have been to many houses that he frequents, and - cannot find any one to put any money down in his behalf; and - as he was in Sheffield for a fortnight previous to my going - away to second Renwick, I think, if he meant fighting, he - would have made the match when we were both in Sheffield. - Now, Sir, what I mean to say is this――I will fight Caunt, or - any other man in England, for from £200 to £500 a side, and - I hope I shall not be disappointed, as I mean fighting, and - nothing else; and to convince the patrons of the Prize Ring - that there is no empty chaff about me, as I am going to - leave Sheffield this week, my money will be ready any day or - hour at Mr. Edward Daniels’, ‘Three Crowns,’ Parliament - Street, Nottingham. Or if Burke wants another shy, I will - fight him for £150 a side. - - “WILLIAM THOMPSON, alias BENDIGO.” - -This certainly looked like business, yet the next week we find Caunt -declaring “I will make a match with Bendigo for £200, and I will take -a sovereign to go to Nottingham, or give Bendigo the same if he will -meet me at Lazarus’s house at Sheffield.” This was in July, and -shortly after Bendigo writes:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “MR. EDITOR,――Having sent a letter to Caunt accepting his - challenge on his own terms, and not receiving an answer, I - wish to put that bounceable gentleman’s intentions to a - public test. I am willing to fight him on his own terms, and - I will give him the sovereign he requires to pay his - expenses in coming to Nottingham to make the match, and let - it be as early as possible. As to Deaf Burke, he is but of - minor importance to me. I have no objection to give him - another chance to regain his lost laurels, and will fight - him for his ‘cool hundred,’ as he calls it, providing he or - his friends make the first deposit £50, for my friends are - not willing to stake less. Should the above not suit either - of these aspirants for fistic fame, I again repeat I will - fight any man in the world for £200 or £500, barring neither - weight, country, nor colour. I am always to be heard of at - the ‘Three Crowns,’ Parliament Street, Nottingham. - - “WILLIAM THOMPSON, alias BENDIGO. - “August 3rd, 1839.” - -Soon after we read:―― - - “CAUNT AND BENDIGO.――Bendigo went to Nottingham to make the - match with Caunt on Saturday week, but the latter could not - find more than two sovereigns to put down as a deposit. - Caunt, before he indulges in bounce, should reflect that he - only disgraces himself and gains nothing by his - ‘clap-traps.’ These benefit humbugs must be suppressed.” - -No wonder that the much-enduring editor should thus express himself. -Nevertheless the “benefit humbug,” like other humbugs, exhibited -irrepressible vitality; 1840 wore on, and Caunt, who seemed to prefer -a tourney with Brassey or Nick Ward (who had challenged him), did not -close with Bendigo. Had there been a real intention, the subjoined -should have brought the men together:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――I agree with you that there is more ‘talk than doing’ - among the professors of ‘the art of Self-Defence’ of the - present day――more challenges than acceptances――evidently for - the purpose of giving to the members of the Ring, for - benefits and other interested purposes, fame and character - which they do not always possess――I allude particularly to - Caunt and Bendigo, ‘the Great Guns of the day.’ Each talks - of being backed, but each, in turn, avoids ‘the scratch.’ - Now to the test: I am anxious, for the sake of society, that - ‘old English Boxing’ should not decline, because I am sure - it is the best school for the inculcation of ‘fair play,’ - and the suppression of the horrible modern use of the - knife――and of this I am prepared to give proof. Bendigo says - he will not fight Caunt for less than £200, which sum I - presume he can find, or he, too, is carrying on ‘the game of - humbug.’ Caunt says he is equally ready to fight Bendigo, - but cannot come to his terms. Now to make short work of - it――if Caunt can get backed for £100, I will find another - £100 for him, and thus come to Bendigo’s terms. Let him - communicate with Jem Burn, in whom I have confidence, and - the money shall be ready at a moment’s warning. I wish for a - fair, manly fight and no trickery; and my greatest pleasure - will be to see the ‘best man win.’ In and out of the Ring - prize-fighters ought to be friends――it is merely a struggle - for supremacy, and this can be decided without personal - animosity, foul play, or foul language, all of which most be - disgusting to those who look to sustain a great national - and, as I think, an honourable game. - - “I am, &c., - “A MEMBER OF THE NEW SPARRING CLUB AT JEM BURN’S.” - -Brassey, however, was withdrawn from the controversy by an accident -beyond his own control. The magistrates of Salford, determining to -suppress pugilism so far as in them lay, indicted Brassey for riot in -seconding Sam Pixton in a fight with Jones, of Manchester, and, -obtaining a conviction, sentenced him to two months’ incarceration in -the borough gaol. He was thus placed _hors de combat_. - -Early in 1840 Bendigo was in London, with his head-quarters at Burn’s, -where Nick Ward exhibited with him with the gloves in friendly -emulation. The brother of the ex-champion, however, was averse to any -closer engagement. Bendigo returned to the provinces, and the next -week the public was informed that “Caunt’s money, to be made into a -stake of £200, was lying at Tom Spring’s, but nothing has been heard -from Bendigo!” The conjunction of circumstances is curious, for in the -same week the subjoined paragraph appeared, which records an accident -which certainly crippled Bendigo for the rest of his life. Indeed the -author, who at this period saw him occasionally, did not consider him -well enough to contend in the ring up to the time of his crowning -struggle with the gigantic Caunt. - - “ACCIDENT TO BENDIGO.――William Thompson, better known by his - cognomen of ‘Bendigo,’ has met with an accident which is - likely to cripple him for life. On Monday he had been to see - the military officers’ steeplechase, near Nottingham, and on - his return home he and his companions were cracking their - jokes about having a steeplechase among themselves. Having - duly arrived nearly opposite the Pindar’s House, on the - London Road, about a mile from Nottingham, Bendigo - exclaimed, ‘Now, my boys, I’ll show you how to run a - steeplechase in a new style, without falling,’ and - immediately threw a somersault; he felt, whilst throwing it, - that he had hurt his knee, and on alighting be attempted in - vain three times to rise from the ground; his companions, - thinking for the moment he was joking, laughed heartily, but - discovering it was no joke went to his assistance and raised - him up, but the poor fellow had no use of his left leg. A - gig was sent for immediately, in which he was conveyed to - the house of his brother, and Messrs. Wright and Thompson, - surgeons, were immediately called in. On examination of the - knee we understand they pronounced the injury to the cap to - be of so serious a nature that he is likely to be lame for - life. - -This serious mishap, which befell him on the 23rd of March, 1840, was -the result of those “larking” propensities for which Bendy was -notorious. It shelved our hero most effectually, leaving the field -open to Caunt, Nick Ward, Brassey, Deaf Burke, Tass Parker, and Co., -whose several doings will be found in the proper place. - -While Bendigo suffers as an _im_-patient under the hands of the -Nottingham doctors for more than two years, we shall, before again -raising the curtain, interpose a slight _entr’acte_ in the shape of a -little song to an old tune, then in the height of its popularity, “The -Fine Old English Gentleman;” of which we opine we have read worse -parodies than this, which was often chaunted in the parlour of Tom -Spring’s “Castle,” in Holborn, at various meetings of good men and -true, the patrons of fair play and of the then flourishing “Pugilistic -Association,” whereof Tom was the President, and “the Bishop of -Bond-street” the Honorary and Honourable Treasurer. - - - THE FINE OLD ENGLISH PUGILIST - - BY THE P.L. OF THE P.R. - - I’ll sing a song of days of old now vanish’d like the mist, - And may the fire of “Frosty Face” a modern bard assist - To pay the honours justly due to each Old Pugilist, - Who, not for filthy lucre, but for conquest, clenched his fist, - Like a fine Old English Pugilist, - One of the olden time! - - No plans of crossing robbery he ever deigned to hatch, - The honest backers to betray, or simple ones to catch; - But at a moment’s notice always ready for a match, - Whoever was the customer that dar’d him to the scratch, - Like a fine Old English Pugilist, - One of the olden time! - - Whate’er his size, whate’er his weight, he didn’t care a pin, - The science of his challenger, or colour of his skin, - But gallantly he went to work, regardless of the tin, - And though not certain of success he did his best to win. - Like a fine Old English Pugilist, - One of the olden time! - - Those were the days when Ben the Big and Johnson fought of old, - Mendoza, Humphries, Bristol Pearce, and both the Belchers bold, - That was, I mention it with pride, Pancratia’s age of gold, - When men, like cattle in a fair, were neither bought nor sold, - But shone true British Pugilists, - Men of the olden time! - - Then manfully within the ring each boxer kept his ground, - Bestowing wholesale pepper in each well-contested round; - And when the victory was proclaim’d, their brows with conquest - crown’d, - All anger, in a foaming pot, was in an instant drown’d, - Like fine Old English Pugilists, - Men of the olden time! - - But, ah, those hours flew swiftly by, of boxing annals bright, - And men began to do the thing that wasn’t very right, - And honesty from Pugilists prepar’d to take a flight, - For cross coves manag’d, as they pleas’d, to win or lose a fight, - Unlike brave English Pugilists, - Men of the olden time! - - Then censures on the fancy Ring on every hand were rife, - And beaks proclaim’d they’d put an end to Boxiana’s life; - And now, as a more gentle mode of settling points of strife, - We’ve introduc’d, God save the mark! the dagger and the knife; - Oh, for brave English Pugilists, - Men of the olden time! - - Now surely it were better far the Ring should thrive again, - And good Old English Boxing should a character maintain, - Than that assassination foul our annals still should stain, - And crimes best suited to the soil of Italy and Spain, - Unlike Old English Pugilism, - Milling of olden time! - -In 1842 Bendigo, maugre the advice of the medicos, made his way to -London, and, putting in an appearance at a “soirée” at Jem Burn’s, -solicited the honour of a glove-bout with Peter Crawley. Bendy’s -resuscitation was hailed with delight, and as he declared his -readiness to renew a broken-off match with Tass Parker, a spirited -patron of the Ring declared that money should be no obstacle. On the -Thursday week ensuing, Tass also being in town with his friends for -the Derby week, all parties met at Johnny Broome’s, and articles were -penned and duly signed. By these it was agreed that the men should -meet on Wednesday, the 24th of August, within twenty miles of -Wolverton, in the direction of Nottingham, for a stake of £200 a side. - -Parker having beaten Harry Preston, the game Tom Britton, of -Liverpool, and the powerful John Leechman (Brassey, of Bradford), was -now at the pinnacle of his fame. His friends, too, were most -confident, as Bendigo’s lameness was but too painfully apparent. Tass -offered to “deposit the value of Bendigo’s belt, to be the prize of -the victor.” The match went on until June 28th, when, £140 being down, -it was announced at the fifth deposit that the bold Bendigo was in -custody on a warrant issued by his brother (a respectable tradesman in -Nottingham), who was averse to his milling pursuits. The rumour was -too true. Bendy was brought before their worships, charged with -intending a breach of the peace with one Hazard Parker, and held to -bail to keep the peace towards all Her Majesty’s subjects for twelve -months, himself in £100, and two sureties of £100 each. - -During this interval, too, Ben Caunt had not been idle. He had beaten -Brassey on the 27th of October, 1840, after a long, clumsy tussle of -101 rounds in an hour and a half, as may be read in the memoir of -CAUNT. He had also lost a fight with Nick Ward, by being provoked to a -foul blow, and then beaten the same shifty pug. in May, 1841, -thereafter departing on a tour to America, after the fashion of other -modern champions. “Time and the hour wore on;” Bendy’s knee -strengthened, and Big Ben returned from Yankeeshire, bringing with -him, from the land of “big things,” the biggest so-called boxer that -ever sported buff in the P.R., in the person of Charles Freeman, -weighing 18st., and standing 6ft. 10½in. in his stocking feet. -Freeman’s brief career will be found in an Appendix to that of his -only antagonist WILLIAM PERRY, the Tipton Slasher. - -At the close of 1843 Bendigo once again disputed the now established -claim of Caunt to the proud title of Champion of England, when Brassey -also offered himself to Bendigo’s notice. The Bradford Champion, -however, does not seem to have had moneyed backers, and the business -hung fire. On the 14th February, 1844, we find the following:―― - - - VALENTINE FROM BENDIGO TO BRASSEY. - - Many happy returns of the Spring, bouncing Brassey, - I hope Fortune gives you no cause to complain, - That you’re right as a trivet, determined and saucy, - And ready for mischief with Bendy again. - - May I never again take a sip of blue ruin - If I love to see fair English fighting take wing; - ’Tis time for the “big ’uns” to up and be doing, - For bantam cocks only show now in the Ring. - - Then again for the laurel crown let us be tugging, - May fair play be always our motto and plan! - But Caunt I denounce, and his system of hugging, - A practice more fit for a bear than a man. - - As to Freeman, the giant――I don’t mean offending―― - His bulk and his weight may astonish the raw, - But when with Bill Perry, the Slasher, contending, - I’m bless’d if he showed any point worth a straw. - - Of falsehood I scorn the unclean manufacture, - My luck with good men always forward to try; - And but for my knee-pan’s unfortunate fracture - With the Yankee I wouldn’t have shrunk from a shy. - - Then, Brassey, come out if you truly mean milling, - And drop down your dust for a match if you dare, - And you’ll find Billy Bendigo ready and willing - To give you a sample of Nottingham ware. - - I’m anxious, bold Brassey, again to be busy, - And face a good fellow, true-hearted and tough; - And I’d cheerfully draw from my cly my last tizzy - To see two game pugilists stripp’d to the buff. - - But here I conclude, for my time’s up for starting, - And conscience is giving a sort of a shove; - But I just drop a hint, my good fellow, at parting,―― - If you can’t raise the needful, I’ll fight you for love. - -Brassey did not make a deposit, and Caunt, who was now settled at the -“Coach and Horses,” St. Martin’s Lane, seemed rather given to benefits -and bounce than boxing. - -The rest of the year was consumed in correspondence, in which Bendigo -demanded the odds offered and then retracted by Caunt, the latter -having, _ad interim_, a row, and ridiculous challenge from Jem Burn, -and an equally absurd cartel from a burly publican named Kingston, -whose eccentric antics will be noticed in the memoir of CAUNT. - -The year 1845 was, however, destined to see the eccentric Bendigo and -the ponderous Caunt brought together. All doubts and surmises were -silenced when articles were signed to the effect that on the 9th of -September, 1845, the men were to meet, Bendigo having closed, after -innumerable difficulties, with Caunt’s terms of £200 a side and the -belt. - -At the final deposit, on August 26th, at Tom Spring’s, the Castle -Tavern, Holborn, it was officially announced that both men were in -splendid condition. Bendigo had trained at Crosby, near Liverpool, -under the care of Jem Ward, and Caunt near Hatfield, in Hertfordshire, -where he was looked after by his uncle, Ben Butler, and by Jem Turner, -the D’Orsay of the Ring, besides being constantly visited by his great -friend and patron, the gallant Tom Spring. Caunt, who was now -thirty-three years of age, had scaled over 17st. when he went into -training, but on the day of the fight was reduced to a pound under -14st., the lightest weight he ever reached in any of his fights. -Bendigo, who was three years older, weighed 12st. 1lb., and was also -in the pink of condition. When articles were originally signed, on -April 17th, it was arranged that the fight should take place half-way -between London and Nottingham, but at the final supper this was -altered by mutual consent to Newport Pagnel, in Bucks. On the Sunday -Bendigo, Merryman, and Jem Ward arrived at Newport Pagnel, which led -to an immediate issue of a warrant, and Bendigo’s friends took him out -of the town to a neighbouring farmhouse. Caunt turned up in London, at -Spring’s, with his uncle, Ben Butler, on the Monday afternoon, in high -spirits, though remarkably thin. He had got rid of every ounce of -superfluous flesh, and was nothing but bone and sinew. Two hundred of -his handkerchiefs were sold, at a guinea each if he won, nothing if he -lost. He left by the four o’clock train for Wolverton, from whence he -proceeded, with Spring and other friends, to the “Cock” at Stony -Stratford. Newport Pagnel was full of the Nottingham division. The -“Swan” (Tom Westley’s) and all the other inns were filled to excess. -In the evening Spring went to the “Swan” to meet Bendigo’s friends to -settle the place. Bendigo wished to fight in Bucks; Spring had seen -constables with warrants, and wanted to take them to Oxfordshire, to -Lillingston Level, where Deaf Burke and Nick Ward fought in 1840. -There was a long disputation, but at last they agreed to toss. Jem -Ward, for Bendigo, won, and they chose Bedfordshire. In the morning -they again altered their minds, and determined to try Whaddon in -Oxfordshire. This ill-judged proceeding necessitated a ten miles’ -tramp to Whaddon, where the first ring was pitched. Meanwhile, at the -“Cock,” at Stony Stratford, the chief constable told Spring that -Whaddon was in Bucks, and that they could not fight in that county. -Spring sent off a messenger, but at first the Nottingham roughs would -not allow a move to be made; at last they started for another eight -miles’ walk to Sutfield Green. At half-past two a second ring was -formed, when there were at least 10,000 people present. The Nottingham -roughs, who were in great force, made an invasion, and drove all back -who would not buy Nottingham tickets. Spring, who had provided tickets -for the London men, had not yet arrived. At twenty minutes past three -the men entered the ring――Caunt first, attended by Molyneux the Black -and Jem Turner as seconds, Butler having charge of the bottles. -Bendigo was attended by Nick Ward and Jack Hannan, Jem Ward and Jem -Burn. They shook hands, and tossed for choice of corners. Caunt won, -and took the higher ground, with his back to the sun. Spring, in -compliance with the articles, produced Caunt’s belt, and handed it to -Bendigo to show it was the genuine article. He buckled it on in -bravado, and laughingly offered to bet Caunt £50 that he would win the -fight. Caunt declined; he evidently did not appreciate Bendy’s -funniment. The belt was then handed to Jem Ward to await the result. -There was another disputation about choice of referee. After various -names had been proposed on one side only to be captiously rejected on -the other, “t’Auld Squire”――the renowned George Osbaldiston――who had -retreated to his carriage to get out of the rush, was agreed to. At -first the Squire declined, but being pressed, and it being urged that -if he did not consent the match would not come off, he accepted. -Bendigo’s colours were blue with white spot――Caunt’s bright orange, -with blue border, the following inscription in a garter in -centre:――“Caunt and Bendigo, for £200 and the Championship of England, -9th September, 1845.” This was surrounded with the words, “May the -best man win!” - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Caunt threw himself into attitude erect and - smiling, whilst Bendigo at once began to play round - him, dodging and shifting ground in his usual style. - Caunt let fly his left, but missed. Bendigo, active on - his pins, retreated, and _chasséed_ left and right; at - last he crept in closer, then out again, till, watching - his opportunity, he got closer, and popped in a - sounding smack with his left on Caunt’s right eye. - After a few lively capers he succeeded in delivering - another crack with his left on Caunt’s cheek, opening - the old scar left by Brassey, and drawing first blood, - as well as producing an electric effect on Caunt’s - optic. (Shouts unlimited from Bendigo’s friends.) Bendy - got away laughing, and again played round his man. - Caunt got closer, missed an intended slasher with his - left, and closed for the fall. Bendy grappled with him, - but could not escape, and Caunt, by superior strength, - forced him down at the corner. - - 2.――Caunt up at the call of time, his cheek and eye - testifying the effects of the visitations in the last - round, Bendy dancing round him, and waiting for an - opening. Slight exchanges left and right, Caunt missing - his opponent’s head; Bendigo, in retreating to the - ropes, slipped down, was up again in a moment, and - dashed to his man. Wild exchanges, but no apparent - execution; Caunt hit out viciously left and right, - missed his kind intentions, and Bendy got down - unscathed. - - 3.――Caunt came up quiet, and determined on - annihilation. Bendy again played about him, but did not - get near enough for execution. After some wild passes, - Caunt missing, Bendigo, on the retreat, was caught in - the powerful grasp of Caunt, who threw him across the - ropes and fell on him, but no mischief done. (Shouts - from the roughs.) - - 4.――Caunt came up blowing, when Bendigo, after a little - dodging, popped in his left under his guard, and got - away. Caunt, determined on mischief, followed his man, - and at last getting to him let fly left and right, - catching Bendy with the left on the mouth slightly, but - missing his right. Bendigo finding himself in - difficulties got down, falling on the ropes, and - grinning facetiously at Goliath the Second, who walked - back to his corner. - - 5.――Caunt, first to lead off, drew on his man, but - Bendy retreated, Caunt after him, till he reached the - ropes, when Caunt hit out left and right, his blows - passing harmlessly over Bendigo’s head. There was a - want of precision in Caunt’s hitting not to be - accounted for with his supposed science. Bendigo, who - stopped rather wildly, got down. - - 6.――Caunt, first to the call of time, waited with his - hands well up, but blowing. We believe he was - over-trained, and really distressed thus early in the - struggle. Bendy manœuvred to the right and left; Caunt - approached him, but he retreated. Caunt let fly left - and right, but Bendy ducked his canister, and got down - with more caution than gallantry. - - 7.――Left-handed exchanges on the nobs, but of no - moment. Caunt made some desperate lunges left and - right, but was too high, and Bendy slipped down. - - 8.――Bendy, after a few dodges, got within Caunt’s guard - with his left, and gave him a pretty prop on the cheek. - Caunt missed his return, but, seizing Bendy in his - grasp, flung him over the ropes. Here he leaned heavily - on him, overbalanced himself, and fell over on his own - head, bringing Bendy with him, amidst loud shouts and - abusive epithets. Caunt fell at the feet of his - friends, Tom Spring and the editor of _Bell’s Life_, - the latter of whom was seated on that side of the ring - near the centre stake. - - 9.――Bendy came up full of glee, and played round his - man, watching for his opportunity to plant his left. - This at last offered, and catching Caunt on the old - wound he ducked his head to avoid the return, and got - down. - - 10.――More sly manœuvring by Bendy, who, after dancing - about at arm’s length, stole a march, and caught Caunt - a stinging smack with his left on the right cheek, - drawing more claret, and giving the big ’un more of the - tragedy hue. Caunt instantly closed, gave Bendy the - Cornish hug, flung him by main strength, and fell on - him. - - 11.――Bendy pursued his eccentric gyrations round his - man, when with the swiftness of lightning he popped in - his left on the jaw and right on the body, and fell. - Caunt, stung by these visitations, followed him, and - dropped on his knees close to his man, but luckily did - not touch him, and Bendy was picked up laughing and - uninjured; in fact, up to this time he scarce showed - the semblance of a hit beyond a slight contusion on the - lip and left ear. - - 12.――Bendigo retreated from Caunt’s vigorous charge - right and left, and slipped down, but instantly jumped - up and renewed the round. After some wild fighting, but - no execution worth recording, Bendy went down in his - corner, amidst cries of “Foul!” “Unmanly,” &c. - - 13.――Caunt, on coming to the scratch, let fly with his - left, just grazing the top of Bendigo’s scalp. A sharp - rally followed, and counter hits with the left were - exchanged, Bendy hitting Caunt with such terrible force - on the old spot on the right cheek that he knocked him - clean off his legs, thus gaining the first knock-down - blow, amidst deafening shouts from the Nottingham - roughs. Bendigo’s blow was so powerful that he actually - rebounded back against the stakes, and Caunt was picked - up almost stunned by the severity of the visitation. - - 14.――Bendy, elated with his handiwork in the last - round, again dashed in with his left, but not being - sufficiently quick in his retreat Caunt caught him - round the neck with his left and lifted him to the - ropes, and there hung on him till, in trying to escape - from his grasp, he pulled him forward, threw, and fell - heavily on him, amidst the indignant shouts of his - opponents. - - 15.――Bendy came up as lively as a kitten, while Caunt, - undismayed, came smiling to the scratch. Caunt plunged - in his left and right, but missed; he then seized his - man for the throw, but Bendy slipped round, and seizing - Caunt by the neck pulled him down. - - 16.――Bendy tried his left-hand dodge, but missed and - retreated. Caunt followed him up to his corner, hitting - out right and left, but throwing his hands too high. - Caunt grappled for the fall, but Bendy got down, Caunt - following suit, and as he sat upon the ground beckoned - Bendy to come to him. - - 17.――Bendy made himself up for mischief, and played - round his man for a few seconds, when, getting within - distance, he delivered a terrific hit with his left on - Caunt’s mouth, and fell. Caunt’s upper lip was - completely split by this blow, and the blood flowed - from the wound in torrents. (Renewed cheers from the - Nottingham division.) - - 18.――Bendy again came the artful dodge put in his left - on Caunt’s mouth, and fell. Caunt pointed at him, but - Bendy laughed and nodded. - - 19.――Bendy, more cautious, kept out Caunt rushed to - him, hitting out left and right, but with little - effect. Bendy retreated. Caunt caught him on the ropes, - and hung on him till he fell. (More shouting and some - threats at Caunt.) - - 20.――Caunt, anxious to be at work, advanced, while - Bendy retreated to the ropes, where he hit up with his - left, and slipped. Caunt turned his back, and was - retiring, when Bendy jumped up, and had another slap at - him. Caunt turned round and caught him under his arm as - he attempted to escape, lifted him to the ropes, and - there held him till he fell, amidst the cries of - Bendy’s friends. - - 21.――Caunt prompt to the call of time, his hands well - up, but Bendy again stole a march, popped in his left, - and slipped down to avoid a return of the compliment. - (Indignant expressions at Bendigo’s shifty way of - terminating the rounds.) - - 22.――Bendy was still free from punishment, and looked - as fresh as when he entered the ring, while Caunt, - although firm and active on his pins, showed heavy - marks of punishment on his frontispiece; his cheek had - a gaping wound, his lip cut, and eye and nose evincing - the consequence of Bendy’s sly but stinging - visitations. Caunt, impatient at Bendy’s out-fighting, - rushed to him left and right, but Bendy, unwilling to - try the weight of superior metal, slipped down, and - Caunt fell over him, but not on him, as his friends - anticipated, and as perhaps he intended. - - 23.――Both fresh. After a little dodging, advancing, and - retreating, Bendy again nailed Caunt with his left on - his damaged kissing-trap. Caunt caught him a slight - nobber on the head with his left, and Bendy got down. - - 24.――Bendy again played round his man till within - distance, when he popped in a heavy blow on the ribs - with his left, and got down without a return. There was - an immediate cry of “Foul!” and an appeal was made to - the referee. He hesitated, amidst tumultuous cries of - “Fair! fair!” and allusions to the size of Caunt. The - uproar was terrific, and the inner circle was - overwhelmed by the roughs from without rushing in to - enforce their arguments in favour of Bendy. At last the - referee decided “Fair,” and “time” was called. - - 25.――Nick Ward was here so overcome with his exertions - that he was taken out of the ring, and his office was - filled by Nobby Clark. The moment time was called, and - Bendy reached the scratch, Caunt rushed to him left and - right, and after slight and wild exchanges with the - left Bendy slipped and got down cunning. - - 26.――Bendy, after a little hanky-panky manœuvring, - popped in his left on Caunt’s mug, and retreated to the - corner of the ring. Caunt followed him with so much - impetuosity that he hit his hand against the stake. In - the close and scramble for the fall, Bendy succeeded in - pulling Caunt down, falling with him. - - 27.――Caunt on his guard, his hands well up. Bendy - stepped in, delivered his left on the old spot, and - dropped to avoid; Caunt shaking his finger at him as he - retired to his corner. Caunt’s right was visibly puffed - by its contact with the stake in the previous round. - - 28.――Caunt attempted to lead off with his left, but - Bendy retreated to the ropes, over which Caunt forced - him, and as he lay upon him, both still hanging on the - lower rope, Bendy hit up with his left. In this - position they lay, half in and half out of the ring, - till released by their seconds. - - 29.――Caunt let fly left and right, but he was short, - Bendy playing the shifty game. Wild fighting on both - sides, till Caunt fell on his knees. Bendy looked at - him, lifted his hand to strike, but he prudently - withheld the blow, and walked to his corner. (Shouts - from the Nottingham “Lambs.”) - - 30.――A rally, in which both fought wildly, Caunt - catching Bendy a crack over the right brow, from which - the claret flowed, and Bendy returning the compliment - on Caunt’s smeller. In the end Bendy slipped down, and, - on rising, a small black patch was placed on the - damaged thatch of his peeper. - - 31.――Bendy resumed his hitting and getting down system, - popping in his left on Caunt’s muzzle, and slipping - down. - - 32.――The same game repeated. Spring, indignant, - appealed to the referee; and Molyneux, in like manner, - called on the umpires for their decision; they - disagreed, and Molyneux ran to the referee. The roughs - again had their say. A blow was aimed at Spring’s head - with a bludgeon, which fortunately only fell on his - shoulder. It was a spiteful rap, and he felt the effect - of it for some days. The referee declared, however, - that he had not seen anything unfair, and Molyneux - returned to his man, and brought him to the scratch at - the call of time, amidst tremendous confusion, sticks - in operation in all directions, and many expressing - great dissatisfaction at Bendy’s unfair mode of - fighting, and the reluctance of the referee to decide - against him.[6] - - 33.――A short round, in which Bendy retreated, and - Caunt, following, caught him at the ropes and threw him - over, falling on him. - - 34.――Bendy again popped in his left, and threw himself - down (?) This was repeated in the two succeeding - rounds, but Bendy’s friends attributed it to accident, - and not design, and there was no adverse decision on - the part of the referee, whose position, amidst the - tumult that prevailed, was far from enviable. He must - have been possessed of no small nerve to have presumed - to decide against the arguments that were so - significantly shaken in the vicinity of his - knowledge-box, and to this must be attributed his - reluctance to give a candid opinion. [Partisan - writing.――ED. “Pugilistica.”] - - 37.――Bendy tried his hit and get-down practice, but - Caunt seized him round the neck, threw, and fell over - him. - - 38.――A wild and scrambling rally, in which Bendigo - caught it on the nob. After a scramble they fell, Caunt - within and Bendigo without the ropes, when each put his - tongue out at the other like angry boys. - - 39.――A slight exchange of hits with the left, when - Bendy went down laughing. - - 40.――Bendy popped in his left on Caunt’s ancient wound, - his right on the ribs, and slipped down. - - 41.――Bendy renewed his left-handed visitation, and was - retreating, when Caunt rushed after him, caught him at - the ropes, over which he threw him, and fell on him. A - blow was here aimed at Caunt’s head by one of the - roughs with a bludgeon, but it fell on Bendy’s - shoulder.[7] - - 42.――Exchanges of hits left and right, when Bendy got - down. - - 43.――Bendy manœuvred in his old way, delived a smashing - hit with his left on Caunt’s throat, and went down to - avoid a return. - - 44.――Caunt came up fresh, and rushed to the assault, - but Bendy got down. Caunt, indignant, jumped over him, - but luckily fell on his knees beyond him, without - touching him. It was assumed that he meant to jump on - him, and an uproarious appeal of “Foul” was made to the - referee, which, after much confusion, he decided in the - negative, and ordered the men to go on. - - 45.――Bendy renewed his Merry Andrew curvetings, and - tried his left, but Caunt seized him round the neck - with his right, and swung him twice round like a cat. - Bendy succeeded in getting the lock with his right leg, - when Caunt gave him a twist, threw, and fell heavily on - him, a little to the derangement of the Nottingham - heroes, who shouted vociferously. - - 46.――Caunt again succeeded in catching Bendy by the - neck under his powerful arm, threw, and fell heavily on - him, but at the same time came with great force against - the ground himself. - - 47.――Caunt led off with the left, catching Bendy on the - forehead. Bendy retreated, hit Caunt as he came in with - his left on his distorted phiz, dropped, and looked up - in derision. Appeal from this species of generalship - seemed now to be idle, and was not repeated. [He - slipped through Caunt’s hands, which he was entitled to - do.――ED.] - - The succeeding ten rounds were fought in the same - style. Little worthy of note occurred; each in turn - obtained some trifling advantage in the hitting or - failing but neither exhibited any disposition to say - enough, although we thought that Bendigo from his - repeated falls, began to evince symptoms of fatigue. - The confusion round the ring continued most annoying, - although, the ropes and stakes were still preserved - entire. Many persons, from the pressure of those - behind, were completely exhausted, and happy to beat a - retreat. For ourselves (Ed. of _Bell’s Life_) we had - repeatedly to bear the weight of some half-dozen - neighbours, to which the bodies of both Caunt and - Bendigo were occasionally added as they fell over the - ropes on us. During all this time the members of the - London Ring, with one or two exceptions (Macdonald and - Johnny Broome in particular), were perfectly quiescent, - and looked on with modest timidity, evidently afraid to - interfere with the “club law” of the Nottingham bands, - who were regularly organised, and obeyed the signals of - their leaders with a discipline worthy of a better - cause. [An impartial observation convinced us that - Caunt’s partisans quite rivalled those of Bendigo in - riotous ruffianism.――ED. “Pugilistica.”] - - 58.――Bendigo “jumped Jim Crow” round his man, tipped - him a left-handed smeller, and dropped without a - return. - - 59.――Caunt followed Bendy to the corner of the ring, - hitting out left and right, but without precision, and - certainly without doing execution. Bendy nailed him - with his left in the old style, and slipped down, but - instantly jumped up to renew the round. Caunt, instead - of stopping to fight, considering the round over, ran - across the ring to his corner, Bendy after him, till - they reached the ropes, and after a confused scramble, - in which Bendy used his left and right behind Caunt’s - back, both were down, amidst general expressions of - distaste at this style of fighting, but loud applause - for Bendy. - - 60.――Caunt no sooner on his legs than to his man, but - Bendy escaped his intended compliments left and right, - threw in his left on the mouth, and dropped, Caunt - falling over him. - - 61.――One hour and twenty-four minutes had now elapsed, - but there were still no symptoms of an approaching - termination to the battle; each appeared fresh on his - pins and strong; and although Caunt showed awful flesh - wounds on his dial, there was nothing to diminish the - hopes of his friends(!) Bendy exhibited but a few - slight contusions, and although, no doubt, shaken by - the falls, and his own repeated prostrations, he - appeared as active and leary as ever. Caunt, anxious to - be at work, rattled to his man, hitting left and right, - but Bendy retired, and fell back across the ropes. - - 62.――Bendy again on the retreat; Caunt after him, - hitting wildly and without precision left and right. - Bendy gave him an upper pop with his left, and slipped - down. Caunt was retiring, when Bendy jumped up again to - renew active operations, but Caunt dropped on his - knees, looked up in Bendy’s face, grinning, as much as - to say, “Would you?” and Bendy, deeming discretion the - better part of valour, contented himself with shaking - his fist and retiring to his corner. Spring here - remarked that jumping up to hit a man when the round - was over, and when he was unprepared, was as much foul - as striking a man down, and in this we perfectly - concur. [No appeal was made, but the Squire sent to - Clarke to caution his man that such conduct was - dangerous.――ED.] - - 63.――Caunt let fly left and right, but missed his - blows. Both slipped down on their knees in the struggle - which followed, and laughed at each other. In Caunt’s - laugh, from the state of his mug, there was little of - the comic. - - 64.――Bendy renewed his hanky-panky tricks, and trotted - round his opponent. Caunt rushed to him, but he - retreated to the ropes, hit up, and dropped, but - instantly rose again to renew the round. Caunt was with - him, but he again got down, falling over the bottom - rope; and Caunt narrowly escaped dropping with his knee - on a tender part. - - 65.――Bendy again dropped his left on the sly on Caunt’s - damaged phiz, and went down. Caunt fell over him, - jumped up, and retired to his corner. - - 66.――A slight rally, in which wild hits were exchanged, - and Bendy received a pop in the mouth, which drew the - claret. Bendy dropped on one knee, but, although Caunt - might have hit him in this position, he merely drew - back his hand and refrained. - - 67.――Bendy came up cautious, keeping _à la distance_ - for a few seconds, when he slyly approached, popped in - a tremendous body blow with his left, and dropped, as - if from the force of his own delivery, but evidently - from a desire to avoid the return. Caunt winced under - the effect of this hit, and went to his corner. - - 68.――Caunt quickly advanced to his work, but Bendy - retreated to the corner, waited for him, popped in a - slight facer, and, in a wild scramble, got down. - - 69.――Bendy threw in another heavy body blow with his - left, and was going down, when Caunt, with great - adroitness, caught him round the neck with his left - arm, lifted him completely off the ground, and, holding - him for a few seconds, fell heavily on him. - - 70-73.――Scrambling rounds, in which wild exchanges took - place, and Bendy slipped down as usual to avoid - punishment. - - 74.――Caunt to the charge, and Bendy on the retreat to - the corner, where he succeeded in flinging in his left - with terrific force on Caunt’s damaged cheek, and - dropped. - - 75.――Bendy again on the retreat, till he came to the - ropes, over which he was forced, Caunt on him. - - 76.――Caunt planted his left on Bendy’s pimple, and he - slipped down. - - 77.――A scrambling round, in which both hit wildly and - without effect. Caunt in vain tried to nail his man - with his right; he was always too high, and Bendy went - down. The uproar without the ring was tremendous, and - whips and sticks were indiscriminately applied. - - 78.――Bendy, after some dodging, delivered his right - heavily on Caunt’s body, and got down. It was a fearful - smack. - - 79.――Caunt led off with his left; Bendy ducked to - avoid; and in the close both were down. Bendy was too - cunning to allow his opponent the chance of the throw. - - 80.――Bendy made his favourite sly hit with his left on - Caunt’s smeller, and slipped down without the account - being balanced. “Time” was very inaccurately kept, a - minute, instead of half that time, being frequently - allowed. [The blame was alternately in each corner; the - seconds continuing their attentions to their men, - heedless of the call of the holder of the watch.――ED.] - - 81.――Bendy again displayed symptoms of fatigue, and was - tenderly nursed. On coming to the scratch, however, he - planted his left on Caunt’s carcase, and slipped down. - - 82.――Caunt led off. Bendy retreated to the ropes, and - fell backwards stopping, but instantly jumped up to - recommence hostilities, when Caunt literally ran away - across the ring, with his head down, Bendigo after him, - hitting him on the back of his neck. At length Caunt - reached his corner, and in the scramble which followed, - and in which Caunt seemed to have lost his presence of - mind, both went down, amidst contemptuous shouts at the - imputed pusillanimity of the Champion. - - 83.――Bendy, on the retreat, hit up; Caunt returned the - compliment on Bendy’s mouth with his left, and on Bendy - attempting to get down he caught him round the neck - with undiminished strength, pulled him up, threw him - over, and fell heavily on him. - - 84.――Bendy, on being lifted on his second’s knee, - showed blood from the mouth, and was certainly shaken - by the last fall; still he came up boldly, but - cautiously. Caunt rattled to him left and right, but he - retreated towards the stake, which Caunt caught with - his right as he let fly at him, and Bendy slipped down, - receiving a body tap as he fell. - - 85.――Caunt rushed to his man, but Bendy, on his - attempting to close, got down, unwilling to risk - another heavy fall. He was obviously getting fatigued - from his exertions and the excessive heat of the sun. - - The uproar was now greater than ever; the referee was - driven into the ring,[8] and the roaring and bawling in - favour of Bendigo and in contempt of Caunt were beyond - description. We [ED. _Bell’s Life_] were overwhelmed - again and again, and were with difficulty extracted - from a pyramid of our fellow-men by the welcome aid of - Jack Macdonald, our togs torn, and our tile quite - shocking. The exertions of Jem Ward and others enabled - them to restore the referee to his position, but he was - evidently in a twitter, and the whips and sticks often - reached within an inch of his “castor,” while they fell - heavily on the nobs of some of his neighbours. Several - “Corinthians,” who endeavoured to brave the storm, were - involved in the general _mêlée_, and had sufficient - reason to be disgusted with the conduct of the parties - towards whom they are always disposed to vouchsafe - their patronage, and who, as we have already said, with - few exceptions, looked on inactive. [These observations - are coloured, and form part of the “manipulation” - undergone by the “report,” as revised under the - suggestions and supervision of the Caunt and Spring - party. The ruin of their confident hopes was - impending.――ED.] - - 86.――The Nottingham hero came up nothing daunted, but - with an evident determination to continue to play the - old soldier. Caunt, as usual, evinced a desire to get - to his opponent, but the latter jumped away, and - waiting his opportunity threw in his left heavily on - the big’un’s eye, and, in escaping from the retort, - slipped down. - - 87.――Caunt, although so repeatedly hit, came up as - fresh and strong as ever (?) He was incapable, however, - of parrying the cunning dodges of Bendy, who again gave - him a stinging rap on the cheek, and, staggering back, - fell, amidst cries of “Foul,” and appeals from Caunt’s - friends to the referee; but in the din which prevailed - no decision was obtained. [They were both fencing for - “time,” and told by the Squire to “go on.”――ED. - “Pugilistica.”] - - 88.――Two hours had now elapsed, and still there was no - apparent approximation towards a termination of the - combat, while the confusion which prevailed round the - ring prevented anything like a dispassionate criticism - of the operations within. Bendy came up slowly, while - Caunt was evidently disposed to annihilate him, as - indeed his formidable fists induced every one to - believe he would have done long before, but Bendy - prudently kept out of distance until a slight opening - in the guard of Caunt enabled him to jump in and - deliver his left twice in succession, on effecting - which he slipped down, and looked up with a triumphant - leer at the mystified Champion. - - 89.――Bendy again made himself up for mischief, and, - cleverly avoiding Caunt’s attempt to reach him left and - right, delivered a heavy hit with his right on the - Champion’s ribs, which was distinctly heard amidst the - row; after which he dropped, and Caunt retired to the - corner. - - 90.――A close, and struggle for the fall, which Caunt - easily obtained, falling heavily on his adversary, and - his knee again happily escaped pressure on a vital - part. From Bendy’s shifty tactics it was impossible for - Caunt to avoid falling as he did. It, however, led to a - fresh appeal by Johnny Hannan, on the part of Bendigo, - and a contradiction by Molyneux on the part of Caunt. - The umpires disagreed, and the question having been put - to the referee, amidst a horrible outcry raised by both - parties, he decided “Fair,” declaring that there was - nothing intentional on the part of Caunt. - - 91.――A scrambling round. A close, in which, after - having delivered his left, Bendy contrived to get down, - amidst fresh cries of “Foul,” “Fair.” - - 92.――Exchanges of hits with the left, when Bendy, - stooping to avoid the repetition of Caunt’s blow, as he - was going down struck Caunt below the waistband and - near the bottom of his stomach. Bendy fell on his back - at the moment, while Caunt dropped his hands upon the - place affected, and fell as if in great pain. An - indescribable scene of turmoil ensued; shouts of “Foul” - and “Fair” escaped from “a thousand tongues――a thousand - pair of iron lungs,” many evidently influenced by their - desires and not their convictions. There is no doubt - that the blow, according to the rules of the Ring, was - foul; but that it was intentional we cannot say, as it - was struck when Bendy was in the act of falling. At - last the umpires, disagreeing, made the customary - appeal to the referee, who, almost deafened by the - roaring of the multitude, finally said he had not seen - the blow, and consequently could not pronounce it - foul.[9] The seconds immediately returned to their - principals, and the latter, time being called, - commenced the - - 93rd and last round.――The men were quickly at the - scratch, and Caunt commenced operating left and right, - catching Bendy slightly on the forehead. Bendigo was - forced back upon the ropes almost in a recumbent - position, but got up and was again knocked down, and - Caunt turned from him, considering the round had - concluded. Bendy, however, awake to every chance of - administering punishment, jumped up as he had done - before, and rushing after Caunt, who was half turned - from him, was about to let fly, when Caunt dropped on - his nether end, evidently disinclined to renew or - continue that round.[10] And now a final, and, as it - turned out, a decisive appeal was made to the referee - (not by the umpires, but by Jem Ward, Hannan, and - others), who, with very little hesitation, pronounced - the fatal word “Foul,” declaring that he considered - Caunt had deliberately violated the rules of the Ring - by going down without a blow, and had therefore lost - the fight. This verdict was hailed with the loudest - vociferations by the roughs, and Bendy, without further - delay, was borne off the scene of his unexpected - triumph by his partisans, and carried to his carriage - amidst reiterated acclamations. So sudden was this - issue to the affair that thousands were for some time - unable to discover who was the real victor, many - imagining that the foul blow in the previous round had - led to the decision being against Bendigo. It was only - by those immediately contiguous to the ring that the - true state of the case was known; and the mortification - and disappointment of the friends of Caunt, who stood - up immediately afterwards to renew the fight, were - beyond description. Caunt himself, as well as Spring - and his seconds, was incredulous as to the result, but - personal application to the referee, who had escaped - from the rabble, left no doubt on the subject. He - declared “he had seen Caunt go down without a blow, and - that upon his conviction of the unfairness of such - conduct, he had pronounced against him.” Spring - remarked that there had been clearly an exchange of - blows; that to all appearance the round had been - finished; and that when Caunt went down he did so from - a determination not to be taken by surprise or to renew - the struggle till “time” was again called. The referee - said, in answer, he was not aware of this fact, nor had - such a representation been made to him. He judged from - what he saw in the overwhelming difficulties in which - he was placed, and he had given his decision - accordingly. He had been chosen referee by both - parties, and he had accepted the office against his own - inclination. In discharging his duty he had done so - impartially to the best of his abilities, and certainly - had no bias in favour of one man or the other. What he - had said could not now be recalled, and therefore the - business was at an end. We must here repeat that the - umpires were not consulted, nor did they express any - difference of opinion. It was the duty of the referee - to have withheld his decision till properly appealed - to, not by the interested partisans, but by the - appointed officials, who were on the other side of the - ring from him, and could hold no immediate - communication with him. He ought to have been placed - between those persons. He was clearly bullied and - hurried into a premature judgment. Had he been allowed - to reflect, we are persuaded he would have hesitated in - pronouncing a fiat which the state of Bendigo rendered - almost indispensable to his success. - - The time occupied by “the battle,” such as it was, - according to our watch, when we could venture to have a - peep at it, was two hours and ten minutes. We do not - intend to speak to a minute, nor is a minute more or - less important on this occasion, few bets having been - made on “time,” and those certainly not having - reference to so long a period as that recorded. We - heard that long odds were taken that Caunt won in half - an hour, and others that Bendy would not be licked, if - at all, in one hour, and these are of course settled by - the issue of the fight, as well as the first blood and - first knock-down blow, both of which were properly - booked to Bendy. On Bendy reaching his carriage, we are - informed he was dreadfully exhausted from the - repetition of heavy falls to which he had been exposed, - as well as his own continued exertions under a broiling - sun; but his punishment being of comparatively a - trifling description, he soon recovered on the - application of proper restoratives. The only - perceptible marks of the visitations of Caunt to his - cranium were a cut over his right eye, a few contusions - of the cheek, mouth, scalp, and forehead, and a little - enlargement of his auricular organ. He was quickly - conveyed from the ground to his “quarters,” both he and - his friends highly elated at the result of their - operations. Caunt, on quitting the arena, although - displaying convincing marks of the severity with which - his opponent could use his mawleys, was strong on his - legs, but dreadfully mortified at having been thus - suddenly stripped of his laurels, and deprived of the - proud distinction which he had so long held. Spring, - who had throughout acted as his _fidus Achates_, was - not less mentally depressed; he was “dead beat,” not - only from his incessant exertions to procure “fair - play” throughout the fight and the cowardly assaults to - which he was exposed, but from a perfect conviction - that the decision against his man was not only - premature, but utterly opposed to the rules of the - Ring. He lost no time in returning with Caunt to the - Cock, at Stony Stratford, and the great event of the - day having been concluded, the immense multitude - followed suit. The scenes exhibited on the road home - were of the most extraordinary description. Every house - of entertainment was besieged, and the call for swizzle - so continuous that many of the best-filled cellars were - exhausted, and even water at last became an acceptable - luxury to those who never pretended to be patrons of - the hydropathic system. We have neither time nor space - however to dwell on these vicissitudes, and shall - proceed at once to offer such general observations as - the events of the day seem to warrant. - - REMARKS.――Upon the character of “the Great Fight for - the Championship of England,” we have no doubt our - readers have formed their own opinions. During the last - thirty years it has been our fate to witness almost - every important battle in the P.R., but we confess, - although we have occasionally had to record - transactions of the most discreditable description, and - to administer castigation to wrong-doers in no measured - terms, the proceedings on Tuesday far exceed in - enormity anything we had before witnessed. - - With regard to the pretensions of the two men who took - so prominent a part in the day’s proceedings, few - remarks are necessary. Caunt, although a big man, and - possessed of great physical strength, does not possess - the attributes of an accomplished boxer. He is - deficient in science, and wants the art of using the - gifts of nature with that tact and precision which are - calculated to ensure success. There was a wildness and - indecision in his deliveries which prevented his doing - execution, and the major part of his blows either flew - over Bendigo’s head or were short or wide of their - destination. Had he been steady and self-possessed, and - hitting at points, this would not have been the case, - and did he understand the perfect art of self-defence, - four-fifths of the punishment he received might have - been avoided; but he left himself open to attack, and - thus his opponent was enabled to plant on him with - stinging severity. With a man of his own bulk the case - might have been different; and perhaps there are few if - any of the present day who would prove superior to him - in fair fighting. - -Our own opinion of the fight may be gathered from the few brief notes -we have bracketed in the report. The immense amount of assertion and -rejoinder which filled the sporting papers for weeks was “flat, stale -and unprofitable.” The stakeholder being served with legal notice to -return the stakes, the referee (George Osbaldiston, Esq.) wrote thus -to that gentleman:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――An appeal having been made to me, as referee, by Mr. - Spring, to reverse my decision in the late fight between - Bendigo and Caunt, on grounds unworthy of my consideration, - I request you will confirm that decision by paying over the - stakes to Bendigo, who, in my opinion, is justly entitled to - them. It was with the greatest reluctance, and at the - particular request of my friends and the unanimous - solicitations of the backers of the men, that I accepted the - office; but I shall always consider it one of the greatest - acts of folly I ever was guilty of in my life. In - discharging my duty I endeavoured to do justice to the - contending parties to the best of my abilities and judgment; - and, arriving at the conclusion I did, and now confirm, I - was actuated only by a complete conviction of the justness - of my decision, and not by the intimidation of the roughs, - as stated by Mr. Spring in his letter.” After some further - remarks in reply to Spring, the referee goes on to - say:――“Had I been under the intimidation of the ‘roughs’ I - had several opportunities of putting an end to the fight - before the conclusion by foul acts on the part of Caunt. A - noble lord, and several gentlemen who stood close by me - during the whole fight, can corroborate this statement. I - most positively deny that I stated to any one that a man - going down without a blow, after he himself had - treacherously delivered blows, was fair. In no one instance, - in my judgment, did Bendigo break the laws of fair fighting. - I must also deny, in the most positive manner, that I ever - stated to any person that I did not see the last round. I - saw every round distinctly and clearly, and when Caunt came - up the last round he had evidently not recovered from the - 92nd. After the men were in position Bendigo very soon - commenced operations, and Caunt turned round directly and - skulked away, with his back to Bendigo, and sat down on his - nether end. He never knocked Bendigo down once in the fight, - nor ever got him against the ropes in the last round. In my - opinion Caunt got away as soon as he could from Bendigo, - fell without a blow to avoid being hit out of time, and - fairly lost the fight. - - “I am, your obedient servant, - “THE OLD SQUIRE. - “Doncaster, Sept. 18th, 1845.” - -In 1849 the Championship was certainly at a low ebb. Con Parker, a big -brother of Tass, so it was publicly said, challenged the distinction, -after beating Jem Bailey in a scrambling fight in February of that -year, and received a forfeit from the Tipton Slasher in September. He -was a great, hulking pretender, of 6ft. high, and about 13st., but his -pretensions were quickly snuffed out by Tass Parker (weight 11st. -8lb.), who showed at Frimley Green, on November 26th, in 27 rounds, -that Master Con had no points of a fighting man about him. Con went to -America, and died soon after suddenly. As Tass declined to call -himself Champion, there was literally no Champion at all. In this -interregnum, at the beginning of 1850, the bold Bendigo called upon -the editor of _Bell’s Life_, and declared that sooner than the title -should be so knocked about he would once more do battle for the honour -of the Ring. He then left £10 with the editor as an earnest that he -was ready to meet any man in England, for £200 a side, half-way -between home and home. At the same time it was stated that Bendy and -Caunt had met, shaken hands, and buried the past in oblivion. Caunt -had undertaken to stand a portion of Bendy’s battle-money, fight whom -he might, and Bendy, to prove his sincerity, had presented Caunt with -the belt with which he had been girded by Jem Ward after his defeat of -the Deaf ’un. The Nottingham challenge was not long unanswered. Caunt -and Bendigo, the new Orestes and Pylades, took, three weeks -later――namely, February 4th, 1850――a joint benefit at the National -Baths, Westminster Road. - -Now, Johnny Broome had, _ad interim_, stated publicly that he had an -unknown whom he was ready to back against Bendy for his own sum. -Accordingly, after a friendly glove-bout with Harry Broome, Tom -Paddock came forward, and announcing himself as Johnny’s “Unknown,” -declared his readiness to post, and make a match with Bendy for £200 a -side. Peter Crawley responded, and £30 was staked, the next meeting to -take place at Peter’s house, the “Queen’s Head and French Horn,” -Smithfield, on the next Tuesday. This merely produced a stormy meeting -upon details, deposits, and a stakeholder, and a further adjournment -to another night, to meet at Jem Burn’s. Here the matter was finally -adjusted, and accordingly the men met on the 5th of June, 1850. - -It was much to Bendigo’s credit that on this occasion he took unusual -pains with his training, and came to the post in prime fettle, -looking, as a friend said, “fresh as a four-year-old,” though verging -on his fortieth year. When we saw him we felt some misgiving about the -stability of his damaged knee; he walked unmistakably lame, and the -whole left side was evidently lower than the right. - -The articles provided that the fight should take place, as nearly as -possible, half-way between London and Nottingham――the stakeholder to -name the place. The recollection of former events in which Bendy had -been concerned led to some difficulty in making a selection, and after -much consideration it was determined that Mildenhall Road Station, in -the county of Suffolk, should be the fixture, that place being, by -road, rather nearer to Nottingham than to London; but, as it turned -out, the travelling by rail gave the advantage to the London -party――the Nottingham folks having to make three changes before they -reached the ground, while the Londoners proceeded direct. - -Due notice of the place was given to the parties interested on the -Tuesday week before the mill, and they made such arrangements as best -suited them. A special train was announced to start from Shoreditch -Station at precisely eight o’clock on the morning of fighting. It was -resolved only to have first and second class carriages, and that the -fares should be £2 and £1 respectively for conveyance “there and -back.” Third-class carriages were rejected to prevent the obtrusion of -persons whose presence is invariably productive of disorder. Public -notice was given of this arrangement, and on the morning in question, -the weather being in every way desirable, the arrival, in rapid -succession, of cabs, &c., in which an unusual number of Corinthians -were perceptible, evinced the spirit that was abroad. - -We must now turn to Bendigo. It would seem that during the previous -week his Nottingham friends had come in great numbers to visit him at -his training quarters, and being of the rough class, and not very -particular when out for a spree, they contrived to create so much -prejudice in the minds of the quiet and easy folk of the -neighbourhood, that an application was made for a warrant to apprehend -Bendigo on his way to the battle-field, and this warrant was placed in -the hands of a constable for execution. Bendigo had previously shifted -his quarters, and taken up his abode at the house of a staunch friend, -whence, on Monday, he proceeded to a station eight miles from -Nottingham, intending thence to depart for the scene of action. Here -he was recognised by a “blue,” and an attempt was made to take him -into custody. Bendy, however, being on the alert, broke from the grasp -of the Philistines, and rushed through the house in which he was to a -back yard, locking the door as he retreated. He then scrambled over -some pig-sties, reached the open country, and by a circuitous route -gained the main road, where a fly followed, picked him up, and -conveyed him on his course. Police were mounted as quickly as -possible, but too late to overtake the fugitive, who reached Newark, -posted on to Stamford, where he slept, and on Tuesday evening reached -in safety the Railway Tavern at Mildenhall, where he took up his -quarters for the night, thus safely evading the trap which had been -laid for his detention; and here he was found, surrounded by a good -many friends, on the arrival of the metropolitan division. - -An admirable inner and outer ring were formed on a spot about a -quarter of a mile from the station, and few meetings had taken place -in modern times at which there were so many persons of rank and -consideration assembled. The total number of spectators was under -2,000, and the partisans of the men were pretty evenly balanced. - -Soon after twelve o’clock, Paddock, who had been reposing under some -shady trees, approached the scene of action, and, flinging his tile -into the ring, was received with loud applause. It was nearly one -o’clock before Bendy put in an appearance. He seemed in perfect good -humour, but exhibited none of those antics by which his early career -was distinguished. He was quiet and easy in his deportment, and -submitted himself to the guidance of Jemmy the Black and Jack Hannan. -Paddock was escorted into the arena by Solid Coates and Macdonald. -There was a grim smile upon his countenance. He approached Bendy, and -they shook hands with apparent cordiality. Bendy pulled a roll of bank -notes from his pocket, as if intending to challenge his opponent to -make a bet, but this Paddock declined. The toss for choice of corners -was won by Bendy, and to the surprise of many he selected that in -which he had to stare old Sol in the face; and perhaps his solar -majesty never put forth a more glowing phiz, for in truth it was -“phizzing” hot throughout the day, and the shades of umbrellas were -sought for the protection of both men, who seated themselves on the -ground in their respective corners, while the usual discussion arose -concerning the selection of a referee. This knotty point led to a -variety of difficulties. Several persons, noblemen and gentlemen, were -suggested and rejected, and at last serious apprehensions were -entertained that there would be no fight. Finally, the representative -of _Bell’s Life_, who had twice refused the office, was induced, -rather than spoil sport, to waive his own feelings on the subject, and -to undertake a duly as unpleasant as it proved to be dangerous. - -The men then commenced their toilettes. They fought in sparrow-bills -instead of the objectionable spikes. On being completely peeled, their -condition and physical pretensions were open for general criticism. -Bendigo appeared extremely well in health, but thinner than usual, his -weight not exceeding 11st. 9½lb., being 2lb. less than when he fought -Caunt. His face also looked thinner, and, it could not be denied, -betrayed the advance of time, and although not an old man, when -compared with Paddock he certainly might be pronounced a veteran -warrior. He was very quiet, and evidently foresaw that he had his work -to do――work which he resolved to perform for the last time with as -much acuteness as his experience could suggest. Paddock looked as -fresh and fit as his best friends could desire. His face presented a -glow of florid health, and there was nothing superfluous about his -frame. Immediately beneath his drawers was a strengthening plaister, -which seemed to cover his loins. He stood much taller than Bendigo, -over whom his length of reach appeared to give him a decided -advantage. Regarding the general appearance of the two men, -the current seemed strongly to run in favour of youth; but, -notwithstanding this apparent discrepancy, two to one was offered on -Bendigo. The customary overtures having been adjusted, time was -called, and the men appeared at the scratch. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――At twenty minutes to two the men were in - position, Bendigo right foot foremost, with his arms - close to his chest, and waiting for the attack. - Paddock, on the contrary, had both arms stretched out - before him, evidently, to our judgment, too much so to - admit of heavy delivery. He made two or three steps - forward, as if to commence the attack, but Bendy - stepped back. Paddock exhibited great anxiety to get to - work. Bendigo shifted his ground and got away. They - played round each other in this way for a second or - two, when Paddock came to a standstill, crossed his - arms on his breast, and looked thoughtfully at the - “old’un.” At last Paddock commenced his long-armed - operations, and both flung out their feelers left and - right, but without getting home. They fought wildly, - and missed their blows. In the close Paddock was down, - Bendy on him; but the trifling taps which reached their - persons would not have ruffled the wing of a butterfly. - - 2.――Paddock quick to the scratch, impatient to get to - work; and slight taps were exchanged, Bendy on - Paddock’s body, and Paddock returning the compliment - with his right. It was a scrambling affair, and the - round ended in Bendigo getting down. - - 3.――Paddock again rushed to the charge with more - impatience than judgment, popped in a slight slap with - his right on Bendy’s nut, and was following up his - tactics, when Bendy pirouetted round. Paddock pursued - him with resolution, and as he was on the retreat let - fly with his right, which, catching Bendy on the ribs, - tumbled him down, amidst the cheers of the Redditch - representatives. (First knock-down for Paddock.) - - 4.――No sooner was “time” called than Paddock rushed to - the scratch, his arms still too much in advance. - Bendigo adopted the dodging system, retreating from his - man, and got away. Paddock, however, would not be - denied, hit out wildly left and right, Bendigo covering - his head with both arms, and again turning round on the - pirouetting principle. Paddock fought fast and wild, - but without precision. Bendigo, equally abroad, hit out - twice, but missed his destination, and in the close - went down. - - 5.――Paddock up and at it still, but without the - judgment of a good tactician. He missed left and right, - but rushed on with such vigour that Bendigo was again - obliged to retreat with a twirling evolution, and in - avoiding Paddock’s wild pursuit got down――Paddock - pointing at him with his finger with contempt. - - 6.――Bendy came coolly to the scratch, looking as - cunning as an old fox, and prepared for the attack. He - had not long to wait, for Paddock, with his usual - impetuosity, dashed to his work, Bendy getting away. - Paddock followed him up till they reached the ropes, - and a hasty rally followed, when Paddock popped in his - left and right, the latter on Bendy’s ear. Bendy - returned the compliment, hit out left and right, caught - Paddock on the left eyebrow, and dropped. First blood - was now claimed for Bendy, a slight tinge being - perceptible on Paddock’s left eyebrow. - - 7.――Paddock again as quick as lightning to the scratch, - and after some wild but very ineffective exchanges, - Bendy went down. As he lay Paddock held his foot above - his body, as if intending to scrunch him; but luckily, - whatever might have been his wishes, he had discretion - enough to resist the momentary impulse. - - 8.――Paddock no sooner up than at it; Bendy on the - retreat, and twirling round to avoid his resolute - pursuer. Paddock followed him till they closed at the - ropes, over which Bendy fell, Paddock on him. - - 9.――Paddock again too hastily to business, when, after - some wild exchanges, they closed. Paddock grappled his - man, and, as he held him in his left arm, chopped his - nob with his right, till he slipped down on his nether - end. - - 10.――Paddock pursued his fast tactics, but so wild were - the deliveries on both sides that no serious mischief - was done; and in the close, in trying for the fall, - they were both down, Bendy uppermost. - - 11.――Paddock hit short with his left; Bendy got away. - Paddock would not be denied, delivered his left and - right, and closed, when after a severe struggle - (Paddock chopping with his right) Bendigo was thrown - over the ropes. On getting up blood was perceptible on - the left brow of Bendigo; so far, therefore, the - punishment was pretty much upon a par. - - 12.――Paddock impatiently rushed to his man, hit wildly - with his left, and closed at the ropes. A short - struggle; both down, Bendy undermost. - - 13.――Paddock, quick to work, gave the “old ’un” no time - for reflection, dashed at him left and right, tumbled - him over the ropes, and fell on him. The youth and - vigour of Paddock up to this time seemed to have put - all Bendy’s memorable tactics at defiance, and although - nothing had been done to produce a sensation in the way - of punishment on either side, the manner in which Bendy - retreated from his opponent, which was so utterly - unexpected, produced a strong feeling to his disfavour, - and those who had so freely backed him in the first - instance, turned round and laid against him; in fact, - six to four was offered on Paddock. - - 14.――The quickness of Paddock’s onslaughts obviously - set Bendigo’s bellows in motion; he was, however, ready - at the call of “time,” and met the coming charge with - determination. Some heavy hits were exchanged, Paddock - catching the lion’s share. In the close there was a - desperate struggle for the fall, during which Bendigo, - to resist the throw, caught Paddock round the face with - his right, amidst a cry of “He’s gouging him.” It was - asserted that he was endeavouring to force his fingers - into his eye, but it was not so. His hand was against - Paddock’s bleeding cheek. In the end Bendy was down, - Paddock on him. Complaint was made to the referee of - the alleged gouging, but the evidence was not - sufficient to justify any interruption of the fight on - that account. - - 15.――Paddock was not to be restrained; he rushed across - the ring, delivered his left twice, and Bendigo, in - getting away, fell. - - 16.――The fighting on the part of Paddock was still at - railway speed, not a little exhausting to both men in - the heat of the sun. Bendy fought on the get-away - principle, and after some wild exchanges Paddock - slipped down, Bendy falling over him. - - 17.――A determined rally, in which heavy hits were - exchanged; Bendy catching it on the nob and nose, from - whence the blood trickled. They stood well to their - work, Paddock never flinching, and in the end Bendy was - down. - - 18.――Paddock, as resolute as ever, rushed in left and - right; his hands were, however, too far from his body, - and his execution not effective. Bendigo waited his - opportunity, and popped in his right on Paddock’s - cheek, on which he made another incision. A scrambling - rally followed, which ended in Bendy being down. The - fighting was the reverse of scientific, and as wild as - at a country fair. - - 19.――Paddock, so impatient was he to be at work, rose - from his second’s knee before time was called. Bendigo - dodged from his corner, but in getting away slipped - down without a blow. He was evidently playing the old - soldier and reserving his strength, while Paddock was - putting forth all his energies. The referee called on - Paddock’s seconds to check his impetuosity, and to - prevent his running over the scratch to meet his man. - - 20.――Paddock, to time again, dropped on Bendy’s nob - with his right twice in succession. Bendy down and - threw up his hands; the fighting was too fast for his - taste, and the young one would not be denied; still on - Bendy’s frontispiece there were few marks of - punishment, save on his left ear, which was - considerably swollen from Paddock’s occasional pats. - - 21.――Another ferocious onslaught by Paddock; wild hits - were exchanged in Bendy’s corner, where he dropped. - - 22.――Paddock, as usual, first to work, but Bendy - succeeded in planting a left-handed stinger on - Paddock’s cheek-bone, drawing more claret. A rally in - the corner; both down, and Bendy undermost. - - 23.――Bendigo waited for Paddock’s charge, and gave him - a heavy counter-hit with his left. A rally followed, in - which Bendy popped in his right three times in - succession on Paddock’s ribs. Paddock was not idle, - and, in the close at the ropes, continued hammering - away with his right as Bendy fell on the ropes. A cry - of “Foul,” but the referee decided “Fair.” Bendy had - not reached the ground. - - 24.――A scrambling close, in which both were down; not - much mischief done. - - 25.――Paddock to business, and after some trifling - exchanges Bendy got down on the saving system. - - 26.――No time lost; Paddock up and ready, when Bendy - rattled in and delivered a terrible smasher on - Paddock’s smeller, and fell. More claret from Paddock, - and cries of “The old ’un’s not beaten yet.” - - 27.――To business in earnest. Paddock got home slightly - with his left. Bendy down in getting away, when Paddock - followed him and delivered an upper-cut with his right; - and as he was getting away, Bendy jumped up, retorted, - and a desperate rally followed, in which heavy hits - were exchanged. Bendy down and up again. Bendy - ultimately down. Paddock had lost control over his - temper, and was wild with excitement. The punishment to - both was severe, although not so perceptible on Bendy, - from the blows being delivered on the side of his head - and ear. - - 28.――Paddock got home with his left on Bendy’s optic, - and Bendy fell. - - 29.――Bendy no sooner at the scratch than dropped by a - delivery from Paddock’s right on the side of the head. - - 30.――Paddock, more impatient than ever, darted across - the ring to his man, hit left and right with his - customary wildness, and repeating the dose with his - left; Bendy down. The fight had now lasted thirty-five - minutes. - - 31.――Wild fighting; Bendy down to avoid. - - 32.――The fighting all one way. Paddock rattled in left - and right as before, not giving Bendy time to arrive at - the scratch, and almost before “time” was called - delivering his one, two. - - 33.――On Bendigo the marks of punishment were not - prominent, and he was as cool and quiet as ever. - Paddock delivered left and right, and Bendigo fell. - - 34.――Paddock in left and right, as heretofore. Bendigo, - retreating, fell back under the ropes. Paddock dropped - on him with his knees. Another appeal of foul rejected, - on the plea that Paddock’s fall was unavoidable. - - 35.――Again did Bendy fall, after Paddock had delivered - slightly left and right. This dropping system of - Bendy’s created a strong feeling of disgust, but it was - clear that he was out-fought, and could not resist the - vigorous attacks of his antagonist. He was obviously - “biding his time.” - - 36.――A wild but rattling rally. The men fought and - closed at the ropes, over which Bendy hung, Paddock - peppering away at him from above. Another appeal of - foul, which the referee again rejected, to the danger - of his life. Several of the Nottingham division - threatened him with their sticks, charging him with - gross partiality, and asserting that the fight had been - lost over and over again. The referee repeated his - caution to Paddock’s friends to restrain his - impetuosity and keep his temper. - - 37.――A lively rally, in which some wild hits, left and - right, were exchanged. Both were down. Another appeal - was made, on the ground that Paddock had been using - turpentine and resin on his hands, contrary to the 27th - rule of the Ring, by which it is provided “that the use - of resin be deemed foul.” A suspicion existed that - Paddock had been provided with resin in a dissolved - state before the fight commenced, and a protest was - entered against its use. Paddock was brought to the - referee for examination, and there could be no doubt - that his hands had been smeared with resin, but whether - put on before the fight commenced, or after, could not - be proved. The referee pronounced that such practice - was foul, but, in the absence of direct evidence - ordered that his hands should be washed, and that the - fight should proceed――much to the renewed distaste or - Bendigo’s friends, whose exclamations of partiality - were vociferous. - - 38.――The delay occasioned by this examination gave an - opportunity for Bendigo to recover his second wind, and - come fresher to the scratch, for on time being called - he waited steadily for his man, and on his coming in - met him with a tremendous hit with his right on the - bridge of the nose, drawing his cork in a most decided - manner; the blood came trickling from his proboscis in - a purple stream, and, after a short rally, both were - down. The last hit made a decided turn in “the affairs - of man,” and more especially in the minds of Bendy’s - patrons, who cheered lustily. - - 39.――Bendigo again made himself up for mischief, and - after stopping Paddock’s one, two, he delivered three - loud sounding whacks on his ribs, which were heard all - round the ring. A wild rally followed, and Bendy was - down. The betting was now evens; Bendy was taken for - choice. - - 40.――Bendy came up like “a giant refreshed.” He clearly - saw he had brought his man to his level. He met him as - he came bouncing in, stopped, closed, grappled for the - throw, and fell on him. Renewed shouts from the - Nottinghamites. - - 41.――Paddock came up, the claret still dripping from - his nose. A wild rally, a close at the ropes, and Bendy - down. - - 42.――Paddock, on getting into his corner, dropped his - head as if stung by hits recently received. Still he - obeyed the call of “time” as game as a pebble. Bendy, - who had also reposed in his corner, got up fresher on - his pins, waited for him, again parried his left and - right, and once more delivered three heavy body blows - with his left, and fell laughing. - - 43.――Bendy up at the usual summons, and steady. Paddock - impetuously rushed to the attack, Bendy meeting him - left and right as he came in. Paddock hit away left and - right, forced him back on the ropes, and fell on him. - - 44.――Again, after a short struggle at the ropes, did - Paddock fall over Bendy. - - 45.――A wild rally, in which there were some flying hits - exchanged, but Paddock wanted steadiness――he was too - impatient――and Bendy played the part of Master Reynard. - In the close Paddock was down. - - 46.――The heat of the weather began to tell on both, and - each showed symptoms of fatigue. After a short pause - there was a lively rally, in which Paddock received - another visitation on the left cheek, and Bendy was - down. - - 47.――A slight rally, in which exchanges were made, - Bendy getting home with his left and going down - smiling. - - 48.――Six and seven to four were now offered on Bendy, - but no takers. The fight had lasted fifty-seven - minutes. Paddock had lost none of his precipitate - propensities; he rattled to his man, still fresh on his - legs, but wild and passionate. Bendy retreated, Paddock - after him, and Bendy, in avoiding, fell. Paddock struck - him as he was down, and just brushed the top of his - head with his right. Another cry of “Foul,” but the - referee considered Paddock could not restrain the blow, - and the appeal was once more rejected, and another - urgent caution given to Paddock’s seconds to prevent - his throwing a chance away. - - 49, and last.――Bendy waited for his man, but did not - wait long. Paddock was with him, and, after an exchange - of blows, Bendy fell on the lower rope, which, from - being loose, let him down on the ground, and in this - position, with his hands up, Paddock deliberately hit - his man with his right on the side of the head twice. - The last and final appeal was then made, and the - referee had now no other option than to pronounce - “Foul,” being perfectly satisfied that the man was on - the ground when the blow was given. - - The decision, of course, produced a great uproar among - the losers; and, on Bendigo coming up to have it - confirmed, Paddock, who had completely lost his temper, - and while he was not offering the slightest resistance, - hit him down almost at the feet of the referee. Thus - ended this most unsatisfactory battle, with little - credit to Bendigo, although strictly in accordance with - the 14th rule of the Ring――“That a blow struck when a - man is thrown or down shall be deemed foul.” There were - those, of course, who repudiated the decision of the - referee, and who, perhaps, without the same opportunity - of seeing the real state of the men, considered that - Bendy was not actually on the ground. There was not the - slightest doubt, however, that he was seated on terra - firma, with both his arms spread out, and his legs - flat; and in this position Paddock, in the absence of - that caution which the referee had so repeatedly - recommended, foreseeing what would happen, committed - the fatal mistake which ended in his chances being put - out of court. It was thought by some that he struck - foul for the express purpose of terminating his - labours. - - The confusion which followed was immense. The friends - of Paddock were, of course, clamorous, and highly - incensed at the disappointment of their hopes. There - was, however, no help for it; the decision was strictly - in accordance with rule, and although certainly - mortifying could not have been otherwise if the laws - were to be obeyed, added to which, Paddock had been - over and over again cautioned against suffering his - temper to get the better of his judgment. It is said - that his seconds urged him to go in; this might be the - case, but they should also have impresed upon him――if - he were capable of guidance――what must be the sure - result of intemperance, on which Bendigo and his - coadjutors no doubt relied. However provoking it might - be for Bendigo to get down to avoid mischief――too much - the practice of pugilists of modern times――in Bendigo’s - case might be justified by the superior strength and - length of his antagonist. It does not follow that the - breach of a clear rule is to be overlooked. Indeed, the - reader can hardly fail to perceive that the referee was - slow to decide against Paddock where he had any excuse - for palliating his errors. These were considerations, - however, which did not weigh with the angry party; they - followed the referee out of the ring with volumes of - abuse, and finally one of the gang (Long Charley Smith, - of Birmingham) stealthily came behind him, and with a - bludgeon dealt him a terrific blow on the back of the - head, which for a moment paralysed him. Fortunately Tom - Spring, who was behind, and heard the blow, turned - round to prevent a repetition of the cowardly assault - (narrowly escaping a similar compliment intended for - himself by another ruffian), and the assassin fled, - although his companions, also well known, remained to - applaud the act with the consoling exclamation of - “Sarved him right.” The effects of the concussion were - serious, and subjected the sufferer to some - inconvenience, probably to the triumph of those by whom - it was abetted. Mr. Vincent Dowling was not one likely - to seek redress for an act which no man, however sunk - in degradation, in his moments of cool reflection can - approve, and which certainly could receive no sympathy - from the lovers of fair play. - - REMARKS.――Of the character of the fight we cannot speak - in terms of praise. Bendigo was clearly overmatched; it - was old age opposed to youth, vigour, and - determination. In the early rounds of the fight he - found his mistake. He could not withstand the impetuous - rushes of the young’un, whose tactics were to bear down - all the shifty dodges of his opponent, and this he did - with a vengeance, and with a precipitation altogether - at variance with sound discretion, although, for a - time, Bendigo’s knowledge of the art was set at naught - by it. The rapidity of the rounds――49 in 59 - minutes――will show that there was little time for - reflection on either side. Bendy soon discovered that - he had “caught a Tartar,” and not, as he imagined, “a - yokel.” Physically he was incapable of resisting the - avalanche of sinew and bone which poured upon him, and - as the only resource he had recourse to the distasteful - practice of getting down, when he found destruction - inevitable. This all practitioners will pronounce - perfectly consistent with rule; as no man can be - expected, for the mere gratification of the spectators, - to submit to punishment if he can avoid it by legal - expedients. The editor of _Bell’s Life_ is candid - enough to admit that he had a prejudice against - Bendigo. We may add that the reading of his report of - Bendigo’s third fight with Caunt fully shows this. For - his own sake, and that of his friends, it was Bendigo’s - duty to make the most of his knowledge and strength, - and to husband whatever powers he possessed. This he - did to the best of his ability, and had the worst of - the battle, as the betting would show, till Paddock, by - his own headstrong career, began to exhibit the effects - of his own folly; he was, in fact, reduced to the level - of his crafty antagonist, who, the moment he saw his - time, came out with his reserve, and the blows which he - then administered were of stinging effect, quickly - perceptible by the judges, who, foreseeing the storm - approaching, turned round to get out of their - difficulties, and, from being a non-favourite, Bendigo - soon had the call at six to four. The effects of this - change were obvious; Paddock became still more wild, - and rushed to his work without temper or reflection, - although repeatedly called to by the referee to be - careful in avoiding that which was easily foreseen, - viz., the delivery of a foul blow. More than once was - he saved from the consequences of his precipitation by - the indulgence of the referee; there were doubts of - which he had the benefit, to the personal risk of the - referee; and yet at last he fell into the trap which - was laid for him, and left to the referee no other - option than to pronounce judgment against him――a - judgment which was given with reluctance, but, as every - impartial witness of the battle must acknowledge, with - justice. - -With regard to the state of the men, we may mention that Paddock -reached London, per special train, the same night, little the worse -for wear, with the exception of his swollen mazzard and damaged snout. -The same night, however, it was discovered that he had seriously -injured his right hand, which he had to submit to surgical inspection, -and for some weeks he wore his arm in a sling, and his hand protected -by a splint. - -Bendigo remained at the “Railway Tavern” till the London trains had -departed, and in due course commenced his return, with his friends, to -Nottingham, where he arrived the same night by the express train. His -success had been telegraphed, and an immense crowd assembled to hail -his return――a band of music being prepared to strike up “See the -conquering hero comes.” He proceeded to his brother’s house, where, -upon examination, his injuries appeared more serious than had been -supposed. In a fortnight after the battle Bendigo came to town and -received the battle-money at Jem Burn’s, when he declared in a formal -manner his intention of finally retiring from the ring. Hereupon the -Tipton Slasher, who was present, and who had recovered from his -illness, again laid claim to the Championship, offering to meet any -man in England for £200 to £300 a side, or to fight Tom Paddock and -stake £350. This led to a match for £150 a side, but this ended in a -draw. A second match was soon after arranged, which came off on the -17th December, 1850, at Woking, the details of which will be found in -the history of the career of the Tipton Slasher. - -This time Bendy kept his word, and thenceforward confined his -eccentricities to occasional outbursts at Nottingham elections and -other occasions of public holidays and festivities. In some of these -escapades he afforded considerable amusement to the public, and -employment to the pens of provincial reporters, by the mother wit of -his defence, or the ludicrous aspect he imparted to the results of his -fistic or gymnastic evolutions. After some solemn promises of -amendment made to their worships, and a pledge to Father Mathew (he -was never a sot), we heard of Bendy’s “conversion,” and of his -appearance in the white choker (he always wore the straight hair) of a -dissenting preacher. On the occasion of a visit to London, in which he -was introduced to a congregation of the faithful at the Holborn Circus -(turned for the nonce into a conventicle), a good story is told of “a -keen encounter of the wits” between the ex-pugilist and a noble lord -who met the preacher in a West-end thoroughfare. After a mutual stare -of surprised recognition, his lordship inquired, glancing at Bendy’s -parsonic “get-up,” what might be his “little game” now. As befitted -his new vocation, the solemn reply was, “Truly, my lord, I am now -fighting Satan――and behold the victory shall be mine.” “I hope so, -Bendy,” rejoined his lordship, “but pray fight Beelzebub more fairly -than you did Ben Caunt, or I may change my side.” - -A final word on the much-disputed nickname of Bendigo. Of course, as -people generally invent some plausible meaning or derivation for a -word they do not comprehend, we were told (first, I believe, by an -Australian paper) that “Bendigo was the name given to an English -prizefighter from his _bending as he went in to fight_. Hence called -Bend-I-go.” Prodigious etymologist! We never saw any such _bend_ in -Bend-i-go, or any other pugilist, though we have heard of “a Grecian -bend” in a lady. - -William Thompson was, as we have already noted, one of three boys at a -birth, and these, among people irreverently familiar with the use of -Scripture names, were called (though not at the baptismal font), -Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A curious confirmation of this is now -before us in our hero’s first challenge, in _Bell’s Life_, in 1835, -wherein he styles himself “Abednego, of Nottingham.” Yet ever -afterwards that journal prints the popular vernacular corruption of -“Bendigo.” In this matter of Abednego do we not find―― - - The breath of chance, the bubbles of the present, - Fraught with no meaning to the duller sense, - Foreshow and shape our dark and unknown future? - -The Abednego of Nottingham, who nearly half a century ago was “ready -to meet any 12st. man,” is now, in 1880, “articled” to floor the -“Prince of Darkness” himself, who――we have Shakespeare’s word for -it――is every inch “a gentleman.” - -Thus far had we penned our memoir of the eccentric pugilistic -preacher, when an _annonce_ in the London journals informed the -public, that on Monday, the 23rd of August, William Thompson (alias -Bendigo) had died at Beeston, near Nottingham, in the 69th year of his -age. His death was the result of an accident, he having fallen -downstairs at his own house, and fractured three of his ribs, a bony -splinter perforating the lung. Poor Bendy, as we have already stated, -was always fond of acrobatic tricks. A severe accident some years -since while playing at quoits, a broken knee-cap, which permanently -shortened his right leg, and, subsequently, a serious injury to his -head, while in pursuit of “the contemplative man’s recreation,” bear -witness that his talent for knocking a man about extended to his own -person. In all probability, but for these untoward mischances, “the -Bold Bendigo” might have added another to the many Champions of the -P.R. who have exceeded the Psalmist’s limit of “three score years and -ten.” - - - [2] Ponderous Parliamentary blue-books, election petitions, - “Reports” of Committees of the House, bear abundant - testimony to the frays and feuds of the “Nottingham Lambs,” - from the sacking of Clumber and the burning of Nottingham - Castle to the street and faction fights of this turbulent - town. - - [3] “Natura tenacissimi sumus eorum quæ pueri percipimus, ut - sapor, quo nova vasa imbuuntur, durat,” says the old heathen - tutor of Nero. - - [4] If Burton, of Leicester, is meant, he was then 11 years - old. His first fight was with a native of Swindon, in May, - 1845. - - [5] Burke’s performance of “The Venetian Statues” was highly - popular in America and England. - - [6] This is a gratuitous and unjust imputation on a most - honourable sportsman. The writer on this eventful day sat on - a small form, immediately by the side of the Squire, - throughout the whole fight. Caunt was, unless a chance hit - or fall had turned the tide, a beaten man thus far.――ED. - “Pugilistica.” - - [7] We saw this, but believe it was meant for the man who - was hit.――ED. “Pugilistica.” - - [8] There was great confusion, but the referee rose from his - seat and went to Bendigo’s corner of his own accord, and - without obstruction. The partisans of the men were equally - violent.――ED. “Pugilistica.” - - [9] As we made a full note of every round of the fight, the - perusal of this in the following Sunday’s paper astounded - us.――ED. “Pugilistica.” - - [10] We firmly believe, from his position near the centre - stake, on the grass, that the editor of _Bell’s Life_ was - unable to see clearly what passed, that he was compelled to - trust to others for the actual incidents of these later - rounds, and that he was designedly misled.――ED. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -BENJAMIN CAUNT (CHAMPION). - -1835-1857.[11] - - -Benjamin Caunt, like his noted opponent Bendigo, was a native of -Nottinghamshire. He was born on the 22nd of March, 1815, at the -village of Hucknall Torkard, his parents being tenants of Lord Byron, -the poet, a fact of which the huge, unsentimental Ben in after-life -was fond of boasting. His father having been engaged in some humble -capacity at Newstead, Ben had some traditions of the wayward genius, -more or less apocryphal. According to his own account (he was -certainly a first-rate shot) his earliest employment was as gamekeeper -or watcher; his Nottingham opponents insisted on his having been a -“navvy.” His size and strength might well fit him for either -occupation, his height being 6ft. 2½in., and his weight 14st. 7lb. - -Caunt appears at an early age to have aspired to pugilistic honours, -and acquired some local reputation by being victor in a couple of -battles, of which, however, we have no reliable details. His first -recorded contest is, therefore, his encounter with William Thompson, -of Nottingham, on the 21st July, 1835, near Appleby House, Notts, when -he had just completed his twentieth year, wherein he was defeated by -the greater experience, shifty tactics, and superior boxing skill of -the afterwards famous Bendigo. (See BENDIGO, Chap. I., page 6, -_ante_.) - -Caunt’s next appearance within the ropes was attended with better -fortune. On the 17th August, 1837, he met and defeated a local -celebrity, William Butler, at Stoneyford, Notts, in fourteen rounds, -for a stake of £20 a side. In this battle his opponent, a 12-stone -man, was beaten by weight, strength, and resolute, though by no means -scientific, fighting. - -In like manner Boneford, a big one, was polished off in six rounds by -“Young Ben,” at Sunrise Hill, Notts, in November of the same year. - -In the interval his former opponent had been rapidly rising in fistic -fame. He had defeated Brassey, of Bradford (May 24th, 1836), Young -Langan, of Liverpool (January 24th, 1837), and Bill Looney, another -big one (June 13th, 1837). - -These exploits could not fail to attract public attention, and the -patrons of the P. R. were anxious to bring the antagonists together -once again, an anxiety fully shared by Caunt and Bendigo themselves. - -“Where there’s a will there’s a way,” so in this case preliminaries -were arranged with much greater facility than in after-times. The -stakes were posted to £100 on each side, and the day, Monday, April -3rd, 1838, fixed for the encounter, the field of battle to be in the -neighbourhood of Doncaster. - - [Illustration: BENJAMIN CAUNT, CHAMPION 1842.] - -As a record of times and manners, and modes of travel, we shall give a -sketch of how and in what company the representative of _Bell’s Life -in London_, then, _quâ_ the Ring, the only sporting “oracle,” was wont -to make his way to distant battlefields, ere the steam steed had -rendered the mail coach, the “Highflyer,” the “Red Rover,” the “Age,” -_et hoc genus omne_, obsolete as public conveyances:―― - - -As “Sheffield, or within 100 miles thereof,” was the mysterious -“fixture” for the big tourney, on Saturday evening, at half-past -seven, we threw ourselves into the Glasgow mail, on our route to -Doncaster, between which town and Selby we had the “office” the affair -was to be decided. Adventures in stage-coaches have often afforded -topics for amusing detail; but we confess, from the laborious duties -which fall to our lot to perform, private as well as public, every -week of our lives, the last day, or rather the last night, of the week -is not the one we should select as that most propitious to collect -materials (if such materials were wanting) for filling a column in our -ensuing publication. In taking our place in the mail, therefore, we -looked forward rather to the enjoyment of an occasional snooze than to -the hope that we should discover any subject on which to dilate at a -future period, whether as to the character of our fellow-travellers, -the general appointments of the “drag,” or the peculiarities of the -coachmen or guards――of the former we had four, and of the latter two, -in the course of the journey――and these we will at once dismiss, by -stating, at the outset, that they did their duty admirably――taking -care, as “in duty bound,” to seek the usual mark of approbation by -farewell hints in the common-place terms of “_I leave you here, -gentlemen_”――in other words, “_tip_” and “_go_”――a laconic mode of -address which by all travellers is well understood, however coolly -appreciated when spoken at an open door on a cold frosty night, as -that night of Saturday was, and at a moment when you may perhaps have -been dreaming of the “joys you left behind you.” Quietness and repose -being our first study, we soon placed our hat in the suspending-straps -at the top of the mail, and our travelling-cap over head, and then, -quietly reclining in the corner with our back to the horses, waited -for the “start” from the yard of the “Bull and Mouth.” We found one -old gentleman had taken his seat before us, who subsequently followed -our example in taking the same side of the coach with ourselves, and -was not less careful in guarding himself against the chilling -influence of a hard frost. A third gentleman soon after joined us, and -thus, “_trio juncta in uno_,” we were whirled round to the Post -Office, St. Martin’s-le-Grand, whence we shortly commenced our journey -at a slapping pace. On reaching Islington, a fourth passenger, of -colossal size, filled up the vacant seat. Few words, if any, were -spoken; and the only interruption to the monotony of the night’s -travel was the frequent popping out and in of the last-mentioned -gentleman to comfort his “inward man” with “drops of brandy,” with -which he so perfumed our “leathern convenience” on his return that if -we were as sensitive as some Frenchman of whom we have heard (who -dined upon the effluvia of the good things he could not otherwise -enjoy) we should certainly have been “pretty jolly” before he took his -leave of us at peep of day. His departure gave occasion for the first -indication that our companions were gifted with the power of speech. -Their words were few, and these only had reference to the “spirited” -propensities of the gentleman who had just vacated his seat. On this -there could be no difference of opinion, and consequently no -argument――so that we soon relapsed into the appearance at least of -sleep, which we maintained with great perseverance till a brilliant -sun shining through the ice-covered windows called forth a remark on -the fineness of the morning. This, to our surprise, for we thought -ourselves _incog._, was followed by a remark of recognition from the -third gentleman who had entered the coach at the “Bull and Mouth,” and -who, alluding to quick travelling, recalled to our mind some feats of -this sort in which we had been engaged in the course of a twenty -years’ connection with the Press. The ice once broken, conversation -commenced, with apparent satisfaction to us all, the venerable -gentleman on my right joining, and contributing as well as exacting -his proportion of information on all manner of topics――public men and -public measures, and the public Press, forming prominent subjects of -remark, upon all of which our friend on the right seemed agreeably -conversant. We soon discovered that our opposite neighbour was going -to Leeds, to and from which town he was a frequent traveller; but -respecting the other we could form no opinion. Regarding ourselves our -secret had been divulged, and we stood forward the confessed -“representative of _Bell’s Life in London_.” Sporting of various -descriptions opened new sources of gossip, and here we found “the -unknown” as much at home as ourselves. It came out, in fact, that he -had been a breeder of racehorses, and a patron of the Turf for -pleasure, but not for profit――that he had been steward at Newmarket, -and that, in fact, he knew all the leading Turfites of the age, and -was familiar with all the recent important events on the Turf. All -this led us to surmise that he was “somebody,” but who, we confess, we -did not attempt to speculate. We found him a most pleasant associate, -and with that we were content. Upon the subject of our own trip to -Doncaster we were silent, for we considered that was “nothing to -nobody.” The Ring as connected with our British sports was but -slightly alluded to――and against the objections that were made arising -out of the late fatal issue of the combat between Swift and Brighton -Bill, we argued it was a casualty purely the result of an accident, -which might have occurred on any other athletic competition in which -no personal animosity existed, and wound up by saying that there was -one unanswerable argument even to the opponents of prizefighting, that -as by them the principals were invariably considered worthless and -deserving of punishment, in becoming the instrument of punishing each -other, they were only fulfilling the ends of justice, without the -necessity of legal interference. We referred, of course, to the recent -painful exhibition of the frequent use of the _knife_, and the strong -remarks which the increasing extent of this treacherous mode of -revenge had called from the judges; but upon these points our unknown -friend, as we take the liberty of calling him, did not seem disposed -to break a lance, and the subject dropped. At last we reached -Grantham, where our fellow-travellers forewarned us we should have an -excellent breakfast, and certainly one served in better taste or in -greater profusion we never enjoyed. Here we met in the same room the -Quaker member for Durham (Mr. Pease), on his way to the north, between -whom and “the unknown” there was a friendly recognition, but we still -made no effort to lift the veil by which he was enshrouded. On again -taking our seats in the mail, we were alone with the old gentleman, -our Leeds friend having mounted the roof, so that we had it all to -ourselves. The chat was as pleasant to us as before――new topics were -broached, and the description of the localities through which we -passed――the “Dukery” (a sort of concentration of ducal seats), -&c.――afforded us both amusement and information. Now, for the first -time, when conversation flagged, on watching the physiognomy of “the -unknown,” we imagined there was a meaning smile on his countenance, -which seemed to say, “This fellow does not know to whom he is -talking,” and we confess we began to try back and see whether we had -said anything to which exception could be taken; and more especially -whether anything had dropped from us whence the intent of our journey -could be collected; for we began to suspect we had been talking to a -_beak_, who was going down expressly to spoil sport, and who was -chuckling within himself at the disappointment we were sure to incur. -But all was safe――we had kept our secret, and from anything that had -dropped from us everything was as “right as the day;” indeed we -dismissed the thought of treachery from our mind, and we are now glad -we did so, for it would have been most unjustly adopted; for, although -a _beak_ of the first magnitude was in truth before us, we are -persuaded he had no sinister feeling towards us or the sport we -anticipated. But we have spun our yarn longer than we had intended, -and will come to the _dénouement_ at once. We now rattled into the -clean and quiet town of Doncaster with the customary flourish of the -horn, and reached the “Angel” safe and sound. As we had collected that -our companion was going no further, we were satisfied our doubts as to -his real character would soon be removed; they were, sooner than we -expected; for scarcely had he stepped forth when “MY LORD!” was -congratulated on his safe arrival. My lord! thought we, and following -his example, our first effort on stretching our cramped limbs was by a -respectful touch of our _tile_ to acknowledge the honour we had -enjoyed――an honour, by-the-bye, which confirmed us in the good old -maxim, “Where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be wise.” An answer to -a simple question soon put us in possession of the “great secret.” It -was to a noble Baron who was about to preside at the Pontefract -sessions we were indebted for a pleasing relief to a tedious journey; -and while we acknowledge his lordship’s kindness and urbanity, permit -us to add that there was not a sentiment uttered by him in our -presence to which we do not heartily respond. We are sure it will be -gratifying to our _milling_ readers to hear that although the fight -which has given occasion for this episode was announced to take place -in the district of Pontefract, formerly represented by a _milling_ -member,[12] neither our noble companion nor any of his sessional -coadjutors offered any interference. - -At Doncaster we had our “_tout_” (we hope he will excuse the use of a -professional title), for whom we immediately sent, but he was -profoundly ignorant of the all-important place of rendezvous――a fact -at which we rejoiced, as it was clear the necessary secrecy had been -observed. However quiet at Doncaster, at Sheffield, Nottingham, and -all the surrounding towns, even to Manchester and Liverpool, all was -bustle and commotion. The Fancy, of all degrees, were on the alert, -and the roads, on Sunday evening, leading to Doncaster, were thronged, -not only with pedestrians, including no small proportion of -“hard-ups,” but with vehicles of every imaginable description――flies, -phaetons, gigs, and fish-carts, all laden to dangerous excess, and -with a perfect disregard to the qualities of the horses engaged in the -service; it seeming to be an admitted principle that on such occasions -the _tits_ were not only “warranted sound and free from vice,” but -masters of any indefinite proportion of weight. As Doncaster was the -grand _débouche_ through which the cavalcade must necessarily pass -towards the “fixture,” the innocent inhabitants were soon enlightened -respecting the approach of some extraordinary event, the character of -which was quickly divulged. The whole night long the rattle of wheels, -the pattering of horses’ feet, and the shouts of the anxious throng, -proclaimed the interest which was felt, and the wild spirit which was -abroad. “The Selby road!” was the cry; and on crossing the Don, at the -foot of the town, a short turn to the right threw the nags into the -right direction, to the no small gratification of the collector at the -turnpike gate, although rather to the discomfiture of many who had the -“bobs” to “fork out;” but fights are of rare occurrence nowadays, and -for such a luxury expense is no object. - -Askerne, or Askeron, a neat little village seven miles from Doncaster, -on the Selby road, celebrated for its sulphurous spring――which rises -from a fine piece of water called Askerne Pool, and which is much -visited by patients afflicted with rheumatism and other diseases――was -the first grand halting-place, and here, at the “White Swan,” had -Bendigo, under the _surveillance_ of Peter Taylor, of Liverpool, taken -up his abode. In and about this house an immense multitude had -assembled. Caunt had travelled further afield, and at the “Hawke -Arms,” a new inn about two miles further, had pitched his tent, -attended by young Molyneaux, the black, his honoured parent, and -divers other staunch and sturdy friends. The ring was formed in a -field a short distance from the road, about half way between the -“Swan” and the “Hawke,” by the Liverpool Commissary, and all looked -well. Soon after ten o’clock we made our appearance at the “Swan” in a -post-chaise, and drove up to the motley group in front of the house. -Our appearance was no doubt suspicious, and from the scowling looks of -some of the “hard-ups” with whose private signs we were unacquainted, -we were evidently regarded with more fear than affection. At last, -recollecting that we had seen Izzy Lazarus down the road, and knowing -that he is regularly installed as a publican in Sheffield, we asked -for him, in order that he might be our cicerone to his friends. The -“poy” soon made his appearance, being a full stone heavier than when -he left town, and recognising us, he made known the agreeable -intelligence that “’twas t’editor of Bell’s Loife in Lunnon”――an -announcement so unexpected, and apparently so agreeable, that when we -descended from our trap we verily believe the sudden appearance of a -hippopotamus would not have excited more astonishment. “What,” cried -one, “is that t’editor of Bell’s Loife? Well, I’m dom’d if I didn’t -take un for a gentleman!”――while another declared he “thought it were -summat worse, for he took un for a _beak_, or summat o’ that koind.” -Our opinion was not asked as to our notions of these critics; but -certainly had we been put to our oath we should have said they were -some of the “unwashed from the Hardware Country,” who had come thus -far to perform their ablutions in the Pool of Askerne――a ceremony -which the dust of the roads, and the hasty manner in which they had -performed their toilets preparatory to their “stopping up all night to -be up early in the morning,” rendered requisite. - -We did not wait to bandy civilities, but proceeded direct to the -dormitory of Bendigo, whom we found, like a bacon sandwich, -comfortably encased between two slices of flannel, vulgarly called -blankets. It was the first time we had the honour of an interview, and -we made our salaam with due reverence, while the object of our embassy -was duly announced by Peter Taylor. Bendigo appeared uncommonly well, -and was in high spirits. He is a rough, handy-looking fellow, very -muscular, and as we were informed weighed but 11st. 10lb. His seconds, -we were informed, were to be Taylor and Nick Ward, and, judging from -his manner, he seemed to have booked victory as already secure. To all -present we enjoined the expediency of getting early into the ring, as -there was a gentle whisper before we left Doncaster that the -constables were on the alert. From the “Swan” we proceeded to the -“Hawke,” where our presence was not less a matter of surprise. We soon -obtained an introduction to Caunt, who was assuming his fighting -costume. He expressed his joy at seeing us, but proceeded _sans -cérémonie_ with the adornment of his person. His father sat by his -side, and if having a gigantic son is a source of pride he has -sufficient to render him doubly so, for the hero of the day proved to -be a fine young fellow, two-and-twenty years of age, standing six feet -three inches in height, and weighing fifteen stone and a half, -apparently active, strong, and full of confidence. Comparing him with -Bendigo, it was a camelopard to a nylghau; and yet Bendigo was the -favourite at five and six to four――a state of odds which seemed -unaccountable when the disparity in size was considered. Having here -also urged the wisdom of taking time by the forelock, we returned -towards the ring, which by this time was surrounded by a most numerous -and heterogeneous crowd, many of whom carried sticks of enormous size, -and presented aspects which to eyes polite would have been far from -inviting. We knew, however, that “rough cases often cover good -cutlery,” and we were not disposed to form our opinion from the -outside alone, and more especially when we were aware that many of -these hardy ones had toddled the whole way from Sheffield or -Nottingham, or places equally distant, to witness the prowess of their -favourite champion. - -The adage of “the cup and the lip” was in this case, as in many others -before, again illustrated, for just as we were about to enter the -field some half-dozen horsemen rode up, and in an authoritative manner -forbade, not the banns, but the fight, in terms, however, so -persuasive and agreeable that it was impossible to be angry: in fact, -there were so many doubtful-looking sticks performing evolutions in -the air, and so many grim visages watching those evolutions, that -their worships (and they proved to be veritable J.P.’s, attended by a -posse of constables well mounted) evidently thought that the _suaviter -in modo_ was the safest game, and therefore, while they indicated -their determination to preserve the peace, they assured the mobocracy -they would not do more, provided the combatants “mizzled out of the -West Riding.” Some were for bidding defiance to legal authority so -weakly supported, but Jem Ward, who now came up, assured their -_beakships_ that due respect should be paid to their behests, and with -this assurance a mutual feeling of confidence was established. - -The men were now in their respective carriages in the main road, -waiting for the “office,” when Jem Ward, who assumed the friendly -character of director, after consulting with persons well acquainted -with the localities, determined that the next move should be to -Hatfield, about seven miles distant, and within a short run of -Lincolnshire. This he publicly declared to be the final resolve, and, -sending a horseman to the Commissary and the men, started forthwith -for his destination, to prepare a suitable and unobjectionable spot. -He was attended by Young Langan, who carried Bendigo’s fighting-shoes, -Hackett, who was to have been Caunt’s second, and a numerous cavalcade -of charioteers and horsemen, who reached the “Bell” at Hatfield in -quick time. Had his arrangement been adopted all would have gone off -well, but unfortunately there were too many masters and too little of -system. A new leader sprang up in the person of Grear, the sporting -sweep of Selby, who, being perfectly well acquainted with the -localities of the country, as well as anxious to take the fight nearer -his own quarters, led the way towards Selby, followed by a prodigious -crowd, and, from some misunderstanding, by the combatants in their -carriages. The new commander gave hopes that the ring might be formed -before they reached the Ouse, which divides the West from the East -Riding, but although several attempts were made it was no go, for the -constables kept up with the vanguard, and the passage across the Ouse -became indispensable, many of the company in the rear――horse and foot -as well as charioteers――falling off dead beat. Those who were able to -keep up their steam, however, crossed the bridge over the Ouse into -Selby pell-mell, to the no small astonishment of the inhabitants, and -the crowds of market people who were assembled with their wares. One -old lady, almost petrified at such a sudden incursion, in great -agitation inquired what had brought so many “gentlemen” into the East -Riding. “Oh,” said a wag, “there’s a rebellion in the West, and we’re -all driven over the river.” “Lord help me,” cried the old lady, “I -live at Ricall, and ye’ll eat us all up!” - -Grear, undismayed, pushed on, and knowing every inch of the country, -did not halt till he got nearly four miles beyond Selby, when he -turned down a romantic lane to the left, opposite Skipworth Common, -and in a large field a few removes from the main road, near the bank -of the river, the ring was, with great labour, formed; and the crowd, -which had received fresh accessions from the town of Selby and -surrounding country, collected round it. There were but few of the -original followers able to reach this distant point, and thousands -were thus deprived of the object of their long and wearisome journey, -as well as dissatisfied with a move which, had Ward’s directions been -obeyed, would have brought them nearer home, with a more certain -chance of proceeding to business without interruption. - -“What cannot be cured must be endured;” and Ward, as well as his -unfortunate companions, had only to console themselves with the cold -consolation of having been made “April fools.” Among others to whom -the change was productive of unforeseen enjoyment were several members -of the Badsworth Hunt, who came up in scarlet, headed by Captain B., -one of the right sort, who backed Bendigo at six to four, with a -well-known sporting whip, “wot drives the London mail,” and whose -mackintosh cape formed no disagreeable recommendation to the Captain, -by whom it was borrowed at “shent. per shent.” interest. Having taken -breath, all prepared for action, and the ring was beaten out with as -much effect as so sudden and unceremonious an assemblage would permit. -The men entered the ring about half-past four o’clock, Bendigo taking -the lead, attended by Peter Taylor and Nick Ward; he was in high -spirits, but on calling for his spiked shoes, it was “all my eye,” for -they had unfortunately been sent on to Hatfield, and thus he had the -disadvantage of adopting less suitable “crab-shells,” a circumstance -which did not seem, however, to disturb his equanimity. Caunt then -came forward, waited upon by Young Molyneaux and Gregson. On -_peeling_, as we have before stated, their condition seemed admirable, -and the flush of expected victory animated their “dials.” Two umpires -and a referee having been chosen, all was ready, and then commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On setting to, the gigantic size of Caunt, as - he stood over his antagonist, excited general surprise, - and, as a natural result in such disparities, produced - a feeling of sympathy towards the smaller man; but - Bendigo displayed perfect self-possession, and - commenced manœuvring without delay. He dodged backward - and forward several times, with a view of drawing his - man, having his right ready for a fly as he came in, - but Caunt was not to be had at that game――when Bendigo, - making a feint with his right, let go his left and - caught him a tidy smack on the left ogle. Caunt - instantly closed, and a struggle ensued, in which the - superior strength of the “big one” was sufficiently - apparent, and Bendigo, finding he had no chance at this - work, went down. - - 2.――Caunt was now on his mettle, and on coming to the - scratch went straight in to his work, hitting out left - and right; Bendigo got away, but napped a nasty one or - two. Steadying himself he caught Caunt a crack on the - side of his head with his left. Caunt did not choose to - stand these pops, but rushing after his shifty - antagonist, caught him in his arms, and threw him after - a short struggle. - - 3.――Both men came up steady, with no great harm done. - Bendigo again pursued the dodging system, and, after a - little in-and-out work he succeeded in planting his - left on Caunt’s “’tato trap,” and drew _first blood_. - Caunt felt indignant at this liberty, rushed to his - man, literally lifted him up in his arms, and forcing - him against the stake, gave him such a hug that, after - a severe struggle, he got down, Caunt falling heavily - upon him. - - 4.――Bendigo showed symptoms of distress from the - Bruin’s hug he had received in the last round, but, - keeping at a distance till he had recovered his wind, - he became as lively as ever. After some time devoted to - sparring, Bendigo, evidently having no desire to get - within grasp of his man, let fly with his right, but - did not get home. A little more time being devoted to - play, Caunt let fly left and right, but his blows did - not tell. Bendigo, on the get-away system, at last - brought himself to a steady point, and caught Caunt a - tremendous crack on the cheek, which opened “mouth the - second,” and drew claret in abundance. Caunt instantly - rushed to work; a severe rally followed, in which - several hits, left and right, were exchanged. In the - close Caunt again had it all his own way, and in the - end threw Bendigo and fell on him. When both men were - picked up it was seen that their nobs had been - considerably damaged; Caunt bled profusely from his - nose and a cut under his left eye, while the side of - Bendigo’s pimple was swollen from a visitation from - Caunt’s right, but their seconds soon brought them in - “apple-pie order,” and they were ready when “time” was - called. - - 5.――After some sparring, Caunt, who took a distaste to - Bendigo’s system of popping and shifting, went in right - and left, and at once closing, seized his man as if in - a vice, holding him on the ropes till nearly strangled, - amidst cries of “Shame!” After a violent struggle by - Bendigo to get away, he was at last thrown; Caunt fell - heavily on him. - - 6.――From this to the 11th round the fighting was very - quick on both sides, Caunt leading off left and right, - Bendigo meeting him as he came in with severe jobs, and - then getting down to avoid――a shifty mode of fighting, - far from agreeable to the spectator, but rendered - almost indispensable from the great inequality in the - size of the men. In the closes Bendigo had not a - chance, but his pops at Caunt as he rushed to the - charge told dreadfully on his head, which he gave to - get what he expected to be a home hit on his adversary, - but in which he was nearly every time disappointed. - - 12.――Both as fresh and ready as ever――Bendigo, from his - generalship the favourite; still Caunt was bold as a - lion. Bendigo now changed his system, and finding he - often missed the “head-rails” of his opponent, he - commenced peppering right and left at the body, the - whacks sounding like the music of a big drum. Cries of - “Go in, Bendigo!” at length induced him to get closer - to his man, and he popped in a stinger with his left - under the right eye. Caunt instantly closed, and a - violent struggle for the fall succeeded, when both - fell. - - 13.――Bendigo led off well with his left; but Caunt was - for close work, and rushing to his man, hit right and - left, and grappled, when, catching Bendigo in his arms, - he carried him to the ropes, and there held him with - such force as almost to deprive him of the power of - motion. The spectators, disgusted at this mode of - fighting, cried out “Shame!” and exclaimed, “Thou big - ugly twoad, dost thou call that foighting? whoy, the - little ’un would lick thee and two or three more such - if thee’d foight.” Caunt was not, however, disposed to - listen to these hints, and stuck to his man like wax, - till at last fears were entertained that Bendigo would - be strangled, and a cry of “Cut the ropes!” burst from - all directions. This suggestion was adopted, and the - ropes were instantly cut in two places, when down went - both, Caunt uppermost. The mob then rushed to the - stakes, and the most dreadful confusion - followed――umpire and referee and all forced into a - dense mass. Still the interior of the ring was - preserved, and cleared, and an attempt was made to - repair the ropes. - - From the 14th to the 38th round the greatest confusion - prevailed. Bendigo persevered in his getting-down - system after he received the charge of Caunt, and - popped him in return; he had had enough of Caunt’s - embraces, and studiously avoided them. - -During this portion of the battle a magistrate made his appearance, if -possible to put an end to hostilities, but he was “baying the moon,” -and he was forced to retire, no doubt feeling that amidst such a scene -the dignity of his office would not be properly vindicated. About the -50th round a wrangle arose from an allegation that Bendigo had kicked -Caunt as he lay on the ground. Caunt claimed the fight. An appeal was -made to the referee, who declared he saw nothing that was avoidable, -and the fight proceeded up to the 75th round, during all which time -the crush was overwhelming. Bendigo’s hitting was terrific, but still -Caunt was game to the backbone, and although heavily punished, fought -with him, and when he caught him gave him the advantage of his -“Cornish hug.” Both men were alternately distressed, but the powerful -hitting of Bendigo made him a decided favourite; in fact, he showed -but little appearance of injury, although he had received some heavy -body hits, and was somewhat exhausted by Caunt’s hugging and hanging -upon him; still he rallied, and was well on his legs. - -In the last round, on “time” being called, both men came ready to the -scratch; when Caunt prepared for his rush, Bendigo slipped back, and -fell on his nether end, “without a blow.” This all his friends -ascribed to a slip, but Molyneaux, the second of Caunt, cried “Foul!” -and claimed the battle, evidently anxious to save his man from the -“fire.” An appeal was immediately made to the referee, who seemed to -be a stranger to the laws of the Ring; and on being enlightened as to -the fact of “going down without a blow” being deemed “foul,” he -decided that Bendigo had so gone down, on which Molyneaux -instantaneously threw up his hat and claimed the battle. - -An indescribable row followed, the friends of Bendigo declaring he had -gone down from accident, owing to his substitute shoes being without -spikes. Bendigo was indignant, and ready to fight, but it was all U.P. -Wharton would not throw a chance away, and took his man out of the -ring, while Bendigo seized the colours, and in turn claimed a win. - -The scene that followed beggars description. Caunt, who was conveyed -to his carriage, was brought out to renew the fight; but this he -declined, and being placed on a horse, he was pulled off, and but for -the protection of his friends would have been roughly handled. He had -to walk to Selby, whence he was conveyed back to the “Hawke Arms,” -where his wounds were dressed and every attention paid him. He was -dreadfully punished, but still strong and vigorous. - -The fight lasted one hour and twenty minutes. - -No sooner had the astute “Morocco Prince” snatched his verdict, and -got his man away, as he was entitled to do, than we discovered, on -reentering the ring――from which we had been glad to retire during the -disgraceful disorder that followed the appeal――that the umpires had -never been asked if they differed as to the “foul” at all; in fact, -Bendy’s umpire declared he had been separated from the referee and -shut out of the ring in the confusion, so that the issue depended upon -the judgment of the referee, who, in such an uproar, added to his -inexperience, had indeed a most difficult duty to fulfil. Of course, -according to the then new practice, a lawyer’s letter was immediately -posted to the stakeholder warning him not to part with the stakes -until the matter had been thoroughly sifted, as both parties claimed -them. - -It must be admitted that Bendigo, in the course of this battle, -exhibited extraordinary powers of punishment; his hits were terrific, -as Caunt’s condition after the battle testified, his head and body -being dreadfully shattered, but still, from the specimen thus -afforded, we should not regard Bendigo as a fair stand-up fighter; he -was shifty, and too much on the get-away-and-get-down system. With -Caunt, however, it must be admitted there was every excuse for this -course, for with four stone extra to cope with in weight, and six -inches in height, it required no common nerve and caution to escape -annihilation. Caunt, who claims the “Championship,” is anything but a -well-scienced man; he hits at random, and has no idea of self-defence. -His great attributes are game and strength, which he possesses in a -pre-eminent degree. Throughout the fight there was not a single -knock-down blow, which, when Caunt’s length and weight are considered, -is the strongest evidence that the big one lacked the gift of hitting -at points, or, as John Jackson expressed it, “judging time and -distance accurately.” When we look back at the recorded battles of -Mendoza, Jackson, Dutch Sam, Gully, and Randall, and remember the -fights of Spring, Crawley, and Jem Ward, the pretensions of Caunt to -the Championship must point the moral of the Ring’s decline. Pulling, -hauling, squeezing, and hugging, the grand offensive manœuvres of Big -Ben’s style of boxing, would have been scouted as a disgrace to all -but pitmen, navvies, and provincial “roughs.” - -Bendigo, after the battle, proceeded to Selby, where he remained for -the night. He appeared little the worse for the encounter, so far as -hitting was concerned. The only marks of punishment were a flush under -the right eye, a swelling under the left ear, some marks of hits on -the lower part of the right shoulder-blade, and sundry excoriations -and abrasions of the cuticle, bearing full evidence of the severe -squeezing and scrapings on the ropes inflicted by the Bruin-like hugs -of his huge antagonist. To us Bendigo expressed his readiness to meet -his giant opponent “anywhere, anyhow, on any terms――to-morrow, -next week, or next month, anything to accommodate the big -chucklehead”――which, as we afterwards knew, was Bendy’s uncomplimentary -but characteristic epithet, not only in speaking of, but in personally -addressing, his gigantic rival. - -Much correspondence of the “’fending and proving” order followed this -debateable conclusion. Mr. Lockwood, the referee, however, declared -his adherence to his “decision that Bendigo went down without a blow,” -and thereupon the stakeholder handed over the battle money to Caunt, -with the observation:――“The referee’s decision must be upheld, and if -in his judgment Bendigo went down (he says, ‘in fact, fell to avoid’), -then, whatever might have been his chances――and it is admitted he had -the best of the battle――Caunt is entitled to the stakes, and _pro -tem._ to the title of ‘Champion.’” The next week Bendy was as good as -his word, for articles were entered into for a third meeting, for £100 -a side, to come off on the 30th of July; but when £40 a side had been -deposited, a forfeit took place, under the following circumstances:―― - -The “Deaf ’un,” as Jem Burke was usually called, had returned from -America, in the height of his popularity, and his challenges to “any -man in or out of England,” especially “Mister Bendy,” proved too -strong a “red herring” across the trail for the Nottingham hero to -resist, so he forfeited £40 cash down, to grasp at what proved, for a -time, a fleeting shadow, as the Deaf ’un, after his challenge and its -acceptance, went on a Parisian tour (see the Life of BENDIGO, _ante_, -p. 12); and it was not until Shrove Tuesday (Feb. 12th), 1839, that -Bendigo and Burke had their “cock-shy,” at Appleby, and Bendigo -thereafter received a much disputed “belt” from Jem Ward at Liverpool. - -The remainder of 1838, and the whole of 1839, passed without Caunt -sporting his colours in the lists. In August, 1840, we find our old -friend Ned Painter, at Norwich, and honest fat Peter Crawley, in -London, made the channels of the challenges of Brassey and of Caunt. -Ned Painter writes thus, on the last day of July:―― - - “MR. EDITOR,――In answer to an observation made in last - week’s paper, that ‘providing Brassey’s friends will sustain - their promises,’ allow me to say that ‘corn,’ not ‘chaff,’ - is the answer of Brassey to Caunt. Brassey went to Liverpool - to make the match with Hampson; when he arrived there - neither man nor money was to be seen. When Caunt challenged - the whole world, Brassey and his friends accepted the - challenge, and to meet Caunt’s wish, sent £25 to Tom Spring - a week previous to the day appointed. I went myself on the - very day, but Caunt and his party were invisible. If Caunt - means a fight, and not a farce, he must go to Leeds or come - to Norwich, and match at his own expense this time, as - neither Brassey nor myself were allowed even the £2 for - expenses promised. I am, Mr. Editor, for work, not mere - words or wind. - - “NED PAINTER. - “Norwich, July 30th, 1840.” - -To which Peter Crawley thus practically replied on behalf of Caunt:―― - - “SIR,――My having placed £25 in your hands will, I hope, - remove all doubt as regards Caunt’s money being ready; and - it remains with the friends of Brassey alone to appoint a - day, either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday week, through the - medium of your paper, to meet at my house, to draw up - articles and put down their dust; and unless this be - attended to, for my part I shall consider they do not mean - business. I have taken the responsibility on myself of - detaining the money a little longer; that would give Brassey - time to join his friends at Norwich, which, I understand, is - all that prevents the match being made now. - - “I am, &c., “P. CRAWLEY, - “‘Queen’s Head and French Horn,’ - Duke Street, West Smithfield. - “August 21st, 1840.” - -All difficulties were now smoothed, and a match for £100 a side was -made, to be decided on the 26th October, 1840. As the deposits were -made good, and the day approached, the interest in sporting circles -rose to an intense height, and at the last deposit Tom Spring’s -“Castle” was literally stormed by eager crowds. - -As a relief from these prosaic matter-of-fact proceedings, we will -here enliven our page with a few rhymes in the shape of―― - - - “AN HEROIC EPISTLE FROM BRASSEY TO BIG CAUNT.” - - To thee I send these lines, illustrious Caunt! - Of courage tried, and huge as John of Gaunt, - To thee my foolscap with black ink I blot, - To tell the big ’un Brassey fears him not, - And that in battle, should the fates allow, - He means to snatch the laurels from his brow, - At all his boasted pluck and prowess smile, - And give him pepper in superior style. - - Yes, gallant Caunt, next Tuesday will declare - If you or I the Champion’s belt shall wear; - And be assured, regardless of the tin, - I’ll go to work, and do my best to win, - Prove that in fight _one_ Briton can surpass ye, - And if you ask his name, I thunder――_Brassey_! - - What proof of milling prowess did you show - In your two scrambling fights with Bendigo? - When of your foeman’s punishment aware, - You roughly squeezed him like a polar bear, - Nearly extinguished in his lungs the breath, - And almost hugged him in your arms to death―― - Such a base system I pronounce humbugging; - Don’t call it fighting, Caunt, I call it hugging, - And if bold Brassey with that game you tease, - The bear may soon be minus of his grease, - And for a practice cowardly as foul, - Receive a lesson that may make him growl. - But bounce I bar――plain dealing is my plan, - And in the ring I’ll meet you man to man, - And do, most certainly, the best I can. - - May no base beak, or trap with aspect rude, - Upon a comfortable mill intrude―― - A mill between not enemies, but friends, - And upon which a lot of blunt depends; - A mill, I trust, which, as in days of yore, - Will honest fighting to the ring restore; - A mill which, whosoe’er may win the same, - Will show the British boxer’s genuine game, - Unkind aspersions on the Fancy crush, - And put accurs’d knife-practice to the blush―― - A practice which, with bold and fearless face, - In bloody letters stamps our land’s disgrace! - But let that pass, while we, like boxers bold, - Shall manly contest in the ring uphold, - And settle matters, not with slaughtering knives, - But well-braced muscles and a bunch of fives. - What tho’ in battle with some Fancy lad - An ogle should in mourning suit be clad? - What tho’ profusion of straightforward knocks - Should for a while confuse the knowledge box? - Why, these are trifles which a cur may scare, - But teach good men hard punishment to bear; - And as they pass this earthly region thro’, - All men will have a clumsy thump or two, - And there’s no doubt ’twill lessen their complaining - To meet hard knocks to get them into training; - But Time, my worthy, warns me to desist, - So for awhile farewell, my man of fist; - Of your conceit on Tuesday I will strip ye―― - On Tuesday next “I meet you at Philippi;” - Till then believe me resolute and saucy, - A foe without one hostile feeling―― - “BRASSEY.” - -Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, distinguished in former times by the -contests of dons of the olden school, under the patronage of men of -the highest rank in the kingdom, was named. Although inferior in stamp -and action to bygone heroes, the present competitors were not less -great in their own estimation, and certainly quite as great in -bulk――for Caunt stood 6ft. 2in., and weighed 14st. 7lb., and Brassey, -two inches shorter, weighed 12st. 1lb. (a standard which, according to -the best judges, is sufficient for all useful purposes in the P. R., -all beyond that being deemed surplusage). In point of age they were -pretty much upon a par, and in the prime of life, Caunt having been -born in March, 1815, and Brassey in the month of January in the same -year. - -The opinion of Bendigo as to the merits of the two men was naturally -sought, and he, without hesitation, gave the “palm” to Brassey, whom -he pronounced the better tactician, if not the gamer man. As -provincial champions they were held in high estimation――Brassey at -Leeds, Bradford, and those districts, and Caunt at Nottingham, -Sheffield, and the surrounding country. In London, however, their -pretensions as scientific men were viewed with little favour――and, in -fact, in that respect their acquirements were but of an inferior -character――as their sparring displays with the accomplished Tom Spring -sufficiently demonstrated. Still, although “rough,” they were deemed -“ready,” and a slashing fight was anticipated. - -Brassey went into training under the auspices of Ned Painter, of -Norwich, and Caunt claimed the attention of “the Infant” (Peter -Crawley), by whom he was placed “at nurse” in the neighbourhood of -Hatfield. More competent mentors could not have been selected; and all -that judgment and good advice could effect was accomplished――for it -was impossible for men to have been brought to the “post” in better -condition, or with a stronger feeling of personal confidence. The -articles specified that the belligerent meeting was to take place -halfway between Norwich and London, but by mutual consent (although -Crawley won the toss for choice) the locality we have mentioned was -eventually agreed upon――thus combining a double object of -attraction――the mill and the races――and being alike convenient to the -training quarters of the combatants. - -On Monday both men neared the point of rendezvous, Brassey being -installed at the “Queen Victoria,” Newmarket, and Caunt at Littlebury, -in Essex. - -In the former town, too, the Commissary had lodged his _matériel_ as -early as Saturday, being provided with new and substantial stakes for -the purpose――a precaution which the herculean proportions of the men -rendered judicious. - -As on all these occasions the betting was influenced by local -prejudices; and while at Leeds, Bradford, and their vicinities, the -“Yorkshire tyke” (Brassey) was the favourite at five to four, in -Sheffield, Nottingham, Newmarket, and London Caunt had the call at six -and seven to four, and finally at two to one and five to two, at which -price large sums were laid out. - -With a view to prevent interruption, and to gratify the “sporting -nobs” of Newmarket, it was stipulated in the articles that the men -should be in the ring between eight and nine o’clock a.m.――an -arrangement which proved most judicious, although it shut out a -numerous class to whom early rising and long trots of an autumnal -morning are not agreeable. The whisper, which was anything but soft, -of the forthcoming event, soon extended far and wide; and the arrivals -from distant quarters at Newmarket proved that the office had been -very extensively circulated and promptly obeyed――as the unusual muster -of fighting nobs on Newmarket Heath, on the Monday, including all the -_élite_ of the _corps pugilistique_, sufficiently evinced. During the -night the contributions from the provinces increased; all the coaches -passing through the town were loaded, and the clatter of fresh -arrivals in various equipages proved the interest which had been -excited. - -Unfortunately a fine day had been succeeded by a night of heavy rain, -and the drenched appearance of the early birds, as they shook their -feathers, fully sustained the established rule that there are few -human amusements without alloy, or, as Sir G. Cornewall Lewis -philosophically put it, “Life would be tolerable were it not for its -pleasures.” Still, among the Fancy, these vicissitudes were of little -moment, and were submitted to with becoming philosophy. The morning -was not more propitious than the night, but there was, nevertheless, -no lack of bustle in Newmarket; in fact, hundreds were seen in busy -preparation for “the start,” and vehicles of every description were -called into requisition, while all classes, from the Corinthian to the -humble stable-boy, were full of lively anticipation. The troop of -equestrians which went forth showed the excitement that prevailed, -while the carriages, gigs, and carts which followed produced a -cheerful commotion in the direction of the appointed fixture, which -was about six miles from the town. - -A hostile declaration of a reverend parson of Cheveley, on the Monday, -led to an apprehension that an interruption was not unlikely. Indeed, -we believe it was intended, but happily his reverence, by some -_unfortunate accident_, was put on the wrong scent, and proceeded in -an opposite direction, towards the borders of Suffolk, where, attended -by a posse of special constables, he waited with creditable patience -for the expected arrival of the “misdoers.” He watched, however, in -vain; in the interim the belligerents had settled their differences -elsewhere, to his infinite mortification, as well as to the imminent -danger of his health, from so long and unprofitable an exposure to the -warring elements. On his return to Cheveley, his forlorn aspect -induced strong expressions of commiseration; but we are inclined to -doubt the sincerity of those by whom they were uttered, who obviously -thought the worthy divine should not have forgotten the old maxim, -“Charity begins at home,” where, in all probability, he would have -found abundant opportunity for the exercise of his Christian virtues -without wasting them idly on the “desert air.” - -An agreement having been made that both men should be in the ring -precisely at eight o’clock, by that hour the lists were completed, and -were quickly surrounded by the coming throng, who formed a circle of -ample dimensions round the all-important arena, which every moment -increased in density, and included in its motley features several -foreigners of distinction; a large contribution from the University of -Cambridge (who came in style in drags and fours, all “lighted up” in -such profusion that many were disposed to think, from the halo of -smoke which fumed from their fragrant havannahs, an engine had broken -loose from some distant railroad); a vast concourse of the Turf -aristocracy, and not a few of the right sort, who had posted from -London to participate in the amusements of the day. The remainder, to -the extent of 2,000 or 3,000, was of that mingled character which it -would be difficult to particularise, many of them being so disguised -in their north-westers and storm-defying protectors as to give them -the advantage of perfect _incognito_, combined with personal -protection. We did hear of a stray magistrate or two being present, -yet for this we cannot vouch; but we must remark, if the fact were so, -it showed their good sense. This we do know, that one or two proved by -their conduct “none are so blind as those who will not see;” and upon -the appearance of the parson of Cheveley at the magisterial divan in -Newmarket on the same day, after the fight, to deplore the hoax of -which he had been made the victim, his vicissitudes produced a good -deal of fun, and not a little commendation of the ingenious concocter -of the “secret despatch” to which he had fallen so simple a victim. - -Brassey was first on the ground; and as the rain fell in torrents -impatience was manifested for the arrival of Caunt. Unhappily, -however, he did not reach the cheerless scene till within five minutes -of nine. Come he did, however, at last, and the thrill of pleasure -soon dissipated the melancholy forebodings of disappointment; for it -was feared that Brassey would have been allowed to walk over the -course and claim forfeit. An inner circle of the privileged was soon -formed by those who chose to “qualify” by taking out “certificates” at -5s. each from the Commissary. For the accommodation of these a -quantity of straw had been spread a few yards from the ring, but such -was its saturated state, from the continued rain, that it afforded -little protection, and carriage seats and gig cushions were in general -request, often with little regard to the laws of _meum_ and _tuum_. -Never was the modern invention of waterproof wrappers more prized; and -when we witnessed the aristocratic groups thus recklessly reposing on -the slimy soil we could not withhold the expression of our delight at -finding the spirit of olden times still unsubdued, notwithstanding the -inroads of pantilers and teetotallers. We recognised among the mass -many old soldiers, who good-humouredly remarked it was but a memento -of the past, and reminded their young friends the time might not be -far distant when even such inconvenience would be a luxury compared -with what they would have to endure in maintaining the fear-nought -reputation of John Bull on the “tented field.” Beyond the privileged -stood rows of perpendicular spectators, and behind them again were the -carriages and other vehicles, covered with not less anxious gazers. - -At last, soon after nine o’clock, the heroes of the day made their -appearance; Caunt under the care of Peter Crawley, and attended by -Dick Curtis and a Liverpool friend as bottle-holder and second; -Brassey escorted by Ned Painter, and officially accompanied by Jem -Hall and Johnny Broome. On entering the lists Caunt, who wore a large -Welsh wig, approached Brassey, and offered to lay him a private bet on -the issue of the contest; but Brassey regarded this as a piece of -bounce, and turned from him. The umpires and referee having been -chosen, the yellowmen――for both sported the same colours――were tied to -the stake, and all prepared for action. On stripping, the gigantic -frame of Caunt struck the uninitiated with surprise. His superior -height and weight left no room for nice calculations, and the fate of -his adversary was already foretold; his broad back and muscular -developments had a most formidable aspect, while his long arms and -proportionate supporters showed him as a giant among _pigmies_, in -which light Dick Curtis, and some of his little friends who stood -beside him, could alone be regarded. There was, however, something -ungainly in his huge frame, and more of awkwardness than symmetry in -his configuration. Brassey, although less, was still “a man for a’ -that,” and if not in juxtaposition with such a Goliath would have been -regarded as an excellent specimen of the Grenadier fraternity. His -figure was muscular and his limbs well knit, exhibiting appearances of -strength and vigour not to be despised, while his mug displayed -fearless determination. The preliminaries having been adjusted, at -twenty-five minutes after nine “business” commenced. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――No sooner had the seconds retired to their - corners, on leaving the men at the scratch, than Caunt - rushed to his man and threw out his arms, left and - right, with the quickness and vigour of a just-started - windmill; his kind intentions were, however, evaded, - and he missed his blows, especially a terrific - upper-cut with his right, which, had it reached its - destination, would have “told a tale.” Brassey in like - manner was wild, and missed his blows, but finding - Caunt closing upon him, he hit up with his right, and - on closing instantly went down. - - 2.――Caunt again hit out left and right, but without - precision. He made his right slightly on Brassey’s nob, - when the latter rattled in left and right, like Caunt, - missing, and again went down. It was pretty obvious - that Brassey was fearful of the Russian hug of _ursa - major_, and had made up his mind to the falling system, - which, however obnoxious to the spectators, was - evidently his only safe game. - - 3.――“Steady,” cried Dick, “and hit straight.” Caunt led - off right and left, and succeeded in planting his left - on Brassey’s forehead, but he had it in return. Brassey - got to him and delivered a tremendous left-hander on - his cheek, and was as quick with his right on his - nozzle; the claret flew in abundance, and the big ’un - was posed. He hit out wild, left and right, and missed, - while Brassey got down. (Loud cheers for Brassey. The - spectators were electrified by the effect of these - blows. A gaping wound ornamented Caunt’s right cheek, - and his nose emitted the purple fluid, which Dick - quickly mopped up with his sponge.) This decided the - first event――_first blood_ for Brassey. (The Cauntites - looking queer.) - - 4.――Caunt came up by no means improved in beauty. He - led on as before, wild left and right; but his - deliveries wanted precision. Brassey fought with him, - but, like sticks in an Irish row, their arms were the - only receivers, and little mischief was done. Brassey - got down grinning. - - 5.――Caunt planted his left on Brassey’s eye, but missed - his right, which, had it reached its destination, would - have been a poser. It went over Brassey’s shoulder. - Brassey, finding he could not well stand the - overwhelming rush of his antagonist, got down. - - 6.――Brassey popped in his left, and escaping the - visitation of Caunt’s left and right, pursued his - tumbling system, while Caunt laughed, and pointed at - him with contempt. - - 7.――Caunt, more successful, caught Brassey left and - right on the nob, when Brassey went down, but Caunt’s - blows did not seem to tell. - - 8.――Caunt delivered his left and right, but so wildly - as to be ineffective, and Brassey went down, throwing - up his legs and knees in the rebound. - - 9.――Caunt, as usual, opened the ball with a wild rush - right and left, catching Brassey on the forehead with - his right. Brassey hit left and right, but was stopped, - and went down, Caunt with difficulty escaping treading - on him as he stepped over him. - - 10, 11, 12.――All of the same character, Caunt doing no - great execution, and Brassey invariably getting down. - - 13.――Caunt hit out of distance with his right, when - Brassey caught him on the smeller with his left, again - drawing his cork. Caunt, stung, hit out heavily with - his right, and caught Brassey on the back of the ear. - Brassey went down. - - 14.――Caunt, the first to fight, planted his right on - Brassey’s left eye; Brassey fell. (First knock-down - blow claimed, but doubtful, as the ground became - inconveniently slippery.) - - 15.――Caunt missed one of his tremendous right-hand - lunges, and Brassey went down. - - 16.――Caunt dropped heavily with his right on Brassey’s - ribs, who fought wildly, but again caught Caunt with - the left on his damaged cheek; more blood, and Brassey - down. - - 17.――Brassey in with his right on Caunt’s ogle, and - went down. - - 18.――Caunt, in his wild rush, hit Brassey left and - right on the pimple, and on his going down, as he - stepped over him, scraped his forehead with his shoe, - peeling off a trifle of the bark. - - 19.――Caunt, more steady, planted his left on Brassey’s - dexter peeper, and hit him clean down with his right. - (_First knock-down blow_ unequivocally declared for - Caunt.) - - 20.――Caunt delivered his left heavily on Brassey’s - snout, and his right on the side of his head. Brassey - made play, but missed, and went down. On being lifted - on his second’s knee, he bled from mouth and nose. - - [The friends of Caunt, who had been silent up to this, - regarding the issue of the battle anything but certain, - now again opened their potato traps, and offered 2 to - 1, which was taken.] - - 21.――Caunt delivered another heavy body blow with his - right, which made a sounding echo. Brassey rushed to a - close, and clung with his legs around Caunt’s thighs. - Caunt tried to hold him up with his left while he hit - with his right, but he found this impossible, and flung - him down with contempt. It was here clear that if once - Brassey suffered himself to be grasped in a punishable - position by his opponent it would be all over. - - 22, 23, 24, and 25 were all pretty much in the same - style――the hitting wild and ineffective, Brassey either - clinging to his man or throwing himself down. - - 26.――Another heavy blow on the ribs from Caunt’s right - told smartly on Brassey’s corporation. Brassey - attempted to close, but Caunt threw him heavily with - his head on the ground. - - 27, 28, 29.――Not much done, Brassey going down every - round, after slight and wild exchanges. - - 30.――Caunt hit Brassey down with one of his swinging - right-handed hits on the side of his head, which made - his left eye twinkle again. (3 to 1 offered and taken - on Caunt.) - - In the next three rounds there were some heavy - exchanges left and right, but Brassey pursued his - falling tactics. - - 34.――Tremendous counter-hitting with the right, and - equally heavy exchanges with the left. Both down on - their knees, from the stunning severity of the - deliveries. (Caunt’s beauty improving. A splendid - likeness of the “Saracen’s Head” without his wig.) - - 35.――Again did Caunt nail his man on the nose with his - left, and the claret came forth freely. - - From this to the 53rd round there were some heavy - exchanges left and right. To all appearance, the - punishment was most severe on Caunt’s face, whose left - cheek was cut, as well as his right, but the heavy - deliveries on the left side of Brassey’s head, as well - as his ribs, had evidently weakened him, although he - still came up as game as a pebble. In his frequent - falls, Caunt occasionally could not avoid falling on - him, and his weight was no trifling addition to his - other punishment. It is but just to state, however, - that Caunt fought in a fair and manly style, and - avoided everything like unfair advantage. - - In the 55th round the ground became so muddy that the - men, from fighting in the centre of the ring, could - scarcely keep their legs, and Brassey went down without - a blow. This was claimed, but rejected by the referee, - who cautioned him, however, against giving such another - chance away. - - 56.――Caunt planted his left heavily on Brassey’s - winker, but Brassey, in return, hit him on the jaw with - his right, and making up his mind for further mischief, - repeated the blow with terrific effect a little below - the same spot, Caunt countering at the same moment, and - with the same hand. The collision was dreadful――both - fell in opposite directions――Caunt as if shot by a - twenty-four pounder, end Brassey all abroad. - - Here was a decided change; Caunt was evidently - unconscious, and was with difficulty held on his - second’s knee. His head rolled like a turtle in - convulsions. Curtis, however, steadied his tremulous - pimple, administered a slight dash of water, and on - “time” being called he was enabled to go to the - scratch, but with such groggy indications that we doubt - whether he knew if he was on his head or his heels. - - 57.――Brassey now endeavoured to improve his advantage, - but instead of steadily waiting to give his man the - _coup de grace_, he rushed in, and bored Caunt through - the ropes, and he fell on his back, while the force of - Brassey’s fall on him was stayed by his own chin being - caught by the upper rope, on which he hung for a - moment. - - 58.――Caunt recovered a little, but Brassey again rushed - in, hitting left and right, and in the struggle both - down, Brassey uppermost. - - 59.――Caunt steadied himself, and went in to fight. Some - heavy exchanges followed, and Brassey went down, but - Caunt was far from firm on his pins. It was now seen - that Caunt’s right hand, from its repeated visits to - Brassey’s head and ribs, was much swollen; his left, - too, showed the effects of repeated contact with the - physog. of his antagonist. This, in the following - rounds, led to a good deal of contention, on the ground - that Caunt had unfair substances in his hand; but he - showed it was only paper, and threw it away, although - entitled to the use of any soft material to steady his - grasp. - - The rounds which followed, to the 100th, offered but - little variety; both men became gradually exhausted, - and it required all the care and encouragement of their - partisans to rouse them to action. Each was assured - that victory smiled upon him, and that it only required - another effort to make all safe. Brassey came up - manfully round after round; but although he - occasionally stopped and hit, the pops of his opponent, - who now and then saved him the trouble of falling by - hitting him down, told with increasing effect. Caunt - repeatedly tried to hold him in the closes, with the - view of fibbing; but Brassey was too leary, and got - down without this additional proof of kind intention. - In some of his tumbles, however, Caunt fell heavily on - him, and once more, in trying to evade him, scraped his - foot on his nose, a casualty almost unavoidable from - his sudden prostrations. - - The weakness of Brassey gradually increased, while - Caunt evidently got stronger on his legs; and although - his right hand was gone, he continued to hit with it. - He was entreated to use his left, which he did three - times in succession in one round on Brassey’s muzzle, - till he dropped him. Such was the prejudice in favour - of Brassey, however, from the vigour with which he - occasionally rallied, that it was still hoped he might - make a turn in his favour, and if encouraging shouts - would have effected that object, he was not without - stentorian friends. Caunt, too, had his anxious - attendants; and all that cheering could do to rouse his - spirits was heartily afforded him. - - From the 90th to the 100th round poor Brassey came up - weak on his legs, and either fell or was hit down, but - to the last made a manly struggle against superior - strength and weight. In the 100th round Broome said he - should fight no more, and Crawley stepped into the ring - to claim the battle; he was, however, called out, and - Brassey came up once more, but he was incapable of - prolonged exertion, and being hit down with a - right-handed smack on the head, he reluctantly - submitted to the calls of his friends to give in, and - all was over. Caunt was proclaimed the conqueror, after - fighting _one hundred and one rounds_, in _one hour and - thirty minutes_. - - REMARKS.――We have seldom recorded a fight in which we - experienced more difficulty to render the details - interesting. It will be seen that in ninety minutes one - hundred rounds were fought, deducting the half-minute - time, often prolonged to nearly a minute by mutual - delay in coming to the “scratch” when “time” was - called; therefore, the average time occupied by each - round did not much exceed twenty seconds. There was no - attempt at stopping (except in a few instances by - Brassey), nor any of those scientific manœuvres which - give interest to such an exhibition. Caunt was - invariably the first to fight, but led off with nothing - like precision, repeatedly missing his blows and upper - cuts, many of which, had they told, might have been - conclusive. Brassey seemed to be fully aware of this - mode of assault, and generally waited till he got - within Caunt’s guard, and thus succeeded in - administering heavy punishment. This point once gained - he lost no time in getting down, feeling quite - confident that in close contact he would not have had a - chance. This, although far from a popular mode of - contest, is certainly excusable considering the - inequality of the men in height and weight, and the - only surprise is that the lesser man should have - endured so much before he cried “enough.” The repeated - visitations to his ribs from Caunt’s right, or - “sledge-hammer,” were searching in the extreme, and led - to the belief that three of his ribs had been broken, - although subsequent examination proved that he was only - labouring under the effects of severe contusions and - inward bruises. In like manner the right-handed - deliveries behind his left ear, on the ear itself, and - on the left eye and jaw, as well as the left-handed - jobs, were so far from _jocular_ that we were not - surprised the _vis comica_ had ceased to be displayed - on his “dial,” and when to these visitations are added - his repeated falls, with the weight of Caunt - occasionally superadded to his own, and this in such - rapid succession, the only surprise is he should have - held out so long. Caunt in his _modus operandi_ evinced - a sad ignorance of the art. Like the yokels of old - before the principles of mechanism were discovered, he - has to learn the proper application of his strength, of - which, did he possess the requisite knowledge, he might - bid defiance not only to such a man as Brassey, but - even to the caperings of an avalanche. He is not, like - most men of his size, slow――on the contrary, he is too - quick; and for the want of judicious deliberation, like - a runaway steam-engine without a controlling engineer, - he over-shoots his mark. This, if it be possible, he - ought to correct, and while he husbands his strength, - where he does apply it, he should measure not only his - distance but the tactics of his opponent. Had he waited - for his man, instead of leading off with a rush, he - must have brought Brassey down every round, for nothing - could resist the force of his heavy metal if properly - applied. Strange as it may appear, on examining both - men on Wednesday morning, the punishment on the part of - Caunt was greater than that of Brassey, and viewing - both frontispieces and saying, “Look on this picture, - and on this,” our opinion would have been, “Caunt has - received the greater and more effective punishment.” - Added to this, his hands, and especially the right, - were essentially _hors de combat_, while Brassey’s were - uninjured. Upon the whole, therefore, although Caunt is - the victor, and entitled to praise, Brassey, as the - vanquished, deserves almost an equal degree of credit, - if not of profit. That this is the feeling of others - was demonstrated at Newmarket after the battle, for - there was not only £30 collected for him by voluntary - contributions, but a promise of still more liberal - consideration was held out, and in the end fulfilled. - -On the Monday following, at Peter Crawley’s, “Duke’s Head,” -Smithfield, the battle money was paid over to Caunt, in the presence -of an overflowing muster of the patrons of British boxing. Brassey was -present, and confessed himself fairly conquered. A subscription was -made to console him for his honourable defeat, and £40 presented to -him as a reward for his valiant conduct, some merriment being excited -by one of the donations being announced as from “the parson of -Cheveley.” - -Caunt, in a short speech, stated that he once again claimed the -“Championship of England,” and was ready to make, then and there, a -match for £100 a side with any man, to fight within fifty miles of -London. Nick Ward, he added, had challenged him, and “he hoped he had -pluck enough to prove that his challenge was not mere bounce.” - -Jem Ward lost no time in responding to Caunt’s remarks on his brother -Nick, as follows:―― - - “MR. EDITOR,――The friends of Nick Ward have consulted, and - consider (as his efforts in the Ring have been but few, and - as you, whose judgment, from long experience, is entitled to - great weight, have expressed an opinion that Nick Ward would - never be a first-rate man) that Caunt, who lays claim to the - Championship, should, as a set-off to his superiority of - weight and position, give odds to make a match. Nick Ward, - without bouncing, is willing to fight Caunt if he will - deposit £150 to Ward’s £100. - - “JAMES WARD. - “Star Hotel, Williamson Square, Liverpool. - “November 12th, 1840.” - -The preliminaries were arranged without delay, and at Caunt’s benefit, -at the Bloomsbury Assembly Rooms, in the following week, a deposit was -made, and the next week articles drawn for the men to fight for £100 a -side, within two months, not more than sixty miles from London. - -On February 2nd, 1841, in the seventh round and twelfth minute of the -fight, Caunt lost this battle by delivering a foul blow under -irritation of feeling at the shifty tactics of his opponent. (See Life -of NICK WARD, _post_.) - -Of course the matter could not rest thus――that is, if, as many -surmised would not be the case, “brother Nick” could muster courage to -face once again his gigantic opponent. - -In pursuance of appointment, Caunt and his friends met Nick Ward and -Co. at Young Dutch Sam’s, the “Black Lion,” Vinegar Yard, Brydges -Street, on Thursday, the 18th of February, 1841, to draw up articles, -which set forth that―― - - “The said Benjamin Caunt agrees to fight the said Nick Ward - a fair stand-up fight, in a four-and-twenty-foot roped ring, - half-minute time, according to the New Rules, for one - hundred pounds a side, half-way between London and - Liverpool; the place to be decided by toss at the last - deposit; neither place to exceed twenty miles from the - direct line of road, unless mutually agreed upon to the - contrary. The fight to take place on Tuesday, the 11th of - May. In pursuance of this agreement twenty pounds a side are - now deposited. A second deposit of ten pounds a side to be - made on Thursday, the 25th inst., at Mr. Swain’s, the - ‘Greyhound,’ Woodside, Hatfield. A third deposit of ten - pounds a side at the ‘Black Lion,’ Vinegar Yard, on - Thursday, the 4th of March. A fourth deposit of ten pounds a - side at the ‘Bell,’ Hatfield, on Thursday, the 11th of - March. A fifth deposit of ten pounds a side at the ‘Black - Lion’ aforesaid, on Thursday, the 18th of March. A sixth - deposit of ten pounds a side at the ‘Cherry Tree,’ Kingsland - Road, on Thursday, the 25th of March. A seventh deposit of - ten pounds a side at Jem Ward’s, Williamson Square, - Liverpool, on Thursday, the 1st of April. An eighth deposit - of ten pounds a side at the Castle Tavern, Holborn, on - Thursday, the 8th of April; and the ninth and last deposit - of ten pounds a side at Young Dutch Sam’s, the ‘Black Lion,’ - Vinegar Yard, on Thursday, the 22nd of April. The said - deposits to be made between the hours of eight and ten - o’clock, or the party failing to forfeit the money down. The - men to be in the ring between twelve and one o’clock, or at - an early hour if mutually agreed upon, or the money down to - be forfeited by the party absent. Two umpires and a referee - to be chosen on the ground; the decision of the latter, in - the event of dispute, to be conclusive. In case of - magisterial interference the stakeholder to name the next - time and place of meeting, unless a referee shall have been - chosen, to whom that duty shall be assigned. The fight to - come off on the same day if possible; but the money not to - be given up till fairly won or lost by a fight. The ropes - and stakes to be paid for by the men, share and share alike. - Neither man to use resin or other powder to his hands during - the combat. The party winning the toss for choice of place - to name the ground seven days before fighting to the backers - of the party losing the toss.” - -The parties, after signing, shook hands with great good humour, and -joined in drinking the general toast, “May the best man win!” Caunt -expressed much mortification at the assertion which he said had been -made that the cause of his loss of the late fight was attributable to -design rather than accident. He protested that he acted from the -ungovernable impulse of the moment, irritated by Ward’s going down at -the moment he was within his reach. He said, further, that he would -profit by his experience, and be specially careful to avoid a similar -“accident.” The backers of Ward offered to take six to four on the -issue; but odds were refused. - -The deposits duly made, Young Dutch Sam, who acted on Nick Ward’s -behalf, won the toss for choice of ground, and named Stratford-on-Avon -for the place of meeting. The selection of Shakespeare’s birthplace -proved judicious, as the proceedings from first to last passed off -without interruption. We may perhaps note that one inducement of Ward -to the choice of Stratford-on-Avon might be that there, in July, 1831, -his brother Jem closed his brilliant career by defeating Simon Byrne -at Willycuts, three miles from the town. - -Caunt reached Stratford on Monday afternoon, in company of Tom Spring, -and made the “Red Horse” his resting-place. Nick Ward, accompanied by -his brother, put up at the “White Lion.” Every inn in the place was -crammed to overflowing, and many who were unable to procure beds at -any price returned to Warwick or Leamington, and some even to -Coventry, necessitating a return journey the next morning. We must, in -justice to the many followers of the four-square Ring, state that the -utmost order and regularity prevailed in the town throughout the -evening, and that hilarity, joviality, and good temper prevailed among -the partisans of both men, a fact which we would commend to electors -and political factions. - -All were astir early, and there was a strong muster of Corinthians of -the first water――indeed, the “upper crust” was unusually well -represented by numerous hunting men from the “shires,” who, by liberal -expenditure, gave the good, hospitable fellow-townsmen of the immortal -Will every reason to be grateful for the selection which had been -made; and they, on their part, showed their sense of the obligation -conferred by their civility and the moderation of their charges. - -The scene of action was in a field at Long Marsden, on a farm -belonging to a Mr. Pratt; and thither the Commissary proceeded to make -his arrangements, and thither also the immense cavalcade of -equestrians and charioteers, as well as innumerable groups of -pedestrians, took their way in due time. On the last occasion the -unlucky “footpads” were thrown out entirely, but on this they had -undoubtedly the best of it, for they, by means of short cuts and -familiar paths, shortened their pleasant journey, while those who were -on four legs――or worse, on wheels――were compelled to scramble and jolt -over roads of the most villainous description, in which the most -imminent risks of spills or a break-down were only avoided by care and -good luck. In fact, many of those who endured the miseries of both -roads declared, that the sixteen miles between the Andover road and -Crookham Common, with all its horrors, was surpassed by the shorter -journey from Stratford to Long Marsden. - -The spot was admirably selected, and the ropes and stakes pitched upon -a piece of sound, elastic turf that delighted the _cognoscenti_. The -immense multitude, as they arrived, arranged themselves in a most -orderly, methodical manner. The day was beautiful, the country around -green, fresh, and odoriferous with the blossoms of the may. Everything -was conducted in a style to ensure general satisfaction. - -Caunt made his appearance first, with an oddly assorted pair of -seconds as ever handled a champion in the P.R. They were old Ben -Butler, his uncle, well known in after times in the parlour of the -“Coach and Horses;” a man well stricken in years, and a cross-grained -old curmudgeon to boot. With him appeared Atkinson, of Nottingham, a -9½ stone man, whose disparity of size with the man he was supposed to -pick up excited the risibility of old ring-goers. Benjamin himself, -however, seemed particularly well satisfied, and remarked laughingly, -in reply to a jocose observation of a bystander, “Never thee -mind――_I’m_ not goin’ to tummle down; he’s big enow for me!” Had the -fight which ensued been of the desperate character of Ben’s late -encounter with Brassey, the ill-assorted pair could about as much have -carried Colossus Caunt to his corner as they could have carried the -Achilles in Hyde Park. Nick had with him, as on the former occasion, -Harry Holt and Dick Curtis, certainly the two ablest counsellors on -the Midland, Northern, or any other Circuit. Tom Spring, who was in -friendly attendance upon Caunt, addressed an emphatic warning to the -big one to keep his temper, cautioning him not to play into the hands -of his opponent by allowing himself to be irritated by his shifty -dodges. Caunt listened with a grim, self-satisfied smile, and nodded -his head, as much as to say he was not going to be caught this time. -Each man, in reply to a question, declared he “never felt better in -his life,” and their looks justified the assertion. Caunt was a little -“finer drawn” than at their previous meeting, and weighed, when -stripped, exactly 14st. 6lb. He never went to scale so light -before――indeed, it was not an excessive weight for a big-boned man -measuring 6 feet 2½ inches. He had, however, a narrow escape in his -training, for, on the Sunday week previous, in his walking exercise, -he trod on a stone, and turned his foot aside with such suddenness as -to strain the muscles of his leg and ankle so severely that he was -unable to walk for several days, exciting the serious apprehensions of -his friends; with rest and constant surgical care, however, he -overcame the mischief, and was as well as ever. Ward looked to us a -trifle too fleshy. He weighed 13st. 6lb., 10lb. more than when he -fought in February. - -Some time previously a subscription had been raised to produce a -“Champion’s Belt,” to be given to the victor on this occasion, and to -be hereafter transferable, should he retire from the Ring or be beaten -by a more successful candidate for fistic honours. This belt, under -the superintendence of a committee, was completed, and now for the -first time was held forth as an additional incitement to bravery and -good conduct. Previous to the commencement of the battle, Cicero Holt, -the well-known orator of the Ring, and second of Nick Ward, approached -the scratch, and silence being called, held up the belt, pronouncing -that in addition to the stakes this trophy had been prepared by a -number of liberal gentlemen, as a spur to the honest and manly feeling -which it was desirable should ever pervade the minds of men who sought -distinction in the Prize Ring. “Honour and fair play,” it was their -opinion, should be the motto of English boxers, and it would be their -proud gratification to see this belt girded round the loins of him, -whoever he might be, who entitled himself in spirit and principle to -the terms of that motto. They were influenced by neither favour nor -affection, nor by prejudice of any kind; all they desired was that the -best man might win, wear this trophy, and retain it so long as he was -enabled to maintain the high and distinguished title of Champion of -England. On resigning, or being stripped of the laurels of -Championship, it would then be his duty to transfer this proud badge -to his more fortunate successor, and thus a prize would be established -which it would ever be the pride of gallant Englishmen to possess, and -its brightness, he trusted, would never be tarnished by an act of -dishonour. It was to be finally presented, he said, when complete, at -a dinner to be given at Jem Burn’s, where the subscription originated, -on Monday, the 31st instant. - -The belt was then exhibited to the gaze of the curious; it is composed -of purple velvet, and lined with leather; in the centre are a pair of -clasped hands surrounded by a wreath of the Rose, the Thistle, and the -Shamrock, entwined in embossed silver; on each side of this are three -shields of bright silver, at present without inscription, but on these -are to be engraven the names of all the Champions of England which the -records of the Fancy preserve, to conclude with the name of the -conqueror on the present occasion. The clasps in front are formed of -two hands encased in sparring-gloves. It is due to state that this -belt is altogether very beautifully executed, and highly creditable to -the motives and good feeling to which its origin is attributable. Its -inspection afforded general pleasure, and the oration of “Cicero” was -received with loud cheers. Caunt, on taking it in his hand, -significantly said to Nick Ward, “This is mine, Nick,” to which Ward -replied, “I hope the best man may win it and wear it.” - -These preliminaries, so novel in the P.R., having been concluded, the -colours of the men were entwined on the stake, and umpires and a -referee having been chosen, no time was lost in preparing for action. - -The betting at first was 5 to 4 on Ward, though we never could -understand the quotation, and did not see any money posted at the -odds. At twenty minutes to one all was ready, and the champions toed -the scratch for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The men faced each other with an expression - of good humour on their countenances that could hardly - be expected by those who knew how they had expressed - themselves at former meetings. Caunt’s rough lineaments - bore a grin of satisfaction, that seemed to say he had - his wishes gratified. Ward, though he also smiled, it - was a vanishing smile, and he looked eagerly and - anxiously at his antagonist. Ward’s attitude was - scientific and well guarded, his left ready for a - lightning-shot, as he poised himself on his left toe, - with his right somewhat across, to parry the possible - counterhit. Caunt stood erect, as if to make the most - of his towering height, but a trifle backward. Ward - moved about a little, as if measuring his distance, and - then let go his left. It was not a determined hit, and - did not get home. Caunt dashed out his left in return, - but Nick stopped it prettily. However, as he meant it - for a counter, his friends were pleased at his - quickness, and cheered the attempt, especially as he - almost instantly followed it with a lunge from the - right, which just reached Ward’s neck. The big one now - bored in for a close, meaning mischief. Ward bobbed his - head aside, delivered a slight job, and was down on his - knees. It was clear that Nick meant to fight in the - evasive style of their former encounter, but it was - also clear from Caunt’s coolness that he was likely to - have more trouble over this day’s business, and we - heard no more about odds upon Ward. - - 2.――The men faced each other as before, no harm as yet - having been done on either side. Caunt now began - manœuvring in rather an ungainly manner; but as some of - his movements suggested a plunge in, Nick was resolved - to be first, and let go his left on Caunt’s mouth, who - heeded not the blow, but dashed out left and right. The - blows were wild, but his right reached Ward’s cheek; - and Caunt was pulling himself together for heavy - punching, when once more Ward slipped his foot, and was - on both knees. Caunt threw up both hands, and gave a - sort of guttural “Hur, hur!” as he looked at the - cunning face of his opponent, then walked to his own - corner. The big one’s friends were delighted at this - proof of caution, and cheered lustily. - - 3.――Ward came up with a keen and anxious look at his - opponent. Ben nodded, and flourished his long arms like - the sails of a windmill. He seemed ready to let Ward - lead off and then take his chance of going in for the - return. Ward drew back at arm’s length, and Caunt hit - short more than once, but Nick did not get near enough - for an effective return. Caunt, with a grim smile, - almost rolled in, sending out left and right as he - came. His right just reached Ward’s head, who hit up - sharply and then slipped down, as though from his own - blow. It was a very questionable get-down, but there - was no appeal. - - 4.――Nick seemed to feel that he was by no means taking - the lead, and he was told that unless he hit, and kept - Caunt employed in defending himself, he would bore in - on him continually. The advice was doubtless sound, but - it wanted more pluck than Nick possessed to put it in - practice. Nick hit out with his left, but not near - enough, and Caunt stopped him, amid some cheering; - Caunt paused, as if expecting Ward to come closer, but - he did not, so he let fly, and in a sort of ding-dong - rally gave Ward a tidy smack on the nose; Nick jobbed - him heavily three or four times, then dropped so close - to Caunt that they both rolled over, the big one - falling heavily on Nick. On rising blood was seen - oozing from Ward’s nose, and the first event was - awarded to Caunt, amidst the cheers of his friends, and - to the astonishment of Ward’s backers. - - 5.――The faces of both men were flushed from the blows - received, and Caunt, who was anxious to be at work, - went in at once, left and right, again catching Ward - upon the nose, and increasing the appearance of claret. - Ward made no return, he was too anxious to get away, - and on Caunt grappling him, he got quickly down, Caunt - stumbling forward and falling over him. - - 6.――The rounds were too short and hurried to admit of - much in the way of description. Caunt, still eager to - be at work, tried his left, but was stopped. - Counter-hits with the left followed, but though Nick - was a fine counter-hitter, he never exhibited any great - relish for that mode of fighting――the most telling in - its effects and most exciting to witness of all - practised in the P. R. Caunt lashed out with his left, - and on Nick’s cleverly avoiding the smash, rushed to - in-fighting. Nick, however, pursued his plan of getting - down, but Caunt came heavily upon him. Although up to - the present time Caunt had not done much execution, yet - he was certainly getting the best of the fight, and he - maintained his improvement in his style of hitting, - substituting straight hits from the shoulder for the - overhanded chops which had formerly marked his - attempts. - - 7.――Ward tried to regain the lead――if he had ever had - it――and let fly with his left, but he had not - sufficient courage to go close to his man, and once - again the blow fell short. He stopped Caunt’s attempt - at a return with his left, which came pretty heavy and - quickly, and on the latter’s rushing in for close work - Nick dropped on his knees. There was no blow struck in - this round, and Caunt, who was about to deliver, wisely - restrained his hand, and with his deep, short laugh, - shook his finger menacingly at Ward as he knelt, and - walked away. - - 8.――Up to this period no material damage had been done - on either side, few of the hits having more than a - skin-deep effect. Ward still preserved his elegant - attitude, and tried his left, but did not get home, and - Caunt hit short at the body with his right. Nick now - steadied himself for mischief, and, after a short - pause, threw his left with the quickness of lightning, - and caught Caunt over the right eyebrow, on which it - left a gaping wound, from which a copious crimson - stream flowed over the undamaged optic and down his - cheek. Caunt hit out wildly, left and right; Ward, in - retreating, fell on his knees, and Caunt tumbled over - him. - - 9.――Atkinson was seen to be busily engaged in stopping - the flow of claret from Caunt’s eyebrow when “Time!” - was called. At the sound Caunt jumped up vigorously, - and continued the contest with a figurehead anything - but improved by the crimson stain which marked its - right side. Nick smiled at his handiwork, waited for - his man, and as Caunt came plunging in, met him with a - heavy hit from the left on the cheek, opening an - ancient wound originally inflicted by Brassey, and - starting a fresh tap of claret. Caunt was stung by the - hits, and dashed in left and right; but Ward adhered to - his dropping tactics, and again fell on his knees, - amidst strong expressions of disapprobation. - - 10.――Ward again tried his left, but was unsuccessful; - Caunt came in, and after a couple of slight exchanges, - left and right, Nick got down. - - 11.――Caunt came up nothing daunted, stopped an attempt - with Ward’s left, and made a terrific rush, which if as - clumsy as the elephant’s was almost as irresistible. - Nick retreated, stopping left and right, till he fell - under the ropes, amidst cries of dissatisfaction, Caunt - dropping on him. - - 12.――Ward stopped Caunt’s left and right, and almost - immediately dropped on his knees, and while in that - position instantly hit up left and right, delivering - both blows heavily; that from his right, on Caunt’s - ear, from whence blood was drawn, was evidently a - stinger. Spring, who witnessed this, exclaimed against - so cowardly a practice, and observed that the blows of - Ward were obviously foul, inasmuch as Ward had no more - right to hit when down on his knees than Caunt had a - right to strike him in that position. The umpires, - however, did not interfere, and the referee cautioned - Ward to be more circumspect in his conduct. - - 13.――Caunt, lively as a young buffalo, rushed to the - scratch the moment time was called, and immediately - made play. Nick, as usual, retreated, when Caunt - endeavoured to close, but Nick in his cowardly way - dropped on both knees. Caunt’s right hand was up, and - he was unable to restrain the falling blow, but it fell - lightly, and although “down” no claim was made. (Spring - and Atkinson both cautioned Caunt to be more careful, - for, however unintentional, if he struck his opponent - when down the consequences might be serious.) - - 14.――Caunt led off, and caught Nick on the side of his - head with his left, and repeated the dose on the - opposite side with his right. Nick popped in a touch - with his left on Caunt’s nasal promontory――Caunt missed - a terrific hit with his right, and Nick went on his - knees to avoid punishment. - - 15.――Caunt, who was now evidently provoked by the - cowardly game of Ward in getting down in every round, - the moment he came to the scratch rushed to him, and - endeavoured to get him within his grasp in such a way - as to be enabled to fall with him. Unluckily, however, - instead of catching him round the body he caught him - round the neck, and, in this manner, lifting him off - the ground, for a short time held him suspended. He - then let him go, but did not succeed in giving him the - _scrunch_ he contemplated. Instead of this, he hit the - back of his own head against the stakes, and incurred - an ugly concussion. - - 16.――Caunt came up full of life and frolic, and was - first at the scratch. Nick made play with his left, but - Caunt stopped and got away. Caunt hit short with his - right, and after a short pause right-hand hits were - exchanged――Nick at the head, Caunt at the body. Caunt - immediately closed, and caught Nick’s pimple under his - arm, but Nick slipped down, and looked up as if - expecting to be hit. - - 17.――Trifling exchanges, when Nick again provokingly - slipped on his knees. - - 18.――Caunt led off, planted his left slightly, and Nick - down on his knees. Caunt looked at him derisively and - laughed, exclaiming, “It won’t do to-day, Nick.” - - 19.――Caunt still fresh as a four-year-old, and first to - the scratch, Nick evidently fearful of approaching too - near. Caunt made a feint, with his left, and then - delivered a tremendous round right-handed blow on the - base of Ward’s ribs; the blow was too high, or it might - have told fearfully. Nick let go his left, and Caunt - jumped back, but again coming to the charge Ward - retreated. Caunt following him up again seized him with - a Herculean grip round the neck, lifted him clean off - the ground, and then fell squash upon him. - - 20.――Some tolerably good exchanges, in which Nick hit - straightest, but immediately went down――Caunt pointing - at him with contempt. - - 21.――Nick tried his left and right, but missed, his - timidity evidently preventing his getting sufficiently - near to his man. Caunt again seized him, lifted him up, - and fell upon him, but lightly. - - 22.――Caunt hit short at the body with his right, and - tried his left, which was stopped. Counter-hits with - the right, ditto with the left, when Nick went down. - - 23.――Ward planted his left heavily on Caunt’s mug, and - opened his previous wounds; this he followed with a - touch from his right on the ear. Caunt rushed wildly to - the charge, but Nick, as usual, tumbled, this time - rolling over away from Caunt. - - 24.――Caunt rushed forward, and delivered his left and - right on Ward’s nob, the first on his nose, the second - on the side of his head; Ward’s nose again trickled - with the purple fluid. Nick went down on his knees, - amidst shouts of disapprobation. - - 25.――Caunt delivered his left on the head and right on - the body, with stinging effect, and Nick went down. - - 26.――Nick again had it on his nose from the left, and - dropped on his knees. Caunt, who had his right up with - intent to deliver, withheld the blow, and walked away. - - 27.――Nick slow in approaching the scratch, and Caunt - impatient to be at him. Holt cautioned Caunt not to - cross the scratch till his man reached it. Caunt let - fly with his right, and again caught Nick heavily on - the body, following this up with a smart touch from his - left on the mazzard. Nick again went down on one knee, - and, while in that position, struck Caunt with his - left. Caunt stooped, nodded, and laughed at him, as he - looked up in his face. Nick also nodded and laughed. - “We’ll have a fair fight to-day, Nick,” said Caunt. - - 28.――Good counter-hits with the left, when Caunt once - more grasped Ward, and held him up; but Ward slipped - from his arms, and got down. - - 29.――Ward slow, when Caunt planted two right-handed - hits on Ward’s jaw and neck. Ward slipped down on one - knee, but Caunt refrained from striking him, although - entitled to do so by the rules of the Ring. - - 30.――Caunt lost no time in rushing to his man, and - planted his right heavily on the side of his head. Ward - hit widely left and right, and went down on his face. - - 31.――Ward evidently began to lose all confidence, and - fought extremely shy. Caunt rushed in, caught his head - under his arm, and although he might have hit him with - great severity, he restrained himself, and let him - fall. - - 32.――Ward came up evidently counter to his own - inclinations, being urged forward by his seconds. Caunt - caught him left and right, and he fell to avoid further - punishment. - - 33.――Caunt gave a lungeing slap with his right on - Ward’s pimple, when Ward dropped on both knees, and - popped his head between Caunt’s knees. He seemed - disposed to poke in anywhere out of danger’s way, and - any odds were offered on Caunt. - - 34.――Caunt rushed in to mill, but Ward had obviously - made up his mind to be satisfied, and down he went - without a blow. - - 35, and last.――Ward was “kidded” up once more by his - second and bottle-holder; but it was clear that all the - King’s horses and all the King’s men could not draw him - to the scratch with anything like a determination to - protract the combat. Caunt let fly right and left at - his mug, and down he went for the last time. His - brother ran to him, but it was all up; and as the only - excuse for such a termination to the battle, Nick - pretended that his ribs were broken from the heavy - right-handed hits of Caunt, and that he was incapable - of continuing the contest. Caunt was thus proclaimed - the conqueror, and “THE CHAMPION OF ENGLAND,” amidst a - general cheer, and expressions of contempt towards - Ward――so strongly emphasised that the usual collection - for the losing man was omitted by Holt, who shook a hat - with a few halfpence he had himself dropped into it, - and then put them in his pocket with a laugh. - - We examined the supposed fracture in his ribs, but - could discover nothing beyond severe contusions. It - will be recollected that Brassey closed his labours - with Caunt upon similar grounds, though perhaps with - better reason. Nick was immediately conveyed to his - omnibus, where he became prostrate in mind and body, - exciting but little sympathy in the breasts of the - general body of spectators. The fight lasted - forty-seven minutes. The ceremony of girding Caunt with - the Champion’s Belt then took place, and it was put - round his loins, with a hearty wish from those who - witnessed his unflinching courage from first to last, - as well as his manly forbearance amidst cowardly - provocation, that he might long retain it. He - afterwards went to Ward’s carriage, and offered him all - the consolations of which he was susceptible, hoping - that they might hereafter be the best friends, a - feeling which Jem Ward, who evidently blushed for the - pusillanimity of his brother, good-naturedly - reciprocated. Caunt, he said, had proved himself the - better man, and should always be an acceptable guest at - his house. We ought to have mentioned that Caunt, on - quitting the ring, disdained to do so in the usual way, - but leaped clear over the ropes, a height of four feet - six, and on his way home ran a pretty fast race against - a “Corinthian” across a piece of ploughed land for a - bottle of wine, which he cleverly won. - - REMARKS.――The report of this fight tells its own tale. - Nick Ward’s conduct completely confirmed the suspicions - of his chicken-hearted pretensions. He wanted that one - requisite of all others indispensable to a - pugilist――courage; and although his science was - unquestionable, it can only be displayed to advantage - in the sparring school. As he said himself after his - fight with Sambo Sutton, he “was not cut out for a - fighting man;” and the best advice we can give him is - to retire altogether from the Ring. Caunt, who from the - first booked victory as certain, sustained his - character for bravery, and left off as fresh as when he - commenced, although somewhat damaged in the - frontispiece. His right eyebrow and cheek were much - swollen, and the back of his head displayed a prominent - bump of combativeness from the fall against the stakes. - His hands were little damaged, but the knuckle of his - right hand showed that it had come in ugly contact with - Nick’s “pimple” or ribs. He was much improved in his - style of fighting since his former exhibitions in the - Ring; instead of hitting over the guard, as was his - former practice, he hit straight from the shoulder, and - having learned to lead off with his left, was enabled - the more effectively to bring the heavy weight of his - right into useful play. He still, however, hit round - with his right, and the most severe blows which Ward - received during the contest were those which were - planted on the ribs and side of the head with this - hand. These blows, with the heavy falls, to which was - superadded the weight of his antagonist, no doubt - tended to extinguish the little courage he might have - possessed. Caunt was carefully seconded by his aged - uncle and Atkinson, and although, had it been necessary - to carry him to his corner, they might not have been - able to afford him the requisite assistance, as that - necessity did not arise no fault was to be found. - Throughout the battle excellent order was maintained, - and there were none of those irregularities observable - on the former occasion. Jem Ward and his friends - conducted themselves with great propriety, and - submitted to defeat as well as to the loss of their - money with as good a grace as could well have been - expected. To the amateurs and patrons of British boxing - the conduct of Nick Ward was most displeasing, and they - one and all declared that they had never seen a man - whose pretensions to the Championship had been more - disgracefully exposed. Caunt came to town the same - night, accompanied by Tom Spring, and on reaching the - “Castle” was received with universal congratulations. - -Caunt now resolved, after the fashion of our great public performers, -to make a trans-Atlantic trip, to show the New World a specimen of an -Old World champion, and to add another “big thing” to the country of -“big things;” though in this America sustained her eminence by sending -us a bigger champion than our “Big Ben” himself, in the form of -Charles Freeman, of whom more anon. - -Ben’s departure was thus announced on the 10th of September, -1841――“Ben Caunt, Champion of England, sailed from Liverpool for New -York on Thursday, taking with him the Champion’s Belt, for which, he -says, any Yankee may become a candidate.” - -In the _New York Spirit of the Times_ of November 13th we find this -paragraph:―― - - “Caunt, the ‘Champion of England,’ arrived on Monday week - last in the packet ship ‘Europe,’ bringing with him the - Champion’s Belt. He has appeared several times at the Bowery - Theatre, in ‘Life in London,’ being introduced in the scene - opening with Tom Cribb’s sparring-room. He is an immensely - powerful man, two or three inches above six feet in height, - and well proportioned. Caunt’s reputation at home is that of - a liberal, manly fellow; prodigious strength and thorough - game have won him more battles than his science, though he - is no chicken. The following challenge has appeared in some - of the daily papers: ‘Challenge――To Caunt, the Champion of - England,――Sir, I will fight you for 500 dollars, three - months from this date, the forfeit money to be put up at any - time and place you may name. You can find me at 546, Grand - Street.――Yours, JAMES JEROLOMON.” - -This challenge, of course, was mere “buncombe.” After a profitable and -pleasant tour, in which, as he declared on his return, he met nothing -but hospitality and civility from our American cousins, Ben returned -to England early in 1842, accompanied by a magnificent specimen of -humanity named Charles Freeman, dubbed, for circus and theatre -purposes, “Champion of the World;” and truly, if bulk and height were -the prime requisites of a boxer, Charles Freeman was unapproachable in -these respects. - -The first mention of Freeman is in a letter from Caunt, dated from New -York, December 20th, 1841, in which we suspect the hand of some Yankee -Barnum, rather than the fist of burly Ben, may be detected. Caunt -says, “I declared my intention of not fighting in America, but if -anything can tempt me to change my intention, it will be the following -circumstance:―― - - “When at Philadelphia I intended taking a Southern tour, but - an unexpected circumstance brought me back to New York. - There appeared a challenge in the papers of New York from - the Michigan Giant to me; my friends at New York went to try - to make a match with him; they offered to back me for ten - thousand dollars a side, and sent for me to return as soon - as possible. There is no match made yet, but it is likely - there will be soon. I am quite prepared to fight him――he is - the only man who could draw me from my first determination. - This Giant is seven feet three inches high, proportionally - stout, and very active; he can turn twenty-five somersets in - succession, can hold a large man out at arm’s length, he - weighs 333lb., and has nothing but muscle on his bones. I - have all reasons to believe a match will be made. I expect - to be in England in a short time if the above match is not - made, when I shall be ready to accommodate Bendigo. You will - oblige me by inserting some or the whole of the above in - your valuable columns. - - I remain, Yours, &c., “BENJAMIN CAUNT.” - “New York, December 20th, 1841.” - -That there were showmen before Artemus Ward, as ingenious, if not so -“genial” or witty, the reader must allow. The bathos of being ready -for little Bendigo, after disposing of a monster “seven feet three -inches high, and proportionally stout,” and “weighing 23st. 11lb.,” is -overwhelming. The “gag” is sufficiently indicated by another paragraph -from a New York paper, in which the “Michigan Giant” becomes the “New -York Baby,” without any mention of fistic collision between the -so-called “Champions.” - - “The amateurs of the Ring have been on the ‘ki wivy’ - (according to a notorious ex-justice of police) since the - arrival of the English Champion, Caunt. He has just - concluded a successful engagement at one of the Philadelphia - theatres, after having appeared several nights here at the - Bowery, in ‘Life in London.’ Caunt has put on the gloves for - a friendly set-to with most of our amateurs at Hudson’s - ‘Sparring Rooms and Pistol Gallery,’ corner of Broadway and - Chambers Street; he hits hard, and is as active as a bottle - imp. But ‘a baby’ has at length been found who promises to - show both fun and fight, in the shape of a young New Yorker, - standing seven feet in his stockings, and whose weight is - three hundred and fifteen pounds. His name is Charles - Freeman, and he is about the tallest specimen of our city - boys that ever came under the notice of the ‘Tall Son of - York.’ He has immense muscular developments, and is well put - together, with arms and legs strong enough for the - working-beam or piston-rod of a Mississippi steamboat. - Freeman has lately returned from a visit through the British - Provinces, where he was sufficiently successful to lay claim - to Cæsar’s motto, ‘_Veni, vidi, vici_.’ At Halifax, - recently, some one sent him a challenge, which was accepted, - but upon seeing the ‘New York Baby,’ waived the honour of - meeting him, except with the muffles on. It is, we believe, - arranged that our specimen youth shall accompany the English - Champion back to the Old World, where, we’ll lay a pile, - they’ll be gravelled to match him.” - -These pilot balloons were soon followed by the return of the doughty -Ben with his Giant _protégé_, in the month of March, 1842. The -“sparring tours” were carried out by Ben and his Giant partner, -including appearances at provincial theatres, &c., with an -undercurrent of pugilistic challenges and “correspondence” kept up in -the sporting papers, in which the Tipton Slasher challenged the -American Giant, and Bendigo now and then offered terms to Ben himself. -These do not belong to a history of pugilism, and we pass them by, -with a mere reference to our notice of Freeman’s fiasco with the -clumsy Tipton Slasher in another place. (See Life of WILLIAM PERRY, -Chapter IV.) - -We may here interject a paragraph to say that the cup which Ben was -wont to exhibit to visitors to St. Martin’s Lane, as the “Champion of -England’s Cup,” was a handsome piece of plate, subscribed for by a -number of Ben’s admirers and friends in Newcastle, Gateshead, -Nottingham, &c., and presented to him at a “spread” at Izzy Lazarus’s, -“Cross Keys,” Gateshead, on the date given in the inscription, which -was as follows: “Presented to Benjamin Caunt, Champion of England, by -his Newcastle friends, as a token of respect for his abilities as a -pugilist and his conduct as a man, July 6th, 1842.” - -That Ben kept himself before the public, may be gathered from the -following comprehensive challenge, which we select from several of the -same character, and which served for gossip for the gobemouches in -1843 and 1844:―― - - - “A WORD FROM THE CHAMPION. - - “To the Editor of _Bell’s Life in London_. - - “SIR,――Seeing a challenge from Bendigo this week, I shall be - happy to meet him on his own terms, £200 a ride (in which I - heartily hope he will not disappoint me). I will meet him at - my own house, on Tuesday evening next, to stake not less - than £20 as a first deposit. Should this challenge not be - accepted, I will fight Bendigo, Tass Parker, and the Tipton - Slasher, once each within six months, for £200 a side, and - shall be prepared to deposit £60――viz., £20 each match――as - the first deposit, any time at my house, or at Tom Spring’s, - the Castle Tavern, Holborn. Should this not be ‘a go’ within - four months, I shall beg most respectfully to decline the - Ring altogether. - - “B. CAUNT. - “January 21st, 1844.” - -By many it was thought that the severe accident which had occurred to -Bendigo, and occasioned a forfeit by him of £75 to Tass Parker, had -placed another contest between him and the ponderous Ben out of the -question. This did not, however, prove to be the case. At a sporting -dinner at Owen Swift’s, at which, besides a full muster of -Corinthians, Tom Spring, Peter Crawley, Jem Burn, Frank Redmond, Tom -Oliver, Dan Dismore, Bill Jones, and many of the “professionals” were -present, the matter of the Championship was formally discussed. - -Therein, with the consent of Caunt, Bendigo was matched to fight him -for £200, Caunt’s subscription belt, and the Championship, and the -Tipton Slasher staked £10 as a first deposit to fight the winner. How -the first of these events did come off (unsatisfactorily), and how the -second did _not_ come off at all, are fully recorded in the lives of -BENDIGO and of WILLIAM PERRY. Suffice it here to say that Caunt lost -his third battle with Bendigo by falling without a blow. (See Chapter -I., page 28, _ante_.) - -A fearful catastrophe, by which the Champion suffered a heavy domestic -bereavement, occurred during Caunt’s temporary absence from London on -a visit to some country friends in Hertfordshire. - -By a fire which suddenly broke out at the “Coach and Horses,” St. -Martin’s Lane, of which Caunt was at this time the landlord, two of -Caunt’s children, and the servant by whom they were attended, were -burnt to death. The facts of the case will best be gathered from a -condensed report of the evidence at the coroner’s inquest, held at the -Board Room of St. Martin’s parish, on the Thursday following the -melancholy event. - -The jury having viewed the bodies of the unfortunate victims, the -first witness called was Mrs. Anne Tomlins, who identified the bodies -as those of Ruth Lowe, aged 18 years, Martha Caunt, aged 9 years, and -Cornelius Butler Caunt, aged 6 years, the two latter being the -children of Benjamin and Martha Caunt, and the former a cousin of Mrs. -Caunt. - -Susanna Thorpe was next examined: She said she came to town on Sunday -last, on a visit to Mrs. Caunt, who was her cousin. Mrs. Caunt and -herself were in the bar when the clock struck two on Wednesday -morning, shortly after which they both went upstairs to bed. Ruth Lowe -and the children had gone to bed some hours previously. Mr. Caunt -being away in the country, Mrs. Caunt asked witness to sleep with her. -Witness consented to do so, and had already got into bed herself, when -she heard Edward Noakes, the cellarman, who slept upstairs, give an -alarm. Mrs. Caunt had not got into bed when this happened, and she -immediately opened the door, and found that the furniture in the -middle room, on the second floor, was on fire. Witness got out of bed, -and went downstairs with Mrs. Caunt to call for assistance. Witness -saw fire and smoke in the middle room as she crossed the landing to go -downstairs. - -Coroner: Does it occur to you how the fire originated there? No, sir. -I was in that room just before I went to bed. I went to fetch my -nightdress, which I had left on a chair near the window, having slept -in this room on the three previous nights. I had a common candlestick -in my hand when I went into the room. There were two beds in the -apartment. I passed them both, but not closely, and I have no -recollection of any circumstance which might account for the origin of -the fire. - -Corroborative evidence was given by Edward Noakes, the cellarman and -waiter, by Sarah Martin, the barmaid, and by Dominic Carr, sergeant of -police. - -John Short, conductor of the fire escape stationed by St. Martin’s -Church, proved having attended with his machine immediately after the -alarm was given. He first directed the machine to the second floor -window, through which he entered. He found no person in this room, and -as the fire prevented his getting further, he came down, and having -thrown up the top ladder, reascended to the parapet. He tried to make -an entrance through the parapet window, but the flames and smoke at -this time shot through with such violence that all his efforts were -unavailing, and he again descended. He heard no cries coming from the -attic window while he was there. - -The coroner briefly charged the jury. It was a most deplorable case, -but he apprehended, after the testimony they had had from the various -witnesses, the jury would have little difficulty in arriving at a -conclusion. - -The jury, after consulting for a few moments, found “that the deceased -parties were suffocated in a fire, the origin of which they had no -evidence before them to determine.” - -Caunt did not return from the country till the following morning. His -feelings may be more easily conceived than described. Both himself and -his wife were so deeply affected as to excite the commiseration of all -classes. - -The last appearance of our ponderous hero in the P.R. was one that -adds no leaf of laurel to his pugilistic biography. Some absurd family -quarrels (Nat Langham had married a relative of Mrs. Caunt), together -with some petty trade jealousy, (Nat being the popular landlord of the -“Cambrian Stores,” Castle Street, Leicester Square, hard by Big Ben’s -“Coach and Horses”), gave rise to all sorts of unpleasant -personalities on more than one occasion. Nat, though a civil and, -except professionally, non-combative sort of fellow, having over and -over again expressed his opinion that Caunt had no pretensions to -pugilistic honours beyond the possession of unwieldy bulk and clumsy -strength, and further, that “he couldn’t hit him (Nat) in a month of -Sundays,” the feud, aggravated by crabbed old Ben Butler and Mrs. -Caunt, assumed the bitterness of a family feud, and finally Ben -proposed and “Ould Nat” accepted a challenge to settle this -“difference of opinion” in the manner and form prescribed by the fair -rules and regulations of British boxing. The articles were formulated -on the 16th of May, 1857, by which, and a deposit of £10 a side, the -parties agreed to stake £200 a side in instalments, the battle to come -off on the 23rd of the ensuing September. It is regrettable to find -that the “feud of kindred” received yet another proof of its exceeding -intensity over all ordinary quarrels among strangers. At the second -deposit Nat (he was going out of town) actually left his £10 with the -final stakeholder a week before it was due, whereon Caunt and Co. -appealed to the “letter of the articles,” which declared that the -“said deposits should be made at the times and places hereinafter -mentioned,” and claimed forfeit of the money down; although the “final -stakeholder, to whom all deposits should be paid over in time for -insertion in _Bell’s Life in London_” had actually given notice to -“uncle Butler,” (Caunt being away at Brighton,) of the previous -deposit of the money in his hands. This quibbling plea was, however, -repudiated by Caunt himself, as will be seen below, and the match went -on:―― - - “MR. EDITOR,――I respectfully ask that you will admit into - your columns this declaration on my part: That my match with - Langham is the result of a dispute that can only be settled, - so far as I am concerned, by an appeal to the fists. That - the articles will be strictly abided by on my part, and that - so far from throwing any impediment in the way of the match - it is my anxious desire to bring it to an issue in the Ring. - Thus far, I beg my friends will take my assurance of - ‘honourable intentions.’ Were they but aware of the personal - nature of the affair, such assurance would not be needed; - but, as many must necessarily be unacquainted with its cause - of origin, it is due to my own character to take the course - I have now done in writing to you an emphatic statement of - my intentions, which I solemnly assert are unalterable, - until that result comes to pass which shall prove either me - or my antagonist the better man. - - “Yours, &c., BENJAMIN CAUNT. - “‘Coach and Horses,’ St. Martin’s Lane, London, - May 27th, 1857.” - -To which the editor adds:―― - - “Ben has also paid us a personal visit, and repeated the - statements contained in his letter, and in addition has - given up all claim to the forfeit, which, from the first, we - believe was not his own doing.” - -The atmosphere thus cleared, all went on serenely, the _bona fides_ of -the match, which had been sorely doubted and even ridiculed in -sporting circles, being now placed beyond dispute. If “there is only -one step from the sublime to the ridiculous,” however many gradations -there may be before arriving at the last step but one, we think the -reader will agree that it was taken by Caunt in the affair we will now -briefly relate. In the month of June Tom Sayers (see Life of SAYERS, -_post_) beat the “Old Tipton Slasher” (Wm. Perry) in a battle for the -Championship and the “Belt,” from all claim to which Caunt had years -before publicly retired. Among the challengers of Sayers’s remarkable -position as a 10-stone Champion we find――_risum teneatis, -amici?_――Caunt, although then engaged in articles with an 11-stone -man. Ben shall here speak for himself:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――Unaccustomed as I am to public challenging, long laid - upon the shelf as I have been, it may perchance startle the - sporting world to learn that Ben Caunt is once more a - candidate for the Championship. Win or lose with Langham, I - challenge Tom Sayers for £200 a side and the Championship, - the contest to take place within six months of my - forthcoming fight. My money is ready at your office, and I - trust that this offer will be accepted, in order that the - world may be as speedily as possible undeceived with regard - to the merits of the much-vaunted new school of British - boxing. - - “Yours obediently, BENJAMIN CAUNT. - “June 18th, 1857.” - “NOTE.――Caunt has left £10 in our hands to prove he is in - earnest.” - -This Waterloo Day flourish of trumpets was followed the next week by -the fearless little Tom covering Big Ben’s “tenner,” announcing that, -if his match with Caunt did not go on, he was prepared to meet his -other challenger, Tom Paddock. The “lame and impotent conclusion” of -Caunt’s challenge is soon told. Ben proposed that Sayers should come -to his house (of course as a “draw”) to draw up articles, &c. Tom -didn’t see it; and as he was engaged in the provinces making hay while -the sun shone, he offered to sign articles, if transmitted to him, and -duly post the needful with the editor of _Bell’s Life_. This, on the -other hand, didn’t suit Ben’s fireside, and so the incongruous affair -ended in smoke. Meantime Paddock had a severe accident, which put his -right hand _hors de combat_, and a disabling illness followed. Ben now -announced his departure for “sea breezes and strict training,” and Nat -did the same, which brings us to the 22nd day of September, 1857. - -As we have already remarked, the match from its first inception was -considered so extraordinary, not only from the great disparity in the -size of the men, but from the supposed irreparable state of Nat’s -constitution (he having, as was known to many, sought the advice of -the principal physician of the Brompton Hospital for Consumption), -that the public generally looked upon it with distrust and suspicion, -and up to the very last deposit sporting men refused to believe that -it would ever come to a fight. Indeed, so strong was this impression -on the minds of many, and not a few of them influential patrons of the -P. R., that they pooh-poohed the whole affair, absented themselves -from the houses where deposits were made good, and also from the fight -itself. Great therefore was their disappointment, and no less their -disgust, when they learnt that not only had the men met, but that they -had actually fought a battle which was certainly as well worth seeing -as almost any modern battle between big men. - -Those with whom we conversed appeared to hold but two opinions on the -subject. Either one or the other of the men would be apprehended and -held to bail, or there would be police interference on the day. At one -time, indeed, so infectious is suspicion, we began to participate in -the general distrust, and awaited expectantly the bursting of the -bubble, by the news of a domiciliary visit from Sir Richard Mayne, or -some of his satellites, to one or other of the rival houses; both -Caunt and Langham announcing flying visits to their respective -hostelries on more than one occasion. Up to the eleventh hour this or -some other obstacle was confidently predicted. On the Monday, however, -it was known that arrangements had been agreed on by Dan Dismore on -the part of Nat Langham, and Jemmy Shaw and Ben Butler on the part of -Ben Caunt, to hire two steamboats between them, one for first and the -other for second-class passengers. It was also arranged that the boats -should rendezvous at Tilbury, and that the men and their friends -should proceed to the same place by the 7.50 a.m. train on the -eventful morning. In the course of Monday, however, it seems that -apprehensions arose in the minds of Nat’s friends that it would be -unsafe to start from Tilbury, and they telegraphed to the owner of the -boats to change the venue and muster at Southend. They did not seem to -think it necessary to communicate with Caunt or his uncle, concluding -of course that they would be at the London terminus at the time -arranged, and that then everything could be settled. At the time -appointed Ben Butler and Young Ben (Caunt’s son) were at Fenchurch -Street, but Caunt did not show, and we thought of course he had -adopted some other means of conveyance. At Tilbury, however, Uncle Ben -and Jemmy Shaw came to us, and said that Caunt expected the boat at -Tilbury, and had not heard of any alteration. Here again our -suspicions arose that some casualty had happened, and that there would -be no fight. Ben’s friends could give no reason for his not being at -the appointed station in the morning, and all seemed quite nonplused. -To add to other difficulties there were no signs of young Fred Oliver, -who, as the deputy of Old Tom, had charge of the ropes and stakes, -although he had distinct notice on Friday at what time the expedition -was to leave London. This state of things cast a gloom on the -travellers, many of whom had serious thoughts of returning to town. On -persuasion, however, they made up their minds to “see it out,” and as -the train could not be stopped, all resumed their seats and sped on to -Southend, hoping to find Caunt there, or, at any rate, to hear some -tidings of him. On reaching this spot all at once made their way to -the pier head, but not a word could be heard of the ex-Champion, or of -the ropes and stakes. Butler at once went on board one boat (that -reserved for first-class passengers), while Dan Dismore remained on -the pier to supply tickets for the voyage. - -The party now repaired on board the second-class boat, where Nat was -found installed, waiting impatiently for the appearance of Caunt, of -whom nothing could be heard; Dan Dismore also came on board this -vessel. - -It was now nearly twelve o’clock, and all began anxiously to look for -the half-hour, at which time the next train was due at Southend, by -which it was, of course, expected that Ben would come. Half-past -twelve, one o’clock arrived, the train had been in some time, but -still there was no appearance of Ben on the pier. At length an -emissary was sent ashore, and he ascertained that Caunt and the ropes -and stakes had been embarked on board an opposition tug, singularly -enough called the “Ben Bolt,” at Tilbury, and that they were on the -way to join the flotilla as quickly as possible. It was two o’clock or -nearly so before the “Ben Bolt” hove in sight, with “’tother Ben” on -board. By a quarter-past two o’clock, everything being settled, the -office was given, and an experienced pilot conducted the flotilla, -which now numbered four steamboats, besides innumerable small craft, -to the proposed scene of action, within a very short distance of the -spot where Tom Sayers and Aaron Jones settled their differences. -Against a strong ebb of course progress was very slow, and it was past -three before the first vessel arrived off the point. The ropes and -stakes were at once sent ashore, and Fred Oliver with due diligence -proceeded to erect the ring. Poor Old Tom was sadly missed, and many -expressions of regret were uttered at his continued ill health. The -number of persons present was extremely large, but of Corinthians -there was a lamentable absence, arising, no doubt, from the -before-mentioned suspicions as to the men’s intentions. As soon as the -arena was ready, the combatants, who were evidently all agog to be at -it, tossed their caps into the ring, Nat being the first to uncover -his canister, Ben being not two seconds behind him. Both looked hard -and healthy, but their mugs bore distinct traces of their being -veteran boxers. Ben, of course, looked the older man, his not handsome -dial being as brown as mahogany, and looked as hard as a -nutmeg-grater. Nat’s phiz was smoother, softer, and of a lighter tint, -and there was a hue of health upon it that we had not seen there for -many a day. They shook hands, but it was evident that the ceremony was -against the grain. As four o’clock was fast approaching, it was hinted -that no time ought to be lost, and the men at once proceeded to -accomplish their toilettes. Nat Langham was assisted by the Champion -(Tom Sayers) and the accomplished Jack Macdonald――certainly the best -second out――while Ben Caunt was waited upon (we cannot say picked up, -for he never once was down throughout the fight) by Jack Gill, of -Nottingham, and Jemmy Shaw, who, between them, could never have -carried him to his corner, had occasion required it, in the time -allowed between the rounds, indeed they must have inevitably have -carried him a limb at a time. How he could have been persuaded to -select two such assistants we are at a loss to conceive. Jack Gill -could not have had much experience in his new vocation, and Jemmy Shaw -will excuse us for saying that, however staunch a friend and good -fellow he has proved himself in other ways, his stature and -proportions by no means qualify him as a porter to either Gog or -Magog, should those gigantic worthies need to be picked up from a -horizontal position. - -At a quarter to four the seconds proceeded to knot the colours on the -centre stake――a blue, with white spot, for Langham, orange with a blue -border for Caunt. The betting on the ground was trifling in the -extreme; nothing was laid between the men, and but small sums at 5 and -6 to 4 on Caunt. As to Nat’s training, he went first to Dover and then -to Stockbridge, in Hampshire, where by steadiness and perseverance he -got himself into extraordinary fettle; to our eye, he looked bigger, -stronger, and healthier, though of course somewhat older, than when he -fought either Harry Orme or Tom Sayers. And now, having brought our -men to the “post,” we will start them for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On toeing the scratch the disparity between - the men was of course extraordinary. Ben Caunt, barring - his mug, was a study for a sculptor. His massive frame - and powerful legs and arms――the former set off to the - best advantage by pink silk stockings and well-made - drawers――presented a sight worth going some distance to - see; and as he stood over old Nat any one would have - agreed with Jerry Noon, who declared that it was - “Chelsea Hospital to a sentry-box” in his favour. He - smiled good-humouredly, and had clearly made up his - mind to win in a trot. Nat was, as usual, clear in - skin, and neatly made at all points. His shoulders and - arms were well covered with muscle, and for an - encounter with a man of his own size he looked all that - could be desired; but as to his being a match for Ben - Caunt it seemed too absurd to be credited, and few, we - think, expected to see him “perform” with anything like - effect. His attitude, as of yore, was perfection, and - his dangerous left was playing about close to his side - all in readiness for one of his neat deliveries as Ben - came in. Caunt stood just as he ever stood, very square - on his pins, his brawny arms almost straight out before - him, which he ever and anon moved backward and forward - with all the deliberation of a couple of pendulums. He - had come, however, not to spar, but to fight, and after - very little feinting he went up to Nat, who retreated - towards the ropes, and Ben at length lunged out left - and right, just catching Nat with the former on the - ribs, and Nat was down laughing. - - 2.――Both very quick to time. Caunt walked after Nat, - sawing the air with both fins, and as he got close he - sent out his left, but Nat, quick as lightning, shot - out his left on the kisser, drawing _first blood_ from - Ben’s upper lip and got down. - - 3.――After a little dodging Nat feinted, and then let - fly his left straight on the jaw. Slight exchanges - followed on the side of the wig block, and Nat was - again down out of harm’s way. - - 4.――No time cut to waste, Caunt went to his man and - poked out his left, just catching Nat on the chin, and - Nat dropped. - - 5.――Nat fiddled Ben to within distance, and then popped - his larboard daddle on Ben’s jaw, a cracker; this led - to heavy exchanges, Caunt getting on to Nat’s forehead - above the left peeper, and receiving on the cheek; Nat - fell. - - 6.――After one or two passes the men got close, and very - slight exchanges took place, when Nat got down by a - roll over. - - 7.――Caunt stalked up to Nat, swung his mauleys slowly - round, and then dropped the left on Nat’s left cheek, - Nat nailing him prettily at the same time on the left - eye; Nat down clumsily, Caunt carefully stepping over - him. - - 8.――Caunt again approached Nat, and lunged out his - left, Nat countering him quickly on the right peeper. - Ben got home on the left cheek, and Nat fell. - - 9.――Nat dodged about for an opening, and then got - sharply home on the left cheek. Caunt returned very - slightly on the side of the nut, and Nat was down. - - 10.――Both sparred a little for wind, but soon went to - close quarters, when, after a very slight exchange on - the forehead, Nat sought Mother Earth. The 11th round - was precisely similar, Caunt missing with both hands. - - 12.――Nat, after a few passes, got within distance and - shot out his left as straight as a dart on Ben’s conk, - inflicting an ugly cut on the bridge, and drawing more - claret. The blow had double force from the fact that - Ben was coming in at the time. He, nevertheless, bored - in, and had Nat down at the ropes. - - 13.――Nat again timed his man judgmatically with his - left on the proboscis, and slipped down from the force - of the blow. He recovered himself, however, and after a - little sparring got sharply on Ben’s potato-trap. Ben - retaliated, but not effectively, on Nat’s cheek, and - Nat fell. - - 14.――Nat feinted, and dropped smartly on the snorer. He - tried again, but missed, and in getting away slipped - down. - - 15.――Langham missed his left, and slight exchanges - followed at the ropes, where Nat got down, Caunt again, - in the most manly way, refraining from falling on him, - as he might have done as he was going down. - - 16.――Ben took the first move, and got home, but not - heavily, on Nat’s jaw. They then sparred a bit, and on - getting close Caunt lunged out his one, two, on Nat’s - left cheek, but the blows appeared to have no steam in - them. Nat popped a straight one on the left brow, and - dropped. - - 17.――Slight exchanges, no damage, and Ben bored his man - down at the ropes. - - 18.――Nat let fly his left, but Ben was too far off. - Ben, however, went to him, and slight exchanges took - place, Nat on the mark and Caunt on the side of the - head, and Nat down. - - 19.――After slight exchanges, Ben got home sharply on - the back of Nat’s brain pan, and Nat fell. - - 20.――No time lost. They walked up to one another, and - at once let fly, Caunt on Nat’s forehead, and Nat on - the left brow. Nat down. - - 21.――Good exchanges, but Nat straightest, getting - another good one on Ben’s conk, and renewing the - crimson distillation. Caunt touched Nat’s forehead, and - Nat down without a visible mark of punishment. - - 22.――Caunt rushed at Nat, who being close to the ropes, - slipped down. An appeal of “foul” was made, but not by - the umpires. The referee, however, sent Nat’s umpire to - him to caution him. - - 23.――Nat fiddled and dodged until Caunt drew back his - arm, when pop went the left on Ben’s cheek. Exchanges - followed, Nat getting on Ben’s left peeper, and Ben on - the brow, and Nat down. - - 24.――Slight exchanges; Ben on the forehead, and Nat - down. - - 25.――Nat missed his first delivery, but in a second - effort caught Ben on the body, Caunt retaliating with a - swinging round hit on the cranium, and Nat down. - - 26.――Sharp exchanges; Nat on the kisser, and Ben on the - side of the canister, and Nat down, Ben as usual - stepping over him, but asking him why he “did not stand - up and have a round.” - - 27.――Ben went to his man, and began business by lunging - out both hands, but he missed, and Nat popped his left - on the whistler. Ben, however, returned on the cheek, - just drawing claret, and Nat down. - - 28.――Ben again succeeded in reaching Nat’s cheek with - his right, drawing the ruby, and Nat fell. - - 29 and 30.――After trifling exchanges in these rounds, - Nat got down, much to the annoyance of Ben, who, - however, preserved his good temper, and merely - remonstrated with his cunning opponent. - - 31.――Nat dodged, and popped his left sharply on the - mazzard, received the merest excuse for a blow, and - dropped. - - 32.――In this round the exchanges were very slight, but - Nat’s were straightest. As usual, he was down. - - 33.――Nat crept in, let go his left on Ben’s lip, which - he cut, and Nat fell on his back from the force of his - own blow. - - 34.――Ben, whose warbler was bleeding, rushed at Nat - furiously, and regularly bored him down. - - To go into details of the next few rounds would be - merely a repetition of what we have already written. - Nat feinted, dodged, timed his man with the greatest - precision whenever he moved his arms, and, although his - blows did not seem very heavy, they still were always - “there, or thereabouts,” and poor old Ben’s mug began - to be all shapes. The manly fellow, however, never - grumbled; he went straight up to be planted upon, and - although he occasionally got home a body blow or a - round hit on the side of Nat’s knowledge box, still he - left no visible marks. Once or twice Jemmy Shaw claimed - “foul,” on the ground that Nat fell without a blow; but - Nat was cunning enough to keep just within the pale of - the law. There was not one round in which he did not go - down, and Ben invariably walked to his corner. In the - 43rd round Ben got the first knock-down blow on Nat’s - forehead. In the 48th, he bustled in with desperation, - but Nat met him full in the mouth, and then on the - snorter, with his left, drawing the crimson from each, - Ben returned on the top of the forehead, and Nat got - down. - - 49.――Nat crept in craftily, and popped a little one on - the snuffer-tray, and this led to a tremendous - counter-hit, Caunt on the cheek, and Nat on the jaw - very heavily, drawing more ruby. Nat fell, his nut - first reaching the ground, and Ben staggered to his - corner, evidently all abroad. By great exertions, and a - little extra time, his seconds got him up to the - scratch. Nat, however, was not in a much better state. - Both were severely shaken. - - 50.――Nat on coming up, was evidently slow, but, to the - surprise of every one, showed no mark of the hit in the - last round, while Ben’s kisser was considerably awry, - and he was scarcely himself. Now would have been - Langham’s time, but he had not strength to go in. After - a short spar, Ben got on to Nat’s jaw, staggering him; - Nat returned sharply on the left eye and nozzle. After - heavy exchanges on the body, Nat fell. - - 51.――In this round Ben just missed Nat as he was - falling, and caught the stake very heavily with his - left, which was thereby rendered useless, or nearly so. - From this to the 60th and last round there was nothing - to call for particular notice. Nat pursued his - defensive tactics, and his pop for nothing when there - was a chance. Still, however, old Ben kept swinging his - dangerous limbs about, and every now and then got - heavily on Nat’s body and left shoulder, and - occasionally on the top of his head. Nat fell every - round, but oftentimes be had to do it so quickly, owing - to the close proximity of Ben, that he fell most - awkwardly for himself, and must have been shaken - severely. He gradually got tired, and Caunt, whose dial - was much cut about, was evidently puzzled what to be - at. At length, in the sixtieth round, after a little - sparring and a slight exchange, they stood and looked - at one another, and rubbed their chests. Neither seemed - disposed to begin, and it was pretty clear that each - had the same end in view――namely, to protract the - battle until it was dark. Each, doubtless, felt that he - was unable to finish that day, and did not feel - disposed to throw a chance away by going in, and - getting an unexpected finisher at close quarters. After - standing several minutes, Dan Dismore came to us and - said it was a pity that men who had been such close - friends should proceed any further with hostilities, - and suggested that it would be much better if they - forgave and forgot their quarrel, and shook hands. We - coincided with Dan in his kindly opinion, and he then - took upon himself to go into the ring and suggest some - such arrangement, and in doing so he said he would - gladly give £5 out of his own pocket to see them bury - their animosity there and then, and draw their stakes. - Caunt said he was willing if Nat was, and after a - little consideration Nat held out his mauley, which was - cordially shaken by Ben, and then Langham went with - Caunt into the corner of the latter, where he shook - hands with Ben Butler, and also with Caunt’s son. Dan - Dismore now left the ring, and on the referee asking - him what had been done, Dan said, “It is all over; it’s - settled.” The referee inquired whether they intended - drawing altogether, and Dan said again, “It’s all done - with; there will be nothing more done in it;” or words - to that effect, but we believe these were Dan’s exact - expressions. The referee at once, on hearing this, - expressed his pleasure at so amicable an arrangement, - and on the men quitting the arena he also left the ring - side, his office of course ceasing, and on the faith of - Dan’s statement he at once gave up what bets he held. - After being some time on board the boat, however, he - was somewhat staggered at being accosted by one of - Nat’s Corinthian patrons and Jack Macdonald, who told - him that Nat was quite astonished when they had - mentioned to him that a draw had been agreed to, and - had declared that such a thing never entered his head. - He thought Dismore merely wished them to draw for the - time being, and that the referee would name another day - in the same week to fight again. The referee replied - that his impression certainly was that an arrangement - had been made to draw stakes, or he should not have - vacated his post, and this application on Nat’s behalf - took him so much by surprise that he did not know how - his position was affected. It was a case that had never - occurred before, and he must think it over. Nat’s - backer said he also was impressed at the time with the - notion that everything was arranged, and had left the - ring side with that belief, but still he thought the - referee had the power to name another day, as Nat had - been no party to any final arrangement. At the railway - station, on the arrival of the boats, the referee - called both the men together, and asked them in the - presence of each other what they had understood on - leaving the ring. Caunt said he understood they were - friends again, and were to draw their money, while Nat - repeated the statement that had been conveyed to the - referee by Jack Macdonald. Caunt seemed quite taken - aback, as did also his friends. Dan Dismore now came - up, and repeated the statement that he had previously - made, to the effect that he had recommended the men to - shake hands and be friends, and that he had certainly - said he would give £5 out of his own pocket to see the - matter settled. They had shaken hands at his - recommendation, and at the time it certainly had been - his impression that they would not fight again. He - declined, however, to take upon himself the - responsibility of saying that either man had actually - said anything about drawing stakes. The referee was now - completely nonplused, and said, at that time, and in - such a crowd, he could not undertake to give an opinion - either way. He then suggested that the men and their - friends should meet at the Stakeholder’s office the - following day to discuss the matter, when all were - calm, and had had time to think over the affair. - -Owing to the low state of the tide when the fight was over, and the -narrowness of the causeway to the boats, a great deal of time was lost -in embarkation, and not a few of the travellers obtained mud baths at -much less price than such a luxury would have cost in Germany. The -consequence of the delay was, that the 8 o’clock train was missed, and -there being no other until 9.30, the travellers, weary, muddy, and -wet, but tolerably well satisfied with their entertainment, did not -reach the Metropolis until twelve o’clock. - -The following morning the referee took the opportunity of laying the -case before a Corinthian patron of the art, who, although no longer a -frequenter of the Ring side, was for many years one of the staunchest -attendants. That gentleman, after thinking the matter over for a few -minutes, said he was of opinion there could be no doubt as to the -course of the referee. There had been, he said, no appeal to him to -stop the fight――there was no reason for his interference, as he could -see both men perfectly, and he had stated there was sufficient -daylight for eight or ten more rounds. The men had shaken hands in the -ring, and, putting Dismore and his statement out of the question as -unnecessary adjuncts to the case, he was of opinion that the men, by -voluntarily quitting the ring without any appeal being made by -themselves or their umpires, had clearly taken the whole affair out of -the referee’s hands, and altogether deprived him of any power in the -matter. - -At the appointed hour both men and their friends were in -attendance――Nat all but scatheless, while Ben had an ugly cut on his -nose, and his left peeper was partially closed. He had also other -severe marks of punishment on various parts of his dial, and his hands -were much puffed. Both men made their statements. Caunt repeated that -he fully believed Nat had agreed to draw stakes when he shook hands -with him and his uncle, or he should never have consented to leave off -fighting, as there was still daylight for ten or a dozen rounds. He -was then warm, and felt confident he could have won. He was as strong -as ever on his legs, and was convinced that Nat had done all he knew. -Langham, in reply, denied that this was the case. He understood that -Dismore only proposed a postponement until another day, as it was not -likely they could finish that evening. He shook hands with Caunt and -his uncle because he did not think he ought to leave the ring without -performing that ceremony. Dan Dismore repeated the statement he had -already made, adding, that he certainly was not authorised to say they -had agreed to draw their money, whatever his own impression might have -been. He was of opinion then that it would have been a proper course, -and that opinion he still entertained; and he would willingly give £5 -or £10 out of his own pocket to see them shake hands and make up their -differences. Tom Sayers, who was also present, said he had left the -ring with the idea that his principal had agreed to draw the money, -and he had no idea until some time afterwards that Nat had -contemplated a renewal of hostilities. The referee, after hearing both -sides, said that he had thought the matter over very carefully, and -had come to a conclusion in his own mind, before consulting the -gentleman above referred to, and he was glad to find that conclusion -coincided with the opinion of his adviser. The men had taken the -matter quite out of his hands. They had made an arrangement between -themselves, had shaken hands and left the ring without asking his -opinion, or appealing to him in any way, although he stood close to -the ropes and stakes at the time they were shaking hands, and what -other conclusion could he arrive at than that they had amicably -settled their differences? That a misunderstanding had arisen as to -future arrangements was to be regretted, but he had no power whatever -to name another day. If his advice were asked it would be that they -should shake hands, but if they did not choose to do this, they must -agree upon another day and place between themselves. Nat at once -proposed fighting again on Saturday, to which Caunt objected. He said -he was now stiff, and his hands were injured, and required time to get -round. He believed a bone in one of his fingers was broken. As he had -before said, he could have finished it the same night, but he should -decline agreeing to fight again at present. Nat then asked what he -proposed, to which Ben said he proposed that on the next occasion Nat -should stand up and fight like a man. He could not fight a man who was -always on the ground. A good deal of angry discussion followed, Ben -Butler again going beyond the bounds of decorum, while Caunt remained -perfectly quiet. Nat was, of course, incensed at being baulked of his -rights, as he considered them, but still there was no prospect of an -arrangement. At length Nat asked Caunt to give him some portion of the -stakes, as an inducement to draw, a proposition indignantly scouted by -Caunt. This was the last offer. The men were then informed that the -referee had given his decision, that he could not interfere, and it -remained for them to agree between themselves upon a time and place. - -Having gone so fully into details of this affair, it will be -unnecessary for us to make many remarks either upon the respective -styles of the combatants or the untoward result of the battle. Caunt, -from first to last, showed not the slightest improvement in his style -of fighting; nor was it likely that after a life of ease, and of -abstinence from athletic exercises (if from nothing else) the case -could have been otherwise. His position was unartistic. He held his -arms too high, and never displayed the least head or judgment in his -efforts to get at his shifty opponent. He was always too quick and too -anxious to be doing something, and thereby threw away many chances, -and so put himself at the mercy of the crafty Nat, who seldom or never -failed to avail himself of Big Ben’s incautiousness. Unartistic as he -was, however, no one will deny that Caunt upheld the character he has -invariably borne of a manly upright boxer, disdaining to avail himself -of repeated opportunities, which many persons would unscrupulously -have adopted, of falling on an opponent when he dropped in the not -very manly manner that Nat, on many occasions, certainly did. From -first to last Ben never lost his temper. He received all Nat’s props -with the greatest _sang froid_, smiling upon him, and sometimes -shaking his head at him for his shiftiness. As to Caunt’s game, there -never was, and never can be, a question. He was punished most -severely, and yet he never once flinched or showed signs of not liking -it. The only remark he condescended to make from time to time in his -corner was, that Nat had done all he could, and that he must be -getting weak. He did not wish to win by a foul, and on several -occasions when his seconds desired to appeal he said he would rather -try to win on his merits. In addition to the punishment on his mug, he -contrived to seriously injure both hands. Of Nat Langham it is not -necessary to say much. As we have before remarked, he was fitter to -fight than we thought he ever could be, and was as confident as if all -had been settled. There was all the old cunning and extraordinary -quickness with his left, and, if possible, he had improved both in his -powers of timing his props and his judgment of distance. He, like -Caunt, never for a moment flinched from his receipts, which, on many -occasions, must have been anything but agreeable; and, so long as he -stood on his pins, he faced his man with unruffled indifference. - -That he went down on many occasions in a suspicious manner cannot be -denied, and that this occurred on some few occasions when he was not -in danger is equally true; but he almost invariably kept just within -the pale of the law. Several times he was hit, and hit severely, and -when Jemmy Shaw appealed to the referee as to his falling, on most -such occasions he received a gentle tap, just sufficient to save him; -still he persevered in the practice much too constantly to admit of -our stating that it was a fair stand-up fight on his part. His friends -contend that when a man is opposed to such superior weight and -strength he is justified in resorting to such shifts to enable him to -withstand his opponent, but this we deny. The rules of the Ring say -distinctly “it shall be a fair stand-up fight,” and if a man cannot -vanquish an opponent of heavier metal than himself by fair means, he -has no business to make a match with him. Nat knew perfectly well -Caunt’s superiority in height and weight, and Caunt was perfectly -justified in his observation that this knowledge ought to have -deterred him from match-making except on the usual terms. That Nat’s -shifty tactics arose from cowardice would of course be a ridiculous -suggestion. Every one who has seen him fight knows that a braver man -never pulled off his shirt, and no one we ever saw enter a ring has -impressed us with so just an idea of what may be accomplished by -science and judgment; but still we cannot help repeating a remark we -have over and over again made――we do not and cannot admire the hit and -drop system. It is not consonant with the principles on which, and on -which alone, we can uphold British boxing. the fight lasted one hour -and twenty-nine minutes. - -The floodgates of newspaper letter-writing were opened by this -undecided encounter. It is needless to say that the controversy ended -in much ink-shedding and a draw of the £400 staked, leaving the -debateable question of “getting down to finish the round” much where -it previously and subsequently stood. - -From this period Caunt may be said to have finally retired from the -Ring, though he still kept his house, the “Coach and Horses” (now the -“Salisbury Stores”), in St. Martin’s Lane. The parlour here was a -general resort of aspirants for pugilistic honours and their patrons, -Ben busying himself in bringing forward and occasionally backing or -finding backers for men, among whom may be named Bob Caunt,[13] his -brother, David Hayes (thrice beaten by Murray), Perry, the Black, who -beat Burton, of Leicester (January 20th, 1846), George Gutteridge -(beaten by Nat Langham, September 23rd, 1846), and others. - -Caunt was also well known as no mean performer at pigeons, on the -various club grounds near the Metropolis and in Hertfordshire. Having -caught a severe cold in a long day’s match at “the doves,” in the -early part of 1860, it settled on his lungs, and coupled with late -hours, and the free living inseparable from his calling as a publican, -gave the powerful pugilist his final knock-down blow on the tenth day -of September, 1861. - - “Strength too――thou surly and less gentle boast - Of those that loud laugh round the village ring―― - A fit of common sickness pulls thee down - With greater ease than e’er thou didst the stripling - That rashly dared thee to th’ unequal fight.” - BLAIR’S “GRAVE.” - - - [11] Caunt’s last battle, as closing his Ring career, may be - properly considered to have been that with Bendigo, - September 9th, 1845; the silly exhibition with Nat Langham - in 1857 being a mere _hors d’œuvre_. - - [12] John Gully, Esq., of Ackworth Hall. Elected M.P. for - Pontefract, 1832. - - [13] “Brother Bob,” a lumpy, civil, but uncouth-mannered - rustic, weighing 12 stone, and 5ft. 1O½in. in height, may be - dismissed in half-a-dozen lines. He was beaten in his first - battle by Nobby Clarke, a clever but chicken-hearted big - ’un, in 7 rounds, occupying a short quarter of an hour, - October 22nd, 1844, in the Kentish Marshes. He next, after - five years’ interval, met Burton, of Leicester, who polished - him off in 48 minutes, during which 23 rounds were fought, - April 17th, 1849, at Balsham Road. Bob’s last appearance in - buff was during a tour in America, where, at Harper’s Ferry, - May 7th, 1847, he struck his flag to Yankee Sullivan, after - 7 rounds, in which 12 minutes were passed, for a stake of - 1,000 dollars. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -JAMES BURKE (KNOWN AS “THE DEAF’UN”). - -1828-1843. - - -No one who reads with attention the chequered career of James Burke -will deny that “The Deaf’un” deserves to rank as one of the most -honest, courageous, hardy, simple-minded, and eccentric fellows who -ever sought praise and profit in the Prize Ring. Jem was the son of a -Thames waterman who plied at the Strand Lane stairs. Left at an early -age to the charge of a widowed mother, young Jem betook himself to the -amphibious calling of “Jack-in-the-Water,” at the stairs where his -father once plied with his “trim-built wherry.” At the time of which -we write, before steam-boats, with their gangways and ugly -dumb-lighters (the latter to give way yet later to a noble embankment -with its broad granite-stepped landing places) had superseded the -“caus’eys,” and “old stairs,” from Wapping to Westminster, the -favourite and popular mode of transit of the dwellers in Cockaigne to -Lambeth, to the glories of Vauxhall with its _al fresco_ concerts and -30,00 (additional) lamps; to Cumberland Gardens, with its trellised -tea-boxes, and “little gold and silver fish that wagged their little -tails;” to the Red House, Battersea, with its gardens and pigeon -shooting; to “Chelsea Ferry,” with its elm-bordered promenade and -Soldiers’ Home, and to the numerous places of riverside resort, was by -“oars or sculls,” plied by the brawny arms of the “firemen-watermen,” -one of the most laborious and deserving fraternities who devoted their -well-earned and well-paid services to the pleasure-seeking public who -patronised the broad highway of the Thames. The popularity and -consequent prosperity of the stalwart “firemen-watermen” (for most of -them wore the handsome coat and badge of, and were retained by, one or -other of the great London Insurance Offices, and were the only -organised body for the extinguishing of fires and saving of life) -extended to the humble “Jack-in-the-Water,” whose duty consisted in -wading bare-legged into the rippling tide, dragging the sharp nose of -the wherry on to the paved causeway, or by its pile-protected side, -and there steadying it, while the “jolly young waterman” politely -handed his “fare” over the rocking “thwarts” of his smart, light boat -to his or her cushioned seat in the “stern-sheets.” For his services -in thus holding on, and thereby securing the balance of the staggering -land-lubbers, for a pair of “sea-legs” were never included in the -cockney’s qualifications, “poor Jack” seldom went unrewarded by one or -more “coppers,” for we had not then come to the “age of bronze.” This -humble and weather-beaten calling was by no means an unprofitable one -to a hardy, handy, and industrious lad, such as young Jem Burke -undoubtedly was. - - [Illustration: JAMES BURKE (“THE DEAF’UN”).] - -The date of Jem’s birth was Dec. 8th, 1809, in the closing years of -the “war of giants,” and in his earlier days London was alive with war -excitement; with processions on the Thames of the gilded and bannered -barges of the Corporation and the public companies, with gaily painted -pinnaces, shallops, and house-boats, aquatic fireworks and -illuminations, and galas in honour of our victories in Portugal and -Spain; to say nothing of frequent grand doings along the then bright -river on all sorts of City “gaudy” days. It was moreover the line of -procession on the 9th of November and other times when my Lord Mayor -went in state to Westminster; and of continually recurring wager -matches of skill and strength for prizes given by citizens, public -bodies, and aquatic clubs, for the encouragement of the Thames -watermen “between the bridges.” All these have vanished with the -crowds who enjoyed them. The “fireman-waterman” is as extinct as the -dodo. The half-penny or penny steam-boat of an utilitarian age has -“improved him off the face of the earth,” and the picturesque silver -Thames runs a paddle-churned _cloaca maxima_ of the great towns in its -upper course, by the stately buildings of our Palaces of Parliament -and Palatial Hospital, sweeping by where once Strand Lane stairs -offered itself as a convenient outlet for “taking the water,” along a -spacious embankment, with its leafy avenues, bordered by lofty -stone-built public edifices. Far different the Thames by which the -young Deaf’un earned his “crust,” and added to the poor comforts of a -widowed mother. Then the merry-makings we have above alluded to made -the miscalled silent highway a lively and populous show-scene, to the -profit of such snappers-up of unconsidered trifles as our “poor Jack,” -whose Christian name was Jem. As to the “schooling” of our hero――for a -hero he unquestionably was――it amounted to that sort of general -knowledge which could be picked up in that “university” which Mr. -Samuel Weller declares to be the best for sharpening a boy’s wits――the -streets. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge as yet was -not; the “schoolmaster” was altogether “abroad,” in the wrong sense; -and the Briarean School-board had not yet “comprehended all vagrom” -boys and girls, and taught them the “three R’s” in spite of their -teeth. “Reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic” not being in the curriculum -of young Jem’s “’varsity,” he was perfectly innocent of those -accomplishments, despite Dogberry’s assertion that to “read and write -comes by nature,” though at figures, we can certify from our own -personal converse, the Deaf’un had, on special occasions, an almost -intuitive aptitude. His knowledge too, upon out-of-the-way subjects, -was occasionally surprising; he had much “mother-wit,” a quaint -felicity of expression, a sly touch of humour, and a quiet stolidity -of look and manner, the outcome of his infirmity of deafness, which -amused the hearer, from the apparently unconscious humour with which -his comical notions were set forth. Of Jem’s physical powers and -muscular endowments, the story of his Ring performances in after years -will sufficiently speak. - -Thus the young “Jack-in-the-Water,” like Topsy, “grow’d,” and we need -not say he was well furnished in these respects to take his own part -in the very rough “battle of life” to which he was from his earliest -infancy introduced. - -That the future Candidate for the Championship, born and bred in those -“fighting days,” when Gully and Gregson, Belcher and Cribb, were on -every tongue, should have yearnings to “improve his gifts,” as the -goody-goody books express it, was but a natural sequence to what -philosopher Square calls “the eternal fitness of things.” Hard by the -Strand Lane stairs stood a well-frequented public-house, known as “The -Spotted Dog,” the landlord of which was an ex-pugilist of no mean -renown, hight “Joe Parish, the Waterman.” What wonder, that Joe’s -judicious eye noted the good “points” in the sturdy little -“Jack-in-the Water’s” build and disposition, and that he befriended -the boatman’s orphan, patting his head as he warmed his chilled hands -by the tap-room fire, where he dried his always damp and scanty -clothing, and, as the Deaf’un himself has told us, saying, “You go -straight, Jemmy, and we’ll see if you won’t be a topsawyer among ’em -yet”? This early patronage by Joe Parish, as we shall see hereafter, -continued down to Burke’s latest days, a fact creditable to both -parties. - -A passing remark on the pugilistic eminence of watermen may here be in -place. Jack Broughton, the Father of the Ring, was a waterman; as also -was Lyons, who beat Darts for the Championship in 1769; while, passing -over many boxers who plied the oar, the names of Bishop Sharpe, -Harris, “The Waterman,” Harry Jones, and the Deaf’un’s “guide, -philosopher, and friend,” Joe Parish, occur to us. No wonder, then, -that on the 5th of February, 1828, young Jem Burke, under the wing of -old Joe, was by the ring-side at Whetstone, near Barnet, an admiring -spectator of the eccentric battle which there and then took place -between a couple of dwarfs; one a Welshman named David Morgan, a -vendor of shrimps and shell fish well known in various sporting and -other public-houses, and the other Sandy M’Bean, a Scotch professor of -the Highland bagpipes and the “fling.” After a ludicrous display of -bantam game, Taffy was declared the conqueror, the second of the canny -Scot carrying him out of the ring _vi et armis_, in spite of his -protestations that he “wasna beaten ava’,” though the poor little -fellow had not the ghost of a chance. - -And now there was a pause, and a purse of £14 being collected, Ned -Murphy (who had already fought M’Carthy, and a commoner or two), -presented himself as a candidate for the coin. Our hero (who, -doubtless, knew something of the challenger), eager of the opportunity -of showing the stuff he was made of, at once, with the approval of Joe -Parish, stepped into the ropes, and threw down his cap as a reply. No -time was wasted in elaborate toilettes, and the ring being cleared, -all eyes were bent on the “big fight” of the day, which, on this -occasion, was presented as the afterpiece. Mister Murphy was so -cock-sure of the money, and so eager to win, that he went off at score -to polish off “the boy” for his presumption. Not only was his gallop -stopped by some clever straight ’uns from the resolute young Jack, -helped by an occasional upper-cut as he went in, but he, in turn, was -fain to stand out, and retreat to “draw” his opponent. Young Jem, -however, was not to be had twice at this game, and Mister Murphy not -quite liking the look of the job, began to fight for darkness, which -was fast coming on. Harry Jones, who was picking up Murphy as a “pal,” -seeing the dubious state of affairs, stepped up to the referee and -asked a “draw.” The men had now fought 50 rounds in the like number of -minutes, and were quite capable, if they were of the same sort as the -last dozen, of fighting 50 more; so the Young’un was persuaded to -“whack” the stakes, and make up matters over a pot and a pipe at “The -Spotted Dog,” by which arrangement Mr. Murphy got the “half a loaf” -which is proverbially “better than no bread,” while the young -“Jack-on-the-water” was in the seventh heaven of delight, not only at -his success (for he felt he must win), but at the possession of -several golden portraits of His Majesty George the Fourth, of a value -which to him seemed to vie with the fabulous treasures of Aladdin’s -cave. - -Jem was now “a card,” not only at the Strand Lane _soirées_, but was a -free and accepted brother at all the sporting cribs in the hundred of -Drury, Wild Street, the pugnacious purlieus of Clare Market, and among -the “porterhood” of Covent Garden. Those were rough times, and among -other rough entertainments the “rough music” of the butchers of Clare -Market was not the least popular. Their marrow-bones and cleavers were -always ready to “discourse” loud, if not “sweet music,” upon occasions -of a wedding, a birth, or a christening among their own fraternity, or -when any popular or well-known inhabitant took unto himself a wife. -Foremost in these charivaris was one Tom Hands, who further had the -reputation of being “sudden in quarrel,” and with him and the Deaf’un -there had passed a sharp round or two at one of these uproarious -gatherings, which had ended in their being separated by their friends. - -On August 14th, 1828, Ned Stockman and Sweeney were matched to fight -at Old Oak Common; the affair being arranged at a dinner at Alec -Reid’s, at Chelsea. The ring was pitched, the expectant crowd -assembled, and “time” was called. Peter Sweeney showed in battle -array, but where was the “Lively Kid”? and echo answered “where?” He -didn’t show at all, and a forfeit of the stake being then and there -declared, his representative urged as a reason for what Sweeney called -“making a fool of the public,” that Stockman “preferred his match with -Harry Jones” (in which he was deservedly thrashed on September 16th, -1828). As the day’s draw thus proved a blank, and the meet could -hardly separate without sport of some kind, a whip was made for an -impromptu fight. The hat went round, and the cash being gathered by -Alec Reid and the renowned Frosty-faced Fogo, a hint from one of the -Clare Market Guild of Kill-Bulls that Tom Hands would like to cross -hands with Jem Burke, there and then, if the namesake of “the author -of The Sublime and Beautiful” dared face him, was at once seized with -avidity. A shout went up from a hundred lungs as the burly butcher, -his hair shiny with grease, and his cheeks red as a peony, drew his -blue smock over his head and proceeded to divest himself of his upper -clothing; nor was “poor Jack” without friends. Behind him stood Joe -Parish and Alec Reid; Hands being seconded by Sweeney and a Clare -Market amateur. The fight was a sad exposé of Tom Hands’ want of skill -in the opening, and lack of what a slaughterman never should be -deficient in――pluck. The Deaf’un, who looked hard as iron and solid as -the trunk of a tree, fought the first three or four rounds on the -retreat, jobbing the butcher fearfully, and bleeding him from every -vein of his fleshy jowl; then, having got him down to his own weight, -he reversed the process, and fought him all over the ring so -effectively that in the 10th round, 17 minutes only having elapsed, -Hands’ second threw up the sponge in token of defeat, the butcher -being terribly punished, while the Deaf’un was scarcely marked. - -Indeed the effects of this encounter could not have seriously affected -him, seeing that, on the day but one afterwards, namely on August -16th, the Deaf’un was again on Old Oak Common, to witness the battle -between Mike Driscoll and Pat M’Donnell. This affair disposed of, a -new Black offered himself “under distinguished patronage,” as the -advertisements say, to box anyone for “a purse.” The Deaf’un, always -ready, slipped modestly into the ring, announcing to Mike Brookery, -the M.C. on this occasion, that he should like to be “introduced” to -Massa Sambo for the next dance. The affair was a mere farce. The black -had but one qualification, that of a first-rate receiver; as a -paymaster he was nowhere. After rushing in head down a dozen times, -and getting upper cuts and sound right-handers on the ear innumerable, -he rolled down for the last time at the close of thirty-three minutes, -declaring “Me can’t fight no more,” and the purse was handed to the -Deaf’un. - -In 1829, the Deaf’un, who was now regularly enrolled in the _corps -pugilistique_, was with a sparring party in the Midlands, where, in -the month of March, the great contest between Jem Ward and Simon Byrne -was to come off near Leicester. The reader will find this fiasco, -known as “The Leicester Hoax,” in its proper place in our second -volume. On the 10th of March, 1829, an immense gathering from all -parts of the kingdom was assembled at Leicester; and the great event -having ended in smoke, and Bill Atkinson, of Nottingham, having beaten -Joe Randall, in the ring prepared for the big’un’s, the day being yet -young, a purse was collected. For this a big countryman named -Berridge, of Thormaston, offered to “try conclusions.” The Deaf’un -joined issue, and a smart battle ensued. The countryman was so -overmatched that after 22 minutes, in which 11 rounds were got -through, each ending by Berridge being hit down or thrown, his backers -took him away, and Burke walked off with the 10 sovereigns. - -Burke was now matched with Fitzmaurice (an Irishman nearly 13 stone, -who subsequently defeated Brennan and Tim Crawley), for £25 a side, to -come off on Epsom Racecourse in May; the _rencontre_ was prevented by -police interference, and the affair postponed to June 9th, 1829.[14] -That day being appointed for the fight between Ned Savage and Davis -(the Black), at Harpenden Common, near St. Alban’s, it was arranged -that the Deaf’un and Fitzmaurice should follow those worthies. It was -fortunate for the travellers who went to see the first-named fight -that the Deaf’un and Fitz. were in reserve, for the affair of Savage -and the bit of ebony proved “a sell;” and so the second couple were on -the turf in good time, and in a well-kept and well-ordered ring. Young -Dutch Sam and Gaynor, who had come down with Savage, volunteered to -second Fitzmaurice. On standing up Fitz. loomed large in height and -length, but a survey of the sturdy Deaf’un, his firm attitude and -compact strength, brought the betting to even. We shall not attempt to -detail the fight, which extended to no less than 166 rounds, fought -under a burning sun, and lasting two hours and fifty-five minutes. -There was some clever stopping in the earlier portion of the battle on -the part of the Deaf’un, but he could not reduce the strength of -Fitzmaurice, and he himself became exhausted. After the 70th round the -fight became a question of endurance; the Deaf’un at the end of the -rounds lying on his stomach on the turf to get wind, declining to be -picked up by his seconds, kicking up his heels in a comical manner, -and declaring himself “all right,” in reply to their anxious -inquiries. On these occasions Young Dutch Sam and Gaynor, knowing the -“blown” condition of their man, cunningly kept prolonging the “time” -between the rounds, Fitzmaurice generally getting down, and the -Deaf’un almost always rolling across, over, or beside him. About the -150th round both men were nearly incapable of delivering a hit, and -Fitz. was more than once out of time, but the Deaf’un went in again, -and so condoned the offence. At last, at the end of the time -mentioned, Fitz. fell in his own corner from a left-handed poke; the -sponge was thrown up, after as game and scrambling a fight as could -well be imagined, and the Deaf’un was hailed the victor. Burke in a -few minutes walked to his carriage, while poor Fitz. was conveyed to -Wildbore’s, the “Blue Boar,” St. Alban’s. - -At the Deaf’un’s benefit, on the following Wednesday week, Fitzmaurice -was unable to put on the gloves as promised, but Young Dutch Sam did -so. Although the Deaf’un was certainly a foil to show off the -brilliancy of Sam, that accomplished boxer was somewhat mortified at -the improved style of Burke, who more than once gave him an opening in -order to send in a clever return; keeping his temper so unruffled that -loud applause followed his exertions. Indeed not a few of the “knowing -ones” expressed their opinion that the Deaf’un would yet puzzle some -of the “fashionable” 12-stone men. - -About this time, as we learn incidentally from the report of his next -battle, the Deaf’un met with a serious accident――a rupture――for which -he received surgical treatment, and was compelled to wear a truss. -Nevertheless, we find him in August under an engagement to fight Bill -Cousens, who is described in _Bell’s Life_ as a fine, fresh young -Chichester man (who had already beaten Tom Sweeney and “the Cheshire -Hero”), on the 25th of August, on which day they met at Whetstone. Tom -Oliver and Frosty-faced Fogo were the M.C.’s, and we are told the -“crowd was considerable. Swells and scavengers, drags and dust-carts,” -conveying the motley groups to the scene of action. Cousens was -seconded by Tom Oliver and a “Sussex friend,” Burke by Ned Stockman -and Sweeney. The weather was again intensely hot. Cousens had the -advantage in length of reach and height, and a trifle in weight. -Cousens, though receiving most punishment, had it all his own way in -throwing, and several times gave the Deaf’un such desperate falls, -that the battle was supposed to be at an end; but the Deaf’un’s hardy -frame seemed to resist all vicissitudes, and he came again and again; -on one occasion, about the middle of the fight, so flooring Cousens -that the odds went round to 2 to 1 on the Deaf’un. In the 95th round, -Cousens got the Deaf’un on the ropes, and kept him there until the -stake and rope gave way. The Deaf’un would not leave off, though -advised to do so, when Reuben Martin stepped into the ring and threw -up his hat in favour of Cousens, and the Deaf’un was withdrawn from -the ring, after fighting 101 rounds in two hours and three minutes. -The reporter says, “it was stated that Burke was suffering from the -effects of a rupture.” - -That this was not, at that time, of a very serious nature may be -inferred from the fact, that the Deaf’un finished up 1829 by balancing -this, his only defeat, with yet another victory. On December 1st all -the pugilistic world was on the move into Sussex to witness the great -(second) fight between Ned Neale and Young Dutch Sam for £220 to £200, -which came to nought, owing to the arrest of Neale on his way to the -battle-field on a warrant issued by Mr. Chambers. Sore was the -disappointment and loud the complaints of the hundreds who had left -London on this hog-shearing expedition, as they surrounded the -admirably formed ring at North Chapel, Sussex, and were told that -there would be “no fight,” as Messrs. Ruthven and Pople, two “active -and intelligent officers,” as the penny-a-liners styled them, had -grabbed Neale, and were so strict in their attentions that they had -declined to lose sight of him; indeed, they had at once carried him -off in a postchaise to the great Metropolis. Harry Holt stepped -forward, and addressing “the inner circle and boxes” (the latter -represented by several four-in-hand drags and hired wagons), proposed -“a collection.” Sam also presented himself amidst applause, rattling -some coin in a hat. The money-matter was soon arranged, a big -countryman named Girdler stepping into the ropes, and laying claim to -the guerdon against all comers. In a few seconds the well-known, hardy -mug of the Deaf’un was seen as he made his way through the crowd, and, -amidst some cheering, declared that “he didn’t minds a shy at that -chaps, if he did lose his sticks,” while Girdler, who had many country -friends, said with a grin, “He knowed all about Mister Burke, and -didn’t care a varden for ’un.” To give éclat to the affair, Jem Ward -and Fogo offered themselves to second the Deaf’un, whereon Young Sam -and Cicero Holt volunteered to wait upon the countryman. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Girdler was certainly, as Sam said, “big - enough for anything,” and when be threw his hands up, - did it in a style that showed he was not the mere yokel - he had been supposed. The Deaf’un looked as serious and - as stolid as a pig in a pound, and as solid as a stump - of a tree. He nodded at his opponent, and pointed down - to the scratch, to which Girdler at once advanced, and - the Deaf’un went a step back smiling. Girdler let fly - his left; it was a little too high, but just reached - the Deaf’un’s nut, who returned on Girdler’s cheek - sharply; heavy exchanges, in which Burke hit oftenest - and last, and both were down on hands and knees. (6 to - 4 on the Deaf’un.) - - 2.――The Deaf’un trying to get his distance hit short - with the left; Girdler stopped his right, and popped in - a sounding crack with his own right on the Deaf’un’s - ribs, who broke away. (“Bravo!” cried Holt, “do that - again for me.”) The Deaf’un grinned, licked his lips, - and looked down slyly at his opponent’s feet. “Don’t be - gammoned,” cried Young Sam. The advice came too late. - Girdler rushed in, Burke popped his head aside, and the - blow went over his shoulder, the countryman at the same - instant receiving such a straight one in the mouth, - followed by another over the left eyebrow, that he was - brought up “all standing,” while the Deaf’un slipped - down from his own blows. There was no mistake about the - claim of first blood. - - 3.――In went Girdler like a bull at a gate. The Deaf’un, - not clever enough to prevent him getting on a sort of - pole-axe, hit on his impenetrable nob, from which we - think the countryman’s knuckles suffered most. Burke - hit up, but couldn’t this time stop his man, who bored - him to the ropes, and got him down in a scrambling - rally. - - 4.――Girdler again first; but this time Burke stopped - him with one, two, and a ding-dong rally ensued, in - which Girdler was first on the grass, blowing like a - porpoise. - - 5, 6, 7, 8.――Sam cheering on his man, who answered the - call cheerfully, but always got two for one in the - rally, and in the 8th round fell over the Deaf’un’s leg - on his face so violently that Ward cried out to Holt to - take his man away. “Take your man away,” retorted Holt; - “he can’t beat mine in a week.” - - 9.――Girdler came up game, but went in without any aim - or precision; the Deaf’un propped him again and again, - and at last ran in and threw him a burster. (Cheers for - the Deaf’un.) - - 10, 11, 12.――A one-sided game. Girdler down at the end - of each round against his will, and beaten by his own - exertions. - - 13, 14, 15.――Girdler merely staggered up to be hit, and - finally went down fearfully punished. - - 16.――Girdler came once more and made a wild rush; the - Deaf’un stepped aside, and sending in his one, two, on - the side of the countryman’s head, he fell over anyhow. - - 17.――Cries of “take him away!” from the Londoners; but - Girdler would not have it, and was indulged with one - more round, which ended in his being floored in the - hitting; whereupon Holt stepped across the ring and - beckoned the Deaf’un, who at once crossed and shook - hands with his brave but almost insensible antagonist. - Time, 89 minutes. - -The immense assembly now dispersed, the roads being soon alive, -especially that which led towards Chichester and London. On one of the -four-in-hands was seated “White-headed Bob” (Ned Baldwin), then in the -full sunshine of aristocratic patronage. Bob had spent the overnight, -or rather the morning, at the Monday masquerade, then in vogue at “His -Majesty’s Theatre,” in the Haymarket, and donning a most remarkable -suite of grey moustaches, whiskers, and beard, the resemblance to the -then Duke of Cumberland was perfect. As the populace recognised the -counterfeit of the unpopular Duke, the fun was uproarious. Pulling up -at the “King’s Arms,” mine host hurried out with a decanter of sherry, -a waiter following with champagne. H.R.H. cried out, “No, thankee, -waiter, the Duke will take something short!” The schnapps was -supplied. “I’m glad to see ye, my people,” said His Royal Highness, -“but d――――e if I like this stopping of fights; when I come next this -way I’ll give you a turn, and if there’s no one else to fight, I’ll -make one in a fight myself! Drive on, coachee!” And off went His Royal -Highness in what the poet Bunn called “a blaze of triumph.” - -The topsawyers of the top-weights of the day set their public -appearances at too high a figure for the poor, unsophisticated Deaf’un -to obtain any hearing for his modest proposal to fight any 12 or 12½ -stone man for £25 a side, so he sparred at benefits and at the fairs -and tennis courts, and hung about looking for a job until September, -1830, when Gow, who had beaten Ned Savage in December, 1829, offered -himself to the Deaf’un’s notice, and articles were signed for a -meeting on October 5th. The toss being won by Gow, he named Woolwich, -and thither all parties repaired. There, however, they found -Superintendent Miller, of the Thames Police, with sundry row-boats, -and off they moved into Essex; but they could not shake off the -anti-milling Miller, who, calling on a couple of beaks, pursued the -excursionists towards Leytonstone, reinforced by the “Essex lions.” A -council was held, which decided that as the game was “U.P.” in Essex, -a retreat to Temple Mills across the border into Middlesex was the -only chance of a quiet meeting. A “horrid whisper” went round that -Superintendent Miller had a warrant from the magistrates at -Snaresbrook, and that two active constables were already on the track. -Jack Carter, changing coat, hat, and handkerchief with the Deaf’un, -with the quickness of a clown in a transformation scene, took the -Deaf’un’s seat in a one-horse chaise, while both of the men made the -best of their way towards Temple Mills. The ruse succeeded. Carter was -yet a mile from the Essex frontier, when up rode a couple of mounted -men, quickly followed by a posse of the amphibious Thames constables, -and called upon the driver of the gig to “Stop, in the King’s name,” -which he loyally and dutifully did, and away poor Carter was haled -before the nearest beak, and his capture officially announced to the -worshipful functionary. The culprit was brought forward. “James -Burke,” said the awful representative of Majesty, reading the warrant, -“it is my duty to commit you for a contemplated breach of the peace -within this county of Essex――――” “Excuse me, sir,” interposed Jack, -“my name isn’t Burke at all, and why these here gentlemen――――” “Then -what is your name?” “I can save your worship trouble,” said -Superintendent Miller. “I know this man well; his name is Jack Carter, -and if I’d been at hand I shouldn’t have mistaken him.” “You are -discharged, fellow,” exclaimed his worship, indignantly, and away went -Jack, with a low bow to his crestfallen captors. At the bridge at -Temple Mills the pursuit ceased, and all got over the river Lea. - -The fight that now took place presented no features worth recording. -The Deaf’un, who had always a touch of eccentricity, on this occasion -appeared in the ring in a grotesque and original costume. His “nether -bulk” was encased in a pair of green baize drawers, profusely bound -and seamed with yellow braid, and with flying yellow ribbons at the -knees, below which his sturdy pedestals were encased in a pair of -bright striped worsted stockings and laced highlows. Although the day -was waning, Burke managed to polish off his job before dark, Gow never -getting a lead during 22 busy rounds, at the end of which his second, -Birmingham Davis (who, as will be seen afterwards, fought the -Deaf’un), claimed the fight for Burke, Gow not answering to the call -of “Time.” - -In the interim, before this affair with Gow, a curious incident -illustrates the readiness of the Deaf’un, who was then always in -training, to “do business at the shortest notice.” Bob Hampson, of -Liverpool, visited London, where his fame as the conqueror of one Jack -Pye, and subsequently of Wm. Edwards, at Bootle, and Bill Fisher, at -Milbray Island, had gone before him. Bob offered himself, at £25 a -side, to the notice of Burke; who expressed himself ready, as the -Liverpool carpenter wanted to return northwards, to meet him at an -early day as might be convenient. Two fights were “on the slate” for -the 26th of the current month, one between Sam Hinton and the Bristol -baker (Mike Davis), the other between the youthful Owen Swift, and an -East End Israelite, of the name of Isaacs. To these the Deaf’un and -Hampson were added, and all were satisfactorily got off at Harpenden -Common on the same day. - -Hampson, with these credentials, was the favourite at 6 and 7 to 4. -Indeed, the chance of the Deaf’un looked by no means “rosy,” yet he -never lost heart or confidence. Hampson came down to St. Alban’s under -the wing of Tom Spring; to whose care he was recommended by no less a -person than Jack Langan, Spring’s former foe, but now fast friend. -Hampson came on the ground with Tom Oliver and Harry Jones as his -seconds, the Deaf’un attended by Fitzmaurice (a former opponent) and -Ned Stockman. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――As the men stood up Hampson did not impress - the London connoisseurs favourably, either as to his - boxing skill or his capability for rough work and - endurance. He looked leggy, stood wide, and fidgeted, - rather than manœuvred, in an anxious and hurried - manner, while the Deaf’un, who was the picture of - sturdy health, stood firmly facing him, eyeing him - sharply, and only just moving so much as to prevent his - opponent from stealing a march on him either to right - or left. The Liverpool man, after some dodging, let fly - his left and caught Burke a tidy smack on the cheek, - but got a return on the mouth from the Deaf’un’s left, - which more than balanced the account. A brief spar, - when Hampson again was first, and reached the Deaf’un’s - nob. This led to a smart exchange of blows, Hampson - delivering several snowy hits on Burke’s dial, which, - however, left hardly a visible mark, while the - Deaf’un’s returns seemed to paint and flush the - countryman. In the close Hampson got the Deaf’un’s head - under his left arm cleverly, and hit up, but he - couldn’t hold him, and Burke lifted him over and threw - him an awkward side fall. (Cheers for the Deaf’un, but - no offers.) - - 2.――Hampson again let off with the left, but was met - with a counterhit, and Burke forced a rally; some sharp - half-arm hitting at close quarters, in which the - Deaf’un showed most strength. In the close both down. - - 3.――Hampson came up bleeding from the mouth and nose, - and Burke seemed to have damaged his left hand. Hampson - hammered away, and hit for hit was the order of the - day. The men closed, and after a struggle both were - down. (Even betting.) - - 4.――A short round. Hampson led off, but his blows left - scarcely a mark, and after a break and some manœuvring - Hampson slipped down. - - 5.――Counterhits with the left. Burke the best of the - exchanges. Hampson the quicker fighter, but Burke the - steadier and harder hitter. A long rally and no - flinching till Hampson fell on his knees; Burke walking - to his corner. - - 6.――Hampson dodging about and feinting with the left, - the Deaf’un solid as a post, but moving his arms - defensively. Hampson got in a smack with his left, - which the Deaf’un countered, but not effectively. More - weaving work, hit for hit, a close, Hampson thrown - heavily. (6 to 4 on Burke.) - - 7.――Hampson seemed a little lame, and sparred for wind; - Burke waiting. The Liverpool man, as before, let fly - with the left, and reached Burke’s head just above the - left eye, stopping the Deaf’un’s return neatly, amidst - applause. The Deaf’un shook his wig-block and grinned. - Hampson tried it again, and got such a return from - Burke’s right in his ribs that he fell on his knees, - but was quickly up again, and renewed the round in a - lively manner, until the Deaf’un closed and threw him - over his hip by a heave. (Applause.) - - 8.――Hampson came up blowing and coughed two or three - times. He was evidently shaken by the last throw. He - however kept in good form and led off. Burke shifted a - little and retreated, but, biding his time, met Hampson - with a fearful jobbing hit on the mouth that staggered - him; Hampson returned to the charge and hit away - wildly, and once and again the Deaf’un nailed him. This - was not done without damage, for Hampson caught him - with his right on the ear such a wax-melter, that if - the Deaf’un could have been cured by that process he - might have heard better for some time afterwards. A - close embrace, in which neither man could get a hit, - ended by Burke pulling Hampson down; both on the - ground, blowing like grampuses. - - 9.――The last struggle had told most upon Hampson. He - was distressed, while the Deaf’un might be described as - “much the same as usual.” Hampson pointed to the - scratch as they met, Burke shook his head, grinned, - toed it, and then made half a step back as Hampson - tried a feint with his left. Hampson once more led off, - and there were some sharp exchanges. The Deaf’un nodded - to Stockman as he got away, and Hampson did not follow, - saying, “He can’t hit me hard enough, Mister Neds.” “I - believe you, my boy,” replied the Lively Kid. Hampson - again got on Burke’s nob, receiving a rib-roaster. - Hampson was first down. - - 10.――Hampson made play, but the Deaf’un met him, and - hit for hit was once more persevered in until Burke - threw Hampson after a short wrestle. - - 11.――The Carpenter showed marks of severe punishment, - and the Deaf’un’s cast-iron frontispiece was ornamented - with some crimson patches and bumps. Hampson was - evidently less inclined to go to his man, and worked - round him _à la distance_. The Deaf’un, with a comical - grin, in turn pointed down to the scratch with his - right hand forefinger; Hampson seized the opportunity, - as he thought, and hit straight at Burke’s head, who, - quick as lightning, countered with his left on - Hampson’s jaw. “Bravo!” cried Stockman, “I’d have told - him to do that, only he can’t hear me.” The men were at - it again, when Burke drove Hampson on the ropes and - chopped him with the right. Hampson rolled down (7 to 4 - on Burke). - - 12, 13, 14, 15.――Hampson came up game, and fought for a - turn, but his confidence was gone, and the Deaf’un - timed him, now and then putting in an ugly one, and - ending the round by getting Hampson down. - - 16-20.――The Deaf’un still declined to lead off, but - always had the best at close quarters. In the last - named round Hampson dropped on his knees in the - hitting, and the Deaf’un threw up his hands, bowed - comically to the spectators, and walked to his corner. - (Cheers.) - - 21.――Hampson, encouraged by his friends, fought - vigorously, and at one time seemed to have got a turn; - in the close the Deaf’un was under. (Shouts for - Hampson.) - - 22.――Hampson appeared to have got second wind; he - manœuvred round his man, and delivered one, two, - neatly. The Deaf’un laughed and shook his head, but was - short in the return. “That’s the way,” cried Harry - Jones, “he’s as stupid as a pig. Hit him again, Bob, - he’ll stand it.” Hampson did so, but the Deaf’un - countered, and then went in for close work. Hampson - could not keep him out, and was forced back on the - ropes, where the Deaf’un hit him heavily until he got - him down anyhow. - - 23.――Hampson much shaken by the last round; Burke - waiting. “Why don’t you go in, Jem?” shouted Reuben - Martin, “it’s all your own.” The Deaf’un nodded, and - did as he was bid. The advice was not good, for Hampson - nailed him sharply right and left, and in a rally Burke - over-reached himself, missed his right, and slipped - down. - - 24.――Some amusement was created by the Deaf’un’s - evident attempt at _gammoning_ distress, to induce his - opponent to come on. Hampson, however, fought shy. - After some sparring they got closer, and again - give-and-take was the order of the day, the - _pepper-box_ being freely handed from one side to the - other. Hampson was thrown, but not heavily. - - 25.――The tide was turned against Hampson. He retreated - before the Deaf’un, who now assumed the offensive, and - in a rally the Liverpool man was fairly hit down in his - own corner. - - 26-40.――In all these rounds it was clear that Hampson’s - defeat was a mere question of time. In the 40th round - he was thrown heavily, and his friends proposed to give - in for him; he, however, refused, and came up for the - 41st round, when Burke hit him on to the rope, and then - let him get down, walking away to his own corner. - Hampson’s backer stepped into the ring and desired the - sponge to be thrown up, saying it was useless to expose - a brave man to further punishment. Time 44 minutes. The - Deaf’un crossed the ring, shook hands with his - opponent, and then indulged in a sort of hornpipe-step - in his own corner, putting on his clothes with little - assistance. Hampson was carried to his carriage, - severely punished, complaining that he lost his power - of wrestling from an injury to his leg in the 5th - round. - - REMARKS.――This battle tells its own tale. The Liverpool - man’s friends had much overestimated Hampson’s - scientific attainments, and equally miscalculated his - opponent’s cunning defence, backed as it was by - extraordinary powers of endurance, indomitable pluck, - and cool courage. “Hampson was, up to a certain point, - the cleverer man, but, that point passed, his chance - was gone, and he was beaten by toughness, readiness, - and strength. The Deaf’un by this battle has shown - himself a dangerous competitor for any 12-stone man on - the list. He is now the winner of seven fights, mostly - with big men, and must not be meddled with by any mere - sparrer. However flash and wide-awake he may think - himself, he will find the Deaf’un knows a thing or two - that will astonish him when it comes to real work. The - 200 and 300-pounders, though ‘great guns,’ will do well - to take our hint.” These last remarks, which we - transcribe from a contemporary sporting paper, show the - good opinion which Burke was fast gaining among the - most competent judges of boxing merit. Of course the - 200 and 300 pounders mean the men who fixed £200 or - £300 as the price for a Ring appearance. - -We have just seen that our hero fought and won two sharp battles -within three weeks, and we have now to record yet another arduous -conflict within the three weeks next ensuing, namely, on November -16th, 1830, on which day he met Tim Crawley at the well-fought field -of Whetstone, for a stake of £50. - -Mister Timothy was a stalwart Milesian coalwhipper, aged twenty-three, -hard upon six feet in height, and balancing 13 stone, and though no -relation to “Peter the Great,” was only a shade less than the fighting -weight and stature of that ponderous ex-champion. Tim was “presented -at the Castle,” not of Dublin, but in Holborn, by a distinguished -Hibernian field-officer, who intimated to Tom Spring his readiness to -post the “needful” for Tim in a trial with any man Spring might -select. There was the Deaf’un, rough and ready, “standing idle in the -market place;” and as he said, when he was asked as to when he would -be ready if a match were arranged, “Well, you see, Misters, I’se ready -at any time――the sooner the better――but where’s the moneys to come -from? I’ll put down five of my own, buts――――” a well-known member of -the Stock Exchange struck in immediately, “and I’ll find the second -five, and perhaps some more, if it’s wanted.” So the articles were -there and then drawn, and Tuesday, the 16th, set down. - -East Barnet was the fixture, and on the appointed morning, despite a -heavy storm of wind and rain, a numerous cavalcade thronged the roads -from Finchley and Southgate to the rendezvous. Crawley came down in a -brand-new white upper-benjamin, on the swell drag of his military -patron. Tim was radiant, if the weather was gloomy, and assured his -friends that “He thought mighty little of Misther Burke’s -foightin”――(Tim had seen his battle with Hampson)――“if all he could do -was what he did with that tumble down carpenther from Liverpool. By -jabers,” he added, “I’m the boy that’ll tache him quite another sort -o’ fun.” The storm increased in violence, the time was come, and all -were waiting with what patience they could command. Crawley alighted -from his vehicle and claimed the stakes, when Reuben Martin hastened -up breathless and covered with mud, to announce that the Deaf’un would -be there immediately. The Deaf’un had left Soho in a hired gig; the -horse had proved a “bolter,” and after a gallop along the Finchley -Road, and up a bye-lane into which he had been turned, had smashed the -gig and deposited the Deaf’un and his pal in a clayey ditch, the -former pitching on his head with no other damage than a mud-bath. The -Deaf’un now hove in sight, attended by Welsh Davis (afterwards called -“Birmingham”) and Ned Stockman; Crawley had the services of Harry -Jones and an Irish “friend.” The colours were tied to the stakes, the -ring whipped out, and amid a pelting shower of rain the men stood up -for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Crawley stood over the Deaf’un by at least - three inches, and topped him in weight by about a - stone. He was, indeed, a fine muscular specimen of - humanity, though some critical anatomists pronounced - him too thick about the shoulder-blades, and, - therefore, what is technically termed “shoulder-tied,” - a defect which detracts both from the distance and the - quickness of a man’s blows. The Deaf’un’s solid, - trunk-of-tree look, was by this time familiar to all - ring-goers, as he stood with his comparatively short - arms, the left slightly in advance, and the right - across covering his side and mark. Crawley lost no time - in letting his adversary know his “little game,” for in - he went, swinging out his left arm rather than hitting - straight, and following it with a lunge with the right, - both of which would have been ugly visitations had they - got well home; but the first was stopped, and the - second only just reached the Deaf’un’s ribs as he - shifted ground; Crawley followed up his charge with - more round hits, or rather misses, in exchange for - which the Deaf’un, getting within his guard, hit up so - sharply, the right on Tim’s eye and the left on his - mouth, that he paused a moment before he renewed his - hitting out. The Deaf’un had broke away, and now led - Mister Tim a short dance round the ring, during which - he propped the big ’un several times. Crawley lost his - temper, and made a furious grab at Burke with his open - right hand, catching him round the neck, when, to the - surprise of all, the Deaf’un, throwing his arms round - Crawley’s waist and butting him in the breast with his - head, heeled him and threw him a clear back fall, - adding his own weight to the concussion, which would - have been far more serious but for the fact that the - ground was about the consistency of a half-baked - Yorkshire pudding. (2 to 1 on Burke.) - - 2.――Crawley came up with his face painted the colour of - the sign of the “Red Lion,” and the claim of first - blood for the Deaf’un was admitted. Tim was, however, - nothing daunted, and smiled contemptuously at his - opponent, who nodded his nob in reply. At it again went - Tim, in the style which we at a later day recognised as - peculiar to Ben Caunt, whom Crawley (though better - looking and not so tall) much resembled in his bust and - mode of hitting. The onslaught was again but partially - successful, the Deaf’un hitting up at close quarters - with unusual precision, while Mister Tim pummelled - away, often at the back of Burke’s head, neck, and - shoulders, until they closely embraced, when the - Deaf’un got his man down somehow. - - 3.――Crawley came up strong on his pins, but already - much disfigured. His left eye was nearly closed, his - lips swelled and bleeding, and his cheek-bones and - forehead full of “bubukles, and knobs, and whelks;” yet - he went to work as before. After a stop or two, the - Deaf’un again got his length, and sent in a smasher on - Crawley’s damaged kissing organ, but could not escape - such a right-handed “polthogue” from Tim’s - bunch-of-fives on the top of his head as sent him - staggering across the ring, amidst the shouts of the - Emerald party. Crawley tried to follow up his - advantage, but the Deaf’un recovered himself, was “all - there” after a few exchanges, and finished the round by - slipping through Crawley’s hands as he tried to grab - him at the ropes. - - 4.――A short round. Burke’s nob again visited; a rally - in favour of the Deaf’un and both down. - - 5, 6, and 7.――Very similar. Crawley showing increasing - signs of punishment; the Deaf’un’s left ear - tremendously swelled, and some blue marks about his - frontispiece. In a rally Crawley missed his right and - struck it flush against the stake. Burke was undermost - in the last-named round. - - 8.――Crawley, a deplorable spectacle, rushed in and got - jobbed severely; in the close Burke threw Crawley - heavily. Tim had no pretence to wrestling skill, and - his right hand seemed almost _hors de combat_ from - contact with Burke’s granite skull and the oaken stake. - - 9.――Crawley nearly dark in one window, and the other - with the shutter half-up. The Deaf’un now went in in - turn. He allowed Crawley to get on his favourite right - at the ribs, jumping aside at the moment with a quick - step, and sending his own right as a return smash into - poor Tim’s frontispiece. Ding-dong till both out of - breath and Crawley down. - - 10-25.――The whole of these rounds were too much alike - to deserve particular description. They varied only in - which of the men finished the round by being first down - at the close, and in this Crawley scored a large - majority. In the 25th round Crawley’s remaining - daylight became so nearly darkened that his last chance - seemed gone. General Barton asked him to leave off, but - he refused, saying, “Sure, yer hanner, an’ I can bate - that fellow yet.” So he was indulged in seven more - short rounds, and then, at the thirty-third, being in - total darkness, his backers withdrew him after a - slogging battle of 30 minutes only! - - REMARKS.――Each time the Deaf’un appears in the ring, he - surprises us by his manifest improvement. True, Crawley - turned out a perfect novice, still the Deaf’un’s style - of hitting, stopping, and getting away from a powerful - and determined assailant was a clever demonstration of - the art of defence; while the way, when the time came, - in which he adminstered pepper with both hands at close - quarters was something astonishing. Burke walked to his - conveyance; he declared himself little hurt by - Crawley’s body blows. Poor Tim was carried to his - patron’s drag, and was soon conversable. He declared, - no doubt with truth, that he “Couldn’t for the life of - him make out how he was bate, at all, at all, no more - nor a babby.” Some of the fancy suggested that the - great Irish champion, Simon Byrne, with whom Jem Ward’s - fiasco of Leicester was yet rankling in the public - mind, might find his match in the Deaf’un; but this was - not yet to be. - -The sky had how cleared and the wind abated, when some fun was -promised by a proposed fight between two well-known eccentric -characters in the fistic world. These were no other than the facetious -Tommy Roundhead, the trainer, and in after-time the “Secretary” to -Deaf Burke, and the renowned Frosty-faced Fogo, D.C.G. (Deputy -Commissary General), C.P.M. (Chief Purveyor of Max), and P.L.P.R. -(Poet Laureate to the Prize Ring), for all these honours had been -conferred on him by the Press. These illustrious wights had it seems -differed (so it is rumoured) about the etymology of a Greek verb, the -use of the digamma, or the literary attainments of Jack Scroggins; and -in one branch of the disputation Tommy had not only asserted his own -superiority in prose and poetry to the Laureate, but had offered to -back Scroggins against him in writing blank verse or hexameters. Fired -at the insult, the Frosty-faced’un tipped Tommy such a volley of -_black (letter) chaff_ that the latter declared himself quiet -dumb-founded and _nonplushed_; so he offered to post five bob, and to -fight Fogo in the same ring as Burke and Tim Crawley, just to settle -the knotty dispute. Frosty’s official duties having ceased with the -exit from the ring of the two principals, the Deputy Commissary -stepped into the middle of the ring, and “thrice called aloud for -Richmond” (we beg pardon, Roundhead). Before, however, he was “hoarse -with calling” Roundhead, Tommy appeared, ready stripped to the waist, -hopping through the mud like a pelted frog. Shouts of laughter greeted -his entrée to the ropes, and at once he of the Frosty-face, hearing -his defiance answered, began (unlike the Homeric heroes) to divest -himself of his panoply, and would have been quickly in his natural -buff suit, had not the ring filled with curious inquirers, anxious to -learn the cause of this unusual commotion. The matter explained, the -_literati_ (represented by the ring-reporters), the University -wranglers, and the aristocracy of the P.R., decided unanimously and -with one voice (remember it was “raining cats and dogs”) that it would -be derogatory for so distinguished a votary of Apollo to descend from -Parnassus to roll his laurelled brow in Middlesex mud. “Forbid it, -Phœbus, and ye Muses nine!” exclaimed Cicero Holt, then, descending to -plain prose, he added, “Come, shove on your toggery, Frosty-face, -you’ll catch cold, you old muff;” and, suiting the action to the word, -he tried to thrust the “pen-hand” of the irate bard into the ragged -sleeve-lining of his “upper Ben.” The task was impracticable. “There’s -five bob down, and I’ll have a round for it,” cried the Fancy Orpheus. -“Oh, d―――― your five bob, Frosty, we’ll make that right,” cried -half-a-dozen voices. At that moment poor Frosty beheld with dismay the -greasy sleeve of his old coat torn clean out at the shoulder, and his -own naked arm protruding from the yawning rent. He felt like - - “That bard forlorn, - By Bacchanals torn - On Thracian Hebrus’ side,” - -so he cried for quarter; and being reassured that he would be -indemnified for the five bob, and “leave the ring without a stain on -his character,” as the police reporters have it, he was appeased, -pocketed the affront (and the five shillings), and straightway, with -assistance, returned to his chariot (a South Mimms farmer’s cart), in -charge of his true-blue stakes, his ditto beetle, staples, tent-pegs, -and neatly-coiled cordage. As for Tommy Roundhead, after calling the -gods to witness his readiness to do battle, he waxed less pugnacious, -and quickly “lost stomach for the fight” when he was told the -victorious party (to which his principal and he belonged), had a -dinner waiting at the “Blue Boar,” of which he was invited to partake. -The rain had now come on again, and as Apollo was appeased, no one -cared to expose himself any longer to the anger of Jupiter Pluvius, -and all who had the means, got as quickly housed as possible; the -pedestrians plodding their weary way through slush and mire to their -humble homes, the equestrians rattling home to their more luxurious -domiciles. - -Hampson challenged the Deaf’un to fight for £50, within 30 miles of -Liverpool, but the affair fell through. - -The Deaf’un now came out with a challenge to any 12-stone man and -upwards (bar Jem Ward), dating from Reuben Martin’s, in Berwick -Street. This was promptly answered on the part of Birmingham (Welsh) -Davis, who declared his £100 ready, if necessary. The match was, -however, made for £50 a side on December 16th, 1830, “to fight within -four months.” In _Bell’s Life_ of December 26th, 1830, we read, _à -propos_ of a discussion of the merits of heavy weight exhibitors at -the benefits at the Fives Court, and the sparring of Ned Neale, Young -Dutch Sam, Tom Gaynor, &c., “The Deaf’un was transformed into a swell, -but had not lost his civility, as do too many of his calling. He was -never known to utter an oath or an offensive word to any one, and has -established the character of a good-natured, well-meaning fellow.” Of -how few men in most positions in life could this be written truly! - -February 22nd, 1831, was the day, and Baldwin having won the toss for -Davis, named Knowle Hill, near Maidenhead, the spot where he -(White-headed Bob) beat George Cooper. Baldwin had forgotten that Sir -Gilbert East had “departed this life,” and that his place was filled -by an anti-millarian justice. Davis, with Arthur Matthewson and -Perkins, the Oxford Pet, reached Maidenhead on Monday, and there also -arrived Jem Burn, Reuben Marten, Burke, _cum multis aliis_. At an -early hour Tom Oliver and Fogo were on the move to Knowle Hill with -their _matériel_, when they spied three mounted men in the distance. -“My mind misgives me sore. By the pricking of my thumbs, something -wicked this way comes!” quoth Fogo. The horsemen approached. “S’help -me,” said Tom Oliver, “they’re beaks to a sartinty; I don’t like the -Jerusalem cut of the first one.” And Tom was right. Up rode Sir -Maurice Ximenes. “My good men,” said Sir Maurice, “if you don’t want -to get into trouble you’ll clear out of both Berkshire and Wilts. -Myself and these two gentlemen have determined to suffer no breach of -the peace in our jurisdiction. Go back at once to your party and tell -them so.” Tom - - Scratched his left ear, the infallible resource - To which most puzzled people have recourse. - -“In course, yer worshup,” said the Commissary, “nobody would think of -goin’ agenst yer worshup’s orders.” And he turned the head of his nag -towards whence he came, muttering something very like a witch’s prayer -for the Semitic nose and Israelitish carcase of his worship. All now -were in motion for the Bush Inn, Staines, and, arrived there, -Shepperton Range, in Co. Middlesex, was decided on. Burke, Reuben -Marten, Stockman and company were on the ground in good time, but -Davis was delayed by the overturning of his post-chaise between -Windsor and Egham, through the clumsiness of his driver. It was, -therefore, full two o’clock before he arrived, when no time was lost -in preliminaries. Burke was seconded by Stockman and Reuben Marten, -Davis by Harry Jones and Perkins. The colours being tied to the stake, -and umpires and referee chosen, at the cry of “Fall back! Fall back!” -and the crack of the ringkeepers’ whips, all settled themselves down, -and the men began - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Both men set to in good form, and covered - their vulnerable points well. Davis looked brown, - strong, and hardy, his trade of a coachsmith being one - well calculated to promote muscular development. The - Deaf’un was paler than usual, though he looked bright - and confident. There was a sly looseness about the - Deaf’un’s action that seemed intended to induce the - Brum to go in. Davis tried a nobber with the left, but - Burke got away smiling. More shifting and Davis let go - his right at the Deaf’un’s ribs, and his left at his - head; the former Burke caught on his elbow, the latter - got home sharply, and exchanges followed. The Deaf’un - broke away, counter-hits and a close, in which the - Deaf’un gained the fall. A most determined first round, - with as much fighting as half a dozen first rounds of - our modern sparring professors. - - 2.――Davis bleeding from the nose and a cut on the left - cheekbone. The Welshman got on a heavy smack on the - Deaf’un’s eye, which twinkled and blinked again. Burke - shook his head and hemm’d twice or thrice. “He don’t - like it,” cried Harry Jones, “do it again.” Davis tried - to do so, but was stopped neatly. Mutual stopping and - shifting, until the Deaf’un balanced accounts by a - straight’un on Davis’s left ogle that seemed to - electrify him for the instant. Both men now got at it - ding-dong. Davis staggered once or twice from the heavy - hits, but recovered and went on again. At last Burke - drove Davis into his corner and hit him down. (First - knock down for the Deaf’un.) - - 3.――Davis flushed, but still strong, fresh, and active. - Deaf’un hit short to draw his man, and then sent in a - cross counter as Davis hit out with his left. A rally. - Davis fought fast and furious; a close and Davis under - in the fall. - - 4.――Heavy hitting and a bustling round. Jack as good as - his master, and not a pin to choose. Towards the close - Burke’s heavier metal told, and both were down, - blowing; Davis undermost. - - 5.――Fast work and bellows to mend. A terrific round. - Counter-hits; give and take and no mistake; Davis - determined to get the lead, and Burke resisting his - assaults like a brick wall. At last Davis closed, but - after a brief struggle the Deaf’un flung him a clear - cross-buttock, poor Davis’s legs whirling in the air - like the revolving spokes of a coach wheel. - - 6.――Davis slow from his corner, but did not appear to - be so much shaken by the last round as was expected. - This was a very short bout. Davis retreated, and the - Deaf’un went in; exchanges, and Davis down in his own - corner. - - 7.――The Deaf’un, sly as a ’possum, would not go over - the scratch, but kept throwing out first one elbow, - then the other, with a funny little jerk, and looking - his adversary all over with a kind of self-satisfied - grin on his stoneware mug, as much as to say, “Let’s - see what you are going to do next,” to which poor Davis - certainly did not seem able to give any practical - answer. He, too, shifted from side to side, then taking - courage from despair, in he went, Burke jumping back - from his first delivery, and each of their left hands - coming “bash,” as a bystander expressed it, in the - other’s face. Some more left-arm hitting, both men as - game as pebbles, Burke’s broadsides the heavier, and - poor Davis over on his beam ends. - - 8.――On being righted, and got once more on an even - keel, Davis yawed and rolled not a little. Still the - Deaf’un stood off, waiting for his opponent to make - sail for close quarters, which he did, and again they - were yardarm and yardarm. It was not for long; away - fell Davis, reeling under the weight of the Deaf’un’s - shot, and went over among the bottles in his own - corner. - - 9.――It was surprising to see how readily Davis - recovered from what appeared almost finishing hits. - There was much advice-giving in Davis’s corner, and - “Time” was more than once called before the Welshman - was out of the hands of his seconds. The round was very - short. Davis once again went in, and this time got on a - stinger on the Deaf’un’s left ear, and a round one in - the bread-basket. A scramble, and both down. - - 10.――Davis on the totter, but he steadied himself and - got home his right on Burke’s body; good counter-hits. - Davis got Burke on the ropes, but he extricated - himself, and closing threw Davis. - - 11.――Davis hit short and stepped back. The Deaf’un did - not follow. Some little time spent in sparring; both - blown. At last the men got together, and Davis, finding - he must do some hard fighting, went in hand over hand. - Burke was with him and got him down in the hitting - under the ropes. Burke walked to his corner while the - Lively Kid performed a fancy step, leaving Reuben to - make a knee. (Cries of “Take him away!” from the - Londoners.) - - 12.――Davis came up all abroad. His knees seemed to - shake under him. Still he steadied himself as well as - he could, and hit out. Burke merely stepped in and hit - him down with one, two. - - 13.――It was all over with Davis. He walked up to the - scratch with an unsteady step, and stood there quite - bewildered. The Deaf’un faced him. Some one in Davis’s - corner cried “Don’t hit him!” The Deaf’un stepped over - the scratch and caught hold of his right hand, Davis’s - seconds rushed forward, received him in their arms, and - conveyed him to his corner. Time, _twenty-seven - minutes_. - - REMARKS.――Burke is all to nothing the better fighter at - points. The battle was never in doubt after the first - few rounds. Experience, coolness, and readiness, and a - good deal of work without much show, marked the - Deaf’un’s tactics throughout. More than once he played - off his favourite manœuvre with effect. This consists - in throwing himself in a loose and careless attitude, - and looking at his man’s feet, or anywhere but in his - face, when, if his adversary takes the bait and comes - in, he suddenly lets fly, and seldom fails to - administer a couple of punishing blows, or at least a - damaging counter-hit. David Davis, who, we learn, has a - long time worked in London as a coachspring maker, and - who beat Manning in the short space of 24 minutes on - Wolverhampton race-course in December, 1828, has now - been beaten by the Deaf’un in 27 minutes. The Brums - were deceived by the reports of Bill Cosens, who never - ceased disparaging the merits of the Deaf’un, whom he - boasts of having “beaten easily,” though he has several - times shuffled out of a second engagement with him. - Davis returned to Birmingham on Wednesday week, after - showing at the Deaf’un’s benefit, and the giving up of - the stakes at Reuben Marten’s, on the following - Tuesday. Davis’s chief visible hurts were - these――injured left hand and discolouration of the - eyes. - -One Blissett, a 14-stone man, and a butcher by trade, having crept -into favour with himself and his fraternity by some bye-battles, and -defeating Brown (the Northampton Baker), was matched against the -Deaf’un, not a few of the “kill-bull” brotherhood hoping to reverse -the verdict in the case of Hands, who was still a popular favourite -among them. In this affair the Deaf’un again posted the first “fiver,” -this time out of his stake with Davis, whereon Tom Cannon, on the part -of Mr. Hayne, promised the rest of the stake of £25, and the day of -battle was fixed for the 26th of May. The betting began at 6 to 4 on -the Deaf’un. Burke went into training at the “Crown,” at Holloway, and -Blissett took his breathings at the “Black Horse,” Greenford Green. -There was a good muster of the sporting public on the ground at Colney -Heath, Blissett coming on the ground in style with a four-in-hand, -sporting a crimson flag and black border, the Deaf’un a green-and-orange -handkerchief. When stripped, Burke appeared in a fancy pair of white -drawers of a glazed material, trimmed and bound with green ribbons, -and tied with green bows at the knees, where they were joined by a -pair of blue-and-white striped stockings. Blissett weighed 13st. -12lb., and stood 6ft; the Deaf’un 12st. 8lb., and stood 5ft. 8in. - - - THE FIGHT. - - We shall give but a general sketch of the rounds of - this one-sided affair. In the first round Blissett, who - displayed more sparring ability than was expected, - began by planting heavily on the Deaf’un’s eyebrow, - which he cut, and thus gained the first event amidst - the uproarious cheers of his admirers. Soon after, - however, the scene was changed, for the Deaf’un, - getting under his guard, gave him several such severe - body blows, that the big one, who certainly carried too - much flesh, literally staggered and caught the top rope - with his hand, while the Deaf’un had his opponent’s - head at his mercy, until, recovering himself, Blissett - forced a wild rally, in which he bored the Deaf’un - down, without doing much mischief. In the following - rounds Blissett, who was already piping, tried to lead - off, but generally either missed or was stopped, while - the Deaf’un, every now and then, got in a rattling hit - on the mouth, eyes, or nose, in pretty equal - succession. Before the 10th round was reached, Burke - had not only got his man down to his own weight, but - forced The fighting, or the reverse, at his own will, - getting slyly inside and under Blissett’s hands, and - hitting up at half-arm with punishing effect. After two - or three more rounds of furious and wild fighting on - the part of Blissett, he fell off, and in the 13th - round the Deaf’un closed, lifted him, and threw him - heavily. In the 14th and 15th rounds Blissett, after - receiving a prop or two, literally got down amidst some - hissing. Despite Young Dutch Sam’s urging him on, the - big one now fought shy; indeed he was frightfully - punished about the head. - - In the 17th and 18th rounds Blissett, after a hit or - two, turned away and fell on his knees and hands; and - when he fell in the 19th and last round from a coming - blow, Sam threw up the sponge, and the Deaf’un was - hailed the victor amidst loud cheering. Time, 44 - minutes. - -Blissett was conveyed back to town, and the Deaf’un, having dressed, -assisted to beat out the ring for the next fight, in which Young -Richmond (a smart bit of ebony only 18 years of age, son of the -renowned old Bill), was defeated by the afterwards celebrated Jack -Adams, a _protégé_ of Jem Burn. - -Burke now laid by for a time, part of the interval from a boating -accident, in which he badly injured the cap of his knees, which -detained him in a hospital for several weeks. That this was serious we -may conclude from the fact, that the writer was more than once told by -the Deaf’un, in after years, that, “Though you can’t see nothing, -misters, I often feels my leg go all of a suddent.” There was, in -fact, a partial anchylosis, or stiffening of the joint. - -In May, 1832, at a dinner at Tom Cribb’s, in Panton Street, Spring, -the ex-champion, Josh Hudson, Ned Neale, Jem Burn (his old antagonist, -Ned Baldwin, had just dropped the reins and quitted his box at the -“Coach and Horses,” St. Martin’s Lane), and other leading pugilists -were present. The after-dinner conversation, of course, ran on the -past exploits and future prospects of the Ring. The remarkable group -of pugilists――which included Jem Ward, Peter Crawley, Jem Burn, Ned -Baldwin (White-headed Bob), Shelton, Tom Cannon, Ned Neale, Young -Dutch Sam, Alec Reid, and Bishop Sharpe, the successors of Tom Spring, -Langan, Bill Neale, Ned Painter, Josh Hudson, Oliver, and -Hickman――had, before 1832, each fought his last fight, and “the slate” -was positively clear of any engagements among the “heavies.” Among the -guests was a cavalry officer, whose regiment being ordered for India -(“short service” and “home leave on urgent private affairs” were not -then in fashion), expressed his regret to jolly Josh Hudson, that he -believed the race of “big ’uns” was extinct, and that he should “never -see the like again” of those present. Josh, of course, coincided, but -when the soldier added, that he would gladly give “a note with a -strawberry-tart corner” to see such a mill, old Jack Carter, who had -come in with the dessert, “put in his spoke,” and asked Josh whether -he couldn’t “find him a job,” as he was ready and willing, and felt -himself man enough for any second-rater who would make a good fight -for a little money. Jack added that he had only the day before seen -Burke rowing at Woolwich, being well of his bad knee, and complaining -of the “deadness” of everything, and that they had come up to town -together. - -“Where there’s a will there’s a way.” The soldier had no time to -spare, and was prompt; the men promised to be at the “Old Barge -House,” Woolwich, on the morning of the 8th of May, meeting on the -previous day at Josh’s “Half-Moon” tap, to make final arrangements. -Tom Oliver, who was present, was officially engaged, also Jack Clarke; -Dick Curtis and Frank Redmond volunteered to pick up the Deaf’un, and -all was smoothly settled. - -There was a select muster, with an unusual sprinkling of swells, on -that pleasant morning of the merry month of May in the Woolwich -Marshes, near the “Old Barge House,” round the newly painted stakes -and a new set of ropes, &c., recently presented to Tom Oliver by the -F.P.C. (Fair Play Club), through the hands of Tom Belcher. The men -were punctual. Carter was waited on by Barney Aaron and Sol. Reubens -(who had lately fought Tom Smith, the East End Sailor Boy). Old Jack -certainly looked “hard,” and also, as Barney added, “brown and stale, -like a well-kept loaf.” He, however, stripped “big,” and showed the -outlines of the once boasted “Lancashire hero,” the opponent of -Spring, Richmond, Cribb (in a turn-up), Shelton, and Jem Ward. He was -neatly got up, but showing unmistakable marks of age, as well he -might, for Jack was now entering his 43rd summer, having been born in -September, 1789. The Deaf’un, too, was in good trim, deducting the -ugly defect of a stiff knee――a serious drawback when opposed to -length, weight, and height. Of these, however, the cheerful Deaf’un -made no account, and was as lively and quaint as a Merry Andrew, in -his grotesque green and yellow kickseys, and striped coverings of his -sturdy pedestals. - -The fight, though displaying courage, offered little in the way of -science. For the first four rounds Carter bored in and drove the -Deaf’un against the ropes, where he tried in vain to hold him for a -“hug,” the Deaf’un hitting up sharply to the damage of Carter’s -figure-head, and then getting through his hands with little damage. -The Deaf’un was certainly out of order somewhere in the victualling -department, for towards the middle of the short fight he retched and -was violently sick from his exertions in a throw. This revived the -hopes of the Carter party, against whom the game was evidently going. -It was, however, but a passing gleam; the Deaf’un shook off his qualms -of indigestion, rattled in without standing for any repairs, old Jack -became stiff as a wooden image, then groggy as a sailor three sheets -in the wind, and finally, at the end of the 11th round, went down “all -of a heap,” and declared he “could fight no more,” at which conclusion -it took him only 25 minutes to arrive. - -The ring cleared, Josh announced to his patron that he had, foreseeing -that the big ’uns might, one or the other, “come short,” provided an -after-piece, by then and there getting off a “little go;” said “little -go” being the match between Izzy Lazarus[15] and Jem Brown (the -go-cart man). This was indeed a rattling and active fight, until, -after an hour’s sharp milling, in which capital “points” were made by -both men, the Thames police landed from their galleys and compelled a -move, at the same time informing them that “it was no use crossing the -river, as they should follow them up or down, either to the City-stone -at Staines, or to Yantlet Creek.” In this hopeless state of affairs it -was proposed to divide the original £10 stakes and the added purse, -which was assented to by the Napoleon, of Go-cart men, and his -Israelitish opponent, who had had, no doubt, quite enough of each -other “at the prishe.” The “swell” division bowled back to the great -metrop., well pleased with their day’s outing, though the drop fell -rather suddenly on the second pugilistic performance. - -The Deaf’un for some months confined himself to the business of an -exhibitor and teacher of the art, superintending the sparring rooms at -the “Coach and Horses,” and demonstrating at Reuben Marten’s on -certain nights in the week. He might also always be depended on (which -many men not so good as he were not) to lend a hand in aid of any poor -pug in distress or difficulty. - -Towards the close of 1832 the Deaf’un formed part of a professional -party (organised by his late opponent Jack Carter), who visited -Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, and other towns, to enlighten the -Lancashire and Yorkshire tykes upon the true principles and manly -practices of the art of self-defence, as taught in the best schools of -boxing. These milling missionaries――we have seen less laudable -missions since that day――of course awakened more or less a “revival” -of “fair play,” the study of the gloves, and the legitimate use of the -fist among both the “upper” and “lower” orders. While at Hull an -immense specimen of a gigantic North countryman, of the name of -Macone, having had “a try with the gloves,” thought “he could lick any -of these Lunnoners except Jock (Carter) and he was too old to talk -aboot.” The Deaf’un thought quite differently; so £20 a side was put -down, and, with only a few days’ training, Macone and the Deaf’un -faced each other at Lackington Bottom, near Beverley, on the 8th -January, 1833. “Macone,” says the meagre report of the battle, “stood -6 feet 2 inches, and weighed 15 stone, and had polished off several -big yokels in first-rate style. The Yorkshireman was in first-rate -condition, while the Deaf’un was generally thought not quite up to the -mark. He weighed 13 stone (a little too heavy) and stood 5 foot 8.” Of -the battle we have scanty particulars, yet the reporter adds, “it was -such a fight as would not have disgraced the days of Cribb and -Belcher. Burke had to do all he knew to obtain a victory over his -large opponent, who turned out the bravest of the brave, and took his -gruel without a murmur, until he could no more stand up to receive.” - -We have here, for the sake of keeping the chronological order of the -Deaf’un’s fights, followed on with his “crowning triumph” over the -mighty but unskilful Macone, and shall here “hark back” a few months, -just to show how ready Jem Burke was to “negotiate” with any boxer who -might be “getting mouldy for want of a bating.” His old adversary -Cosens appears to have thought that the Deaf’un’s accident had laid -him “on the shelf,” for he kept from time to time firing off -challenges, in Pierce Egan’s and other sporting papers. Here is one of -them, which certainly savours of “gag,” especially as the writer was -then upon a sparring tour, and in the same paper advertises a -“benefit” at Brighton:―― - - “The Editor of _Life in London_. - - “SIR,――I wish to inform Deaf Burke, as he takes upon himself - the ‘Championship of England,’ that I am ready to fight him - again. Should he think proper to do so, I will meet him at - the ‘Wheatsheaf Inn,’ Chichester, within a fortnight, and - make a match for £50 a side, to come off within one or two - months, as he may prefer. - - “Hunston, January 24, 1832. WM. COSENS.” - -Immediately beneath this epistle we read as follows:―― - - “SIR,――I understand that Josh Hudson sent something like a - challenge to me in your paper last Sunday. If he means - fighting I will meet him at the ‘Coach and Horses,’ St. - Martin’s Lane, on Monday evening next, for from fifty to one - hundred a side. - - “St. Martin’s Lane, May 22, 1832. JAMES BURKE.” - -This affair of Hudson’s was a mere “flash-in-the-pan.” Josh’s day was -decidedly gone by, while the Deaf’un, whose birth dated but five years -previous to Josh’s first ring-fight, was in the prime of youthful -strength and vigour. - -Another of Burke’s challengers at this time, a Welshman of the name of -Bill Charles, “loomed large” in the Principality and the West of -England. He had twice beaten Jem Bailey, of Bristol, and polished off -several rural commoners, and recently (June 4, 1832) conquered a local -favourite, Tom Trainer (much under his own weight). From this triumph -the _soi disant_ champion’s bounce became so intolerable that -Trainer’s friends clubbed their resources, and resolved to back the -Deaf’un, as a fit and proper man, a very _Orlando_, to floor this -braggart _Charles_; but unfortunately this portion of _As You Like It_ -was not rehearsed in Taffy-land, the “Lunnon cove” not being to -the liking of Charles’s friends. Burke went down to Newport -(Monmouthshire) to make the match; but the Welshman’s backers (like -Aminadab’s servant when he opened the door, on the chain, to the -bailiff) seem to have taken alarm at the formidable appearance of the -Deaf’un, and Mr. Charles replied, on behalf of his patron, “Master -hath seen thee and he doth not like thee;” preferring to forfeit a -small deposit. Burke offered to fight “the Welsh Champion” half-way -between Abergavenny and Newport, or near Bristol, or at Monmouth Gap, -for £50 or £100 a side, but the affair went off, and Burke returned to -London――matchless. - -On the retirement of Ward from the Championship, among the crowd of -pretenders to the title, the Deaf’un certainly had the fairest claim, -having fought his way up, refusing no opponent, and disposing of every -competitor, save one, and he afterwards declined to risk a repetition -of the contest, upon transparent quibbles. - -At a meeting at Tom Spring’s, in a pugilistic palaver, wherein matches -were discussed, examined, and the _pros_ and _cons_ agreed and decided -on, the Deaf’un, in his peculiar style, suggested, that he would like -a match with Young Dutch Sam, “becos he was so clevers,” or Simon -Byrne, “becos he was big enoughs,” or, in fact, with anybody that -“tought himselfs champions.” At first Young Sam seemed disposed to -take up the glove, but on reflection he said, “Burke was too heavy for -him by more than a stone and a half. That was giving too much away.” -Shortly afterwards a well-known Irish Colonel coming in, declared his -readiness to back Byrne against the challenger, and a meeting was -appointed for the following Tuesday at Spring’s. On the day named -Simon’s “needful” was tabled; but alas! the poor Deaf’un was obliged -to acknowledge his failure in enlisting any kind friend to back him, -as “they were all out of towns when he called on ’em. But,” continued -he, “to shows as I means fightins there’s a soverins of my owns to -begins with――let Byrne’s friends cover thats, and on Thursday week I -hopes I’ll make it tens, an if not――why, I’m de fools.” Two gentlemen -present, admiring Burke’s pluck, added a sovereign each, making three, -which were covered by Spring for Byrne. _Bell’s Life_, speaking of -this meeting, says: “It is to be hoped that Burke will not lack -supporters; he may not possess the gift of the gab, but he wants none -of the requisites of a British boxer; he is honest, brave, and -confident; and from his past good character, as well as the prompt -humanity he lately showed in rescuing fellow-creatures from danger at -the risk of his own life (we allude to his saving two children, who -were buried in the ruins of some houses in Essex Street, Strand), it -would be discreditable to see such a man lost for a trifle. It is -always in the power of many to assist one, and here is an opportunity -for those who wish to patronise the old British game of boxing upon -honest principles which should not be overlooked.” The week after this -appeal Burke found his friends (he did not call upon those who were -“out of town,” he told us), and the match was made for £100 a side, to -come off on the 30th May, 1833. - -A singular circumstance occurred to the Deaf’un on his way home from -Spring’s on the night when the occurrences took place which led to -this anecdote of Burke’s good qualities. A fire was raging in Long -Acre, in a poor and populous neighbourhood, at which Burke especially -distinguished himself, and was honourably mentioned for his courageous -exertions, rescuing a great deal of humble property at no small -personal peril. - -As we propose to give but a brief sketch of the ring career of Simon -Byrne, as a pendant to the present memoir, we shall not here break the -thread of our story, but proceed at once to the details of this -unfortunate contest. - -“The Irish Champion” was backed on this occasion by “all the talent.” -Jem Ward, Ned Neale, Tom Spring, and Jem Burn were, to use a -professional phrase, “behind him,” and he had at his command all that -money and skill could do for him. On arriving in town from Liverpool, -Simon’s weight exceeded 15 stone, and this mountain of flesh he had to -reduce and did reduce to 13st. 4lbs. With this view he was at once -sent off to Ned Neale’s, at Norwood, and, under his skilful -superintendence, by hard work and sweating, this reduction was -effected; but not, we are convinced, without impairing his natural -stamina, for Byrne’s habits in Ireland were, so said rumour, far from -abstemious. Burke, on the contrary――for the Deaf’un was never a slave -to liquor――had only to improve his condition by good air, sound food, -and healthful exercise, of which he took at Northfleet, under the eye -of the veteran Tom Owen, a full share both on and off the water, much -of his time being spent in rowing. Burke on the morning of fighting -weighed 12st. 4lbs., the weight which Captain Barclay declared, when -combined with science, to be heavy enough to box Goliath himself. We -ought not to omit that Tom Gaynor generously took Burke under his -wing, and guaranteed his training and personal expenses. - -No Man’s Land was fixed upon for the battle, in consequence of an -undertaking on the part of Mr. Coleman, of the Turf Tavern, St. -Alban’s, to raise £25, to be equally divided between the men. On -Wednesday evening, May 29th, the night before fighting, both men -reached St. Alban’s in good spirits, and both confident as to the -result. Burke was the favourite in the betting, as he had been, more -or less, since the match was made; the odds varying between 5 to 4 and -guineas to pounds. The arrivals at St. Alban’s were not numerous on -Wednesday, but on Thursday morning there was unusual bustle, and as -the day advanced the crowd of vehicles was such as to recall the olden -times of the ring. The piece of turf chosen for the encounter was -smooth as a bowling-green; in fact, nothing could have been more -suitable to the purpose, or better calculated to have afforded a good -view of the contest, but for the irregularity which prevailed among -the throng, who, in spite of all entreaty, crowded round the ropes and -stakes during the battle, and, by the most disgraceful confusion, not -only shut out the view of the combatants, but distracted the attention -and excited the fears of the spectators by a succession of fights and -squabbles. The men arrived on the ground soon after 12 o’clock. The -Deaf’un was all jollity, and full of antics, having disfigured his -Grimaldi countenance with white patches, for the amusement of the -yokels, at whom he kept making wry faces all the way from his -quarters; in fact, had he been going to a fair instead of into the -P.R. he could not have been in higher spirits. Byrne was more staid, -but still was cheerful. He was the first to enter the ring, attended -by Tom Spring and Jem Ward; he was loudly cheered. Burke soon -followed, accompanied by Tom Gaynor and Dick Curtis, and was received -with equal marks of favour. A good deal of time was lost in settling -preliminaries, during which the Deaf’un continued his playful tricks, -much to the astonishment of Byrne, who exclaimed he did “not think the -man was in his right sinses.” - -On stripping, it was obvious that Burke, in point of muscularity, was -decidedly superior to Byrne, especially in the arms and shoulders; he -was also in the best condition. Byrne looked well, but there was a -softness about his shoulder-blades which showed he was still too -fleshy. He stood about an inch and a half over Burke, but, -nevertheless, did not seem to have much advantage in the reach; upon -the whole, the connoisseurs gave the preference to the Deaf’un, who -was health personified. The men were conducted to the scratch at about -half-past one, and immediately commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Both threw themselves into defensive - positions; the Deaf’un grinning most confidently, and - slyly looking at his antagonist. Byrne made one or two - feints to draw his man, but Burke waited steadily for - him. They then changed their ground. Byrne again made a - feint, and after the lapse of some time, both cautious, - Byrne let fly with his left. Burke countered heavily, - and caught Byrne on the mouth, while he had it himself - on the nose. Burke snuffled, and Byrne cried “First - blood.” “No,” said Burke, and wiping his finger on his - nose, withdrew it unstained. Another short dodging - pause, when Byrne again let go his left, which dropped - on the old spot; while Burke as quickly returned on the - mouth; and again did the cry of “first blood” resound - from all quarters; and, on inspection, the crimson was - seen on Byrne’s lips, and on Burke’s proboscis, at one - and the same moment. First blood was claimed for Burke, - but disputed; and we understand the umpires and the - referee decided it was a tie――giving neither the - advantage. Some good counter hits with the left - followed, and in the close, after an awkward scramble, - both went down, without any decided advantage. On - getting up both showed claret, Byrne from the nose and - mouth, and Burke from the nose. Burke also showed the - mark of a hit on the right brow. - - 2.――Long sparring. Burke waiting for Byrne to begin, - being well on his guard. Both offered, but did not - strike. At last Byrne popped in his left on Burke’s - mouth, while Burke’s left, in the counter, went over - his shoulder. Burke looked slyly down at Byrne’s body, - as if intending to make his next hit there, but - stealing a march, he threw in his left on Byrne’s - mouth. Byrne was, however, awake, and countered. Mutual - dodging. Burke stopped Byrne’s left cleverly; and after - more sparring, Burke exclaimed, “Isn’t this beautiful, - Simons?” while Gaynor said “his man was certain to win, - and should be backed against any man in England.” Burke - tried his right, but missed, and the men rushed to a - rally. Heavy hitting took place, and in the close Byrne - had the advantage, giving the Deaf’un the crook, and - falling heavily on him, but on getting up it was - obvious the hitting was on a par, as both had received - some ugly clouts. These two rounds occupied 17 minutes. - - 3.――Burke stopped Byrne’s left in good style, and - waited for the renewed attack. Both cautious. Burke - again stopped a left-handed stinger, and succeeded in - throwing in his own left on Byrne’s mouth. This brought - them to a rally, and the hitting left and right was - lively and pretty. In the close there was some good - in-fighting in favour of Byrne, but in the struggle for - the throw both went down slovenly, Burke under. - - 4.――Counter-hits with the left, when Byrne threw in a - tremendous whack with his right on the back of Burke’s - head; had it been in front the effect might have been - conclusive. Burke, at the same moment, caught him in - the ribs with his right. A rally followed, in which - hits were exchanged; and, in the close, Burke was - thrown. On getting up, both showed additional claret - from their smellers, and Byrne had evidently had a - refresher on his left ogle. - - 5.――A good rally, commencing with left-handed counters; - both napped it. Byrne stepped back, and as Burke came - he gave him the upper-cut with his right, and closing - threw him heavily. Loud shouts for Byrne; and Jem Ward - asked the Deaf’un how he liked that. The Deaf’un - laughed, and shook his head, observing, “Very good, - Misters.” - - 6.――The knuckle of Byrne’s right hand now began to - swell――the consequence of its terrific contact with the - Deaf’un’s canister in the fourth round. Pretty - counter-hits with the left, ending in a rally, in which - both hit away left and right. In stepping back from his - own blow, Burke fell on his corobungus, and first - knock-down was claimed, but not allowed, as it was - clearly a slip. - - 7.――Counter-hitting with the left. Burke again made - some pretty stops. The men fought in a rally to the - corner, where Byrne caught Burke under his arm, and - fibbed, but not effectively, and ultimately threw him, - falling heavily on his _corpus_. “He can do nothing but - throw,” cried Curtis; and the Deaf’un was up, and as - jolly as ever. - - 8.――Heavy slaps, right and left; both had it on the - nob. Burke was driven against the ropes, and Byrne - fought well in. Burke butted,[16] and in the end got - down, Byrne on him. - - 9.――Both cautious. Byrne again trying the feint, but - Burke well on his guard. At last Byrne let fly his - left, but Burke was with him, and returned it heavily. - In the close, Byrne tried for the throw, when Burke - hung by his arms round his neck. At last Byrne hit him - a tremendous blow with his right on the body, and they - both went down together. - - 10.――Both resined their hands,[17] and set-to as fresh - as daisies. Byrne dropped in a slight muzzler with his - left, which was followed by counter-hitting, and a - severe rally. Byrne missed a terrific upper-cut, which - would have told a fearful tale, and fell. Both - exhibited considerable marks of punishment on getting - on their seconds’ knees. - - 11.――Short counter-hitting with the left, followed by a - determined rally, in which the nobbers left and right - were severe. In the close Byrne down. - - 12.――Burke threw in a stinging hit with his right on - Byrne’s ribs. A weaving rally followed, which was - concluded by Byrne’s getting down, amidst the jeers of - the Deaf’un’s friends. - - 13.――Byrne popped in his left. Burke tried to counter, - but missed. A wild rally, in which Burke was driven to - the corner of the ring, and fell; Byrne tumbling on him - with his knee, it was said, in a tender place, whether - designedly or not we could not judge. - - 14.――Byrne had a suck at the brandy-bottle before he - commenced; when the Deaf’un rattled in, and gave him a - heavy round hit with the right on the body, and went - down from the force of his own blow. - - 15.――Counter-hitting with the left. Burke active on his - pins. Byrne missed a right-handed hit, and fell, we - suspect rather from design than accident. - - 16.――Burke popped in his left and right, two stinging - hits. Byrne returned with the left, closed, and threw - him. - - 17.――Burke now had recourse to “drops of brandy,” and - Byrne, who had shown symptoms of distress, seemed to - have got fresher. Counter-hitting with the left, both - catching it on the chops, and showing more pink. A - short rally. Byrne fought well in; and in the close, - both down, the Deaf’un under. - - 18.――The fight had now lasted 45 minutes. Long - sparring, and both slow in their operations. Burke, in - his usual cunning manner, looked down as if studying - the movements of Byrne’s feet, and popped in a whack - with the left on his body; a manœuvre which he tried a - second time, with equal success, with his right on the - ribs. Burke stopped a left-handed hit, but caught - another nasty one from Byrne’s right on the neck; it - was a round hit, and missed the butt of the ear, for - which it was intended. A short rally; when Byrne tried - for the fall, but in swinging round was himself thrown. - - 19.――Burke showed feverish symptoms in his mouth, which - was extremely dry. Long sparring, and pretty stops on - both sides. Burke threw in a heavy smasher with his - left on Byrne’s mouth, and followed it with tremendous - heavy hit with his right on the ear. Byrne made a - rejoinder with his left on the Deaf’un’s nose, and - turned quickly round on his heel. “How do you like - that?” cried Ward. Both ready, and on their guard; - Burke evidently waiting for Byrne to commence; but - incautiously putting down his hands to wipe them on his - drawers, Byrne, as quick as lightning, popped in a - snorter. Loud laughter at Burke’s expense. Burke rushed - to a rally, and some severe hitting right and left - followed, Byrne receiving a cut over his left eye. - Byrne administered the upper-cut, and in the close, - went down. - - 20.――One hour and 20 minutes had now elapsed. - Counter-hitting with the left, but not much execution - done. In the close, both down. Byrne’s right hand - seemed to be of little use to him. - - The same style of fighting was persevered in, with - little advantage on either side, till the 27th round, - by which time one hour and 47 minutes had elapsed; and - the crowd had so completely closed in round the ropes - as to prevent the distant spectators from witnessing - the progress of the fight. - - In the 27th round, after counter-hits with the left on - both sides, at the head, Burke popped his left heavily - on Byrne’s body. Byrne rushed to a rally, and Burke, - retreating to the ropes, received a heavy hit in the - head, which dropped him. The first knock-down was here - universally admitted. - - In the 29th round Burke was thrown heavily, his head - coming with tremendous force on the ground; and in the - 30th, Byrne, catching him against the ropes, gave him - some severe body blows with the right, and finally - threw him. While lying on his face, Burke was sick, and - threw up some blood; his friends looked blue. - - 31.――Burke came up weak, and rather groggy. Byrne - rushed in, and hit him heavily on the ribs, and in the - close again threw him. Byrne now became a decided - favourite, and was evidently the fresher man. - - In the 35th round, two hours having elapsed, Byrne - again caught Burke at the ropes, and in the - in-fighting, gave him some severe punishment, while - Burke butted. Burke thrown. - - 36.――Byrne pursued the same system of boring his - opponent to the ropes, and peppered at him while in - that position. In trying for the fall, Byrne held Burke - up by the neck for some time, trying to fib with his - right, but not effectively; but at last Ward gave him - the office, and he let him go, falling heavily upon - him. - - 37.――Burke sick, but still resolute. From this to the - 43rd round Byrne seemed to have it his own way, and - Burke was so much distressed that his friends began to - despair of success. Tom Cannon now jumped into the - ring, followed by several others, and considerable - confusion prevailed. Cannon had been backing Burke, and - evidently came to urge him to renewed exertion. He - loudly exclaimed, “Get up and fight, Deaf’un; do you - mean to make a cross of it?” A person who was equally - interested on the other side struck at Cannon, and - ultimately got him outside the ropes. In the interim, - Burke went to work, bored Simon down against the ropes, - but fell outside himself, while Simon was picked up - within the ring. - - In the five following rounds both fought in a wild and - scrambling manner, equally exhausting to each; and in - the 49th round, Burke, who had summoned all his - remaining strength, rattled away with such fury that - Simon at last went down weak. Here was another change, - and Burke again became the favourite. From thenceforth - to the 99th round, repeated changes took place. On one - occasion the hat was actually thrown up to announce - Byrne’s Victory, from the impression that Burke was - deaf to time, as he lay, apparently, in a state of - stupor; but, to the surprise of all, Curtis again - brought his man to the scratch, and he renewed the - contest with unshaken courage. From the state of - Byrne’s hands, which were dreadfully puffed, he was - unable to administer a punishing blow; and round after - round the men were brought up, surrounded by their - partisans, who crowded the arena, and by sprinkling - them with water, fanning them with their hats, and - other expedients, endeavoured to renew their vigour. To - attempt a description of each round, from the uproar - which prevailed, would be impossible. Burke, whenever - placed before his man, hit away right and left, at the - body and head, and always seemed to have a good hit at - him, although his left hand was almost invariably open. - In the 91st round Simon gave him a heavy fall, and fell - upon him; and it was here considered that the Deaf’un’s - chances were almost beyond a hope. Still he continued - to come up at the call of his seconds, and each round - exhibited a determined display of manly milling; both - hit away with resolution, and the men were alternately - uppermost. At last, in the 93rd round, Byrne exhibited - such symptoms of exhaustion that the shouts of the - friends of Burke cheered him to fresh exertion, and, - rushing in wildly, he hit Byrne down, and fell over - him. This made such a decided change for the worse in - Simon, and for the six following rounds he came up so - groggy, that he was scarcely able to stand, and rolled - before the Deaf’un like a ship in a storm. Bad as he - was, he continued to meet the Deaf’un with his left, - and to do all that nature would permit. Burke, however, - proved himself to have the better constitution, and - continued to pepper away till the last round, when - Byrne fell senseless, and was incapable of being again - lifted on his legs. Burke, who was also in the last - stage of exhaustion, was immediately hailed as the - conqueror, amidst the reiterated cheers of his friends. - The fight lasted exactly 3 hours and 16 minutes and at - its conclusion, Gaynor proclaimed that Burke was - “Champion of England.” Ward, who was in the ring - attending to Byrne, exclaimed “Walker,” but whether he - means to dispute Burke’s claim to that distinction - remains to be seen. Byrne was carried to his vehicle, - while Burke, with difficulty, was able to walk from the - ring. The scene that prevailed in the ring for the last - hour was disgraceful, and shut out from the spectators - a view of the most part of the fight. It would be - difficult to say which side was most to blame, for in - fact each man had his party, who were equally busy in - their interference. It is but justice, however, to say - that the men themselves received fair play, and that - there was nothing done towards them which called for - censure. - - REMARKS.――Upon the character of this protracted fight - we have few observations to make. The length of time - which two men of such size continued to attack each - other, and to pour in a succession of blows, without - any decided effect, proves that, as compared with the - olden members of the ring, they did not possess those - punishing qualities which are essential to an - accomplished boxer; and that they have earned little of - that admiration which, in former times, was excited by - the slashing execution of big men. Burke evidently - possessed more cunning than Byrne, and often took him - by surprise by threatening the body when he meant the - head, and _vice versa_. The early injury to Byrne’s - right hand was a decided disadvantage, and had he - fought more at the body, from Burke’s sickness, it was - considered the result might have been different. Taking - the battle as a whole, however, it certainly entitled - the men to the greatest praise, and placed them on - record as boxers of the highest courage and - extraordinary powers of receiving. But for the disorder - which prevailed, we have no doubt the contest would - have elicited universal astonishment, especially - towards the finish, when the adversaries rushed to each - other repeatedly, and hit away with unshrinking courage - and perseverance, never going down without a mutual - dose of pepper. As the battle drew toward a close, - Byrne missed many of his left-handed counters, and in - the 98th round received such a stinging hit with the - right on his temple, that on coming up for the last - time, it was clear his chances were gone by. The - Deaf’un rushed in to finish, and, being still - “himself,” had only to hit out and end his - extraordinary labours. - -The men, after the fight, were re-conducted to their respective -quarters at St. Alban’s, and were both put to bed. Byrne was bled by a -surgeon, but continued in a state of stupor. His punishment seemed to -have been severest on the left side of the head; his left eye was -completely closed, while his mouth and face generally were much -swollen. In the body, too, there had been many blows, especially on -his left side. He received every possible attention, and a gentleman -who had been extremely kind to him in his training remained with him -the whole night. Burke was by no means so great a sufferer, although -he bore severe marks of hitting, and his arms, from the shoulders to -the wrists, were black with stopping. To his heavy falls his sickness -was principally attributed. As a proof that he was “all right,” as he -said, after lying in bed a few hours, he got up and dressed, and went -to town the same night, and showed at Tom Gaynor’s, where he received -the congratulations of his friends, and talked of throwing down the -gauntlet to all England as soon as he recovered. - -In the same paper we find that poor Byrne’s state had become very -precarious on the day after the fight; that his head had been shaved, -and leeches applied to the bruised parts. It was thought by his -friends that his mind was deeply affected by his defeat, and that he -suffered as much from this feeling as from bodily injuries. On the -Saturday night intelligence was received in town that the poor fellow -was much better, and it was hoped out of danger, but these hopes, -unfortunately, were not destined to be realised, for we find in the -next number of _Bell’s Life_, the following remarks:――“Poor Simon, on -the Saturday after the mill, became so much better that he was -apparently quite himself, and expressed his thanks for the attentions -he had received. He said, ‘if he died, of which he had a presentiment, -his death would be more attributable to the irregularity of his mode -of life before he went into training, than to any injury sustained in -the fight.’ His mind, however, was evidently deeply affected by his -defeat, and he frequently declared he would rather have died than been -beaten; and, indeed, such was his increasing nervous agitation, that -in the course of the evening he again relapsed into insensibility, -from which he did not afterwards recover. On Sunday morning an express -was sent off to London for Spring, who had been called to town on -business. He immediately obeyed the summons, and on arriving at St. -Alban’s, and finding the precarious state in which Byrne was, at once -sent for Sir Astley Cooper, who humanely proceeded without delay to -the house where Byrne lay, and entered into consultation with the -gentleman who was in attendance. Sir Astley at once saw that the case -was hopeless. He, however, administered such remedies as he thought -best, and remained with the poor fellow until his death, which took -place at half-past eight in the evening. It was believed by both -medical men that the symptoms of the unfortunate man were aggravated -by his depressed state of mind at his defeat. There was also a strong -belief that the reflection of his having been instrumental to the -death of Sandy M’Kay also preyed upon his spirits, as he expressed a -presentiment of his own death. From the first moment of his entering -the ring, it was observable that his countenance wore an aspect of -deep care and thought, and when Burke was distressed, he regarded him -with evident feelings of commiseration. While he fought with manly -courage, and never shrank from danger, it was clear he was not -following the suggestions of his nature. He was not, in fact, a -quarrelsome man, but on the contrary, seemed animated by the most -kindly disposition, and was alike mild in his manner and his language. -Burke, also, although a rough, unpolished man, evidently had no -feeling of animosity towards his unfortunate antagonist; the only -object he had in view was to obtain victory. In fact, no two men ever -entered the ring whose sentiments towards each other were so -thoroughly devoid of malice, and whose object was so entirely wrapped -up in the desire of fame; the one being influenced by a wish to wipe -out the prejudices excited most unjustly from a former defeat, and the -latter by anxiety to excel in a profession which from his boyhood was -the darling object of his ambition. With all his roughness, however, -Burke has given traits of an excellent disposition he has on more than -one occasion risked his own life to save the lives of others. He is -also strictly honest and sober, and altogether his character stands so -high that this alone has led to his obtaining backers.” - -The inquest was held on Byrne on the Monday after the fight, before -Mr. Blagg. Some of the witnesses deposed that the men were often -carried to the scratch; and that towards the conclusion of the battle -they did not think they could have gone up alone.[18] - -Mr. Kingston, a surgeon of St. Alban’s, who attended the deceased, -stated that he bled him, and applied leeches to his head; that there -was concussion of the brain, but that the deceased was occasionally -sensible. Witness attended him constantly until his death. On a _post -mortem_ examination he found a great deal of extravasated blood about -the left side of the head. The brain and dura mater were also -distended with blood. The heart, liver, and intestines were perfectly -healthy. Deceased was a fine, muscular man, and witness attributed his -death to the congested state of the brain, combined with prolonged and -violent exertions, and the mental suffering under defeat. - -The Coroner: “Then deceased came by his death from the blows?”――Witness: -“In my opinion, had the deceased been the victor instead of the beaten -party there would have been a chance of his recovery. There was not -sufficient injury on the head to account for death.” The Coroner -attempted to find out the names of the time-keeper and referee, but -without avail, and at length summed up, and the jury returned a -verdict of “Manslaughter against Deaf Burke as principal in the first -degree, and Tom Spring, Jem Ward, Dick Curtis, and Tom Gaynor, and the -umpires and referee as principals in the second degree.” The coroner -then made out his warrant for the committal of the parties against -whom the verdict was returned. - -The body of poor Simon was buried at St. Alban’s, on the Tuesday after -the inquest. He was 32 years of age. An appeal was made by the Editor -of _Bell’s Life in London_ for the poor fellow’s widow, which was -headed by himself with five guineas, and to this, the same week, the -Deaf’un, Spring, Ward, Gaynor, and Curtis each added a similar sum, -and in a very short time the sum of £262 was raised for the -unfortunate woman. - -THE TRIAL.――On Thursday, July 11th, 1833, the trial of Spring, Ward, -Gaynor, Curtis, and the Deaf’un took place at Hertford Assizes. On the -previous day, when Mr. Justice Bailey charged the Grand Jury, he -alluded to the case in a humane and impartial manner, and the Grand -Jury found a true bill against all the parties concerned. On the -Thursday morning, Burke and Dick Curtis, who had surrendered, were put -to the bar before Mr. Justice Park, and pleaded not guilty. As Spring -and the other two accused did not surrender at first, the trial of -these men was proceeded with. Witnesses were first called who proved -that the fight had taken place, after which Mr. Kingston, the surgeon -who had attended Byrne up to the time of his death, was examined. He -described the _post mortem_ examination, and the appearance of the -body, in similar terms to those which he had used before the Coroner. -He next said the fulness of the vessels of the brain might be caused -in various ways, by blows, or falls, or excitement. After three hours’ -fighting such an appearance might be produced; the exertion might have -caused it without a blow. He did not find the vessels of the brain -more distended where the bruises were than in the other parts; the -cause of death was the congested state of the brain. - -Examined by Mr. Justice Park: “Then, finding the vessels in the same -congested state all over the head, as you have described, should you -attribute that appearance more to general exertion than to blows or -external violence?”――Witness: “The exertion the deceased underwent -would have been sufficient of itself to have caused this appearance. I -cannot say that the blows he received were the cause of death, either -in the whole or in part. That was the conclusion to which I came on -the _post mortem_ examination.” - -Mr. Justice Park, after hearing this statement, addressed the jury, -and said, “Gentlemen, that makes an end of the case. The indictment -charges that death was occasioned by blows and violence, whereas it -appears the deceased died from other causes. The prisoners, therefore, -must be acquitted.” The jury immediately returned a verdict of “Not -guilty,” and Burke and Curtis were discharged from custody. Messengers -were then despatched to inform Spring, Ward, and Gaynor of the result, -and they then surrendered and were placed at the bar. No evidence, -however, was offered against them, and a verdict of “Not guilty” -relieved them from their anxiety. - -On the Thursday following the trial, a congratulatory dinner took -place at Tom Spring’s, at which a subscription was commenced towards -defraying the expenses of the defence. At the suggestion of a -gentleman who presided, a subscription was also opened, which, in a -short period, amounted to the sum of 100 guineas, for the purpose of -presenting a service of plate to the Editor of _Bell’s Life in -London_, as a token of the respect in which he was held, not only by -the men who had recently undergone their trial, and whose defence he -had conducted, but also for the manner in which he invariably -advocated the cause of fair play, and had always been foremost in the -cause of the distressed, the fatherless, and the widow. The service of -plate was presented to Mr. Dowling at a subsequent meeting at Tom -Spring’s. - -Soon after the termination of the proceedings against Burke, a -challenge appeared in the Dublin and London papers from O’Rourke, -“Champion of Ireland,” for a meeting on the Curragh of Kildare; but -Burke’s friends properly objected at such a juncture to his fighting -in Ireland, the match therefore dropped. - -In July a renewed proposal from Young Dutch Sam to fight the Deaf’un -for £500 a side was made over a sporting dinner at Spring’s, and £5 -there and then posted; the battle to come off within a twelvemonth. -This ended in talk and a forfeit, as the Deaf’un could not raise such -a sum. - -In the month of September, 1833, the air was filled with challenges, -which fell “thick as the autumn leaves in Vallombrosa;” among them one -from some “gentlemen,” who were ready to back an “Unknown, to be named -at the last deposit, against any man in the world,” for £500 to £1,000 -a side. Whereupon Jem Ward accepting the proposal for £500, and -declaring his readiness to make the match, the challengers were -silent, and the “Unknown” remained thenceforth unseen and unheard of. - -In September, 1833, a paragraph appeared in London and provincial -papers, to the effect that Deaf Burke would persist in his claim to -the Championship, whereon Ward wrote as follows:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――Should the patron of the ’unknown’ candidate for ‘the - Championship’ agree to allow his man to fight for £500 a - side, my friends are ready to back me for that sum. Failing - a match being made with him, I am ready to give any other - customer a chance, and for his accommodation will fight for - any sum, from £300 to £500 a side. I am, Sir, your most - obedient servant, - “JAMES WARD. Champion of England. - “Liverpool, Sept. 18, 1833.” - -The Editor having submitted this epistle to “the Deaf’un,” observes, -“that individual desires us to say, that ‘he’s ready to stands nps for -the title for a hundreds, but as for tousands, and that sorts o’ -rediklus tings, he can’t say nuttins about ’em.’” Another challenge -elicited the subjoined from Ward:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――I have long contemplated leaving the Ring altogether, - and would not offer myself again to your notice, had you not - inserted a challenge for the Championship, accompanied by a - tempting stake; to which challenge I gave a suitable reply, - stating at the time my readiness to fight the Unknown for - £500, or a smaller sum――say £300 or £400 a side. I am not - only willing to fight for the above sums, but to allow the - Unknown three months to deliberate upon it. - - “I perceive that Deaf Burke calls himself ‘Champion of - England,’ and offers to make a match with me for £100 a - side. Considering that I am in business, such a sum is not - worth contending for, especially as a considerable portion - of it must be expended in training and other incidental - expenses. If Deaf Burke means fighting me, I will - accommodate him for £200 a side, and no less. Should this - not meet his views in a reasonable time, my intentions are - to retire from the Ring _in toto_; to that the Unknown and - Deaf Burke will know what to do. - - JAMES WARD, Champion of England.” - “Liverpool, October 2, 1833. - -The Deaf’un seemed now doomed to the sickness of “hope deferred.” He -was too good for any of the 12-stone men except the Champion, whose -price, even lowered to £200, was still too high for him. Numerous -letters passed and repassed between O’Rourke and Burke; and on one -occasion O’Rourke dragging in the name of Ward, Jem offered to stake -£300 to O’Rourke’s £200 and fight him in Ireland. To this O’Rourke -made no response, and soon after sailed for America. Ward then offered -to meet Burke £300 to £200; but even at these odds the Deaf’un could -not find backers, at which we need not be surprised when the -comparative merits of the men were weighed in the balance. - -Burke, who had certainly, in addition to his great powers as a boxer, -a fund of native and quaint comicality, now utilised his talent as a -public exhibitor of models of statues from the antique, for which his -athletic development well fitted him, alternating them with displays -of the Art of Self-defence. In these tours, wherein his attendant or -agent in advance was the well-known Tommy Roundhead, the trainer (whom -the Deaf’un dubbed his “Secretary”), Burke visited Wales, Bristol, and -the West, and subsequently the Midlands and the North. An incidental -notice in a newspaper published in “the Potteries” gives us a peep at -the Deaf’un on his travels. - -“A VOICE FROM THE PITCHER COUNTRY. DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE POTTERY -FANCY.――On Saturday last Tommy Roundhead, the _avant courier_ of Deaf -Burke, arrived in Hanley, and cast anchor at Mr. Hawes’s, Angel Inn, -in the Market Place. On making his business known, the worthy host -offered him the use of the large room in which Tom Spring and Big -Brown exhibited previous to Brown’s fight with Phil Sampson, at -Bishop’s Wood. Roundhead immediately got his handbills printed, and -the walls covered with well-displayed posters, announcing that on -Monday and Tuesday evenings, ‘Deaf Burke, Champion of England, and -Harry Preston, Champion of Birmingham, would take a benefit and -exhibit the manly art of self-defence; the whole to conclude with a -grand set-to, previous to Preston’s return to Birmingham to fight -Davis for one hundred guineas.’ - -“Tommy gave out that Burke and Preston would arrive at Hanley at noon -on Monday. During the day, but especially in the evening, the ‘Angel’ -was crowded. Several indications of impatience were exhibited at the -non-appearance of the men; but in the evening, when the last coach -arrived from Birmingham, and there was no tidings of the ‘Deaf’un,’ an -universal burst of disgust went through the rooms. They all turned -upon Roundhead. Tommy got on his pins, and attempted to explain that -he left Burke on the Thursday at Atherstone, and that he had come to -Hanley, by Burke’s express desire, to engage a room for him and -Preston to spar in. He had written to Burke, at Arthur Matthewson’s, -and could only account for their non-appearance on the score that his -letter had not reached them. The grumblers vehemently vociferated, -‘Stow your patter, it’s a hoax――it’s no go, Tommy.’ A regular -‘flare-up’ had very near taken place, but, by good words and -persuasion, silence was restored, and the company dispersed -peaceably.” - -From what follows, it will be seen that that very shifty -gentleman――Harry Preston――was the real cause of the apparent breach of -promise. - - “The cause of this disappointment is explained by a letter - we have received from Birmingham; from which it appears that - Preston and the Deaf’un had a fall out at Arthur - Matthewson’s, which, after lots of chaff and a deposit of a - sovereign a side, was to be decided by a fight the next - morning, but on the Deaf’un going to the scratch Preston - ‘would not have it.’ Some further chatter followed, in which - Preston offered to fight Burke if he would reduce himself to - 12 stone. This the Deaf’un declined, but offered to fight - him £120 to £100, or £60 to £50. This would not suit Harry’s - book, and thus the matter ended. The Deaf’un’s next trip is - to Liverpool, and from thence to Scotland, where he is to - join Bob Avery in Glasgow. Poor Tommy Roundhead has been - undeservedly censured in this matter.” - -That the Deaf’un had considerable pantomimic powers may be gathered -from the fact that he was engaged by the experienced manager of the -Manchester Theatre, to play _Orson_ in the Christmas piece of -“Valentine and Orson” at the Sheffield Theatre. - -Thus wore away the year 1834. At Tom Spring’s Anniversary Dinner, -January 14th, 1835, which was numerously attended, Burke announced -that he was about to take a farewell benefit on the ensuing Wednesday -evening, at the “Coach and Horses,” St. Martin’s Lane, previous to his -starting for America, to fight the Irish Champion, O’Rourke, or any -other man in the United States or Canada who might fancy him. He had -come to this determination, he said, because, although ready and -willing to fight Ward for £200, Ward, after proposing to fight for -that sum, raised his price to £300, and then, finding even that large -stake was likely to be obtained, valued himself at the still higher -sum of £500, which was utterly beyond the reach of his (Burke’s) -friends. For his own part, all he wanted was the glory of the title -for which he was the candidate, and, to show that he was not afraid of -any man breathing, he would fight even for £5; his friends were still -ready to back him for £200 against the Champion, Ward. This speech, -given in Burke’s sincere but blunt style, excited warm applause, and a -pledge was given that his benefit should be well attended. - -It was then suggested that the title of Champion of England ought not -to depend on the capricious will of the person by whom it had been -obtained, putting the sum at which he would risk its loss so high as -to prevent the possibility of fair competition. Ward had gradually -risen in his own estimation from £200 to £500, and he might, with as -good a grace, if it depended on himself, say he would not fight for -less than £1,000 or £10,000, and thus retain an honour to which other -men might be entitled. This opinion seemed to meet the almost -unanimous concurrence of the persons present, among whom were Spring, -Jem Burn, Ned Neale, Young Dutch Sam, Dick Curtis, Owen Swift, Smith, -Young Spring (Harry Wood, of Liverpool), and others, and a great -number of amateurs and liberal supporters of the Ring. After some -discussion, the following resolution was moved and seconded:―― - - “Resolved――That, in future, the _maximum_ stake at which the - Champion of England shall be considered bound to accept a - challenge shall be £200; and that if he refuse to fight for - this sum, he shall be considered as no longer holding the - title of Champion.” - -A gentleman proposed as an amendment that the sum should be £250, but -this was negatived by a large majority, and the original resolution -was carried with acclamation. - -It was then moved and seconded――“That if Jem Ward refuses to fight -Deaf Burke for £200, he shall no longer be considered Champion of -England, but that Burke shall assume the title, until bound to yield -to a man of greater merit.” This resolution was also carried -unanimously. - -These resolutions are certainly in the spirit of common sense, and if -Ward’s situation in life placed him above the necessity of considering -himself any longer a member of the Ring, it was no more than fair――as -in the case of the veteran Tom Cribb and his successor Tom -Spring――that he should retire; a step which certainly could not have -stripped him of any of the honours to which he had previously entitled -himself. - -The disappointed Deaf’un now repaired to Liverpool, and departing -thence, like another Childe Harold, “he sung, or might, or could, or -should, or would have sung”:―― - - “Adieu! Adieu! My native shore - Fades o’er the waters blue; - The night-wind sighs, the breakers roar, - Load shrieks the wild sea-mew. - Yon sun, that’s setting o’er the sea, - We’ll follow in its flight; - Farewell awhile to it and thee―― - My native land――Good night! - - “With thee, my bark, I’ll swiftly go, - Athwart the foaming brine, - Nor care what land thou bear’st me to, - So not again to mine. - And if in Western land I find - A worthy foe in fight, - My conquering brow with bays I’ll bind―― - So, native land――Good night!” - -And so “Childe Burke” did, after a pleasant tour, in which he always -spoke as receiving warm welcome and hospitality from the Americans; -although, as we shall presently see, upon the unanswerable testimony -of their own papers, the _perfervidum ingenium_ of certain emigrant -Hibernian rowdies proved the prudence of Burke’s friends when they -declined a contest on the Curragh of Kildare. - -After a brief stay in New York, where he was well received, Burke did -not find any regular “professional” inclined to test his pugilistic -capabilities, and, after duly acknowledging the good spirit in which -he had been received, he announced, that, in compliance with “a -vaunting challenge in a New Orleans paper, in which O’Rourke was -stated to be resident in that city, and ready to meet any man in the -world,” he, the Deaf’un, had determined on a southward trip, and to -drop down on Mr. O’Rourke on the scene of his glory. As the Deaf’un -always meant what he said, and, himself unconscious of foul play, did -not suspect it in others, he sailed for the city of swamps and -slavery. - -He had reckoned, in his simplicity, that a stranger would have fair -play, as with Englishmen, but soon found out his egregious mistake. As -we desire the character of an impartial historian, we shall merely -extract the account of this affair from the _Charleston Courier_ of -May 13th, 1837 which gives the account under date of New Orleans, May -6th:―― - - “FIGHTING RIOTS, &c.――For some two or three days past, large - numbers of our population have been thrown into considerable - excitement by handbills posted up in bar-rooms and at the - corners of the streets, that a pugilistic combat was to take - place yesterday between two celebrated prize-fighters, Deaf - Burke, an Englishman, and O’Rourke, an Irishman. The fight - between the rival champions, as they style themselves, took - place at about one o’clock, at the forks of the Bayou Road. - Some two or three rounds were fought, which resulted - particularly to the advantage of neither of the - belligerents. The second of O’Rourke, happening to come - within hitting distance of Burke, received a severe blow - from the Deaf-man himself. Whether this was right or wrong, - not being at the fight, we know not. At any rate it was the - signal for a general scrimmage, in which the Irishmen joined - the O’Rourke party, and handled Burke and his friends with - fists and sticks made of anything but dough and molasses. - O’Rourke’s second was settled down by a settler from Burke’s - own fist, when the Deaf-man, thinking his heels better - preservatives of his face and feelings than his fists, took - the leg-itimate course adopted by all men and animals when - assaulted by a superior force. - - “Matters were now coming to a fine pass. Burke was followed - by crowds of Irishmen with shillelaghs, dray-pins, whips, - and what not. A friend, on seeing him pass, handed him a - bowie-knife, and another gave him a horse, with which he - made good his escape. - - “Of the different riots which took place at the scene of - action we were not witnesses. Some say there was foul play - on the part of O’Rourke’s friends, and especially by his - second, and that it was intended long before the fight took - place that Burke should get a thrashing by foul or fair - means. The man who handed Burke the knife was cruelly beaten - by the infuriated friends of O’Rourke: it is reported, and - we fear with much truth, that he was killed. - - “O’Rourke’s friends bore him about our streets in triumph - yesterday afternoon in a coach drawn by themselves. - - “On the arrival of the different parties in town, inflamed - with liquor and ready for any disturbance, many affrays - occurred. During the whole afternoon, large numbers of - malcontents, principally Irishmen, were congregated in the - vicinity of the Union House, and Armstrong’s, opposite the - American Theatre. Several serious and disgraceful fights - took place, in some of which the rascally mob beat and - otherwise maltreated a number of innocent and unoffending - individuals. A large number of arrests were made. - - “The reports in town of the loss of lives, and of the - results of the wild spirit of anarchy and confusion which - existed in the afternoon, are so various, so contradictory, - that we cannot comment upon them. The whole affair was - disgraceful in the extreme. - - “The Washington Guards were ordered out at eight o’clock - last evening by the Mayor to quell any disturbance which - might arise. As late as two o’clock this morning everything - was comparatively quiet.” - -Thus it would seem that the affair ended in a complete Irish row, in -which the lawless habits of “the Knights of the Shillelagh” put all -fair play at defiance. We hope we are not open to a charge of national -prejudice, but would fairly put the question, “Would such -ruffianism――and ruffianism is always cruel and cowardly――be possible -among a people imbued with the fair-play practices and the principles -inculcated by regulated pugilism?” - -Some anxiety was caused in London by a rumour in a New York paper, -that the Deaf’un had received his “quietus” not with “a bare bodkin” -but an “Arkansas tooth-pick;” much relief therefore, was felt by them -on finding from the Charleston papers that he was still in the land of -the living, and had returned to New York; not finding his life safe -among a set of men who considered a challenge to their “Champion” as -an individual, a national insult, to be wiped out by assassination. - -That he had returned in safety was shown by scattered notices in the -New York papers, from which we gather that one O’Connell, who, like -his namesake on this side the Atlantic, was “an out-and-out big -potato,” had challenged the Deaf’un for 500 dollars and “the honour of -ould Ireland,” to a fistic tourney. This Burke had accepted, and -Elizabeth Town Point was named as the field of battle. A sheriff’s -notice, in anticipation of another Irish riot, compelled a change of -ground to Hart’s Island, which was reached by a steam excursion, and -here the affair came off without interruption. What follows is from -the _New York Herald_:―― - -“The ‘Prize Ring,’ as it is emphatically called, is not without its -merits, and although we regret and detest these exhibitions――when as -exhibitions merely――our duty as chroniclers of passing events compels -us to make public what otherwise we should bury in oblivion. Among the -ancients these spectacles were frequent, and cherished by the -government of the people indulging in them; and it is yet doubtful -whether they do not in some degree tend to benefit the community -at large. There is a feeling of courage――of proud, manly -self-dependence――accompanying the champions of the Ring, that -otherwise would not be elicited. The manly stand-up fight is surely -far preferable to the insidious knife――the ruffianly gang system――or -the cowardly and brutal practice of biting, kicking, or gouging, now -so prevalent. The ancient Romans conquered and civilised half the -world, and it is to them we owe the gladiatorial spectacle of the -Prize Ring――modified by modern civilisation, but yet retaining -sufficient of its origin to portray the manners and habits of the -people among whom it has taken root. The British people are -particularly fond of this exhibition, and there are some good -consequences attending it. The street broil or hasty quarrel is -deprived of half its ferocity. Three or four or more do not fall upon -and beat a single individual. None but gangs of ruffians can commit -such deeds. The single man when struck down by his opponent is -permitted to rise and put himself, as it were, in something like -equilibrium with his opponent. Stamping upon a man when down――biting, -kicking, and other such ‘courageous’ displays are entirely exploded; -and when the party combating cries ‘hold, enough,’ no bowie-knife -enters his vitals, or proves the superior courage of his opponent by -depriving him of existence. With all its disadvantages, therefore, and -demoralising tendency, as contended, and perhaps truly so, it may be -doubted whether the spirit emanating from it may not be productive of -benefit among the lower classes. The knock-down blow is surely -preferable to private assassination, or even to the open taking of -human life by means of deadly weapons. Quitting these reflections, let -us give our account of the fight itself. - -“At nine o’clock the steamboat left the ferry (Catharine Street), with -about three hundred passengers, and those of a very select kind, owing -principally, perhaps, to the high price demanded for tickets――three -dollars, which speedily rose to four and five dollars, and even at -that price could not be procured. The destination was Hart’s Island, -where the passengers were landed and the preliminary measures to the -‘set-to’ adopted. A twenty-four feet ring, according to the articles -of agreement, was formed, and an outside one to prevent any -interruption to the pugilistic efforts of the combatants. The ring -being completed, and the seconds proclaiming ‘all ready,’ the two -champions made their appearance――O’Connell, as the challenger, threw -his hat first in the ring, which was quickly answered by Burke; the -men then peeled for the battle. - -“On stripping, the great disparity between the two men was apparent. -Burke presented an iron frame, in which all surperfluous flesh seemed -excluded. His broad and extended chest, his outward turned knees, that -take off from beauty to add so much to muscular power, his muscular -and well-knit lower limbs left no doubt on the minds of the spectators -that no common skill or bodily strength would be sufficient to -overpower or vanquish the possessor. O’Connell stripped to greater -advantage than was expected. His upper frame is large and muscular, -but it wants compactness and tension. His sinews hang loose, and his -frame is far from being well banded together. In his lower -conformation this defect is still more striking; this is his weak -point, and must ever incapacitate him from becoming a redoubtable -competitor in the Prize Ring. ‘All ready’ being proclaimed by the -respective seconds (Abm. Vanderzee and Alexander Hamilton officiating -for O’Connell, and Hatfield and Summerdyke for Deaf Burke), the -opponents previously shaking hands, put themselves in attitude for the -onset. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The men came up, each equally confident. Some - sparring took place which only tended to show in a more - striking point the disparity of the pugilists. The - quick eye of Burke immediately discovered that he had - the game in his hands, and he accordingly forebore any - active exertion, threw his body open, which O’Connell - immediately caught at, and implanted two heavy - blows――one immediately beneath the ribs, and the second - on the loins of his adversary. Burke received this - infliction without the slightest variation of muscle or - feature――and in return put forth a feeler (left hand) - which dropped O’Connell at his full length. Some of - Burke’s friends cheered――this was instantly stopped by - the umpires, who requested that, let the fight - terminate how it might, no ebullition of the feelings - of either party should be suffered to take place. All, - upon this appeal, were immediately silent. - - 2.――Both men were equally confident. O’Connell smiled, - as much as to say “I stoop to conquer.” Burke made - play; O’Connell struck a well-meant left-handed - compliment to Burke’s knowledge-box, which was prettily - stopped. Burke returned with right, in part husbanding - his strength; the blow told slightly on O’Connell’s - bread-basket――a wrestle――O’Connell down. First blood - was here claimed by each party. The umpires decided - that both sported the claret simultaneously――thus - deciding all wagers on this matter. - - 3.――Burke appeared brooding mischief. O’Connell struck - a random blow and lost his guard, when Burke - immediately put in his tremendous right-handed blow, - which taking effect under the ear of O’Connell, floored - him as if struck by lightning. - - 4.――Time being called, O’Connell courageously rose to - the scratch, but had scarcely left his second’s knee, - when he fell as if through weakness. The fight was here - claimed by the friends of Burke; the umpires, however, - decided “not lost,” and the fifth round commenced. - - 5.――O’Connell tried a new mode, and went boldly into - his man. He succeeded in planting a pretty severe - body-blow on Burke, closed for the wrestle, but was - thrown――he fell slightly, however. - - 6.――Burke piped a trifle. O’Connell made a rush――got - well in for the close, but the superior strength of - Burke shook him off. O’Connell seemed spent, was - entirely off his guard, and Burke could easily have - concluded the fight by any blow he chose to have put - in; but, seeing the disabled state of O’Connell, Burke - unclosed his fist, and with the back of his open hand - struck O’Connell in the breast, which dropped him as a - man might be supposed to push down a child. A low - exclamation of approbation, impossible to repress, ran - through the spectators at the manliness of this - conduct. - - 7.――O’Connell seemed to be gaining strength, and fought - this round most manfully. It was evident, nevertheless, - that his faulty method of delivering his blows could - never win him the day. Three severe blows were - delivered by Burke in succession, on the head, chest, - and loins of O’Connell, who made a sort of headlong - rush, closed with Burke, bore him towards the ropes, - and was thrown heavily in the wrestle. - - 8.――Hatfield, the second of Burke, here said, “He’s - finished, polish him off.” O’Connell came up - staggering――Burke made a feint, and prepared to strike - a finisher. From humanity, however, he did not deliver - his blow――O’Connell closed――a short rally took place, - and O’Connell was thrown. - - 9.――O’Connell showed some game, but it was evidently of - an expiring effort. He faced his man, made a blow, - which fell short, and was met by Burke with a terrible - facer, which set the claret flowing in a rapid stream - from O’Connell’s nostrils. All was over. - - 10.――Time was repeatedly called. O’Connell rose but - could not stir a step towards his man. Burke said, “I - wish to fight honourable――I will not strike him――does - your man wish to fight any more?” O’Connell’s second - immediately gave in the battle, and Burke was declared - the conqueror. - - A word or two respecting the rival combatants: - O’Connell never was or can be capable of figuring with - credit as a fighter. He wants bottom, activity, and - science――three things which are indispensable in the - formation of a boxer. From the third round he had not - the slightest chance of winning――it was a doubloon to a - shin-plaster, and no takers. The day was peculiarly - propitious, and the company of a very respectable - description. Those who conducted this affair deserve - all praise. Not the slightest disturbance of any kind - took place. It was what the Prize Ring ever ought to - be――an exhibition of manly and courageous contest.” - -We need add nothing to this “round, unvarnished tale,” written by a -literary gentleman who had never before witnessed a prize-fight. In -Burke, his Irish opponent found, notwithstanding his foul treatment at -New Orleans, a brave and humane antagonist; and that, despite the -contaminating effects of bad example, the Deaf’un preserved in the New -World the high and generous qualities he exhibited in his own country. -Cant, cruelty, and cowardice have crushed out the courageous -confidence in the unarmed fist as the weapon in hand-to-hand -encounters, and the American populace trust for victory to the -bowie-knife and the revolver, when man opposes man to settle their -personal differences “in a higher phase of civilisation.” (?) - -As the patrons of the Ring are, such will its professors be, holds -good as an axiom in pugilism as in every other science. A few -unprejudiced and enlightened Americans, seeing the horrors and -savagery of Irish-American rowdyism, entertained the milling -missionary, and strove to propagate his principles, but were in a -minute and powerless minority among a multitude of howling saints and -savages――for extremes meet in this as in all other things. To these -friends and sympathisers Burke bade an affectionate farewell, after a -handsome benefit, and arrived at Liverpool on the 25th of June, 1838. - -During the Deaf’un’s absence some pretentious “big ones” had been -coming into prominent notice. Bendigo, Ben Caunt, and Brassey had -become famous, and not a few of their several partisans thought either -one or the other more than a match for the Deaf’un. It was whispered, -too, and too truly, that his rupture had been aggravated by an -accident, and that his habits in America had not been such as would -improve his constitution or stamina. Indeed, some of those deepest in -Ring mysteries declared his reappearance in the Ring more than -questionable. The gallant fellow himself had no such misgivings, and -lost no time in so telling his countrymen. - - - “THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND. - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - - “SIR,――When I was in Yankeeshire I heard a great deal about - ‘would-be champions’ challenging any man in England. ‘While - the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and thus the little fry - took advantage of my absence to bounce and crow like cocks - in a gutter. I hastened back to take the shine out of those - braggadocios; and to put their pretensions to the test, I - beg to state that I am now ready to fight any man in England - for from One Hundred to Five Hundred Pounds; and as my old - friend Jem Ward has retired from the Ring, if he will add - his Champion’s belt to the prize, and let the best man wear - it, he will give new energies to the Ring, and, I trust, - afford an opportunity for deciding the long-contested - question, ‘Who is Champion of England?’ I bar neither - country nor colour――age nor dimensions; and whether it be - the Goliath Caunt, or his hardy antagonist Bendigo, or any - other man who ever wore a head, I am his customer, and ‘no - mistake.’ My money is ready at Jem Burn’s, the ‘Queen’s - Head,’ Queen’s Head Court, Windmill Street, Haymarket, at a - moment’s notice; but I will not consent to a less deposit - that £25 at starting. If I find the race of old English - boxers of the right kidney is extinct, I shall go back to - America, where an honest man need never want ‘a friend or a - bottle.’ - - “DEAF BURKE. - “Windmill Street, Haymarket, July 29, 1838.” - -As we have already recorded in our memoir of Bendigo, the Nottingham -hero lost no time in accepting this challenge, and stated he had -placed £100 in the hands of Peter Crawley to make the match. -Unfortunately for the Deaf’un’s reputation, he had, through his -intimacy with Young Dutch Sam, become entangled in a vicious -companionship, as the humble “pot-companion” and gladiatorial buffoon -of a clique of dissolute young noblemen and swells, the last expiring -parodists of the school of which “Corinthian Tom” and “Jerry Hawthorn” -were the models. By these and their companions he was carried off to -France, on the pretext of training and seconding Owen Swift in his -second fight with Jack Adams, and much obloquy was cast on him -unjustly, under a supposition that he had run away from his -engagements. A “Paris Correspondent” transmitted the following:―― - - “PARIS, June 14.――The Deaf’un arrived in this city on - Sunday, under the _Mentorship_ of Sancho Panza, from Seven - Dials, a ‘buck’ of the first water. He met Swift on the - Boulevard des Italiens, and was so affected at the interview - with this interesting _exile_, that the water came from his - eyes like the _jet d’eau_ in the Temple Gardens. As the - speediest mode of acquiring an acquaintance with the French - language, he lives entirely on _fricandeau de dictionnaire_. - He has already won the affections of a grisette by his very - natural imitation of the statue of Cupid. He afterwards - tried the _Venus de Medici_, but that was a decided failure. - He has been favourably received by the patrons of British - Sports in the French capital, but it is feared he cannot be - presented at the Court of Louis Philippe, in consequence of - his having neglected to present himself at the Drawing-room - of our lovely young Queen. In a visit to the _Jardin des - Plantes_, he thought he recognised a young brother, but on - closer inspection he discovered it was only the chimpanzee. - He appears to be regarded with as much curiosity in Paris as - Soult was in London, and expected the old Marshal would have - given him ‘a Wellington reception,’ but hitherto the gallant - veteran has not recognised him as ‘a companion in arms.’ His - presence has already had an influence on the fashions, and - ‘_pantalons à la Burke_’ have made their appearance in the - Palais Royal, while ‘_gantelets à la Deaf’un_’ are noted as - a novelty in _Le Courrier des Salons_.” - -We have already noticed in our memoir of Bendigo that the Deaf’un did -not return from his continental trip until, after training Owen Swift, -and seconding him on the 5th of September, 1838, he again sought the -shores of England, lest he should receive the “polite attentions” of -the French authorities for his share in that “scandal,” as the Paris -correspondent of “My Grandmother” styled it. The staunchness of poor -Burke’s “summer friends” was now tested. They had withdrawn the £100 -placed in Jem Burn’s hands, but, after some negotiation, the match was -made, Burke posting £100 to Bendigo’s £80, and on the 29th of -February, 1839, the rivals met. The full details of the Deaf’un’s -defeat may be read in pp. 16-22. - -The reflection is here unavoidably thrust upon us, that the so-called -“friends” of an athlete, if they by their own loose habits seduce him -into similar irregularities, are his worst enemies. What is sport to -them is ruin to him. Temperance, regularity of living, open air -exercise, and severe attention to the wellbeing of every bodily -function that goes to build up health――the _mens sana in corpore -sano_――can never be neglected without ruinous consequences; and thus -fell the brave and imprudent Deaf’un, the victim of the follies of -those the world miscalled “his betters.” A few quatrains on his -downfall shall find a place here. - - THE LAMENT OF DEAF BURKE. - - Well, ’tis strange, precious strange, arter what I have done, - That in my late battle I shouldn’t have won; - I vow and protest, on the word of a bruiser, - I scarce can persuade myself yet I’m the loser. - - I have always so well in the Ring gone to work, - That my backers proclaimed me “inwincible Burke;” - And then for a lad of my courage and game - To be floored by a novice――by Jove! ’tis a shame. - - I hang down my head, quite dismay’d and perplex’d. - And when folks ax me questions, of course, I am wex’d, - For, instead of consoling me under my loss, - They insiniwate plainly the thing was a cross. - - They swear, for a man who has stood so much fight, - To be whopp’d in ten rounds was impossible quite: - That I couldn’t be he, it was plain to discern, - Wot floor’d Carter and Crawley, O’Connell and Byrne. - - They vow of their bets upon me they’ve been robb’d, - That I show’d no good point, but stood still to be jobb’d, - That no punishment sharp was produced by my blows, - And Bendy did with me whatever he chose. - - Hard words for the Deaf’un, and cruel the sting, - To one who ne’er acted amiss in the Ring―― - To him who was always alive to a mill, - And in thirteen prize-battles was conqueror still. - - I boldly appeal to my slanderers whether - I was ever the covey to show the white feather? - And Bendigo’s conduct I cannot think right, - When he stripp’d me of something that lost me the fight. - - That he acted unfairly I do not advance―― - He was perfectly right not to part with a chance; - Still I say, but for this, whosoever may scoff, - He would not have easily polished me off. - - And may I again never put on a glove, - If once more I don’t fight him for money or love; - And my stick I will cut in the Prize Ring, by Jove! - Ere the belt shall be worn by a Nottingham cove. - - And shall poor Deaf Burke be consign’d to the shade? - No, tho’ I’m defeated I am not dismay’d, - And in a fresh contest I’ll do what I can, - To take the conceit from this bounceable man. - - When victory smiles on a pugilist’s front, - He has lots of supporters and plenty of blunt; - But if luck turns against him, my eyes! how they rave, - And stamp him a cross cove――a thundering knave! - - Into me some choice worthies keep pitching it home, - For sporting the _statutes_ of Greece and of Rome; - Is it fair, I would ax, to inflict this here slap, - Because I’m a sort of a classical chap? - - And some swear ’tis time I was laid on the shelf, - For I grows _’ristocratic_――too sweet on myself; - Now I wenture most humbly to make an appeal, - If I’m to be blam’d for behaving genteel? - - In France and New York I have sported my tanners, - And no wonder a polish I have got on my manners; - Now, I begs to inquire whether winner or loser, - Must a man be a blackguard because he’s a bruiser? - - No, to tip the purlite I will still do my best, - For everything wulgar I scorn and detest; - My pipe I’ve discarded like most other stars, - And now I smoke nowt but Hawanna cigars. - - And I dare say some folks may consider it strange, - That I’m courting the Muses by way of a change, - And thus in _Bell’s Life_ to my feelings give went, - In a copy of werses I’ve called “The Lament.” - - Be this as it may, here I’m ready and willing - This Bendy again to encounter at milling, - And perhaps if I once get him into a line, - Tho’ the first chance was his’n, the next may be mine. - -That “next chance,” as Edgar Poe’s raven said, “never, never, never -more” came to the turn of the Deaf’un, so far as regarded a meeting -with Bendy, although he issued sundry invitations and offers. In -March, 1840, occurred the accident to Bendigo, narrated at page 25, -which struck the Nottingham hero from the list of “wranglers” for the -Championship, and hereupon Burke again came to the front with a -challenge. This was quickly responded to by Nick Ward, the younger -brother of the renowned Jem. The match was made for the modest sum of -£50 a side, and the day fixed for Tuesday, the 22nd September, 1840. -The battle, which took place at Lillingstone Level, Oxfordshire, will -be found in detail in the Life of Nick Ward, Chapter V. of the present -volume. - -Poor Burke’s day was gone by; unconquered in heart, his impaired -physical powers failed him, and he fell before youth, activity, skill, -and length. As we have mentioned in our memoir of Nick Ward that the -stakeholder received notice of action for the stakes, it is but just -to give the following vindication of the Deaf’un’s conduct as reported -in a contemporary journal:―― - - “THE DEAF’UN HIMSELF AGAIN!――The Deaf’un took a benefit at - the Bloomsbury Assembly Rooms on Tuesday evening, and, - notwithstanding his late defeat, found a goodly number of - friends, and ‘a strong turn’ in the financial department. - The sets-to, although many of them between commoners, were - amusing and effective, and conducted with great spirit and - vigour. Among the most popular was that between Owen Swift - and Maley, in which the quickness and scientific deliveries - of the former were happily illustrated. At the conclusion - the Deaf’un mounted the stage to ‘wind-up,’ but - unfortunately, Caunt having forfeited his promise to appear, - he was only opposed to a new beginner called ‘The Cumberland - Youth,’ whose inexperience left the star of the night - nothing to do but flap him at pleasure. The Deaf’un, after - smoothing down his bristles with his dexter digits, and - clearing his throat by sundry ‘hems,’ delivered himself of - the following oration, which we took down as nearly as could - be verbatim. ’Gemmen――I have dis here to say. I’m werry sory - as Caunt has not come to sets-to wid me according to his - promises, for he gave me his words of honours as he would - attend; but dats de way wid dese here mens――when dey gets to - the top of de trees, dey do nothing to help a poor fellow as - is down; but dey had better minds what dey are abouts, or - they’ll be as bad as Jack Scroggins, and look for a - _tanners_ when they can’t find it. Gemmen――I mean to say as - I do not thinks as I was fairly beat by Bendigo, and I am - prouds to say as I am not widout friends what tink de same, - and as are ready to back me for a cool hundreds against him, - or Nick Wards, or Jem Bailey. Bendigo is wery bounceable - now, as he says he has licked me; but I says he took an - unfair advantage in regard of my belt; but dats neither one - ting nor toder; and if he has friends, if he’s a man, he’ll - give me anoder chance, and till he does, I shall always - thinks as he has won de belts widout any right to it. I went - to Sheffields and Nottinghams to make a match wid him, and - now let him show equal pluck and come to London to make a - match wid me――my pewters is always ready (applause). Dat’s - all I’ve got to say. Gemmen, I thank my friends and patrons - for coming here to-night (coughing); but I’ve got something - here (pointing to his throat, and the poor fellow appeared - overflowing with gratitude) which won’t let me say no - mores.’――It is not very creditable to the _élite_ of the - Fancy to have abstained from setting-to for the unfortunate - fellow; for, although his ignorance may have led him to - assume too much, the motto of all professed pugilists should - be ‘forget and forgive;’ and ‘if a man’s in distress, like a - man to relieve him.’” - -In the years 1841-2, the magistracy and police, stimulated into -abnormal activity by a sort of clerical crusade against the Ring “and -all its works,” set the powers of the law in motion against pugilists -and their patrons, and “all persons aiding and abetting in riotous and -tumultuous assemblages calculated to produce a breach of the peace,” -by issuing warrants, holding them to bail, and indicting them at the -quarter sessions of the county wherein the same took place. Among the -zealots of this Puritanical campaign against the amusements and -relaxations of the people, the Rev. Joshua Cautley, curate of -Broughton, in Bedfordshire, distinguished himself with the fervour of -Ralpho, the squire of Sir Hudibras; though he, fortunately, escaped -the cudgellings, rotten eggs, and stocks, which in rougher times -befell his prototype. In an evil hour the Deaf’un came in contact with -this clerical suppressor of “anti-knife” congregations, under the -serio-comic circumstances we are about to narrate. - -On the 9th of February, 1841, at Holcut, in Bedfordshire, an orderly -assemblage surrounded a well-arranged inner-and-outer ring, within the -latter of which Ned Adams, of London, and Dick Cain, of Leicester, -were contending. At a critical period of the battle, the curate of -Broughton, the Rev. Joshua Cautley, who was not, as all the “rurals” -surrounding the ring well knew, either a magistrate in the commission -of the peace, or in any way legally authorised to interfere, appeared -at the ring-side in an excess of peace-preserving furor, and not only -attempted to take Adams into custody (without any warrant), but cut -the ropes with a knife, and behaved otherwise in an outrageous manner. -He was afterwards aided by a police constable (John M’Hugh), and by -the arrival of the Rev. Edward Orlebar Smith, a Justice of the Peace -for Bedfordshire, previous to whose appearance on the scene certain of -the country people present had certainly ejected Parson Cautley from -the ring. The Rev. Justice of the Peace, as it appears, then put his -fellow clergyman and himself on the right side of the law by -reading――at a distance, and amidst immense confusion and the -continuance of the battle――the Riot Act. The result of all this was -that the zealous Parson Cautley procured, upon affidavit sworn by -himself, the constable, and the Rev. Mr. Smith, the indictment of -thirteen persons (six of them being his own neighbours) at the ensuing -Bedford Quarter Sessions. The pugilists indicted were James Burke, -Owen Swift, Edward Adams, and Richard Cain, Thomas Brown (the -respected landlord of the “Swan,” at Newport Pagnell, who was there in -charge of his post-horses and four-in-hand), Messrs. Mark Cross, -William Maley (a solicitor), Joseph Goodwin, George Durham, Edward -Dawkes, James Morris the younger, Martin Hughes (who died during the -proceedings), and Richard Walter Chetwynd, Viscount Chetwynd, Baron -Rathdowne. The indictment charged, in its first count, “that they, the -defendants aforesaid, on the 9th day of February, 1841, in the parish -of Holcut, in the county of Bedford, did then and there, together with -other evil-disposed persons, whose names are unknown to the jurors -aforesaid, unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assault Edward -Orlebar Smith, clerk, one of the Justices of the Peace for the said -County, and John M’Hugh, one of the constables of the Peace for the -said County, and, then and there, did, in contempt of our said Lady -the Queen and her laws, to the great terror, alarm, and disturbance of -all the liege subjects of our said Lady the Queen thereabouts -inhabiting and residing and being, passing and repassing, to the great -damage of the said Edward Orlebar Smith and John M’Hugh, and against -the peace of our said Lady the Queen her crown and dignity.” The -second count in this formidable document, repeating the names and -verbiage, included the same charges against the defendants for riot -and assault on the person of the Rev. Joshua Cautley. The third count -varied by specifying James Burke as the assailant of the Rev. Edward -Orlebar Smith (whom he never touched in any way). The 4th, 5th, 6th, -and 7th counts merely varied in the names of the parties assaulted, by -substituting “Smith” for “M’Hugh,” and “Cautley” for “Smith,” as the -persons on whom “with force and arms,” the same defendants “did then -and there beat, wound, and ill-treat, and do other wrong, to the great -damage of the said E. O. Smith,” &c., &c., “and against the peace of -our said Lady the Queen her crown and dignity.” - -Any one not used to the formal wording of legal documents may well -share the astonishment of the Deaf’un when this astounding rigmarole, -being furnished to his legal advisers (Mr. Vincent Dowling and Mr. -Serjeant Dowling), was read and explained to him. His truthful and -indignant denials of all the serious delinquencies laid to his charge -in this farrago of legal fictions were most amusing. Perhaps the way -in which these were thrown into rhyme, by what old Jacob Tonson, the -bookseller, used to call “a competent pen,” will convey some idea of -the Deaf’un’s objections and denial of the charges:―― - - - ADDRESS OF DEAF BURKE TO THE GRAND AND COMMON JURIES OF BEDFORD. - - Pull’d up by _beaks_, before you here I shows, - For what offence, I’m blistered if I knows; - Fam’d thro’ the universe for feats of fists, - Before you stands Deaf Burke, the pugilists. - Yes, honest jurymen, with heart of steels, - I make with confidence my proud appeals, - My case upon its simple merits try―― - Let me have justice, and no fears have I. - - I ask of you as upright jurymen, - In what have I offended――where and when? - Why of the throng should Burke the scapegoat be - Or Reverend Cautley’s wrath descend on me? - As to the _mill_, I own that I was there―― - All went on peaceably, and all was fair; - Arm’d with high courage, strong in heart and limbs, - The men were at the _scratch_ in gallant trims. - And smiling confidence was on their brows, - When Parson Cautley first kick’d up a rows, - And by an effort, frivolous as weaks, - Back’d by a rural _traps_, and Smith the _beaks_, - Sought, and perhaps he deem’d that he was right, - To rush into the ring and stop the fight. - - What if the Riot Act was read――Alas! - The Deaf’un couldn’t hear it if it was! - And as far as I’m concern’d it is a facts, - It might have been a sermon or “the Acts;” - But as to swearing, or a hint to drop, - Out of the ring I pitch’d him neck and crop, - Tho’ towards a parson I feel reverence due, - Josh Cautley states the thing that isn’t true. - But let that pass――the issue I’ll not shirks―― - Convinc’d your fiat will acquit Deaf Burkes; - Proclaiming that from testimony strong, - The pugilist was right, the parson wrong. - - I’ve studied, sirs, since my career began, - To prove myself through life an honest man―― - Humble my origin, my lot obscure, - I never came the artful dodge, tho’ poor. - I ne’er gave way to lewdness, nor to lush, - Nor did an act for which I’ve cause to blush. - True, I ne’er figur’d as a man of letters, - But yet I know’d my duty to my betters. - And never deem’d, however mean my station, - Swearing and swaggering pleasant conversation; - Yet, I confess, I lov’d in boyhood prime, - To hear of boxing in the olden time; - Of feats perform’d by those heroic men―― - Mendoza, Humphries, Johnson, and Big Ben, - Jem Belcher, Gregson, tough Tom Cribb, and Gully, - Whose hard-earn’d laurels time can never sully. - Fir’d by their deeds, I cried, “Who knows but Burke - May in the Prize Ring some day go to work, - And proud of pluck that never warm’d a curs, - Prove at the scratch an ugly customers?” - Ripe for a chance I fearlessly defied - The sturdiest bruisers by the waterside; - And for the love of glory, not of tin. - To many a hardy cove I’ve pitched it in. - But on my fistic feats I will not dwell, - What I have done let “Fistiana” tell. - - * * * * * - - These are my triumphs which I now record, - Tho’ floor’d by Cousens, Bendigo, and Ward; - And even with these I fearlessly declares, - I did my best, and acted on the squares; - And tho’ defeated on the field of fights, - I died true game, and show’d no feather whites. - Now, gentlemen, as I stand here before ye’s, - I’ve told a round and plain unvarnished storys―― - I love fair English boxing as my life, - But dread the _Arkansas_ blade and _bowie_-knife; - Those weapons deadly, cowardly, and keen, - Which in a Briton’s hand should ne’er be seen, - But which if _beaks_ conspire the ring to crush - Will make the blood of many a Briton gush, - And driving manly fair play from our Isle, - Stamp us a nation of assassins vile! - - Now, gentlemen, no longer I’ll intrudes, - But, as I’m bound in duty, will concludes; - And, as you seem all honest mens and true, - What you deem right I’m certains you will do. - -On Monday, the 14th of March, the Deaf’un, who had been generously -bailed by a couple of Bedford tradesmen, surrendered to his bail, as -also did eleven others. The Rev. Mr. Cautley, Mr. Orlebar Smith, and -“a cloud of witnesses,” policemen, and others. Tom Spring, in friendly -consideration of the Deaf’un’s incapacity of hearing, stood by him as -_amicus curiæ_, and kindly interpreted the proceedings. It should be -stated that in his examination before Lord Charles F. Russell and the -grand jurors, the Rev. Joshua had stated that “Burke had endeavoured -to force him out of the ring, and had seized him by the leg to throw -him over the ropes.” Of this the Deaf’un (who certainly was never in -the ring at all) was nervously anxious to exculpate himself. What was -his surprise then to learn that “no evidence would be offered on that -point,” and that “the general charge implicated all present in the -same guilt.” Eventually (Viscount Chetwynd having removed the trial of -his indictment into the Court of Queen’s Bench, on the ground that he -could not get an impartial trial in Bedfordshire) the trials were -postponed, and the whole of the defendants were held to bail to appear -at the summer assizes; to them a ruinous expense and miserable -suspense, and the great satisfaction of their Christian prosecutors -and the profit of sundry attorneys; and thus ended the first -“field-day” of “the battle of Bedford.” Other separate indictments, -however, were proceeded with, against Messrs. Brown, of the “Swan,” -Newport Pagnell, George Durham, Edward Dawkes, and Mark Cross, for -“refusing to assist the constable in the execution of his duty.” Mr. -Brown, after evidence by M’Hugh, the Rev. Joshua Cautley, and Mr. -Smith, that in reply to being so called upon, he replied (being seated -on the box of his coach) “that he had to mind his horses,” was found -guilty. The other defendants then, having pleaded “guilty,” were -sentenced each to pay a fine of forty shillings, and costs, and to -enter into recognisances themselves in £40, and two sureties in £20 -each, “to be of good behaviour for one year.” The fines were paid, the -sureties given, and the defendants liberated from that charge. In July -the unlucky defendants again surrendered, when their trial was again -postponed to await the result of the _certiorari_ by which the -aristocratic defendants (Viscount Chetwynd and Mr. Maley, the -solicitor) had removed their cases to the Court of Queen’s Bench. -These having failed, in the ensuing November, Burke and his fellow -victims of the law’s delay were placed at the bar. In the interim we -find in the _Bedford Mercury_:―― - - “PRIZE FIGHT AND LORD CHETWYND.――Lord Charles Russell laid - before the Court a statement showing the position of the - prosecution against Burke and thirteen others, for a riot at - a prize fight at Holcut, in this county, and did so to know - whether the prosecution should be proceeded in. Already an - expense of £50 had been incurred, and probably between £80 - and £90, exclusive of witnesses, would be further required. - By a writ of _certiorari_ Lord Chetwynd had traversed the - case to the Court of Queen’s Bench, to obtain the privilege - of not pleading on the trial in the usual way by holding up - his hand. The other parties accused had not been aware of - the object of the course taken by Lord Chetwynd, and were in - the same position as they were before traversing to the - superior court. The county was at a great expense, and the - defendants must have been at double the expense. His - lordship also laid before the Court a correspondence between - Lord Chetwynd and that gentleman, expressing his regret at - what had occurred. Mr. Smith was not satisfied with the - correspondence, and the opinion of the Court was that the - prosecution should be continued, having begun it. - - “From this we infer that the Rev. Mr. Smith is not satisfied - with the apology tendered by Lord Chetwynd, and that to - satisfy his feelings, the county and the defendants are to - be involved in a still heavier outlay. To those who were in - no respect consenting to Lord Chetwynd’s determination, this - seems a measure of cruelty for which we were not prepared; - but it would seem that after having already entered into - recognisances to appear and take their trials, and having - strictly and respectfully complied with that undertaking, - from whence they were relieved by no act of their own, they - are again called on to put in fresh bail in the Court of - Queen’s Bench at Westminster, some of them living in distant - parts of the kingdom. This may be necessary in form of law; - but surely, even the Rev. Mr. Smith can have no wish to add - to the hardships of the defendants, who were, and are still - ready to submit to take their trials at the proper season.” - -This wretched persecution thus dragged its weary length into the -following year, 1842, when negotiations for a compromise having been -made between the Crown solicitors and those of the defendants, Mr. -Gurney, on the part of “Burke, Adams, Cain, and others,” said he was -instructed to withdraw their plea of “not guilty,” and to accept a -verdict for the Crown against his clients. - -Mr. Andrews thereon, on the part of the magistrates, thought the -defendants had pursued a very proper course, and the prosecution was -withdrawn; so that this expensive performance of “Much Ado about -Nothing,” ended by Messrs. Cautley and Smith “taking nothing by their -motion,” the defendants being put to a heavy expense, and an outlay of -some hundreds of pounds (raised by benefits and public subscriptions -of the admirers of British boxing, and the sympathisers with the -unfortunate victims of Puritanical persecution) to the profit of -lawyers. At the opening of these assizes Baron Gurney made the -following significant remark, with which we will conclude these -instructive legal proceedings for the suppression of pugilistic -encounters: “His lordship, in discharging the grand jury, said, that -although the number of cases in the calendar was not greater than was -usual at the spring assizes, yet he regretted to see that the -character of many of the offences was of a most aggravated -description, and that there was no less than six charges of -_maliciously cutting and wounding_ in the calendar. His lordship said -that this offence of using deadly weapons in personal quarrels -appeared to be very much on the increase, that it was a disgrace to -the character of the country, and that it must be put down.” - -In May, 1842, the Deaf’un was matched with the Tipton Slasher (William -Perry), but at the fourth deposit, which was appointed to be made at -Owen Swift’s on July 7th, when “Time” was called, and Burke’s -“needful” ready, no one appeared on behalf of the Tipton, and Burke -was thereon declared entitled to the forfeit of the £15 down. Johnny -Broome, as the representative of Perry, afterwards made his -appearance, but Burke’s friends declared the business closed, and -refused to reopen the affair. And thus ended the Deaf’un’s last -attempt to get paired with either of “the big ’uns,” who at this -period preferred their questionable claims to the tarnished honours of -the “Championship.” - - “Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen. - Fallen from his high estate,” - -poor Jem now became the plaything, but never the parasite, of a knot -of men about town, supplementing their questionable patronage by -giving lessons in boxing, and conducting the room at his early -patron’s (Joe Parish, the waterman and pugilist) who, for many years -after his removal from Strand Lane, kept the “Lion,” at the corner of -Newcastle Street, Strand. The Deaf’un――and we met him often――was -always respectable in appearance and respectful in manner, and out of -his small means supported an aged mother and a humble home. - -In his nightly adventures in the vicinity of the Haymarket, Burke was -frequently brought in contact with a big outsider, Bob Castles, well -known at the “playhouses” (not the theatres), in the vicinity of -Leicester Square, at “Goodred’s Saloon,” Jack Rowbottom’s “Finish,” in -James Street, The Elysium, Mother Emerson’s “The Waterford Arms,” and -the numerous nighthouses that then infested and infected the purlieus -of Piccadilly, and disgraced and degraded the very name of a sporting -house. Bob was a great boaster, and on the strength of having stripped -twice in the P.R. (once in August 20, 1827, when he beat Bill Bailey -at Portsmouth Races, and again on April 2, 1828, with Paddy Flynn, at -Colney Heath, when he got “the value of a bating”), he was a sort of -“professional” guide to roysterers out on the spree, and a bully for -those who might hire his services. Bob was, moreover, a great talker, -and, to use a Pierce-Eganism, “flash as the knocker of Newgate.” This -worthy never missed an opportunity of making the naturally -good-natured Deaf’un the butt of his chaff, and even of many rough -practical jokes. On one of these occasions the Deaf’un taking umbrage -at what he supposed to be an interference with some of his “’ticular -frien’s,” quietly warned “Mister Bobs” that if he didn’t mend his -manners “he’d jest punch Mister Bobs’ pimples.” One word begetting -another, and the Deaf’un, considering himself better at an _argumentum -ad hominem_ with the fist than a verbal disputation, dared Castles to -the field; the latter ridiculed the idea, and several of those present -agreeing that a good licking mutually administered might do good to -both of them, a deposit was made to be increased to £50, and that the -veterans should have the opportunity of displaying their courage and -settling their difference of opinion, _secundem artem_, with Nature’s -original weapons. To afford them an opportunity to prepare for their -“trial by battle,” three weeks were allowed for training, and in the -interim the wrathful heroes went under the necessary regimen and -exercises, Burke at the “Five Bells,” Putney, Castles at the pleasant -Hill of Richmond. Monday, June 13th, 1843, was the eventful day. -Castles, as the deposits went on, found no difficulty in collecting -his “coriander seed;” but the poor honest Deaf’un did not find his -friends, however prompt to promise when under the influence of -champagne, so ready when its effervescence had subsided to relieve the -mortified feelings of their _protégé_ by substantial support. Indeed, -he might have miscarried at the time, for, as he told us, he found no -end of difficulty “in raising his winds; all the good ones as used to -do the liberals being gones.” At this juncture Young Dutch Sam kindly -stepped in and posted the “possibles,” but at the expense of several -town visits by the Deaf’un, which consumed hours that would have been -more advantageously devoted to improving his bodily condition. In -truth, Burke had outlived his fistic fame; and, although the hero of -some twenty battles, it was considered that the steel had been taken -out of him, and that his renewed appearance in the milling arena would -be a mere impotent exhibition of departed powers. Despite of the -difficulties he had to encounter, and the low estimate of his -capabilities entertained by many, he sustained the character for -hardihood, steadiness, and cunning tact that served him so well in -days gone by. As to Castles, his height (nearly six feet) and superior -activity were considered strong points in his favour. - -At the last deposit it was agreed between Young Dutch Sam and Mr. -Edward Lacey, the host of the “Garrick’s Head” tap――to whom the -fortunes of Bob Castles had been entrusted――that a trip down the river -was the most prudent mode of bringing matters to a conclusion, and for -this purpose the “Nymph,” Woolwich steamer, was duly chartered, and -directed to be moored off Waterloo Bridge on the morning of battle at -eight o’clock. The “skipper” was punctual to his appointment, and soon -after that hour the men and their partisans were safely embarked. Of -the latter the muster was limited, but among them were a few -“Corinthians,” whose appearance belied the conclusion that they had -“risen with the lark,” although we opine they had not placed -themselves in a position to render rising necessary. At a quarter -after eight the craft was under weigh for London Bridge, whence, after -a passing call, she proceeded to Blackwall, and there having taken in -a few of “the right sort,” pursued her downward course. The Deaf’un -was a little crusty on his supposed exclusion from a due share of the -profits of the boat, but in this he was overruled. There was one -point, however, upon which he was inexorable, namely, that, “as he was -outs on a parties of pleasures,” he would “go the whole hogs,” and not -stop short of Gravesend, where he expected to find Young Dutch Sam and -some friends. He had no objection, however, having seen them, to “try -backs, and fight on the roads homes, instead of dropping downs to the -Lower Hopes,” the vicissitudes attending on the last trip to which -locality was still fresh in his as well as our recollection. -Accordingly, to Gravesend the “Nymph” pursued her voyage. Here Sam was -found, but his state of health was such as to render his embarkation -indiscreet. Little time was lost in “putting about,” and finally -dropping anchor at Rainham Ferry, on the Essex shore, nearly opposite -Erith, the belligerents and their followers were quickly landed, and -the coast being clear, the ring was formed on a fine piece of turf -behind the bank, a snug public-house affording the men a convenient -resting-place till all was ready. Of betting on the voyage down we -heard but little, and this at “evens,” the Deaf’un sporting his “last -solitary shilling” on himself. - -The Commissary having discharged his functions, aided by Tom Callas, -and provided seats for the limited assemblage of spectators, the -combatants were summoned to the scratch, and forth they came, nothing -loth; Burke attended by Cullen and Jerry Donovan, and Castles by Tom -Reidie and Fuller. On stripping, Burke looked as full in flesh and as -prominent in muscle as when personating Hercules in his celebrated -representation of the Grecian Statues. He stated he weighed 12st. -4lb., and stood 5ft. 8in. Castles was not so heavy, barely weighing -12st.; but he had the advantage in height, being 5ft. 11in; his length -taking from his width, he looked thin, but he was evidently in good -health. There was a speck in one of his eyes, but he said it did not -interfere with his vision, so that there was no fear of his antagonist -getting on his “blind side.” “Richard’s himselfs agains,” said the -great disciple of Shakspeare, and at twenty minutes to two both men -advanced, having previously tied their colours to the stakes (blue -bird’s eye for the Deaf’un, and white bird’s eye for Castles), and -tendering the hand of good fellowship, commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Odds, 5 to 4 on the Deaf’un. A few leary - dodges, each feeling for an opening, and the Deaf’un - expanding his chest and stretching his _pounders_ from - the shoulders, as if to give them freedom and - elasticity. Castles tried his left, but was stopped; he - then kept feeling for his man, the Deaf’un waiting, and - cautious; nearer and nearer till at last they got - within distance, when wild and slight counter-hits were - exchanged with the left, then a rush to in fighting; a - few scrambling hits, but no mischief done, and the - Deaf’un dropped on his knees. On rising, Castles showed - a slight discolouration on the right cheek-bone. - - 2.――Castles manfully to his work; the Deaf’un quiet and - waiting; Castles short with his left, and the Deaf’un - on the alert; heavy counter-hitting with the left, and - Burke popped in his favourite right-handed hit on the - nut. More counter-hitting with the left; and in the - close the Deaf’un was down, and got up blowing. - - 3.――Bob, on coming up, showed symptoms of having - received nobbers on the forehead left and right, and - the Deaf’un’s eyes twinkled as if they had been asked a - question. Castles prompt to the call of “time,” and - Burke steadily but slowly to him. The Deaf’un tried at - the mark with his left, but it was a mere tap; Bob - advanced, the Deaf’un retreating till they reached the - corner, when Bob let fly his left, catching it severely - in return. A determined rally followed, and heavy hits - were exchanged left and right; the Deaf’un catching - Castles a severe right-handed hit on the jaw. In the - end, the Deaf’un fell on his knees outside the ropes. - On getting on his “second’s” knees he pointed to his - right arm, as if it had been shaken in the last round. - - 4.――Castles advanced; but the Deaf’un was in no hurry, - and waited for him; Castles delivered his left on the - Deafun’s sneezer, and got back; an exchange of heavy - hits with the left, and Burke again down on his knees; - he was evidently playing the cautious game. - - 5.――Burke’s frontispiece slightly disfigured, and a - mouse under his left eye; Castles getting within - distance let go his left, but the Deaf’un hit with him, - and heavy slogging hits, left and right, followed; a - break away, and again to business; when, after an - interchange of hits, the Deaf’un was down, obviously - stung to some purpose, and Castles displayed claret - from his nose, and showed marks of heavy nobbing. - - 6.――Castles hit short with his left, but getting - nearer, heavy counter-hits were exchanged, when Castles - closed with the view to throwing; Burke attempted to - get down, but Castles held him up by the neck by main - strength for some time with both arms till he dropped. - - 7.――Castles again a little out of distance; the Deaf’un - waiting, when counter-hits were exchanged, and Castles - closing, caught his man on the hip and gave him a heavy - fall, to the dismay of the Deaf’un’s backers. - - 8.――The Deaf’un came up slow, and suspicions were - afloat that “a screw was loose,” in fact it was - whispered that his rupture was down, and almost any - odds were offered against him, one gentleman crying 100 - to 1, and no takers; Castles strong on his legs and - full of vigour. He was too cautious, however, and did - not go in with sufficient determination; he hit short - left and right; counter-hits with the left, and a - lively rally, which ended in Burke going down, - apparently weak. - - 9.――Burke came up blowing like a grampus, and again - looking at his right arm as if something was the - matter; he tried a poke at the body with his left, but - did not get home; heavy counter-hits with the left, and - some spirited in-fighting; punishing blows were - exchanged, and in the close, Burke pursued his - getting-down system. - - 10.――Castles came up with a tremendous bump over his - left eye, which his seconds ascribed to a butt, and - claimed, but the impression was that as Burke always - dropped his head when he hit with his left, his head - had accidentally come in contact with Castles’s - forehead, but without any intention to butt, and the - claim was not allowed. No sooner at the scratch, than - Castles led off heavily with the left; sharp - counter-hitting followed, and in the close, Burke down, - Castles on him. - - 11.――Castles missed his left, and some severe - in-fighting followed; the hits were quick and heavy; - Castles tried for the fall, but Burke hung on him, and - pulled him down. - - 12.――Castles popped in a tremendous pop with the left - on the Deaf’un’s mug, and repeated the dose; the - Deaf’un, not to be deterred, returned the compliment, - and rattling hits followed; in the close the Deaf’un - went down. Castles showed a gash on the brow, and was - otherwise seriously damaged in the frontispiece, and - the spirits of the Deaf’un’s friends were reviving. - - 13.――A magnificent rally, in which the exchange of hits - left and right were really rapid; in the close, Burke - got down; both were seriously contused, and their - phisogs anything but free from blemish. - - 14.――Burke came up slow at the call of time; Castles to - him, and led off with his left, but was stopped; good - exchanges left and right; the Deaf’un looked groggy, - but stood well up, and exchanged hits till he fell; - Castles also fell, and was evidently feeling the - effects of his quick and heavy fighting; both were - seriously punished. - - 15.――Heavy exchanges left and right; and in the close, - Burke down weak. - - 16.――Again did the men go to work with determination, - although Burke was slow to the scratch; Burke delivered - a heavy right-handed fling on Castles’s left ear, which - was much swollen and discoloured, but on Castles - attempting to close, he went down. - - 17.――Bob planted heavily with his left, but the Deaf’un - stood it like a wood pavement, and dashed to a rally, - in which heavy jobbing hits were exchanged; Castles - grappled for the fall, but the Deaf’un, too leary, got - down. - - 18.――Castles missed his left, and the Deaf’un rushing - in with his head down, Castles caught it under his arm, - and giving him a Cornish hug, threw and fell heavily on - him. - - 19.――The Deaf’un slow and weak, and five to one offered - on Castles, who although seriously punished came up - strong on his legs, with nothing like flinching in his - demeanour. Castles missed his left, but the Deaf’un met - him with his left on the nozzle, and drew his cork; a - sharp rally, in which pretty taps were exchanged; in - the end, Burke dropped on his knees, but in the act of - going down, he received a whack on the left brow from - Castles’s right, which opened a seam, and brought the - claret in a stream. - - 20.――Good stopping, when the men got to a rally, and - hit followed hit left and right, till Burke fell on his - knees. Castles had the bark stripped from his snuffler, - and both displayed such marks of punishment as would - have satisfied any ordinary appetite, and certainly - proved that neither was deficient in thorough game. - - 21.――Burke’s left eye, which had received a second - visitation, continued to bleed; Castles no sooner on - his legs than to business, and delivered his left well - on the Deaf’un’s nose, drawing his cork; this he - repeated, when the Deaf’un rushed to a close, but - Castles slipped aside, and the Deaf’un fell over on his - head. - - 22.――Heavy exchanges left and right, the Deaf’un down. - - 23.――The Deaf’un’s right eyebrow following suit with - his left, both cut, and his nose assisting to form a - trio; heavy counter-hitting with the left, and pretty - exchanges with the right; Castles down, bleeding from - the nose. - - 24.――A terrific rally, in which the punishment was - pretty much on a par; they both slogged away, till - Burke dropped. - - 25.――Another severe round; Burke was not to be denied, - and the hitting proved that each was determined to - leave his mark, of which friendly attentions there were - abundant proofs, as both bled profusely, and displayed - a succession of severe contusions, while Castles’ left - eye was fast closing, and the knuckles of his left hand - were considerably puffed. - - 26.――Castles came up dripping claret from sundry - springs: Burke, slow, waited his approach; Castles led - off with his left, but was stopped; tried it again, and - got home, when Burke rushed in with dire intent, but - missed his blow, and Castles as he passed gave him a - back-handed slap with his left; Burke down on his - knees. - - 27.――Castles hit short, when Burke rushed in under his - arm, and Castles, trying to grapple, fell over and - beyond him. - - 28.――Castles, after a little dodging, planted his left; - Burke countered, and caught him another round hit on - the ear with his right; although Burke’s arm was said - to be injured this did not seem to come from a disabled - member, for it shook poor Castles’s dredging box most - woefully; in a scrambling attempt at a close, Burke got - down. - - 29.――Castles, bleeding copiously, but still determined, - led off with his left, but Burke returned left and - right; Castles, in getting away, fell, and the cheers - of Burke’s friends gave him new life. - - 30.――It was now clear that Castles’ left hand was fast - going, and from its swollen state it was plain that it - was incapable of much execution; and the Deaf’un, who - seemed rather to gain than to lose his strength, was - the favourite at 6 to 4. The Deaf’un, in no hurry, - waited for his antagonist’s approach; Castles let go - his left, and the Deaf’un poked him in return, and - after some good hitting, the Deaf’un got down. - - 31.――The Deaf’un still on the waiting suit; Castles not - so quick; he found that his heavy slogging hits made no - impression on the Deaf’un’s iron head; still, after a - pause, he led off with his left, and after a spirited - rally, the Deaf’un was down. - - 32.――The Deaf’un evidently tired, took his time in - coming to the scratch, and quietly waited for the - attack. Castles at last went to work, and heavy hits - were exchanged, when in the close both were down, on - Castles being lifted up, although dreadfully punished, - he said “he felt strong,” and showed no disposition to - cry “enough;” while Burke was equally dogged in his - determination. - - 33.――A little artful dodging; Castles let go his left, - but Burke ducked, and got away; Burke in turn rushed - in, but Castles retreated; he then rattled to the - charge, but the Deaf’un slipped down on one knee; - Castles pointed at him with his finger, instead of - hitting him as he might have done, and exclaimed, - “that’s Nick Ward’s game, stand up and fight like a - man;” Burke grinned, shook his bump of combativeness, - and was carried to his corner. - - 34.――The Deaf’un extremely deliberate in his movements, - and slow to the scratch. Castles not so quick as - heretofore; after looking at each other and dodging, - Castles shot out with his damaged left, but was - stopped; a rally and counter-hits exchanged, when Burke - again got down on his knees; Castles pointed at him - derisively, but the Deaf’un “took a sight” with both - hands, and flourished his digits; Castle walked to his - corner, mortified at Burke’s dropping, while Burke was - carried to his. - - 35.――Castles’ left hand getting worse, and he did not - seem inclined to lead off so quickly as heretofore; the - Deaf’un ogled the damaged fin with great satisfaction, - and, after a short pause, led off with his left, and - planting his blow got down on his knees; Castles looked - “unutterable things,” and, after regarding him for a - moment, gave him a contemptuous slap on the cheek, at - which the Deaf’un smiled, as much as to admit he was - playing “the artful dodger.” - - 36.――The Deaf’un a decided favourite, and 2 to 1 - offered on him. He was clearly the stronger man, while - his left hand was still sound and in working order; on - getting up he waited quietly for the attack, looking - slyly down at Castles’ fist; Castles offered to - commence, but the Deaf’un retreated; a considerable - pause, when Castles led off: the Deaf’un countered - heavily, and after a sharp rally, in which some severe - exchanges took place, the Deaf’un again got down, still - playing the old soldier. - - 37 and last.――The Deaf’un pursued his waiting game, and - was clearly gaining strength; Castles also paused and - was in no hurry to begin; the Deaf’un rubbed his chest, - and then his thatch with both hands, and grinned, as - much as to say, “I’m in no hurry.” Castles tried a - feint with his left, but if would not do; the Deaf’un - was wide awake, and showed that he was determined not - to throw a chance away. Castles tried his left at the - body, but the blow was not effectual, at last he let go - at the Deaf’un’s head, and a brisk rally followed, when - the Deaf’un finished the round by giving Castles, for - the first time, a heavy fall. This was the closing act - of the drama. Castles found his opponent the stronger - man, and, from the state of his left hand, feeling that - he had not a chance, he prudently determined to give in - at once, declaring that fortune was on the side of his - opponent, and he had not the power to turn the scale. - The Deaf’un immediately approached, they shook hands, - and all was over in _one hour and ten minutes_. - -Both men were immediately conducted to the contiguous public-house, -where every attention was paid to them, and where their wounds were -dressed, and their contusions reduced as much as possible. Poor -Castles was heavily punished, his left eye in total eclipse; his face -exhibited not a square inch without a mark, and a deep incision over -the right eye showed the severity of the Deaf’un’s hitting. His left -hand, too, had become perfectly useless; in truth a more perfect -specimen of a courageous and undaunted submission to hard hitting we -have never witnessed――the best evidence that if by nature timid, by -force of mind he resisted all approach to the charge of cowardice, a -species of valour even more creditable than that which mere instinct -and the gift of creation has planted in the carcases of many animals. -Burke had also what he called his “shares;” but with a hardier and -more robust frame than Castles, as well as a head that might vie in -quality with the rind of a cocoa-nut, his sufferings were not so -severe. Yet we doubt whether in any of his former encounters his -receipts were of so severe a character; he confessed he got much more -than he expected, and was disagreeably surprised at finding “Mister -Bobs so dangerous a customers.” - -Castles lost this battle principally from his eagerness in the latter -part of the fight, and a want of judgment in not hitting and getting -away. He was too fast, while the Deaf’un cunningly waited and popped -him as he came in, thus giving a sort of double impetus to his -deliveries. Had Castles rattled in with more determination when Burke -was amiss, about the eighth round, the issue might have been -different. Burke felt his position, and had recourse to all the -strategems of an old soldier, husbanding his strength, getting down, -and never attempting to wrestle or unnecessarily exhaust his powers; -by this means he preserved his physical energies, and made the best -use of them at the proper time. Castles, on the contrary, was always -first to the call of “time,” and till the last few rounds “made all -the running,” thereby realising the fable of the hare and the -tortoise. In trying to throw the Deaf’un, too, he diminished his -powers; still, with all this, we are inclined to think, had his left -hand not given way, a result almost inevitable from the frequent -repetition of heavy hits on the Deaf’un’s granite nut, he would have -come off victorious; as it is, with all his faults, he proved himself -superior in pluck and moral courage to most of the modern men of his -weight, and deserved the generous consideration of those who prize -such qualities. The Deaf’un showed unflinching game throughout, and -fighting up-hill as he did, with his right arm seriously, though not -fatally damaged, he proved that “all was not lost that was in danger;” -and that in confiding in his tact his admirers were not trusting to “a -broken reed.” - -The battle money was given to Burke at Young Dutch Sam’s, the “Old -Drury Tavern,” Brydges Street. - -The re-embarkation followed in good order, and all reached Waterloo -Bridge at seven o’clock――the combatants proceeding under the care of -their friends to their respective quarters. As an appropriate -_pendant_ to the prosaic version of this “crowning victory” we append - - A TRIUMPHANT EPISTLE FROM DEAF BURKE TO BOB CASTLES. - - My sarvice, friend Castles, once class’d with the nobs, - We’ve finished our fights, and we’ve settled the jobs; - I founds you a customers ugly and stout, - And I’m blest if my works wasn’t neatly cut out. - - We’ve both of us passed, and no doubts on’t, our prime, - And good sarvice we’ve seen in the Rings in our time; - Fortune’s smiles and her frowns we’ve been destin’d to weather, - But ne’er, as I knows on, displayed the white feather. - - Your friends chose to say I’d no relish for whopping, - And censure as currish my systems of dropping, - Declare by good men such a course was abhorr’d, - And a leafs I had prigg’d from the books of Nick Ward. - - Now I humbly begs leave at sich nonsense to grin―― - One objects I had, and that there was to win; - And who’er at my tictacs may fancy a fling, - Such dodging’s all fair by the Rules of the Ring. - - On strengths and on plucks do men place sole reliance? - Is nothing allow’d for manoovers and science? - The systems of getting away would you fetter? - Why, Bobbys, my tulips, you knows a deal better? - - Too fast with your rush you were constantly in, - Till I gladly observed you had damaged your fin; - Now, says I to my pals, you may alter your tones, - For I see clear as muds that the games is my owns. - - And yet I received of hard hitting a gluts, - You pepper’d my pimples, and damag’d my nuts; - I never suppos’d you could come it so rough, - And well pleased was I when you sing’d out “enough!” - - I’m sure you’ll allow, after triumphs achiev’d, - I wasn’t so stale as some folks has conceived; - Who swore that my powers pugilistics were spent, - And I couldn’t inflict in fresh butter a dent. - - That I’ve not the same powers I’m free to deplore, - As when I floor’d Byrne and a great many more; - All out-and-out fancy boys, fearless and free, - Then the Deaf’un aspired to be top of the tree. - - But lush and late hours, ’twould be folly to doubt, - For a time wore my frame and my energies out; - First Bendigo gave me a punishing dose, - And I then by Nick Ward was consign’d to repose. - - Yet tho’ peaceful the course which for some time I shap’d, - I felt that my gas had not wholly escap’d; - My luck once again I was anxious to try, - And with a true trump to turn out for a shy. - - The rest, Bobs, we knows, and I scorn all self praise, - And I’d troubles sufficient the needful to raise; - And, faith, I had almost despaired of a fight, - When Young Dutch Sams came forward, and made it all right. - - Then we’ll meet at his cribs, Bobs, and go the whole hogs, - In despatching his malts, his Virginny, and grogs, - And as the pure drinkables mount to our brain, - In “luck to the Rings” the bright pewters we’ll drain. - - And I’ll teach you to hact, both abroad and at home, - The statutes of Greece and the statutes of Rome! - I’ll teach you, Bob Castles, to understand traps, - And make you a classical sorts of a chaps. - - And whether clean’d out or well breech’d with the stump, - In wars or in peaces you’ll find me a trump, - And whoever agin you foul slanders may hazard, - Shall have from this mauley a tap on the mazzard. - - Then good-bye for the present――I wish you all _mércies_; - You see I’m no bad one at tagging of werses, - And ready at all times for going to vork, - I’m yours, without any more gammon, - DEAF BURKE. - -This was the last “flare-up” of the Deaf’un’s pugnacious spirit. -Late hours and long fasts, alternated with creaming sillery, -lobster-salads, devilled biscuits, ditto kidneys, and a deluge of -meaner liquors, soon reduced poor Burke to a shadow of his former -self, and he died of consumption on the 8th of January, 1845, in -Francis Street, Waterloo Road. His good qualities were his own, his -vices the grafting of his so-called “betters” in society. - - - [14] In _Fistiana_ (edit. 1864), Burke’s fight with - Fitzmaurice is set down as having taken place on June 9th, - 1834; _i.e._ thirteen months after the Deaf’un’s fatal - affair with Simon Byrne, and is so placed. It occurred five - years earlier, in 1829, as above narrated. - - [15] Omitted from the list of Lazarus’s fights in - _Fistiana_, but inserted under Brown. - - [16] Butting was not yet prohibited, and was frequently - resorted to when a man wished to escape from the hug of a - fibbing or wrestling adversary.――ED. PUGILISTICA. - - [17] This is also prohibited by modern rules.――ED. - - [18] This highly reprehensible system of carrying men up to - the scratch was subsequently entirely done away with, as - also the system of allowing minute time, another mischievous - practice, which, by giving men more time, enabled them to - recover sufficiently to stand and deliver blows long after - their strength and stamina were exhausted. These alterations - took place after the fatal fight between Owen Swift and - Brighton Bill, and were attended with most beneficial - results. Half-minute time only was allowed by the New Rules, - and if a man did not _walk to the scratch_ in eight seconds - after time was called, he lost the fight. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -WILLIAM PERRY (“THE TIPTON SLASHER”) 1835-1857. - - -Although this ungainly specimen of a boxing athlete first saw the -light, in the year 1819, in the town of “the Black Country” from which -his _nom de guerre_ was derived, he came to London and worked in its -neighbourhood at an early age; for, in the year 1835, he was well -known in the neighbourhood of Battersea Fields and Chelsea as a -“lumping lad” who, despite the drawback of “a K leg,” could hit, stop, -and use his “fives” with formidable effect. In November of that year, -we read in a sporting paper: - - “The admirers of milling in the military village of Chelsea, - where the ‘saloon of arms’ of Alec Reid is a centre of - attraction, were all alive on Tuesday, from the arrangement - of a ‘field day’ to decide the best-man question between two - pugilistic heroes of the locality. These were Barney - Dogherty, a sprig from the Emerald Isle, and Bill Perry, a - young navvy, whose displays with his digits, if not quite - scientific, are determined and dangerous. Perry was backed - by a sporting butcher, Dogherty by a circle of his - enthusiastic countrymen. In weight the Emeralder had the - advantage of nearly a stone. Each man was waited on by a - member of the P.R., and the regulations of the Ring carried - out. - - “The fixture was Wimbledon Common, whither miscellaneous - groups were seen wending their way at an early hour; but the - police scouts were wide-awake, and on reaching the intended - scene of action it was ‘no go,’ and the disappointed crew - looked as blue as their enemies. A move became inevitable, - and new ground was taken opposite the ‘Ship’ at Mortlake. - Here the men set to, but after seven rounds, all in favour - of Perry, the lobsters were again on the scent, and another - retreat was made towards Barnes Common. Here also it would - not do――the pursuers were on the heels of the ‘flying - dustmen,’ and a helter-skelter sort of march took place over - Putney Bridge. Here a council of war was held, and it was at - last agreed to march for Lechmere Common, close to the - sporting grounds of the Baron de Berenger, in the King’s - Road. Here all was right――a fresh ring was formed without - interruption, and the sport was resumed and concluded. - - “On squaring elbows there was a good deal of sparring, and - Perry dodged left and right. After some heavy exchanges and - a rally, Barney was down weak. The fight was prolonged for - six rounds more, during which Perry had it all his own way, - punishing Barney terrifically; still the poor fellow came up - as game as a rhinoceros, and would not give in till his - seconds, seeing he had not a chance, cried ‘enough,’ and his - friends were all satisfied he had done his best to win. - - “Dogherty turned out to be too stale for active operations; - added to which he is slow and awkward in his style of - setting to. Perry is a scientific hard hitter, but with such - a man as Alec Reed, in his day, he would not have had a - chance. Still, in the present state of the Fancy, he is not - to be sneezed at. It was expected a second fight would have - taken place between Middlesex Ben and the Winchester Pet, - but the former was ‘shopped.’ Perry can be backed with - anybody who may envy his honours, and the money will be - ready at the ‘Lowndes Arms,’ King’s Road, on Tuesday - evening, where Alec Reed gives sparring lectures for the - benefit of the rising generation.” - -Such is the account of “The Slasher’s” _coup d’essai_, after which he -seems to have found no candidate for his favours for a twelvemonth, -and to have worked his way towards his native place. Here his fame as -a fistic practitioner was pretty generally acknowledged, and a party -of Birmingham boxers, having among their number Ben Spilsbury (not -Charley, who fought Johnny Broome), being in the town of Tipton -exhibiting the art, young Perry put on the mufflers with that -professional. Though the Tipton lad was not so clever as the Brum, he -displayed such determination, and got so well “on” to his man, that an -observation that, “if in earnest,” Mr. Ben would have to play second -fiddle, led to an offer on the part of a Brum to post a “tenner” upon -the experiment. “A friend to sport,” at the request of Perry, covered -the two sovereigns deposited; and as the Christmas holidays were -approaching, December 27th, 1836, was named as the day of battle. -After taking some little liberties with the Tipton in the opening -rounds, for which he occasionally caught a fearful right-handed -visitation, and was rallied down, Spilsbury kept so completely _à la -distance_ as to deprive the contest of all interest, and finally, at -the end of the 19th round, “cut it,” leaving “The Slasher” in -possession of the field and the stakes. - - [Illustration: WILLIAM PERRY (“THE TIPTON SLASHER”)] - -After this defeat of Spilsbury, it would appear that the sobriquet of -“The Tipton Slasher” had become the accepted title of William Perry, -for in a local (Staffordshire) paper we find him so described, as -being matched for £25 a side against one Jem Scunner, who is described -as the “Gornel Champion,” a six-foot specimen, weighing 13st. odd, and -therefore a fair opponent in height and weight for our hero. The -report is especially meagre, merely informing us that “the battle -commenced on Tuesday (Nov. 22, 1837), near Gornel, but was not decided -until the following day.” The betting at setting to was 6 and 7 to 4 -on the Gornel man. After a few rounds, however, the Gornelites claimed -the fight for their man on the ground of a “foul,” but the referee -would not allow it, and Scunner, by the advice of his friends, would -not go on. A rush to the ring was made, and the referee retired. It -was asserted that Perry fell without a blow. After some wrangling, the -referee ordered that the fight should be renewed on the next day, at -Kingswood, near Wolverhampton. There both men showed at the time -appointed, and lost no time in getting to work. During the first four -or five rounds the Gornel man rushed at the Tipton like a wild bull, -but Perry waited for him, shifted cleverly on his crooked leg, and -delivered straight blows and upper-cuts with such slashing effect that -the Gornelites were utterly paralysed. From this time Scunner betook -himself to out-fighting; but here he took nothing by the change, -except prolonging the fight. At the end of one hour the Gornel -Champion, having been hit down or thrown in five or six successive -rounds, was finally floored in the 31st round, and deaf to the call of -time. Tass Parker, of West Bromwich, and Preston, of Birmingham, -seconded Perry; Surrender Lane and George Gallant, of Birmingham, -waited on Scunner. The match exciting much interest in the Potteries, -Perry, with Parker, became the “lions” of the neighbourhood; the -Fountain Inn, at Tipton, the Slasher’s headquarters, being crowded by -the Fancy of the Midlands at their benefit on the ensuing Monday. - -The defeat of Jem Scunner, who had an immense, though undeserved, -local reputation, in a period when the dearth of good big ’uns was -remarkable, spread the fame of the prowess of the Slasher so widely -that he was fain to wield the shovel in laborious obscurity, instead -of flourishing his ponderous mauleys in the 24 foot. In the interval, -“the Deaf’un” had returned from Yankeeland, and――despite his two -successive defeats by Bendigo (Feb. 12, 1839) and by Nick Ward (Sept. -22, 1840)――owing to Bendigo’s accident, and Caunt’s announced absence -in America, boldly claimed the Championship. Johnny Broome hereupon -sought out the Slasher, and calling to his aid some patrons of the -Rising Sun, he proposed a “trial by battle,” to settle the difference -of opinion. Burke’s backers came to the scratch with their rhino, for -a battle to come off in August, 1842, but at the fourth deposit Broome -thought fit to absent himself upon the night of “posting the -possibles” at Owen Swift’s, and the Slasher’s money down was -confiscated to the extent of £15. - -The Tipton, as we know, was a mere tool in this affair, as in other -instances, of the over-cunning Johnny Broome, who, like most -self-sufficient sharps, often “cut before the edge.” Johnny had other -views of the “dark horse” which he flattered himself he had in his own -stable, and, as he didn’t find the money, the poor Tipton suffered in -reputation (as Johnny intended he should do) by this forfeit. The -Editor of _Bell’s Life_, too honourable himself to suspect this -double-dealing, observes: “Though Broome was certainly late, this -insistance on forfeit seems very sharp practice; the more so as the -same gentleman who backs Perry actually assisted Burke with his first -deposit. The forfeit, however, has yet to be taken by Burke’s backers, -as he has nothing to do with it beyond their approval, and we may yet -find that the last and remaining deposits will be posted, and ‘the -ball go on.’ We have since received a letter from the gentleman who -put £4 of the first deposit down on behalf of Burke, when the match -was made, stating that he will not consent to the forfeit being -received, and expressing his desire that the match may proceed, as his -only wish is to encourage the manly sports of the Ring.” - -But Johnny was determined to be off with the match, as he had not -found Brassey, of Bradford, so “tenderly led by the nose as asses -are,” and he had now in view a grand _coup de poing_, to play off -against the unquestionable “blaze of triumph” achieved by Ben Caunt in -the circus and theatre line, by the introduction of what might be -called the “illegitimate” drama in place of, and to the eclipse of, -the exhibition of “legitimate” British boxing. In this fairly-planned -vindication of the art from mere bulky pretenders, Johnny was -certainly to be praised; but as his choice of a champion was -“Hobson’s,” and limited to such an inferior tactician as the game, -rough-and-ready Tipton Slasher――to oppose immense weight, superior -length and activity, backed by a creditable reserve of courage and -self-possession, and moderate skill in sparring――the enterprise was -certainly ill-judged. Of its progress and issue we shall now have to -treat. - -In the year 1842, a sensation was created by the return of Ben Caunt -to England, bringing with him a seven-foot specimen of humanity, of -the name of Charles Freeman. There can be little doubt, from -subsequent events, that Ben brought over his gigantic _protégé_ purely -as a showman’s speculation; and that Freeman, with his immense length, -strength, and bulk, had as little pretensions or inclination to boxing -as any non-combative member of the Peace Society could desire. Ben, -however, seeing how “big things” carried it in Yankeeland――the country -of “big things,” of which he, himself, was certainly one――imported the -“American Atlas” as his sparring opponent; and if he might infer -future success from their first few nights at the Queen’s Theatre, in -Liverpool, when not a seat was to be had in a few minutes from the -opening of the doors, the Lancashire people, at any rate, were willing -to patronise the show. - -Freeman, during several months, not only exhibited at the Queen’s -Theatre, Lyceum, Olympic, Adelphi, Victoria, and other theatres, halls -and assembly rooms, where a great feature of the entertainments was a -caricature of boxing by the giant and Big Ben, but the non-sporting -papers were flooded with ridiculous paragraphs, several of them -offensively setting forth the wonderful powers and prowess of the -American gladiator, and in some instances asserting the “scare” -produced among the English prize-fighters by the advent of the New -World Goliath. We need hardly say that Freeman himself was entirely -innocent of this silly braggadocio, which emanated from the Barnum -managers of these performances, and the speculators who at this time -degraded the character of the decadent Ring, and prostituted its true -aim――the encouragement of courage and skill――to their own profit and -plunder. Johnny Broome, then in the full tide of his prosperity, -called a meeting at his house, the “Rising Sun,” Air Street, -Piccadilly, where, after the reading of some of these “puff -paragraphs” about “Championships of England and the World” (Ben Caunt -modestly claiming the first, and liberally presenting his prodigious -pal with the other), it was proposed to bring these pretensions to a -practical test by a challenge for £100 a side from “a novice,” to be -hereafter named by Broome. On the following week, at the adjourned -meeting, Tom Spring presented himself, on the part of Caunt, and -stated the latter to be ready to make a deposit for Freeman. Spring -further said that Freeman had not come to this country with any -intention to fight; his pursuits were quite different; he, therefore, -had challenged no man (this was so; but many of his placards contained -a challenge to any and every man); nevertheless, he had determined not -to refuse this challenge, and, therefore, his money was ready. Harry -Broome, on the part of his brother Johnny, who was from home, covered -the deposit, and the Thursday evening following was named for drawing -up articles, at the “Castle,” for a further deposit, and for naming -“the novice.” Freeman and Caunt were both present, and the crowd -immense. The giant and his mentor, Ben Caunt, arrived late, owing to -an accident on the rail near Weedon. Broome proposed to defer naming -“the novice;” but this being insisted on, or a forfeit claimed, -“William Perry, of Tipton,” was nominated as the “great unknown,” and -the following articles “signed, sealed, and delivered”:―― - - “Articles of agreement entered into this 29th of September, - 1842, at the Castle Tavern, Holborn, between Charles Freeman - and William Perry of Tipton. The said Charles Freeman agrees - to fight the said William Perry, a fair stand-up fight, in a - four-and-twenty foot roped ring, half minute time, according - to the New Rules, for £100 a side, on Tuesday, the 6th of - December, half-way between Tipton and London. In pursuance - of this agreement, £20 a side are now deposited in the hands - of the stakeholder; a second deposit of £10 a side to be - made on Thursday, the 6th of October, at Johnny Broome’s; a - third deposit of £10 a side on Thursday, the 13th of - October, at Johnny Walker’s; a fourth deposit of £10 a side - on Thursday, the 20th of October, at Jem Burn’s; a fifth - deposit of £10 a side on Thursday, the 27th of October, at - Tom Spring’s; a sixth deposit of £10 a side on Thursday, the - 3rd of November, at Johnny Broome’s; a seventh deposit of - £10 a side on Thursday, the 10th of November, at Tom - Spring’s; an eighth deposit of £10 a side on the 17th of - November, also at Tom Spring’s; and the ninth and last - deposit of £10 a side on Thursday, the 1st of December, at - Johnny Broome’s. The said deposits to be made between the - hours of 8 and 10 o’clock, p.m., or the party failing to - forfeit the money down; a toss for choice of ground to take - place on the night of the last deposit. The men to be in the - ring between the hours of twelve and one o’clock, or the man - absent to forfeit the whole of the stakes. Two umpires and a - referee to be chosen on the ground, the decision of the - latter in the event of dispute to be conclusive. In case of - magisterial interference the referee, if chosen, to name the - next time and place of meeting, or if the referee be not - chosen then the stakeholder to name the next time and place - if possible on the same day; but the money not to be given - up until fairly won or lost by a fight; the winner to pay - for the ropes and stakes. Should any money be given for the - privilege of the fight taking place in any particular - locality, such money, if agreed to be accepted, to be - equally divided between the men. - - “(Signed) “CHARLES FREEMAN. - “JOHN BROOME (for W. PERRY).” - -Offers were made to take two to one on the Yankee, but nothing more -than six to four could be obtained. The match excited extraordinary -interest, and set all the Americans in town on the _qui vive_. They -viewed the success of Freeman as a result already almost attained. - -After a round of “appearances,” “benefits,” “soirées,” “entertainments,” -&c., to which the well-advertised fact of being “matched” lent -additional attractions, both men went into training, Freeman at Frank -Key’s, the “Duke of York,” Gannick Corner, near Barnet, and the -Slasher in the first place at our friend Jemmy Parsons’s, at Hampton, -and subsequently at Ould Tom Owen’s, at Northfleet, Kent. A -contemporary paper thus announces the coming event on the previous -Saturday:―― - - “Freeman has been assiduously attended by his friend Ben - Caunt, and has been ranging up hill and down dale like the - celebrated giant Gog, in his ‘seven-league boots,’ with - staff in hand and followed by ‘a tail,’ which, from the - length of his fork, generally keeps a respectful distance in - his rear. Although his nob has been roofed with a shallow - tile, to diminish the appearance of his steeple-like - proportions, he still has the appearance of a walking - monument, to the no small alarm of the squirrels in Squire - Byng’s park, into whose dormitories he occasionally casts a - squint of recognition. By his good humour and playfulness of - disposition he has won all hearts, and has been a welcome - guest on whatever premises he has cast anchor in his walks, - which have seldom been less than twenty or thirty miles a - day. He has been extremely attentive to his training, and - has been much reduced in flesh, while his muscular - developments stand forth with additional symmetry. On his - arrival in this country he carried some twenty-three stone - ‘good meat,’ but we doubt whether on Tuesday he will much - exceed eighteen stone. His drawers and fighting shoes have - been built with a due regard to ease and elegance, and the - latter have been seasonably aired by being lent to a cat and - kittens as temporary nurseries. He already sports his blue - bird’s-eye fogle, and, without vaunt or unseemly bounce, - seems to think his chances of success are planted on a good - foundation. - - “The Slasher has been under the care of Johnny Broome, whose - brother is constantly with him, and was removed on Tuesday, - for some reason not explained, from Hampton to Northfleet. - We have not seen him, but he is described as in fine - condition, and in high spirits. He will weigh, we hear, - between thirteen and fourteen stone, stands six feet high, - and is a well-proportioned, muscular fellow (always - deducting the ‘baker-knee,’ which destroys the perpendicular - of his pedestal). His flag of cream colour ground, with the - union-jack in the centre, bearing the words ‘Old England,’ - and the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock in the corner, - the whole inclosed in a blue border, has been unfurled at - Johnny Broome’s, and has found numerous supporters on the - usual terms, ‘a sovereign or nothing.’ The betting within - the last week has varied; in some places the Slasher has - been taken for choice, in others Freeman has been the - favourite at 5 to 4, at which price a good deal of business - has been done. The final deposit was made at Johnny - Broome’s, in Air Street, Piccadilly, on Thursday evening, in - the presence of a goodly muster. Neither of the men was - present. Betting was slack, 5 to 4 only being offered on - Freeman; but after some breathing a ‘supposed green,’ - offered 30 to 10 on the Giant, at which Johnny Broome - snapped, as well as 20 to 10 immediately after from the same - innocent, who said he had £50 to lay out and was satisfied - with a small profit. This, however, did not advance Freeman - much in the betting, for, after a good deal of ‘screwing,’ - higher odds than 6 to 4, and this reluctantly, could not be - obtained. In consequence of a private agreement between the - backers of both men, the appointed toss for choice of ground - did not take place.” - -There had long been a complaint in the Fancy circles of the dearth of -“great men;” if “great” be synonymous with “big,” then this was a -“great fight.” How far it deserved that epithet the reader will -shortly be able to decide. The Slasher had never been credited with -scientific qualifications, and “the American Giant” was remarkable -solely for his prodigious bulk and weight-lifting pretensions, never -having fought a prize battle before. The match, we are inclined to -think, arose rather from a desire to put the pretensions of “the -Yankee _critter_” to the test than from any belief that a man could be -found capable of successfully competing with such “a mountain of -humanity;” the more especially as Ben Caunt, the Champion of England, -had signified that he and Freeman were sworn friends, and were, -therefore, unlikely to come in hostile collision. Johnny Broome was -consulted as to whether he could find a man willing to try his hand -with the Giant, and he at once answered in the affirmative, experience -having afforded him opportunities of estimating the game and muscular -qualities of the Slasher, who was perfectly willing to make the -experiment. It was under these circumstances the challenge was given -and accepted. This was the position in which matters stood when the -match was made, and in due course the men went into training, each -taking every pains to improve his stamina and physical qualities. We -may here remark that, in the opinion of competent judges, the mere -fact of Freeman being so much taller and heavier than his opponent was -not regarded as an argument in favour of his real superiority. In -truth, we have seen, and over and over again been led to believe, that -a man standing six feet high, and weighing between twelve and thirteen -stone, with muscular power and activity in proportion, is the _beau -ideal_ of manly perfection; and that anything beyond this is mere -surplusage, seldom, if ever, of any real advantage, as has been -remarked of most of the giants who have been exhibited as objects of -curiosity. We must admit, however, that for his size, we never saw a -man so symmetrical in all respects as Freeman; there was nothing -unwieldy or awkward in his appearance. In point of muscular -development and strength, too, we are persuaded there was not his -equal, and in point of activity and lightness, and springiness of -action, he was not less to be admired; in fact, his early career was -in the equestrian school, where, among other feats, he rode two horses -at once, at the same time balancing a man with his arms above his head -as he galloped round the circus, added to which he was renowned for -the number of somersaults he could throw in succession. In lifting -weights, too, on more occasions than one, he has raised fifteen cwt. -from the ground. With all these appliances, however, there yet might -be a want of animal courage and natural powers of enduring punishment -and fatigue; and in the absence of any criterion upon which an opinion -on these latter points could be formed, considerable doubts were -entertained of the probable issue of his battle with the Slasher, who -was known to possess fearless intrepidity, great bodily strength, some -science, and sufficient height and weight to entitle himself to be -ranked among the most dangerous of our modern millers. Hence the -betting, which seldom exceeded 5 to 4 in favour of Freeman, did not -prove him to have inspired any extraordinary confidence in the minds -of his friends, of whom, from his really unassuming conduct, civil -deportment, and good temper, he had many. - -We may here state that the wisdom of not ascribing too much merit to -superior bulk derived confirmation from scientific calculations made -by Mr. Hutchinson, a surgeon of eminence, who made some curious -experiments by means of hydraulic and other instruments to ascertain -the constitutional powers of human beings, founded on comparisons of -the strength of their lungs, by respiration and inspiration, the state -of their pulse, capacity of chest, height, weight, &c. Mr. Hutchinson -submitted both Freeman and Perry to his tests, and the result of his -observation was, that although Freeman’s admeasurement was -extraordinary in every respect, yet, comparatively, when the -dimensions of both men were taken into account, the balance of bodily -power, strength, and endurance was in favour of Perry, who Mr. -Hutchinson considered more calculated to sustain fatigue and -punishment than his gigantic antagonist. Mr. Hutchinson, of course, -admitted that the inference which he thus drew may be defeated by -accidental or other causes; but looking to the mere animal qualities -of the men, such was his conclusion. That his hypothesis was fairly -tried cannot be asserted, for, as will be seen, both men left off, so -far as we were capable of judging from the darkness which prevailed, -pretty much on a par, whether as respects punishment or fatigue. - -It will be borne in mind that at the making of the last deposit, the -toss for choice of ground was dispensed with, Spring, on the part of -Freeman, and Broome, on the part of Perry, having determined on the -probable locality. It was felt desirable to preserve the secret as -long as possible, and it was not till Monday that the direction was -generally known, when a trip by the Eastern Counties Railway to the -borders of Hertfordshire and Essex was announced, with an intimation -that a simultaneous departure by the half-past nine o’clock train to -Sawbridgeworth (about seven and twenty miles from London) would suit -all purposes, and prevent any unnecessary bustle at the immediate -scene of action. Notwithstanding the secrecy which had been observed, -however, some few “go-carts” with their motley inmates were seen going -down the road the night before, and thus a hint was given, of which -the police took advantage; and hence, being on the alert, the -attendance of a magistrate was obtained, and much trouble and -inconvenience, as the sequel will show, were experienced. In the -interim both men arrived in town at their respective head-quarters, -Freeman at Tom Spring’s, and Perry at Johnny Broome’s, so as to be -ready for their morning start, and both houses were crowded to excess. - -With the dawn all were in motion, and by eight o’clock the London -terminus of the chosen railway was besieged by visitors. Many of these -brought drags, which were placed upon the trucks, while others trusted -to the “chapter of accidents,” which proved to have a very wide range, -for the means of conveyance. Among the first arrivals were the Tipton -Slasher and his friends, who thus took time by the forelock, so as to -be near the point of rendezvous in due season. This division agreed to -alight at Harlow station, as the train did not pull up at -Sawbridgeworth, which was, however, but two miles further, within -convenient toddling distance, and thither all proceeded. On reaching -the fixture a damper was thrown on the prospects of the travellers. -The superintendent of police was found at his post. He had received -orders from London to prevent hostilities, and to this was added the -fact that Mr. Phillips, a Hertfordshire magistrate, was in readiness -to “keep the peace.” In this unpleasant dilemma all waited till the -arrival of the half-past nine o’clock train, in which came Freeman, -Tom Spring, Caunt, and a vast accession of the Fancy. Fortunately -there was a carriage and four horses waiting the arrival of Freeman, -and after a short deliberation it was resolved to move on to Hatfield -Heath, about four miles further, in the county of Essex, and the -“office” being given, away all went in that direction――the great -proportion on their ten toes, for conveyances were out of the -question――and the roads being heavy the pilgrimage was far from -agreeable, especially to “the London particulars,” who were unprepared -for such a journey. For this unexpected tax upon their patience there -was no remedy, and on they went till the desired goal was reached. On -the road there were some few mishaps, but still all were cheered on by -hope. The Commissary lost no time in examining the intended field of -battle, which he found swampy, and far from desirable; but there was -no help for it, and he was about to form a ring when a fresh alarm was -given. The Sawbridgeworth police superintendent and Mr. Phillips, the -magistrate, once more presented their ill-omened countenances, and -plainly declared their determination to prevent the fight taking place -either in Essex or Hertfordshire This was a poser. A council of war -was held――suggestions of all sorts were offered, and a great deal of -time was lost. Cambridgeshire, the adjoining county, was deemed too -distant to be reached in time, and more especially by the pedestrians; -and at last it was determined to “try back,” and return towards -London; Broxbourne, on the borders of Middlesex and Essex, being -agreed on as the point of re-assemblage. - -This point settled, a general move took place towards the nearest -stations――the toddlers to Sawbridgeworth, and the charioteers to -Bishop Stortford, there to repack their nags and drags, while the beak -and his co-partner, considering that a move had been made to get out -of their bailiwick, also moved off. On reaching Bishop Stortford a -fresh resolution was formed. “While the cat’s away the mice will -play;” so, as the conservators of propriety were no longer present, it -was urged that the ring might be formed in the place originally -intended, half a mile from the Sawbridgeworth station, not far from -the same field in which Turner beat Scroggins, in June, 1817, and -scarcely more distant from the scene of Oliver’s conquest over -Shelton, in 1820. No sooner said than done; and, in the absence of -those who had promised to avoid the county of Hertford, at half-past -two o’clock all agreed to drop down to the place from whence they -came, with the exception of the Commissary, Freeman, and his friends, -who took the main road in a carriage kindly yielded to them by the -Right Rev. the Bishop of Bond Street, who also hospitably furnished -their larders with a very welcome supply of roast fowls and other -“combustibles,” of which their “inward men” stood beseechingly in -need. In the interim the Slasher threw himself on a bed at Bishop -Stortford, and all who had wisdom took some hasty refreshment. On -again reaching Sawbridgeworth we were informed that the lists were -formed, and a competent guide being found, all set out along the -towing-path of the canal to a very eligible site, about half a mile -off, on an elevated piece of ground admirably calculated for the -purpose. The evening was now fast approaching, for it was nearly four -o’clock, and it was hoped there would be still daylight sufficient to -decide which was the better man. The privilege tickets were -distributed, and in a short time everything was arranged for the -commencement of hostilities. - -All being in readiness, Freeman entered the ring in high spirits, -attended by Caunt and King Dick, and was received with loud cheers. -Rumours were now afloat that the Slasher did not mean to come, and -sovereigns even were offered to be laid that there would be no fight. -In the interim horsemen were sent off to Sawbridgeworth station to -urge the approach of the missing man, who it was known had been left -there in charge of Broome. Matters thus remained in doubt for some -time, and great impatience began to be manifested, when it was -announced, to the great joy of the spectators, that the Slasher was -coming――and come at last he did, amidst the encouraging shouts of his -friends. He lost no time in entering the ring, and was immediately met -with a friendly shake of the mauley by Freeman. The Slasher was -attended by Ben Terry and a provincial friend named Tom Parker. No -time was now lost in “trimming” the men for battle, and their -superfluous “feathers” were quickly removed. Both appeared in high -spirits and eager for business. Umpires and a referee having been -chosen, the ring was cleared out, and the “privileged” dropped -contentedly on the damp earth, with such preservatives to their -sitting places as circumstances would permit; but it must be -acknowledged that these were far from satisfactory, owing to the -difficulties to which the Commissary had been exposed in the various -transfers of his _materiel_. - -On being stripped and placed in juxtaposition, the towering height of -Freeman presented a most formidable aspect, while the muscular -development of every limb, and the broad expanse of his chest and -shoulders, gave him the appearance of herculean strength. His weight, -without his clothes, we understood was but little above seventeen -stone, for it was remarked that during the last week of his training -he rather diminished than increased in bulk. Still, he was in high -spirits, and moved about with elastic and graceful step. In the -following July he would be 23 years of age. The Slasher also wore a -cheerful smile on his mug, which betrayed the fact that he had already -lost some of his head rails. From his hips up his bust displayed great -muscular power, but being in-kneed, there was less of symmetry in his -figure than in Freeman’s. On throwing himself into position, however, -this was scarcely perceptible, and he may be described as a model of -burly strength. He appeared to be, and said he was, in excellent -condition, and, judging from his cheerful index, there was no want of -self-confidence. His height six feet, his age twenty-three, and his -weight 13st. 4lb.; but notwithstanding the fearful odds against him, -he evidently regarded the coming struggle with gallant indifference. -Of betting there was but little――5 to 3 was offered but not taken, and -the only bet we heard laid was one of 6 to 4 on Freeman. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Precisely at seven minutes after four o’clock the men - were conducted to the scratch, their fogles having been first - tied to the corner stake, and having shaken hand with great good - humour, the seconds retired to their corners. The towering height - and gigantic proportions of Freeman led all to suppose that he - would endeavour to fight down his opponent; but, as will be seen, - this anticipation was not fulfilled. The Slasher stood on the - defensive and Freeman broke ground, hitting out with his left; - from this the Slasher retreated, when Freeman followed him - quickly, popped in his left and right slightly, and the Slasher - was down. Freeman laughing, and no mischief done. - - 2.――The Slasher again to the scratch, when Freeman led off left - and right; the latter blow got well home, and dropped the - Slasher. _First knock-down_ blow for Freeman; but no damage done, - as the Slasher received it when retreating. - - 3.――The Slasher made play, and tried his left on Freeman’s body, - but was stopped. Freeman rushed to him, the Slasher retiring and - hitting short and wild. Freeman popped in his left and right, - caught the Slasher in his arms, and threw him with ease. - - 4.――The Slasher, on the defensive system, dodged a little, - delivered his left on the ribs, in getting away he fell, and thus - escaped Freeman’s return. - - 5.――Freeman hit out left and right, but the Slasher ducked his - head and fell on his knees. - - 6.――The Slasher on the dodging system, stepped back; Freeman - after him to the corner, where there was a wild rally, in which - hits right and left were exchanged. The Slasher got within - Freeman’s long arms, gave him a tidy smack with his right on the - left eye, and got down. (_First blood_ from Freeman’s brow, and - the Tipton lads uproarious.) - - 7.――The Slasher, the first to fight, hit out left and right, but - was stopped. Freeman slashed away left and right but without - precision, and after some trifling deliveries the Slasher got - down. - - 8.――The Slasher popped in his left on Freeman’s ribs, and got - away; Freeman after him, when the Slasher closed. Freeman lifted - him clean off the ground, but was unable to get his arm loose to - fib, and after a short struggle the Slasher slipped from his - grasp and got down. - - 9.――The Slasher again led off with his left at the body, and in - getting away fell from accident or design. [Cries of “foul” and - “foul” was claimed on the part of Freeman; but the referee did - not feel himself justified in stopping the fight, and “time” was - called.] - - 10.――The Slasher again tried the artful dodge, rushed in to hit - with the left at the body; but Freeman seized him in his powerful - feelers, held him up for a short time, and finding he could do - nothing at in-fighting fell on him, but not so as to do him any - mischief. - - 11.――The Slasher as lively as a grig popped in his left on - Freeman’s arm and got away; Freeman followed, gave him one, two, - left and right The Slasher broke from him, and delivered his - right on his shoulder; then getting away, fell to avoid. - - 12.――The Slasher once more led off with his left, but was short. - Freeman after him delivered left and right; the Slasher down. - - 13.――Freeman popped in his left, The Slasher retreated and fell. - - 14.――Freeman again planted his left slightly. The Slasher adhered - to his retiring system. Freeman followed him to the ropes, and - after a scrambling exchange of hits the Slasher got down. Freeman - pointing at him derisively with his finger and laughing. - - 15.――Freeman hit left and right, and the Slasher rushed in and - caught him round the body, to try for the fall; Freeman held him - up completely off the ground by the neck, then chopped first with - the left and then with the right; the Slasher hit up left and - right, and caught Freeman on the mouth with his right; and after - a short struggle was thrown, Freeman on him. - - 16.――The Slasher again tried his left at the body, but was short, - the blow falling slightly on Freeman’s arm. Exchange of blows. - Freeman with the left on the nob, and Slasher on the shoulder - with the right, which sounded, but was of no effect. Slasher, in - retreating, fell. - - 17.――Slasher came up on the defensive, but Freeman hit him down - with his left. - - 18.――Slasher again popped his left at the body, but was hit down - with a counter-hit from Freeman’s left. Freeman fell on him, and - foul was claimed by Slasher’s party, but not acknowledged, as it - was obvious the fall was accidental. - - 19.――Slasher hit Freeman on the shoulder with his right, and in - return caught it left and right as he retreated. Slasher returned - to the charge with his right, and fell. - - 20.――A wild exchange of blows, but not effective, and the Slasher - slipped down in retreating. - - 21.――[Twenty-three minutes had now elapsed, no real damage done - on either side, and both as fresh as when they commenced.] The - Slasher popped in his left on the body, and stepped back; Freeman - after him, hit left and right, and the Slasher fell. - - 22.――Freeman delivered left and right; the Slasher was short in - his return, and again received two pops left and right, and fell. - - 23.――Freeman delivered left and right, and Slasher down. - - 24.――Freeman led off with his left. The Slasher popped in his - left on the mark and tried to drop, but Freeman caught him round - the neck and held him up some time, and then let him fall, - tumbling over him. (Another claim of foul not allowed.) - - 25.――Freeman popped in his right on Slasher’s left eye; the - Slasher countered on his shoulder, when Freeman caught him with - his left, and the Slasher was down. - - 26.――Freeman again planted his left; and, on Slasher rushing in, - caught him in his arms, held him for a second or two, and fell on - him. - - 27.――Freeman popped in his left, and dropped his man with his - right. - - 28.――The Slasher hit short with his left, and renewed the dodging - system, playing round his man. Freeman tried to nail him, but he - got away, hit out with his left at the body, and fell without a - return. [Another claim of foul for Freeman, not admitted.] - - 29.――Slasher hit at the body with his left and broke away, - Freeman after him, all for mischief, caught him on the hop, and - hit him down with his right. - - 30.――The Slasher delivered his right on Freeman’s shoulder, broke - away, and tried it with the left on the body, but was stopped. - Freeman let go left and right, but the Slasher ducked his nob, - escaped, and fell. - - 31.――The Slasher again in with his left on the ribs and away; - Freeman after him, caught him on the pimple, and he fell. - - 32.――The Slasher hit short left and right, and was hit down with - Freeman’s left. - - 33.――The Slasher pursued his left-handed game at the body, but, - in getting away, was hit down with a touch from Freeman’s left. - - 34.――The Slasher missed left and right, caught it left and right, - and was down. - - 35.――[It now became so dark that it was difficult to see what was - doing in the ring, and the spectators came closer to the ropes. - The partisans of the Slasher were extremely uproarious, and one - of them especially was constantly interfering with the umpires, - called “time” when it was not time, and was guilty of other most - offensive and unfair conduct.] The Slasher, as usual, led off - with his left at the body, but without effect, and in return was - hit down. - - 36.――The Slasher hit short with his left, and was hit down by a - counter from Freeman’s left as he was getting away. - - 37.――Slasher planted his favourite body blow with the left, but - without producing any visible effect; Freeman did not seem to - feel it, and he was again down. - - 38.――Trifling exchanges with the left, and the Slasher down. - - 39.――The Slasher rushed in to make another effort for the throw, - but Freeman again seized him in his powerful grasp, fibbed, and - fell with him, but not on him. - - 40, 41, 42, 43, 44.――Slasher down in every round, but apparently - no mischief done, and as far as the glimpse of light left would - permit, we could discover no distinct mark of punishment on - either man. - - 45.――The Slasher delivered his left at the body and fell, as if - from the force of his own blow. Freeman fell over him, but - evidently with a desire to avoid falling on him. [Another appeal - was made to the referee on the ground of the Slasher falling - without a blow, but the referee declared it was impossible to - form a correct opinion, and expressed a strong wish that the - fight should either be drawn or adjourned, but to this neither - party would accede.] - - 46, 47, and 48.――The Slasher down in each round, and Freeman - manfully avoiding falling on him. - - 49.――The Slasher in with his left on the body, but as he - attempted to retreat Freeman caught him in his arms, held him for - some time, occasionally chopping, and at last fell forward on - him, but too much over to produce any consequence. - - 50.――The Slasher showed some fatigue, but came up full of - confidence. He delivered his left at the body, but did not get - well home; Freeman caught him left and right, and he went down to - avoid further mementoes. - - To describe the remaining rounds would be an idle attempt, in - fact it became so dark that the men were only visible from the - light colour of their skins and drawers. The Slasher pursued his - dodging, getting away, and falling system, occasionally making - his left and right hits at the body and shoulder, and sometimes - appearing to recoil from the effects of his own blows, but - without producing any turn in his favour. Freeman hitting left - and right, and now and then seizing his man, lifting him up, and - flinging him down, but almost invariably avoiding falling on him; - in one instance actually making an arch over his carcase, his - head and legs on the ground, amidst the acclamations of the - throng. In the last few rounds there was an evident attempt to - draw Freeman into the Slasher’s corner, round which a desperate - set of ruffians had collected, who, by the most offensive - vociferations, endeavoured to intimidate and alarm him. He, - however, kept his temper, and came up every round cool and - collected, grumbling only at the Slasher not standing up to - fight. In the 69th round the Slasher exclaimed, “I’ve got you - now, old fellow!” but the words were scarcely out of his mouth - when Freeman hit him down with his left. The darkness, combined - with a fog, now became so intense that it was impossible to see - what was doing from one side of the ring to the other. The - referee declared his utter inability to form any judgment of the - character of the fight, and, unable to get both umpires to agree - on the expediency of putting an end to the battle, he jumped into - the ring, and, getting between the men, declared he would not - permit them to prolong the contest. At this moment both men were - fresh and vigorous, and each seemed disinclined to leave his - chance of victory in doubt, Slasher especially, who said he - considered he was robbed of the fight, while Freeman laughed, and - said, if they were permitted to proceed, the result would perhaps - prove he was mistaken. The referee was, however, peremptory, and - both men were taken from the ring after having fought _seventy - rounds_ in _one hour and twenty-four minutes_. They walked away - as fresh as when they began, with a mutual desire that they might - renew the combat the next day at twelve o’clock, at such place as - the referee might appoint, to which the latter assented, as there - did not appear to be anything in their appearance to justify a - further delay in the gratification of their desires. - - REMARKS.――It is much to be regretted that this curious encounter - was not brought to a more satisfactory conclusion, inasmuch as - the merits of the men still remain undecided; and so evenly had - their pretensions been balanced in the minds of their respective - friends that each party declares, had time and circumstances - permitted, their favourite must have been crowned with victory. - How far these conclusions may be well or ill founded we will not - pretend to say; but certainly we feel justified in giving to both - men an equal proportion of praise, so far at least as their game - qualities are concerned. It is true, we may be disposed to take - exception to the “getting down” system which was adopted by the - Slasher, but then it must be borne in mind he fought at fearful - odds both as regards weight and length, and could never hope - successfully to compete with such an antagonist unless by a - degree of caution and cunning, which with a man of his own inches - would have been unjustifiable and amounted to cowardice. There is - no doubt that occasionally his dropping after delivering his - blows had too much the appearance of being at variance with our - notion of “a fair stand-up fight;” but then the ground was - slippery, and he asserts that when he did fall it was from the - recoil of his own blows or from his being unable to keep his feet - in endeavouring to avoid the tremendous return which he had - sufficient reason to expect. That this was provoking to Freeman - we can well imagine; but, under all the circumstances, we do not - think it detracts from the game qualities of the Slasher, who - certainly came up from first to last undismayed, and with a manly - determination to win if he could. Of his scientific - qualifications we cannot say much. If he possessed any they were - reserved for a future occasion. He never attempted to stop the - blows which were showered on his canister, and throughout - confined himself to attempts to disable Freeman by body blows - from his left or round hits with his right. The former - occasionally reached their destination with sounding effect, but - we are inclined to believe they fell more frequently on Freeman’s - arm, which was dropped to catch them, than upon his more - vulnerable corpus. That some of them might have got home we are - inclined to believe, but it was clear they did not produce any - serious consequence, for on examining the Giant’s body - subsequently we were surprised to find so few symptoms of - forcible collision on his ribs, while we discovered sundry - bruises on his fore and upper arm, which showed these had been - exposed to heavy visitations, and no doubt stopped numerous kind - intentions which, had they reached their destination, would have - been far from agreeable. With the right the Slasher was - unsuccessful, as it generally fell on Freeman’s left shoulder, - and with the exception of the cut on the left eye, which gained - first blood in the sixth round, this weapon did not produce much - damage, for the only other punishment visible was a slight - scratch and swelling on the under lip, which was produced by the - upper cut in the fifteenth round. In his attempts to throw, the - Slasher had not the most remote chance of success, for when the - attempt was made Freeman lifted him completely off the ground and - threw him as he pleased, occasionally going down with him, from - overbalancing himself. Throughout the fight it struck us that the - Slasher showed no symptoms of distress, except after the struggle - in which he was suspended between heaven and earth for some time - in Freeman’s grasp, and was then thrown, Freeman falling on him. - With respect to Freeman, although a novice in the milling arena, - it must be admitted that throughout he showed great coolness and - presence of mind. He never lost his temper, and was only - indignant that the Slasher would not stand up to receive his - sledge-hammer compliments. It struck us, however, that with - immense power he wanted judgment in its application. His left and - right hits were straight and well directed, but he failed in - countering with his left, for had he let fly at the same moment - that the Slasher tried his left at the body, the consequences - would no doubt have been serious. He too frequently suffered the - Slasher to lead off and get away, so that in following, his blows - did not tell with half the effect. Of this there was sufficient - evidence in the little impression he made, there being no - material damage discernible on the Slasher’s countenance beyond a - slight cut on his left brow, and a few contusions which - afterwards produced discolouration――a black eye included. We - learn also that he received sundry raps on the head and neck, out - of sight, which required the aid of leeches to allay - inflammation. His left hand, too, was a good deal puffed. - Freeman’s left thumb was also injured, and from the force of one - blow was actually put out of joint; but the dislocation was - reduced, and little harm arose from this. There is no doubt that - many felt astonished, after witnessing so many apparently heavy - deliveries followed by instant prostration, that more decisive - consequences were not produced. It must be borne in mind, - however, that Freeman hit against a yielding object, which of - course offered little resistance, and fell from the slightest - concussion. Had the Slasher hit with him, or stood firmly on his - legs, the effect would have been different; and many of his hits - were rather shoves or pokes, instead of coming well from the - shoulder. The tumbling system of the Slasher cannot be pursued - with impunity, and if it be clearly shown that he falls without a - blow, there will be less hesitation in condemning him to defeat, - as he must now perfectly understand the distinction between - accident and design. - -The sports thus most unsatisfactorily concluded, and the excitement -which prevailed having subsided, those of the throng who remained to -the last――for a great number had already taken their departure――began -to speculate on the best mode of getting home. So intense was the -darkness that it was almost impossible to distinguish your best -friend, although close at your elbow; and the calls for Bill, Tom, and -Harry resounded in all directions, with unsatisfactory responses of -“Here; where are you?” and so forth. Then came inquiries as to the -best mode of reaching the station. Some by guess, who thought they had -marked the road they came, ventured to set out on their journey, and -were soon heard floundering in the ditches or swamps into which they -had wandered, and roaring lustily for relief. Others employed the -yokels as guides, and thus they went, in connected chains, pursuing -their devious paths. The Bishop of Bond Street, who had magnanimously -resigned his carriage to Freeman, was foremost among the unfortunates, -and went floundering on through mud and mire, but cheerfully -submitting to all manner of casualties, till he reached the -Sawbridgeworth station, where he was joined by hundreds of others, -some of whom had got into the canal, others into dreary swamps, and -all more or less miserable, but still happy in having escaped the -perils to which they had been exposed. Complaints were loud and -numerous; and verily some of our friends presented piteous specimens -of human misery, with pretty certain prospects of future suffering -from colds and other ills to which flesh is heir. A great number got -off by the six o’clock train, but many had to remain for that which -followed, and did not reach their destination till a late hour. There -were but few carriages on the battle-field, and these were with -difficulty piloted to the main road, and by that route either to the -Harlow station or to the Metropolis. The Slasher with difficulty -reached Sawbridgeworth, where he obtained requisite refreshment; and -Freeman, equally fortunate, got to the Harlow station, and in a room -of one of the attendants found “a good Samaritan,” who attended to all -his wants. He was in good spirits, and but little the worse for wear. -Caunt and Spring paid him every attention. The numerous assemblage -here, half famished, had to send half a mile for the means of -satisfying their appetites, and bread, cheese, and beer were in -anxious requisition; to these a lucky contribution of a Yorkshire ham -and sundry chickens, from the hamper of a swell drag, proved a most -acceptable addition for a party of “the select.” - -Before the departure of the train, the Slasher, accompanied by Johnny -Broome, arrived at the station, and the proposed renewal of the battle -on the ensuing day, at twelve o’clock, was discussed. Broome foresaw -the difficulty in which he would be placed to afford due information -of the whereabouts to some of the Slasher’s backers who had gone to -London, and who were more desirous than ever of witnessing the -termination of the contest. At his request, to which Spring did not -object, it was settled that a meeting should take place the next day -at four o’clock, at the house of the referee, to arrange this -important point. The Slasher was unusually bounceable, and asked -Spring if he was disposed to add a hundred to the stakes. A reply in -the affirmative was instantly given, but the challenge evaporated, and -nothing more was done. The arrival of the up-train put an end to -discussion. All were soon embarked, and away they were whisked to -Shoreditch. Freeman arrived at the “Castle” about half-past nine, -where an immense crowd greeted his return; and the Slasher, in the -same way, could scarcely obtain ingress to the domicile of Johnny -Broome of which he is, just now, the “Rising Sun.” - -The next day Spring attended, at the time appointed, at the place of -rendezvous, but Broome did not make his appearance till an hour after. -In the interim, with a view to give each man sufficient time to -resuscitate his energies, the referee appointed the following -Thursday, between twelve and one o’clock, for the renewal of the -combat; the “whereabouts” to be communicated to the backers of each in -time to enable them to reach their destination without inconvenience. -On the next morning both men went back to their training quarters to -prepare for the coming struggle. An earlier day could not have been -named without interfering with the arrangements for the mill between -Maley and M’Grath, which was fixed for the ensuing Tuesday between -London and Manchester. - -On Wednesday evening Freeman left London in company with Caunt, -Spring, and his trainer, and put up at “The Bull” at Royston, his -movements being kept a profound secret. Broome, for some reason, would -not take his man to Royston, but preferred travelling, with a few -friends only, by an early Eastern Counties train to Bishop Stortford, -and thence posting to Littlebury, Essex, the appointed place for -meeting, though it was privately arranged that Cambridgeshire should -be the _locus in quo_ the affair was to be finished off. That -quietness, and therefore secrecy, was pretty well observed, we may -note that on Wednesday night there were only eight strangers in -Royston, and five only in Littlebury, including Dick Curtis. The -Commissary, and his assistant, Broome, having given the “office” for -Bishop Stortford, a goodly number of the London division came down by -later trains, and the demand for drags, post-horses, or indeed -anything on wheels or four legs, became astonishing. Broome, Slasher, -and party arrived at Littlebury in a carriage with four posters in -more than good time. - -Meantime, Freeman and his friends remained quietly at Royston, and it -was not until Thursday morning that the Commissary received a -despatch, directing him to have the ring formed, before twelve -o’clock, at Triplow Heath, Cambridgeshire, on the spot where Bungaree -and Sambo Sutton last fought――eight miles from Littlebury and three -from Royston――where, it was added, Freeman would be present at that -hour. Word of these arrangements was to be sent to Broome. All this -was strictly attended to, and the ring was accordingly formed without -interruption. Thus all looked well; but just before twelve o’clock, up -rode Mr. Metcalf, a neighbouring magistrate, who by “some chance” had -got “a letter,” and who, quitting his “toast and ale,” thought it wise -to interfere. He at once said the fight must not take place on that -spot, and a courier was sent forward to apprise Freeman of the ominous -interruption. Freeman had come in sight of the ring at the moment, and -a general halt took place, a small cavalcade having been formed by a -few of the right sort, who had posted by way of Ware and Buntingford -to Royston, and a respectable troop of mounted yeomen. A consultation -immediately took place, and Haydon Grange, within two miles of the -spot, in the neighbouring county of Essex, over which Mr. Metcalf was -said to have no jurisdiction, was selected. Thither the materiel was -quickly transferred by the Commissary and his assistants, and by one -o’clock all was again “in apple-pie order” on the top of a hill, and -on a spot particularly eligible for the purpose. Care was taken to -provide for the due direction of the Littlebury divison, and a -gentleman provided with Spring’s stop-watch kindly remained on Triplow -Heath to note the time of the Slasher’s arrival, to prevent any -mistake as to the road he was to take. This gentleman remained till -after one o’clock, but no Slasher appeared, although all those who had -come by the same train trotted briskly forward to the new location. -Other scouts were left, but it was nearly two o’clock before any -tidings were heard of the absentee. The ring being perfect, all were -impatiently deploring the loss of time, during which the fight might -have been commenced, continued, and perhaps concluded. During this -unfortunate lapse offers were again made to take 2 to 1 there would be -“no fight,” and some who had passed Broome on the road reported that -he had declared he did not intend to be in the ring till two o’clock. -Spring claimed forfeit, on the plea that the Slasher was not at the -place first appointed between twelve and one, according to articles; -but the referee refused to admit this claim, on the ground that the -ropes and stakes had been removed, and Freeman had not thrown his -castor within them. Had it been otherwise he would have had no -hesitation in agreeing that the claim would have been well founded. At -last the agreeable intelligence was received that Broome had arrived, -and he entered the ring out of breath, asserting that he had been -detained for the want of post-horses, but that he was at Triplow Heath -at seven minutes before one――a statement which the gentleman who -remained on the Heath to meet him positively denied. He then said that -he had only been told the place of fighting on the morning before. -Still the Slasher did not appear; and two o’clock having arrived, -Spring said he would only give five minutes more, and should then -consider Freeman was entitled to the money if the Slasher did not -arrive. Within the time specified Slasher was brought slowly to the -field of battle, having, according to Broome’s account, taken from -seven minutes to one to five minutes after two to come very little -more than two miles. Cheerfulness succeeded wrangling, and all looked -well for the gratification of the throng, who had come far and near to -witness the battle. Umpires were chosen, privilege tickets -distributed, the ring effectually cleared out, and Freeman threw his -tile into the arena――an example which all anticipated the Slasher was -about to follow――when to the dismay of everybody, in marched Captain -Robinson, the superintendent of police, who had ridden a steeplechase -across the country, attended by an orderly. This authority -emphatically announced that he had warrants for the apprehension of -both men, and would not permit the peace to be broken, adding it was -not wise to attempt such amusements in a county in which the character -of the new police for vigilance was at stake; but worse than all, to -secure obedience to his behest, he called upon Tom Spring and Tom -Oliver, in the name of her most gracious Majesty, to assist him in the -discharge of his duty! This was indeed a settler; and to watch the -physiognomies of the two Toms on finding themselves thus suddenly -metamorphosed into constables would have given food for speculation to -the most astute student of Lavater. “Blow my dickey!” exclaimed the -Commissary, “so I’m to act as a special, am I?” “This bangs -Bannagher!” said Spring, looking as black with his right eye as if he -had knocked it against Caunt’s fist. Parley, however, was out of the -question, for Captain Robinson said his own reputation as well as his -appointment were at stake. A belief existing that Captain Robinson -would be content with preserving the peace of his own county, Essex, a -resolution was formed to try Cambridgeshire once more. “Bock agin, -Sandy,” was the cry; and away went the pioneers of the Ring through -the lower part of Royston, on the road towards Bedfordshire, where -fresh ground was sought. But a new beak was started from his lair on -the road, in the form of a Royston banker, who peremptorily said it -should be “no go.” Some disposition arose to question this gentleman’s -authority in Cambridgeshire; but all argument was at an end on the -arrival of Captain Robinson with his assistants. He plainly told the -assemblage that it was in vain for them to attempt getting the fight -off in Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, or Bedfordshire, for he -was empowered to act in all, and must stick by them till night if they -remained. This was conclusive. “To the right about,” was the word, and -away all returned to Royston. There was some talk of stopping all -night, to fight the first thing in the morning, to which the Slasher -said he was agreeable; but a gentle whisper having been given that if -the belligerents stopped longer in that neighbourhood the warrants -might be enforced against them, a general retreat was ordered, and -away the Cockney division scampered――Broome, with the Slasher, back to -Chesterford, from whence they had had their last relay of horses――and -Spring, Freeman, and friends, by Buntingford to London. All were too -late for the trains, and thus many remained on the road all night, -while others did not reach “the village” till a late hour. Again were -hundreds collected in front of Spring and Broome’s houses to know the -result, among whom conflicting accounts were afloat till the authentic -courier arrived and diffused fresh dissatisfaction. - -The chances, changes, and fortunes of this incongruous match were thus -sung in some contemporary verses, of sufficient merit to warrant their -preservation. - - THE UNFINISHED FIGHT OF THE AMERICAN GIANT - AND THE TIPTON SLASHER. - - Freeman, of giant frame! to thee a welcome warm we gave, - When wafted to the British shores across the Atlantic wave; - In harmony we saw thee move with gallant champion Caunt, - As muscular as Hercules, and tall as John of Gaunt. - - We hail’d thee of thy countrymen the model and the flower, - And modest was thy bearing, though possessed of giant power; - Against thee Slander never dar’d her poisoned tongue to wag, - And never was it thine to bounce, to bluster, or to brag. - - You came not to our land the gauntlet down to fling. - Here to no conquest you aspired within our battle ring, - But ready to come forward still at Friendship’s special call, - To take a fragrant pipe of weed and cordial cup withal. - - “But yet I love my native land, and scorn each action base, - And never _Craven_ act of mine a _Freeman_ shall disgrace; - Whoever dares me to the fight, by no proud threat’ning scar’d, - Will find me anxious still for peace, and yet for war prepared!” - - “By Heavens!” cried Johnny Broome, “my pink, tho’ nothing you’re - afraid of, - I have a Novice in the Ring who’ll try what stuff you’re made of; - Deposits shall be duly made, and matters go on snugly, - And there you’ll meet a customer as rum as he is ugly. - - “One who professes bull-dog game I to the scratch will bring, - Welcome to whom is punishment as flowers in early spring; - One who in contest fierce and long, ‘Enough!’ has never cried, - But rushes forward to his man, and will not be denied. - - “The same to him is Briton bold and Transatlantic foeman, - With courage at the sticking-place like ancient Greek or Roman; - Regardless still of body hits, or on the snout a smasher, - BILL PERRY is the trump I mean, the slaughtering Tipton Slasher!” - - “Bravo! bold Johnny,” Freeman cried, “then to your text be steady, - Fixed be the time, as well as place, and Freeman’s tin is ready; - Into condition get your friend as early as you can, - And trust me I will do my best to floor your Tipton man.” - - The heroes trained as fine as stars, with gallantry untam’d, - And in December’s dreary month the day of fight was nam’d; - “Who heeds,” the Slasher cried, “dark days, cold blast, or storm? - We’ll have sufficient work cut out to keep our systems warm. - - “Tho’ twixt the Giant and myself the difference is great, - I care not for his stature high, I care not for his weight, - Nor for his wondrous length of reach does Perry care a whit; - And where so huge a carcase shows, the easier ’tis to hit.” - - Thus to Big Caunt the Giant cried, “My friend, ’tis time to trot, - But bear me witness ere we start, this fight I courted not; - My manly foe, I do not doubt, possesses thorough game. - But if he falls ’tis he alone and Johnny Broome to blame. - - “Tho’ with your gallant countrymen peace was my only aim, - Boston, New York, and Washington my prowess can proclaim, - And never in my proud career white feather did I show; - Nor ever cut a friend in need, nor shrunk before a foe.” - - December sixth in darkness broke, the dawn was chill and damp, - And numerous Fancy toddlers betimes were on the tramp; - Corinthian swells and commoners made simultaneous rush - To Sawbridgeworth, in Hertfordshire, through muck, and mire, and - slush. - - But how the beaks in wrath proclaim’d, amid the motley race, - That no prize fight or milling match should then and there take - place; - And how the pugilists themselves looked very down and blank, - While the spectators made a move both retrograde and flank―― - - And how they managed after all to give the traps the slip, - And hastening back to Sawbridgeworth prepared at once to strip; - How seventy gallant rounds were fought ’till deepening shades - of night - With its extinguisher forbade the finish of the fight―― - - And how the assembled multitude with sundry rueful shrugs, - Homeward retraced their weary way with disappointed mugs; - And how in Despond’s dismal slough a lot of worthies fell―― - Next week the bard of “London Life” will accurately tell. - - But tho’ no victory was achieved by well intended thumps, - Both men have proved undoubted game, and turn’d out genuine trumps; - And all uninjur’d and unscath’d in Tuesday’s battle fray, - Slasher and Freeman both survive to fight another day. - -The referee having been called on to name the next time and place, the -parties interested met at his house the next day (Friday). The Slasher -was present, and expressed an anxious desire to have the fight over; -he declared he had no wish to evade the meeting, and was quite ready -to fight the following day (Saturday). To this Spring replied that as -the Commissary had not yet returned to London with the ropes and -stakes, and as his whereabouts might not be known in time, the -proposal would not be accepted. The Tipton objected to a long delay, -and as Bungaree the Australian and M’Ginty were to fight on the -following Tuesday, it was suggested that both couples should be “asked -out” at the same place and time. It was then found that the backers of -Bungaree and his opponent had selected a locality where it would be -most imprudent for such noticeable men as the Giant and Slasher to -show themselves without certainty of interruption. The Bungaree -division, however, proposed to alter their plans and effect an -amalgamation, by jointly hiring two steamboats for the conveyance of -the men and their friends to the field of battle――that the vessels -should leave London Bridge on the Tuesday morning at eight o’clock, -and proceeding down the river, pick up the “big’uns” at places -appointed; and that, with the view of securing the absence of -undesirable voyagers, two sets of tickets of contrasted colours should -be issued by Spring and Broome only, no person to be admitted on board -except those presenting the one for the downward the other the -homeward voyage. - -On the next day, Saturday, Freeman took a benefit, previously -announced, at the Westminster Road Baths, the immense area of the -“Mechanics’ Bath” being crowded to excess. That these affairs, of -which there was too much at this period, were profitable speculations -may be gathered from the fact that exclusive of free admission and -tickets sold elsewhere, £178 was taken at the doors, although the -performers were the humbler outsiders of the Ring, with the exception -of Freeman (who showed, but did not set to, in view of the impending -contest) and Caunt, whom Tom Spring kindly assisted by putting on the -gloves with him. Although Big Ben showed some improvement, his style, -as compared with the accomplished ex-champion of a long bygone day, -could not fail to awaken unpleasant comparisons in the minds of such -men as Mr. John Jackson, old Tom Cribb, and Thomas Belcher, all of -whom were recognised at this gathering Freeman, who stripped, had not -a bruise upon his body, and except a little swelling of the lip and an -injury of the right thumb, bore no marks of the recent encounter. - -On Tuesday, December 20th, 1842, at 8 a.m., we embarked on board the -“Father Thames” steamer at the Old Swan Pier, London Bridge, Freeman -having been put on board from a row-boat half an hour previously, -while the vessel lay in midstream, and privately ensconced in the -after-cabin, his immense stature being rightly considered as placing -him in great peril of arrest if exposed to the public gaze. At -Blackwall the Slasher came on board, looking rough and hardy in the -sou’wester and blue frieze of a river pilot. The other combatant -couple, M’Ginty the Scotchman, and Bungaree the Australian, had -quietly embarked at London Bridge. The company on board, about four -hundred in number, was truly representative of the Ring patrons of the -day. A Scotch marquis, two or three scions of the peerage, a -sprinkling of military men, a veteran “salt,” sundry hunting and -university men, doctors, barristers, with some sporting clubbists from -“the sweet shady side of Pall Mall” and the dingy smoking snuggery of -the now resplendent “Limmer’s,” formed the “upper-crust.” The Church, -of course, was not represented, unless we may enumerate the Right Rev. -the Bishop of Bond Street in that category. That facetious worthy was -indeed prominent, and, with the forethought gained by long experience, -had brought on board a capacious hamper, accompanied by a handsome -basket of white willow, which, to the delight of the Corinthians, who -formed “the excursionists” thus “personally conducted,” disclosed at -an after period a wealth of game-pie, pigeon-pie, chickens, ham, -tongue, salad, and the various comestibles for which Fortnum and Mason -are renowned. That the white willow basket was a worthy auxiliary of -the big hamper “goes without saying.” “Schnapps,” in several -square-shouldered and short-necked bottles and flasks, cognac, sherry, -and a battalion of silver and gold-necked champagne, came forth at -intervals in such succession as made us think that the Bishop had -really the supernatural gift boasted by Glendower, “I can call spirits -from the vasty deep,” and that “they do come when I do call them.” But -we are anticipating. The “old familiar faces” of Ned Painter, from -Norwich, Tom Spring, Peter Crawley, Oliver, and Burn were on deck, -together with Adams, Johnny Walker, Langham, Orme, Parker, Johnny -Broome and his brother Harry, Tom Maley, Jemmy Shaw, &c., &c.; while -the “sporting publican” division was represented by Owen Swift, Jem -Cross, Jack Gardiner, Jemmy Moore, “Stunning” Joe Banks, and a host of -“hosts.” On her downward course the “Father Thames” was followed by -several craft, and by the time she arrived at the Lower Hope Point, -about six miles below Gravesend, there was quite a “mosquito fleet” in -sight, not including a “tail” of Gravesend wherries which were -permitted to hang on to her stern tow-rope. - -When off Cliffe Marshes, the welcome sounds of “Ease her!” “Stop her!” -“Easy astarn!” sounded from the bridge. All on deck were in a bustle -of delight. The facetious Joe Banks, backed up by jolly Jem Burn, -having, with impressive gravity, informed a group of listeners, the -destination of the craft being as yet a secret, “that the swells below -had arranged with the captain for a trip to the coast of France, as -they were determined to have no more stoppages from beaks nor blues,” -the horrid rumour ran from stem to stern; and not a few were sorely -exercised in their minds as to how a limited knowledge of the French -language, and a slender exchequer, would serve them in a trip to the -Continent, much more bring them back again, should they miss the boat. -Great, then, was the laughter at those who were beginning to believe -in “the sell” when the paddles were backed, the chain-cable run out, -and the smartest of the boatmen hooked their craft on to ropes hanging -from the sponsons of the “Father Thames.” The ground was well chosen, -under the lee of a high ridge of the river bank, in a level -intersected by broad ditches, and approachable only by crossing a deep -drain, bridged by a couple of stout scaffold planks, at each end of -which was a cluster of ring-constables, who secured comparative safety -to the single file of pilgrims, many of whom carried folding-seats -from the steamer, forms, trestles, bundles of straw, baskets, and -other conveniences, to say nothing of two enterprising Israelitish -speculators, who, with dubious steps, staggered over the wooden -bridge, amid the cheers and laughter of the admiring crowd, carrying a -beer-barrel slung on a slight, springy pole. This bridge of Al Sirat -passed, and “the land of promise” reached, the cheerful groups -assembled round the outer rope, while the privilege-ticket holders, -press-men, and officials, seated themselves on the stools aforesaid, -or, with the best waterproof protection procurable, assumed recumbent -positions on the damp and springy morass. The outer circle was soon -after materially increased by a crowd of East Enders, conveyed by -sundry steam-tugs, which, at a very low tariff, conveyed the multitude -to the Kentish _Champ de Mars_. - -And now the doughty champions hove in sight from a hovel where they -had been ensconced. The American Ajax had for his armour-bearer Ben -Caunt, and for his page King Dick, who certainly, in this instance, -carried in his little noddle the larger portion of the scientific -knowledge of the trio. The Slasher loomed large, enveloped in a long -white frieze coat, his head surmounted by an Indian fur cap, with a -ferocious wild-cat mask as a vizor, which he wore upon his forehead -over his own hard, grinning physiognomy. Ben Terry and Harry Broome -were his henchmen. On stripping it was evident that Freeman had -increased in bulk by a stone and a half――18 stone 12 lbs. being the -result told by the weighing-chair that morning. His confidence, too, -seemed to have increased in a corresponding degree. The Slasher, on -stripping, looked thinner, and certainly paler than when he last -peeled in Cambridgeshire; but he had lost none of that careless, -“dare-devil” expression for which his countenance is remarkable. A -Scotch sportsman, and backer of M’Ginty, having accepted the onerous -and difficult position of referee, the first battle was brought to the -arbitrament of attack and defence. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――At thirteen minutes after twelve precisely - the men were conducted to the scratch, shook hands, and - threw themselves into position, the towering height and - great bulk of Freeman presenting the same fearful odds - we have before described. The Slasher dodged round his - man, waiting for an opening, but he found the Giant - ready to hit with him, and he had already felt the - weight of his feelers with sufficient force to have the - prudence of keeping at a distance. The Slasher tried - his left and right, but was out of distance. The Giant - followed him in his _pirouettes_, and at last, getting - closer, hit out left and right; the former passed over - the Slasher’s head, but the latter caught him slightly - on the nut, and the Slasher went down. - - 2.――The Slasher again cautious and _à la distance_. - Freeman followed his dodging manœuvres, and at last - rushed in to hit, but the Slasher in getting away fell - without being struck, and got up laughing. - - 3.――The Slasher got near to his man and let out with - his left at the nob, but did not get home. Trifling - exchanges with the left, the Slasher retreating, - Freeman at him left and right, just reaching him, when - the Slasher tumbled down. No mischief done. - - 4.――After renewed dodging the Slasher made himself up - for mischief, feinted once or twice, and then hit out - with his left. This brought the men to a rally, in - which favours were exchanged, and the Slasher catching - it on the nozzle showed first blood. After some wild - fighting, in which hits were exchanged, the Slasher was - down. - - 5.――Slasher cautious and getting away from the Giant; - he at last steadied himself, and counter-hits with the - left were exchanged. The Giant followed up his man to - the corner, but missed both left and right, and Slasher - got down. - - 6.――Counter-hits with the left, but no sting in them. - The Giant hit out well with his right, but the Slasher - dodged and got away. The Slasher was short with his - left and right, and again got away. He returned to the - charge, and caught Freeman slightly on the body with - his left. Freeman returned the compliment on the - temple, but it was more of a shove than a blow. Slasher - hit short with his left, ducked, and got away laughing. - The Giant steadied himself, waited for the attack, - stopped the Slasher’s left, and caught him a stinger on - the left ear with his right. The Slasher scrambled down - in a sort of rally. - - 7.――The Slasher planted his right on the Giant’s - shoulder, and got away; the Giant after him, and after - exchanging left and right out of distance, the Slasher - got down. - - 8.――Pretty exchanges left and right, and flesh marks - left. The Slasher tried at the body with his left, - stooped, and got away. The Giant pursued him, hitting - wildly left and right. He at last caught the Tipton in - his arms and chopped him on his head several times with - his right, but without administering any serious - punishment. The Slasher slipped down to avoid further - hitting. - - 9.――The Slasher tried his left, was short, and got - away. The Giant followed him as he dodged round the - ring, but his blows did not reach their destination. - After a wild scrambling rally the Slasher got down. - There was a want of precision in Freeman’s deliveries - which forbade the hope of execution. - - 10.――The Slasher dropped a heavy smack on the Giant’s - ivories with his left, which, coming in contact with - his teeth, inflicted a wound on his own finger, that - bled profusely. He tried it again, but was short, as - was the Giant in his attempt to return, and the Slasher - fell on his knees. - - 11.――The Giant’s mouth showed the effect of the blow in - the last round, his lips were swollen a little, and a - tinge of blood was perceptible. The Slasher led off - left and right; the former on the ribs, and the latter - on the shoulder, and rushing in after a struggle, went - down on his knees. - - 12.――The Slasher came up laughing, the Giant looking - serious; counter-hits with the left. The Slasher - dodged, and retreated towards the ropes; the Giant - followed him impetuously, and missed his one two. The - Slasher dropped, looked up, and laughed. - - 13.――The Slasher hit open handed, and retreated; he - then tried to drop his left on the Giant’s dial, but - his hand went over his shoulder; he then retreated, but - finding the Giant rushing in for mischief, he dropped. - [Cries of “foul,” but the umpires did not interfere.] - - 14.――The Slasher got home with his left, and dropped on - the Giant’s jaw. The Giant returned the compliment on - the cheek and ear, right and left, when the Slasher - went down. It scarcely could be called a knock-down - blow. - - 15.――The Slasher led off, and popped his left on the - Giant’s mouth. The Giant after him, and caught him - heavily with his right on the ear, which became - seriously swollen. A rally, in which there were some - heavy hits exchanged, and in the close the Slasher got - down. - - 16.――The Slasher, as usual, commenced hitting out left - and right, but did no execution, his blows being wide - of their mark. Freeman to him left and right, but the - deliveries were not effective. The Slasher down. - - 17.――Freeman popped a heavy smack with his right on the - Slasher’s neck. The Slasher, stung, rushed in wildly. - The Giant steadied himself, hit out well with his left, - and the Slasher dropped. - - 18.――The Slasher made play left and right, was short, - and went down. His second was observed rubbing his - neck, and there was a little of the _doldrum_ - appearance in his phis. - - 19.――The Slasher hit short and only reached Freeman’s - shoulder with his right. He then fought on the retreat - to the corner, where he got down. - - 20.――The Slasher showed symptoms of blowing. He led off - in his old wild way, evidently afraid of the return, - and on the Giant lunging out right and left, he went - down anyhow. - - 21.――Slasher short with his left, and caught it heavily - from the Giant’s right on the ear; trifling exchanges, - and the Slasher down. - - 22.――The Slasher again short in his deliveries. The - Giant nailed him left and right, but not with much - severity, then seized him in his arms and flung him - down, walking contemptuously to his corner. - - 23, 24, 25, and 26.――Scrambling work, and Slasher down - in every round. - - 27.――The injury to the Slasher’s left hand appeared to - increase, but in this and the two following rounds no - mischief was done, and he invariably dropped grinning. - - 28.――A wild blundering round, in which there was no - precision on either side――the Slasher slipped down, but - was up again and renewed the round. After a scrambling - rally, the Slasher again got down, and slipped - completely under the Giant’s fork, at whom he looked up - and grinned. - - 29.――The Slasher hit short left and right, and threw - himself down with a whop to avoid. Freeman laughed and - shook his head, seeming to consider that it was - intended to induce him to strike foul. - - 30.――The Slasher succeeded in planting a right-handed - chopper on the Giant’s pimple, and got away. The Giant - dashed after him, hitting left and right, and then - endeavoured to seize him, but the Slasher slipped away - and fell. - - 31, 32, 33, and 34.――The fighting wild and indecisive; - in the last round, the Giant hit the Slasher down; but - it struck us as rather a push than a blow. - - 35.――The Giant in left and right――the Slasher - retreated――the Giant after him, but it was no go――he - let fly right and left, and then went down. The ground - now became extremely slippery for both men. - - 36.――Freeman led off, but was short and wild, and did - not reach his man. Slasher popped in his right on the - Giant’s shoulder, and in getting away went down. - - 37 and last.――Freeman ready, when the Slasher rushed to - close quarters, struck him on the shoulder with his - right, but, on the Giant attempting to return, he went - down without a blow. - - A call was made by the seconds of Freeman on the - umpires, who disagreed, and on appealing to the referee - he pronounced “foul;” and, no doubt, had a similar - appeal been made to him before, he would have given a - like decision. - - The Giant was immediately proclaimed the winner, and - was taken out of the ring after fighting thirty-nine - minutes. - - The Slasher came up again “fresh as paint,” and - evidently but little injured by the contest. His left - ear alone showed serious marks of punishment; it was - much swollen and filled with coagulated blood. The - finger of his left hand was likewise cut; but the - contusions on his index were few and of trifling - consequence. He seemed anxious to renew the contest, - and denied that he had fallen purposely. The judgment - had been pronounced, however, and there was no - recalling it. - - Johnny Broome was evidently mortified, and offered to - put down a score for the Slasher to fight Ben Caunt, - “then and there.” Spring said such a proposition - savoured too much of passion and folly, but said Caunt - was prepared to fight the Slasher or any man in England - for from £100 to £500, and the money was always ready - at his house. - - REMARKS.――This was altogether an unsatisfactory - contest. The match was unequal, and the difference in - the size of the men, Freeman having already shown no - lack of personal bravery, left no room for speculation - on the issue. Everybody foresaw that the Giant must be - triumphant, notwithstanding he fought badly. In fact he - did not hit at points, and missed most of his - well-intentioned but ill-directed blows from the shifty - character of his opponent, as well as from his own wild - and uncertain mode of delivery. He hits round with his - right, as the Slasher’s ear testified, and his - left-handed deliveries are more like pokes than - punishing hits. That he is a game man we have no doubt, - but he is unwieldy, and possesses too much of “the milk - of human kindness” ever to become a “star” in the Ring, - even if his equal could be found. We are inclined to - think, however, that this will have been his last - appearance in the P.R., and should recommend him to - choose some more suitable occupation――although as a - sparrer, from his great size, he will always be an - object of curiosity. The Slasher is a mere rough, who - must be beaten by a well-scienced man. That he would - have shown to more advantage with a man of his own - pretensions and size we have no doubt; but with Freeman - he felt he could not hope to win, and therefore became - reckless and careless――seeking only how to escape those - visitations which, had he made a “fair stand-up fight,” - must have ended in more serious punishment. As it was, - both escaped with comparatively trifling injuries, and - remained to witness the subsequent fight. The - contusions on the Slasher’s ear were reduced by a - surgeon who was on board the steamer, and after a - little ablution he was himself again, repeating that - his going down without a blow was the effect of - accident, and not of design――an assertion the truth of - which few who saw the performance were disposed to - admit. - -The ring being cleared, and M’Ginty, the Scotchman, having defeated -Bungaree (John Gorrick), the Australian, after a game battle of one -hour and forty-seven minutes, the voyagers possessed of “return -tickets” re-embarked on “Father Thames;” οι πολλος [oi pollos] -betaking themselves to their tugs, row-boats, and ten toes, as -necessity might compel. Although it was dark ere the boat passed -Blackwall, all were safely landed by seven p.m. at “Old Swan,” highly -gratified with the good order preserved by the ring-constables, and -the perfect arrangements of the managers for this great day’s -“outing.” - -As a compliment and a help to Dick Curtis, who, on the Tuesday, -assiduously seconded both the Giant and Bungaree, his benefit was -fixed for the following Thursday, at the Westminster Baths, which were -crowded to excess by all classes, from the Corinthian to the -costermonger. The crowd assembled was scarcely less numerous than at -the Giant’s benefit, and the spirit in favour of boxing certainly more -apparent. We were gratified to recognise Mr. Jackson, Tom Cribb, Tom -Belcher, Tom Spring, Jem Burn, and most of the old originals. Freeman, -the Slasher, and Bungaree showed, but M’Ginty was _non inventus_. -Freeman and the Slasher scarcely displayed a scratch; but Bungaree -showed a few marks of _chasing_ and hammering on the mug, and his left -hand was in a sling, the sinews of the knuckle having been divided. -The setting-to was excellent and abundant, and included a long list of -talented exhibitors. Among others, Johnny Broome and Johnny Hannan -displayed great vigour and determination, and, after a matchless -exhibition of talent, it would be difficult to say which “bore the -bell.” Their exertions were rewarded by thunders of applause. Freeman -and Caunt also elicited the warmest approbation, the Giant sparring -with a freedom and ease that surprised many who were disinclined to -believe in his improvement. The appearance of Tom Spring with the -veteran Tom Belcher――who made his first appearance after a retirement -of fourteen years from the sparring-schools――produced an enthusiastic -sensation, and the set-to between these men afforded the greatest -satisfaction. Belcher, by the beauty of his position, and quickness -and neatness of his stops and hits, reminded us of what were indeed -the palmy days of the Ring. Spring had the advantage in length and -bulk of frame; still, the display was, upon the whole, a finished -specimen of the science of self-defence. King Dick and Owen Swift, the -retired champions of the light weights, wound up the sports, and were -most favourably received. - -Johnny Broome then mounted the stage, and announced that the Slasher -would take a benefit in the same popular arena on Monday, January 2, -at which Freeman and Caunt had kindly promised again to appear; and, -by way of opening the New Tear, the Slasher would then be prepared to -make a match with Caunt, at 13st. 4lb., for £100 a side. [This -proposition had been previously made to Caunt, but he had declined.] - -Tom Spring immediately mounted the stage, and said Johnny Broome well -knew his challenge would not be accepted, as it was impossible for -Caunt to reduce himself to the weight proposed. Caunt was ready to -fight Slasher or any man in England, from £100 to £500, “catch -weight;” but he (Tom Spring) knew too well the consequence of men -reducing themselves below the natural standard to sanction such a -proceeding. For himself, he could only say that he never fought 13st., -and never barred weight, country, or colour, for he was satisfied -13st. was weight enough for anything living who meant fighting. He had -stated Caunt’s terms, and if Slasher did not choose to accept them, -there was no harm done. - -Broome said he would not have made the proposition had not the Slasher -told him that Caunt himself made the offer. - -Thus ended this sensational burlesque on boxing. On the ensuing -Tuesday the “Castle” was crowded to excess, on the occasion of the -giving up of the stakes to the undoubted winner. Freeman, the Slasher, -Caunt, Johnny Broome, Bungaree, _cum multis aliis_, were present. The -Stakeholder, in rendering his due to the victor, observed that he -should refrain from offering any comments on the character of the -fight, but at the same time give Freeman every credit for his -unassuming conduct since his arrival in this country, as well as for -his strict observance in the ring of those principles of fair play -which formed the groundwork of the rules of British boxing. He had -never offered a challenge, but being challenged he could not with -honour decline the invitation, but at the same time he entered the -arena without the most remote hostility towards his opponent. He had -come to this country on a friendly speculation in conjunction with -Caunt, and he (the Stakeholder) believed the match had been made on -the part of the Slasher rather to try the value of the weight of metal -which Freeman carried when placed in competition with the old English -breed, than from any anticipation that so small a craft could compete -successfully with a vessel of such magnitude. The issue had shown that -“the Giant” was too much for “the pigmy,” but as the experiment had -been fairly tried, there was no ground for censure on either side. -After some further remarks on the necessity of union among -professional boxers themselves, a strict adherence to honesty and fair -play, and a due sense of the necessity of propriety in their general -demeanour, he handed the “flimsies” to Freeman. - -Freeman immediately rose, and dusting the cobwebs from the ceiling -with his “thatch,” expressed his deep sense of the kind and hospitable -manner in which he had been received in this country. He confessed he -touched English ground with different anticipations, but he was glad -of the opportunity of acknowledging that in England neither country -nor colour made any difference, and that all were alike sure of fair -play. He came in company with Caunt rather to see England than for any -other purpose, and being a little in the “glove fancy,” he thought he -might bring it to account to pay expenses. He never entertained the -idea of fighting, but being challenged, in justice to the United -States, of which he was a native, he felt that he could not do less -than stand by his flag when its character for courage was at stake. He -should have great pride when he returned to Yankeeland in expressing -his grateful feelings for the favours he had received, which were -those rather to be expected by a brother than a stranger.[19] - -An appeal was then made for the losing man, and a few pounds were -realised, for which the Slasher returned thanks by giving his pimple -an extra pull forwards. - -“The British and American Flags,” with an ardent hope that they might -never be unfurled but as the tokens of peace and union, was drunk with -enthusiasm, and this was followed by the healths of Tom Cribb, Tom -Spring, and Ben Caunt, the two past and present champions of England; -to which was added the health of Johnny Broome, who denied that the -imputations cast upon him of a disinclination to bring his man to “the -scratch” had any foundation. He said he was already £115 out of pocket -by the match, but that he believed the gentleman who had proposed the -match would not suffer him to be the loser. - -The year 1842 ended, and 1843 opened for the Slasher with a round of -“benefits” in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, &c., -organised and engineered by the clever Johnny Broome, who showed his -“golden belt” and intimated the immediate readiness of the Slasher to -meet Caunt on “fair” terms, which, however, were, when they came to -particulars, far from being “fair” in Big Ben’s estimation. A match -with Wm. Renwick, of Liverpool, to fight for £50 on the 22nd of -August, 1843, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, ended in a severe -disappointment, Renwick being arrested on the previous Saturday at his -training quarters, when the whole of the stakes were down. - -Perry lost no time in advertising his readiness for another customer, -barring neither weight, country, nor colour, and Tass Parker, of West -Bromwich, answered his cartel. Tass had just carried his fame to the -summit by his defeat of Brassey of Bradford, after a game and -scientific battle of 158 rounds, occupying two hours and fifty -minutes, in August, 1841, and subsequently receiving £70 forfeit from -Bendigo in June, 1842; the Nottingham champion being arrested at his -brother’s instance, which the suspicious did not fail to attribute to -Bendy “not fancying the job,” which was not the truth. Broome, who -certainly was “nuts” on this match, went straight ahead, and Tass’s -backers were equally fond, so that on Dec. 17th, the fight being fixed -for Tuesday, Dec. 19th, 1843, we find the coming battle thus announced -in _Bell’s Life_:―― - - “On Wednesday evening the ‘Rising Sun,’ in Air Street, was - crowded to an overflow by patrons of the milling school, - anxious to witness the completion of the stakes for the - match between these men, which was duly accomplished - according to articles. It was mutually agreed by the friends - of both to ‘sport a toe on the water,’ according to modern - usage, and the ‘Nymph’ Woolwich steamer has been chartered - for the occasion. She will leave her moorings off Hungerford - Market on Tuesday morning precisely at eight o’clock, drop - down to London Bridge, and from thence ruffle the stream to - Blackwall Pier, from whence she will make her final plunge - towards the Nore, and we heartily wish her a pleasant and - prosperous voyage. Tickets are on sale at Owen Swift’s, - Johnny Broome’s, and Tom Spring’s, and we recommend an early - application, as the number will necessarily be limited. Tass - Parker has arrived in town, looking so ‘full of bloom’ that - he has been backed at 6 to 4, and even 2 to 1. He certainly - is quite up to the mark, and books winning as a point - already gained. The Tipton Slasher has been finishing his - training at Stockbridge, under the watchful eye of Levi - Eckersley, who pronounces him right well, and fit for the - battle-field. We had heard that the Slasher had hurt his - right arm in setting-to with Harry Broome, at Bristol; but - of this we have no personal knowledge, and learn that the - blemish has been completely removed. Were it otherwise, we - should scarcely anticipate that Johnny Broome, who says he - has had to find almost all the money, would have gone on - with the match, and he certainly speaks with great - confidence. Parker has been visible at Owen Swift’s every - evening since Wednesday, and the Tipton Slasher will be at - Johnny Broome’s, Air Street, Piccadilly, to-morrow evening. - That Parker is a most accomplished fighter none will doubt, - but against this comes the rough and ready tact of the - Slasher, who combines courage with superior weight. All we - can hope is, that we shall have a fair and manly contest, - and that the best man may win.” - -How little these expectations were realised, and these good wishes -availed in the event, may be read in the tale we shall now briefly -deliver; for we consider that a detailed account of the shifty and -contemptible farce performed by Parker, which occupied more than two -columns of small print in _Bell’s Life_ of December 24, 1843, would be -mere waste of space in a work like the present. This is more -especially the case when we find that the second and adjourned fight -(which we shall give) was as wearisomely similar in character and -incidents to the first. - -Suffice it, then, to say, that the voyage per steamer was safely -carried out, and that the attendance of amateurs and professionals was -immense, notwithstanding the severity of the weather and the dreary -and inhospitable character of the Dartford Marshes, whereon the ring -was pitched. Peter Crawley having consented to preside as referee, the -performance began. In the opening rounds Parker displayed his superior -skill, both in getting on to his man and getting away; but the Tipton -had certainly greatly improved under the skilful mentorship of the -Broomes, and was no longer the mere hardy rough which many yet -considered him. He every now and then waited for, timed, and neatly -stopped his clever and crafty assailant, inflicting severe punishment -with his right upon Parker, who, finding he could not get near enough -to deliver without exposing himself to heavy returns, soon began to -fight shy. Indeed, round after round, after getting in a blow, Parker -resorted to the reprehensible dropping system, not only to avoid -hitting, but also to provoke and irritate his less skilful adversary -and thus tempt him to deliver a foul blow, or, at the worst, to bring -the fight to a “tie,” “draw,” or “wrangle.” In this way sixty-seven -rounds were fought, with no prospect of an approach to the decision of -the battle. At this period――one hour and thirty-four minutes having -been consumed――the Kentish constabulary made their appearance, and -stopped the tedious exhibition. The company, of necessity, -re-embarked, and the disappointed excursionists returned to the -Metropolis. - -At a meeting of the men and their backers, at Peter Crawley’s (the -referee’s), to arrange when and how their interrupted encounter should -be concluded, Johnny Broome, on the part of the Tipton, asked a -postponement for three months, and produced the following medical -certificate:―― - - “194, Blackfriars Road. Dec. 25, 1843. - - “This certifies that we reduced a fracture of the fore-arm - of William Perry on or about the 7th of November, and a - fracture of the lower jaw on the evening of the 19th of - December. These serious injuries will require a period of at - least three months before he can be in a situation to fight - again. - - “CHARLES AND JOHN BRADY, Surgeons.” - -Parker, after some protestation against so long a delay, was met by -Broome consenting to name that day ten weeks for the renewal of -hostilities. Parker insisting on eight weeks, Broome consented to -“split the difference,” and, finally, that day nine weeks was agreed -upon. - -The adjourned battle was fixed for Tuesday, the 27th of February, -1844. Peter Crawley, who had been referee on the first occasion, -declaring he had no further interest in the affair, left it to the -parties themselves to settle their future proceedings. This was done -by Jem Parker (Tass’s brother), on the part of his Birmingham backers, -and Johnny Broome, on behalf of the Slasher. It was decided to engage -a special train on the Brighton line (an experiment which had proved -successful on some recent occasions). The tickets, at 10s. 6d. each, -were secured under the guise of “an excursion;” the departure and -return being arranged with the manager, so as not to interfere with -the order and regularity of the traffic at the London Bridge terminus. - -In consequence of the damage received by both men in their previous -encounter, they were early sent into training, Tass Parker at -Finchley, the Slasher near Tring, and, in point of condition, no two -men could have been brought into better trim. - -The time appointed for departure was nine o’clock, and before that -hour the terminus-platform was crowded by persons of all classes, -among whom we distinguished many members of the “upper ten thousand,” -some of whom had travelled long distances to be witness of what they -hoped would be a fair and manly mill. All were soon seated, and at a -few minutes to ten the iron-horse puffed and panted his way out of the -station, and after a single draw-up of a few minutes at Croydon, for -the passing of a down train, disembarked its living freight at Horley -(about twenty-five miles from London) at a little before eleven. - -The excursionists, immediately on alighting, repaired to the “King’s -Arms” inn, and about half a mile thence, across Horley Common, the -Commissary obtained the use of a field, high and dry, and screened by -a dense belt of evergreen trees from the view of travellers by road or -by the Brighton line. The weather was delightful; but although there -had been a sharp frost during the night, the genial influence of the -sun had produced an unwelcome change in the roads and paths leading to -the field of action, and as all had to find their way to the “fixture” -upon their ten toes, the quagmire through which they had to wade, -however agreeable it might be in softness to their corns, was anything -but favourable to the polish on their trotter-cases, or pleasant to -those who happened not to have the good fortune to be well shod. These -little difficulties having been got over, the greatest good-humour -prevailed, and all waited anxiously for the appearance of the men. - -With a view to prevent the inconvenience of the slippery state of the -sward, a quantity of sawdust was obtained, which was liberally spread -at the corners chosen by the men for their resting places. For the -accommodation of the members of the inner ring there was an ample -supply of stools, benches, and trusses of straw; while a few waggons, -after the fashion of times gone by, afforded comfortable -standing-places for those who preferred the outer circle. The new plan -of one person disposing of the tickets of privilege was on this -occasion adopted by Tom Spring, who undertook subsequently to -distribute the proceeds amongst those men who assisted in preserving -order. The plan proved most effective, and it is but justice to state -that all those who paid for the privilege of the inner ring were most -pleasantly located, and were enabled to sit comfortably without the -usual incursion of the “Vandals,” a result productive of the highest -satisfaction. That the partisans of the men occasionally indulged in -chaff we will not deny; but this, however unseemly, did not lead to -any encroachment upon general good order, and in this respect the -expressions of approval were general. Spring, Caunt, Crawley, Jem -Burn, the Greeks (old and young), Barney Aaron, Young Reid, Bill -Jones, _cum multis aliis_, assisted in this desirable plan, and kept -the disorderlies in control. - -Shortly before one o’clock, everything being in readiness, the men -were brought to the field, Tass Parker attended by Fuller and Tom -Reidie, and the Slasher by Bob Castles and a Nottingham amateur. The -former sported a flag of blue, with a white spot, and the latter a -stone colour, with a pink spot. On entering the ring, they shook hands -with apparent good humour, and each retired to his corner to prepare. -Then came the important question, the selection of umpires and a -referee. With respect to the former no difficulty was felt, and an -amateur for the Slasher, and Jack Hannan for Parker, were named. The -choice of a referee, however, was not so easily adjusted, and nearly -an hour was wasted in discussing the merits of various persons named -by both parties, each on his own especial behalf objecting to those -offered by his opponent. On the part of Parker it seemed to be -determined to have only one of four persons, and to five or six named -by the Slasher, some of whom were persons of the highest -respectability, a decided objection was made. In this way time -progressively, but unprofitably, advanced, and the greatest impatience -was displayed. At length Johnny Broome, on behalf of the Slasher, said -he was willing that each should select a referee, and that those two -persons should decide by toss which was to act, but this met with as -firm an opposition as anything by which it had been preceded. Johnny -Broome then offered to adopt any gentleman who might be selected from -the surrounding crowd, unknown to either party, but to this there was -again a negative response, and still more time was lost, while the -patience of the throng was put to the severest test from their -inactivity and the chilling blast to which they were exposed. All this -time the men remained wrapped in blankets at their respective corners. -The Slasher now rose from his bottle-holder’s knee, and approaching -Parker, offered to fight without a referee, the fight to be protracted -until one or other gave in, but still the obstinacy of Parker’s -friends was not to be overcome. Finally, after the expiration of an -hour at least, the stakeholder, who was present, stepped into the -arena, urged on by the repeated expressions of discontent from the -surrounding multitude, and having recapitulated the various -propositions which had been made, declared that, unless Tass Parker -and his friends thought proper to agree either to toss for choice of -referee or to fight without one, he should feel it his duty to give up -the stakes to that man who was willing to abide by one or other of -these propositions. The backer of Tass Parker, finding that he had no -alternative, at last agreed that the men should fight without a -referee; a resolution for which the subsequent conduct of his -principal throughout the fight afforded a sufficient reason, for had -any fair and honest referee been in office, there is no doubt that he -must have lost the fight over and over again. The interference of the -stakeholder was hailed with universal approbation, and the men -forthwith proceeded to peel for action, while the “All out!” of the -Commissary and the ring-keepers sent the stragglers to their posts. - -The umpires having taken their seat close together, provided with a -time-telling chronometer, and all being removed from the immediate -vicinity of the ring――with the exception of one individual to take -charge of the water, and other refreshments of each combatant――Johnny -Broome for the Slasher, and Parker’s namesake for his _protége_ (a -most wholesome arrangement under the New Rules) business commenced. - -Nothing but the force of habit could have made us write the words “The -Fight” at the head of the extraordinary and disgraceful parody on a -stand-up battle which we are now about to describe. It is, however, -only proper to premise that the Slasher must be entirely exonerated -from any personal share in this discreditable libel on the already -falling P.R., and therefore “to put the saddle on the right horse,” we -proceed to our account of - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The men came up with their hands in good - position, and after manœuvring for a short time Parker - let fly his left, which was cleverly stopped. This led - to a rally, in which very trifling hits were exchanged - left and right, but as they were out of distance no - harm was done, with the exception of a slight - discolouration on the Slasher’s right cheek. Parker, in - getting away from the Slasher’s rush, fell on one knee. - - 2.――Parker again advanced bold as brass, looking all - over confident, while the Slasher was not less prepared - for action. After a few dodges, advancing and - retreating, Parker popped in his left on the Slasher’s - cheek. The Slasher fought wildly left and right, - missing some of his hits, but planting his right - heavily on the ribs under Parker’s left arm. Wild - exchanges, when, as Parker was slipping on his knees, - the Slasher caught his head under his arm, held it as - if in a vice, and hung on him till he fell tumbling on - him. The exchanges were trifling in their consequences, - and a little flush on the skin was the only indication - of punishment. - - 3.――Parker came up obviously undismayed by the result - of the last struggle, and apparently resolved to do his - best. He tried his left, which the Slasher neatly threw - aside with his right. The Slasher then advanced, - hitting left and right wildly, and Parker stepping back - to avoid execution. Trifling exchanges with the left. - Parker again away, and watching for an opening to - advance; dodging left and right, but no hitting. Parker - stole a march, popped his left in slightly on the - Slasher’s mouth, and broke away, the Slasher wildly - after him, hitting left and right, but Parker slipped - down on his knees and evaded receiving, thus commencing - his old system. On the Slasher being picked up, blood - was visible from his domino case, and this event was - declared in favour of Parker. - - 4.――Parker again prepared to lead off, advancing and - retreating, finding the Slasher ready to hit or stop. - At last he hit out with his left, which the Slasher - stopped, and then rushing in left and right he - administered a trifling upper cut with the latter. - Parker retired to his corner, the Slasher after him. - Parker, in ducking to avoid, slipped on his knees, but - was up again in an instant and popped in his left. The - Slasher hit out left and right without precision, and - after a wild, scrambling rally, without mischief, - Parker slipped down. - - 5.――Slasher first up to the scratch, waiting for the - attack. Parker dodged with his left once or twice, but - not within distance. At length he got closer to his - man, popped in his left on the Slasher’s jaw, who - countered slightly with the left, rushing after Parker, - who retreated to the corner, where he slipped down to - avoid, the Slasher dropping on his knees beside him. - - 6.――Both ready, but Parker afraid to approach his man. - The Slasher hit out left and right, but was out of - distance, and Parker broke away. Parker again dodging - for an opening, and on getting close up to the work, - left-handed counters were exchanged, but the - impressions were trifling. A wild rally, in which the - Slasher got a slap on the mug, and Parker a heavy hit - on the ribs from the Slasher’s right. A scrambling - exchange of hits left and right, when Parker slipped - down. The hitting was wild, and anything but effective. - - 7.――The Slasher’s mug somewhat flushed, but anything - but serious in its aspect. Parker feinted with his left - and popped in a pretty crack with his right on the - Slasher’s jaw, and then broke away. Dodging, but no - hitting. The Slasher hit out left and right, but was - short; Parker retreated to his corner; wild but - ineffective exchanges left and right, and Parker - dropped on his knees. - - 8.――Both at the scratch at the call of time. Parker - tried his left, but was stopped; advancing and - retreating. Parker endeavoured to steal a march, but - was unable to get home, and the Slasher retired - laughing. Parker again advanced, while the Slasher - retreated; neither would go near enough to get to work. - At last they got to a wild rally, missing their hits, - and Parker retreating. Having reached Parker’s corner, - the Slasher weaved left and right, but did not plant - his intended compliments. Parker slipped down, the - Slasher upon him. Parker’s right was puffed from the - effect of one of his flying nobbers. - - 9.――Offers, but no blows. The Slasher tried his right - at Parker’s nob, but was beautifully stopped, and - Parker broke away. Parker advanced ready to hit with - his left, when the Slasher rushed wildly to him, - weaving left and right, catching Parker on the left ear - with the latter. In the scramble which followed Parker - slipped down, the Slasher upon him. - - 10.――Parker’s ear flushed, and his nose following suit - in a slight degree. Parker advanced, but retreated the - next moment, and the Slasher went to him. On getting to - his corner there were slight exchanges with the left; - the Slasher hit over Parker’s head with his right, and - Parker dropped. - - 11.――Parker slow to the scratch, and on the Slasher - advancing he retreated to the ropes. A wild exchange of - hits with the left, when Parker again slipped down on - his knees. - - 12.――No mischief done as yet, although Parker’s flesh - under the arm indicated the visitations to which it had - been subject. Attempts left and right, in which both - missed their blows. Parker broke away, slipped on one - knee, but jumped up again. Wild exchanges, Slasher - trying his left and right. Parker, ducking to avoid the - Slasher, retreated, but again rushed to the charge, - weaving left and right, ultimately slipping on his - knees, amidst the cries of “cur.” - - 13.――No sooner at the scratch than the Slasher - advanced; Parker immediately retreated to the ropes, - the Slasher after him; the Slasher hit out right and - left, but Tass ducked under his arm, and escaped the - intended compliments. Parker dropped on one knee, but - again sprang up and caught the Slasher on the cheek - with his left. Slasher missed his left and right, and - Parker fell. - - 14.――Parker fought on the retreat: a wild scrambling - rally to the corner, and the Slasher slipped down. - - 15.――Parker advanced and retreated, the Slasher after - him, to his corner. Wild attempts at hitting left and - right on the part of the Slasher, but he was out of - distance, and missed. The Slasher then bored Parker - down on the ropes, himself falling over outside the - ring. - - 16.――Still no indications of serious mischief. The - Slasher desirous of going to work, Parker retreating. - The Slasher weaving left and right; an exchange of hits - with the latter, and the Slasher again popped in his - right on Parker’s ear, from whence blood was visible. - The Slasher closed, forced Parker down on his knees, - and fell on him. - - 17.――Parker on the retreat to his corner, the Slasher - after him. Exchanges with the left and right, Parker - getting prettily home with the former. A wild rally, - both missing their blows, when Parker dropped. - - 18.――Slasher the first to the scratch, and full of - fight; Parker retreated to his corner, the Slasher - after him. Slasher hit out left and right, but without - precision. Parker, on his guard, went down without - attempting to hit. - - 19.――The Slasher, as usual, the first to obey the call - of time. Parker tried his left, but was cleverly - stopped. The Slasher then rattled to him; Parker - evidently ready to drop, when the Slasher slipped and - fell. - - 20.――Parker hugging his corner, when the Slasher - rattled to him, but missed; wild hits left and right. - Parker popped in his left and broke away. Slasher again - to the charge, followed his man, caught him a heavy - whack with his right on the jaw, from the effects of - which Parker staggered and fell. The first knock-down - blow for the Slasher. - - 21.――Tass’s left stopped, and the Slasher rushed in - wildly left and right. In the exchanges the Slasher had - it on the mouth, but again planted his right on his - shifty opponent’s pimple, when he got down. - - 22.――The Slasher the favourite, and offers to back him - at evens. The Slasher first on his pins. Parker - retreated, the Tipton after him, hitting wildly left - and right, when Parker dropped, but jumped up, hit out - with his left, caught the Slasher slightly, and again - fell, amid exclamations of disgust. - - 23.――Parker slow from his corner, the Slasher to him, - when, after wild exchanges left and right, with no - execution, Tass went down. - - 24.――Parker came up evidently a dastard in spirit, and - upon the Slasher rushing to him he slipped down, amidst - the cries of “cur!” and “coward!” Blood was now flowing - freely from the knuckle of Parker’s left hand, which - had in some of the previous rounds come in contact with - the Slasher’s tooth. From this to the thirtieth round - Parker pursued the same cowardly game of making a show - as if he intended to fight, but the moment the Slasher - went to him to hit left and right purposely dropping, - and thereby avoiding the mischief which might be - effected. The Slasher was greatly incensed, turned - round as if appealing to the spectators, who shouted - “cur!” and “coward!” with stentorian voices. The - Slasher’s umpire repeatedly cried “foul,” and nothing - could have been more decidedly opposed to every rule of - fair play; but Hannan, Parker’s umpire, did not - respond. He was silent, but it was not difficult to - discover which way his feelings inclined. In the - thirtieth round Parker, after retreating to his corner, - endeavoured to get down to avoid one of the Slasher’s - wild rushes. The Slasher endeavoured to hold him up, - but in vain; down he went, and the Slasher dropped on - him with his knees. Parker’s backer immediately claimed - “foul” amidst the derision of all around him. It would - be an insult to the understandings of our readers if we - were to pursue our description of the 102 imaginary - rounds which followed, during which Parker went down - fifty times at least, the Slasher most forbearingly - avoiding all temptations to strike or even to fall on - him so as to afford pretence for a claim of “foul.” - More than once Tass threw up his feet so as almost to - kick at his man as he rolled or scrambled over him, - after missing his one, two. It was in vain that the - Slasher essayed to nail him left and right. He ducked - and tumbled whenever there was the slightest chance of - sustaining a hit, inducing universal marks of disgust - at his cowardice, and the words “cur” and “coward” - resounding from all quarters. - - In the fifty-seventh round the Slasher was lucky enough - to afford him another excuse for a fall, by giving him - a home slap from the left on the mouth, and laying him - prostrate, while he pointed at him with derision. The - real motive for refusing to agree to the appointment of - an impartial referee now admitted of no doubt. It had - been foreseen that such a man would have long before - this settled the point at issue by declaring the battle - won over and over again by the Slasher. But even the - absence of such a character did not serve the intended - purpose. Hannan, who acted as umpire, declared his - situation to be of a most unenviable description. He - looked appealingly to all around him, and, satisfied - that the conduct of Parker was at variance with every - principle of honour and fair play, he repeatedly sent - to warn him that if he persisted in the same atrocious - cowardice he must agree with the repeated claims of his - co-umpire, who in vain called for his honest and - impartial judgment. The poor fellow actually trembled - with vexation at the shouts of derision which were - directed towards his man, and at length, in the 126th - round, on Parker going down without the most remote - shadow of a blow, unless the wind of the Slasher’s fist - could deserve that character, he involuntarily - exclaimed, in conjunction with his co-partner, and in - accordance with the universal exclamations from every - quarter of the ring, “foul!” This conduct on the part - of Hannan elicited loud approbation, but in a moment he - was surrounded by a knot of the most outrageous - partisans of Parker, who threatened instant - annihilation if he dared to repeat his just opinion. It - was in vain we looked for the honest co-operation of - the real members of the Ring to drive these ruffians - from the arena――they ruled the roost with unblushing - impudence, and treated those who cried shame on their - conduct with insolence and contempt. At last a second - appeal was made to Hannan, but he was dumb, and nothing - but a renewal of the fight would satisfy his - assailants, and renewed the disgraceful scene was, but - with a perfect anticipation of what must be the - ultimate result. Many gentlemen, old and sincere - patrons of fair boxing matches, retired from the - discreditable exhibition. The backer of Tass Parker - asserted that he was so weak as to be incapable of - keeping his legs, while every person who had the power - of exercising the commonest judgment saw that when he - thought proper he could stand as firmly on his pins as - when he commenced. He had not, in fact, received a blow - which could have, in the slightest degree, impaired his - vigour, and were his heart in the right place, he was - just as capable of continuing operations as at the - commencement of the fight. Hannan having resumed his - seat, but pale as ashes, and shaking like an aspen - leaf, the farce was renewed, and for seven rounds more - Parker got up but to fall in the same dastardly manner - which had marked his career. In the 133rd round he made - a show of fighting, and exchanges left and right took - place. Parker then retreated towards the ropes, the - Slasher after him. When the Slasher was about to - commence his wild and indecisive deliveries left and - right, Parker, finding he could not get away, for the - last time dropped without a blow, and the shouts of - “cur” and “coward” were renewed with additional - indignation. This was too much for Hannan, and - incapable longer of stultifying himself and the Ring, - of which he had been, and is, a gallant member, he at - once agreed with the umpire on the other side that - Parker had fallen without a blow, and had thereby lost - the fight. Thus ended this libel on the “manly sports - of the Ring.” The roughs were taken by surprise, and - were incapable of stemming the torrent of general - indignation; but the weak and powerless Parker, in - order to justify the false opinion expressed by his - backer, jumped up with the vigour of a lion, and - rushing to the corner where Johnny Broome stood, having - possessed himself of the colours which had been tied - round the stakes, tore his own colours from his hand, - thereby proving that weakness was the least excuse - which could be offered for his poltroonery. Everybody - except the partisans of Parker was rejoiced at the - termination of this most contemptible display, and - heartily concurred in the propriety of Hannan’s - conduct. - -The battle, if it may be so called, admits of but few remarks. The -Slasher fought with a wildness and want of precision which enabled -Parker to protract the struggle almost indefinitely; for had he been -lucky enough to give him one or two stingers, his heart, which was not -bigger than a pea, would have forced him at once to shut up; but by -his contemptible shifting and dropping he escaped the visitation, and -thus owed the confirmation of his defeat to his own pusillanimity. It -is stated that the injury to Parker’s right hand early in the fight -had disabled that limb, and that he acted under an impression that as -there was no referee he had a right to protract the battle by any -device, till one or other was incapable of obeying the call of -time――that is to say, that every principle which renders boxing -praiseworthy should be abandoned, and its worse enemies gratified. In -other words, that he might exercise a treacherous strike and drop from -the return. Such an argument would not be recognised by the veriest -tyro in the P.R. The Slasher, also, complained of his right arm being -injured, from having come in contact with Parker’s nob early in the -contest, but he certainly brought it into use notwithstanding this -injury. - -All being over, the crowd returned to the train, stopping at the -“King’s Arms” to partake of such refreshment as that hostelrie -afforded, which, from long privation, became most acceptable. Parker -went through the farce of going to bed, but soon afterwards joined his -co-travellers in the train, and all were quickly wafted to the London -Bridge terminus once more, from whence they took their departure to -their respective quarters. The Slasher scarcely bore a mark of -punishment, and on arriving at Johnny Broome’s was hailed with general -acclamations. Some of Parker’s friends expressing doubts of his -qualities, he announced that he was ready to make a fresh match for -£200 a side with his opponent. - -On the following Wednesday the stakeholder, notwithstanding a notice -of action from Parker’s backers, gave up the stakes (£200) to Johnny -Broome, under a guarantee, and of course all bets went with the -battle-money. We shall pass over the cloud of correspondence, -challenges, and counter-challenges which ensued, to come to the -renewed match, which, after innumerable delays, was finally made in -the early months of 1846. - -On the 4th of August, 1846, Parker for the third and last time entered -the ring with “the Tipton,” assuring his somewhat sceptical friends -that he had “screwed his courage to the sticking place” and determined -to do or die. As the Slasher was now viewed by many as the “coming -champion” the final contest between him and his scientific but -soft-hearted opponent will be read with interest. - -Lindrick Common, Nottinghamshire, eight miles from Sheffield, was the -scene of action, the ropes and stakes being furnished by the -Manchester Commissary. The attendance of the “upper crust” was by no -means numerous, but there was a tidy sprinkling of Yorkshire sportsmen -of the north-country Fancy, and a perfect crowd of swarthy miners and -pitmen from the neighbouring districts as far as Chesterfield and -Derby. An excellent ring was formed, and, as the writer can testify, a -degree of order observed which might well shame the “roughs” nearer -home. At half-past eleven o’clock the men entered the ring, Reid, of -Sheffield, and Nobby Clarke waiting on the Slasher, Jem Parker and -Cottrell, of Birmingham, seconding Tass. The betting was tolerably -brisk at five to four on Parker, whose friends seemed to be in the -ascendant, and certainly better “breeched” than those from “the -Potteries.” After nearly an hour’s delay, owing to objections to -several parties named as referee――the representative of _Bell’s Life_ -positively declining――Squire Edison accepted the office amidst -acclamations, and the men faced each other for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The attitude of Parker, his left well up in a - line with his left foot, and his right fore-arm - slightly bent, and below the level of his left elbow, - was graceful and attractive; he stood firm, yet - springy, poised lightly on his forward foot, and was - equally prepared for advance or retreat. His condition - appeared first-rate, and his weight, 11st. 6lb., seemed - well distributed for activity and powerful effort; his - countenance was smiling and confident, and his age (33 - years) sat lightly upon him. His massive and ungainly - antagonist offered a striking contrast; brown, burly, - and, as Paddy would say, “big for his size,” he grinned - grotesquely at his slighter rival, nor was the oddity - of his mirthful mug by any means lessened by the fact - of his front railings having been displaced in bygone - battles. He, too, was hard, and had evidently been - brought, by severe training, into as good condition as - we have ever seen him on former occasions. From the - waist to the shoulders he was a model for a gladiator, - but we doubt if the artist or the sculptor would feel - inclined to copy his capital or his pedestals, inasmuch - as the first is, despite a comic expression of - good-humour, as odd a conglomeration of features as - Gillray or Cruikshank would desire to pencil; while the - latter more resemble the letter K than the parallel - supports which society has agreed to term symmetrical. - His weight was 13st. 4lb.; his age twenty-seven, having - been born in 1819, although the displacement of his - grinders gave him a more antique aspect. Little time - was lost in sparring, for the Slasher, his left - presented and his right kept close to the mark, walked - in upon his man, grinning mischief. Tass let go his - left, but was stopped rather neatly; he broke ground - and retreated, but the Slasher, working round, forced - him into his corner, where several sharp and rapid - exchanges took place, Parker twice popping in his left, - but ineffectively, and the Slasher countering, in one - instance with a heavy hit on Tass’s chest. After a - little manœuvring, the Tipton, resolved to force the - fighting, stepped gradually in, Tass retreating, and - endeavouring to plant his favourite job; it was no go; - taught by previous experience, the Tipton would not - make play until his opponent let loose, and then, with - more tact than we have hitherto seen him display, he - countered with his left, and bringing up his right, - caught Tass a sounder on the ribs. Toss leaped back, - but renewed the hitting merrily, getting down at close - quarters to avoid a return of the Tipton’s right. - - 2.――Tass, serious, looked as if measuring his work; the - Tipton grinning. Fast fighting for big’uns seemed the - order of the day. Tass got in on the Slasher’s mouth, - who followed him fiercely, screwing himself up for - mischief. Tass fought beautifully, but there seemed - little sting in his deliveries; there was some - excellent mutual stopping, which elicited applause, - especially for the Slasher, of whom it was least - expected. Tass again got in one on the Tipton’s chest, - who returned it with his right, and Tass went to earth, - half with his own consent. - - 3.――The Slasher came up on the grin, and walked into - his opponent without delay. Parker again fought well, - though both were over fast. Merry work, but little harm - done, till Tass sent his right, straight as an arrow, - on the Tipton’s left jaw, and down went his house, - Parker also falling from his own blow. An uproarious - chevy; first knock-down for Parker. - - 4.――Parker came up cautious, with an ugly cut over the - right eyebrow. First blood for the Slasher. A short - round; the Tipton again drove Tass before him to his - corner, where he got down to avoid. - - 5.――As before, the Slasher seemed to have made up his - mind there should be no idling; no sooner at the - scratch than he was at work. Tass popped at him, but - was short, and the Tipton missed his counter-hit. The - Slasher laughed, and tried it again, but was stopped. A - little rally at the ropes, and Parker, after an - exchange or two, dropped on his knees. - - 6.――Tass manœuvring, Tipton fighting, but not getting - home. Tipton’s seconds advised him to wait for Tass’s - play; he did so, and was rewarded by success. He met - Parker, as he jumped in, with the left, and bringing up - his right gave him a ribber that laid him on the earth, - half doubled up. - - 7.――Slasher too fast, his opponent too slow. A short - specimen of “You run away, and see if I don’t come - after you.” At length Tass popped in a blow on - Slasher’s shoulder, who closed. A brief struggle - followed; the Tipton got the crook with his crooked - leg, and threw Tass, falling with his broad base on his - antagonist’s victualling store. It was a burster (two - to one on the Slasher). - - 8.――A short bout of hitting, stopping, and feinting. - Tipton let fly, Tass slipped away and got down cunning. - - 9.――Slasher’s left neatly stopped, and Parker’s return - parried. Parker flared up for a moment, and got in one, - two, but produced no impression on his man, who went in - laughing. Tass tried to evade him, but the Slasher - closed; both down after a struggle, during which Tass’s - hand was seen across the Tipton man’s face, and a cry - of “foul” was raised. Some confusion; Slasher appealed - to the referee, charging Parker with the unmanly act of - biting him in a previous round, when he was in the act - of throwing him, and in this round of an attempt to - injure his eye. The referee ordered the men to proceed. - - 10.――Tass came up with a large black patch on his - sinister eyebrow, and his most prominent feature - somewhat damaged. Tipton eagerly after him, but Tass - was too shifty to be immediately had; he gave the - Slasher two pops; the latter, however, was with him, - and ultimately hit him down. - - 11.――Tass held his arms almost at full extent, and - manœuvred round his man; the Slasher, more cautious, - faced him steadily. At length the men got nearer, - exchanged blows, and Tass fell to finish the round. - - 12.――So soon as up the Tipton went in, but Tass - declined the compliment, and avoiding his one, two, - which were wasted on thin air, got down anyhow. - - 13.――Half a minute’s posturing. Tass plunged in with - his left, but was short; tried his right, but was - stopped. The Slasher got close, Tass was unable to hit - him off, and he delivered a half-arm pounder with his - right. Tass fell because this time he could not help - it. - - 14.――Tass played with his man; he seemed more than half - tired of his job. The Tipton leary, and not to be drawn - by feints. Slasher went in, and down tumbled Tass, - amidst shouts of disapprobation. - - 15.――Parker came up slowly; good stops on both sides; - Tipton, quitting the defensive, rattled in; Tass - rallied sharply, but in the end received an ugly - upper-cut on the dial, and fell. - - 16.――Tass somewhat disfigured, while the Tipton’s ugly - mug seemed altogether unaltered. After some slight - exchanges Tass dropped. - - 17.――Parker’s tactics seemed at fault; he sparred a few - seconds, but on the Slasher stepping in, found his way - to the ground rather equivocally. - - 18.――Tass flared up momentarily. He tried it on with - both hands in succession. Tipton cleverly foiled him; - indeed, Tass did not get near enough to his man to do - work. Tipton returned. The old game was played――Tass - selected his mother earth. - - 19.――Tass’s left again short; he was too fond of long - bowls. A close, and Tass got down as well as he could. - - 20.――Parker made play, and getting a little nearer, - dropped his bunch of fives on the Tipton’s mouth; tried - it again, but fell short, and got a left-handed nobber - in return that floored him neatly. - - 21.――Both Tass’s hands seemed to have lost their - cunning. His heart was not big enough to carry him in, - nor, when there by accident, to allow him to stand a - rally. He fought badly and out of distance, and at - length scrambled down to avoid the resolute charge of - the Slasher, who gave him a nasty one on the side of - the nut as he was on his journey to earth. - - 22.――Perry drove his man all across the ring. Some - pretty exchanges. Parker got home on Tipton’s dial, who - missed the return. A short, irregular rally. Tass again - got in once or twice, but they seemed mere taps. At - length the Slasher, who had been screwing himself up, - sent out his left straight as an arrow at his - opponent’s head. The concussion was like the kick of a - coach-horse, took effect at the base of Parker’s left - nostril, and he fell as if shot. “It’s all over,” was - the cry; and the Tipton remained for some time in the - middle of the ring to favour the company with a few - polka steps, for which his swing leg was peculiarly - adapted. - - 23 and last.――Tass, to the astonishment of all, came up - at the call of time, but it was evident the last hit - had been a settler and had sent his faculties all - abroad. Although he assumed an attitude, he stared - perplexedly at his opponent, and swerved from the - perpendicular as he broke ground. The Tipton surveyed - him a moment before he stepped forward, but no sooner - did Tass perceive his approach, than, either from - bewilderment or a faint heart, he fell forward on both - knees, and thence on his hands. The Slasher turned - appealingly to the umpires and referee, without having - even offered to strike. The case was clear; and amid - the shouts of the multitude the Slasher was greeted as - the conqueror. Time, twenty-seven minutes. - - REMARKS.――The Slasher fought better than we have seen - him on any previous occasion; his confidence and - condition――of which latter absurd rumours were - afloat――were on a par with his coolness and courage. To - the former he added tact in waiting for his opponent’s - delivery of a blow, and a skill in counter-hitting for - which we did not give him credit; this, added to his - physical superiority in weight and thews, left his - lighter and more active opponent almost without a - chance, and the contest was reduced to a mere question - of time, the ultimate result being scarcely within the - scope of doubt. Of the defeated man we can only say - that although he fought three or four rounds in a - spirited――nay, an almost desperate manner, his conduct - in the vast majority so much savoured of Falstaff’s - “better part of valour,” that his claim to the - character of a game man still remains unproven, while - his attribute of skill, so loudly vaunted by his - infatuated admirers, has suffered considerably by this - exhibition; this, however, may partly be owing to the - improvement in his antagonist’s tactics which, by - frustrating his earlier efforts, so disheartened him - that he never showed to less advantage. The question of - superiority can no longer be mooted; Tass’s quickness - and skill have lost their striking advantage, while the - Slasher’s strength and pluck, on this occasion seconded - by a respectable amount of science, have by no means - fallen off. Tass’s friends attribute his defeat to his - having had two ribs broken in the seventh round, from - the Slasher falling heavily on him, and he certainly - remained under the surgeon’s hands, who confirmed the - aforesaid fracture. - -After the above battle, the Tipton Slasher issued a challenge to Caunt -to fight for £100 a side; this Caunt declined to do, and staked £500 -in the hands of the editor of _Bell’s Life_, declaring, at the same -time, his willingness to fight the Slasher for £500, but for no -smaller sum. Much angry correspondence passed between them, which is -utterly unworthy of preservation; and in the latter part of 1846 -Johnny Broome presented a belt to the Slasher, whereon Caunt lowered -his terms to £200, with a stipulation that if that condition was not -accepted within a month, his retirement from the Ring was absolute. -This, however, was not suitable to Broome and Co., though the Slasher -was ready and willing.[20] - -We may hear note, retrospectively, that in December, 1844, yet another -“big ’un” had made his _debut_ in the P.R., who, in a future chapter, -will figure among the numerous candidates for the much-wrangled -Championship. This was Tom Paddock, who, in the month of December, -beat Elijah Parsons, at Sutton Coldfield. Following this, he twice -defeated Nobby Clarke, a chicken-hearted but scientific 12-stone man, -in January, 1846, and in April, 1847. Paddock’s next venture was with -the renowned Bendigo, with whom he lost the battle by a foul blow, -June 5, 1850. - -In September, 1849, the Tipton, having forfeited to Con Parker, on -account of ill-health, was challenged thereafter by Tom Paddock, soon -after the latter had lost what many thought to be a winning fight with -Bendigo. In this affair, by some shuffling on the part of Perry’s -money-finders, a curious “draw” was manipulated, neither of the -parties being ready to go on at the fourth deposit, on August 22nd, -1850, taking back their stakes by mutual consent. The Slasher, finding -other and more reliable friends, renewed the articles, and on December -17th, 1850, the rivals at last came together, face to face, in the -ring. The Tipton trained for this encounter under Levi Eckersley, near -Liverpool, while Paddock had his advice and exercise with Bob Fuller -and Jem Turner, than whom two better trainers did not exist. - -On the Monday previous, the Slasher arrived at Tom Spring’s, and -Paddock set up his rest at Jem Burn’s, where they were surrounded by -admiring coteries. The betting was 6 to 4 on the Slasher, whose -superior weight and experience gave him that advantage in the odds. - -All requisite arrangements for the meeting had been undertaken by -Spring and Burn, and after sundry cogitations they decided on an -excursion-train on the South Western Railway. Half-past nine on -Tuesday morning was the time named for departure, and long before that -hour arrived, the platform at Waterloo displayed a goodly muster of -folks “wot love a mill,” including many old stagers, “swells,” and -patrons of all degrees. The professors were also numerous in their -attendance, and included twenty men who had been selected to preserve -order. We could not but remark, however, the absence of that quaint -fun and humour which, in the days of Josh Hudson, Jack Scroggins, -Young Dutch Sam, and Frosty-faced Fogo, flung an air of good-humoured -frolic on such assemblages, affording scenes for the pencil of George -Cruikshank, and food for the pen-and-ink sketches of the -Ring-historians of the day. To the question “Whither are we bound?” no -response was given. The captain started with sealed orders, and had a -sort of roving commission as to the place at which he should cast -anchor. Suffice it to say, the pace was first-rate and there was but -one stoppage till Bishopstoke was reached. The men were in separate -carriages, and there was a wide contrast in their bearing, Paddock -being all mercurial and double jolly, and the Slasher as solid and -steady as Cardinal Wiseman on a fast-day. - -It was intended to turn off on the Salisbury line and bring up at -Dean, on the borders of Wilts. The Hampshire police, however, were on -the alert, with an assurance that the Wiltshire folks were equally -wide-awake, and determined to spoil sport. Information to this extent -was quickly conveyed to the managers, and, after a short consultation, -“bock agen” was the order of the day. Various places were mentioned as -likely to afford a quiet and welcome reception, and the first attempt -was made between Andover and Winchfield, but no sooner was the ring -pitched than the Hampshire blues once more hove in sight, and the -jaded travellers had again to enter the carriages. Thus was time -wasted, and the hour of three arrived before the caravan again got -under way. It was then agreed to go to Woking Common, and many bets -were offered that the contest would not come off that day. A strong -desire, however, was expressed that it should be settled, and about -half-past three a stoppage was made between a couple of high -embankments, which, on being scaled, exposed to view a remote corner -of Woking Common. The land of promise thus reached, the office was -given, for the last time, to disembark. A site for a ring was quickly -discovered, and although not a very desirable spot, still, it was the -only one to be had, and no time was lost in forming the magic square. -A limited outer ring was also formed, and tickets, at 5s. each, -distributed to those who sought the privilege of a close proximity to -the scene of action, the produce being afterwards equally divided -among the ringkeepers. It was now four o’clock, and the day fast -waning; in fact, it was difficult to distinguish the faces of persons -from one side of the ring to the other; but a clear moon hung out its -lamp, and promised a continuance of light. All being in readiness, -Paddock flung his castor into the ring, following it himself amidst -loud cheers. He was attended by Jack Hannan and Bob Fuller. The -Slasher, who was not long after him, was waited on by Nobby Clarke and -Jem Molyneux. Paddock looked fresh, laughing, and apparently -confident; while the Slasher was cool, quiet, and smiling. After a -great deal of difficulty as to the selection of a referee, both -parties agreed upon Ned Donnelly. Jem Burn addressed this functionary -on the part of Paddock, and said all he wanted was a fair and manly -fight, and that there should be no captious objections to any -accidental occurrence. He wished the merits of the men might be fairly -tested, and only desired that the best man might win. The men now -prepared for action, and at thirty minutes past four, the rising moon -looking modest from the east, and the last rays of the setting sun -painting the western horizon, the gladiators appeared at the scratch, -and commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The men having chosen their corners, fortune - enabled the Slasher to place his back to the rising - moon, so that his toothless mug was in shade. His - herculean frame was, however, sufficiently visible, and - his easy confidence and quiet deportment increased the - confidence of his friends, and led all who scanned his - proportions to consider him perfectly competent to hit - down a hippopotamus; or, like the Greek boxer of old, - floor a cantankerous bull, even without the assistance - of the cestus. Paddock, although when opposed to - Bendigo he appeared of the burly breed, loomed small in - contrast with the Slasher. The disparity in their size - was obvious, and as he jumped about seeking an opening, - a veteran ring-goer exclaimed, “It’s any odds against - the young’un, he’s got his master before him now.” In - fact, the very style of holding up his hands, and the - yokel-like feints (completely out of distance) with - which he commenced, showed he was puzzled how to begin - the job he had so confidently undertaken; presently he - determined to chance it, and jumped in. Fortune favours - the bold, and he gave the Slasher a clout on the - jaw-bone with his left, the Tipton hitting in return on - his shoulder or breast, and driving him back. The - Slasher stepped in; Paddock retreated before him to his - corner, hitting up again, but the Tipton stopped him. A - smart exchange took place, and Paddock slipped down to - get out of mischief. - - 2.――Paddock began by trying his left twice, and barely - reaching the Slasher, who dealt him a body blow with - the right. Some heavy hits in weaving style, and a - half-round body blow or two followed, the sound rather - than the effect of the hitting being perceptible. The - Tipton closed with Paddock, who struggled for a moment, - and was then thrown on his back, the Tipton lending him - thirteen stone additional to hasten his fall. - - 3.――Two to one on the Tipton. The Slasher missed - Paddock two or three times, owing to his active, - jumping away; still he steadily pursued him. Paddock - tried both hands, but had the worst of the exchanges; - still there was no harm done. Paddock made a lunge with - the right, but Tipton met him a smasher, and hit him - down, almost falling over him. First knock-down for the - Slasher. - - 4.――It was now stated that Paddock had dislocated his - shoulder; it was no doubt injured, but not out of - joint. He tried his left in a flurried manner, but the - Tipton feinted with the left, drove him back, and - Paddock fell to avoid. - - 5.――The Tipton went to work quickly, but steadily; he - caught Paddock on the body with the right, and on the - left cheek heavily with the left, as he was jumping - round, and down went Paddock among the bottles in his - own corner. - - 6.――Tipton gave Paddock no rest or time for reflection, - but pelted away. Paddock skipped about, and escaped - against the ropes; from his corner, hit up, catching - the Tipton on the side of the neck slightly, and - dropped on one knee. The Tipton might have given him a - finisher, but did not avail himself of the chance, - threw up his hands and walked away. - - 7.――Paddock hit Tipton sharply with the left on the - forehead as he came in. Tipton missed his right, but - caught Paddock a nasty “polthogue” on the nob as he was - going back. Paddock fell on the ropes but was not down. - The Tipton dropped his hands and came away from him, - disdaining to hit him in that position. “Bravo, - Tipton!” - - 8.――As before; Tipton making the play and forcing his - man, who could not make head against the attack, and - jumped about like “a parched pea.” Paddock fell at - Tipton’s feet, who, the friends of Paddock declared, - tried to tread on him, and appealed accordingly. It was - a “forlorn hope,” and the referee said “he saw nothing - foul.” - - 9.――Paddock jumped up as usual, just reaching Tipton’s - chin, for which he was punished with a sounding ribber. - Tipton stepped in, and down dropped Master Paddock. - - 10.――Exchanges, but no effects visible, except a little - blood from Paddock’s cheek. First blood for Tipton. The - Tipton hit out right and left, and caught the Redditch - man on the nob and body, who staggered half-way across - the ring, and fell. - - 11.――Tipton once again on Paddock’s body. Paddock fell - in the bustle without a hit. - - 12.――Paddock shifting and retreating. A slight - exchange, and Paddock fell to avoid. - - 13.――Tipton forced Paddock into his corner, but before - he could do any mischief Paddock fell. A claim of - “foul,” but not acknowledged. - - 14.――Tipton just touched Paddock with his left, who - kept slipping back. Tipton followed him, and he - dropped. Another appeal that Paddock fell without a - blow, but the Tipton party waived the objection. - - 15.――Paddock hit the Tipton, then slipped half down, - jumped up again, and resumed the fight. Tipton went to - work, and hit him down in the short rally. - - 16, 17, 18, and 19.――As like each other as peas. - Slasher made at Paddock, who wouldn’t stand his charge, - and fell to avoid. Appeals. “We don’t want to win by a - foul,” said the Tiptonians. - - 20.――Paddock’s right arm hung as if disabled, but he - brought it into play when action commenced. The Tipton - drove him to the ropes, and hit him down. - - 21.――Paddock, in jumping away, caught his right heel - against the centre stake, and stumbled down, but jumped - up again. Seeing Tipton close on to him, however, he - dropped on to his knees. - - 22.――As the moon got higher, the light improved. The - Tipton, in bustling Paddock, got a body hit, which he - retorted with a heavy right-hander on Paddock’s - smelling organ, and down he went quite bothered. - - 23.――Paddock came up with his face painted carmine - colour, and was no sooner at the scratch than he was - down. Another appeal. - - 24.――Wild exchanges. Paddock on the shift. The Tipton - gave Paddock a topper on the head, high up, when he - fell, and Tipton over him. - - 25.――A slight rally in Paddock’s corner. Paddock rushed - at Tipton, who made an awkward step back. Paddock - pushed rather than struck at him with the left, and - forced the Tipton over. (Cheers for Paddock.) - - 26.――It was all U.P. Tipton went in with both hands, - and Paddock fell without a blow. Appeal repeated. - - 27 and last.――The odds were the Great Glass-case of ’51 - against a cucumber-frame. The Tipton gave Master - Paddock a pelt on the head, and began punching at him - among his bottles and traps at the corner stake. - Paddock dropped, and the Tipton, fearing to give a - chance away, was about to return to his own corner, as - he had several times done when up jumped the Redditch - man, and rushing at the Slasher, lent him such a dig - just at the back of the left ear, with his right, that - down tumbled Tipton, half with astonishment, half with - the blow, and, as Paddy would say, “the third half of - him fell just because it was not used to stand - upright.” A more palpable “foul” was never seen. The - spectators jumped from their seats, and all sorts of - people got into the ring. The Tipton walked towards the - referee for his decision, and that functionary - pronounced it “foul;” and so ended the great little - fight for the Championship, in forty-two minutes, the - dial showing twelve minutes after five. - - REMARKS.――A Scotch proverb declares―― - - “It’s muckle cry, and little woo, - As the de’il said, when he clipt the soo;” - - and this exhibition was certainly a complete - “pig-shearing” excursion. The Slasher was not only in - splendid condition, but his method of fighting, long - arms, and great experience, made it no match. True, he - was not to blame that it was so bad a fight, for as one - man can take a horse to water, but twenty can’t make - him drink, so let a man be ever so willing to make a - merry mill of it, he can’t do so, if his opponent won’t - have it. As to Paddock, he was so manifestly - over-matched, and over-rated, that he had not the - shadow of a chance; and the rush that proved perilous - to Bendigo――old, stale, under 12 stone, and a practiser - of retreating tactics――was not only useless against the - bulky, firm-standing Slasher, but was certain - destruction to the assailant, from the Tipton’s tact at - countering, his superior strength, and immense weight. - In fact, it was “a horse to a hen” on all points. - -The return to the carriages was as speedy as circumstances and awkward -clayey drains and ditches would permit, but all were safely seated, -the agreeable whistle of departure sounded, and the whole party -delivered at the Nine Elms terminus by six o’clock; the Slasher, merry -as a grig, and loudly cheered, while Paddock complained of severe -injury to his shoulder, which, if serious, was certainly aggravated by -his last effort to do unlawful execution. The Tipton was received at -the “Castle” with a flourish of “See the conquering hero comes!” while -Paddock quietly returned to the “Queen’s Head,” where he received -surgical attendance; and it was officially reported that he “had -injured the bone of his shoulder, and that a sling must be worn as a -safeguard against the consequences of moving the joint.” - -Once more the Slasher laid claim to the Championship, and requested -that Bendigo would, “according to agreement (?)” hand over the belt -which he had so long held, or, if he declined doing so, the Tipton -“would be proud to give him the chance of retaining it, by meeting him -for any sum he might like to name.” The Tipton further announced his -readiness “to make a match with any man in the world from £200 to £500 -a side.” - -A fortnight after the _annonce_, a letter appeared from Bendigo, -stating that he would fight for £500 a side, but so far as the belt -was concerned, it had been presented to him as a gift or testimonial, -and was his own property. This vaunt was quickly replied to by the -Tipton, who at once sent £50 to the Editor of _Bell’s Life_, “to make -a match on Bendy’s own terms,” whereupon the latter backed out, and -never after appeared as a candidate for fistic honours. - -Finding that high prices would not command the market, the Tipton -issued another challenge to fight any man for £100 or £200, but for -several months this lay unaccepted. At length, at the latter end of -May, 1851, his former patron and backer, Johnny Broome, appeared in -print, accepting the Slasher’s gage on the part of “an unknown;” -Johnny’s favourite mode of exciting public curiosity in matchmaking. -Spring,[21] on this occasion, acted as Perry’s best friend, and -declared his readiness to “go on” upon the name of “the unknown” being -declared. What was the surprise of the “knowing ones” when Johnny -declared his brother Harry to be the “veiled prophet,” on whose future -championship he would wager £200, while Harry, who was present, -stepped smilingly forward and modestly declared his candidature. The -Tipton “grinned horribly a ghastly smile,” and could hardly be -persuaded as he “saw Young Harry with his beaver up,” gallantly and -coolly affirming his readiness to second his brother’s words by deeds. -The Tipton, as Michaelmas day (September 29) was named as “no -quarter-day,” at once went into training at Hoylake, in Cheshire, -under the care of Jem Wharton and Jem Ward. How they met, and how the -Slasher lost the fight, without a scratch, by his own clumsy -precipitancy, must be read in the Life and Career of Harry Broome, in -a future chapter of this volume. - -Broome, on the giving up of the stakes, professing his readiness to -maintain his title against all comers, accepted the offer of the -Tipton to settle the _vexata quæstio_ by another meeting, and articles -were drawn up, and deposits to the amount of £25 made good, when Harry -forfeited, on the plea that he had a match on (it came to nothing) -with Aaron Jones, and had also accepted an engagement with Paddock. -Curiously enough, the Slasher, who now dubbed himself “Champion,” -afterwards signed articles with both these men, who both forfeited to -him; Aaron Jones to the tune of £70, in July, 1856, and Paddock (whom -he had formerly beaten), to the amount of £80, in October following. - -Perry, who had been twenty-one years before the public, now became a -publican and vendor of eatables and drinkables in a canvas caravansery -at races, fairs, and all sorts of rural gatherings in the Black -Country. - -All this time the star of a 10st. 10lb. champion had been rapidly -rising on the pugilistic world. Tom Sayers, having polished off the -middle-weights, had been playing havoc among the “big ’un’s;” in 1856 -defeating Harry Poulson (who had once beaten Paddock), and, in 1857, -Aaron Jones fell beneath his conquering arm. - -Six years had elapsed when “The Old Tipton,” as he was now popularly -designated, was dared to the field by this new David. Right cheerfully -did the old “Philistine man of might”――for the Tipton never lacked -personal courage――respond to the “little ’un’s” crow. How the -oft-repeated error of “trusting the issue of battle to waning age,” -was again exemplified on the 16th of June, 1857, at the Isle of Grain, -when the once formidable Slasher was conquered in the contest for £400 -and the Champion’s belt by the marvellous little miller, Tom Sayers, -may be read by those who are curious in minute details, in the life of -that phenomenal pugilist, in Chapter XI. of this volume. This was the -closing scene of the Tipton’s long and chequered career. He retired, -defeated but not dishonoured, to his native county and early -associates. In his latter days the Tipton is said to have never -refused “a drink for the good of the house,” said house being his own -special “tap.” Death finally overtook him, rather suddenly, at his -home, near Wolverhampton, on January 18, 1881, in his sixty-first -year. - - - [19] From this period Freeman returned to his theatrical and - professional circus exhibitions, in which his gigantic size - attracted the popular wonderment. He was a careless, - good-natured fellow; and it was stated by the medical - officers of Winchester Hospital, where the emaciated giant - died of consumption on the 18th of October, 1845, that he - had within him the fatal seeds of pulmonary disease from his - first period of manhood. His end was of necessity - accelerated by repeated colds, caught in the light attire of - fleshings and spangles, in which he exhibited in draughty - canvas erections, and crowded theatres and booths. This last - remark is drawn from us by a senseless paragraph, in which a - Hampshire penny-a-liner endeavoured to “improve the - occasion” by suggesting that the early death of the - good-natured, soft-headed acrobat was due to the dreadful - injuries “he must necessarily have received in his terrible - combat with the formidable bruiser known as the Tipton - Slasher――injuries which from the tremendous stature of the - combatants, must have been beyond ordinary calculation.” To - this it may fairly be replied that the few fatal results on - record from battles between big men is actually - phenomenal――Andrew M’Kay (June, 1830) and Simon Byrne (May, - 1833) being the only two on record; the others resulting - from contests between middle or light weights, and several - of these regrettable fatalities being proved by subsequent - surgical examination to have resulted from accident, - excitement, or apoplexy, induced by violent exertion. - - [20] Not to complicate this confusion of “claimants” for the - belt, we may here state that while Caunt, Bendigo, the - Deaf’un, and the Tipton were playing duettos, trios, and - quartettes, as leading performers in the discordant overture - to the farce of “Who’s the Champion?” there was no lack of - accompanying instrumentalists, each blowing his own trumpet - of defiance, and thumping the big drum of “benefit” bounce. - At the end of 1845, Caunt introduced a new candidate in the - person of a formidable black, standing a trifle over six - feet, and weighing hard upon 13st., who, rather curiously, - dubbed himself William Perry! This mysterious “darkey” - displayed such remarkable talent with the gloves, and was, - in many respects, a man of such superior address and - conversation, that he might well have been expected to turn - out more than a second Molyneux. As, however, the proof of - all pudding, whether black or white, is in the eating, an - opponent was sought for the American importation. Bill - Burton, of Leicester, a much smaller man, standing five feet - nine, and weighing 11st. 10lb., was selected. Burton’s - credentials were good; he had defeated Angelo, of Windsor, - in May, 1845――a game contest of seventy-four rounds――and had - been previously victor in many unrecorded affairs. The - meeting took place on the 20th January, 1846. The Black more - than justified the anticipations of his backers. He defeated - Burton with the greatest ease in fifteen rounds, the - Leicester man’s friends humanely throwing up the sponge at - the end of twenty-four minutes of a hopeless, one-sided - contest. This was the first and last appearance of the - so-called William Perry in the English P.R. He proved to be - connected with a gang of forgers of American bank-notes, and - having been previously imprisoned more than once, he was now - transported to the Antipodes, being provided with passage to - Australia at Government expense, where, it would appear, he - became a ticket-of-leave man, as he is recorded as having - defeated Hough, the “Champion of Australia,” at Cumming’s - Point, Sydney, in December, 1849. In the last-named year - (1849) another “big ’un” came out, but quietly went in - again. This was Con (Cornelius) Parker, standing six feet, - and weighing 12st. 10lb.; his first victory was over Jem - Bailey (Irish), in the Essex Marshes, February 13th, 1849. - He then received forfeit from the Tipton in the same year; - but, on November 26th, also in 1849, he had his - “championship” pretensions ignominiously snuffed out at - Frimley, in Surrey, by Tass Parker, who somewhat retrieved - the disgrace of his double defeat by the Tipton, by - triumphantly thrashing Mister Con, who ended the battle by a - “foul.” Con then emigrated to America, where he died rather - suddenly, on the 2nd December, 1854, at Buffalo, U.S. Soon - after Tass took the money for this victory, his friends - injudiciously claimed for him the title of “Champion,” but - Tass wisely declined, in a letter, such a prominent - position. - - [21] Spring, after a short illness, died on August 20th, - 1851, while this match was in progress. (See vol. ii. - chapter 1.) - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -NICHOLAS (NICK) WARD. - -1835-1841. - - -The claim of Nick Ward to a chapter in a History of the Ring is, -though certainly slender, of a twofold character. In the first place, -as another and more recently fallen warrior was described as “the -nephew of his uncle,” so Nick Ward may be signalised as “the brother -of Jem;” the second, and more cogent, reason is the high flight of his -ambition, and the consequent eminence of his adversaries, he having -beaten Deaf Burke, and, by a fluke, won a fight for the Championship -with the modern “Big Ben.” These things premised, we proceed to a -brief sketch of his quasi-pugilistic performances. - -Nick Ward was born on an ominous day, the 1st of April, in the year -1811, in St. George’s-in-the-East, London; and on February 24th, 1835, -having previously acquired a reputation in the sparring-schools of the -Metropolis, he stripped at Moulsey Hurst, to face John Lockyer, of -Cranbrook, a yokel bruiser of about 12st., whose only scored victory -was a win with one Bridger, of Maidstone, in February, 1833. Jack -Lockyer (named “Harry,” in _Fistiana_, under WARD) was a mere -chopping-block in the skilful hands of Nick, his longer-reached and -more artistic antagonist; and being “satisfied” at the end of 18 -rounds, gave no criterion by which to judge of Young Nick’s game or -endurance. It was pretty evident, however, that his brother and -friends were not much taken with this initiative display of his -qualities, for the next match looked out for Master Nick was with a -11st. man, Jem Wharton (afterwards celebrated as “Young Molyneaux,” -and “the Morocco Prince”[22]) for £15 a side. The deposits were made -good, and the day, May 12th, 1835, fixed Nick Ward’s backer having won -the toss for choice of place (within thirty miles of London) named the -well-known Moulsey Hurst as the _champ clos_ of combat. - -On the appointed Tuesday, the patrons of the fistic art were on the -_qui vive_ to witness the tourney between “the brother of the -Champion” and the aspiring “Young Molyneaux”――a worthy, albeit a -miniature, counterpart of the dusky gladiator of the same name, who, -in times gone by, twice fell beneath the all-conquering arm of Cribb, -as may be read by those who are curious in the first volume of this -work. - -Nick went into training at Norwood, putting up at the “Rose and -Crown,” our old friend Ned Neale’s hostelrie, and, as we thought, -making himself rather more of a public character in the neighbourhood -than was either prudent or desirable. Nevertheless, all looked, thus -far, promising. Of betting there was little or none; for such was the -confidence in favour of Ward, that three to one was offered, but no -takers――a circumstance attributable to his superiority in science, -length, and weight (for he weighed 12st. 10lb., while the Black was -more than a stone under that standard, as well as being much shorter). -It was still thought there would be excellent sport afforded, and -there were those who, although not disposed to risk their rhino, yet -entertained “a shrewd suspicion” that the Black would win. The -necessary preparations were made for conveying the men to the scene of -action on Tuesday morning; but, unluckily, on the evening before a -“stopper” was placed upon Ward, who was apprehended (on the authority -of a warrant issued by the magistrates at Union Hall), and taken -before Mr. Ellyard, a local magistrate at Norwood, by whom he was held -to bail to keep the peace towards all his Majesty’s subjects in -general, and the Black Prince in particular. The unpleasant -intelligence was soon conveyed to town, and produced no small panic in -the minds of those to whose knowledge it came; but a vast number -remained in ignorance of the fact till the next day, when too late to -save them the expense and trouble of a long trot. The road to Hampton -on Tuesday presented the customary bustle, and it was not till the -throng congregated in hundreds in view of the Hurst, that the rumours -with which they were assailed on the road were confirmed. Great -indignation was, of course, expressed, and various speculations were -afloat as to the author of the mischief; some attributing the step to -Jem Burn or his party, and others to the malice of some secret enemy -of the sports of the Ring. There was, however, no help for it, and as -it was found that orders were also given to prevent “any breach of the -peace” on Moulsey Hurst, it was resolved to seek consolation in a -minor mill, which was yet to the good, in a meadow about two miles -from Hampton, whither the ropes and stakes were conveyed, followed by -a countless succession of go-carts, and vehicles of a more -aristocratic description, which joined in the motley cavalcade. - -This “little go” we may note in a parenthesis. It was between Evans -(nicknamed “the Pumpborer”), and an aspirant who contented himself -with the title of “Jack January’s brother.” These “obscurities” having -punished each other for seventy minutes, Evans was hailed the victor. - -We ought to state that Wharton was driven on to the ground in style, -looking bright as “Day and Martin’s Japan,” and jauntily tossed his -hat into the ring, his “soul in arms and eager for the fray.” This -was, however, a mere matter of form, as “magisterial interference” -having placed his antagonist out of harm’s way, no forfeit could be -claimed. The mischance, of course, excited much speculation among the -disappointed, as to the author of the interruption, some attributing -it to the friends of the Black, and others to the partisans of Ward; -while a third party laid the blame, and not without fair ground of -suspicion, to some dog in the manger, who, disliking the sports of the -Ring himself, determined to deprive others of a pleasure in which he -did not choose to participate. There was nothing in the character of -the match to warrant a belief that the backers of either man had a -sufficient motive for declining the contest. The stakes were trifling, -and made up by subscription, so that the loss in this way could not -have been worth consideration. The expenses of training had already -been incurred, handkerchiefs bought, and vehicles to take the men to -the ground engaged. Both men were in first-rate condition, and both, -notwithstanding the disparity in their size, equally confident, and -more especially Wharton, who booked winning, and nothing else; and -then, as to the betting, there were no bets made which could have -influenced any of the contracting parties to contrive a “draw.” The -real cause of the fiasco, which was never clearly made out, may be -surmised, when read by the knowledge acquired by subsequent events; -and, without much damage to young Nick’s reputation, we may conclude -that he had “no stomach for the fight,” and was secretly glad that the -affair had a bloodless termination by “magisterial interference,” and -his being formally bound over, for a whole twelvemonth, “to keep the -peace towards all her Majesty’s subjects.” - -From this time (May, 1835), Nick merely exhibited with the gloves, in -“brother Jem’s” saloon, or at other “assaults of arms,” for benefits, -&c., though his name appears as “challenged by Burke, Hampson, -Brassey, Fisher, Bailey, and other “big ’uns.” - -On the 24th May, 1836, Bendigo beat Brassey at Sheffield, and three -days afterwards, on Friday, the 27th, Jem Ward, Brother Nick, Jem -Burn, Bendy, and an aristocratic assemblage of “swells,” were at -Tottenham, where, at a private farm, there was some “cocking.” The -facetious Sambo Sutton, too, was among the company; and as a sequel to -the sports of the pit, at a merry meeting at mine host Harry -Milbourne’s, there was some lively chaff about the late “black job;” -the said chaff being specially promoted by Jem Burn, who was retorted -upon (he being the patron of “Young Molyneaux,” and now of the -eccentric “Sambo”) as a dealer in sable specimens of humanity. Some -reflections on Nick’s pluck being of a very “pale complexion,” led to -an offer to match him against Burn’s latest “new black,” and on Massa -Sambo enthusiastically declaring how delighted he would be “jest to -hab a roun’ or two,” Nick “screwed his courage to the sticking-place,” -and a “purse” being at once subscribed, “a field near Finchley” was -offered by a sporting gentleman present, and off the whole party -started. At this time Sambo was only known, beyond some sparring -capabilities, to be a merry mountebank of the original Ethiopian -order, and is described in a contemporary paper as having “a head like -a cow-cabbage, a mouth laughing all across his face, and possesing an -extraordinary faculty of standing upon his flat head, with his flatter -feet flourishing in the air, dancing and singing for an hour together, -and varying the fun by drinking miscellaneous liquors in that -uncomfortable position.” To these accomplishments, says the writer, -“he adds great bodily strength, long arms, and such a gluttonous -appetite for ‘towelling’ that nobody can give him enough with the -gloves.” The affair was really got up as an experiment to try Nick’s -mettle, and such was the consequence drawn from his “blood and -breeding,” that two and three to one on him were offered, but no -takers. - -The fight did not take place until seven in the evening, when the real -P.C. ropes and stakes were got down from town, and pitched in an -excellent spot, hidden from the North Road, Finchley, by a rising -ground. Jack Adams and Fitzmaurice waited on Ward, Byng Stocks and -Jack Clarke on Sambo. - -For the first ten rounds Nick took the lead in good style, nobbing his -man neatly, stopping his attempts at returning, and gaining first -blood in the third round. Sambo also made some very clever stops, and -now and then got home a sort of swinger on Nick’s ribs; nevertheless, -he was down anyhow at the end of each round. Still, he rolled about -like an india-rubber tombola, and when he did get in a “little ’un” -the “big ’un” seemed to jump away, and fight very shy till he could -himself “get on” again. Ward came up, once or twice, “blowing” in a -manner that did not indicate first-rate condition. In the eleventh -round, Sambo being pretty considerably cut about the head, Adams -called on Nick to “go in and finish him;” Nick tried to obey orders. -He caught the Nigger a slashing hit on the head, which Sambo took -kindly, merely shaking it; and, darting in, he drew Ward’s cork from -his smelling-bottle so suddenly that a gush of claret followed; Nick -made an involuntary backward step, and Sambo bustled him down. The -“clerks of St. Nicholas” looked blank. - -Ward came up slowly for round 12, when Sambo went in furiously. Ward -met him a hot ’un on the nob; but the darkey would not be denied, and -in a wild sort of rally Sambo caught Master Nick such an awful chop on -the smeller, as they were both going down, that Ward was under, by his -own consent, and the tap again copiously turned on. This was enough. -Nick declared he would “have no more of it.” Remonstrance was useless: -“he would fight no longer,” and the sponge was thrown up. Sambo, -shaking his head like a black and red rag-mop, cut a “break-down” -caper, and sang a song of triumph which defied the art of stenography, -while Ward hurried off, amidst the laughter and cheering of the -assembly, like a “trundle-tailed cur,” declaring, “it was no use, he -was not cut out for a fighting man!” an assertion, in the words of the -old song, “Which nobody can deny, deny, Which nobody can deny.” - -After this public manifestation that whatever “devil” there may be in -“Old Nick” his young namesake was endowed with none of that fiery -quality, “the Champion’s brother” confined himself to “attitude,” the -horse-hair pads, and, in the words of pugilistic M.C.’s., to “walking -round and showing his muscle.” Meantime the “cow-cabbage hero” kept -continually challenging him to another bout “in the reg’lar ring,” -while starring it on sparring tours at Cambridge, Oxford, and -elsewhere――for Sambo was an immense favourite among the “’Varsity -men.” At last the smoke kindled into a flame, and out came Nick, with -a declaration that he would “no longer stand this black buffoon’s -bounce.” Articles were accordingly signed, a match made for £50 a -side, and the stakes deposited in the hands of old Tom Cribb. Tuesday, -the 27th March, 1838, was named as the day, half-way between -Birmingham and London as the place of battle; for though the deposits -were made in town it was not a metropolitan match. Nick Ward’s money -was found by brother Jem and certain Liverpool supporters; while the -funds for Sambo were readily raised, principally by some Oxford -friends. Ward went into training at Crosby, near Liverpool, under the -immediate eye of his brother and Peter Taylor. Sambo did his -breathings and gymnastics at a village near Oxford city. Both men were -reported to be in tip-top condition, and eager for the fray――Nick to -refurbish his tarnished reputation, and rub off the stain of -pusillanimity, and Sambo, as he said, “’cos him like to hab anoder -slap at Massa Ward, him so clebber at get away――but p’raps not dis -time;” and he shook his woolly nob like a black Burleigh. It was the -desire of the London division that, under the shadow of the untoward -result of the encounter between Owen Swift and Brighton Bill (March -13th, 1838), a postponement of the meeting should take place; but time -would not permit, in those days of slow communication, to have a -conference on the subject, so matters took their course. Ward, having -won the toss, named Bicester, in Oxfordshire (the recent scene of the -defeat of Byng Stocks, of Westminster, by Hammer Lane, of Birmingham), -a town distinguished for the jovial character and sporting -propensities of its inhabitants. Thither were the ropes and stakes -sent. The Commissary being laid up with the gout, and unable to -accompany them, Jack Clarke was deputed to officiate, he being on the -spot, and acting as trainer to Massa Sambo. As we feel best satisfied -when we write from personal observation, we may note that on Monday -afternoon we found ourselves comfortably seated in a room at the -“King’s Arms,” Bicester, a house distinguished for solid customers, -and them boasting a host of high sporting quality. There was no bustle -in the town, which at that time was quiet as a Quakers’ meeting; none -of the “old familiar faces” were visible. The London Fancy――and we -think they were right――had determined that all matches should be -postponed for a certain period. Hence, not a single familiar phiz -graced the scene. It is true the town was enlivened by the presence of -Sir Henry Peyton, with his spicy four-in-hand, and there, too, was -Lord Chetwynd, on his cover-hack; but we could not help thinking, as -his lordship gave us a sly nod of recognition, that there was a -curious expression in his jolly face, as he made us aware that there -had been “magisterial business” at the Town Hall, as a sort of reason -_why_ we saw him there. This was soon confirmed by a sporting friend, -whom we fearlessly set down as that _lusus naturæ_, “an honest -lawyer.” He told us, with regret, that “the Philistines were abroad,” -and that the Home Office, urged on by the twaddle of “My Grandmother” -(the _Morning Herald_), and the goody-goody papers, with the awful -denunciations of the supineness or complicity of the magistracy of -Cambridgeshire and Herts in the melancholy affair of Swift and Phelps, -had sent down warnings and counsels for extra vigilance to the police -and magistracy of Oxford and Bucks. That “all this was sooth” we had -afterwards reason to find. Sambo, we learned, had been at Lainton, -about two miles from the town, but, as a measure of precaution, he was -moved from a public to a private house, and in the domicile of an -honest yeoman met with that kindly hospitality by which this class of -our countrymen was characterised. Here he was thought perfectly safe, -and all that was now wanting was the arrival of Jem Ward, or some -emissary from him, to agree upon some less dangerous point of meeting. -It was understood that Ward had been advised to stop short of -Bicester, but it was fully expected that he would appear at -head-quarters to settle upon preliminaries. Every avenue was watched, -yet up to nine o’clock no tidings of him were heard, and although the -country was scoured over a circuit of three-and-twenty miles, after -nine o’clock, in search of him, and every village visited, his -presence could not be discovered, for the best of all reasons, that he -had stopped short at Banbury, and did not come forward till the -morning, nor send any person forward to announce his proximity. This -was more than mortifying, for it was soon seen that the magistrates of -Buckinghamshire became more active, and a constable was despatched by -the venerable and amatory Sir John Chetwood, with a warrant for the -apprehension of Sambo, which was backed by an Oxfordshire magistrate. -The constable thus entrusted was more than usually active in his -vocation, and endeavoured, by every means in his power, to ferret out -his sable prey: an activity, no doubt, very praiseworthy, but which -led him into an adventure far from agreeable, and certainly likely to -remain impressed on his memory. While grunting about, like a boar -looking for a pig-nut, he met with a wag who informed him, on a solemn -promise of secresy, that Sambo was stowed away in a _badger-box_, -which he knew to be placed in an enclosed paddock behind the house of -the honest lawyer to whom we have already alluded, and whose -zoological collection was known, far and near, as being of an -extensive and curious description. “A nod is as good as a wink to a -blind horse,” so Mister Constable, cock-sure of having marked down his -game, silently stole into the paddock, where stood the long -badger-box, of which he determined, from that instant, never to lose -sight until its occupant should disclose himself. Night was fast -approaching, but it was clear and fine, so, after duly reconnoitring, -the “copper” cautiously approached the box, and, tapping on the lid, -in soothing terms invited Mister Sutton to come out and surrender, as -he was “wanted,” or else, badger or no badger, he must be “drawn.” As -Sambo was about two miles off he made no answer, so the invitation was -repeated in more peremptory tones, but with no more success. “Bobby” -became irate at what he considered nigger obstinacy, so he turned the -button and thrust his hand into the sacking, and so into the round -hole at the top, with the view of lifting the lid. Rash experiment! -the lawful tenant――a badger, not of African, but of British breed――was -“at home,” but not to Home Office visitors. Without growl, bark, or -other warning, the sharp-toothed “varmint” revenged the violation of -his sanctum by seizing the digits of the assailant of his castle, and -nearly severing the top joints of at least three of his fingers. The -luckless constable raised so loud an exclamation that forth rushed a -favourite old retriever hight “Nelson,” who gave tongue so loudly -that, though “his bark was worse than his bite,” it was lucky he was -on the chain, or, perchance, the seat of the rural’s inexpressibles -might have been absent without leave before he succeeded in clearing -the low wall into the high road, whence he lost no time in making his -way to the village surgery, and thence, his dexter fin, as the -police-reporters say, “enveloped in surgical bandages,” he hastened to -“report” himself and his adventure to his superior officers. The -mischievous author of the hoax did not fail to spread the story of the -success of his severe practical joke, and for some time it was -dangerous, but not uncommon, for labourers and impertinent boys to -address the query to the Buckinghamshire constables of “Who drew the -badger?” without receiving a civil or satisfactory answer. - -On Tuesday morning Sambo was still at the house of his friend, few -knowing his whereabouts; when it transpired that every route from -Bicester into Northamptonshire was closely watched to prevent the -escape of Sambo, or the approach of Ward. It was therefore determined -to cover his retreat by a “ruse,” which was thus arranged. A -countryman was engaged by a bribe to allow his face to be blacked with -cart-grease and soot, his neck encircled by Sambo’s colours (white -with a blue border), wrapped in a white box-cloth driving coat, and -sent off towards Oxford at as good a pace as a pair of posters could -carry him. But alas! great conceptions often meet with untoward -interruptions. One of the Buckinghamshire “badger-drawers” discovered -from a chawbacon lout the exact hiding place of the sable-fox, and -carried the intelligence to Sir John Chetwood; then returning, with -the baronet close at his heels, he boldly knocked at the door of the -house, which was opened by a servantgirl. Demanding to see her master, -and the wench stoutly refusing him admittance, he gallantly pulled out -a pistol, and presenting it, marched on in triumph. Walking into the -back-parlour, “from information he had received,” he at once -recognised the real Sambo, and, producing his warrant, made a quiet -capture of his prisoner. At this moment Lord Chetwynd, with -attendants, rode up and joined Sir John Chetwood, so that “the majesty -of the law” was fully represented at the capture of his Sable -Highness. On reaching the front of the house, however, Sambo made a -cunning and bold attempt at an escape from his “buckra” enemies. In -vain; he was quickly overtaken and secured, and forthwith conveyed to -Buckingham. Our friend the “honest lawyer” was not far off. He went -back to Bicester, took a postchaise and pair, enlisted a friend and -“householder,” and without hesitation followed the captive “Black -Prince,” put in the required sureties, and restored him to freedom. -Meantime the first news was received of Ward, that he and his friends -were at Middleton, a village three miles off, and were awaiting -Sambo’s arrival. It was now too late. A Mercury was despatched to Nick -and Co., advising him to make himself scarce, as he too might be -“wanted;” a hint which was in season, for, in an hour after, Lord -Chetwynd and company were on the road to Middleton, where they arrived -in time to find that the bird had flown. Ward, his brother, and -friends, of course returned to Liverpool, and Sambo, though “bound -over,” was at liberty to dance, sing, tumble, spar, and “jump Jem -Crow,” a free man in all things but a “free fight.” - -Another twelvemonth of rustication ended in a match with Jem Bailey, a -12 stone Irishman (not “Bailey of Bristol”), and the fight was fixed -for January 14th, 1839, the stake £25 a side. This went off in a -forfeit by Bailey, as did another match made by Ward himself. In -October, however, after some clever and vicious “gloving,” and a very -strong expression of opinion by Bailey of Nick’s mode of “cutting” it -when “tackled,” two spirited gents, in the habit of frequenting Alec -Reid’s sparring-room, Frith Street, Soho, expressed a willingness to -back Bailey for £25 against Ward, who immediately found backers to -that amount among some amateurs in the art of self-defence, at Owen -Swift’s, in Tichborne Street. As the match was only made about a week -before the day fixed――October 18th, 1839――there was not much time -allowed for training. Ward went to Acton for two or three days, but -Bailey, we are informed, did not employ his leisure hours quite so -profitably as many considered he ought to have done under the -circumstances. - -On the Thursday the whole of the stakes were deposited in the hands of -Owen Swift, at the “Coach and Horses,” Frith Street, Soho, in the -presence of a numerous assemblage of the Fancy, when a long discussion -ensued respecting the place where the fight should come off. On the -part of Ward it was contended that “down the river,” would be -preferable to any other place, inasmuch as they were the less likely -to be interfered with in that quarter than if they went out of town -per railroad, as the partisans of Bailey wished. It was, however, -decided that Ditton Marsh should be visited, and the majority of those -who were in the secret repaired to the Southampton terminus at Nine -Elms, by nine o’clock on the following morning (Friday), while some -who possessed fast “tits” preferred the road. The Fancy having -comfortably seated themselves in the train, in the full expectation of -not meeting with any annoyance by the presence of a “beak,” were not a -little flabbergasted by observing Mr. Hedger and several other -magistrates of Surrey enter one of the first-class carriages. - -“What could they do there at that early hour?” was the very natural -inquiry, which query was not satisfactorily solved till the gentlemen -in Her Majesty’s commission took their departure at Kingston, where it -appears their presence was necessary at the Sessions. Never did the -lovers of boxing part company with their travelling companions with a -greater degree of satisfaction than they did with their worships. -Ditton Station having been announced by the attendants of the railway, -the train was nearly cleared of its passengers, and the veteran -Commissary and his coadjutor, Little Jack, were not long in fixing the -stakes and ropes at the further end of the common, on the left of the -station. Some delay, however, ensued in consequence of the articles -not stating that the men were to fight in accordance with the new -rules of the P.R., and the circumstance of several parties refusing to -take office under the old regulations. Alec Reid, who wished the fight -to proceed in accordance with the articles, at length gave way, and it -was agreed the new, and certainly more manly and humane laws, should -be adopted. All the necessary preliminaries were then adjusted, and -the men entered the ring. - -Previous to the commencement of hostilities a good deal of betting -took place at 6 to 4 on Ward, and Bailey accepted those odds with an -eagerness which showed he had great confidence in himself. - -Bailey, a native of the Emerald Isle, in height 5 feet 11 inches, -weighing 12 st. 2 lb., aged 28, was well known in the neighbourhood of -Norwich, where they thought him good enough to match him against the -renowned Brassey, of Bradford, on two occasions, on both of which he -was, of course, thrashed. - -King Dick and Harry Holt, the “Cicero” of the Fancy, attended on Ward; -the Essex Youth and a gallant son of Mars waited on Bailey. All being -in readiness, the men peeled, and at twenty minutes past ten commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Neither, from the circumstances above stated, - looked quite up to the mark as regards condition, but a - smile of confidence played on the features of both. - Ward’s attitude was easier and more scientific than - Bailey’s, who stood in a straggling and ungainly - manner. They kept at a respectful distance from each - other for some time, when Ward let fly with his left, - and caught his man on the top of the head; an exchange - of blows ensued, when they broke away from each other. - Bailey, however, soon made play, and in the close Ward - went down. - - 2.――No damage done. Bailey came up smiling to the - scratch. He tried it on with his right, but the hit was - too round to take much effect on Ward’s side; the - latter then went to work, but neither in their - exchanges did any mischief. In the close Bailey tried - for the cross-buttock, but he slipped and fell. - - 3.――Both quickly resumed business, and as quickly - closed, when some fibbing ensued, which Bailey had the - best of, and both went down together. [Loud shouts for - Bailey, from whose mouth, however, a little claret - appeared.] - - 4.――The smile on Bailey’s mug soon disappeared on Ward - popping in his left on the nob sharply, and another on - the sinister ogle. In the close Bailey was under. - - 5.――Bailey made play, but received a clean counter-hit - just above his right peeper, which evidently severed - one of the small veins, for the crimson stream spurted - forth in profusion; Bailey then closed on his opponent, - who went down. - - 6.――The left hand of Ward was evidently damaged from - coming in contact with the knowledge box of Bailey, who - made play with his right, but was admirably stopped; a - close, Bailey bored to the ropes, when Ward tried the - upper-cut, but missed his man, who dropped down at the - corner. - - 7.――Bailey came up smiling, and a good fighting round - took place in favour of Ward, who again went down at - the close to avoid any punishment he might receive at - infighting. - - 8.――After some sparring Ward shot out his left bang on - the mug of Bailey, and kept countering him till they - closed, when Nick cut work for a time by going down. - [Much dissatisfaction was expressed at Ward’s conduct - in dropping.] - - 9.――The frontispiece of Bailey exhibited marks of - severe punishment, and in addition to other hits, his - left cheek-bone had received a nasty one, still he came - up to his man courageously, and in trying it on with - his right received a counter-hit, which however, missed - the intended spot, and fell on the shoulder; a close, - when Nick released himself in the usual way by going - down. - - 10.――Ward again at work with his left, which slightly - fell on the nob; a close, and before Bailey could get a - good hit at him, Nick dropped. - - 11.――Bailey made play, but missed his antagonist, and - in a scramble Ward fell. - - 12.――The expressions of disapprobation at Ward’s - continually going down were now so general that Ward - smilingly exclaimed on coming up to the scratch - “Bailey, don’t find fault; why should you?” Ward tried - his left, but was stopped; he then put in his right, - which slightly took effect on the nob; a rally, when - Ward dropped on his knees, and Bailey was very near - hitting him in that position. - - 13.――Ward put in a chin-chopper; a rally to the ropes, - and both down together, if anything, Ward under. - - 14.――The left hand of Ward quickly visited the - headpiece of Bailey, who rushed in, but it was “no go,” - for his man went down as formerly. - - 15.――Ward led off, but missed the intended visitation, - when Bailey went in, and for once succeeded in giving - Nick the upper cut, which made a slight incision over - the eyebrow. - - 16.――Bailey again felt Ward’s left on the canister, and - the latter got away without a return, and was quickly - down. - -At this point, twenty-five minutes having elapsed, a policeman well -mounted was seen in the distance, and the combatants had the office to -“cut,” which they quickly did. The man in blue on arriving at the ring -pulled out his “toasting fork,” and requested an old farmer, named -Weston (who was also mounted, and had previously appeared to take -extreme interest in the battle), to point out the fighting men. The -jesuitical veteran, with evident pleasure, was about doing so, but -both men escaped unperceived to a barn opposite. As the policeman -expressed his determination to follow the parties, and prevent -hostilities, a council of war was held, and it was decided that the -train should be again had recourse to, and Woking Common the place of -rendezvous. The Woking station was reached a little after one, and in -less than half an hour the stakes were fixed in a retired spot at the -end of the lane across the Common. - -Here seventeen more rounds were fought in about thirty minutes, when -the same style of fighting ensued as that above described, Ward, -however, not going down _quite_ so frequently as heretofore. Bailey -received additional pepper on his mug, while Ward scarcely exhibited -any marks of punishment. Many of the rounds were remarkable for their -non-effect on either side, and their scrambling struggles were more -like those of two big boys at school than men in the P.R. In the 12th -round Bailey had the best of it, but “bad was the best.” - -A dispute arose in the 15th round, Bailey having slipped down without -a blow, but the fight was ordered to be proceeded with. In the next -bout, after a short rally, Ward dropped to avoid in-fighting, when -Bailey certainly struck Nick on the ribs while he was on his knees. -The referee, however, gave a contrary opinion, and the men came to the -scratch for the 17th time at this place, and the 33rd in the whole. -They soon went to work, and immediately after closing Ward went down, -when Bailey, it was said, again struck him foul. - -The referee was once more appealed to, who decided that Bailey, -although evidently accidentally, had hit his man when down. Ward -immediately proceeded to the corner to untie the colours, which was -resisted by Bailey, who “pitched into him,” and bored him with his -neck against the ropes. They were soon separated, and Ward left the -ring with his friends, Bailey reluctantly following. - -The fight, _Bell’s Life_ remarks, did not in any way come up to the -expectations of those who had travelled so far to witness it. Bailey -is as game a man as ever entered the ring, but he has very little -knowledge of the art, and as for countering, it appears such an idea -never entered his head. His position is also bad, being too wide and -straggling. Ward is a scientific boxer, but he wants determination and -the _heart_ to go in and punish his opponent when an opportunity -presents itself, many of which Bailey gave him, but they were not -taken advantage of. We heard him declare that he had received orders -to fight cautiously, but his frequent “dropping” at close quarters -cannot, notwithstanding his instructions, be considered commendable. -Had the fight been continued, we have no doubt Bailey must have been -defeated, although his courage might have protracted the battle for a -much longer time, for in each succeeding round he was receiving -punishment without returning it with any visible effect. Ward’s left -hand was puffed, which, with the exception of the slight cut over the -eye, was all the injury he appeared to have met with, while the -frontispiece of his opponent was very much disfigured by the continual -jobs from Ward’s left hand. - -The majority of the spectators left Woking by the three o’clock train, -and were conveyed to town, a distance of 33 miles, in about two -minutes over the hour. - -This affair was followed by another match, and a deposit of £10; but -at the second deposit at Peter Crawley’s, on the 14th January, 1840, -Ward was announced as “too unwell to fight,” and the stakes down were -handed over to Bailey, at Mrs. Owen’s, Belgrave Mews, on the -succeeding Tuesday; Bailey on the occasion proposing a match with Deaf -Burke, which “ended in smoke.” - -In May, Nick Ward was matched for £50 with Brassey, of Bradford, but -this also went off in a refusal on the part of Brassey’s friends to -allow their man to fight for less than £100. - -At length, in July, the long-talked-of tourney between Nick and the -Deaf’un took shape and substance, and £50 were down, to be made £100, -for the men to meet on the 22nd of September, 1840, over 50 and under -100 miles from London. To that day we shall, therefore, come, without -further preface. - -“Thayre you air agin,” as Paddy said to the pig in his potato-trench――and -sure enough “thayre we were, body and bones,” on Tuesday, September -22nd, in the self-same field, on the borders of Oxfordshire, in which -Isaac Dobell (lately defunct) whacked his friend Bailey the butcher, -on the 7th of April, 1828; and we can only regret that in modern times -we have not had more frequent opportunities of witnessing those manly -demonstrations of “fair play” which the sports of the Ring are so -admirably calculated to afford. But how did you get there? Why, to -tell the truth, as far as we were personally concerned, with tolerable -ease――although not without incurring divers dangers by “flood and -field”――_bekase_ the Commissary had kindly engaged us a postchaise; -and we regret that many of our friends were not equally fortunate. To -be plain――the fight was fixed to come off within sixty, and above -fifty miles from London, on the Liverpool line, and hence the Deaf’un, -who won the toss for choice of ground, named Wolverton, the first -“grubbing bazaar” on the Birmingham railway (about fifty-one miles -from the Euston Square station), as the point of rendezvous. Thither, -on the day before, the Commissary and his deputy (Tom Oliver and Jack -Clarke) repaired with their _materiel_, and it was ascertained that -“the Deaf’un and Co.” had taken up their quarters at the “Bull,” at -Stony Stratford, while “Nick Ward and Co.” were domiciled in a village -not far distant. - -The morning broke most inauspiciously, and heavy showers damped the -ardour of many a boxing patron, who, instead of advancing to -Buckinghamshire, quietly sojourned in _Bedfordshire_. Still, there was -a fair “turn out” of spicy dare-devils, who were not to be scared by -trifles from their favourite pastime, hence the morning trains took -down a moderate sprinkling of “the right sort.” On reaching Wolverton, -however, great was their dismay at finding that there were but two -postchaises at that station――both of which had been pre-engaged――and -that of other vehicles there was a similar scarcity. Scouts were sent -to Stony Stratford, but in vain; for the few that were there had -already been secured by the early birds, and thus “a pilgrimage -through the Slough of Despond” stared them in the face. Poor Stony -Stratford is, alas! not what it was before railroads were in fashion. -It is reduced to a mere sleepy, out-of-the-way village, instead of -being as, in our time, a centre of bustle and prosperity: indeed, in -recent memory it was the high and popular road to Birmingham, -distinguished by the number of mails and stage-coaches which “changed” -there, and the continuous demand for post-horses. Alas! “The Cock,” -the sign of its principal inn, has ceased to “crow,” and the host, -like Dennis Bulgruddery, often calls in vain upon his ostler Dan, to -know “if he sees a customer coming that way?” Happily, Tuesday’s call -enabled Dan to respond――not that there was a customer coming, but -many, and thus the ordinary gloom of every-day melancholy was roused -into cheerfulness and hope. All the nags were soon engaged, and “the -Cock” without and “the cocks” within chuckled with satisfaction. The -“Bull,” at which the Burkites were assembled, also became rampant, and -“sich a gittin up stairs” had not been witnessed for months. - -As the day advanced the bells of the parish church rang a merry peal, -“set a-going,” as the facetious Jem Burn said, “in honour of the -occasion;” but, as we afterwards learnt, with the double intent of -announcing a couple of village weddings. By a singular combination, -the face of the clock of the said parish church, in gilt letters, -forewarned the travellers of the fact that it was either the handiwork -of “_T. Oliver_ and _J. Clarke_” or had been erected or repaired -during the official service of churchwardens bearing those popular -names; a fact which produced on the “dials” of the venerable -Commissary and his deputy, as they waited for orders, a grin of -scarcely repressible self-sufficiency. The “office” was duly given as -to “the where,” and away went the Commissary and his pioneers to -Deanshanger, about four miles distant, in the county of Bucks, -followed by a goodly multitude, horse and foot, embracing a large -proportion of British yeomen, to whom the dripping weather gave a -timely relief from the labours of the field. On reaching Deanshanger, -however, the fact of a couple of mounted “rural blues” being abroad -rendered it prudent to move on, and hence the arena was finally formed -at Lillingstone Level, on the estate of Colonel Delappe, on the -borders of Oxfordshire; the journey to which locality, “through the -woods and through the woods,” was trying alike to man and horse. In -truth, a more heathenish road never was travelled since the times of -the Druids; nor ever did the modern invention of springs undergo a -more severe ordeal, while the be-bogged pedestrian railed with bitter -inveteracy against the railroads which had subjected them to such -unforeseen difficulties, by causing a dearth of the ordinary modes of -“civilised conveyance.” However, “barring all pother,” we at length -reached our final destination, and there found the lists in fitting -preparation. - -It was now nearly one o’clock, and all was completed; but, as might -have been said to the mob who surrounded Tyburn tree, awaiting the -arrival of Jack Sheppard, “there’s no fun till the principals arrive,” -so here there was no fun till Ward presented his agreeable mug. It is -true that the Deaf’un shied his castor into the ring before one, and -claimed forfeit in consequence of the absence of “Young” not “_Old -Nick_;” but as the appointed ground had been changed, and Ward and his -friends had to scramble through the bogs with the assistance only of a -one-horse cart, sufficient excuse was afforded for his absence, and -the claim was premature. - -At last the signal of approach was given, and hailed with -satisfaction. At a quarter past one Ward was on the ground, and the -Deaf’un, who had retired to his drag, was handed forth amidst loud -cheers. - -Now came “the tug of war.” The belligerents entered the ring in high -spirits, the Deaf’un attended by Harry Preston and Sutton, the -pedestrian; Nick Ward by Dick Curtis and Levi Eckersley. They shook -hands with mutual good will, and having tied their _fogles_ to the -stake (blue and white spot for Nick, and fancy white and green for -Burke), they tossed for choice of corners, which was won by the -Deaf’un. Each immediately proceeded to his toilette, and, “in the -wringing off of a door-knocker,” was prepared for action. This was at -twenty-five minutes to two, and as the rain had ceased, a “comfortable -mill” was anticipated by a vast multitude, horse and foot, which -surrounded the magic circle, and which was every moment swelling from -fresh arrivals through cross-country paths. - -On presenting themselves at the scratch the fronts of the heroes were -duly scanned and criticised. Burke, for an old ’un, who had contended -in seventeen prize battles, of which he had won fifteen and lost but -two, looked remarkably well. His condition was quite up to the mark, -and easy confidence sat proudly on his veteran phiz. His ample muscle -was finely developed, and his weight was close upon 12st. 4lb. His -nether extremities were clothed in a pair of drawers, composed of -green and white, the combined remnants of bygone uniforms in which he -had figured as the victor. Nick Ward was also in beautiful condition, -and, in appearance, was all his friends could desire. His weight was -about 12st. 10lb., and he had the advantage in height and length, as -well as youth and freshness, over his opponent. Burke was born in -December, 1809, and Ward in April, 1813, so that there was nearly four -years’ difference between them. Previous to setting-to the current -odds were 6 and 7 to 4 on Ward; but 2 to 1 had been laid, and his -friends booked success as certain. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The Deaf’un came up smiling, and Ward quiet, - but serious. After a good deal of dodging, in which - neither seemed inclined to commence, Nick tried his - left, but was neatly stopped. Burke had evidently made - up his mind to the “waiting game,” foreseeing that if - he “led off,” the long left-handed prop of Nick, which - was always ready, would be inconvenient to his - frontispiece. Ward seemed as little inclined to go to - close quarters, but again tried his left, which was - again stopped. In the third attempt he touched the - Deaf’un slightly on the cheek. Again did the Deaf’un - stop the left, and Ward, putting his hands down, looked - as if he would if he could, while the Deaf’un, - following his example, grinned and exclaimed “It won’t - do, Nick.” Into position again, but Nick extremely - cautious, and evidently not desirous of close quarters. - Burke beckoned him to come, but the hint was more civil - than welcome. Nick let fly with his left, but the - Deaf’un caught it on his elbow. More hitting and - stopping, when Nick crept in and let fly with his left, - but was admirably countered. Nick’s knuckles, however, - reached home first, and a slight tinge of blood was - visible on the Deaf’un’s left cheek (first blood for - Ward). The mark of the counter-hit of Burke also became - apparent on Nick’s left cheek, and this was “trick and - tie.” Again did they counter-hit with the left, and the - Deaf’un showed blood from his mouth. Ward put his hands - down again, and they looked at each other with - patience. Burke clearly determined not to play Nick’s - game, but to wait for his onslaught. Nick recommenced - his manœuvring, but found the Deaf’un so well covered - that he dared not try it, and he dodged about as - before, trying the patience of the spectators, who - repeatedly cried, “Go in and fight” Out went his left, - but Burke stopped it neatly. Nick drew back, and the - Deaf’un amused the folks with a few of his “hankey - pankey” antics, and shaking his head, exclaimed, - “’Twon’t do dis time, Nicks.” Long sparring; Nick hit - short, and the Deaf’un popped his thumb to his nose. - Curtis called on Nick to shoot with his left, but it - was no go, and the Deaf’un, who can hear when he likes, - cried out, “You knows all about it betters as we can - tell you.” The Deaf’un stole a march and popped in his - left on Nick’s cheek (cries of “Bravo, Deaf’un!” from - his friends). Long pauses and mutual stopping. - (Twenty-three minutes had expired, but no mischief - done; Jem Burn called for a pillow, and Tommy Roundhead - told the Deaf’un he had ordered a leg of mutton to be - ready by eleven at night.) Nick at last nailed the - Deaf’un on the jaw with his left and got away (cheers - for Nick). A jackdaw, which flew close over the ring - several times, now relieved the monotony of the sport, - but on seeing his big brother, Molyneux, he cut it. - Mutual stopping and waiting, but no business done. The - Deaf’un put in his right on the body, and at last they - got to a rally; heavy hits were exchanged, and the - Deaf’un closed for in-fighting; but Nick fell, the - Deaf’un on him. (This round lasted thirty-seven - minutes, and excited general displeasure, from its want - of animation.) - - 2.――Both men showed marks of pepper from the close - contact in the last round. Burke bled from the mouth, - and Ward a little from the ear; but there was no real - mischief done. Again did Burke wait and Ward stand off, - still disinclined for close quarters. “Why don’t you go - and fight?” resounded from all sides. “I’m ready,” - cried the Deaf’un; “why don’t he come?” Fifty minutes - had elapsed. The men approached and retreated several - times, till at length heavy counters with the left were - exchanged, and away; more dodging. The Deaf’un crept in - and caught Ward under the left arm with his right; had - it been over the shoulder and reached the ear, it would - have told tales. Jem Ward exclaimed, “The day’s long - enough, take your time, Nick.” “Ay,” cried the Deaf’un, - “it will be long enough for me to lick him, and you - afterwards.” Nick now got closer, counter-hits were - tried, but stopped; each brought up his right at the - jaw and closed, and the Deaf’un was disposed to - continue his work, but Ward fell on his knees. The - round lasted twenty minutes, and fifty-seven minutes - had passed away. - - 3.――Again was the long and tedious system of waiting - adopted. Each dropped his hands, and Nick scratched his - head, and rubbed his breast, but did anything but go in - to fight, although Dick Curtis assured him the Deaf’un - would “stand it” The Deaf’un laughed and shook his - head, tried his right, but was short; in a second - attempt he was more successful, and caught Ward on the - jaw, just under the old cheek hit. Ward looked serious. - At last Ward rushed in left and right; blows were - exchanged, but the round was closed by Ward getting - down. He was clearly playing the safe game of caution, - and had no desire to throw a chance away. One hour and - forty-three minutes had elapsed. - - 4.――Cries to Ward of “Go in,” but he was deaf to the - incitement, and “bided his time;” finally he stole upon - the Deaf’un, hit left and right, and for a moment there - was some tidy in-fighting, and a few exchanges; in the - close the Deaf’un was down. Nick, we thought, hit - open-handed. On the Deaf’un rising his “bellows - heaved,” and it was clear this long sparring delay was - searching his wind, while his damaged right leg seemed - to get weak from long standing. - - 5.――The Deaf’un let fly with his right and caught Ward - on the shoulder――well meant, but too low. Counter-hits - with the left, when Ward planted three left-handed hits - in succession on Burke’s nob. Burke slightly countered, - but was getting slow, and bled from the mouth and nose. - Ward improved his advantage and again popped in his - left three or four times. The Deaf’un went wildly to - work, but was short with his right, and his - counter-hits with the left did not get well home. In a - scrambling close Ward was down, and Burke was evidently - distressed and not firm on his pins (4 to 1 offered on - Ward). - - 6.――Ward, seeing the condition of his man, determined - to improve his advantage――popped in a left-hander on - the Deaf’un’s eyebrow, which he cut; a rally followed, - and good hits were exchanged; in the close Ward down. A - blow from Ward’s right, below Burke’s waistband, - excited some discontent, but it was not objected to by - the umpire. - - 7.――Burke stopped Nick’s left, and planted his right - counter-hits with the left, and a smart rally. Nick hit - with his hand open, but the returns were rapid, and in - the close Ward went down. - - 8.――Both showed punishment, but the Deaf’un had the - balance against him and his left eye was swollen. A - spirited rally, although wild; the Deaf’un was slow and - short with his right. In the close Ward fell on his - hands and knees. He still continued to play the careful - game. - - 9.――Burke steadied himself, stopped Nick’s left with - great precision, popping in his right heavily on Ward’s - body. Nick popped in his left and got to a close; the - Deaf’un fibbed, but Ward soon got down, the Deaf’un - falling by his side. - - 10.――The Deaf’un hit short with his right, but Nick - planted his left, when the Deaf’un bored in and fell on - his knees――Ward withholding an intended blow in time. - - 11.――(Two hours had now elapsed.) Nick hit short with - his left, and the Deaf’un nodded. Counter-hits on the - masticators. The Deaf’un planted his right on Nick’s - nose, and drew claret. Nick made play with his left, - and the Deaf’un fell on his knees. The visit to Nick’s - smelling organ seemed anything but acceptable. - - 12.――Ward’s proboscis bleeding; but he seemed not to - have lost his spirits, and let fly his left, which - Burke stopped. Heavy counter-hits with the left, and - the Deaf’un delivered a good body-blow with his right; - Nick in with his left, and went down. It was now - thought to be anybody’s fight, and the odds were - reduced to 6 to 4 on Ward; but still it was apparent - that the Deaf’un was distressed, while Ward was fresh, - and careful of his corpus. - - 13.――Nick led off with his left, and followed the - Deaf’un to his corner. The Deaf’un stood on the - defensive, but received two or three heavy hits right - and left. In the close he fell under the ropes, and - Nick also went down. - - 14.――Nick saw his man was abroad, and the moment he was - up set to work left and right. The Deaf’un fought - boldly, but was slow, and had the worst of the - punishment; still he made some good round hits, and - Ward was down. - - 15.――Nick went to work left and right; the Deaf’un - became groggy, and fought wildly, missing several - blows. Both down, Ward under. - - 16.――Nick now saw it was all in his favour: he hit as - he pleased left and right; the Deaf’un, all abroad, hit - wildly. In the close Ward down, and the Deaf’un on him, - weak. - - 17.――The Deaf’un came up quite groggy, when Ward went - to work left and right, having it all his own way; he - drove Burke against the ropes, upon which he threw him - on his back, and, while in that position, hit him - heavily with his right till he fell over; cries of - “_foul!_” here burst from the Deaf’un’s friends, in - which others joined, and a general rush was made to the - ring, overturning all those who sat close to it, - including ourselves. The umpires disagreed, of course, - but not being close to the referee, had to go round to - him: pending this, Nick Ward stood up in the ring, - while the Deaf’un was picked up and seated on Sutton’s - knee. At last the referee was reached, and on being - appealed to, pronounced, as he was justified in doing, - “fair.” It was said “time” was then called, although, - from our position, involved in a crush, we did not hear - it. The hat was immediately thrown up, and the battle - was claimed for Ward. (We ought to state that during - the last four or five rounds there was a tremendous - fall of hail and rain.) - - Subsequent to the termination of the 17th round, and - previous to the referee giving his judgment, it was - stated that while Deaf Burke was seated on his second’s - knee Nick Ward went up to him and struck him twice or - thrice in the face, and also struck Preston, and - subsequently there was a battle raging between him and - Preston, and then between Preston and Jem Ward, close - to the referee. We have been further informed that if - “time” was called, Burke refused to prolong the fight, - alleging that Ward had struck him “foul” while on his - second’s knee, and before the decision on the previous - question had been given. With respect to all this, we - confess we are unable to give an opinion; because we - saw no part of it, being glad to escape from the - overwhelming mass by which we were overborne. Our - impression at the time was that the decision of the - referee was conclusive, and that Burke was unable to - come again, although, from the time occupied in the - discussion, it is not improbable he might have - recovered his wind and have once more met his man; - still, in our opinion, with very little chance of - turning the scale in his favour; but there is no - calculating on the chapter of accidents. Ward walked - from the ring in full vigour, and was seen walking - about little the worse for wear, beyond the closure of - his left eye, and we believe he would have seconded - Corbett in the next fight had it been permitted. The - Deaf’un was conducted to his carriage, and, like Ward, - on recovering his wind was not materially damaged. He - contended he was entitled to the stakes from Ward’s - alleged foul conduct. Ward was so elated that he boldly - challenged the winner of the coming great fight between - Caunt and Brassey for £100――a challenge in which his - brother Jem heartily joined. - - REMARKS.――We must say that in this battle Burke - exceeded our expectations――his condition was far - superior to that in which he fought Bendigo, and his - style of fighting was excellent. He no longer gave his - head as heretofore, but got it well out of mischief, - and stopped beautifully, until exhausted by the - protracted character of Ward’s tactics, and the failure - of his knee, on which he could not be persuaded to wear - a cap, when he became slow, and was fatally exposed to - Ward’s rapid and severe deliveries with his left. He - fought manfully, and with no more than proper caution, - and had Ward been disposed, would have joined issue in - the first round. Ward, however, evidently fought to - orders; both he and his friends knew that while Burke’s - vigour was undiminished close contact was dangerous; - and Ward has a very strong antipathy to punishment - which can be avoided. This he showed, not only from his - so long stopping out, but by his getting down at the - end of the early rounds. The moment he saw he had got - the Deaf’un safe, he threw off all reserve, and his - youth, quickness, and vigour enabled him to gain an - easy victory, which the increasing slowness and - wildness of the Deaf’un rendered more certain. Of his - courage, however, we cannot say much――he wants “that - within which passeth show,” and will never make “a - kill-devil.” - -The very next day the following notice was served upon the -stakeholder:―― - - “I do hereby give you notice not to deliver up the stakes to - the opposite party in the fight between me and Nick Ward, as - I hereby claim the same from having received foul blows from - my opponent, Nick Ward, while on my second’s knee, and - before ‘Time’ was called. One of the umpires bears evidence - that the last statement is correct, as a friend of the other - umpire (Nick Ward’s) had taken away the only watch used for - time-keeping, while he and my second, Harry Preston, were - appealing to the referee with respect to a prior foul blow. - My reason for entering the protest is in order that a - meeting may be obtained with the referee and an appointed - number of friends of each party, so that a proper and just - arbitration may be obtained. I shall be prepared at that - meeting to produce affidavits in confirmation of what I - assert. My backers hold you liable for the amount of the - stakes. - - “24th September, 1849. “(Signed) JAMES BURKE.” - -To this is added the following certificate from Burke’s umpire:―― - - “NICK WARD AND BURKE.――I hereby declare that no ‘Time’ was - called after the appeal to the referee.” - -Thus it would seem that this affair came to a wrangle, one of the -misfortunes which arise from the headstrong folly with which the -surrounding spectators rush to the ring the moment a dispute arises. -Had they kept their places, nothing could have been more simple than -the issue. The umpires disagreeing, the referee would at once have -said “fair” or “foul;” and in the former, as decidedly must have been -the case in this instance, “time” would have been called, and the men -would have fought on, or he who refused to walk to the scratch would -have lost the battle. But now comes a new position, all owing to the -irregularity described, and of which we are persuaded neither the -umpires nor referee had any knowledge whatever, except from hearsay. -The obtrusion of any person within the ring, or close to the ring, -until the fight shall have been fairly decided, is obviously wrong, -and its mischief is here clearly demonstrated. The matter was now -hedged round with difficulty, the decision of which could only be -given by the appointed referee, and as he could not see the act -complained of, his judgment was founded on the evidence submitted to -him. - -This decision quickly came, and was in favour of Ward, to whom the -stakes were duly paid over. - -Ward was now at the top of the tree, and confidence in his powers -seemed to have come with victory. After sundry cartels and haggling -about preliminaries, Caunt having defeated Brassey in October, Nick -challenged Caunt for the honour of the title of “Champion.” Ben -responded, nothing loth, and the subjoined articles were formulated by -“the high contracting plenipotentaries”:―― - - “Articles of Agreement entered into this 8th day of - December, 1840, between Benjamin Caunt and Nicholas - Ward――The said Ben Caunt agrees to fight the said Nick Ward, - a fair stand-up fight, in a four-and-twenty foot roped ring, - half minute time, within sixty miles of London, on Tuesday, - the 2nd of February, 1841, for £100 a side, according to the - provisions of the new rules. In pursuance of this agreement, - £20 a side are now deposited; a second deposit of £10 a side - to be made on Thursday, the 17th of December, at Young Dutch - Sam’s; a third deposit of £10 a side on Monday, the 21st of - December, at Peter Crawley’s; a fourth deposit of £10 a - side, on Thursday, the 31st of December, at Jem Ward’s, - Liverpool; a fifth deposit of £10 a side, on Friday, the 8th - of January, 1841, at Owen Swift’s; a sixth deposit of £10 a - side, on Thursday, the 14th of January, at Young Dutch - Sam’s; a seventh deposit of £10 a side, on Monday, the 18th - of January, at Peter Crawley’s; and the eighth and last - deposit of £10 a side, on Thursday, the 28th of January, at - the same house: the said deposits to be made between the - hours of eight and ten in the evening, or the party failing - to forfeit the money down. The choice of place to be decided - at the last deposit by toss. The men to be in the ring - between the hours of twelve and one o’clock, or the party - absent to forfeit the battle-money, unless an earlier hour - shall be mutually agreed upon at the last deposit, to which - hour the same forfeiture shall be applicable. Two umpires - and a referee to be chosen on the ground; in case of dispute - the decision of the latter to be conclusive. Should - magisterial interference take place, the stakeholder to name - the next time and place of meeting, if possible on the same - day. The use of resin or other powder to the hands during - the battle to be considered foul, and the money not to be - given up till fairly won or lost by a fight. - - “Signed――for Caunt――PETER CRAWLEY. - “Do., for Ward――SAMUEL EVANS.” - -On the 23rd of February, then, this anxiously anticipated meeting took -place, but resulted in a manner anything but satisfactory to the -admirers of manly pugilism. - -On the match being made, the men were quickly in training, Caunt under -the wing of Peter Crawley, at Hatfield, near Barnet, and Nick Ward -under the able supervision of Peter Taylor, near Liverpool. In point -of condition there was no fault to be found; both were perfectly up to -the mark, and in all respects judiciously prepared for their coming -struggle. - -According to the articles it was provided that the combat should take -place within 60 miles of London. The choice of place was to be decided -by toss, and this was won by the backer of Caunt, who named the -vicinity of the Andover Road Station, on the Southampton Railway, as -the place of meeting; thus imposing upon Nick Ward and his friends the -necessity of coming a distance of upwards of 270 miles, after the -Saturday morning, on which day only they could receive notice of the -fixture. This circumstance produced a good deal of sore feeling among -the Ward-ites, and on the morning of battle led to some angry -expressions. We certainly think that the laws of “give and take” -should have been observed in this instance, and that it was anything -but considerate to have imposed so long a journey upon an honourable -opponent. We believe that the selection rather arose from a desire to -give “a turn” to the folks of Hampshire, than from any wish to take an -unfair advantage of Ward. How this love of the “Hampshire hogs” was -returned the vicissitudes hereafter described will show. - -On the Sunday, Caunt and Hammer Lane, who were to exhibit in the same -ring, arrived at the “Vine,” at Stockbridge, about ten miles from the -Winchester Station, where they were joined by a select circle of their -backers and friends, and on the day following Nick Ward and Sullivan -(the opponent of Hammer Lane) reached the Andover Road Station, -accompanied by Jem Ward, Peter Taylor, and other friends and admirers, -to the great comfort of the railway officials, who obtained on that -and the succeeding day a profitable accession of passengers. The -owners of the houses of entertainment in the neighbourhood were not -less delighted, but many, from the want of accommodation, proceeded to -Winchester, where their patronage was equally acceptable. On Monday -evening it was ascertained beyond a doubt that the “Hampshire hogs” -were as stubborn as some of their namesakes in other counties, and the -hostility of the beaks to the manly demonstrations of fair play in the -Prize Ring was grunted forth by sundry official leaders of the rural -police, by whom, however, it is due to say, every courtesy consistent -with their situation was displayed. This fact created additional -unpopularity towards the original author of the disappointment, who -was not less mortified than his grumbling opponents. There was no help -for it, however, and in the evening it was agreed that both parties -should meet the next morning at the village of Sutton, about four -miles from the station, there to determine on the line of march. The -Caunt-ites having ascertained that the affair might come off without -interruption in the county of Wilts, proposed an adjournment in that -direction; but as this step would have carried the Ward-ites some 14 -or 15 miles beyond the stipulated distance of 60 miles from London, -they peremptorily refused to budge an inch across the limit laid down -in the articles, and the road back towards London was the only -direction in which they would consent to proceed. This was the state -of things on Monday evening, and on Tuesday morning, at half-past ten, -the village of Sutton displayed a dense congregation of all classes, -from the high-titled nob to the wooden-soled chawbacon. Carriages of -all sorts, from Winchester, Andover, Stockbridge, Odiham, and all the -surrounding post-towns, as well as from London and elsewhere, were -huddled together in tangled confusion, anxiously waiting to receive -the authorised “office” as to the road they should take. Among these -the Commissary, in a light chaise cart, with the indispensable -_materiel_ of his calling, occupied a prominent position, while the -belligerents in their respective drags patiently waited the order for -advance. Amidst the turmoil, the superintendent and the inspectors of -the rural police, attended by a number of constables, some on -horseback and some in chaise carts, were preparing to do their duty, -and to see the expectant multitude fairly out of their jurisdiction. - -A council of war having been held at the head inn, Crookham Common, on -the borders of Berkshire, and within three and a half miles of -Newbury, was finally agreed upon as the scene of action, a distance of -upwards of sixteen miles, through a country not very agreeably -distinguished by a succession of steep hills, the ascent and descent -of which tended not a little to retard the speed of the travellers, -and still more to try the mettle of the nags upon whom this additional -labour was imposed, while hundreds of the ten-toed amateurs were -altogether thrown out of the sport. At Whitchurch the inhabitants were -rather astonished at the sudden incursion of the cavalcade. Here there -was a general halt for refreshment for man and beast, and, most -ominously, the carriage in which Hammer Lane was placed broke down; an -unfortunate fracture which was imitated by many other vehicles, which, -for this particular occasion, had been drawn from a retirement that -previous wear and tear had led their owners to consider perpetual. -After a short time “forward” was again the order of the day, and -King’s Clere was reached in due course. Here was another halt, -indispensable to men and cattle, and many of the jaded horses were for -a time placed in stables, while the bonifaces received ample proofs of -the beneficial effects resulting to the human appetite when whetted -against the rough edge of a hard frost and a bracing atmosphere. It -was now ascertained that the “land of promise” was within three miles -of the village, and the Commissary was sent forward to make the -necessary preparations for action, while the horses of the police, -sharing the fate of their companions, were so knocked up that their -masters determined to perform the rest of their journey to the verge -of the county on foot, heartily sick of the ungracious office assigned -them. In half an hour the general body made their final move, and, -crossing the river Enborne, at last made their exit from the -inhospitable county of Hants, and luckily sustained no further -impediment. They reached the battle-field on Crookham Common about -half-past three, quickly forming a spacious circle round the ring, -which had been admirably prepared by the commissariat department. The -ground was thinly covered with snow, and was as hard as adamant from -the intensity of the frost, while a cutting breeze from the east, -sweeping over the elevation on which the common is placed, left little -ground of regret among those whose customary visits to their barbers -had been neglected from the rapidity of their morning movements, as -they were shaved free of cost. The assemblage, if not as numerous as -might have been anticipated had not the move taken place, was in the -honest sense of the word respectable, and many persons of _bonâ fide_ -distinction, both as to rank and station in society, studded the -lively circle. - -The umpires having been chosen, the difficulty of selecting a referee -was presented in the same unpleasant aspect as in the then recent -fight between Hannan and Broome,[23] but was at length got over, after -a considerable argumentation, in the selection of a gentleman who, if -not professionally engaged in the business of the Ring, was fully -competent to decide any dispute which might arise, and who certainly -discharged the duties of his unpleasant office with becoming firmness -and determination, and, we must add, with perfect impartiality. - -All being now prepared for combat, the men entered the ring, greeted -by the cheers of their friends. Caunt came forward, attended by Tass -Parker and Johnny Broome, all sporting their “yellow men,” while Nick -Ward made his bow under the friendly introduction of Dick Curtis and -Harry Holt, each of whom displayed a fogle of blue and white spots. -The men instantly advanced, and shook hands with apparent good-humour, -Ward looked rather serious, while Caunt exhibited a nonchalance and -gaiety which proved that he regarded the coming engagement with -anything but personal apprehension. The betting round the ring at this -moment was 5 to 4 on Caunt, with ready takers; and the preliminaries -having been fully adjusted, the joust commenced. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On getting into position, the scientific - manner in which Ward presented himself, with his arms - well up, prepared to stop with his right and shoot with - his left, gave evident tokens of his being an - accomplished member of the scientific school. Caunt - also held his arms well up, but with a degree of - awkwardness anything but calculated to lead the - spectators to assume that he had taken his degree as a - “Master of Arts.” He had evidently made up his mind to - lose no time in commencing operations; he advanced upon - his man, while Ward stepped back; Caunt, after a - flourish or two of his mawleys, let fly with his left, - but was stopped; Ward in return popped in his left and - right slightly, and after a wild rally, in which - neither hit with precision, and in which some slight - returns were made, Ward’s left creating a blushing - tinge on the big’un’s cheek, they closed, when Ward - dropped, evidently disinclined to luxuriate in the - embrace of his opponent. - - 2.――Again the big ’un came up ripe for mischief, and - made play left and right, but was neatly stopped; Ward - then popped in his left, catching his antagonist on the - nose; both then fought merrily left and right, but - there a want of precision in Ward’s deliveries, his - left passing the head of Caunt like “the idle wind,” - and from the slippery state of the ground it was - obvious that neither could obtain firm footing. Nick, - however, contrived to plant two or three left-handed - pops, and the round concluded by both slipping down. - (Loud and encouraging shouts for Ward, whose friends - seemed to deem it necessary to cheer him on to hopes of - victory.) - - 3.――Ward came up steady, prepared for the stop or the - shoot. He waited for the attack, which was soon - commenced by Caunt with vigorous but wild - determination. He stopped left and right, but in his - returns was short, his visitations not reaching their - intended point of contact. Both in fact missed their - blows, and no real mischief was done. Caunt rushed to a - close, but Ward, still resolved to foil the grappling - propensity of his opponent, slipped down. - - 4.――Caunt came up resolved to do, but wild and awkward - in his mode of attack. Nick waited for him, his left - ready to pop. Caunt hit out with his left, but missed, - and Nick in the return was out of distance. - Counter-hitting with the left. Both stopped intended - visitations. Heavy exchanges left and right, in which - Caunt caught a stinger on the forehead and the nose, - from the former of which blood was drawn, and declared - for Ward amidst deafening shouts and exclamations of - “It’s all your own!” A wild rally followed, in which - Caunt caught Ward a crack on the nob with his right. In - the close Caunt caught Ward in his arms, but he again - went down. - - 5.――Caunt tried a feint to draw his man, but Nick was - too leary. He preserved his own position, evidently - determined to nail his man with the left on coming in. - Caunt, impatient, hit out wildly left and right, Nick - broke ground and got away. On again getting to work - Nick planted his left on Caunt’s eye, slight exchanges - followed, but no serious impression was made, and - Ward’s left passed over Caunt’s shoulder. In Caunt’s - deliveries there was neither force nor accuracy. Ward - getting nearer his man succeeded in planting a rap on - his proboscis. Caunt instantly seized him in his arms - and was about to fib, when Ward endeavoured to get - down, but the big ’un held him too firmly, and fell - heavily upon him. - - 6.――On coming up Caunt exhibited symptoms of - visitations to his nose and eye, as well as to his - forehead, but still no material damage had been - effected. Ward led off with his left, but the hit was - short, and was attended with little effect. Caunt again - closed, determined to give his man the benefit of a - Nottinghamshire hug, but Ward frustrated his intention - by dropping on his knees. At the moment Caunt, - determined to give him a compliment as he fell, let fly - his right, which did not reach its destination (Ward’s - lug) till Ward’s knees had actually reached the ground. - (There was an immediate cry of “foul!” and the - partisans of Ward, as well as his second, rushed to the - referee to claim the battle. This was decidedly in - opposition to the new rules, which prescribe that all - such appeals shall be made to the umpires, and by them - to the referee, and that no other person whatever shall - presume to interfere. Amidst the turmoil and confusion - of intimidation the referee remained silent until the - umpires declared they disagreed, and when the question - was then put to him deliberately pronounced “fair,” - believing, as he said he did, that the blow was - unintentional, and had commenced its flight before Ward - was actually on the ground. All cavil was now at an - end, and the fight proceeded; the friends of Caunt - earnestly entreating that he would be cautious of what - he was about, and be particularly careful in avoiding - the repetition of the blow, which the falling system of - Ward might unintentionally lead him to administer.) - - 7.――Caunt came up as fresh as a sucking bull, and - pregnant with deeds of mischief. Ward waited for him - steadily, and let fly his left, catching Caunt slightly - on the mug. Caunt hit wildly left and right, but - missed; he then closed, again catching Ward in his - forceps. Ward, however, renewed his dropping system, - and slipped from between his arms on his knees, his - hands up. While in this position, evidently down, Caunt - instantaneously drew back his right hand, and hit him - twice on the side of the head. The shout of “Foul!” was - immediately renewed with redoubled ardour, and a - simultaneous appeal was again made to the referee by - some dozen persons who crowded round him, all - vociferously demanding confirmation of their own - impressions. This indecorous and disgraceful dictation - was again manfully resisted by the referee, who, - waiting with firmness till calmness was restored, - listened to the appeal from the proper authorities, and - pronounced the last blows to be “foul;” observing that - Ward was clearly down upon both knees when the blows - were delivered. Shouts of congratulation forthwith - hailed Ward as the conqueror; a result which filled him - with delight: and he quitted the ring with joyous - satisfaction, scarcely exhibiting a mark of the - conflict in which he had been engaged. Indeed of - punishment he did not afford a specimen worth - mentioning. The fight lasted but twelve minutes, and - terminated at three minutes after four o’clock. - - The backer of Caunt was naturally irritated at this - disappointment of his hopes, and, sustained by the - authority of an old ring-goer, contended that the - decision of the referee, however honourably given, was - in opposition to the rules of the Ring, for that by - those rules it was provided, that it was necessary a - man should have his hand on the ground, as well as both - knees, before a blow given could be pronounced foul; - and in this persuasion he said he should give notice to - the stakeholder not to part with the stakes or the bets - till the point was deliberately settled. The referee - said he had given his decision with perfect - impartiality, and he believed with perfect justice. In - confirmation of which he turned to a copy of - _Fistiana_, which he had in his possession, and quoted - from thence (page 29) the 7th at Broughton’s Rules, - which provides, “That no person is to hit his adversary - when he is down, or seize him by the ham, the breeches, - or any part below the waist; a man on his knees to be - reckoned down.” He then quoted the 14th of the New - Rules of the Ring (page 65), which provides, in the - same spirit, “That a blow struck when a man is thrown, - or down, shall be deemed foul. That a man with one hand - and one knee on the ground, or with both knees on the - ground, shall be deemed down; and a blow given in - either of these positions shall be considered foul; - providing always, that when in such position, the man - so down shall not strike, or attempt to strike.” The - articles having been framed according to the New Rules, - this reference must be conclusive. It was contended, - that in the battle between Tom Belcher and Dutch Sam, - the Pugilistic Club had decided that a blow given when - a man was on his knees, with both hands up, was not - foul; but, as there was no written record of this - decision, and as it is opposed both to Broughton’s - Rules and the New Rules, the argument can have no - weight, and the stakes, however easily and - unsatisfactorily won, were of right given to Ward. - - REMARKS.――Ward, in purchasing this almost bloodless - victory, did not add much to his reputation. That he - was entitled to the reward of conquest cannot be - denied; but the opportunities of testing his improved - qualities and courage were so limited, that it would be - worse than hypocrisy to say he offered any peculiar - claims to high praise. That he is more scientific than - his opponent cannot be doubted; but it must be admitted - that on comparing his tactics with the steady and - cutting precision of his brother Jem, he has yet much - to learn. Many of his blows were short, while others, - well-intentioned, missed their aim――a circumstance - probably to be ascribed to the slippery state of the - ground, and the unsteady manœuvres of his opponent. - Whether, if the fight had been prolonged, he would have - improved upon acquaintance, we cannot foresee. - Regarding his courage, no particular exception can be - taken, for although going down or trying to go down in - every round is unsightly in the eyes of the spectators, - and has the semblance of being opposed to the - commonplace notions of a fair stand-up fight, yet, - according to the 12th of the New Rules, it will be seen - that such an expedient is allowable; that rule provides - “that it shall be a fair stand-up fight; and if either - man shall wilfully throw himself down without receiving - a blow, he shall be deemed to have lost the battle: but - this rule shall not apply to a man who in a close slips - down from the grasp of his opponent to avoid - punishment.” Here blows had been exchanged, and Ward - obviously slipped down to avoid the punishment which - Caunt had determined to administer. Moreover, it was to - avoid the hugging end being borne on to the ropes which - Ward evaded by slipping from the intended embrace. With - regard to Caunt, we attribute the loss of the battle to - his uncontrollable impetuosity. That he would have been - defeated in fair fight by his accomplished antagonist - is by no means a settled point, for although he showed - marks of tapping, he was quite as fresh and vigorous as - when he commenced, and was quite as likely to win in - the last as he was in the first round. He has still, - however, much to learn; he wants steadiness and - precision, and the wildness with which he hits defeats - his own object. In the use of his left, as well as in - stopping, he has certainly improved, and we think, as - his experience increases, he may become a greater adept - in the art. He must learn to curb his impetuosity, and - preserve that presence of mind the absence of which so - speedily led to the downfall of his hopes in this case. - So persuaded was he that he could have won, that - immediately after judgment had been given against him, - he declared he would make a fresh match, and post the - whole hundred of his own money. It is singular that in - his fights with Bendigo and Brassey he seldom lost a - due command over his temper, although both these men - pursued the same course of getting down as Ward. With - regard to Brassey, his gift of punishment is far more - severe than that of Ward, as the evidence of Caunt’s - carved frontispiece on the former occasion sufficiently - testified. - -Here, once again, we will ask the reader to take our arm and stroll -away from plain prose into the pleasant path of poetry, by presenting -him with a Chant of the Ring about―― - - NICK WARD AND CAUNT. - - Hurrah for the Ring and the bunch of fives! - Like a giant refreshed the Ring revives, - It awakens again to vigorous life - To scare the assassin and crush the knife; - Then welcome to earth as the flowers in spring - Be the glory renew’d of the Boxing Ring, - And over each British boxer brave, - Long may the banner of fair play wave. - - Let Puritans sour in accents shrill - Rave against Fistiana still, - And owl-faced beaks shake the nob and vow - To their fiat stern the Ring shall bow; - Let lobsters raw with their truncheons roar - “Disperse” to the pugilistic corps―― - The pinks of the Prize Ring, in freedom nurs’d - Shall tell them undaunted to do their worst―― - - Shall proclaim to the traps ’tis weak and vain - To seek the brave boxer to restrain; - And better ’twould be by far to grab - Those who settle disputes by a mortal stab: - By Heaven, ’tis sufficient to make us blush - For those who are seeking fair play to crush, - To extinguish courage, and skill, and game, - And in letters of blood stamp England’s shame. - - Keen is the morning, the glittering snow - Mantles the hills and the vales below, - The landscape around is bleak and bare, - Chill’d by the nipping and frosty air; - The north-east cold over land and sea - Is whistling a sharp, shrill melody; - But the sun is up, and the morning bright, - So hasten, brave boys, to the field of fight. - - This day will decide whether Caunt or Nick - In the shape of conquest shall do the trick―― - This day shall to Fancy lads declare - Which hero the Champion’s belt shall wear―― - Whether Ben, the athletic, of giant limb, - Shall yield to young Ward, or Nick to him, - And after contention fierce and tough - Which combatant first shall sing “enough.” - - From slumber rouse, let no time be lost, - Forward for Stockbridge through snow and frost, - Near which, when with creature comfort warmed, - Shall the stakes be pitch’d and the ring be form’d. - Strong was the muster upon that day - Of plebeians low and Corinthians gay, - But the beaks for Hants had in anger vow’d - No mill in their county should be allow’d. - - Looks of despair the Fancy put on, - And determin’d to make a move to Sutton, - And thither hasten’d the fistic ranks, - With policemen hanging upon their flanks; - Then Captain Robbins, with gaze intense, - Cried, “Gentlemen, meaning no offence, - You mustn’t attempt, or I’m a liar, - To settle your matters in this here shire.” - - Now suppose the Fancy, each peril pass’d, - As Crookham Common arriv’d at last, - Prepar’d for superior milling works - Without meddling traps in the shire of Berks: - Suppose the men in position plac’d. - With arms well up and with muscle brac’d, - Each champion seeming resolved to win, - For the love of glory, as well as tin! - - But, ah! it is useless to recite - The details of this brief and no-go fight, - What pepper Nick dealt on the giant’s mug, - And how Caunt return’d with a Russian hug; - How Nick, though on serious mischief bent, - Dropp’d down to steer clear of punishment; - And how big Caunt, though in tip-top plight, - Hit his foe on his knees and lost the fight. - - Yet hurrah for the Ring and the bunch of fives! - Like a giant refresh’d the Ring revives, - It awakens again to vigorous life - To scare the assassin and crush the knife: - Then welcome to earth as the flowers in spring - Be the glory renew’d of the Fighting Ring, - And over each British boxer brave - Long may the banner of fair play wave. - -On the Thursday evening of the ensuing week, on the occasion of the -giving up of the stakes, which took place at Young Dutch Sam’s, in -Vinegar Yard, Drury Lane, Big Ben and his friends were “all there,” -and a “motion for a new trial” was made and agreed to on both sides. -The articles, which were settled in the following week, will be found -in a former page of this volume, in the Memoir of CAUNT, who “reversed -the former verdict” on the 11th of May, 1841, at Long Marsden, in -thirty-five rounds, occupying forty-seven minutes. - -This was Nick’s “Waterloo,” and his last appearance on any field. He -became a publican, first in Liverpool, and then in London, and on the -17th of February, 1850, departed this life, at the “King’s Head,” -Compton Street, Soho, the victim of a pulmonary attack. - - - [22] A detailed biography of this remarkable boxer will be - found in the Author’s “RECOLLECTIONS OF THE RING,” vol. i. - “Pencilling,” III. - - [23] See _Recollections of the Ring and Pencillings of - Pugilists_. No. IX. JOHNNY BROOME. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -NATHANIEL LANGHAM. - -1843-1857. - - -“Take him for all in all,” the subject of this chapter, as a -middle-weight, was “a man” of whom might be safely said “we shall not -look upon his like again.” He was of the weight so often described by -the “old school” as the “unlucky 11 stone; too heavy for the light, -and too light for the heavy ones.” Yet at that weight it is -indisputable that the finest specimens of skill, strength, and -activity have been developed, where courage and endurance have been -duly combined, “to give the world assurance of a man.” - -Nathaniel Langham was born in May, 1820, at Hinckley in Leicestershire; -his height 5 feet 10 inches, and weight, as already stated, 11 stone. -Nat’s earlier years were passed as a country labourer’s are usually. -In his boyish days he worked in the fields, and as soon as he was -fitted, made his way into Leicester, where he was engaged by a -tradesman, as he himself has told us, to “deliver goods with a horse -and cart.” While in this town he attained, in the years 1841-1843, an -insight into the more scientific manœuvres of the art pugilistic, for -which he had a natural taste and instinctive aptitude, being much -praised by Dick Cain, who often encouraged him to “put on the mittens” -with rural roughs who might fancy their fistic abilities, and who gave -Nat the best of tactical advice and instruction. Notwithstanding this -episode of town life, it is certain that in February, 1843, Langham -was again at his native village of Hinckley, for in _Bell’s Life_ of -February 12th we find the following paragraph, recording the first -Ring fight of our hero:―― - - [Illustration: NAT LANGHAM. - _From a Painting by_ WILLIAMS.] - - “A fight came off on Thursday last, near Hinckley, - Leicestershire, between Nathaniel Langham, of Hinckley, and - William Ellis, of Sabcote (an adjacent village), for £5 a - side. The men were of pretty equal proportions, each - standing a little under six feet, but, if anything, Ellis is - the larger man; he is an old fighter, and was considered by - his backers (though they must now be convinced to the - contrary) invincible. Langham, too, has appeared in the Ring - before, and distinguished himself as a man of no small - talent as regards his milling capabilities. The fight took - place about eleven o’clock, when both men went to work hard - and fast, Langham hitting well at his man, and getting his - blows home. Ellis was unable to hit his antagonist with - effect, and at the expiration of the eighth round showed his - sense by giving in, having his peepers most effectually - darkened, his lips cut, and other very visible marks of - heavy and frequent visitations from Langham’s skilfully - directed ‘fives.’” - -Nat after this took his way to the great mart for all rising talent, -the Metropolis, landing at Ben Caunt’s early in 1844. On the 7th of -May in that year Langham found himself one of a pugilistic party, -headed by Ben Caunt, on board of the “Nymph” steamer, outward bound in -search of a convenient battle-field for the settlement of the -“difference of opinion” between Joe Bostock (a former opponent of -Johnny Broome) and Turner, the “Wychwood Forester.” This affair -disposed of, by Bostock winning in thirty-four minutes, a purse was -collected for “an afterpiece.” Thereupon Tom Lowe, a stalwart -coal-whipper of some repute as conqueror in various bye-battles, and -who afterwards beat Hurley at 12 stone, presented himself. Nat -proposed to answer the challenger, and “Big Ben” gave his approval of -the experiment. D’Orsay Turner, and Mike Driscoll seconded Langham, -Jack Cullen and Ned Adams picking up Lowe. The battle was a curious, -scrambling affair, according to the meagre paragraph which is afforded -to it in _Bell’s Life_. In fact, it is within our knowledge that the -reporter on this occasion had left the ring and gone aboard the -steamer before it was known that a second fight was arranged. In the -43rd round, when Lowe was said to have “the best of the battle” (?) we -are told, “On getting up from his corner Lowe, much to the surprise of -most parties, went up to his adversary, and shaking hands with him, -declined fighting any more; Langham was of course proclaimed the -victor, after fighting 50 minutes.” We suspect the verbal amateur -reporter of this affair did not know so much about Nat Langham’s -capabilities as Mr. Lowe had found out during the 50 minutes he had -faced him. At any rate, Caunt was so satisfied with his “novice’s” -display that he offered to back him for £25 against any man of his -weight. Langham also put forth a challenge to fight Joe Bostock, the -conqueror in this day’s battle, “for £25, to meet within six weeks of -signing articles;” but Johnny Broome, who was behind Bostock, and than -whom in his day there was no better judge, having availed himself of -an opportunity of trying Nat with the gloves, would not have the -engagement at any price, and so the affair came to nought. A clear -twelvemonth now elapsed before Nat could meet with a customer, -although we find him offering himself as a candidate for pugilistic -honours at 11 stone, and give 7lb., for £25; money ready at “The -Lion,” at Hinckley, or the “Coach and Horses,” St. Martin’s Lane. - -In the month of June, 1845, Langham being then under the wing of Ben -Caunt, an outsider presented himself at the Champion’s hostelrie, and -in the course of conversation announced himself as “Doctor” Campbell; -he was soon recognised as the successful opponent of Ben Hart, in a -punishing fight of seventy-one rounds, which took place on the 3rd of -November, 1842, in the Kentish marshes. A bout with the gloves with -“brother Bob” (certainly no great “trial-horse”) was followed by the -“Doctor,” who weighed close on 12 stone, declaring himself to be “in -want of a job,” whereon Nat suggested to his patron Ben that he -thought he could accommodate the “Doctor” by giving him a few pounds’ -weight and a beating. Ben, who was ever close-fisted, offered to put -down a “fiver” for Nat; and, as the “Doctor’s” friends were not flush -of money, that modest sum remained without increase until the 12th of -June, when Big Ben, as M.C., taking advantage of the hiring of a -steamer for a more important “excursion,” shipped his man Nat, and -conveyed him to the battle-field at Rainham Ferry, at which place -“Doctor” Campbell and friends were in waiting. No contemporary report -of the rounds is extant, but we know from eye-witnesses that Nat, -though with small preparation, in the short space of thirty-five -minutes so used his left “pickaxe”――as it was afterwards expressively -termed by no less a master of arts than Tom Sayers himself――that the -“Doctor” was completely “physicked.” In the 27th round he “retired -from professional practice,” entirely disabled, and declined further -contest, and never again showed within the ropes of the P.R. - -Dan Hagerty, who had beaten Bill Amos, Jack Johnston, and subsequently -the hard-hitting Aby Durell, was challenged by Nat for £25 a side; but -Dan’s backers, after some conference, thought it best to leave the -Leicester man alone, and a sov. down was forfeited. - -Nat now retired into country quarters, and we next hear of him as -matched with a boxer of great local renown, hight George Gutteridge, -of Bourne, in Lincolnshire. Gutteridge, who was born in 1823, stood 5 -feet 9 inches, and weighed 11 stone 7 lbs., began his rising career in -April, 1845, by beating, in 23 sharp rounds, George Graham (known as -the “Potter”); this he followed in June, 1846, by defeating Macdonald, -of Derby (the conqueror of Jem Bailey and several others), in a -slashing fight of thirty-five minutes, in which 31 rattling rounds -were contested. About this time we saw Gutteridge in London, at -Caunt’s, and a more likely young fellow for wear and tear, his pluck -being undoubted, we have seldom seen. His skill as a fighter, like all -rural champions, was, of course, ridiculously overrated; and when Ben -pointed him out to us as “that’s the chap that’s matched against -Langham, what do you think of him?” there was a sort of hesitancy in -the Champion’s tone, that expressed anxious doubt for the safety of -the “quarter of a hundred,” besides “training ex’s,” which he had -invested on the “wager of battle.” Caunt having received £7 from -Gutteridge’s friends, for the right of naming the place of meeting, -Mr. Banton’s, New Inn, at Bourne, South Lincolnshire, was named as the -rendezvous, and thither on the overnight of the battle, Tuesday, June -9th, 1846, Caunt, with Langham and friends, repaired. At 8 a.m. the -men went to scale, Langham drawing 11 stone, Gutteridge 11 stone 8 -lbs. Langham looked thin but hard, as if somewhat overtrained. -Gutteridge showed wonderfully strong, though a trifle fleshy. An -excellent ring was formed at South Farm Pastures, about three miles -from Bourne, and around it was grouped a large attendance of the -gentry, yeomen, farmers, and labourers, with a sprinkling of sporting -men from Leicestershire and the Midlands. The order, good-temper, and -we might say decorum of the assembly, and the conduct of the -spectators throughout the fight, were an example to such gatherings -which we despair in these days to see imitated, either down rail or -river. Langham had for his seconds Dan Bufton and John Gill; -Gutteridge was excited on by Homer Howden and his former antagonist -“Potter George” (Graham). The colours, a canary yellow for Langham, -and a blue and white spot for Gutteridge, being tied to the stakes, -the men shook hands cheerfully, and the battle began, the current odds -being 6 and 7 to 4 on Gutteridge. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The attitude of Nat was by far the more - artistic, though that of the Lincolnshire man was by no - means awkward or constrained; yet he held his arms too - close and across to deliver at a well-judged distance; - accordingly, after a little sparring just to feel his - way, Nat popped in a couple of such sharp facers, - jumping back from the return, that the question of - “first blood” was settled almost in the first hit, the - crimson fluid trickling from Gutteridge’s left optic. - The Lincoln man, who was evidently no flincher, went in - ding-dong, Langham retreating perforce from his - determined rush, but delivering two or three cutting - left-handers on his assailant’s frontispiece before he - went down at the ropes on the saving suit. - - 2.――Nat came up cool as a cucumber, with no visible - marks of hitting save a red bump on his left - cheek-bone, and a slight flush of colour which rather - improved his complexion. Gutteridge, on the contrary, - had a gaping cut over the right eye, a prominent blue - mouse under the left optic, and his teeth were tinged - from his cut lip. He rattled in undismayed, but got - little by the motion, the balance of the exchanges - being all in favour of Leicester. In a close, however, - he gripped Master Nat, and embracing him, showed his - superior strength by forcing him down and falling on - him heavily. (Cheering for Gutteridge.) - - 3.――Nat dodging in, and then retreating, to get his man - to follow. Gutteridge, by advice of his seconds, - refusing to do so, Nat woke him up by twice visiting - his left eye clean over his guard, whereupon - Gutteridge, stung by these long shots, rushed to close - quarters, and after taking a prop or two fought Nat - down in his own corner. (The Lincoln man’s friends in - high glee.) - - 4 to 10.――Langham seemed steady and cool, and none the - worse for Mr. Gutteridge’s lunges, and the rapid - rallies which followed at close quarters. Not so - Gutteridge, whose portrait was gradually painted in - crimson by a master-hand. Though there was active - fighting on both sides, there was a somewhat tedious - similarity in the rounds, Langham improving his lead in - every bout, and Gutteridge failing in most cases, in - clenching his adversary for the throw. - - From the 11th to the 50th round Gutteridge showed - himself dangerous, and with unflinching game every now - and then raised the hopes of his partisans by remaining - on his legs after severe exchanges of blows, then - walking to his corner to seat himself on his second’s - knee, while Nat, husbanding his strength, was tenderly - carried, often sedan fashion, by his careful attendants - to his appointed resting-place. - - In the 51st round, to the surprise of all, Langham - seemed to recover second wind; perceiving the shaky - state of his brave opponent, he assumed the offensive, - and delivered half a dozen hits left and right at arm’s - length, the last of which sent down Gutteridge in his - corner all of a heap; the first fair knock down. From - this point the rounds became short, poor Gutteridge - gradually losing almost every glimpse of daylight, - coming up round after round until the 93rd, when, - perceiving the last chance of his man had vanished, - Hodgkiss threw up the sponge in Gutteridge’s corner in - token of defeat, and Nat was hailed the victor of the - day, after a severe contest of _one hour and - twenty-five minutes_ of active and actual fighting; - Langham’s superiority as a boxer being evident from - first to last. - -At the giving up of the stakes at Caunt’s on the following Thursday, -Angelo, of Windsor, was backed against Langham for £50 a side, but the -match went off, Gutteridge’s backer posting a small deposit for a -second encounter, which was covered on the part of Langham, who -afterwards received forfeit, the Lincolnshire friends of the former -considering the first judgment of the referee not likely to be -reversed on a new trial. - -William Sparkes, a hardy Australian, having fought his way to fame at -the Antipodes, and made the voyage to the Old Country, in further -search of “the bubble reputation,” was introduced in the early part of -1847 to the London Ring, under the patronage of Johnny Broome, and -that ’cute observer at once commended him to his Corinthian visitors, -as “just the sort of man to polish off Master Nat,” who, in the -estimate of Johnny, “was dangerously clever, but had no constitution.” -Sparkes, at this time, was certainly a fine, hardy specimen of a -“corn-stalk” as could be seen in a summer’s day. Twenty-six years of -age, firmly put together, round-limbed, muscular, and active, and not -only bringing with him a belt as a pugilist, but also a trophy won by -his fleetness of foot as a pedestrian “champion,” he was certainly a -“representative man,” so far as Australian prowess was in question. -With him, then, Langham was matched, as champion of the honour of the -Old Country, for £50 a side, and Tuesday, May 4th, 1847, was fixed for -the final settlement of the question. - -On that day, at an early hour, the “Nymph” being chartered for the -voyage, the party embarked from the now-abolished Hungerford Market -Pier, and thence dropped down to Blackwall, where, on the Brunswick -Pier, a goodly muster of the Fancy had assembled, and where, also, a -coal-tug or two, laden with “Cheapside” customers, were in waiting to -follow in the wake of the Fancy “flag-ship.” From some petty jealousy, -into the cause of which we do not care to inquire, Tom Spring, Peter -Crawley, and a group of Corinthians here shipped themselves on board -the regular Gravesend passenger-boat, instead of taking tickets by the -chartered “Fancy” craft. Johnny Broome, who was in command, suppressed -any mortification he might have felt, but did not the less determine -to balance accounts with the Separatists, as the sequel will show. The -“Nymph” cast off from the Blackwall Pier, and led the way towards -Charlton, where Langham was taken on board, having been trained by -Robinson (“Caunt’s Pet”), near Dartford; the Australian had already -been shipped at Hungerford. While we lay-to off Charlton Pier, the -Gravesend boat, with the two crowded tugs in attendance, pursued their -downward course. Soon after, as the “Nymph,” at half-speed, was -nearing Erith, Johnny Broome called “a council of war,” wherein he -announced his resolution to disappoint those who had shown such a want -of that unanimity which we had so often publicly advocated on these -occasions. He proposed that we should “about ship,” and make a return -voyage, leaving the “secessionists,” including the “tuggites” and the -Gravesend passengers, to the enjoyment of their excursion, without the -prospect of seeing the day’s mill, from the appointed and legitimate -mode of being present at which they had thus wilfully disentitled -themselves. His arguments were unanswerable. The bow of the “Nymph” -was quickly put up stream, the tide was flowing, and back we went; -indeed, almost before the downward voyagers were aware of our change -of course, we were steaming through the Pool, and thence pursued our -way, never stopping until Nine Elms Pier was reached. There the men -and their friends disembarked, and, availing themselves of a train by -the South Western Railway, proceeded to Woking Common. On arriving, -the Commissary and assistants quickly prepared a ring, on the ground -where Barnash and Martin fought a fortnight previous; and in half an -hour, the party having refreshed themselves meantime at a neighbouring -hostelrie, a select party of about one hundred spectators surrounded -the roped enclosure, heartily laughing at “the sell” practised upon -the “Secesh,” who had cut themselves off by their own want of _esprit -du corps_ from witnessing the fight. Among the disappointed were some -“knowing ones,” who, in those days of “pigeon expresses,” had carried -down their feathered messengers, with the view of conveying to their -London confederates the first news of the battle and its result. - -At half-past two o’clock the combatants entered the lists; Langham -esquired by D’Orsay Turner and Barnash, Sparkes seconded by Sam -Simmonds (of Birmingham) and Joe Rowe. The “sestette” shook hands in a -friendly manner, and the men proceeded to their toilettes, while -umpires and a referee were chosen. All preliminaries being adjusted, -and the colours (white with a scarlet border for Sparkes, and a blue -birdseye for Langham) knotted to the stake, the men toed the scratch -for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On throwing themselves into position, the - advantage on the part of Langham as to height and - length was obvious to all, while the brawny frame of - the Australian showed him to be the more powerful of - the two. He stood with his left arm straight out from - the shoulder, with his right hand well up, his body - being inclined backwards in an extraordinary manner. - Langham threw his arms about quickly, as if to put the - Australian off his guard, but in vain. At length - Langham led off with his right, which was twice - cleverly stopped. Sparkes made play, catching Langham - slightly on the side of the jaw with his left. Langham - again tried his left, but was again stopped. In another - attempt he was more successful, and caught the - Australian on the nose slightly. Sparkes closed, - delivered two good body blows, and both were down. (The - opinion round the ring was that the Australian was far - from being the “novice” that he was anticipated to be.) - - 2.――Langham led off at the nose with his left, and got - on smartly. Sparkes returned heavily with his right on - the body and side of the head with his left, knocking - Langham off his legs. (_First knock-down for Sparkes_, - amidst some astonishment.) - - 3.――Langham immediately led off, getting slightly home - on the body. Sparkes dashed in, hit up on the forehead, - then fibbed his man in the ribs with the right, and - Langham got down. - - 4.――Langham made play and worked in at his man, who got - cleverly away. Sparkes then went to him, delivered his - favourite body blow, Langham staggered back against the - ropes, and got down. - - 5.――No hesitation on either side; Sparkes stopped two - well-intended compliments from his adversary’s left. - Counter-hits exchanged, Sparkes getting it on the nose - twice, but without impression. Langham slipped down. - - 6.――Sparkes tried his left and right, but was short in - both attempts. Langham jobbed him in the left cheek - heavily, and got down in the half-arm hitting, - evidently not anxious to test the strength of his - adversary in a close. - - 7.――Langham led off with his left, but Sparkes met him - with a heavy hit on the body, and Langham went down. - - 8.――Langham again tried to lead off, but the Australian - was as quick as himself, countered him in the forehead, - Langham getting in sharply, at a well-judged distance, - on his adversary’s nose, from which he displaced the - bark, and drew _first blood_. Sparkes delivered his - right heavily on the ribs, knocking Langham down for - the second time. - - 9.――Langham first to fight, catching Sparkes on the - side of his nose, Sparkes returning heavily on the - chest and ribs with both hands, and Langham down. - - 10.――The men rushed together, and after a slight - exchange of hits, Langham slipped down. - - 11.――Langham commenced by delivering his left heavily - on Sparkes’s left eye. Sparkes caught him on the - forehead with his left, on the body with his right, and - Langham got down. - - 12.――Langham delivered on the left cheek, received a - slight body blow, and got down. Sparkes by far the - stronger man. - - 13.――Good body blows were exchanged. Langham then - planted upon his adversary’s nose with his left; - Sparkes let fly at the body, and Langham was again - down. - - 14 and 15.――Sparkes forced the fighting, but Langham - jobbed him heavily as he came in. Sparkes delivered - very slightly on the ribs, and Langham got down leary. - [The fighting was extremely quick, no round having - lasted half a minute. Fourteen minutes had now - elapsed.] - - 16.――Langham got well in on the side of the head with - his left twice as Sparkes tried to bore in. - Counter-hits exchanged, Sparkes napping it on the nose, - and Langham on the body. The latter then slipped down. - - 17.――Good counter-hits and a sharp rally; a close, in - which Langham fibbed his man in the head, and after a - short struggle both were down, Sparkes this time under. - - 18.――Sparkes led off, getting in one on the ribs with - his right, and his left on the forehead, but too short - to be effective. Langham seemed to have got the measure - of his man; he jobbed him heavily in the left eye and - on the cheek, and got down. - - 19 to 21.――Similar to the last. Rapid fighting, Sparkes - occasionally putting in a body blow, Langham jobbing - him severely in the head, and getting down in the - close. - - 22.――Langham led off with his left, catching the - Australian heavily on the side of his head; Sparkes - returned on the nose, but not heavily. Langham then - planted his left severely on Sparkes’s right cheek, - drawing the claret. Sparkes closed, threw his man, and - fell over him. - - 23.――Langham tried to open with sparring on the - defensive, but Sparkes forced the fighting. Heavy - exchanges left and right, those of Langham drawing more - blood from Sparkes’s cheek and eye, Sparkes still - fighting at the body. Langham eventually got down. - - 24 to 32.――Langham took the lead in these rounds, - Sparkes hitting with less precision; Nat repeatedly - jobbed his man heavily in the face, but Sparkes was - thorough game, and would not be denied; he occasionally - put in a body blow which sounded all over the ring; - Sparkes’s left eye was fast closing, and his right - cheek showed marks of punishment. In the 32nd round, in - a rally, Langham caught the Australian a severe blow - with his right on the left ear, from which the blood - was quickly seen to flow. Langham showed no marks - beyond a slight swelling on his forehead, and a redness - about his ribs. So quick was the fighting that only 32 - minutes had been occupied up to the close of this - round. - - 33.――Sparkes changed his style a little and hit higher, - declining to be drawn on. He sent his right well home - on Langham’s jaw; Langham returned with his left on the - left eye-brow, which he cut. Sparkes then got in his - right on Langham’s left eye, on which he raised a - slight mouse. Langham got down in an attempt by Sparkes - to close. - - 34 and 35.――Langham met his man as he came in with - well-directed jobs, the Australian still fighting at - the body. In the latter round he closed, and threw - Langham, falling on him. - - 36.――Counter-hits; Langham catching his adversary - heavily on the left ear, again drawing blood. Sparkes - rushed in, delivered his favourite body blow, and again - knocked Nat clean off his legs. - - 37.――Langham came up slow, the last hit had evidently - shaken him. Sparkes rushed at him to follow up his - advantage, but Langham stopped him right and left, got - away, and ultimately slipped down. - - 38.――Langham, still keeping away, propped the - Australian as he came in, and got down. - - 39.――Langham had not yet recovered himself from the - visitation in the 36th round, but Sparkes could not get - the lead, as his man not only stopped cleverly, but got - away immediately he went to him, and eventually slipped - down. - - From this to the 58th round the same style of fighting - was continued; the men commenced work immediately on - arriving at the scratch. Sparkes’s body blows came in - occasionally with great force, but some were stopped by - Langham very prettily, and the latter recovering his - strength, he jobbed his man severely in the head. - Sparkes’s right eye was following suit with his left, - which was quite closed, and blood was drawn every round - from his ear or cheek. The rounds were almost - invariably finished by Langham going down to avoid the - struggle and throw. In the 50th round, after a few - rattling exchanges, Sparkes, for the fourth time, sent - his man to grass, with a heavy right-handed hit in the - ribs. - - 59 to 61.――Langham propped his man heavily as he - attempted to come in. Sparkes, however, fought with - unflinching courage, and would not retreat, and often - bored Nat down. - - 62.――Langham got home on Sparkes’s neck, Sparkes - returned on the ribs. A close followed, in which - Langham was down, with Sparkes on him. Sparkes - unfortunately had his right arm under his man, who fell - heavily on it, and, as it afterwards appeared, broke - the bone of his forearm. On coming up for the 63rd - round, Sparkes held his right arm up, but was quickly - compelled to drop it, from the pain he suffered. - Langham went in and milled away until the Australian - went down. From this to the 67th and last round Sparkes - came up bravely, keeping his right arm close to his - side, and attempted to plant upon his man with his - left; it was of course in vain. Langham was too good a - strategist to be planted on, and working in with both - hands upon the game fellow in each round, punishing him - until he went down. He was repeatedly asked by his - seconds to give in, but in vain; his game was such that - he almost disdained to sit on his second’s knee until - the call of time. At length, in the 67th round, Johnny - Broome entered the ring and threw up his hat in token - of defeat, after a contest of 68 minutes, and even then - it was with the greatest difficulty that Sparkes’s - seconds could prevent his rising and rushing at his man - to have another “shy.” A gamer or more fearless boxer - never entered the Ring. - - REMARKS.――Langham in this contest confirmed the opinion - we entertained of his former fight with Gutteridge. He - is a clever, scientific fighter, good on his legs, and - a heavy hitter; and although the practice of getting - down is anything but commendable, still, with a - determined adversary, possessing superior bodily - powers, every allowance must be made for the caution of - a wily general. He evidently saw that to struggle with - such a man as Sparkes would be attended with no - advantage to himself, and he therefore determined not - to throw a chance away. His superior length, and his - quickness in meeting the Australian hero as he came in, - in a great measure protected his mug from damage; but - the fact of his leaving the ring with scarcely a - scratch was mainly to be attributed to the style of - Sparkes, who, when he fought at the head, invariably - hit too high to do damage. Sparkes proved himself one - of the gamest fellows that ever pulled off a shirt; he - is a hard hitter, and stops with great neatness; but in - Langham he contended with an adversary who had the - advantage of him in every respect except in strength - and courage (the latter attribute was not, however, - wanting in either man). Notwithstanding the severe - punishment he received about the head, however, he came - up as strong on his legs at the end as at the - commencement of the fight, and in almost every round - declined all assistance of his seconds to carry him to - his corner. Had it not been for the accident to his arm - in the 65th round, the contest would, no doubt, have - lasted longer, possibly with a different result. As to - style, however, Langham was the superior fighter. The - affair concluded, all returned to town per train, and - “The Nymph,” in attendance at Nine Elms, conveyed her - cargo to the port whence they embarked. The battle - money was given to Langham at Ben Caunt’s. This is the - first time that Sparkes was beaten, having fought in - and out of the ring in N.S.W. with several men. His - last four adversaries were Chas. Wooten, of Nottingham - (N.S.W.), for £25 a side; Joe Marshall, of the same - place, for £50 a side; Bill Davis, of Liverpool - (N.S.W.), for £100 a side (after the conquest of whom - he received his belt); and “Tom the brewer,” for £100 a - side. - -The stakes were presented to Langham at Ben Caunt’s, when a collection -was made for the losing man. This was considerably augmented on the -Friday week following at a benefit given to Sparkes at Johnny -Broome’s. Of course the “tuggites,” and some of those thrown out by -Johnny’s strategic movement on the previous Tuesday, were loud in -their denunciations of his “shameful conduct,” as it was termed. At -these Johnny laughed, while the sporting Press reminded them that -“they had only themselves to blame for their disappointment.” - -Nat’s victory over Sparkes was certainly calculated to place him in -the very front rank of middle-weight boxers, and from this time until -the beginning of the year ’51 he was “laid up in lavender,” until -after all sorts of negotiations, and breaks-off with all sorts of men, -some too heavy, and others thinking themselves too light, unless Nat -(who had never much to get off in the way of flesh) could consent to -reduce himself, Harry Orme, though more than half a stone heavier, was -proposed. Orme’s defeat of Aaron Jones, in December, 1849, had proved -him a strong, resolute, and formidable, if not a scientific boxer, and -his friends, thinking his chance a good one, entered into articles for -£50 a side, the battle to be decided on the 6th of May, 1851. On this -occasion Nat was doomed to experience his first and only defeat, after -a contest which _Bell’s Life_ characterises as “one of the gamest -battles the annals of the Ring can boast;” the details of which will -be found in the ensuing chapter in the Life of HARRY ORME. - -Langham, who was always a well-conducted, steady fellow, now went into -business as a publican at the Ram Inn, Bridge Street, Cambridge, where -he won “golden opinions from all sorts of men,” securing the patronage -of many University undergrads, and for two years none cared to dispute -his title as “Champion of the Middle-weights,” a distinction a quarter -of a century ago fully recognised at a period when the heavy weights -had certainly sadly degenerated, though the time had yet to come in -which “the Championship of England” should be held by a boxer under 11 -stone! - -So highly were Langham’s capabilities in his contest with Orme -esteemed by all who witnessed that gallant fight, that his name was -continually to the fore, not only in Cambridge, but among the -Corinthians who held their conversaziones at Jem Burn’s, at the -“Rising Sun;” at Owen Swift’s “Horseshoe;” at Limmer’s Hotel, and “The -Corner;” while among the knowing ones who frequented Ben Caunt’s -“Coach and Horses,” at Peter Crawley’s “Duke’s Head,” and places -further east, all were of opinion that “Clever Nat” was not to be -beaten by any man who had not a great pull in respect of weight. - -There was, however, a sporting-house, unnamed by us as yet, situated -in a street off the once-famed Seven Dials, where lived an ex-pugilist -(recently deceased) who was unquestionably as good a judge of the -merits of a fighting man as ever lived. This was Alec Keene, of the -“Three Tuns,” Moor Street, Soho; and there were not a few Corinthians -who often threaded their way through the intricacies of Soho to have a -palaver with Alec Keene, and learn his straight opinion as to the -chances of the competitors in some coming fight, or as to the -advisability of backing this or the other candidate for a match. Among -these we remember “young” Sir Robert Peel, his gallant brother William -(both of them splendid boxers), Lord Ongley, Lord Drumlanrig, Sir -Edward Kent, Colonel Higgins, Lord Winchilsea, _cum multis aliis_. - -Now, among the special pets of Alec foremost stood Tom Sayers, whose -merits Keene was the first among the professionals to fully perceive -and boldly declare; and he never ceased to use his influence in -finding him backers, in which he was zealously seconded by Harry -Brunton.[24] - -After Tom had beaten Jack Martin, in the January of 1853, both he and -his friend Alec (who acted as his second on that occasion) were -confident that the championship of the middle-weights was well within -his reach, notwithstanding the admitted excellence of Nat Langham. -Consequently, after many discussions and conferences, the money was -made all right, and a challenge was issued from Moor Street, in which -Tom announced his readiness to meet the redoubtable Nat on his own -terms. There was some laughing in Air Street at Tom’s audacity, and in -St. Martin’s Lane, although in the city on the Cam lots of -“collegians” were ready to find a bit of Nat’s money. It was soon -ascertained, however, when Langham had accepted the challenge, and a -match had been made to fight for the sum named, on the 18th of -October, 1853, that although Langham was the favourite, his adherents -had only to offer the slightest shade of odds in Tichborne Street or -Soho to be at once accommodated to any amount they desired. - -Both men went into active training at an early period. Nat, whose long -rest had rendered him somewhat rusty, retired to country quarters, -under the care of Jemmy Welsh, who had to give him a full dose of work -to bring him, without any loss of power, within the stipulated 11st., -though at this period Nat’s fighting weight was only two or three -pounds in excess of that point. However, his training went smoothly -on, without a break or a hitch of any kind, and, as will be seen -presently, he was brought to the post in prime fettle. Tom, on the -other hand, who had, as usual, gone down to the neighbourhood of -Brighton――his mentor and attendant being the celebrated pedestrian, -Bob Fuller――encountered quite a series of mischances. He first caught -a severe cold, almost deserving to be called an influenza, which -stopped him in his work. This was followed by an ugly breaking out on -his face and chin, which certainly did not indicate that his blood was -in its ordinary healthful condition. No difficulties of this kind -dismayed either Tom or his backers, and, consequently, _Bell’s Life_ -on the 16th of October was enabled to announce that both men were well -and full of confidence. In consequence of the day fixed for the fight -being the opening day of the Warwick Meeting, there had been an -endeavour to alter the day to the Monday previous, but as this was the -settling-day for the Cesarewitch, the alteration would have been no -improvement, if, indeed, not rather the reverse, as backers and -bookmakers would both be compelled to show at Tattersall’s――the lucky -backer of Haco to receive, and the unfortunate followers of the -ill-fated Nabob (who was second that year in both the great handicaps -to the turned loose youngsters, Haco and Little David) to part with -what had so nearly brought them safe home. - -On another account it was fortunate that the fixture remained -unchanged, for on Monday the rain came down in an almost ceaseless -downpour from morning till night, and the Corinthians and -professionals who assembled at Caunt’s and Alec Keene’s in the -evening, to obtain their tickets for the excursion, and the straight -tip as to the time and place of departure, prognosticated somewhat -gloomily as to the weather possibilities of the morrow. - -Fortunately, these prophecies were falsified by the event, and shortly -before eight o’clock, as hansom after hansom dashed up to the Eastern -Counties Railway Station, in Shoreditch――the directors had not yet -become sufficiently aristocratic to call it the Great Eastern Station, -Bishopsgate, nor had they attained their grand terminus at Liverpool -Street――their occupants shook hands heartily with the first -acquaintance they encountered, and congratulated themselves on the -bright October sun, which was making even the dingy East End look -moderately cheerful. At half-past eight the train started, and after a -pleasant journey of about three hours, past Cambridge, Ely, and -Mildenhall, pulled up at Lakenheath, in Suffolk, and the living cargo, -which numbered not less than four hundred, among whom were most of the -Corinthian supporters of the Ring, who had come down under the special -care of Jem Burn, invaded and overran the little station. - -For the benefit of those who slumbered too long to refresh the inner -man satisfactorily before leaving, a copious breakfast had been -provided by Mr. Moore, of the “Old Rum Puncheon,” Moorfields, who, we -are happy to say, still survives in this year of grace, 1881, the hale -and hearty host of the “Royal Standard” at Walthamstow. Ample justice -being done to this repast, we found that Tom Oliver, assisted by Tom -Callas, had decided on the spot for the ring, in a field about two -hundred yards from the stopping-place. While the stakes and ropes were -being placed _in situ_, Dan Dismore attended to the sale of inner ring -tickets; and the character of the gathering may be inferred from the -fact that about one in five of the travellers elected to become -purchasers of “privilege” cards. The men having made their toilets, -Sayers, just at half-past twelve, shied his castor into the ring, -following it himself, with his seconds, Alec Keene and Bob Fuller. Tom -received a loud and hearty greeting from his partisans; and this had -hardly died away when the cheers were renewed as Nat Langham entered, -attended by the accomplished Jemmy Welsh and Jerry Noon, who was -equally clever as a second when――as upon this occasion he did――he -could refrain from those eccentric performances for which he was -notorious, and which, however amusing they might be to the spectators, -were anything but useful to his principal. On this particular day -Jerry was on his good behaviour, and did not once attempt to raise a -laugh until the fight was over. Immediately on entering the ring Tom -and Nat, who were “old pals,” shook hands with great cordiality, -evoking the cheers of the onlookers, who were delighted at this proof -that the combatants were actuated only by the desire to win fame and -reputation, and, in fact, realised the description of the prizefighter -by the poet:―― - - Who are sworn friends to one another, - And first shake hands before they box; - Then give each other plaguy knocks, - With all the love and kindness of a brother. - -This episode completed, the referee and umpires having taken their -places, the seconds retired to their corners, and all was attention as -the men approached each other and began - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On toeing the scratch the knowing ones - eagerly scanned the appearance and condition of the - men, in order, if possible, to gain thus some - indication of the possible issue of the combat, and a - few bets were made at 6 to 4 on Langham. There was a - wide contrast between the men, both in appearance and - condition; Langham was long and lathy; his frame was - evidently that of a man who had seen severe work, - and――to all appearance――not likely to last through the - wear and tear of long-continued exertion. There was a - smile of good-humoured confidence on his mug, however, - that showed how little he feared the result of the - coming combat, while his condition was simply perfect, - and reflected the highest credit on his trainer. - Sayers, on the other hand, although he looked――as of - old――broad, strong, and burly, was clearly overburdened - with flesh――the 5lb. he scaled above his accustomed - 10st. 7lb. being palpably all to the bad. The breaking - out on his chin and face, already alluded to, certainly - did not give one the idea of his being in a perfect - state of health, and it may well be that to the fact of - his not being in his best form may be attributed an - anxious look about his eyes, so different to the gay, - laughing confidence he exhibited in his other fights. - Both men, on taking up position, stood with their legs - too wide apart; their guards were neither easy nor - graceful, nor was there anything strikingly artistic in - their attitudes. They began with a good deal of - sparring, and, at length, Langham let go his left, but - did not get quite home. Caution was again the order of - the day, until Langham once more got within distance, - and tried his left a second time, just reaching Tom’s - chest. Sayers now tried to draw his man, but Langham - was not to be had. Sayers, therefore, approached him, - when Langham popped in his left on the cheek, and then - the same hand on the nose, and got away. Sayers soon - followed him up, and Nat, as he retreated, again sent - out his left on the cheek. More sparring now took - place, and, at length, counter-hits were exchanged, Nat - catching Tom on the chin and drawing _first blood_ from - a pimple below his mouth. Sayers now bored in, and - caught Nat a nasty one on the forehead, from the - effects of which Langham went to grass. (_First - knock-down blow_ for Sayers.) Little merit, however, - could be attached to it, as the ground was in such a - state from the previous day’s rain as to render it - difficult for Nat to keep his legs, and the hit rather - helped him to grass than fairly sent him there. Having - now had an opportunity of judging and comparing the - men, the betting settled down to 5 to 4 on Nat, the - odds being principally due to Tom’s obviously bad - condition, and to the fact that, having lost the toss - for choice of corners, he had to fight with the sun in - his eyes. - - 2.――In this round Nat commenced the saving game, which - he persisted in throughout the fight, and after - planting a tap on the mouth, and receiving on the - forehead, slipped down. - - 3.――Both men ready to the call of time, and Langham led - off, but the blow fell short on Tom’s chest. A second - attempt was more successful, as he got home a heavy - spank on Tom’s snout, from which the ruby was instantly - visible. Left-handed counter-hits followed, each - getting it slightly on the cheek, and Nat, in getting - back again slipped down. - - 4.――On getting within distance both went to work. Tom - made his left on Nat’s cheek, and his right rather - heavily on his ribs. Heavy counter-hits followed, in - favour of Nat, whose length here gave him the - advantage. Tom napped it again severely on the smeller, - just between the eyes, and returned on Nat’s side of - his head and his short ribs, the latter a sounding - right-hander. Langham now retreated, and, as Tom - followed him up, pinked him twice in succession with - effect on the nozzle, drawing more claret. Sayers - returned slightly on the ribs, and again was met by Nat - on the mouth and left eye. Sayers continued to - persevere, occasionally getting in a little one on - Nat’s ribs, but Nat in this round appeared to have it - his own way; he propped his man repeatedly on the nose - and mouth, and then on the dexter eye. Again and again - did Sayers go to it, but Nat jobbed him with it - severely on the old spot, and at length finished the - round by going down, Sayers walking away, his face - brightly crimsoned by Nat’s handiwork. - - 5.――Nat, on getting his man, let go with his left with - great quickness on Tom’s nose, completely over his - guard. Sayers then went to in-fighting, and got home - his left on the side of Nat’s knowledge-box, and, after - a slight rally, both went down. A claim of foul was - made, that Sayers had hit Nat while down, but it was - not allowed, the men being on the ropes when the blow - was delivered. - - 6.――Tom came up grinning, but his mug was in anything - but grinning order. Langham, as usual, led off, but Tom - jumped away. Tom now feinted, let go his left on Nat’s - jaw, and then repeated the dose without return. Some - rattling exchanges followed in favour of Sayers, and in - the end Langham fell. - - 7.――Langham attempted to plant his left, but was out of - distance. Two more efforts were frustrated by Tom - jumping away. Nat was not to be denied; he went in, and - some rattling exchanges took place in favour of Sayers, - who got home on Nat’s cheek and ribs with severity, and - received one or two on the kissing organ, from which - more pink was drawn, and Langham in getting back fell. - - 8.――Langham dodged his man, and again popped in his - left with great quickness over his guard, turning on - the tap. Sayers returned slightly on the cheek, and, on - trying to improve upon this, was countered heavily on - the mouth. This led to some rapid exchanges in favour - of Sayers, who got home heavily on the ribs and jaw, - and received on the nasal promontory. The round - finished by Langham going to earth apparently weak. - - 9.――Sayers came up with a visible puffiness under both - eyes. Langham, as usual, led off on Tom’s mouth. Sayers - returned left and right on the canister and ribs, - received another little one on the nose, and then - lunged out with his right a sounding spank in the side. - Langham retreated, and was followed up by Tom, who - caught him on the mouth with his left, and Nat, after - an ineffectual attempt to return, fell. - - 10.――Langham stepped back to draw his man, who came for - it, and again napped an awkward one on the snout. - Sayers tried a return, but was short, and got another - smack on the nose for his pains. Counter-hits followed, - Nat getting it rather heavily on the left eye, and Tom - on the nose. Nat, after placing a little one on the - nose, fell on his south pole. - - 11.――Langham opened the pleadings by another - well-delivered spank on the proboscis, from his left, - over Tom’s guard. It was wonderful to see how - completely Sayers’s index seemed to be within reach of - Nat’s straight-darting deliveries. Left-handed - exchanges followed, but Sayers appeared to hit short. - Langham delivered again with severity on the bridge of - the nose, when Sayers made a one, two (the left on the - side of the head, and his right on the ribs), and - Langham got down on the saving suit. - - 12.――A pause now took place, and some mutual feinting - and dodging, it being “bellows to mend” on each side. - Nat at length tried his left, which was prettily - stopped. Sayers now went in, made his left and right on - the nose and ribs, but not heavily. Langham retaliated - on the nose, which led to some slight exchanges, and a - close, at the end of which both fell, Langham under. - - 13.――Sayers attempted to take the lead, but was propped - heavily on the snuff-box. He, however, got in his right - with severity on the ribs, and then his left on Nat’s - cheek. Nat’s returns were rendered abortive by the - activity of Tom, who again visited his ribs heavily - with his right, and Langham fell, Tom falling over him. - - 14.――Langham resumed his lead, and got well on to Tom’s - damaged nose and mouth. Sayers’s nose and cheeks - puffing visibly, to the great danger of his clear sight - for attack or defence. Tom countered him heavily on - cheek and ribs, and Langham fell, Tom on him. - - 15.――Sayers went to his man, planted his left on the - side of Nat’s brain-pan. Langham returned on the neck - with his right, a round hit, and fell in getting away. - - 16.――Nat sent in his left, over Tom’s guard, upon his - nose heavily, and again turned on the main. Good - counters followed, Nat on the nose, and Tom on the neck - heavily. Exchanges, in which Tom got on to Nat’s left - cheek, and Langham got down, Sayers falling over him. - - 17.――Langham was short in two attempts with his left, - and a third was stopped, when Sayers dashed out his - left, getting home on the ribs. Langham returned with - good effect on the nose, and both fell. - - 18.――Long sparring until Nat let fly his left on the - old spot. Tom made his right on the ribs, but again got - a nasty crack on the side of his cranium, and Langham - got down. - - 19.――Nat was again short in his lead. Tom was more - successful, got home his right on the ribs, and Nat was - again down. - - 20.――This was a good round on both sides. After a - little sparring Langham tried his left, but Tom jumped - well away. In a second attempt Nat got slightly home on - the chest, and then on the nose. Sayers countered him - on the mouth, and then some exchanges took place, in - which Nat hit the straightest, Tom’s blows appearing to - be open-handed. Sayers now went in, but got it heavily - on the nose from Nat, who fought on the retreat. Tom - followed him up, got well home on the jaw, and then on - the nose and left eye, knocking Langham clean off his - legs. (A fair knock-down blow.) - - 21.――Tho last blow delivered by Sayers was evidently a - stinger, as Nat’s left peeper and nose showed the - effects of it. Tom immediately led off, got in his left - and right on the nose and ribs without a return, and - then, closing, threw Langham a back-fall, and fell - heavily on him. (5 to 4 offered by an enthusiastic - backer of Tom’s.) - - 22.――Hitting over Tom’s guard Nat got well on Tom’s - nose, but Sayers returning heavily on the mouth, Nat - got back, and fell. - - 23.――Odds of 5 to 4 on Sayers were now freely offered - all round the ring, and he certainly seemed to have - much the best of it, was full of confidence, and at - once opened proceedings by sending in his left heavily - on Nat’s ivory-box. The latter tried to get away, but - Tom followed him up closely and again landed on the - mouth, avoiding the return. Severe counter-hitting - followed, in which Sayers again got on to Nat’s mouth, - but received on the smeller, and then Langham went to - the earth in a decided state of weakness. - - 24.――Sayers, attempting to force the fighting all he - could, again led off on Nat’s left cheek, and Nat - retaliated on the nose heavily. Tom retreated, and, on - going to it again, popped in his right on Nat’s - commissariat department. He tried a repetition of this, - but napped it severely on the nose for his pains. After - some sparring Tom reached Nat’s ribs, and the latter, - reaching his own corner, got down. - - 25.――Sayers, first to begin, delivered a little one on - Nat’s nose, but the blow wanted steam. Nat retreated, - and as Tom followed him, Nat jobbed him on the nozzle, - again disturbing the cochineal; and on receiving a - little one on the chin Nat dropped. - - 26.――Nat began the attack by a successful endeavour to - resume his lead. He got home heavily on Tom’s left - cheek, which led to exchanges in favour of Nat, who - repeatedly met Tom in the middle of the head. Tom got - in one or two on the ribs and chest, and one on Nat’s - left peeper, but not heavily. Nat returned on the face, - and in retreating slipped down. - - 27.――Langham again made play on Tom’s nose, the cork - being drawn. He got in a little one on the ribs in - return, and Nat fell, Sayers on him. - - 28.――On coming up Nat led off, but misjudged his - distance and was short, the blow falling on Tom’s - cheek. Tom sent out his left, but got a very heavy one - on his mouth in return. Some heavy exchanges followed, - in which Tom got well home on Nat’s cheek, from the - effect of which Nat fell. - - 29.――One hour had now elapsed, and still there was no - decided lead. Langham was again short in his opening - deliveries, and Sayers, after returning on the left - cheek, closed and threw his man, falling heavily on - him. - - 30.――Nat’s left once more fell short of its - destination, when Tom let out his left and caught him - on the mouth; Langham returned quickly on the nose, - from which once more the ruby trickled. Slight - exchanges followed, and Langham fell evidently weak. - - 31.――Sayers led off, caught Nat a heavy cross hit with - his left over the left peeper, inflicting a deep cut - and drawing the carmine; he in return had his cork - drawn by Nat’s left. Some exchanges followed, in the - course of which Tom again opened the cut over Nat’s - left ogle by a heavy hit from his left, and Nat fell. - - 32.――Another good round. Nat’s left peeper looked the - worse for wear, but he came gamely up, and as Tom led - off he countered him on the nose. Some exchanges - followed in favour of Sayers, who got well on Nat’s - left cheek, and received a return on the cheek-bone. - They now got to work in earnest, and some ding-dong - fighting took place, as if both thought this the - turning point of the battle. Each got it heavily on the - frontispiece, Sayers re-opening the cut over Nat’s left - eye, and receiving one or two awkward reminders on the - cheek and nose. A break away followed, and then Langham - again went up to his man, who met him on the left eye - another heavy spank. Nat returned on the nozzle, and - immediately afterwards received another reminder on the - sinister peeper, and fell. This was a capital fighting - round, exhibiting the determined resolve of both men. - - 33.――Sayers led off, got home slightly on the throat, - and received a heavy one from Nat’s left on the right - cheek. Excellent counter-hits followed, Tom on the - cheek and Nat on the right peeper, and Nat then got - down. - - 34.――Long sparring, Langham evidently wanting wind, and - Tom not much better. At last Nat went to work, got well - on Tom’s damaged nose with his left, and stopped Tom’s - return. Sayers tried again, and succeeded in reaching - Nat’s throat, when the latter again fell. - - 35.――Another fighting round. Good counter-hits, each - receiving on the left eye. A break away and more - counter-hitting, Sayers on the left peeper, and Nat - well on the nose. Langham now lunged out his right with - great force, but, luckily for Tom, the blow missed its - destination, and Nat, overreaching himself, fell. - - 36.――Nat, on coming up, showed his left peeper in deep - mourning, and nearly closed; he was evidently weak, and - the friends of Sayers were up in the stirrups. Sayers - feinted, and let out his left, which reached the - damaged optic, re-opening the former wound. Langham was - short in his return. Sayers twice got home his left on - the throat, but was stopped in the third attempt; he - afterwards succeeded in reaching Nat’s left cheek, and - the latter, after an ineffectual attempt to return, got - down. - - 37.――In spite of the punishment he had received in the - previous round, Langham was first up, and he sent out - his left, but Tom jumped quickly away, returned heavily - on the forehead and ribs, and then fell. - - 38.――Some ineffectual countering, after which Sayers - got nearer, and put in a little one on the left eye. - Nat retreated, and on being followed by Tom, who - delivered straight on the mouth, got down weak. - - 39.――There could be no question as to the gallantry - with which both men were fighting, and although - appearances were in favour of Sayers, there were not - wanting those who saw the danger lying before him, and - among these must assuredly be numbered Nat’s clever - seconds, under whose directions and advice Langham now - seemed to devote himself to land just one blow on Tom’s - swollen nose, or on one of his puffy eyes, and then to - get down with as little punishment and as little - exertion as possible; for it was impossible to conceal - Nat’s weakness, and it was decidedly a moot point - whether he would be able to hold out until Tom could be - forced to “put up the shutters.” Nat tried to lead off, - but was stopped. Sayers attempted to return, but Nat - sent out his left very straight on the left eye, and on - Sayers again coming on, he delivered the same hand on - Tom’s damaged smeller, and drew more claret. Tom made - his left slightly on the cheek, and Nat at once went to - grass. - - 40.――Tom let go his left, got slightly home on the - chest, and Nat, after returning with his left on the - forehead, fell. - - 41.――Sayers tried to take the lead, but Nat jumped - quickly away; Sayers followed him up, when Nat met him - with a sharp tap on the left eye, and then another - left-hander on the cheek. Sayers persevered until he - got home his right on Nat’s ribs, when the latter again - got down. - - 42.――Nat led off, caught Tom heavily on the left cheek - and then on the brow. He tried to repeat the - visitation, when Tom caught him sharply over the right - peeper, drawing blood, and Nat got down. Nat’s length - and cleverness were conspicuous in his left-hand - deliveries. - - 43.――Sayers rushed in, but Nat countered him on the - left peeper. Sayers got in his right heavily on the - bread-basket, and Nat fell. - - 44.――After a little sparring, the men got close - together, and some sharp counter-hits were exchanged, - Tom getting well on to Nat’s damaged left peeper, and - receiving on the right cheek. Nat now attempted another - delivery, but overreached himself and fell. - - 45.――The temporary revival of Langham’s strength seemed - at an end. Sayers let go his left, got home on the - cheek, and Nat, who was decidedly in “Queer Street,” - again went down sick and weak. - - 46.――Nothing done. Nat got down as soon and as easily - as he could manage it. - - 47.――Sayers led off, and caught Nat over the left ogle; - this led to some counter-hits, in which Langham got - home heavily on Tom’s right peeper, which was now - pretty nearly closed from the repeated hits on the nose - and its exposure to the bright rays of the sun. Langham - received a little one on the left cheek in return, and - fell. - - 48.――Tom led off, but was countered by Nat on the left - eye. In a second attempt Nat stopped him, and then - popped him heavily on the nose, drawing more of the - ruby. Nat succeeded in planting another heavily on the - left peeper, and Tom fell for the first time for many - rounds. - - 49.――Things looked by no means so cheerful for Sayers’ - backers, for although he was by far the stronger man on - his pins, he now came up bleeding from both eyes, his - seconds having been compelled to lance them while he - was in his corner to prevent his going blind. He dashed - in, aware that although much the stronger man on his - legs, he must be in total darkness if he did not finish - his man soon. Slight exchanges took place, Tom getting - it on both eyes slightly, and returning, but without - effect, on Nat’s mouth, and in the end Sayers was first - down. - - 50.――Sayers once more dashed in but was met by Nat on - the left peeper. Tom returned slightly on the body, and - Langham again went to grass, apparently weak. - - 51.――Tom rushed in, delivered his left heavily on the - conk, and then his right on the ribs without a return, - and Nat dropped. - - 52.――Tom again went to work, caught Langham on the side - of his nut; Nat returned on the left peeper, and then - slipped down. - - 53.――Tom led off, got home on Langham’s left eye, but - the blow lacked force, and Nat fell, Sayers falling - over him. - - 54.――Sayers stepped in with his left, but was short; he - tried it again, catching Nat on the waistband. Langham - attempted a return, but Sayers jumped away. Nat again - lunged out, but, overreaching himself, fell. - - 55.――Nat seemed to shake himself together, went up to - his man, led off with his left on the right cheek, and - got away. Sayers followed him up, when some sharp - exchanges took place, Nat reaching Tom’s damaged snout, - and once more turning on the tap. Tom returned the - compliment on the left cheek, and Langham fell weak, - Tom falling over him, not much better off. - - 56.――It was now clear that Tom’s peepers had not many - minutes to remain open, and he therefore at once led - off, but was out of distance; in a second attempt he - caught Nat over the left peeper, but received another - hot one on the nose in return. He would not be shaken - off, however; he followed Nat and let fly his left on - the jaw. Sharp counter-hits followed, Sayers on the - mouth and nose, and Nat on the right ogle, and Langham - fell. - - 57.――Tom at once rushed in, but was stopped. His next - effort reached Nat’s mouth, and the latter got down. - - 58.――Both were nearly pumped out, and it was evident - that a chance hit might finish Langham, while Sayers, - if he could not deliver that hit, must soon “cut it.” - The men let fly simultaneously, each getting it on the - frontispiece. A break away followed, after which Tom - reached Nat’s left eye, but not effectively. A close, - in which Tom caught his man with his right as he went - down, and then fell on him. - - 59.――Langham went to his man, delivered his left - heavily on the nose, and received a little one on the - jaw. He then rushed at Sayers, who stepped back, and - Nat, missing his mark, fell. - - 60.――Sayers’s fate was sealed; like Jack Broughton in - the memorable account of Captain Godfrey,[25] he might - have exclaimed, “I can’t see my man; I’m blind, not - beat. Only let me see my man and he shall not gain the - day yet!” Tom rushed in open-handed. Nat stepped on one - side, met him as he came on the left peeper, and then - beside the nose. Tom persevered, but Langham easily - avoided him, and then propped him in the mouth heavily. - Tom continued to bore in, and got in a round hit on the - side of Nat’s head, whereon Nat returned with his left - just behind Tom’s ear, and both fell. Sayers evidently - all abroad. - - 61 and last.――It was beyond a doubt now that Sayers - could not see what he was doing or where he was going, - and there were loud cries from his backers of “take him - away,” which Alec Keene was anxious to do; but Tom, - full of pluck as ever, resolutely refused to give in, - and swinging his arms, walked deliberately to the - scratch. He lunged out, but could not judge his - distance, and Nat, waiting for him coolly until he came - again, hit him heavily on the right eye. Poor Tom - struck out wildly and altogether at random, and Nat - getting out of his way delivered a heavy left-hander on - the left eye, which put up the other shutter, and he - rather fell than was knocked down. On being helped to - his corner, despite his entreaties, Alec Keene, seeing - there was no hope, threw up the sponge, and Langham was - proclaimed the victor in this truly gallant struggle, - after a contest that had been protracted for two hours - and two minutes. Immediately the fiat had been - pronounced in his favour, Nat walked across the ring to - shake hands with his defeated opponent, who shed bitter - tears of disappointment and humiliation, while Nat, - seeming to acquire fresh strength from the - consciousness of victory, contrived to leap over the - ropes, although five minutes before he could hardly - stand on his legs. - - REMARKS.――Nothing could possibly be farther from our - thoughts or wishes than any attempt to detract from the - gallant achievements of Nat Langham in thus maintaining - his title as middle-weight champion, and also earning a - lasting fame as the only man who ever licked Tom - Sayers. Still, in fairness to the beaten man, it must - be remembered that Sayers was at that time by no means - either so good a boxer nor so strong a man as he became - a few years later, when he defeated one big man after - another. Moreover, his defeat was palpably owing to his - want of condition, in consequence of which his face - puffed up and his eyes closed with far less punishment - than he could otherwise have taken scatheless. But when - all allowances have been made, the fact remains, that - the gallant Nat did defeat the otherwise invincible - Tom, and thus worthily dosed a pugilistic career, - which, like Sayers’s, had only once been clouded by - defeat. Nothing could be more deserving of the highest - praise and warmest admiration than the cool courage and - calculating generalship with which, when he found that - the superior strength of his adversary was likely to - prove too much for him, he at once adopted the only - system of tactics likely to serve him, and deliberately - set to work to avert defeat by blinding his opponent. - How skilfully he carried this plan into effect we have - seen, and it is interesting to remember that Sayers - never forgot the lesson he had received, but himself - put it into practical effect on the occasion of his - fight with Heenan. - -Sayers’s gallant stand was duly appreciated by his friends, and -upwards of fifty pounds were collected for him in the train during the -homeward journey. Immediately he had recovered his eyesight Tom -challenged Langham to another trial of skill, but Nat announced his -retirement from the Ring; and, further, his opening of the “Cambrian -Stores,” Castle Street, Leicester Square, where he decorated a showy -lamp, bearing his name and the inscription, “Champion of the -Middle-weights.” At this period our hero developed into a publican; -for your successful pugilist is a publican in chrysalis, so sure as a -caddis shall become a May-fly in due season. Sayers, however, had also -become the landlord of the “Bricklayers’ Arms,” in his favourite -locality of Camden Town, and demurred to Nat’s lamp and inscription. -“Here am I,” said he, “ready for all comers, Nat Langham included. He -has been beaten by Harry Orme, who has retired, and I have been beaten -by him. As I do not believe myself conquered on my merits, but by -inferior condition, I claim the Championship of the Middle-weights.” - -The introduction of Harry Orme’s name is irrelevant, as Orme, Aaron -Jones (12 stone), Tom Paddock (12 stone), Harry Broome (12 stone), -claimed and fought for the actual and unlimited “Championship,” during -the interregnum closed by Tom Sayers’s successive disposal of Aaron -Jones, Bill Perry (the Tipton Slasher), 13 stone, Bill Benjamin -(Bainge), 12 stone, and Tom Paddock. Quitting this point, however, -Nat’s reply was conclusive. He had espoused the niece of Ben Caunt, -had settled down, and did not see why he should risk all these -“hostages given to fortune,” by trusting what Captain Godfrey calls in -his sketch of Broughton, “a battle to a waning age.” Langham’s health, -too, never robust, was by no means A 1, and he prudently preferred -leaving off a winner, as disposing of such a boxer as Tom Sayers was -by no means what betting men would call a “safe thing.” He, therefore, -in a brief epistle declined Tom’s cartel, and told him he might paint -his lamp at the “Bricklayers’ Arms” in any way he chose; meantime that -he, Langham, had won the title of Middle-weight Champion and meant to -wear it, and certainly should not transfer it from Castle Street to -Camden Town; and there the controversy closed. - -We should here close the history of Nat Langham’s career in the P.R. -but for the regrettable incident of his rescinding his commendable -resolution of retirement four years later, in 1857, in the September -of which year, owing to some domestic jars with his relative and -neighbour, “Big Ben,” the ill-assorted pair met in battle array to -decide their fistic merits, also who should forfeit a stake of £100 to -the other, and to settle a family feud in which the public could not -feel the slightest possible interest. How they did not achieve either -of these three results will be found fully set forth in our account of -their drawn-battle, in the Life of CAUNT, in Chapter II. of the -present volume. - -Langham, in his later years, was host of the “Mitre” tavern in St. -Martin’s Lane, and died at the “Cambrian,” Castle Street, Leicester -Square, September 1st, 1871. - - - [24] Harry Brunton still flourishes (June, 1881), it cannot - be said in a “_green_ old age,” at the “Nag’s Head,” Wood - Green, a handy house of call in the Green Lanes, near the - Alexandra Palace. - - [25] See PUGILISTICA, vol. i., p. 28. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -HARRY ORME. - -1849-1853. - - -The brown-skinned, hardy, game, and resolute boxer, whose name heads -this somewhat brief biography, demands a niche in our gallery of prize -pugilists who have aspired to the Championship, were it only for the -obstinately contested battles in which he was engaged on each of the -four occasions in which he made a public appearance in the twenty-four -foot enclosure. In the short period between December, 1849, and April, -1853, Harry advanced from the position of a “novice” to that of a -candidate, and a very dangerous one, for the Championship of England; -reckoning among those who succumbed to his prowess, Aaron Jones -(twice), the accomplished Nat Langham――the only conqueror of Tom -Sayers――and closing his career by one of the most memorable battles of -modern times, in which he fell before the conquering arm of Harry -Broome. - -Harry Orme was by birth a Londoner, having first seen daylight at Old -Ford, near Bow, in the month of May, 1826; in which year, also, were -born his antagonist, Harry Broome, and the yet more renowned Tom -Sayers, doubtless under the influence of some pugilistic planet. -Harry, who “came of decent people,” was introduced to the London Ring -with less preliminary paragraphing than usual; he was an East-Ender by -birth, parentage, and associations, and an East-Ender he remained to -the end of his career. - -It so happened that in the year 1849, Jem Burn, the Mæcenas of -millers, had among his visitors at the “Queen’s Head” a powerful big -one, hight Aaron Jones, of Shrewsbury, 20 years of age, weighing 11st. -4lb., standing 5ft. 10½in. in his stocking-feet, who had friends among -the “proud Salopians,” who were anxious to get on a match with any -“trial horse” Jem might select for their promising novice. Jones had -passed a favourable “competitive examination” in the sparring schools, -and Jem had declared, with a qualifying _if_, that “_If_ there was the -right stuff in him he was big enough and clever enough for anything -then on the list.” The “sages of the East” were of opinion that they -had a novice as good as he of the West, so Harry, after taking stock -of his opponent _in futuro_ at a sparring _soirée_ in Windmill Street, -returned to his friends at the “Blue Anchor,” and “reported progress.” -The result was favourable to a venture of the East against the West, -the Orientals already well knowing that their man would take a great -deal of beating to turn him from brown to blue. Articles were -accordingly formulated at Mr. Hunter’s, “Weavers’ Arms,” Kingsland -Road, with deposits at “Jolly Jem’s,” for a fight to come off on the -18th December, 1849, each man not to exceed 11st. 4lb. on the day -before the fight. Frimley Green, Surrey, was duly reached per train on -the day appointed, and at a quarter to one, in a drizzle of cold rain, -the men entered the ring. The “Shrewsbury Youth” was waited on by Jack -Hannan and Bob Fuller, the pedestrian; Orme by two well-known East End -professionals, Joe Rowe and John Hazeltine. Umpires and a referee were -quickly agreed upon; and the colours, a blue birdseye for Orme, and a -fancy orange, shot with green, with a blue border, for Jones, being -knotted to the stake, the men and their seconds crossed hands, and the -principal performers stood up for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Considering that the men were novices, there - was a good deal of money laid out on the mill, Jones - being made the favourite at 5 and 6 to 4――chiefly from - having the wealthier backers. He certainly, though - young and light downwards, was lathy, long, and - muscular, and looked dangerously like a fighter; while - Orme, compact, well knit, and determined, seemed, with - his mahogany frontispiece and walnut-brown skin, more - like a gipsy than ever. Orme squared his elbows in the - old-fashioned style that was called “navigatorish;” - while Jones, though awkward and nervous, showed the - superior school in which he had graduated. The Young - One tried his left, but Orme jumped away, going bang - against one of the stakes. The men crept close again, - each sparring in what was meant to be a finished style, - till Jones let fly with his left, but almost out of - distance, so that he barely reached his man. After - feeling his way again, Jones let go, but was stopped - neatly, and in the exchanges that followed Orme threw - in his right heavily on Jones’s left cheek. There was - weight in this blow; the Young One shook his head as if - puzzled, then went in resolutely. Orme missed his one, - two. A rally followed, during which Jones hit Orme in - the mouth, and received on the right eye in return. - Both rolled down. In this, his very first round within - the ropes, it was seen that Orme’s favourite weapon was - his right, and that he was a heavy hitter. - - 2 to 6.――These rounds were much alike, and although - there were some sharp exchanges all through them, they - were tedious. Novices are generally in one extreme or - the other; they either rush at their opponents as if - fights were to be won in a gallop, or else are - ambitious to show how scientific they are, and so spar - and manœuvre without any definite end in view. The - fighting took place chiefly in Orme’s corner, the - length of arm possessed by Jones forcing his opponent - to retreat; here they manœuvred and jumped in and out, - till at last they got close, and then staggering - counter-hits would be exchanged. The closes were - scrambling affairs, and generally ended in the men - rolling down together. - - [Illustration: HARRY ORME.] - - 7.――Another tedious example of ring manœuvring, without - the skill which makes such fiddling, squaring, - advancing, retreating, feinting, and shifting - tolerable. Both novices, however, were actuated by a - desire not to throw a chance away; but on a wet - December day a little less generalship and busier work - would have suited the spectators. The round lasted 27 - minutes, but tedious as it was, it was wound up by a - slashing rally, in which the big ones hit with all - their steam. Jones drew _first blood_ in profusion from - Orme’s nose and mouth, while Harry delivered his right - with tremendous force on Jones’s left ribs and left - eye, badly marking the one and almost entirely closing - the other. - - 8.――Both slow in answering the call of time; more than - a minute elapsed before they appeared at the scratch, - the heavy hitting in the last round having told its - tale. Orme, instead of going in and taking advantage of - his weight and power of arm, stood out and retreated, - by advice of his friends. The round lasted 17 minutes, - and at last was closed by another desperate rally, - Jones improving in his style, and using both hands - well, but the returns of Orme were heaviest and most - effective. Jones threw Orme cleverly in the close. - - 9.――Jones jobbed Orme on the nose, and then on the - cheek, but the blows, although well from the shoulder, - left no mark. Orme seemed remarkably slow in showing - contusions, while Jones was already much disfigured. - Jones forced Orme towards his corner; Orme rushed - forward as Jones retreated in turn; he let go both left - and right viciously, but was short. Jones lunged out - desperately with his right, and nailing Orme on the - side of the head, knocked him clean down in the middle - of the ring. (Cheers for the Shrewsbury Youth. First - knock-down for Jones.) - - 10.――Orme came up smiling, and as Jones made himself up - for following his supposed advantage, surprised him by - dashing in and planting his left a smasher on the nose. - A pounding rally followed, in which some heavy - counter-hitting took place, each man standing well to - his gun, until Jones fell under the ropes. - - For the next fifteen rounds the fighting grew quicker, - the sparring less tedious, and the rallies more - frequent. Jones, taking a leaf out of his opponent’s - book, planted several slashing hits with his right on - the side of Orme’s head, but being the taller man, he - frequently hit too high, and his hand, rather than - Orme’s hard skull, suffered. The East-Ender took his - punishment patiently, and was with Jones in nearly all - his attempts, with heavy right-handers on the left - ribs, which gradually impaired the force of Jones’s - hitting, and when they got closer still, his ponderous - right fell on his cheek-bone or temple, till Jones was - nearly blinded. The Shrewsbury man, however, was yet as - strong as Orme, and was the better wrestler, for he - threw his adversary in several of these rounds. Towards - the 25th round, however, the repeated right-handers of - Orme began to tell their tale, and Jones grew slower - and weaker. In the last-mentioned round Orme led off, - and hit Jones sharply in the head, repeating the dose - without a return. Jones attempted to force a rally, but - Orme got down more cleverly than heretofore. Jones - fought with great fairness, and was much applauded. - - 26.――Orme showed few marks of punishment, and was sent - up by his seconds very clean, while Jones grew more - disfigured each round. The men fought somewhat wildly, - but managed to exchange some stinging counters, which - led to a close; but Jones was now unable to throw his - opponent, and both were down. - - 27 to 35.――(Two hours and twenty-nine minutes had - elapsed, and no odds were obtainable; indeed, it was - yet on the cards for either to win.) Burn called to his - man, Jones, to come away from Orme’s corner, and let - the East-Ender come to him. Jones, who was evidently - distressed, did so, and the same style of fighting was - pursued. Jones fell from weakness in the 32nd round, - which Orme noting, he forced the fighting again, and, - in the 35th round delivered several of his slogging - hits at close quarters with such staggering effect that - Jones, whose returns were slight, dropped in the rally. - - 36.――The last two or three rounds had told their tale, - and it was evident that Jones’s chance was fading. (3 - to 1 offered on Orme without takers.) Jones came up as - game as a man could be, and still tried to look - cheerful; but his knees were tottery, and he was - plainly “going.” Orme went to him, forced another - rally, and, after one or two heavy hits, dropped him - with a right-hander. (“Take him away.”) - - 37 and 38.――In each of these rounds Jones came to the - scratch, and made one or two futile attempts to stop - his adversary’s rush, dropping on his knee on receiving - a hit from Orme. - - 39.――Orme paused, as if hesitating to strike his - opponent, who was quite at his mercy. Jones made a peck - at him, and received a touch on the old spot in the - ribs. It was but a push, yet it sent him to grass - sideways. - - 40.――Loud cries of “Take him away!” Jones faced his - opponent for the fortieth time, but he was all abroad. - Orme gradually forced him back into his corner, and - harmlessly sent him down, when Hannan threw up the - sponge in token of Jones’s defeat. - - The fight lasted two hours and forty-five minutes, - including several tedious rounds, and much useless - breaking ground, advancing, and retreating. It was, - nevertheless, a truly hard fight, and the two powerful - boxers who made their _début_ on this occasion - inflicted severe mutual punishment. It was manifest, - early in the battle, that Orme was the more lasting of - the two, and much the heavier hitter. It seemed, also, - that Jones had commenced his career too early. - -Each man proved himself thorough game, and possessed of undoubted -stamina. Orme, in beating a man taller, longer in the reach, a shade -heavier, and much the favourite in the betting, had done all expected -of him, and his friends resolved on quietly biding their time, -and――when that time did come――on playing for a good stake. Their -confidence in their champion was shown by the character of the next -antagonist selected for him being no other than Nat Langham, whose -fame already stood high among the few who had an opportunity of -judging of his merits. - -Orme’s _coup d’essai_ having proved eminently satisfactory, and Master -Nat having been waiting in vain for a suitable customer from the day -when he defeated Sparkes the Australian, as related in the previous -chapter, a match was proposed for £50 a side, to be decided on the 6th -day of May, 1851. A trip down the river being agreed on, “The Queen of -the Thames” was the vessel engaged, and the oft-described voyage -having been effected at two o’clock, the ring was pitched by Ould Tom -Oliver, Tom Callas, and assistants. At three Orme tossed in his cap, -and Langham followed his example. The usual ridiculous haggling with -regard to a referee ensued, during which we adjourned to another part -of the marsh, where a merry little mill between an Israelite and a son -of Ishmael, in the person of a gipsy lad, which had been arranged for -decision on this occasion, came off. The Hebrew was worsted after a -stubborn resistance. This settled, we returned to the legitimate roped -quadrangle called “the ring” because it is _not_ round. Here, after -positively refusing an arbitration which carries with its exercise -nought but unpleasantness, a veteran Ring-goer (Old Tom Oliver), with -the snows of sixty winters on his head, accepted the office. At -fifteen minutes past four the men were escorted to the scratch. Orme -was esquired by Jemmy Welsh and Jack Grant; Langham by D’Orsay Turner -and Johnny Hannan. The men, at scale, were stated to be respectively -11st. 5lb. and 11st. 2lb.; but upon this point we have our doubts, -Orme appearing upon every point far the heavier man. Orme had trained -upon the Chatham hills, and was as tough-looking a dark grained bit of -stuff as ever was selected by shipwright of that famed dockyard -locality. Langham took his breathings on Newmarket Heath, and was as -fine as any thoroughbred fresh from its gallops. The betting was now -even, Langham for choice. After waiting a few minutes for a hailstorm, -which, according to the precedent of this “merry month,” will have its -way, at a quarter past four the men stood up for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Orme stood firmly, with his elbows rather - high, his fists level and almost square, and his heavy, - thick, round arms in anything but an elegant position; - yet he loomed big, massive, and formidable, and his - deep chest, matted with coarse black hair, and - complexion of the deepest gipsy brown, gave an - impression of hardihood and enduring strength. Langham - was fine and fair in skin, clean built, with handsome - shoulders and biceps, good length of reach and active - pins. His attitude was artistic; the left well up and - forward, the right playing easily across the mark, - covering the short ribs, and ready for stop or - delivery. Orme seemed a little flurried and worked - forward, Langham shifting and retreating before him, - coolly and collectedly. Orme let go his left, which - Langham stopped, and caught Orme sharply on the - cheekbone; Langham followed Orme on the bustle, and - reached him slightly with the right, when Orme ducked - his head, turned clean round, and rose up outside the - ropes (laughter). Langham beckoned Orme, who came - inside, nodding his head and smiling. Langham, cautious - and steady, would not lead off. Orme tried to make his - left, but was stopped, and following it immediately - with his right was out of distance; Langham hit Orme - sharply with the left in a quick exchange, drawing - “first blood” from his mouth and nose. The men got at - it, and fighting was the order of the round, Orme - giving Langham a heavy body hit, but catching pepper - about the frontispiece. Both down, Langham first, but - with the best of the hitting. - - 2.――Nat retreating, measuring Orme with his left, till - the latter let fly; pretty counter-hits with the left, - Orme home on Langham’s cheek, Langham on Orme’s nasal - organ, from which more of the ruby distilled. Some - exchanges of no great moment, Langham slipping down - from his own hit. - - 3.――Orme stopped Langham’s left neatly (applause); - counters with left, Langham’s straightest, but did not - seem much to mark Orme’s cast-iron nob. Orme bored in, - pegging away; Langham propped him, but dropped when - forced to the ropes. - - 4.――Orme made several feints, Langham shifted and - laughed; Langham tried to draw his man, but the latter, - advised by Welsh, pointed to the scratch. Langham tried - his left, but Orme was with him, and, after some heavy - weaving work, Langham fell because it suited him. - - 5.――Sparring; Langham cautious but lively. Orme had - found that he got pepper whenever he attempted to lead - off, and he paused awhile. There was some little chaff - about each man having something in his hands, and they - were shown to be empty. The mill recommenced by Langham - rattling in one, two, catching Orme on the nose and - ribs; in the scramble Langham was down. - - 6.――Nat visited Orme’s left eye a stinger, raising a - “mouse.” Orme rushed in and delivered with tremendous - half-arm energy; Langham fought up and was bored down. - - 7.――Orme rolled in, letting go both hands; Nat nobbed - him, but Orme forced the fun, and ran Langham to earth. - - 8.――Orme had got terribly disfigured by Langham’s - retreating shots, but they did not seem to impair his - strength or resolution; he hit Langham heavily on the - ribs in the rally, but got one, straight as an arrow, - in the nose from Langham’s left; it was a smasher, and - was followed by a lunge from the right, as he was - already on the stagger, and down he went on his south - pole. (_First knock-down far Langham._ Great cheering.) - - 9.――Orme came up more steady than was expected; he - hemmed and coughed several times, as if troubled in the - throat, but played about, waiting for Langham to begin. - Langham led off, and made his left, but Orme dashed in - desperately, and both were down in the rally. (6 to 4 - on Langham.) - - 10.――Langham propped Orme on the nose; Orme hit rather - out of distance, and Langham slipped down. - - 11.――Rapid exchanges. Langham made his straight left - sharply on Orme’s right eye, raising a “mouse” to match - the left. Orme got Langham in his arms, and, after a - brief struggle, held him by the crook, forced him over, - and threw him from his hip on his neck and head, - lending his whole weight to the impetus of his fall. - Langham, apparently stupefied, was picked up, all - abroad, by Jem Turner and Hannan. (Cries of “It’s all - over!”) - - 12.――Langham came up loose in the knees and puzzled, - but he had not lost his style. Orme could not get on to - him, and he fell on the saving suit. - - 13.――(“Time.”) Langham fought prettily on the - defensive, but was in evident distress; indeed, he - never entirely shook off effects of the throw in the - previous round throughout the fight. Orme hit him in - the body, but he was getting down when he received the - blow. - - 14, 15, 16.――Langham still merely defensive but the - last a good fighting round. - - 17 to 20.――Heavy work; both rather wild. Langham - generally finished the rounds by getting to grass. - (Offers of 3 to 2 on Orme.) - - 21.――Punishing exchanges. Nat getting steadier; Orme - gave way a little after a job or two from Langham’s - left. Langham followed him. After some hard fighting - Orme threw Langham. - - 22.――(A claim on account of Orme having some substance - in his hand; it was disproved.) Ding-dong work, and - Langham down in the hitting. - - 23.――Orme pursued Langham, determined not to allow him - to recover his wind; hard, but rather wild hitting, - during which Orme getting close, sent Langham down. - - 24.――Nat missed his left, Orme stepping back; Orme put - out his tongue. Exchanges, and Langham fell. - - 25.――Langham hit Orme several times as he came in, but - could not stop himself from being bored down. - - 26.――Langham tried his left twice, but was not near - enough to his man. Orme let go his left, and Langham - dropped. (An appeal from Orme on the plea that Langham - dropped without a blow.) - - 27.――Heavy counters; Orme on Langham’s jowl; Langham on - Orme’s eye, which was nearly shut up. A rattling round. - Nat got on Orme’s best eye (the right), then on his - note. Orme hammered away, but was short of distance, - except when in-fighting; a close, and Langham under. - (One hour.) - - 28, 29.――Exchanges; Langham precise, and timing his - hits, got Orme to a standstill. When Orme came on again - Langham fell. (Another claim.) - - 30, 31.――As before, Langham slipped down in the - hitting. (A claim each round for Orme.) - - 32.――Orme wild and rushing; Langham steadied himself, - and propped him severely. Langham fell at the ropes, - Orme over him. - - 33, 34.――Langham delivered and fell from his own blows. - - 35.――Hard hitting; Orme would not be denied; Langham - got down at the ropes, and Orme, bending his knee, - tried to drop on him. (An appeal from Langham’s party, - but overruled.) - - 36 to 40.――Nat nailed Orme dexterously, swelling his - lips till he resembled the portrait of the elder - Molyneaux. In the 40th round he got him to a standstill - for a few seconds. (“Where’s your 2 to 1 now?”) Langham - fought cunningly, and got through the ropes, down. - - 41.――Orme’s eye closed; he rushed at Langham, who - dropped, and Orme was again charged with trying to - “knee” him. - - 42.――Exchanges; Langham made his left prettily, but - Orme gave him such a sneezer that he dropped. - - 43.――Langham game and clever, but weak. (80 minutes had - elapsed.) In the struggle at the close Langham was - undermost; a nasty back fall. - - 44.――Some sharp work, the men falling from their own - hits, reaching the ground at the same time. - - 45 to 60.――It was wonderful to see how, round after - round, such fighting could be kept up, Langham still - holding the palm for generalship, straight hitting, and - precision, but wanting strength from repeated falls. In - the 60th round he fell weak. In the 64th, both men were - again down in the hitting. From the 65th to the 100th - round, time after time, did the men come up with - fluctuating chances, the changes every three or four - rounds being truly surprising. First Langham got so - shaky that every round seemed his last; then Orme got - such straight props from the shoulder, in return for - his attempts to “go in and finish,” that it seemed a - pity both could not win; several times he stood still, - puzzled, but scorned to go down, while Langham could - not get up steam enough to seize the advantage and - secure victory. Orme was twice appealed against, on the - ground that he lifted his foot when Langham was down. - We do not think he either knew or intended to do what - he did. Langham, too, was appealed against for going - down, but the veteran referee would not have the battle - snatched from such good men by a quibble. In the 100th - round, 2 hours and 34 minutes having expired, Orme, on - being carried to his corner, communicated to his - seconds that he would fight no more; when the practised - eye of Welsh perceiving that Langham’s head had dropped - on Turner’s shoulder, he revived his man by the - information that his opponent had “cut it.” Orme went - up, but was not allowed to have it for asking. Langham - showed, and pecked away like a game cock, though there - was no power in his blows. - - 102 to 108.――Short rounds, as they well might be. - Langham got a turn in his favour, for he hit Orme in - the last-mentioned round, and his head dropped when - picked up. - - 109.――Orme recovered quicker than could be expected, - and again perceived that his opponent’s plight was no - better than his own: he staggered in, punched away, and - Langham fell. - - 110 to 113.――Orme very much abroad, but still the - stronger. Langham fell in the 113th round on the ropes, - and Orme upon him. - - 114, 115.――Both game as pebbles; Orme quite foggy in - the optics; Langham staggering, and instinctively - putting out his left for a pushing hit. (“Take them - both away,” said a bystander. Orme shook his head, and - Langham tried to muster the ghost of a smile.) The - seconds went close to their men. “It’s all right,” said - poor Langham to Jem Turner. If he thought so no one - else did. After a slight pop with his left, Orme pushed - Langham down, and fell over him. - - 116.――Orme on his knees, and Langham down anyhow, in a - weak rally. - - 117th and last.――Langham sent out his left; Orme - stepped back; Langham again hit out. He evidently did - not perceive what was before him, and coming forward, - from his own blow, fell on both knees and his hands. - His seconds ran up to him, but it was all over. Orme - stood in his corner for a few seconds, when time was - called, to which the Leicester man was yet deaf, walked - slowly across the ring, and taking the hand of his - brave, fallen adversary, tried to muster an expression - of admiration at his bravery. The sponge had before - gone up from Langham’s corner, and thus, at the close - of _two hours and forty-six minutes_, was brought to a - decision one of the gamest battles the modern annals of - the Ring can boast. - -The shades of evening were closing in as the voyagers got on board -their respective steamers, many more, as is usual on such occasions, -extending their patronage to the “men’s” peculiar boat on the upward -voyage than came down by that conveyance; for the very obvious reason -that as the voyage both ways was paid at starting, the disagreeable -ceremony of paying would be insisted on, while having once got down by -a Gravesender, tug, or other cheap conveyance, the homeward-bound -voyage could be effected _gratis_. It was nearly midnight when the -“Queen of the Thames,” working against tide and a head wind, reached -London Bridge; the voyage being shortened by many an anecdote of brave -battles in bygone days, with which all agreed the present mill might -well bear a comparison. - -Orme now rested for a year upon his well-earned laurels, when once -again Aaron Jones, who during the interval of two years had, so rumour -averred, wonderfully developed and immensely improved in the art, -sought to reverse the verdict given against him in December, 1849. -Aaron had, moreover, in the interim fought Bob Wade (the Dover -Champion), a 12st. man, whom he defeated at Edenbridge, Kent, in one -hour, in which forty-three punishing rounds were contested. - -Monday, May 10th, 1852, was the fixture, instead of the customary -Tuesday; the moving reason thereto being that the Turfites, among whom -were Jones’s prominent patrons, might attend another “ring” at -Newmarket on the latter day. On Jones’s improvement the Sporting -Oracle thus delivered itself: “When Jones first contended with Orme he -was a youth of eighteen, weighing 11st. 2lbs., and too young to bear -the wear and tear of a long encounter. He has now increased in height -and weight, stands 6 feet in height, and will draw a trifle over -12st., besides having materially improved in the pugilistic art.” At -the last deposit of £10 a side, making up the stakes to £200, which -took place on Tuesday last at Mr. Prior’s, “Nag’s Head,” South Audley -Street, Jones had the call in the betting, his friends being -West-enders and ready to back their own “stable.” As the rendezvous -was in the vicinity of Newmarket, and a trip per Eastern Counties rail -the mode of reaching the field of arms, we were glad, on presenting -ourselves at the Shoreditch terminus at eight o’clock, to see at “the -meet,” not only a large number of the Corinthian patrons of the Ring, -whose faces we have for some time missed from such gatherings, but -many of the ex-professors of the art――Owen Swift, Adams, Jem Burn, -Shaw, Dan Pinxton, Jemmy Gardner, Alec Keene, Harry Milbourn, &c., &c. -At a little before eight Jones arrived at the station, accompanied by -the lively Bob Fuller and Alec Keene; the former being his trainer and -the twain his selected seconds for the fistic duello. Jones looked -remarkably bright and well, indeed, as Bob expressed it, he was “as -fit as a fiddle,” and “would take a great deal of beating.” Orme did -not put in an appearance at Shoreditch, but it was quickly made known -that he had departed overnight for the neighbourhood of Newmarket, -where he was awaiting the arrival of the “London particulars.” At a -few minutes past eight the whistle sounded, and off we went, -understanding that Chesterford, where we were told Orme awaited us, -was our calling-place, and thence we should be conveyed to Mildenhall. -This was a judicious ruse, but, as we shall presently see, failed in -the trial. On arriving at Chesterford, however, our steam-steed merely -took a drink of water, and sped on its way to Six Mile Bottom, on the -Newmarket line. We must confess that we were a little staggered, -knowing what we did of the Cambridge authorities, that the “managers” -should have chosen their ground within that shire, and we argued that -as one of the men had been training near the racing metropolis the -watchful blues had doubtless an eye upon his movements. - -On mentioning our misgivings, however, to some of the parties -concerned, and expressing our surprise that so hazardous an attempt -should be made, we were assured that it was all right, that there were -no magistrates within call, and that the fight was certain to be -settled without interruption. While waiting for the arrival of Orme, -our fears for the result were verified to the fullest extent by the -appearance of a body of Cambridge police, both horse and foot, -evidently determined to spoil sport. It was now determined to go on to -Newmarket at once to fetch Orme, who had prudently retreated into the -town on finding that the enemy was in the field. At Newmarket it was -stated that he had chartered a fly, and was about to proceed across -country to Mildenhall. A despatch was instantly sent to recall him, -and, after a delay of about half an hour, he made his appearance, -looking big, brown, hardy, and confident. He immediately took his -place in the train, and an inhabitant of the district having intimated -that he knew a spot where there was no chance of interruption, -consented to act as pilot, the train was once more put in motion, and -taking its course up the old Newmarket line, which was at that time -closed for general traffic, was brought to a standstill by the side of -a field at Bourne Bridge, a place rendered memorable as the scene of -the first contest between Mr. Gully and Gregson, in days long -vanished, passed away. Here a debarkation was effected, and when all -the _voyageurs_ by train were collected there were certainly not more -than two hundred persons present. These, by the time the ropes and -stakes were pitched, were increased by the arrival of some dozen -equestrians from Cambridge and Newmarket, anxious, no doubt, to enjoy -a treat so seldom witnessed by the inhabitants of those celebrated -universities for the education of man and horse; but, as will be -shortly seen, their arrival on horseback defeated the object they had -in view, as it served to put the blues upon the scent, and enabled -them, before much business had been got through, again to put in their -unwelcome appearance, and once more to send the “peace breakers” to -the right about. - -On the recommendation of “the pilot” the business of constructing the -arena was set about with unusual celerity by young Fred Oliver and the -veteran Tom Callas, under the superintendence of the ancient -Commissary himself, and by a few minutes past one o’clock all was in -readiness. A capital outer ring was formed, round which the -“cheapsiders” took their stations, while comfortable straw hassocks -were provided for the tenants of the inner circle who chose to pay the -price demanded by those who had been so thoughtful as to provide such -luxuries. Jem Burn, whose hind feet and legs were not sufficiently -under his command to enable him to take up a position so close to -mother-earth, was accommodated with a chair, around which were grouped -several of his ancient patrons, and all appeared now to be satisfied -that at length fortune was favourable, and that the mill would be -brought to a conclusion without let or hindrance. Umpires and a -referee were quickly chosen, and the men at once proceeded to their -toilettes, Jones, as we have already stated, being waited on by Bob -Fuller and Alec Keene, while Orme had for valets Jemmy Welsh and a -“Jolly Butcher” from Southwark. On stripping, Jones confirmed the -opinion we had formed in the morning, that he was as “fine as a star,” -and as fit as Fuller could make him. Orme, on denuding himself of his -outer rind, looked big enough and strong enough for anything. His -skin, of a nut-brown tint, gave him altogether an appearance of -hardihood which lead a spectator to infer that he was an adversary by -no means to be sneezed at, even by those who considered themselves his -superiors in the fistic art. It was clear, nevertheless, that he had -not devoted quite as much time to his preparation as the nature of the -encounter he had undertaken would have justified. There were -indications of loose flesh about his ribs and chest which might have -been well dispensed with. On inquiring his weight we were informed -that he was about 11st. 8lb., being just 4lb. more than when he -encountered Langham. Notwithstanding this exuberance of meat he looked -remarkably well, was extremely confident, and “eager for th’ affray.” -All being at length in readiness, the colours (blue for Orme, and -yellow with blue border for Jones) were nailed to the mast――we mean, -tied to the stake. Orme laid his adversary a bet of £25 to £20, which -was duly posted. The men and their seconds shook hands――silence was -proclaimed――“Time” was called (half-past one)――the seconds retired to -their corners, and left the men at the scratch to commence - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On throwing themselves into attitude, which, - as the dandies say, “is everything,” there was no very - great display of artistic skill on either side. If - anything, Jones’s position was the more graceful of the - two; still he left his ribs totally unprotected, and - held his hands much too far from his body to please our - mind. Orme, on the contrary, held his arms, which - loomed large and ponderous, closer to his corpus. He - stood almost square, his thick, muscular legs seeming - well calculated to support his enormous round - shoulders, which resembled those of a miniature Atlas. - Jones, after a dodge or two, feinted with his left, but - Orme grinned and stepped back; Jones followed him up, - when Orme stopped his further progress with a prop from - his right on the side of the head. Counter-hits with - the left followed without any mischief. Orme then swung - round his right as if it was a sledgehammer, and caught - Jones with tremendous force on the ribs under the left - arm, in the region of the heart, where he left most - unmistakable imprints of his knuckles, which never - disappeared during the remainder of the battle. Jones - returned slightly on the right ear, which led to a - rally, in which Orme had the best of the hitting, again - delivering a rib-bender with his right, removing the - bark from Jones’s smeller, and drawing _first blood_ - with his left. A close, in which Orme held his man - tight, and fibbed him on the nose and forehead until - both were down in Jones’s corner. - - 2.――Jones led off with his left, reaching Orme’s cheek, - and cleverly stopping the return. Counter-hits - followed, Jones drawing claret from Orme’s mouth, - catching it in return heavily on the cheek and chin. - Some slogging hits were exchanged without any regard to - science, and Jones at length slipped down. - - 3.――Jones again led off with his left, but was very - wild in his deliveries, which passed over Orme’s - shoulder. Had he been more precise his blows would have - told a tale, for Orme appeared to think that “stopping” - was quite beneath him. Orme went in, pegged away left - and right on the left eye and ribs, and Jones fell. - - 4.――Jones on coming up displayed the marks of Orme’s - handiwork in the last round in the shape of a mouse on - his left eye. He appeared loth to come out of his - corner, whereupon Orme went to him. Jones retreated as - far as he could, and delivered his left as Orme came - in. Orme “stopped the blow” with his left cheek, - returned the compliment with interest by two heavy - cracks on Jones’s injured peeper and his forehead, when - Jones got down. - - 5.――Orme commenced business by rushing in and planting - his left and right heavily on Jones’s mouth and nose, - drawing more claret. Jones returned slightly on the - left cheek and slipped down just as Orme was about to - effect a delivery. He looked up as if anticipating a - _foul_, but Orme restrained himself, grinned, shook his - head, patted Jones on the back of his poll, and walked - to his corner. - - 6.――Jones led off with his left, catching Orme on the - potato-trap. Orme countered him on the nose heavily, - stepped back again, went in, repeated the dose on - Jones’s nose and his left eye, and the latter was again - down. - - 7.――Jones came up much flushed, bleeding from the nose - and left eye. His forehead was swelled, and altogether - it was evident that Orme’s visitations had not been - without their effect. The only mark Orme showed was a - swelling under his left eye. Orme led off, caught Jones - another rattler on the damaged ogle, drawing more of - the ruby. Jones wild, dashed in, planted a heavy blow - on Orme’s left cheek, and fell on his latter end from - the force of his own blow. - - 8.――Jones stopped Orme’s left neatly, and tried a - return which was short. A rally followed, in which - Jones’s deliveries were mostly thrown away, inasmuch as - they passed over Orme’s shoulder. Orme, whose punches, - although very round, in general got home, again planted - on Jones’s left eye and nose. At length Jones got one - on Orme’s left peeper, drawing blood, and then slipped - down. - - 9.――Jones came up bleeding, and looking much the worse - for wear, while Orme was all confidence. Jones led off - with his left, got home slightly on Orme’s smeller, - when suddenly was heard the unwelcome watchword of - “Police”――and sure enough, on looking round we - perceived a detachment of neatly attired Cambridge - “Peelers” making their way to the field of action. A - cry of sauve qui peut was instantly raised, and the - ground was cleared in a trice, every one making for the - train and jumping into the first carriage that he could - find open. It was soon discovered, however, that the - object of the “powers that be” was not to apprehend any - of the wrongdoers, but merely to prevent a breach of - the peace in the county of Cambridge. - -A council of war was called; the referee, whose duty it was to name -the next time and place, if possible on the same day, suggested that -there was yet time to go to Mildenhall, where he knew the matter could -be concluded in peace. The officials, however, connected with the -railway, said that, inasmuch as the train would have to return up the -old Newmarket line, and then go round by Cambridge, where it would be -detained so as not to interfere with the general traffic, it was very -probable that Mildenhall could not be reached in time to finish the -business in hand before dark. It was then hinted by “the pilot” that -the affair might be completed in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, that -town being in the county of Suffolk, and out of the jurisdiction of -the Cambridgeshire authorities. The plan appeared feasible, and “bock -agin” to Newmarket was the order of the day. The pilot conducted the -Commissary and assistants to a likely piece of turf behind the -plantation of firs at the top of the training-ground, not much more -than a mile from the town, and here a second ring was formed with all -due diligence, and here, of course, the crowd of spectators was -largely increased by detachments of lovers of the sport from the town -itself and the surrounding districts. At twenty-two minutes after -three, all being for the second time in readiness, in the midst of a -shower of rain, round nine was resumed. - - - THE FIGHT RESUMED. - - Round 9 continued.――On the men throwing off their - blankets both looked rather the worse for wear, Jones - having a most unmistakable black eye, and the bark - being off his frontispiece in several places. The marks - also of Orme’s hammerings on his ribs were very - apparent. Orme displayed a slight swelling and - discolouration under his left eye, and an enlargement - of his upper lip. Both seemed fresher from the rest - they had taken, and appeared anxious now to finish the - fight out of hand. Jones led off twice, but was short. - Orme then delivered a spank on his left eye. Jones - returned rather heavily on the nose and slipped down. - - 10.――Orme led off, planted his right again heavily on - the ribs. Jones, after one or two wild plunges over his - adversary’s shoulder, succeeded in reaching his damaged - cheek, and slipped down. - - 11.――Jones again led off twice with his left, but in - both instances the blows fell short; Orme then went to - his man, slight taps were exchanged, after which Orme - popped in a nasty one on the nose, and slipped down. - - 12.――Orme rushed in to fight, but Jones stepped back, - caught him heavily on the left ear and left eye, - drawing claret from the latter; Orme tried to return, - but Jones got down cunning. - - 13.――Orme on coming to the scratch showed that Jones’s - last two hits had not been without their effect; his - left ogle began to show symptoms of shutting up shop, - while his left ear was considerably discoloured. Jones - led off, delivered his left and right on Orme’s injured - optic and his ear, stopped Orme’s returns cleverly, and - slipped down. - - 14.――Orme rushed in in a determined manner, but was - again stopped. Jones stepped back, delivered his right - on Orme’s left ear heavily; Orme would not be stalled - off, but again bored in, when Jones slipped down. - - 15.――Jones led off, but the blow passed harmless over - Orme’s head; good counter-hits followed, Orme - delivering on Jones’s nose, and receiving a heavy - visitation on his right peeper. Jones then received a - one-two on the nose and ribs, when both got down - together, and, after a slight scramble, were down side - by side. - - 16.――Jones was again short in his deliveries, when Orme - closed, and both were again down, no mischief being - done. - - 17.――Both rattled in to their work, and some sharp - exchanges took place, in which Jack was as good as his - master. Orme then caught Jones round the neck, fibbed - him heavily in the mouth and nose, and after a short - struggle threw him heavily, and fell upon him. - - 18.――Jones, led off, his arm passing over his - adversary’s head. He was more lucky in a second - attempt, reaching Orme’s left ogle heavily. Some - rattling exchanges followed, left and right, Jones - catching it on the ribs and left eye, while he got home - heavily on Orme’s ear, mouth, and left cheek. Orme - bored in, planted his one-two on Jones’s nose and - mouth, and was trying to improve his advantage when - Jones slipped down cunning. - - 19.――Jones first to fight, Orme appearing to blow from - want of condition. Jones got home again on the left ear - and nose; Orme returned slightly, but his hits now - appeared to lack steam. Jones in this round rattled - away in style, had all the best of the hitting, but in - the end Orme counterbalanced these advantages by - closing and throwing him a cross buttock, and falling - heavily on him. - - 20.――Jones led off, but was met by Orme with a sharp - counter-hit, each reached his adversary’s left eye, - after which Jones immediately got down. He had - evidently been much shaken by the fall in the previous - round. - - 21.――Orme attempted to take the lead, but was short; - Jones delivered a heavy right-hander on the left ear; - counter-hits followed, Orme reaching Jones’s left eye - heavily, and received on the nose. Jones finished the - round by delivering a spank on Orme’s right eye and - getting down. - - 22.――Jones came up, bleeding from his left eye. Orme - opened the ball by repeating the dose on the same - optic, and drawing a fresh supply of the ruby. He - attempted to do ditto ditto, but was cleverly stopped - by Jones. Counter-hits followed, Orme succeeding in - again planting upon the nearly closed eye of his - adversary, who delivered on the left cheek and left ear - and then got down. - - 23.――Jones attempted to take the lead, but was wofully - short. Orme went to him, delivered his left and right - heavily, received a slight tap in return, and Jones - fell. - -It was now forty minutes past three, and before time could be called -for the next round, “police!” was again the cry of the multitude――a -cry which, as at the first ring, proved to be only too true. Several -individuals, clad in blue array, connected with the Suffolk -constabulary, forced their way to the arena, and ordered the -combatants to desist in the Queen’s name. A fly was close to the spot, -and in this both men and their seconds quickly ensconced themselves. -The stakes were once more drawn, and all repaired to the railway -station, to once more ponder upon the reverses of a day which had -dawned with every prospect of a successful expedition. The backers of -the men applied to the referee to know his decision, and that -functionary, after considering the circumstances of the case, decided -that there must be another meeting, and, having taken council with the -pilot, the excursionists once more re-entered the train, the pilot and -a backer of Orme taking their station on the tender, the former -undertaking to direct the engine driver to a spot where it was thought -a satisfactory last act might be appended to the two which had already -been performed. The train once more flew past Six Mile Bottom, where -the blue-coated fraternity were still observable on the _qui vive_, to -prevent a second invasion of their bailiwick. The old Newmarket line -was a second time traversed for some miles, and at length the pilot -gave orders to “heave to” at a field of clover, about two miles on the -Newmarket side of Chesterford. And now comes the unpleasant part of -our narrative. On the referee leaving the train, he was asked by some -of Jones’s backers why the train had stopped, as they understood he -had decided that the fight was to be postponed until another day. The -referee stated that he had given no decision of the kind; the articles -specified that in case of magisterial interference the referee was to -name the next time and place, if possible on the same day. He had -named a place (having directed the engine driver under the orders of -“the pilot” to go where there was a probability of a satisfactory -conclusion); that place had been reached, there was plenty of -daylight, he saw no excuse for postponing the battle to a future day, -and he had no alternative but to order the men to fight. Jones’s -friends replied that Orme’s principal backer had told them when the -police arrived at the second ring that there would be no more fight -that day, but that he should take his man back to London at once. They -had therefore given Jones oranges to eat, and brandy-and-water to -drink, and had, moreover, been smoking in the same carriage with him. -The referee stated that this, if it was the case, was highly -reprehensible on their part; Orme’s backers had no power to decide -whether the fight was to be resumed or not; that was discretionary on -his (the referee’s) part. He had stated to one or two of Jones’s -friends what his intentions were, and if there had been any doubt upon -the point, the least that could have been done by his seconds and -attendants would have been to ask the question before they allowed -their man to commit the excesses they alluded to. It was then urged by -Jones’s backers that it would be a cruel thing to order the men to -fight again after being twice stripped and twice disturbed. The -referee said that might or might not be the case; his duty, according -to the articles, was imperative. The men must fight, unless they chose -mutually to agree to a postponement, when of course he could have no -objection. Orme and his friends would not hear of an adjournment, and -wished to have the matter decided at once. Jones’s backers then became -very excited, and one of them applied language to the referee which -was utterly unjustifiable, and that gentleman said he would have -nothing more to do with the matter, and that he would resign his -office as referee. After a lengthened argument _pro_ and _con_, -however, the referee, seeing that if he resigned his office the -friends of Jones would attain the object they evidently had in -view――namely, to save any bets they might have upon the fight, by -refusing to agree to any other referee, and thus procuring an -adjournment――consented to leave the railway carriage into which he had -retired. He was again begged by Jones’s friends to adjourn the fight, -but again repeated his decision that they must make another attempt on -that day to bring the affair to an issue. Jones and Co. appeared still -reluctant to renew the encounter, whereupon the referee stated that he -would give them half an hour, and if Jones was not in the ring ready -to fight by that time he would award the stakes to Orme. Orme went to -the ring, which had already been formed, whither he was followed, -after a short delay, by Jones and his seconds. Jones, whose left eye -was completely closed, and who showed other symptoms of severe -chastisement, pulled off his trousers and coat, and was about to -denude himself of his other clothing, when suddenly he appeared to -change his mind; he whispered to one of his seconds that it was “No -use his fighting any more, as he was sure to be licked.” He then -resumed his extra toggery and went to the referee, to whom he stated -that he would not fight again unless another referee was chosen, as he -had resigned his office. The referee replied that his resignation was -only threatened, and was not consummated, inasmuch as it had not been -accepted by the parties concerned, who had asked him (after he had -said that he would resign) to adjourn the fight to another day, and -had thus acknowledged his authority. He was not disposed now to give -up that authority, and thus deprive Orme of any chance he might have -of finishing the battle that night. He did not consider that either -man was licked, or that there was any great advantage on either side -in point of punishment; there were still two hours of daylight. As he -had said before, he could see no ground for a postponement, and fight -they must, or he would certainly award the battle in favour of Orme. -Jones still persisted in his refusal to fight, and at length left the -ring, repeating the observation, that if he fought again he knew he -should be licked. He did not leave the arena, however, without hearing -sundry complimentary speeches from the spectators upon the courage (?) -he displayed in refusing to finish the battle in a manly, upright -manner, and without resorting to any petty subterfuges to obtain an -adjournment. Amongst others who commented in strong terms upon his -behaviour was Jemmy Massey, who was backing him, and who has shown -himself a pretty good judge of the quantity of punishment a man can -take without being licked; Jemmy strongly advised Jones to at once -leave the ring, acknowledge that he was afraid of Orme, and thus end -the matter. The referee waited the promised half-hour, at the end of -which time, finding that Jones still declined the contest, he awarded -the victory to Orme, to whom he at once handed the sum of £45, being -the bet of £25 to £20 which had been laid prior to the commencement of -the fight. The battle lasted 15 minutes at Bourne Bridge, and 18 -minutes at Newmarket――total 33 minutes. - - REMARKS.――Few remarks are called for upon the style - displayed by either of the combatants in this most - unsatisfactory affair. Orme displayed all that fearless - determination to do or die which has characterised his - former encounters, but we could not perceive any - improvement in his scientific acquirements since his - battle with Nat Langham last year. His principal notion - of stopping seemed to be with his head, which - consequently received many sharp visitations from - Jones’s wild deliveries, which a very little care would - have enabled him entirely to escape. The art of getting - away seemed to be one to the study of which he has paid - very little attention. His game evidently is “nothing - venture, nothing gain,” and he acted up to this to the - fullest extent. Notwithstanding his want of skilful - direction of his undoubted powers, Orme is a dangerous - customer to any one at all near his weight. He is a - very hard hitter, an extremely powerful and determined - man, of indomitable courage, and, although his powers - as a receiver were not severely tested on the present - occasion, still, it is known that in his fight with - Langham he showed that his qualities as a glutton are - of the highest order. He is, moreover, possessed of an - excellent temper, which enables him to control himself - under circumstances which are calculated sometimes to - “ruffle the feathers” of the coolest combatant. As to - Jones, in whom we were taught to expect a most - wonderful alteration for the better, we can only say - that our expectations were grievously disappointed. He - certainly did stop Orme’s swinging right-handers - occasionally, but his returns, which from the opening - afforded to him might have enabled him to punish his - daring adversary’s temerity in a most signal manner, - were mostly thrown to the winds. The tremendous blow he - received on the ribs in the very first round appeared - to take a good deal of the fight out of him, and it was - with extreme caution that he trusted himself within - reach of Orme’s pile-driving visitations. In the first - ring, indeed, after the first round, he did little but - receive what Orme could give, and on arriving at the - second arena, previous to recommencing operations, it - appeared to us that there was some little difficulty on - the part of his seconds in persuading him that there - was a chance left for him to snatch the laurel of - victory from his more hardy opponent. When he did - begin, however, he proved that he could fight very well - if he chose, and that what he might lack in strength - could be fully counterbalanced by steadiness; for - whenever he collected himself and made up his mind to - be with his man, the hits were pretty equally balanced, - both as regarded their severity and their number. The - fall which he received in the second act, to which was - superadded the weight of Orme’s carcase, however, - seemed again to take a good deal of fight out of him, - and it was pretty evident to all, that although Orme - was not likely to gain a victory without receiving a - very considerable amount of punishment, still, barring - an accident, victory must ultimately be his. The - conduct of Jones at the third ring proved either that - his heart was composed of a softer material than is - necessary to render a man a successful bruiser, or that - he acted under advice which, however well intended, was - certainly as ill-timed as it was injudicious. We know - that his seconds did all they could to endeavour to - persuade him to fight, but finding that he was - obviously disinclined, they, like clever counsellors, - did their best for their client in trying to convert a - bad cause into a good one, and obtain an adjournment to - a future day; but, as has already been seen, the fiat - had gone forth. Their man had but to choose one of two - alternatives――viz., to fight or lose the battle, and - he, doubtless feeling assured in his own mind that the - latter course would be the safer, declined to have any - more, withdrew from the ring, leaving behind him a - reputation little creditable to him as a man of - courage, and little calculated to raise him in the - opinion of those Corinthians who were prepared to - witness a manly struggle for pre-eminence, without any - of those paltry shifts and subterfuge which appear now - to be almost necessary concomitants of every encounter. - -As was to be expected, the stakeholder received a legal notice from -the backers of Jones, not to part with their portion of the money -deposited. Nevertheless, on the Monday following, that gentleman -handed over the £200 to Orme, pursuant to the decision of the referee. -The stakeholder, in giving the money to Orme, animadverted severely on -the conduct of the backers of Jones, which he characterised as -unsportsmanlike and ill-judged. Such conduct was calculated to lower -the already fallen fortunes of the P.R., and unless measures were -taken to make an example of persons who could so far forget -themselves, he feared that gentlemen would in future be deterred from -putting down money to back men, from the fear that the backers of the -opposing party would, if they found their man was getting the worst of -it, take every unfair means in their power to prevent a manly and -upright termination to the contest. On the present occasion two of -Jones’s friends and supporters (whom he named) had, but whether with -Jones’s consent he was unable to say, served him (the stakeholder) -with a legal notice not to part with the money they had placed in his -hands. Not feeling disposed to permit Orme to be thus deprived of a -sum to which he had fairly entitled himself, he communicated the fact -to the gentleman who staked the greater part of his money, and that -gentle- and Orme executed a bond of indemnity to hold him (the -stakeholder) harmless, in case Messrs. Ledger and Prior should take -any further steps. The law expenses attending this bond of indemnity -amounted to nearly £6. This sum would have to be paid by Orme, and it -would make a considerable reduction in the amount of his winnings, -which were already sufficiently circumscribed by the expenses incurred -for training, paying his seconds, &c., &c. He felt assured that all -persons who were disposed to look at the result of the contest in a -proper light would agree with the referee in the decision he had -given, and in this opinion he was upheld by remarks which had come to -his ears, which had been made on the ground, by persons who had lost -their money by backing Jones, many of whom said that the referee could -not do otherwise than he had done. It was not necessary to trouble the -company with any further remarks; they would form their own estimate -of the proceedings of Jones and Co.; and in conclusion he was sure -they would cordially agree with him in wishing that when Orme was -again matched he would be more lucky in the choice of an opponent. It -was certain that whenever he did fight again he would do his best to -win, and it would be from no lack of determination on his part if he -lost. The stakeholder then handed to Orme the £200, minus £5 17s. 4d., -the amount of the lawyer’s bill for preparing the bond of indemnity. - -Orme expressed his thanks to the stakeholder for his determination in -giving up the money. He said it was usual, when the winning man -received the reward of his victory, to present the loser with -something as a compensation for his disappointment. It had been his -intention to act up to the custom on the present occasion, and give -Jones a £5 note, if his (Jones’s) backers had not acted in such an -unsportsmanlike manner. They had, however, put him to an expense of -nearly £6, and this so reduced his winnings that he really could not -afford to give anything. He was sorry for this, on Jones’s account, as -he did not believe that he had any hand in the legal proceedings. -Although he could not himself afford to do anything for Jones, -however, he would make a collection among his friends. - -Orme’s determination to give nothing to Jones was applauded by the -parties present, who expressed their opinion that this was the true -method of punishing him for any countenance he might have given to the -dealing with the lawyers which had been commenced by his friends. Orme -then went round the room, and made a collection for Jones. This he -handed over to Jones, who immediately rose and thanked the company. He -assured them that he had nothing to do with the notice served upon the -stakeholder, and all he could say was, he hoped when he fought again -he should get a better character from the Press than he had received -on the present occasion. He was no coward, and he trusted that the day -would come when he might be able to prove himself as game a man as -Orme. As to the amount subscribed for him, he thought he could not do -better than hand it over to the stakeholder, to be appropriated -towards Spring’s monument. Jones’s speech was much applauded, and he -sat down amidst considerable cheering, and the remainder of the -evening passed off harmoniously. - -Orme’s second victory over Aaron Jones, who, as must not be forgotten, -was at this period (1852-3) looked upon by the Broomes and many good -judges as the “coming man” for the championship _in futuro_, marked -him out as a boxer who in time to come must “give away weight,” and -who was not to be tackled by any middle-weight; for the phenomenon of -a ten-and-a-half stone Champion had not yet presented itself to men’s -eyes, or to their minds as a possibility or even a probability. At -this juncture the Champion’s title had passed into the hands of Harry -Broome, in consequence of his very debatable conquest of the “Old -Tipton” (through a foul blow), on the 27th of September, 1851, at -Mildenhall, Suffolk. From that time Harry Broome had worn the title -undisputed (Aaron Jones being of the Broome party), but now the East -End friends of Orme thought they perceived their Champion within a -“measurable distance” of the Championship. Accordingly Harry Orme, -with laudable ambition, picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the -Champion, the “other Harry,” and agreeing to the amount of stake, -£500, articles were drawn, and the 23rd of March, 1853, fixed for its -decision; owing, however, to that being the day of the Newmarket -Handicap, a supplemental agreement was signed, postponing the battle -to Monday, 18th of April. We need not here recapitulate the -circumstances of the battle, seeing that they are minutely detailed in -the Memoir of HARRY BROOME, Chapter IX. of this volume. - -With this “glorious defeat,” more honourable to the loser than many -victories, we close the Ring career of the brave, honest, and -straightforward Harry Orme. We shall conclude our Ring memoirs of this -courageous champion by a few words of quotation from a contemporary -account of this final fight: “Orme is a remarkably quiet, civil -fellow, and is much respected by his friends at the East End, and, -indeed, by all who intimately know him. He is a man who never talks -about fighting, except in the briefest terms, and then only when he -means business. We do not ever recollect hearing from his lips, either -at home or in public, any of that slang or loose talk which many -of his brother professionals consider witty, or smart, and -laughter-provoking. In fact, Harry Orme is singularly modest, and not -only avoids boasting, but is always ready to concede credit to his -opponent, and leave to others the praising of himself.” - -Harry Orme was for many years known as the landlord of the “Jane -Shore,” in Shoreditch. He died on the 9th of June, 1864, in his 41st -year, and rests beneath a neat memorial in Abney Cemetery. - - - [26] “Rari quippe boni: numero vix sunt totidem, quot - Thebarum portæ, vel divitis ostia Nili.”――JUVENAL, SAT. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -TOM PADDOCK. - -1844-1860. - - -In the little world as in the great, “history never tires of repeating -itself,” according to the Napoleonic axiom; and so in the period in -which the rustic, ruddy, round-boned, pugnacious Tom Paddock -flourished his fists, the interregnum of the Ring exhibited a parallel -to our ancient Heptarchy, the combats of which were compared by David -Hume, the historian, to “the battles of the kites and the crows.” Big -Ben Caunt, the crafty Bendigo (William Thompson, of Nottingham), Tom -Paddock (of Redditch), Con Parker (for a few months), the Tipton -Slasher (William Perry), and, finally, Harry Orme and Harry Broome, -bandied and buffeted about the title of “Champion of England,” until -the scarcity of “good men” reminded us of the lines of Juvenal:―― - - “Good men are scarce, indeed so thinly sown, - They thrive but ill, nor do they last when grown; - And should we count them, and our store compile, - Yet Thebes more gates could show, more mouths the Nile.[26] - -and so went on the “confusion in the camp” until little Tom Sayers -came, and, by disposing of Perry and Paddock, united England in one -“Championship of all the weights.” - -Paddock’s claims to a niche in our gallery of celebrities are -indisputable, as it was his lot to encounter almost every big man of -repute in his day. He fought, as we shall see, Nobby Clarke (twice), -Bendigo, Harry Poulson (three times), Aaron Jones (twice), Harry -Broome, the Tipton Slasher, Tom Sayers, and Sam Hurst. With this -anticipation of his career we will proceed to a more detailed account -of the doings of the “Redditch needlepointer” than has been hitherto -given; merely noting that this nickname, which we many times heard -from his intimates and other provincials, seemed rather derived from -the staple trade of Paddock’s native town than from any employment at -“needlemaking” by the burly Tom himself, who was but slightly polished -up from a rough and ready rustic chawbacon by his fourteen years of -incidental town life. - -Tom’s birth dated from 1824, and his pursuits, as we have intimated, -were those of a farmer’s boy; indeed, Tom might have lived and died -unknown, and taken his long nap in a nameless grave―― - - “Beneath those ragged elms, that yew-tree’s shade, - Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, - Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, - The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep”―― - -had not his good, or evil, fortune led him to “seek the bubble -reputation” in the roped lists of the Prize Ring. - -On the third day of the last month of the year 1844, a battle was -fought between a brace of rustics, which soon after introduced yet -another “Champion” candidate. The day above-named was a bustling one -for the Fancy of the Hardware Town, there being no less than four -fights on the far-famed battle-ground of Sutton Coldfield. The first -of these, between William Shakespeare (of Brierly Hill) and Tom -Jenkins (of Dudley)――in which the namesake and possible kinsman of -that other “Warwickshire lad,” renowned for all time, got an exemplary -thrashing in about half an hour――concerns us no farther than that the -said Jenkins, in January of the same year, had beaten Elijah Parsons, -of whom we shall hear more presently. - - [Illustration: TOM PADDOCK. - _From a Photograph by_ WATKINS.] - -Shakespeare and his conqueror having quitted the stage by the early -hour of half-past eleven, and the Birmingham Commissary having -rearranged his “properties,” the spectators resumed their seats for -the second performance, in which the principal actors were our hero, -announced as “Young Tom Paddock, of Redditch,” and his opponent, “Old -Elijah Parsons, of Tambourne,” a village near Dudley. Parsons, who -stood six feet and weighed 13st., was liberally backed by his local -friends, he having in his younger days (he was then thirty) won some -very hard battles. Paddock, who weighed a pound or two under 12st., -and was in his twentieth year, had already stripped on one occasion in -the P.R., when, at Mapleborough Green, he defeated Fred Pearce, of -Cheltenham, for a purse, after Sam Simmonds, of Birmingham, had -defeated Tom the Greek, on January 29, 1844. The country folk seemed -to fancy “Old Elijah,” who for a fortnight had been under the care and -tuition of Nobby Clarke, who, on this occasion also acted as his -second, assisted by Bob Rowley. Ben Terry had trained Paddock for the -same short period, and now seconded him with Jem Hodgkiss. Parsons, -who was in attire and staidness of demeanour a counterpart of a -field-preacher, sported a white ground kerchief with a small yellow -spot, Paddock the orthodox blue birdseye. Some time was lost, through -local jealousy, in selecting a referee; but that and every other -necessary preliminary settled, at half-past 12 o’clock the business -began. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――As the men stood up Parsons looked big, bony, - and formidable, Paddock round, rosy-red, and blooming - with rude health. After a little rustic dodging and - sparring, both went in right and left. Paddock - succeeded in planting the first hit, a slashing - left-hander on the Old’un’s mouth. Parsons missed a - heavy hit, his right going over Paddock’s shoulder, who - nailed him with a one, two. Parsons, evidently not - knowing what to make of it, turned half-round and went - from his man. Paddock followed him, and, hitting up, - caught him a tidy smack with the left; Parsons, - swinging completely round, made a good hit on the side - of Paddock’s head, when they closed, and both fell. (5 - and 6 to 4 offered on Paddock.) - - 2.――Parsons came to the scratch looking serious, with - his right eye already damaged and a bleeding cut on the - left cheek-bone. (First blood claimed for the - Young’un.) Parsons rushed in, chopping away with both - hands, but with little effect. Paddock propped him, but - was first down. (Cries of “2 to 1 on Redditch!”) - - 3.――Parsons’s right eye showing symptoms of closing. - Exchanges, Paddock nailing Parsons with his right on - the damaged cheek, and Elijah retaliating on his - opponent’s ribs. Both men pegged away at give and take; - in the close, Parsons bored Paddock down. - - 4.――Parsons tried to force the fight, but napped it - severely; Paddock fought on the retreat and got down in - the close, laughing. - - 5.――Paddock sent in a staggering hit on Parsons’ left - ear, but the Old’un stood it bravely, and grasped his - opponent, but he could not hold him to fib, and Paddock - slipped through his hands cleverly. - - 6.――After a few seconds of sparring, Paddock shot out - his left, reaching Parsons’s damaged ogle, and then got - in one on the mouth. Parsons rushed in for a close, but - again Paddock faced him and got down. - - 7.――The Old’un again led off, both hitting away with - mutual good will, a close, and Paddock under. - - 8.――Ding-dong work so soon as the men were at the - scratch, Parsons bleeding freely, while Paddock as yet - had scarcely a mark. - - 9.――Paddock dropped his left again on Parsons’s mug, - and his right on the body, and fell. (Cries of “Stand - up and fight like a man, you have got it all your own - way.”) - - 10.――Paddock again shot out his left on Parsons’s - cheek, which was assuming a sorry appearance. Parsons - closed, in-fighting, and Paddock down. - - 11.――Paddock again made his left and right on Parsons’s - dial, nevertheless, the Old’un did not flinch, but - fought his man to the ropes, where Paddock fell. - - 12 to 17 were similar to the preceding, in favour of - Paddock; still Parsons was game, and did all he could - to turn the tide in his favour, but it was useless, his - day had gone by. - - 18.――This was a slashing round, and the best in the - fight, Parsons making his right tell on Paddock’s ribs, - but caught it awfully on his damaged mouth from - Paddock’s left. A close, good in-fighting, and both - fell together. - - 19 and 20.――Parsons closed and bored his man to the - ropes, where Paddock fell. - - 21.――Parsons at the scratch, game, but it was no go. - Paddock again shot out his left on the dial, and made - an upper cut with his right. Parsons closed, a struggle - for the throw, and both fell, Paddock under. - - 22.――Parsons first at the scratch, with his left eye - nearly closed and bleeding freely. (Cries of “Take him - away.”) Parsons closed, both hitting away; at last - Paddock got down. - - 23rd and last.――Paddock went to his man, hit out left - and right, and caught Parsons a tremendous smack over - the left eye; it was a stunner. A close followed, - Paddock getting his right arm round Parsons’s neck, - hitting up with severity; the punishment was severe. - Both men struggled, and fell together. Parsons was - taken to his corner in an exhausted condition. His - seconds, perceiving it was useless to prolong the - contest, threw up the sponge, and Paddock was hailed as - the winner. The fight lasted twenty-two minutes. - Another instance of the folly of backing an Ould’un - against Young’un. - - REMARKS.――This was, certainly, a promising _début_; for - though “Old Elijah” was too stale to contend with such - an impetuous, hard-hitting, and resolute youngster as - the “Redditch needle-grinder,” he certainly tested the - Young’un’s game, who showed he was “all there,” if he - did not possess the higher attainments of a scientific - boxer. - -As a proof that the Brums at this time kept the game alive, we may -mention that another pair, Blackman and Chadwick, not choosing to lose -time, actually made an extempore ring, and got off a hard fight of -forty-three rounds in fifty-six minutes, in which Blackman was the -victor, while Shakespeare and Jenkins, and Paddock and Parsons were -settling their differences. Of course as, unlike Sir Boyle Roche’s -bird, we could not be in two places at once, we saw nothing of this; -but we did see the fourth fight, between Frazer Brown, of Walsall, who -fought George Giles, a West Bromwich youth, for a purse, which, after -an hour’s hard work, to the damage of both, but with no advantage to -either, was divided, and so ended a full day’s sport. - -In the month of September, 1844, a fine, fresh young fellow, aged 22, -standing 6 feet, and weighing 12st. 6lbs., came up to London, and -displayed such capabilities with the mittens that Johnny Broome at -once “spotted” him for a competitor for the yet-untried Bob Caunt, -younger brother to the Champion, Ben, who was just then being “trotted -out” by the St. Martin’s Lane coterie. The new-comer, whose pals had -denominated him, on account of his smartness and good looks, “Nobby” -Clarke, was articled with “brother Bob” for £25 a side, and on the -22nd of October, 1844, he gave his opponent such a skilful thrashing -in seven rounds, occupying the brief space of a quarter of an hour, -that his friends, too hastily judging from this very short spin, -announced the “Nobby One” as ready for any 12st. man for £50. Our -hero, who was on the look-out for active service, replied to the -challenge, and on the 27th of January, 1846, they met at Coleshill -Castle, near West Bromwich; the battle exciting great interest in -Birmingham and the Midlands. “Nobby” Clarke was seconded by the Tipton -Slasher and Tass Parker; Tom Paddock by Hodgkiss and Sam Hurst. Clarke -was in splendid condition, and in looks fully justified the 6 and 7 to -4 laid on him by the Brums. At a few minutes after eleven, the men -stood up and began - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Clarke, who was a model of symmetry, had a - noticeable superiority in length and reach over the - round and ruddy Redditch man, who, however, not only - seemed undismayed, but lost no time in sparring, and - rattled in right and left. The “Nobby One” stopped him - neatly and retreated; then let go his left at Paddock’s - head, but did not seem to leave a mark. Paddock bored - in, but Clarke caught him in his arms, and both were - down, Paddock under. - - 2.――Clarke sparred and broke ground; as Paddock came - on, hitting out viciously, Clarke caught him an ugly - crack on the cheek-bone, and also one in the mouth. - (“First blood” for Clarke.) Paddock would not be - denied, and there were some ding-dong exchanges, in - which Paddock got in a smasher on Clarke’s eyebrow, - making a cut, which balanced the account; in the - embrace which followed Paddock was undermost. - - 3.――A rattling rally, in which Paddock showed most - determination, the “Nobby One” breaking away twice - during the hitting; but coming again to close quarters - there were some sharp deliveries on both sides, and - Paddock was first down. - - 4.――Paddock made play, but Clarke avoided him, popping - in one or two hits cleverly. Paddock persevered, and - after an exchange or two, Clarke got the Redditch man - undermost. - - 5.――Clarke nailed Paddock left and right, but Tom bored - in, caught Clarke a rib-roaster with the right; the - “Nobby One” at the ropes made an attempt to butt, and - then got down. Cries of “Foul.” A number of people - forced themselves into the ring, declaring a “foul.” - The referee called on the men to “go on.” - - 6.――After some confusion the ring was cleared. Clarke - had still, in appearance, the best of the hitting, - Paddock’s cheek looking like a scored beefsteak. A - merry bout, but Clarke would not get near enough; and, - at last, as he launched out his right and closed, - Paddock slipped down laughing. The ground was a perfect - quagmire, and foothold very uncertain. - - 7, 8, 9.――Paddock first to fight in these rounds. - Clarke considerably shy in the rallies, and getting - down amidst some disapprobation. - - 10, 11, 12.――Paddock’s style a little improving. He, - however, did not shine at out-fighting, “Nobby” getting - on prettily now and again, but never following up an - advantage. In the last-named round Paddock was hit down - in a scramble. - - 13.――Clarke began with more confidence, and nailed - Paddock sharply twice in the head. Tom got in on - Clarke’s ribs, a sounding thwack, and down went - “Nobby,” to finish the round. (Applause for Paddock.) - - 14.――Clarke shy and sparring, Paddock on to him, when - “Nobby” threw Tom a back-fall in the close. - - 15.――Exchanges; Paddock missed both hands; Clarke - caught him heavily in the mouth, and Paddock was under - in the throw. - - 16 to 21.――Paddock, game as a pebble, went in, and - though “Nobby” met him in the head, he never failed to - get home on the body. Clarke clever at stopping and - saving his head, but shifty and shy. (5 and 6 to 4 on - Paddock.) - - 22.――Clarke standing out and retreating on the saving - suit; Paddock, resolute and determined, forcing the - fighting. Clarke but little marked, except the cut over - the eye in the second round though his left side showed - some red bumps from Paddock’s right-hand body-blows, - while Paddock was bleeding from half a dozen cuts on - the cheek, nose, lips, and forehead. Still he was gay, - and driving “Nobby” into his own corner, the latter - dropped to avoid. (Hisses.) - - 23 to 30.――Similar in character, Clarke going down - almost every round. - - 31.――Clarke, urged on by the Tipton, went in to fight - and got the best of several exchanges, nearly closing - his opponent’s left eye. Paddock got in a hit on - “Nobby’s” neck, from which he turned round, and as - Paddock was repeating his blow fell. - - 32.――This ought to have been the last round. Clarke - caught Paddock on the forehead, jumped back, ran away, - and as Paddock threw out his left fell without a blow. - (Great confusion, the ring broken in, and a minute or - two expired before the referee’s decision could be - obtained, who gave Clarke the “benefit of the doubt,” - from the slipperiness of the ground.) - - 33-40.――Paddock, despite the punishment he appeared to - have received, was little the worse in wind or - strength, while in pluck he was the very reverse of his - clever antagonist. “Nobby” sparred cleverly, but was - evidently afraid of his man, and when they got close - and a half-arm hit was got in by Paddock, he was always - a consenting party to going down; in fact, he was “on - the go” before the blow reached him. - - 41.――Another wrangle; “Nobby” getting down questionably - after getting in a left-hander. (Hisses.) - - 42.――Great wrangling and confusion. Paddock standing in - the middle of the ring protesting, and calling on - “Nobby” to come on, which he did after a minute or so - of disputation. Paddock went at him, and “Nobby” - slipped down. It was announced that Clarke would “fight - no more.” Paddock again “orating;” the referee handed - over the watch to a friend, called “Time!” and declared - Paddock to be the winner. The Tipton created some - amusement by his denunciations of the “Nobby One’s” - cowardice, and was with difficulty prevented from - striking the man he had just been seconding; politely - addressing him as a “robber,” “cur,” “thief,” &c., with - a variety of expletives which we decline to report, and - ending by declaring he would “pay no bets on such a - rank cross.” He had, however, to do so, as well as many - others, and the stakes went to Paddock, as of right - they were due. - - REMARKS.――There was nothing so worthy of note in this - battle as the utter unreliability of mere sparring - skill when pitted against a fair amount of boxing - acquirements, backed with those indispensable - qualities, courage and endurance. Clarke had weight, - length, skill, and, if properly applied, superior - strength on his side; nevertheless, the Redditch man, - by mere resolution and never losing trust in himself, - literally frightened his opponent out of his victory. - Paddock, though inferior to the “Nobby One,” displayed - great improvement on his previous performance, and we - did not hesitate to predict for him a successful - career, provided that he possessed temper, discretion, - and teachability, which, for some time, he certainly - did not. Strength, pluck, stamina, and fearless courage - he had; the regulating and guiding qualities he had - not. - -Paddock having failed in meeting with a customer after his defeat of -Clarke, did not again appear within the ropes in 1846; but, on the -27th of December in that year, the clever “Nobby One” having somewhat -wiped off the stain of cowardice which had attached to his name, by a -triumphant defeat of a 12st. 7lbs. man of the name of Jordan, calling -himself “the Welsh Champion”――his friends took “heart of grace,” and -again offered to back their man for £50 a side against our hero. The -second trial took place on the 6th of April, 1847, at Stony Stratford. -We shall not inflict upon the reader a full report of this battle. It -was, with little variation in its incidents, a mere replica of the -first, except that it lasted seven minutes less――48 minutes――and the -close of the 35th round brought Tom’s labours to a victorious -conclusion. In the first few rounds Clarke, as on the former occasion, -took a triumphant lead; but his game and hardy opponent stuck to him -so determinedly, and, when he did get on, so completely――as his -half-reconciled and again-deluded friend the Tipton said――“Knocked all -the fight out of him,” that the result was merely a question of -minutes more or less; the fight being finally declared to Paddock from -a “foul” by the miscalled “Nobby One.” - -In our Life of BENDIGO (_ante_ page 37), we have fully narrated the -circumstances under which Paddock, as “Johnny Broome’s Unknown,” took -up the gauntlet thrown down by Bendigo for £200 and the Championship; -and how Paddock, after what appeared a winning fight, threw away his -advantages, and lost the battle by losing his temper――striking his -shifty opponent a “foul” blow. This took place on the 5th of June, -1850, and as the Tipton had already pledged himself to fight the -winner (Bendigo having announced his retirement from the Ring), the -Slasher, then and there, challenged him for £350, which was afterwards -reduced to £200 a side. This came to nothing, for on the 22nd of -August, 1850, both parties failed in their deposits, and the money -down was drawn. A new match was then entered into for £100 a side, and -on this occasion, as the battle ended in a draw, we shall merely refer -the reader to the Life of PERRY (see _ante_ page 157), where, also, -will be found the account of his defeat by the Slasher, at Woking, -December 17th, 1850, again from the delivery of a “foul” blow. - -These defeats, greatly due to obstinate violence and ungovernable -temper, seem to have induced some rash challenges to Paddock. In -March, 1851, Jack Grant was hastily matched with Paddock for £100, and -£5 deposited; but at the next meeting Grant’s backers took second -thoughts, and Tom pocketed the £5, as one of the “little fishes,” -which are proverbially “sweet.” In June, at an evening at Jem Burn’s, -Con Parker (who at that time kept the “Grapes,” in Aylesbury Street, -Clerkenwell) proposed a battle for £50 a side, to come off July 24th; -but on the following Wednesday Master Con’s courage, like Bob Acres’s, -“oozed out at his fingers’ ends,” and Paddock pocketed this affront -also, and a “fiver.” - -Harry Poulson, of Nottingham, a sturdy, game, and resolute man, a -trifle over 12st, was now thought good enough to dispute superiority -with Paddock, and on the 23rd of September, 1851, the men met at -Sedgebrook, near Grantham, for the small stake of £25 a side. This -battle, which was lost by Paddock, after a desperate fight of 71 -rounds, occupying 95 minutes, will be found under Poulson, in the -APPENDIX to Period VII. - -Paddock, who was under a passing cloud, seemed now to be shut out from -the front rank, Harry Broome having attained the honours of the belt -by beating the Slasher, on the 29th September, 1851. (See Life of -BROOME, _post._) He was, in fact, at this time under articles with his -former antagonist, Poulson, for a second trial, and the day fixed for -December 16th, 1851. This proved an unfortunate affair for both -parties. They met at Cross End, near Belper, Derbyshire, and the -deposits being entirely carried out in Nottingham, no reporter from -the London Press was on the ground, nor were any of the known patrons -of the Ring present. The battle was gallantly contested, and Paddock, -avoiding a fault conspicuous on a former occasion, had been most -assiduous in his training. As usual, in gatherings where the roughs -are predominant as partisans, there was a tedious waste of time in the -appointment of a referee: any person of respectability who might have -been present being either objected to, or himself objecting to take -the thankless and often perilous office. The fight began at a little -before one, Paddock gaining “first blood” and “first knock down,” by a -delivery on Poulson’s left eye. After the first six rounds, Paddock -forced the fighting, and had it nearly all his own way, Poulson’s want -of condition telling against him. Eighty-six rounds were fought in 95 -minutes, when Paddock was declared the winner amidst the plaudits of -his friends. - -Poulson was severely punished about the body. Paddock by no means -escaped unscathed. Had the fight been conducted in a quiet manner, it -would have been an affair which would not have discredited the older -days of the Ring; but we regret to say the worst part of our tale -remains to be told. The magistrates of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, -and Leicestershire, aware that the fight was likely to come off in one -of those counties, had for some days previously been on the look-out -to ascertain the place of meeting, but had been put on the wrong -scent; consequently, at the commencement of the battle, no efficient -force was in attendance to prevent it. After the fight had continued -some time, however, Messrs. John and Jedediah Strutt, with Captain -Hopkins and another Derbyshire magistrate, arrived, and proceeded to -dissolve the assemblage, with no other assistance than that of William -Wragg, chief constable of Belper, to enforce their commands. The mob, -however, refused to allow interference, when Mr. Jedediah Strutt rode -up to the crowd, and ordered them to disperse. Paddock seem inclined -to give over, but was told that if he did he would lose the money. The -men, therefore, continued fighting, whereupon Mr. Jedediah Strutt -attempted to force his way into the ring, for the purpose of reading -the Riot Act, and Wragg, single-handed, endeavoured to clear a passage -for him. A cry was raised of “Keep them out,” and about fifty roughs -pounced upon the superintendent, and beat him savagely with sticks. -The injured man was conveyed to Belper, where Mr. Allen and Mr. Lomas, -surgeons, by skilful attendance, restored him to consciousness. The -fight being concluded, the men set off for Derby, to which place -Captain Hopkins had galloped off for assistance, and having obtained -the co-operation of the borough-force, he met the combatants as they -entered Derby, in different conveyances, with the intention of -proceeding by train to Nottingham. Paddock and his second were taken -out of a cab, and Poulson was apprehended amidst his friends in a -“drag.” When taken, one of Paddock’s first observations was that “If -he had won the toss for the choice of place, he would have chosen any -place rather than that confounded county;” that he was sorry “the -p’liceman was hurt; and he would have given over when the magistrates -ordered them to disperse, but he was told that if he did he would lose -the money; and, as he had been served so once before, he determined to -go on with the fight.” - -In this disgraceful riot and violence, we are happy to say, the men -and their immediate seconds and backers took no part, as the subjoined -letter from an eye-witness fully shows:―― - - “_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’ - “Derby, December 24th, 1851. - - “MR. EDITOR.――Believing that a few words on the outrages - committed at Paddock and Poulson’s fight may not be out of - place, I send you the following: At the close of your - Pedestrian Intelligence last week you gave some excellent - advice to all connected with manly sports, and expressed a - hope that those who by their ruffianly conduct thus disgrace - the Ring, may receive their full deserts at the hands of the - law. Were I the judge to try them, I would transport the - whole; indeed, their conduct furnishes the opponents of - prize-fighting with weightier arguments than could be found - elsewhere. If pugilism, they may say, encourages fair play, - and insists on equal strife, how comes it that one man shall - be set upon by fifty of its supporters, and ill treated - until it is doubtful whether he be dead or alive? But now - let me say a word upon the state of the law in general, and - the conduct of its instruments in this particular case. The - same journal that reports the disturbance at the fight, - details also the particulars of a murderous affray among the - ‘navvies’ of the South Wales line; and, did we but alter the - names of the places and persons, the whole of the latter - skirmish might very well pass for a massacre among Malays or - cannibals; stabbing, burning, maiming, and bruising――a dozen - nearly dead, perhaps quite so, by this time. Yet I will - venture to predict that the perpetrator of these villanies - will reap no heavier punishment than would a poor fellow, - professed boxer or not, who may have chanced in fair and - honourable fight――such a thing occurring, perhaps, once out - of a couple of thousand times――to have caused the death of - his antagonist. Such being the case――the law looking with - equal eyes at a butchery that would disgrace the Caffres, - and a combat conducted with all possible fairness――men have - no reason to choose the latter mode of settling their - quarrels, but may as well, they think, adopt the method - which inflicts the greatest injury on their enemies. Where - men get two or three months for ‘knifing’ an opponent, and - others get imprisoned for a twelvemonth for seconding or - being present at a prize fight――although no harm may be done - beyond the breach of our Sovereign Lady’s peace――it does not - require a prophet or a Solomon to tell us to what state of - things such a course must lead among the lower orders of - people. And now I must ask, in the name of common sense, - what the magistrates who interfered at Paddock’s fight - expected? I would as lieve venture among a pack of wolves, - as go single-handed to thwart a mob of midland counties - roughs. Had the officer died, his death would have been - owing to sheer foolhardiness, or the obstinacy of those who - urged him on. I have seen hundreds of men, more than once, - quietly disperse at the order of a magistrate, though he was - quite alone, unsupported by even a single officer. So it - ought to be, so I hope it will be, and so it must be, if - pugilists hope that the next generation may know anything of - their doings, except by tradition. Allow me to add that none - but the ‘roughs’ took part in the brutal assault on the - constable, Wragg. Yours, &c., - - “LYDON.” - -The upshot of this regretable riot was that Paddock and Poulson, being -by law responsible as “principals,” were sentenced each, in March, -1852, to ten months’ imprisonment with hard labour. - -Paddock’s forced seclusion in Derby Gaol, although it appears to have -had a favourable effect on his violence of temper, did not diminish -his readiness to play the “rubber game” with Poulson; inasmuch as we -find him articled to meet his old antagonist on the 14th of February, -1854, to try a final appeal, with £200 deposited to abide the issue. - -Paddock at once went into assiduous training in company with Tom -Sayers, at Mr. Patton’s, mine host of the “Old Hat,” Ealing; and -Poulson did the same at the Neptune Inn, Hove, near Brighton, under -the guidance of Jerry Noon; it being thought advisable to fix his -training quarters far from the too friendly visits of his Nottingham -admirers. Poulson was, on this occasion, backed from Caunt’s, Paddock -from Alec Keene’s. As this battle was arranged for the London -district, a trip per Eastern Counties rail was agreed on. By the time -named, half-past eight, the crowd in the neighbourhood of the -Shoreditch station gave evidence that something unusual was on the -_tapis_, hundreds of East-Enders surrounding the terminus to catch a -glimpse of the heroes of the day. The first to show was Harry Poulson, -who entered the station accompanied by Jerry Noon, Callaghan, of -Derby, and a dozen of Nottingham friends; he looked hard as nails, -bright-eyed, smiling, and confident, and in rare preservation for an -old’un, 37 summers having shone on his nob. He was soon followed by -the Redditch champion, attended by Tom Sayers, Alec Keene, and Mr. -Hibburd (one of his principal backers). Both men now began to -distribute their colours to the voyagers on the platform, and, from -the numerous handkerchiefs of both designs which were seen knotted -round the throttles of the ticket-holders, the sale must have been -satisfactory. At a quarter before nine the bell rang for the start, -and although the town air was foggy, no sooner were we well on our way -than the sun of St. Valentine shone out brilliantly, the hoar-frost -deposited overnight vanished, and the pairing birds chirruped their -courting notes from every hedge and thicket. The commissariat, under -the care of Dan Pinkstone, occupying a saloon carriage, was -first-class, as in an after-part of the day we had occasion to prove. -The train sped merrily; and at a quarter-past eleven o’clock all -disembarked, in high spirits, at the appointed station, Mildenhall, -where the veteran Commissary and Tom Callas formed the lists in -double-quick time, and the men soon after made their appearance. -Poulson was attended by Jemmy Welsh and Jerry Noon, and Paddock -esquired by Jemmy Massey and Jack Macdonald, to our thinking the best -of all seconds of the present day. On shaking hands Paddock offered to -back himself for “an even tenner,” which Poulson accepted; but the -backers of Paddock in this “the rubber game” stood out for odds, and -so little business was done. At length, umpires and a referee being -chosen, at half-past twelve the rival pugs, stood up for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On the men throwing themselves into attitude - their appearance was carefully scanned; the enormous - development of muscle on Poulson’s arms and his - blade-bones excited astonishment among the Londoners, - who now saw him stripped for the first time. Still they - were confident in the man of their adoption, for - Paddock was indeed in robust health, and appeared to - have so much the superiority in length and height that - they now laid evens on him. No time was lost in - sparring or in striking attitudes; Poulson at once - dashed in, made his right on Tom’s ribs, and directly - after on his mouth. Paddock was with him, and a shower - of half-arm hits followed, each getting pepper on the - left side of the nut until both were down. - - 2.――Poulson went to work without delay, and began by - pounding away with his right; Tom did not flinch, - though he got it on the nose heavily, and then on his - potato trap, from which the first vintage of the season - was instantly perceived. (First blood for Poulson, amid - cheers from the Nottingham lads.) Paddock slipped down. - - 3.――Paddock, first to the scratch, led off with his - left and gave Harry a tremendous crack on the forehead, - Poulson returning almost a counter-hit on Tom’s left - cheek. This led to a slogging rally, in which Poulson - again visited Paddock’s cheek, while the latter tapped - the claret from Harry’s left eyebrow, and Poulson fell. - - 4.――Paddock again led off, and just reached Poulson’s - right eye, Poulson was with him, and some sharp - counters took place, Paddock catching it on the nozzle - from Poulson’s left, while Tom retorted with a swinging - crack on Poulson’s left ear. They now broke away, but - soon returned to work; Paddock let fly right and left - viciously at Harry’s frontispiece, when Poulson - countered him steadily on the snout and forehead. - Poulson was first on the ground. - - 5.――Paddock again opened the ball with a sharp rap on - Harry’s cheek, but the latter retorted with such a - sounding rib-bender that it was heard all round the - ring. Soon after Tom landed a little one on Poulson’s - right brow, cutting it, and producing the crimson. Both - now banged away at close quarters, and in the end both - came down. - - 6.――Both sparred for wind; indeed, the fighting had - been very fast; some random shots were exchanged, the - men closed, and rolled down together. - - 7.――Paddock let go his left, but it went clean over - Poulson’s cranium. A second shot reached his forehead, - but for this Tom caught a smasher on the mouth, that - drew the Oporto copiously, and seemed for a second or - two to puzzle Tom seriously. However, he went in, and - more yard-arm to yard-arm cannonading followed; no - quarter was given or asked for, but at the end of the - ding-dong Paddock was down with the worst of the - hitting. - - 8.――Paddock came up crimson as the “Red Lion,” at - Brentford, but he led off without delay, and they were - soon at infighting; Paddock got on his knees in the - scrimmage, and Poulson dealt him a “hot one” on his - snuff-box. A claim of “foul” from Paddock’s friends, - but disallowed. Poulson’s blow could not be withheld, - as it was delivered simultaneously with Paddock’s knees - reaching the ground. - - 9.――Paddock, twice foiled in leading off, went in - furiously, reaching Harry’s nose, and removing the - bark, but getting a Roland for his Oliver in a smasher - on his own olfactory organ that sadly spoilt its - symmetry. Hitting right and left, and no stopping on - either side, until Paddock went down in the exchanges. - - 10.――Both were distilling the crimson from their left - eyes; Paddock led off with the left, and got again - heavily countered in the face. Poulson slipped and - dropped on one knee; Paddock might have hit him, but he - withheld his hand, and walked to his corner amidst - applause. - - 11.――Poulson dashed in, delivering his right heavily on - the side of Tom’s nut, but the blow seemed open-handed. - A merry rally ensued, in which some sharp, half-arm - hits were exchanged, Paddock receiving some sharp - thumps in the ribs, and retaliating on Poulson’s - knowledge-box. Both down in the close. - - 12.――Paddock feinted, and then let go his left, a cross - hit on Poulson’s cheek; he got away, and repeated the - dose on Harry’s smeller. Poulson seemed stung at these - visitations, rushed in, and after some busy half-arm - work Paddock was down. - - 13 to 20.――Busy rounds, but short, and very similar in - character, Paddock opening the ball and getting on by - his superior length, but Poulson winding up the rounds - by fear-nought hitting, and Paddock ending them by - being first to grass. - - 21.――Paddock still first, got in his left on Poulson’s - bread basket, and his right on the side of the head; - the latter was retaliated by a severe body-blow, and - Paddock broke away. Paddock nailed Poulson on the nose, - and on the left brow, still Poulson pegged away, but - was first down from a wild hit of Tom’s on the side of - his head. - - 22.――Poulson tried to open the ball, but his left was - stopped, and then his right, and Tom got home an ugly - one on Harry’s left eye, which showed symptoms of the - early closing movement. Poulson went in, but Tom - planted an upper-cut on the damaged ogle, and Poulson - slipped down. - - 23.――Paddock, on time being called, rose and walked - rapidly across towards Poulson’s corner. The latter had - hardly time to turn round from his seconds, when Tom - let fly at his forehead. Poulson let go both hands - without aim; Tom missed a vicious hit with his left, - and Poulson slipped down in a scramble. - - 24.――Poulson was quickly up at the call of time, - determined not to be stolen a march on; he opened the - pleadings by a declaration with the right on Tom’s - ribs, but got it on the mouth, and in a second attempt - was stopped neatly; he, however, persevered, and some - ding-dong exchanges ended by Poulson slipping down. - - 25.――Both men slower, as well they might be, Paddock - giving his adversary a crack on the bridge of the nose - that compelled him to snuffle and wink; half-arm - hitting, in which Paddock dropped. - - 26.――Poulson took the initiative; he stepped in, caught - Paddock a heavy spank with the right on the left cheek, - and slipped from the force of his own blow. - - 27.――Poulson again rattled in; Tom countered, and - Poulson was down in the hitting. - - 28.――Both seemed of opinion that a turn of the tide - must be at hand. No time was lost on either side; - Paddock made play, but Poulson was with him, and at - close quarters they pegged away, Paddock with his - straight left and Poulson with his dangerous right; but - Jack was as good as his master――or rather Harry was as - good as Tom. Though Poulson was first on the ground he - had not the worst of the hitting. - - 29 to 34.――Alternate leading off, but Paddock best at - the attack. Poulson’s eyes were much damaged, though he - was still the stronger man on his legs. The left side - of Paddock’s face was awfully swelled, and as Jerry - Noon said, “Was polished like a newly lasted boot.” At - the end of round 33, Poulson fairly sent down Paddock - in a close rally, and the seconds of the latter - cautioned him to “keep away” from infighting. - - 35.――Paddock adopted the advice. He measured his - distance with his left got it in, but not heavily, on - Poulson’s forehead, and jumped back; Poulson followed, - but Tom retreated and shifted, hitting out as - opportunity offered. Paddock got home on Harry’s right - peeper, but could not prevent a visit to his ribs, and - a sharp crack on the nose, from which the ruby - distilled copiously. Poulson closed, and Paddock got - down. - - 36.――Paddock’s mug, on coming up, was a curious mixture - of the comic and the serious. The right side, which was - untouched, bore a sort of grin, while the left side, - which was swollen to twice its natural size, buried the - other half of the laugh in its tumefied recesses. He - had, too, a cut on the bridge of his nose, and a blue - mouse under his left eye. Poulson’s hardier mug was - less battered in appearance, but his left eye was - nearly closed, and the remaining window damaged. - Paddock got on to Poulson slightly, and after some - exchanges, both were down. - - 37 to 50.――As before; alternate leads, followed by - half-arm hitting, and one or the other down. Anybody’s - battle. - - 51.――Poulson’s left eye was now entirely in darkness, - but he dashed in. Paddock caught him round the neck - with his left arm, but could not screw him up for - fibbing. Poulson kept pegging away, although getting - the worst of it, and got down through Paddock’s hands. - - 52.――Paddock let go his left on Poulson’s nose, but - Poulson rushed in and pelted away till Tom got down to - finish the round. - - 53.――Paddock kept working in, and twice reached Harry’s - eye and brow without a return. As they got closer there - were some sharp exchanges, Poulson getting home a heavy - hit on Paddock’s left eye, and also on his bruised - ribs; Poulson was, however, down. - - 54.――Paddock several times attempted to get in his - favourite blow on the mark, but he was not quite near - enough; at last he got home effectively, and Poulson - reeled from the blow; Paddock followed him up, caught - him on the head with the right, and Poulson was down. - - 55 to 60.――Poulson’s right eye seemed to be in danger - of following suit with the left. He evidently thought - there was no time to be lost, and as Paddock would not - come to close quarters, he rattled in somewhat wild and - round, and in the 59th and 60th rounds was down. - - 61.――Both came tired and slow, with but little to - choose as to which was the weaker man. Paddock caught - Poulson in the neck, changing his aim to the body, then - caught Poulson on the proboscis, who closed and fell. - - 62 to 65.――Paddock commenced business in each of these - rounds; in the last-named Paddock delivered a spank - with the left under Poulson’s right eye which knocked - the brave fellow off his legs, and was pronounced to be - “First knock-down to Paddock.” There was loud cheering, - and many thought the fight over, concluding that - Poulson’s right eye must now be closed. To the surprise - of all, however, Harry came up at the call of “Time,” - looking little, if any, the worse for the knock-down. - - 66, 67.――Poulson steadily stopped two attempts with the - left. Paddock at length got in a blow on the mark, and - Poulson missed his return. Paddock hit over Poulson’s - head with the left, and Poulson closed and fell. - - 68.――Both slow; after some ineffective exchanges - Paddock concentrated his energies, and, letting go his - left straight from the shoulder, gave poor Poulson a - nose-ender that again knocked him off his legs. - - 69 to 75.――Poulson, losing precision in his deliveries - from his failing eyesight, was nobbed almost at - pleasure by his opponent, yet he never failed to get in - a hard blow when they were at close quarters. - - 76 to 88.――In all these rounds Poulson came up with - unshrinking courage and determination, and his friends - clung to the idea that a chance blow might yet reward - his exertions, while Paddock’s friends, though they - thought themselves on the winning side, feared that he - could not finish his day’s work satisfactorily, and - that a “draw” might yet disappoint their hopes. Round - after round Poulson came up, amid cries of “Take him - away!” But the brave fellow refused to give in. - - 89.――Poulson, to the astonishment of all, was no sooner - at the scratch, than he rushed at his opponent with - such vigour and determination, pegging away right and - left, that Paddock, in retreating, fell on his south - pole in a ludicrous state of surprise and bewilderment - at this unexpected but ineffective onslaught. - - 90.――It was clear that this was the last flickering - effort. Poulson came up weak and shaky, and, on Paddock - letting go his left, fell. - - 91 to 102 and last.――It was clearly all over with the - gallant Harry. Paddock, by the advice of his seconds, - kept away from his man, and just popped in a hit when - he saw an opening, whereon Poulson fell. Noon vainly - urged him to give in, until, in the 102nd round, his - seconds and several of his backers, seeing the - hopelessness as well as danger of prolonging the - contest, threw up the sponge, and Paddock was declared - the winner, after a desperate battle of _two hours and - thirty-two minutes_. - - REMARKS.――Few remarks will suffice upon this game and - manly encounter. Experienced ring-goers tell us that - second fights, still more third battles, between the - same men are, as a rule, unsatisfactory. This was - indeed an exception to that rule. It was, in courage, - active work, and endurance, the best fight between big - ones for many a day past. Poulson, for a man pronounced - “stale” by many, is an extraordinary quick and - punishing hitter, but he depends too much on his right, - and thus throws open his face to the blows of a - superior tactician. With any man not more skilful than - himself he must yet prove the victor, but not even his - game and gluttony can enable him to conquer a clever - two-handed boxer possessed of resolution and skill like - Tom Paddock. We must give praise to Jerry Noon for his - humanity in throwing up the sponge when he did, and - this we the more insist on as we know that he has been - most shamefully censured and even abused, since the - affair, by persons who ought to know better, and who - have even brought to us their complaints of what they - call his “unauthorised giving in against the wish of - Poulson himself.” No impartial spectator can support - such an argument for a moment, and the stakes were - accordingly given up, with the approbation of the - referee, despite a notice served upon the stakeholder. - -Paddock, having thus retrieved his first defeat by the hardy Harry -Poulson, by a second victory, was soon after called to the field by -his old opponent Aaron Jones, who now sent forth his cartel from the -domicile of Jem Burn, who had moved his head-quarters westward from -Windmill Street to the erewhile domus of Johnny Broome, the “Rising -Sun,” in Air Street, Piccadilly. Paddock, as before, was backed from -Alec Keene’s, the “Three Tuns,” in Moor Street. The stakes, £100 a -side, were duly made good, and the 18th of July, 1854, saw both -parties embarked on board “The Waterman, No. 7,” which was the craft -chartered to convey the men and the managers to the battle-field. On -this occasion Paddock trained at Brighton, under the supervision of -Alec Keene; Aaron first at Newbridge, in Ireland, near the Curragh, -and later on at Shrewsbury, under the auspices of some distinguished -military officers, and the mentorship of Jerry Noon. “The loquacious” -Jerry won the toss for choice of corners, and took the corner with -Jones’s back to the sun. Paddock, after an ineffectual attempt to lay -an even “tenner” with his adversary, offered Jones 2 to 1, but there -being no response, Tom, much disappointed, replaced the flimsy in his -pocket. All being in readiness, and rumours of Jones’s inferior -condition spread about the ring, offers to lay 2 to 1 on Paddock were -taken to some amount. The colours were tied to the stakes, the men -shook hands, and at ten minutes to one began - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On assuming the perpendicular it was evident - that Jones was the taller and more symmetrical man. He - was, despite rumour, in excellent condition. There was - a pleasing smile of confidence and an ease in his - attitude that favourably impressed the spectators; in - short, he looked a model of a 12 stone man. Tom, the - rough-and-ready, seemed rather lighter than usual――he - was declared to be no more than 11st. 9lbs.――but he - still looked rounder, stronger, and tougher than his - fairer skinned opponent. Paddock lost no time in - sparring but went straight in, catching Jones on the - forehead, but getting a smack in return on the - proboscis from Jones, who said, smilingly, “You had it - there!” Paddock replied by making another dash, and - landing on Aaron’s cheek, who retorted on the side of - Tom’s head. Some rather wild exchanges followed, left - and right, in which each displayed more haste than - judgment; they then broke away. Paddock twice made his - left on Jones’s cheek, leaving marks of his handiwork; - on trying a third time, Jones countered him sharply on - the nose, then closed, and both rolled over, Paddock - undermost. - - 2.――Paddock let go his left and reached Jones’s ear, - another attempt was too high, and a third was cleverly - stopped. Paddock bored in, when Jones met him with a - sounding spank on the left eye that made Tom “see - fireworks.” Paddock forced the fighting, but after a - rally, in which no harm was done, Jones gripped Paddock - and threw him in good style, falling on him. (Applause - from the “Rising Sun.”) - - 3.――Jones came up all smiles, but Paddock did not give - him a chance of leading off, for he rattled in left and - right, but was cleverly stopped. Tom afterwards - succeeded in landing on Aaron’s ribs, but sent his left - over Jones’s shoulder. He then bored in, but Jones - jumped back quickly, caught Paddock in his arms, and - again threw him neatly, Jones being evidently the - better wrestler. - - 4.――Paddock made his left hand and then his right, the - latter heavily, on Aaron’s left optic. A ding-dong - rally ensued, in which Jones drew “first blood” from - Tom’s smelling organ. The men closed, and some severe - fighting took place at close quarters, Jones getting it - on the forehead and ear, Paddock on the ribs. Both - down. - - 5.――Jones’s left peeper in mourning from Paddock’s one, - two, in the previous round. Paddock grinned derisively, - and at once went to work, but was stopped cleverly. - Jones returned with both hands, dropping on to Tom’s - nose and left cheek. Paddock looked vexed, and went in - with both hands, when Jones was down first. - - 6.――Paddock led off, but Jones countered him heavily on - the nose. Paddock reciprocated with a heavy - left-hander, also on the nasal prominence, and after - some exchanges both were down. - - 7.――Paddock led off short, and Jones missed his left, - but soon afterwards got on his right on the side of - Tom’s head, inflicting a deep cut that bled freely. - Jones closed, and after a brief struggle threw Paddock - a burster. - - 8.――Jones led off, nailed Tom sharply on the left - eyebrow with the right, closed at the ropes, and hung - on Paddock till he got down. - - 9.――Paddock looked unutterable things at finding Jones - was not the easy customer he had expected. He rushed - in, hit-or-miss, banged in his left at Aaron’s head, - who retaliated straight and swift on the cheek and side - of the brain-pan; this led to a rally in favour of - Jones, who threw Paddock, and walked to his corner - laughing. - - 10.――Paddock began hastily, but was stopped. Jones - closed and again threw him, falling on him. - - 11.――Paddock let fly his left, but was short. Jones - kept him at arm’s length. Paddock got closer, but his - hits were stopped. Jones then got home on Tom’s left - eye, making a cut and drawing the crimson fluid. Some - tremendous exchanges followed, Jones sticking to his - work in a style that electrified those who doubted his - pluck, and in the end Jones gained the second event by - knocking Paddock off his legs by a right-hander which - cut open his left eyebrow. (“First knock-down” for - Jones.) The layers of 3 to 1, for some had ventured - those odds, looked blue, and there was some anxiety to - “hedge;” even money would have been taken, but there - were no layers. - - 12.――Jones’s left optic all but closed. He went in - wildly, and Paddock slipped down. - - 13.――Jones let go his left, which went over Tom’s - shoulder; with his right he was more successful, and - reached Tom’s left eye a sharp crack. Paddock was out - of distance with his return, and Jones again slipped - down. - - 14.――Paddock led off, but was prettily stopped, left - and right. Jones returned on the left temple, closed, - and again threw Paddock heavily, falling on him. - - 15.――On getting together, good exchanges took place, - Paddock reaching Aaron’s snuffbox smartly, but Jones - giving him a rattler on the domino-box in return. - Jones, in the rally which followed, struck Paddock on - the top of the head, to the damage of his own dexter - fin, and then slipped down. - - 16.――Jones dashed in fearlessly, got home a heavy one - on Tom’s left ear, who went down on his right hand with - a sort of half-consenting stagger, and so finished the - round. - - 17.――Jones, still forcing the fighting, dashed out left - and right, and Tom, in stopping and getting away, fell - by catching his heel against the centre stake. - - 18.――Paddock now tried for a lead; he opened the ball - by dropping his left on Aaron’s cheek-bone, and got it - on the side of the head――tit-for-tat. Some tremendous - exchanges followed, when Jones closed, shot his left - arm round Paddock’s neck, threw him a clean back-fall, - and fell on him. (We learned, subsequently, that in - this round Jones so severely injured his left shoulder - that he was incapacitated from its free use for several - succeeding rounds; he also complained that Jerry Noon, - by his careless way of lifting him, increased the - mischief by an additional twist.) - - 19.――Jones went in and pegged away, but his left-hand - hits seemed ineffective; Tom hit out wildly, but at - last fell with his own consent. - - 20-24.――Jones planted on Paddock’s frontispiece - cleverly; but there was no steam in the hits. In the - last-named round Paddock slipped down, but instantly - jumped up to renew the round; Jones, who was in the - arms of his seconds, released himself, and at it they - went. After some wild exchanges, the men embraced, - swung round, and both fell. - - 25.――Paddock got home his left bunch of fives on - Aaron’s sadly damaged optic. Jones returned on the side - of the head, and in going down narrowly escaped a - swinging blow from Paddock’s right. - - 26.――Jones dashed in on the snout, whence spouted a - crimson jet, then closed, and, after a short struggle, - both fell, Paddock under. - - 27.――Jones again rattled in, but his left-hand blows - seemed mere pushes, his following hits with the right - being sharp and heavy. After mutual exchanges, Jones - again gripped Paddock and threw him, falling over him. - As they lay on the ground Paddock patted Jones on the - shoulder, in a patronising way, as if saying, “Well - done, my lad!” - - 28.――Jones broke ground by letting go both hands, but - they were mere fly-flaps. In trying to get nearer he - missed his left, over-reached himself, and fell. - - 29.――Paddock, tired of the defensive, dashed in; they - quickly got to work, and after a merry rally, in which - there were several mutual misses, both were down, - Paddock undermost. - - 30-34.――Good sharp rounds, with equal success; Paddock - getting twice or three times on to Jones’s good - eye――the right――which looked in danger of following - suit like its sinister brother. In the last round - Paddock again thrown. - - 35.――Paddock, anxious for a turn, went in resolutely; - Jones met him with the right, and propped him severely, - his left, though he made use of it in stopping, doing - no damage to his opponent. In the exchanges Paddock - slipped down. - - 36-46.――Similar in character, sharp rallies, some wild - but punishing exchanges; Jones the best of the closes, - but Paddock hitting hardest. - - 47.――Jones went in and forced his man determinedly; he - got his right hand heavily on Tom’s listener, but - received a slashing upper-cut while attempting to - close, he staggered and fell, his knees evidently - failing him. - - 48.――Paddock grinned at his opponent, and looked round - at his friends, nodding his head as he put up his hands - at the scratch. He popped in his left on the side of - Aaron’s head, who fell, Paddock just missing a - right-hander as Jones went to earth. - - 49-52.――Jones’s fighting ineffective, and Paddock - slowly improving his position. - - 53.――Paddock again visited the old spot on Jones’s left - cheek, and Jones was again down. It was evident the - steam was out of Jones’s deliveries, though he yet - preserved his form of stopping and hitting. In fact, - his left was no longer his best weapon. From this to - the 70th round comparatively little mischief was done, - through exhaustion from continued exertion, falls, and - repeated blows. Paddock, whose hands were swollen by - repeated visitations to Jones’s forehead and brain-pan, - did but little execution, while Jones, with his - sprained left shoulder and weakened understandings, was - too tottery to go in with effect. In the 78th round - Paddock sent a smasher into Jones’s remaining window, - the shutter of which was fast closing. Cries of “Take - him away!” to which Jones contemptuously replied, “I’m - good for another hour!” - - 79.――Paddock went in as if to finish, but Jones - astonished him by stopping his left, and retaliating - with such a stinger on the side of the nut, that he - rolled down and over, amidst the shouts of the - spectators. - - 80.――Jones was evidently fighting against fate. - Paddock, though his hands were puffed, seemed little - the worse for wear in wind or strength, while Jones was - weak on his pins, pumped out, had but one good arm, and - was gradually losing distinct vision. Forty-one more - rounds were fought, making 121; but though Jones made - many gallant efforts to turn the tide, fate was against - him. His backers (the principal one was absent) were - willing he should give in, but the game fellow would - not hear of it. He gradually became blind, and, at - length, in the 121st round, he rushed wildly in the - direction of Paddock, who steadily propped him on the - side of the jaw with the left, then delivering his - right on the body, down went poor Aaron in a heap, - nature forsook him, and Paddock stood over him the - victor, after a determined struggle of _two hours and - twenty-four minutes_. - - Both men were immediately conveyed on board “Waterman - No. 7,” where they received every attention. Paddock - quickly recovered, though his external marks of - punishment were numerous and severe; Jones, however, - was not himself for a considerable period. The boat at - once returned to town; but as she departed before the - second fight (between Spooner and Donovan) was - concluded, ourselves and many others were compelled to - avail ourselves of the Gravesend Railway, _via_ - Dartford or Purfleet, which brought all in good time to - their homes in the great Metropolis. - - REMARKS.――The reader of the foregoing account will - cordially agree with us that Jones in this gallant - battle completely wiped out any stain of cowardice - which the result of his battle with Orme might have - attached to his character. His own statement to us, - that he did not refuse to meet Orme a third time from - any dread of punishment, but simply upon the advice of - his backers and friends, was fully borne out. His - perseverance, after the disablement of his left - shoulder in the 18th round, and the unflinching - endurance with which he faced so determined a - two-handed hitter as Paddock, for ever dispose of the - imputation of a white feather in Aaron’s composition. - The loser certainly left no stone unturned, no resource - untried, to achieve victory, and if he failed to - command success he did more――he deserved it. Paddock, - as usual in his later fights, fought with coolness and - good-humour, taking the roughest blows and falls - without a murmur. His left cheek, eye, temple, and ear - were fearfully swollen, while the right side presented - a curious contrast by retaining its original shape and - expression. His hands were more injured than in any of - his previous battles, and this will account for the - protracted nature of the contest after the tide had - turned against Jones. The fairness of Paddock’s - fighting, even, on several occasions, to the extent of - forbearance, was the admiration of all who witnessed - the contest. Paddock, too, was certainly weak towards - the close, owing to the burning sun under which the - battle was fought. For ourselves, the mere work of - sitting in a somewhat constrained position, in the full - blaze of its rays, attending to our duties as referee, - occasionally holding a bet, and taking the note which - form the “bones” of the foregoing account, so entirely - beat us that we can speak feelingly of the labours of - the men who were subjected to and went through such a - trying ordeal. Their endurance speaks volumes for the - wonderful results attainable by training and condition. - In brief, we may say in conclusion, that a better or - more courageous fight has not been seen since Paddock - last met the game and persevering Poulson. - -The battle-money (£200) was handed to Paddock on the ensuing Monday, -at Alec Keene’s, “Three Tuns,” Moor Street, Soho, when a handsome -collection was made as a golden salve for the wounds of the brave but -unfortunate Aaron Jones. - -That Aaron Jones fully removed by his last two battles every trace of -suspicion as to want of game is certain, but that he will ever be able -to take a first-rate position as a pugilist is extremely dubious; not -from want of either courage or capabilities as a punisher, but from -the simple fact that his constitution is not sufficiently strong to -enable him to stand for any great length of time the fatigues of a -contest with a determined lasting adversary like Paddock. He is a -civil, well-conducted young fellow, and a great favourite among those -who know him well. His defeat has not lost him a single friend, though -it has gained him many. It is just possible that his constitutional -defects may be removed as he grows older, and if they are, he will -prove an awkward customer to any one who may fancy him; but unless he -can improve his stamina, and that very materially, we would advise him -to abstain in future from milling pursuits. Paddock fought steadier -and with more generalship than we had given him credit for, and, to -our surprise, his hands, which in all former battles had swelled so as -almost to incapacitate him from inflicting punishment, stood firm and -hard to the last. His hits were delivered with much judgment, and, -although he was fearfully punished, he never flinched from his task. -He says it was a much tougher job than he expected, and does not -disguise the fact that he was glad when it was over; he also adds, -that whoever fights Jones in future will find he must put up with a -good deal more punching than will do him good. Many persons found -fault with Paddock for dropping on several occasions after delivering -his right on Jones’s most vulnerable point, the ribs, and certainly we -agree that such a practice should have been avoided. It must be -remembered, however, that Paddock was himself seriously injured, and -fast growing blind, and that he could scarcely be expected to display -that coolness which under more favourable circumstances would have -been expected from him. These dropping manœuvres were also in a -material degree counterbalanced by his manly conduct in the eleventh -round, when he refrained from punishing Jones, when the latter was in -a defenceless but perfectly fair position for being hit. - -Our hero was allowed scant breathing-time after this tremendous -encounter. At the giving up of the stakes at Mr. Jackson’s, King -Street Mews, Park Lane, on the following Tuesday, the fearless Tom -Sayers presented himself and proposed a battle for £200, catch-weight, -but the details were postponed to a future meeting at Bill Hayes’s in -the ensuing week. In the interval Tom’s friends had entered into what -the politicians call _pourparlers_ with some friends of Harry Poulson, -and this proved “a red herring” that crossed the “line,” and so the -match with Tom Sayers was for the present a lost “scent.” - -In the papers of August 27, we read as follows:―― - - “The gallant Tom Paddock having waited for some time for a - reply to the question we put to the Tipton Slasher, as - to whether he intends to maintain his claim to the - Championship, and having seen no answer, declares that if - Perry has retired――as he is at a loss to know which of these - worthies is actual Champion――he will fight Harry Broome - for £200 or £300 a side.” [We may state, for Paddock’s - information, that Broome, when he forfeited some time back - to the Slasher, declared his intention of retiring from the - Ring, and leaving the title to the Tipton.] “Paddock adds - that if neither Perry nor Broome takes up the gauntlet, he - shall consider himself Champion, as prepared to meet all - comers.” - -In the following week’s issue, the Editor announces that Johnny Broome -has called on him, and left a deposit to “find a man” who will fight -Paddock for £200, or any larger sum. - -As the day of the battle approached, the interest in the expected -encounter increased, and the eighteenth deposit, carrying the stakes -up to £160, being duly posted at Alec Keene’s, “Three Tuns,” Moor -Street, Soho, all seemed going fairly. On the following Tuesday, -however, an alarming intelligence reached Air Street, that Harry had -been apprehended at his training quarters at Patcham, and taken before -the Brighton magistrates, by whom he had been bound over to keep the -peace for three months, thus putting an end to hostilities for that -period at least. We shall not here encumber our pages by any detail of -the angry “’fending and proving” which followed this very mysterious -arrest, of which each sought to cast the blame on his opponent’s -party. On this occasion the Editor of _Bell’s Life_, who was the -stakeholder, declared it to be his duty, from documents laid before -him, to hand over to Paddock the £180 deposited, which was done on the -20th of February, 1855. Hereupon Broome deposited £10 for a fresh -match, to come off on May 7th, after the expiry of Harry’s -recognisances, which Paddock covered, and once again received forfeit -from his wrangling opponent on the 12th of March. Hereupon the -“highest authority” declared, “in answer to numerous correspondents,” -that “Tom Paddock is now Champion of England, until the position is -wrested from him by the Tipton Slasher or Aaron Jones, or confirmed to -him by their defeat.” And here we may note that “old K-legs” was still -“pegging away on the same line;” but the ruddy hero of Redditch -fancied Aaron Jones to be an easier job, so he postponed his old -friend’s invitation, and joined issue with Jones by signing articles -on April 3rd, at Bill Hayes’s, the “Crown,” in Cranbourne Passage, to -fight on the 26th of June, 1855, for £100 a side, within 70 and over -50 miles from London. As we were present on the previous Thursday, at -Dan Dismore’s, and ourselves registered the “ring-constables” for -preservation of order on the occasion, it may be interesting to print -our note. Those who gave in their names were: Nat Langham, Edward -Hoiles (the Spider), Tom Sayers, Jack Grant, Jemmy Welsh, Young Sambo -(Welsh), Jemmy Massey, Billy Duncan, Charley Mallett, John Hicks, Alf. -Walker, Tom Adams, and Ned More; Ned Adams, Inspector. All these were -provided with armlets and a number, and were empowered to prevent any -person intruding within the outer roped circle, unless provided with -an inner-ring ticket, purchased of them individually or of the -appointed distributors. Each of these constables was compensated by an -“honorarium” in proportion to the receipts for “privilege” tickets, -which was subject to deduction or fines for proved remissness or -breach of duty. These arrangements fell into confusion and almost into -oblivion when the master-hand which framed them retired from the -conduct of the affairs of the Ring, of which he had been, through good -report or evil report, through sunshine as through storm, “the guide, -philosopher, and friend”――nay, more, the disinterested and zealous -champion and advocate. We allude to Vincent Dowling, Esq., who for -more than thirty years edited _Bell’s Life in London_, and to whom the -hand which writes these lines is proud to own that that teacher was -the Gamaliel at whose feet he sat to learn the now forgotten and -self-degraded principles of honour, courage, forbearance, and fair -play embodied in and inculcated by the Art of Self-Defence. On this -occasion the law survived the law-giver, and the most perfect order -was maintained. On the former occasion Jones’s friends declared that -their man lost the use of his left hand from an injury to his -collar-bone in the tenth round, and moreover, that he was suffering -from a disablement brought on by undue exertion, for which the -application of leeches had been considered necessary only a day or two -before the fight. If, they argued, Jones could under these drawbacks, -prolong the fight for two hours and twenty-four minutes, to the 121st -round, the chances were now in his favour. Besides, Jones, on a recent -occasion (at Jem Ward’s benefit) had so unmistakably “bested” Master -Tom, flooring him in masterly style, that his friends were “legion” -for this second trial. For some time after the signature of articles -both men remained in town, but at length Aaron betook himself to -Shrewsbury, where he remained until a fortnight before the fight, when -he came up to London, and took up his quarters at Sutton, in Surrey, -under the surveillance of Bob Fuller, who, “it goes without saying,” -did all that could be done to bring him “fit to the post.” Paddock -went to the neighbourhood of Leatherhead, where, by strong exercise on -the breezy downs, he did all that could be done to bring his “pipes” -and muscle into the primest order. We saw him both at the Epsom and -Ascot meetings, to each of which he came on “Shanks’s mare” and -certainly looked in “wind and limb,” eye, skin, and general -complexion, up to anything. On the Monday previous both men showed at -the Rotunda, Blackfriars Road, at the gathering for the benefit of the -Pugilistic Benevolent Association, and of course received the -congratulations of the crowd. - -The “special” was chartered on this occasion by Dan Dismore, Hayes, -Mr. Jackson, and Paddock’s backer. On our arrival at the terminus we -met an immense assemblage of curious folks, who unable to be present -at the fight were anxious to get a peep at the men. On the platform -was a goodly concourse, noblemen and soldiers, Corinthians and clergy -(at any rate, we noticed the “Bishop of Bond Street,” carefully -superintending the safe deposit of sundry Fortnum-and-Mason-looking -baskets and hampers in the guard’s van), sporting pubs, country-cousins, -pugilists, and many well-breeched plebeians. At a few minutes past -eight o’clock, both men with their immediate attendants were -comfortably seated, and at half-past eight the whistle sounded and -away we steamed. The well-known stations on the Eastern Counties were -quickly passed, and, with the exception of one stoppage for a “drink” -for the iron horse, we had covered nearly eighty miles from Shoreditch -before we put on the brakes, and pulled up near Mildenhall, in the -county of Suffolk. Here an excellent piece of ground had been -selected, and a first-rate inner-and-outer-ring were quickly marked -out by Tom Oliver, Tom Callas, and assistants. A brisk trade in -tickets for the outer enclosure showed a receipt of £33 10s., a very -fair contribution to the funds of the P.B.A. The heat, as the men -stripped for the encounter, was intense, and by an amicable agreement -the usual toss for corners was dispensed with, and the men “placed -across the sun;” thus neither had the disadvantage of advancing to the -scratch with the rays of that dazzling luminary in his face. At -half-past twelve o’clock, the number of spectators numbering a little -over a thousand, Jones threw in his cap, attended by Bob Fuller and -Bill Hayes, the latter, who was in ill-health, resigning his position -soon afterwards to Jerry Noon. Paddock soon followed, Alec Keene and -Jemmy Massey acting as his assistants. Paddock, after shaking hands, -offered £25 in crisp bank notes to Aaron, on condition of a deposit of -£20 on the part of the latter, but Jones declined the wager. The odds -round the ring were now at this figure――5 to 4 on Paddock. Jemmy -Massey, however, offering “3 to 2, rather than not get on,” had his -£15 taken against £10, and the market-price went back again. - -As the men stood up Paddock looked red, hard, and, contrary to former -exhibitions, sinewy and comparatively lean, with a look of wear and -tear about him that spoke well for his attention to training. Jones -was fine, symmetrical, and a model for a statuary; but though he -smiled and looked healthy and confident, we could not bring ourselves -to think he could last out a day’s work with the Redditch man. At six -minutes to one the seconds retired and business began. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Paddock was evidently not disposed to make a - waiting race; he approached his man with an ominous - smile, and at once launched forth his left, which was - prettily stopped. He tried it a second time, but Jones - was away. Tom would not be denied, but dashed - resolutely in, and caught Jones heavily on the mouth - with his left. Jones turned half round and went down, - bleeding from the lips. (_First blood_ for Paddock. - First knock-down blow was also claimed, but not allowed - by the referee, who considered that Jones was a - consenting party to his own downfall.) - - 2.――Paddock again tried his left, catching Aaron a - second time on the mouth. This led to some heavy - exchanges, in which Paddock got it on the left cheek - heavily, and Jones in the mouth. Paddock in the end - slipped down. - - 3.――The men at once got within distance, and heavy - counter-hits left and right were exchanged, Jones with - the latter hand catching Tom another spank on the left - cheek, and receiving on the left peeper and ribs. A - close followed, in which both were down, Jones under. - - 4.――Paddock came up smiling, when Jones let go his left - heavily on Paddock’s larboard optic, and his right on - his nose――a very heavy hit, which produced a good - supply of red currant juice, and both fell. - - 5.――Paddock dashed in, but was met with another smasher - on the snout. He retaliated on Aaron’s left eye, - inflicting a cut on the brow, and drawing a fresh tap. - He made his left again on Aaron’s cheek, which led to - heavy exchanges, left and right, both getting it on the - left side of the nut, and Paddock at the close fell on - his south pole. - - 6.――Jones came up with his left peeper in mourning; - Paddock’s sinister visual organ had on a similar suit. - Paddock determinedly rattled in and tickled Aaron on - the left side of his occiput. He tried a second dose, - but napped an ugly right-hander on the left eyebrow, - which was cut, and the ruby at once responded to the - call. Heavy exchanges without an attempt to stop - followed, and both were down, Paddock under. - - 7.――Both showed serious marks of punishment, but - neither said “nay.” Some heavy rambling exchanges took - place, and Jones slipped down. - - 8.――No ceremony on either side, but ding-dong was the - order of the day. The exchanges were in favour of - Paddock, who paid some heavy to visitations Aaron’s - left peeper. In the close both were down. - - 9.――Jones attempted to lead off, but Paddock got - cleverly away; Jones followed him up, and some - tremendous exchanges took place, Jones in the end - knocking Paddock off his legs by a tremendous crack - from his right on the jaw. (First knock-down blow for - Jones.) - - 10.――Paddock looked serious――he was evidently shaken by - the hit in the last round. Jones, however, instead of - going to work, waited for him. Paddock quickly - recovered, and just touched Aaron on the proboscis; - this brought on a rally, in which little mischief was - done, and Jones got down. - - 11.――Paddock took the lead, planted a left-hander on - Jones’s left daylight; Jones retaliated by a - right-hander on the same spot, and then a second - edition of the same, and in getting back fell on the - ropes; he was not down, and Paddock might with fairness - have struck him, but, with a manly feeling, for which - he is entitled to much credit, walked to his own corner - amidst cheers from both sides. - - 12.――This was a tremendous fighting round. It commenced - with some heavy exchanges left and right, Paddock - reaching Aaron’s left eye, and the latter pounding Tom - on the smeller. A break away, followed by some severe - counter-hits in favour of Jones, who again drew Tom’s - cork, brought them to a close, in which both were down. - Paddock distilling the ruby from his nose and left eye, - and Jones from the nozzle. (The facetious Jerry Noon - remarked that it was “Chelsea Hospital to a sentry-box” - on Jones.) - - 13.――Jones led off, caught Tom another nasty one on the - side of his knowledge-box, and Tom, astonished at its - suddenness, dropped. - - 14.――Paddock tried his left, which was neatly stopped. - Again did he make the attempt with a like result, but - Jones with quickness planted his right on the damaged - left eye with effect, and Paddock fell, Jones on him. - - 15.――Tom came up with his left shutter nearly closed, - and the cheek on the same side as big as a pumpkin. He - attempted to lead off, but was again well stopped. He - would persevere, and got home on Jones’s left ogle. - Jones countered heavily on the same point, and Paddock - again got down, Jones on him. - - 16.――Jones rushed at his man, who in retreating fell. - - 17.――Paddock led off, but missed. Tremendous - counter-hits followed, Paddock getting it on the side - of his nut from Jones’s right, and Jones being knocked - off his legs by a heavy visitation on his left cheek, - which inflicted a severe cut and spilled more of the - vital fluid. - - 18.――Paddock again missed a well-intended left hander, - and, after a few scrambling exchanges, Jones fell weak. - He had evidently not recovered the terrific hit in the - last round. - - 19.――Paddock let go his left, which caught Jones on the - damaged chop, but not heavily. Jones returned on the - left eye, and Paddock dropped laughing. - - 20.――Paddock went to his man, who let go his left on - the side of his head, and Paddock fell. He jumped up to - renew the round, when Jones at once went to work, - pegged away left and right, drawing some more claret - from the left eye. Paddock returned on the left cheek, - but in the end was knocked through the ropes, Jones - falling weak from his own exertions. - - 21.――Paddock’s lead was again stopped, and Jones again - propped him on the left cheek. Paddock dropped, and - once more jumped up to renew the round, but Jones’s - seconds forced him away to his owner. - - 22.――Jones, slightly recovered from his weakness, went - to work, and some tremendous counter-hits were - exchanged, Paddock on the left eye, and Jones on the - smelling bottle. Paddock now shoved in his right - heavily on Jones’s ribs, and dropped, amidst cries of - “Foul.” No appeal, however, was made, and the affair - passed off. - - 23.――Paddock came up with his left ocular completely - closed, the opposite cheek being swollen as if from - sympathy. Jones’s left eye was also barely open. - Paddock went resolutely to work with both hands, Jones - retaliating, and in the end Jones fell. - - 24.――Paddock took the lead by another essay upon - Jones’s head, which staggered him. Paddock at once - closed, threw, and fell on him. - - 25.――Slight changes to a close, in which a little - mutual fibbing took place. In the end both down, - Paddock under, but still much the fresher man. - - 26.――Jones attempted to open the pleadings, but Paddock - stepped back, jobbing him on the snuffbox as he came - in. Slogging exchanges now took place, in favour of - Jones, who caught Paddock a tremendous right hander - behind the left ear, which cut that organ severely, and - opened a new crimson conduit. The men closed and fell - together, Jones under. - - 27.――Paddock, although bleeding from the left ear and - eye, came up merrily, and led off with the left on - Aaron’s os frontis. Jones returned with a heavy right - hander on Tom’s darkened peeper, and again knocked him - off his pins. - - 28.――Paddock, who was very slow to the call of time, - came up weak. Jones led off, with his right on the - nose, but had not devil enough to let it go with a - will. Paddock retreated until he had shaken off the - effects of the knock-down in the last round, and then - caught Jones heavily on the body. Jones returned on the - mouth with effect, the blow turning Paddock half round. - Paddock at once walked to his corner and sat down――an - example followed by Jones. This hit was very severe, - and many persons thought Paddock would not come many - more rounds. - - 29.――Paddock tried to lead off, but was stopped. Jones - then planted his left slightly on the right cheek, and - Paddock got down. - - 30.――Jones went to work, but without force, and after - some slight exchanges, both fell on their knees - exhausted. The intense heat must have been indeed - distressing to both. - - 31.――Slight exchanges, in which little mischief was - done, and Paddock again down. - - 32.――Both attempted to deliver, and both missed their - mark. Slight exchanges, each on the left side of the - nut, and both down fatigued. - - 33.――Jones essayed a lead, which was neatly stopped. He - then dashed in, and after a scrambling rally both fell - over the ropes. - - 34.――Paddock’s head presented an unique specimen of - Aaron’s handiwork. The left cheek was swollen as big as - a cocoa-nut, and his eye was all but covered up. With - the other optic he glared furiously upon his opponent, - and rushing at him, delivered his left on the cheek. - Jones returned slightly on the body, and Tom dropped. - - 35.――Paddock stopped Aaron’s left. Paddock returned - twice heavily on the ribs with his right, leaving - visible impression of his knuckles, and then dropped - without a return, amidst the hisses of the Aaronites. - - 36.――Paddock’s left well stopped. A tremendous - ding-dong rally then took place, in which Paddock got - it on the left eye and cheek, and Jones on the ribs. In - the end both down. - - 37.――Paddock’s left again stopped, and Jones returned - on the side of the wig-block. Paddock then popped in - his left with effect on the mouth, and after some more - exchanges Paddock got down. He looked round anxiously - at Jones, as he was being carried to his corner, and - evidently wished his work was done. - - 38.――Paddock made his right heavily on Jones’s body, - and then his left on the side of his head. Both now - pegged away with determination, and in a most - unflinching way, as if they had received fresh vigour. - The hitting, however, was in favour of Paddock, and in - the end Jones fell weak. It had evidently been an - expiring effort on his part to get a decided lead, and - having failed it was now patent to all that his defeat - was a mere question of time. - - 39.――Paddock let go his left on the side of Aaron’s - cheek, which led to some severe counter-hits. They then - closed, and Paddock pegged away with his right at the - ribs until both were down. - - 40.――Some slight exchanges, without mischief, and Jones - down. - - 41.――Paddock came up with an awful grin; his single - open peeper glaring in a most ludicrous manner. He - tried to lead off, but napped it on the smeller and - left ear, from which the main was again tuned on. - Paddock then made his right on the ribs, and Jones - dropped. - - 42.――Paddock again effected a heavy right-handed - delivery on the ribs, and after slight exchanges both - were down. - - 43.――Slight exchanges, in which neither was effective, - and in a scramble they fell. Paddock under. - - 44.――Jones attempted to lead off, but was easily - stopped; Paddock returning heavily on his left eye, and - then on the body, again screwed his courage to the - sticking-place, and a second with his right and got - down. - - 45.――Paddock led off, but was short. In another attempt - he reached Aaron’s damaged bread-basket, and dropped à - la Bendigo. He jumped up to renew the fight, when Jones - nailed him on the left side of his brain-pan, and Tom - finally dropped to end this round. - - 46.――Jones tried to lead, but was very slow, and easily - stopped. Paddock again reached his ribs with his right, - and a sharpish rally ended in their failing together at - the ropes. - - 47.――Paddock’s left was out of distance; he tried his - right at the body but missed, and Jones dashing in, - caught him on the right cheek slightly, and fell on his - face. - - 48.――Counter-hits with the left, Paddock catching Jones - very heavily on the left temple, and dropping him as if - shot. - - 49.――Jones, very slow to the call of time, at length - came up wildly. He staggered in to close, and they - fell, Jones under. - - 50.――Jones, alter a futile attempt to punish, fell - weak. - - 51.――Slight exchanges, but no mischief, and both down. - - 52.――Wild, swinging hits which did not get home. - Paddock then planted his right heavily on the ribs, and - again got down, amidst loud hisses. There was no appeal - to the referee, and the fight proceeded. - - 53.――Paddock let go his left on the mouth; slight - exchanges followed, and they then fell on their backs. - Both were much exhausted, but Paddock was the stronger - on his pins. - - 54.――After slight exchanges, Paddock again made his - right at the ribs, and got down. - - 55.――Paddock led off, but was stopped. They then got - close, and some slight fibbing ended in Jones seeking - Mother Earth. Paddock stood looking at him, as much as - to say, “Why don’t you cut it?” until he was carried to - his corner. - - 56.――Jones attempted to lead off, but Paddock countered - him heavily on the cheek, and he fell, amidst cries of - “Take him away.” - - 57.――Jones, although slow to time, came up steadily, - and succeeded in putting in a little one “on the place - where Tom’s eye ought to be,” and having received in - return on the proboscis, he fell on his latter end. - - 58.――Paddock rushed in to finish, but Jones, to the - surprise of all, stopped him, and some heavy - counter-hits took place. Paddock getting another crack - on his disfigured nob, and hitting Jones down by a - spank on the dice-box. - - 59.――Paddock planted his left on Jones’s kissing-organ - heavily, opening a fresh tap, and Aaron again dropped. - For two more rounds did Jones stagger up to the - scratch, but it was only to receive――all the steel was - out of him――he was extremely weak on his legs, one eye - was closed, and the other following suit; his nose, - mouth, and ribs were severely damaged, while - Paddock――although tremendously disfigured about the - title-page――had still a little “go” left in his - trotters. Every one begged of Jones or his seconds on - his behalf to give in, but the gallant fellow - persevered against hope until the close of the 61st - round, when getting another heavy crack on the mouth, - he fell, almost senseless, and his seconds threw up the - sponge in token of defeat, at the end of one hour and - twenty-nine minutes. Poor Aaron, who had done all he - could do to turn the tide in his favour, was much - mortified by this second defeat at the hands of - Paddock, and cried like a child. He could scarcely walk - on leaving the ring, and was obliged to lie down on an - adjacent bank for some time before he could be removed - to the station. Paddock was no great shakes, and was - evidently much delighted that his task was at an end. - He went into the ring with a full conviction that he - should not gain a bloodless victory, and that he should - get his brain-pan pretty well knocked about, but we - question whether even he, confident as he was, - anticipated that it would be quite so “hot” as it - turned out. - - REMARKS.――Every one who witnessed the above battle will - cordially agree with us that it was a determined, manly - struggle for pre-eminence throughout. It clearly - demonstrated to our mind, however, the fact that Jones - does not possess sufficient physique to enable him to - contend successfully against such a hardy bit of stuff - as Tom Paddock. True, he is a harder hitter than - Paddock, but then, after a time, unless a man has a - frame of iron, this gift is materially diminished by - the constant jar; and a determined adversary, with such - a granite nob as Tom Paddock, capable of receiving - almost any amount of punishment, is almost certain to - last longest at mere give-and-take fighting, as was - fully proved on Tuesday. Jones, notwithstanding he had - received hints from the most accomplished boxer of the - day, Jem Ward, still persevered in his old system of - hitting principally with his right-hand, a practice - which, although it altered Paddock’s physiognomy in the - most extraordinary manner on one side, still was not - calculated, unattended as it was by much execution from - his left, to reduce his opponent to a state of - darkness. He punished Paddock more than that hero was - ever punished before, and we believe that, did he - possess more wear and tear, it would have been a much - nearer thing than it was. He had for some time the best - of the hitting, but, falling weak, the inequality was - quickly removed by the determination of Paddock, who, - seeing that he had his work to do, never gave Jones - breathing time to collect his faculties. - -The Old Tipton being matched with Aaron Jones, and Harry Broome being -supposed to have retired from pugilism to publicanism, Tom was -standing idle in the market-place, when on the 2nd of December he was -enlivened by reading the following in the Ring column of _Bell_, under -the heading of “WHO IS TO HAVE THE BELT?” A new one having been just -put into the hands of a fashionable goldsmith from the proceeds of a -public subscription: - - “MR. EDITOR,――It was my intention never to have entered the - roped arena again, but the persuasions of my old friends and - backers have determined me to pull off my shirt once more. I - now come forward for the satisfaction of the public and the - Prize Ring, in order to determine who’s the better man, Tom - Paddock or myself. I will fight him for £200 a side for the - Champion’s Belt, which I feel I am entitled to, for both the - Tipton Slasher and Aaron Jones have been beaten by me or by - men that I have beaten, and therefore I claim it, and shall - do so until fairly beaten in a roped ring, as a trophy of - that description ought to be contested for man to man, and - never obtained upon a mere challenge. To prove that I mean - to carry out what I state, I will meet Paddock at your - office on Wednesday, Dec. 12, to sign articles, to which the - following condition must be attached:――The money not, under - any circumstances, to be parted with until _fairly won or - lost_ in a 24 feet roped ring. Should this not suit Paddock - (not that I wish to interfere with the match between the - Tipton Slasher and Aaron Jones) I will fight Aaron Jones for - £200 a side, whether he wins or loses with the Tipton - Slasher. By inserting this, you will oblige.――Yours, &c., - - “HENRY BROOME.” - “Bell’s Life” Tavern, Strand, - November 28, 1855. - -Paddock lost no time in calling on the stakeholder, and leaving £10 -early in the next week, under condition that if he could not raise -£200, they should meet for £100. Broome did not flinch, and, after two -more “conditional” deposits, articles were signed in the editorial -sanctum of _Bell’s Life_, by which Thomas Paddock and Henry Broome -mutually bound themselves to fight for £200 a side, on Monday, May -19th, 1856, within 100 and over 50 miles from London. The anxiety in -boxing circles, as the day drew near and all was found progressing -smoothly to the desired issue, became intense; and Alec Keene’s “Three -Tuns,” in Moor Street, whence Paddock was backed, and Harry’s own -house, the newly named “Bell’s Life” Tavern (now the “Norfolk Arms”), -in the Strand, were crowded with curious inquirers as to how the men -went on, and for “the straight tip.” On the day previous both -champions showed, and the distribution of colours――a blue with white -spot for Broome, and a blue with a white check for Paddock――on the -usual terms of a guinea or “nothing,” was extensive. Paddock was -closely scrutinised by both friends and foes, each equally anxious to -ascertain whether time or previous contests had impaired his freshness -or vigour; but no traces of deterioration were there, and those who -felt his muscle declared their belief that he was never in finer trim. - -Harry’s appearance, so far as his face was concerned, was that of -perfect health, and the disappearance of the protuberance which had -long been visible under his waistcoat was remarkable. These signs of -careful training, with the prestige of his name, carried the odds to 6 -and 7 to 4 in his favour. We knew that he worked hard and was most -creditably abstemious; but we feared, as the sequel proved, that he -was unable to train efficiently, and that strength was lost in the -great reduction of weight to which he had been subjected. - -It had been the original intention of the backers of the men to have -given the inhabitants of Kent and Sussex the opportunity of a view of -this encounter; but it proved, upon inquiry, that it was impossible to -obtain a “special” on those lines, as some saints in the directorate -of the companies had issued an ukase against such “excursions” as were -not to their own taste or under their own patronage. Recourse was, -therefore, had to the Eastern Counties, where the necessary facilities -for an excursion of “Odd Fellows” was applied for and granted. It was -suggested to the “managers” of the “outing”――Alec Keene, Fred Broome, -and Dan Dismore――that any invasion of the territory of Cambridge, -Huntingdon, or the country round Mildenhall or Brandon, would -inevitably be resisted; so these worthies, after consultation with -experienced strategists, deemed it prudent to abandon the old and -beaten track, and strike out a new plan of campaign. The company’s -agent was, therefore, apprised that the excursionists wished to pass -through Suffolk into Norfolk, by the Eastern Union Line, as their -place of reunion would be a few miles beyond Ipswich. The officials -made their arrangements accordingly, and on our arrival at the -Shoreditch terminus, at eight o’clock on Monday morning, we found that -no pains had been spared to prevent anything like crushing or disorder -at the doors. The neighbourhood of the station was, as usual, crowded -with anxious spectators, who hoped to get a view of the principals in -the forthcoming duel; but, so far as Broome was concerned, they were -disappointed, as he had proceeded at an early hour to Stratford, where -it was arranged the train should stop and pick him up. Paddock, -however, accompanied by Jemmy Massey and Alec Keene, was early at the -starting-place, and was eagerly greeted by the multitude. From the -heavy tariff which had been determined on, we fully expected to find -the company not only very select, but far from numerous, and we -anticipated that the original number of carriages ordered would have -been found sufficient; but such was the rush of the public, that, long -before the hour of starting, every carriage was filled, and chiefly by -respectable persons. It was soon perceptible that a considerable -addition to the conveyances was required, and no less than seven extra -carriages were added, all of which filled almost immediately; and, not -only so, but very shortly after the special had started a sufficient -number of gentlemen arrived at the station to charter another train of -some four or five carriages, to follow that containing the -belligerents. Among the _voyageurs_ by the first train were almost all -the pugilists of note, and an immense number of Corinthians of every -grade. In fact, a larger muster of the higher classes we have not seen -on such an occasion for many years. There were one or two familiar -faces missing, but there were quite sufficient new hands to make up -for the deficiency. Among the company was an Indian prince of high -rank, and his suite, anxious to obtain a glimpse of the peculiarly -national spectacle, and we were delighted to hear that he was treated -throughout with the greatest respect, and suffered not the slightest -indignity from the thoughtless throng on account of his peculiar -appearance or unaccustomed manners; a piece of good behaviour on the -part of an unpoliced crowd that was a creditable example to those -public gatherings which pretend to superior order and civility. The -only complaint we heard on the way down was on the subject of the -commissariat, the want of “belly-timber” being universally felt. It -turned out that the absence of refreshment among the Corinthians was -attributable to the pressure of a certain class at the doors of the -station, who, unwilling to pay, and anxious to get a trip for nothing, -besieged the doors at the latest moment, in the hope of taking the -officials off their guard, and so making a rush for the platform. The -formidable appearance of this phalanx induced the police of the line -to close the doors and refuse admission to all. Unluckily, amongst the -late arrivals, was Mr. Commissary Dismore, who, with his Land -Transport Corps, well provided with everything necessary, arrived just -too late. Dan himself contrived to get round by a private way on to -the platform, but, alas! the “vital ammunition” was cut off. Thanks, -however, to the second special, the provisions were brought down in -time for the hungry and thirsty souls to refresh themselves after the -mill, when due justice was done to Dan’s ample provision. The first -special did not leave Shoreditch until a quarter past nine; it reached -Stratford about half-past; and here Harry Broome and his friends were -picked up. Harry’s mug looked hard and healthy, and about his mouth -was a smile of confidence. The universal exclamation was, “How well he -looks!” and the short glimpse obtained of him induced many persons to -“open” at offers of 7 to 4 on him――offers which the friends of Paddock -were not slow to accept. The train now sped on at a good pace to -Chelmsford, where water was taken in, and we again set forward on our -journey. At Manningtree, where a second refresher was necessary for -the engine, an intimation was received that the “war hawks” were -abroad, and that the Ipswich police had, through the indiscretion of -some would-be-clever persons, who had gone on over night, obtained a -scent of what was intended, and had telegraphed to the police at Diss, -in Norfolk, and other places, to be on the look-out. This intimation -arrived most opportunely, and it was at once resolved to put on the -double, and to bring off the mill as close as possible to Ipswich, -where it was least expected. The commander-in-chief mounted the -engine, and, under his direction, a likely spot was selected, where -the train was brought to a halt, and the assembled multitude, to the -number of at least five hundred, dropped upon the field like a flight -of crows. Several of the committee of the P.B.A. at once spread -themselves about the field in skirmishing order to select the best -spot, but while they were so engaged the Commissary and Callas had -pitched upon a place which, although not the best, was still tolerably -level, and the grass was not very long. Here no time was lost in -getting up the fixings. It was uncertain how long the Ipswich “blues” -would be hoodwinked, and, therefore, time was everything. A large -outer-ring was formed simultaneously with the original circle, and -round this the non-paying part of the community quickly ranged -themselves. The business of selling inner-ring tickets proceeded -briskly, and a sum of £47 was realised thereby, the surplus of which, -after paying ring-keepers and the farmer on whose grounds the mill -took place for damage to his grass, went to the funds of the -Association. So great was the number of privilege ticket-holders that, -on sitting down at some distance from the ring, they formed a double -row almost the whole way round, and effectually proved their own -barrier against the irruption of those who at all times are more free -than welcome. It is true that several of the latter class, by some -means, obtained access to Broome’s corner later on, where their -vociferations were the reverse of agreeable; but, thanks to the -exertions of Mike Madden, Bill Barry, and Fred Mason, they were -effectually kept within bounds. At length, by a quarter to one, -everything was in apple-pie order, and the signal being given, the men -at once stepped into the arena; Harry Broome attended by Tass Parker -and Tom Sayers, and Paddock under the surveillance of the accomplished -Alec Keene and Jemmy Massey. They smiled and shook hands, Harry -shaking his nut in a significant manner at Tom, as much as to say, -“I’ve got you at last, old fellow.” The colours were now tied to the -post, and while the men were preparing their toilet a good deal of -betting took place. The first offer was £35 to £20 on Broome――a bet -which was at once made and staked. 7 to 4 was then laid very freely, -the business of booking and staking going on most briskly. Massey now -came forward and offered to take £20 to £10, but not being able to get -a higher bid than £15 to £10, he closed, and this amount was staked, -as was also a similar bet laid to Alec Keene. The layers now began to -hang back, and £30 to £20 became the current odds, at which a good -deal more business was done. A heavier amount of betting we never -remember to have witnessed at the ring-side; and this tended, more -than anything else, to show the intense interest the battle excited. -At length, offers became more languid, and finally ceased altogether; -and as we did not hear of a single bet after the mill commenced, we -are inclined to think that the speculators had staked every farthing -they brought with them. By one o’clock it was announced that both men -were quite ready, and time being called they were led to the scratch, -where, after the usual hands across, they were left, peeled to the -buff, and their proportions and condition displayed to the curious -gaze of the assembled throng. - -Tom Paddock, as he stood at the scratch, looked every inch a -gladiator. Each thew and sinew was perfectly developed, and seemed -ready to burst the tightened skin. His broad shoulders and deep chest, -covered with ponderous muscles, were the admiration of all; and the -distinctness with which his lower ribs were visible proved that there -was not an ounce of superfluous flesh on his wiry, powerful frame. His -mug was hard and ruddy, and there was clearly little there to swell up -should his dial come in too close propinquity to Harry’s -sledge-hammers. He looked good-humoured, but determined, and evidently -feeling the importance of the occasion, he toed the scratch with a -determination to “do or die.” Widely different was the aspect -presented by the once powerful Harry Broome. True it was that he had -got rid of his superabundant belly, but in doing so it was apparent to -all that he had also got rid of much of his muscle and sinew. When he -fought Harry Orme he was certainly well covered with fat, but still -underneath this coating the evidences of great power were plainly -visible; but now, what a falling off was there! Barring the aforesaid -protuberance, he was as fat as ever, but all appearances of sinewy -strength had vanished. His breasts were soft and puffy, his arms round -and smooth, while the flesh on his once fine back hung in collops; -there was also a slight eruption on his pale skin, which betokened a -feverish state of the blood, which would not have been guessed from -the appearance of his face. He said he felt quite well, though not so -strong as on former occasions. On inquiring of Joe Bostock, who had -been with him while he finished his training at Bosham, near -Chichester, we learned that he had several times complained of -weakness, and that the more he tried to get his fat off the more did -it seem to accumulate. Harry himself informed us, and we are satisfied -as to the truth of his statement, that he reduced himself upwards of -3st. in the course of his exercise, but he found himself getting so -weak that he was compelled at last to be more gentle in his work; and -he now declares his belief that had he gone into the ring in his -ordinary state, without any preparation whatever, he would have been -better and stronger than he was on Monday. With all his drawbacks, -however, he was extremely confident as to the result of the battle, -and advised his friends to back him at all hazards. He no doubt -depended upon his science, and expected to set at defiance the -well-known onslaughts of his opponent. We must now bring these -preliminaries to a conclusion, and proceed to our account of - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Precisely at six minutes past one the - onslaught commenced. Broome, to the astonishment of - all, did not assume the elegant attitude we have seen - in former battles, but feinted and dodged about without - gathering himself together in the least. Tom was - evidently surprised, and thought he must be “kidding;” - he therefore assumed a defensive position, and bided - his time. He had not long to wait. Harry was bent on - forcing an opening, and dashed in, feinted with his - left, ducked his head, and lodged his left heavily on - Tom’s breadbasket. His nut was laid open to a severe - upper cut, but Tom, bewildered, did not see, and - therefore did not take the advantage of his opening. - Broome now came again, let fly his left at the - forehead, inflicting no damage, napped a little one on - the left brow, and slipped down. - - 2.――Paddock at once rattled in, let go his left with - great quickness on the proboscis, drawing first blood. - Broome returned on the left cheek, and also elicited a - supply of the ruby. Harry then closed, and tried to - throw his man, but, after a short struggle, in which - Tom was very busy with his right at close quarters, Tom - slipped from his grasp and fell. - - 3.――Broome, out of all form, tried to take a lead, but - in vain. Paddock was too quick for him, and pegged away - heavily left and right on the conk, inflicting a cut on - the bridge thereof, drawing more fluid. Broome again - closed, and Tom resorted to his fibbing system with - both hands heavily on the side of Harry’s nut, and on - his ribs. This effectually put a stop to any chance of - his being thrown, and in the end both fell side by - side. - - 4.――Broome dashed in, let fly his left, which missed; - slight exchanges with the same hand followed, and - Paddock slipped down. He jumped up immediately to renew - the round, but Jemmy Massey squeezed him in his arms as - if he were a child, and carried him struggling to his - corner. - - 5.――Broome came up puffing, and evidently out of sorts. - Paddock, fresh as a daisy, grinned a ghastly grin, and - awaited the onslaught. Harry tried his left, when Tom - countered him heavily on the snout, drawing more of the - crimson. Tom attempted to follow up his advantage, but - Harry turned and ran away, Tom after him. On Broome - turning round, Tom again planted a little one on the - snuff box, and they once more closed, and some - infighting took place, in which Broome received heavily - on the body, and Tom got a little one behind his left - ear. In the end Paddock slipped down. - - 6.――Tom came up smiling. Broome at once rushed in, and - closed with his head under Paddock’s arm. Here Tom held - it and pegged away at the ribs until both were down, - Broome blowing and apparently distressed. The layers of - odds even thus early began to look excessively blue at - the want of precision of their pet, and his evident - lack of lasting powers. - - 7.――Broome slow, tried a feint, when Tom nabbed him - with the left on the cheek, and then with the same hand - on the snout. Harry at once closed, when Tom, as usual, - resorted to his fibbing, at which game Harry joined - issue, and each got it on the nose and left cheek. In - the end both again down. - - 8.――Tom led off with his left, a straight’un, on the - snuff box. Some rambling, scrambling exchanges followed - to a close, in which both fell. - - 9.――Tom steadied himself, and let go his left, but - Harry countered him heavily on the right cheek. Tom - returned on the jaw with his right, and in his hurry to - get away slipped down. Harry drew back his hand, as if - intending to deliver a spank, but prudently withheld - the blow. - - 10.――Broome let go his left, but open-handed, on Tom’s - left peeper. Tom returned on the sneezer, increasing - the supply of the carmine, and slipped down. - - 11.――Tom feinted, but found Broome ready for a shoot, - and stepped back, Harry after him. Tom now let fly his - left well on the nose. Harry rushed in to close, and - Tom resumed his fibbing on the dial and ribs. In the - end he slipped down to avoid the fall. - - 12.――Tom tried his left, but Harry stepped back, and as - Tom followed, delivered a heavy right-hander on the - mark, and then his left heavily on the mouth, drawing - the Falernian, but fracturing one of the small bones of - his hand. Paddock at once got down, and Harry walked to - his corner. - - 13.――Tom tried his left twice in succession, but Harry - jumped away, Tom, however, persevered, and having got - another little one on the mouth, went in to close, but - on Broome grasping him slipped down. - - 14.――Harry now tried it on, but Tom kept away, and as - Harry followed, gave him a touch on the ribs with his - left, and getting a little one in return on the chin, - dropped. - - 15.――Paddock dashed in without precision, and after a - scrambling rally, in which there was more bustle than - damage, he got down. - - 16.――Tom once more steadied himself, and let go his - left, but Harry cross-countered him on the forehead. - Tom now crept close, and feinting with his left, drew - Broome out, and then knocked him off his pins by a - slashing right-handed cross-counter on the jaw. (First - knock-down blow for Paddock.) The cheers of those who - had taken the odds were now vociferous. - - 17.――Harry did not seem much the worse for the crack in - the last round, but came up good humouredly, and at - once dashed to a close. Some sharp infighting took - place, followed by a break away. Tom came again, and - Harry nailed him very heavily on the snout with his - right, staggering him, and drawing a plentiful supply - of home-brewed. Paddock quickly sought mother earth. - - 18.――Tom showed a slight mark on the left side of his - beak, which was also swollen and bleeding. He rushed - in, when Harry caught him on the left cheek, drawing - more blood. Tom returned the compliment with interest - on the smeller, a very heavy spank, which once more - knocked the gallant Harry off his perpendicular. - - 19.――Paddock feinted and let go his left on the nozzle, - got a little right-hander on the left cheek in return, - and slipped down, grinning. He jumped up, however, and - said, “Have another round, Harry.” Harry was ready, but - Tom was once more borne off by “the stunted Life - Guardsman” (Massey). - - 20.――Tom rattled in again, caught Harry on the nose, - just between his eyes, removing more bark, and drawing - more claret. Broome returned on the left cheek, and a - close followed, in which both pegged away, until Tom - fell on his knees, bleeding from his scent-bottle. - (Time 28 minutes.) - - 21.――Paddock let go his left once more at Harry’s - proboscis, and some rapid but wild exchanges followed, - Harry hitting open-handed, and Tom without judgment, - and in the end Tom slipped down. - - 22.――Harry came up panting and bleeding from the nose. - Tom feinted, and Harry turned away, but Tom, when he - got near enough, dashed out with his left very straight - and heavy on Harry’s mouth, inflicting a severe cut, - and turning on the tap. Harry missed his return, but - tried to make a plant upon Tom. It was a failure, - however――he seemed to have no steam in him――and Paddock - once more dashed out his left on the mug, increased the - wound, and again floored his brave antagonist. - - 23.――Harry, although distressed, attempted to take the - lead with his right, his left being apparently useless. - He, however, missed a terrific right-hander, and napped - a hot one on the nozzle in return. Harry then got in a - little one on the jaw, and Tom got down cunning. - - 24.――Paddock led off with his left slightly on the - nose, which led to exchanges, Tom again being at home - on the snuff box, renewing the stream. He got a - right-hander on the left listener, drawing the ruby, - and fell. - - 25.――Harry’s mug, on coming up, was much altered for - the worse. His mouth was much swollen and cut, and his - nasal organ was in not much better condition, while a - swelling was perceptible under his left eye. Paddock - had few marks of punishment, and was as fresh as ever. - Massey offered to lay odds on him, but did not find a - response. Paddock made a feint, when Harry turned and - ran round the ring, Tom after him. Harry then turned - round, and a close took place, in which, after some - slight fibbing, Paddock fell, receiving a right-hander - on the nut as he reached the ground. (A claim of - “foul,” which was not allowed.) - - 26.――Harry sparred a little for wind, and Tom let fly - his left, which was stopped. He then closed, and Tom, - as usual, pegged away with both hands right merrily, - thus preventing any chance of a heavy fall. His blows - fell on Harry’s damaged kisser and ribs. In the end - Paddock slipped out of Harry’s grasp and fell. - - 27.――The men feinted until they got close, when - tremendous right-handed counters were exchanged, Tom - getting home on the snout, and Harry on the left cheek, - and Paddock down. - - 28.――Tom came up wild, and rushed in, when Broome - countered him again heavily on the right peeper. - Exchanges followed, Harry getting another tap on his - cutwater, and, in the end, falling on his seat of - honour. - - 29.――Harry’s phiz was changing its appearance every - round. It was now much out of shape in every way. - Still, he persevered against hope. He went in feinting - and dodging, whereupon Paddock went to him, but Harry - retreated, and, as Tom rushed after him, nailed him - with his right on the ribs, and then with both mawleys, - the left open-handed, on the side of the nut, and Tom - slipped down. - - 30.――Harry rushed in to a close, and after a sharp but - short struggle, they fell side by side. (Another claim - of “foul,” on the ground that Broome had hit his man - when down. Not allowed. Time, 40 minutes.) - - 31.――Tom went in with ardour, dropped his left on the - nozzle, and, after some wild exchanges, fell. - - 32.――Tom again rushed in, and missing his delivery, - Broome closed, and Paddock got down to avoid the fall. - - 33.――Paddock still on the rushing suit, went in without - judgment. Harry closed, and some more sharp fibbing - took place. It was all in favour of Paddock, however, - who was evidently the more powerful man, and punished - poor Harry’s dial severely. In return he got a few - touches on the ribs, and that was all. After a severe - struggle they rolled over, and a claim was made that - Paddock had kicked Broome while on the ground. This - claim, like those on the other side, was justly - declared by the referee to be groundless, and the mill - proceeded. - - 34.――Tom feinted, and Harry bolted, pursued by his - opponent, who let go both hands with quickness on the - left ear, from which blood was drawn, and on the - mazzard, and Harry fell through the ropes. - - 35.――Broome once more tried a lead, and got well on - Paddock’s jaw with his right; he then closed, and, - after a long struggle, in which he could get no good - hold, both again fell together. - - 36.――Tom essayed a rush, and Harry, in getting away, - caught his heel and fell. - - 37.――Paddock went to Harry almost in his own corner, - and, after one or two feints some sharp exchanges took - place, each getting it on the chin. Paddock slipped on - his knees, and while in that position Harry gave him a - severe crack on the smeller, drawing a tidy supply of - the small still. (A claim of “foul” was once more made, - which was overruled by the referee, who considered that - Broome’s hand had started on its journey before Tom - reached the ground.) - - 38.――Tom came up bleeding from his sneezer, and dashed - fiercely in; he planted his left heavily on the throat, - closed, and fibbed his adversary with his left hand, - while he held him with his right; he then neatly - changed him over into the other arm, and gave him a - dose with his right daddle on the nose and mouth, and - Harry was eventually down, the main being on at the - high service from both taps. Harry now laid himself on - his stomach, in the hope of easing his distressed - bellows, and was very slow to time; and no wonder - either, seeing the quickness with which they had - fought. - - 39.――Tom dashed in, when Harry instantly closed, but - Tom gave him no peace; he pegged away with both hands, - administering heavy pepper on the ribs without a - return; he then nailed poor Harry on the proboscis and - mouth very heavily, and Harry fell. (Cries of “take him - away,” but Harry would not hear of it.) - - 40.――Tom came up smiling, and scarcely marked; he at - once went to work, and followed Broome all over the - ring, giving him no breathing time. He got a little one - on the nose without a return, and Broome got down, - blowing like a grampus. (51 minutes had now elapsed.) - - 41.――Harry made a feint, but it was long out of - distance, and Paddock quickly returned on the left - optic. Broome now put in a little one on the mouth; - after some merry little exchanges, they closed. At - infighting Paddock got it heavily on the throat, and in - the end he slipped down. - - 42.――Paddock let fly his left, but was short, when - Broome returned open-handed on the nose, and - immediately closed. Paddock fibbed him heavily and - effectually, prevented his obtaining any hold, and in - the end, after Paddock had received a rattler from the - left on the side of his nut, he slipped down. - - 43.――Paddock, bent on finishing his job offhand, dashed - in, got heavily on Harry’s ribs with his left, and - Broome fell. - - 44.――Tom once more dashed in, let go his left on the - beak, and on getting to close quarters some heavy - fibbing ensued, and another struggle for the fall, - which neither got, and they fell together. - - 45.――Tom went at his man with determination, delivered - his left on the side of the nut, when Broome closed, - but Tom proving much the stronger man, Harry got down. - - 46.――Harry attempted a rush, but it was only an - attempt. Tom came to meet him, delivered his one, two, - with quickness on the front of the dial, and Harry - fell, again lying on his back in the hope of recovering - his wind. - - 47.――Tom dodged his adversary, and then popped in a - rib-bender with his right; Harry missed his return, and - Paddock then made another visitation on Harry’s temple, - and the latter fell. - - 48.――The left side of Harry’s nut was terribly swollen, - and his left peeper all but closed, while Paddock had - still two good eyes, and was as strong and active as - ever. Harry was extremely weak, and it was perceptible - to all that nothing but an accident could give him a - chance. He came up boldly, however, and stopped Tom’s - first lead. A second time he was not so successful, and - received a smasher on the whistler and fell. - - 49.――Tom led off, but Harry cross-countered him on the - proboscis rather heavily, Harry then closed, but was - fibbed very severely on the left ear until he fell. - (One hour had now elapsed.) - - 50.――Harry came up bleeding from his left ear, nose, - and mouth. Tom rattled in, dashed a heavy hit with his - left on the nose, and then his right on the mouth. - Harry seemed to wake up a little at this, and some - heavy jobbing hits were exchanged, but in the end Harry - fell, extremely weak. His brother (Fred) wished him to - give in, but he seemed bent on another round. - - 51 and last.――Harry, very slow to the call of time, - came up unsteady and tottering; he made a blow at - Paddock, but missed, and Tom let fly a vicious - right-hander at the side of his nut――it missed its - destination and alighted on Harry’s chest, where it - left a tremendous bruise. It was a settler, however; it - floored the gallant Harry, who, on time being called, - got up, but instantly sank exhausted on his second’s - knee, and Tass Parker, seeing that it was all over, - threw up the sponge, Paddock being proclaimed the - winner, after a bustling affair of _one hour and three - minutes_. An attempt was made by some few outsiders to - bring the affair to a wrangle. They declared the sponge - had not been thrown up by Tass Parker, and that - Paddock, who had left the ring immediately after that - act, had forfeited by so doing before a decision had - been come to. This attempt was, of course, scouted by - all the respectable spectators, and was especially - discountenanced by Harry Broome himself, who owned that - he had been fairly vanquished, and that Tom Paddock was - now at any rate a better man than himself. The - proceedings over, the company at once betook themselves - to a station, about a mile distant, whither the special - had been removed, and whither they were followed by Tom - Paddock, who, with the exception of a few very trifling - bruises, appeared unscathed. Harry Broome was too much - exhausted to walk the distance, and, therefore, in - company with Nat Langham, Jem Burn, and a few others, - awaited the arrival of the train at the field of - battle. These invalids were quickly embarked, and - nothing now prevented the expedition from returning - with all speed to the Metropolis. The word was - therefore given, and good way being made, Shoreditch - was gained by half-past six. Here the excitement was - infinitely greater than it had been in the morning, and - there was a general rush of the crowd to ascertain the - result of the tournay. The news of the easy victory of - Tom Paddock was received with universal astonishment; - and though the general feeling appeared to be one of - pleasure, still, even the largest winners could not - help expressing their pity for the downfall of Harry - Broome. Harry arrived at home about seven, and was at - once put to bed. He did not appear to suffer so much - from bodily pain as from mental affliction. His defeat - was as unexpected as it was easy, and, of course, - convinced Broome that his day had gone by for figuring - in the P.R. Tom Paddock proceeded in triumph to the - house of his kind friend, Alec Keene, “Three Tuns,” - Moor Street, Soho, where he was received with - enthusiasm, and where he remained until far into the - small hours, receiving the hearty congratulations of - his backers and friends. - - REMARKS.――Our readers, doubtless, have, ere this, drawn - their own conclusions as to the conduct and issue of - this eventful battle, and it is at the risk of being - thought tedious that we venture to offer our own - comments thereupon. Harry Broome is no longer the man - he was, and this remark applies not merely to his - inability to train, but also to his falling off in that - quickness and judgment for which heretofore he had - distinguished himself. He admits that he cannot train, - that he feels his own weakness, and that on Monday all - his fighting qualities appeared to have left him - directly he held up his hands. It certainly did seem - extraordinary to see a well-known good general at the - very outset rattle in and lead off at the body, - throwing open his head to the attack of his adversary; - and when it was seen afterwards that he could neither - stop nor hit with anything like vigour, there was a - general exclamation of astonishment. Some persons said - he did not intend fighting; but any one with half an - eye could see that this was not the case, and that all - his mistakes were the result of physical incapability. - Even his wrestling powers appeared to have left him; - but then, it must be remembered that the way in which - all his attempts for the fall were met by Paddock, - viz., by fibbing at his nut until he loosed his hold, - was well calculated to distract even a more powerful - man. The only thing that reminded us of the Harry - Broome of old appeared to be the gift of occasionally - delivering a straight hit with his left; but even this - power was taken from him by the accident to that hand - early in the fight, which entirely deprived him of its - use, as might be seen by his continually hitting - open-handed. The want of vigour in his right hand was - sufficiently obvious from the almost entire immunity - from punishment of the winner. Harry still resorted - occasionally to his old trick of turning round and - running from his opponent――a plan of fighting which, in - our opinion, is neither commendable as a method of - escaping punishment, or judicious as a means of drawing - an adversary off his guard. Of game and determination - Harry displayed no lack, and it was not until perfectly - exhausted and incapable of renewing hostilities that he - consented to be taken away. Of Tom Paddock we do not - feel that we are called upon to say much, but the - little we do must be all in the highest terms. At first - he was evidently cautious, and a little thrown off his - guard by the extraordinary tactics of Broome, thinking, - as he did, that the latter was merely “kidding him,” in - order to induce him to throw away a chance. Tom - however, was steady, and bided his time. He was now and - then a little wild, and lost his precision; but this - cannot be wondered at, seeing the pace at which they - fought――not one round lasting above a minute. He took - what little punishment he received, as he always does, - without a murmur; and we must do him the justice to - say, that he fought throughout with great good temper. - In point of science and coolness, we consider that he - has improved every time we have seen him enter the - P.R., and on this, his last appearance, his advance in - the noble art was more than ever perceptible. He hit - straight and heavily with each hand. When at close - quarters, he fought as one possessing a clear head, and - a just appreciation of what was best to be done, and - occasionally displayed a presence of mind which was - most astonishing, being quite unexpected from his - reputed “hasty” character. The performance of changing - Broome over from one hand to the other, and giving him - a dose from each pepper-box, described above, was one - of the best instances of this presence of mind. Tom is - now within one of the goal of his wishes, and we doubt - not will find plenty of friends to back him against the - veteran Tipton Slasher, who, although he vanquished our - hero five or six years ago, will, in the event of their - again meeting, find that he has cut out for himself a - task the satisfactory completion of which will be - easier imagined than completed. Tom has now the ball at - his foot; every one wishes him well, and by steadiness - and good conduct he has every chance of obtaining a - position which will render him comfortable for the - remainder of his days. We cannot conclude these remarks - without paying a compliment to the seconds for the - careful manner in which they nursed their men. Alec - Keene’s excellent judgment no doubt proved of - considerable utility to Tom Paddock, and the herculean - strength of the “stunted Lifeguardsman,” as he bore his - charge in his single arms to his corner, elicited the - applause, and, we may say, the astonishment, of the - surrounding throng. Tom Sayers and Tass Parker did - their duty most ably by Harry Broome, and by their - careful nursing enabled him to prolong the encounter - quite as long as was consistent with humanity or - prudence. - -The battle money, £400, was paid over to Paddock, at Alec Keene’s, on -the Friday of the following week. After some deserved complimentary -remarks on the conduct of the winner, the Stakeholder expressed his -condolence with the defeated man, to which Paddock immediately -responded, amidst some applause, by placing a £10 note in our hands -towards the collection already made for the losing man; to this two -gentlemen present added the like amount, and the collection for the -losing man was announced to be £62 14s., a sum subsequently increased. -Broome, in a neat speech, expressed his grateful sense of the support -he had met with from friends, and the kindness of those who had -opposed him. He further declared his intention to “stick to business,” -and never again tempt fortune in the Prize Ring, for which he felt his -day was past. The evening thereafter passed in harmony and good -fellowship. - -The Tipton Slasher, whose match with Aaron Jones had gone off in the -interval preceding the event just narrated, now came again to the -front, and, Harry Broome having retired from the “the tented field,” -made proposals to Paddock. Tom was now certainly another man from the -time when he was knocking about two or three years previously. Meeting -on Worcester Race-course, at the July races, Paddock being now in a -sort of partnership with his late opponent, Harry Broome, as -booth-keepers and purveyors, the “Old Tipton” being also in the same -line, the “two-of-a-trade” proverb was verified, and a couple of -“fivers” were popped down for the old opponents to face each other for -£200 a side, and meet at Alec Keene’s in the next week, and settle -particulars. Great was the muster on Tuesday, July 15th, at the “Three -Tuns,” when the articles were drawn, and another £20, in addition to -the first £10, provisionally placed in the hands of Alec, and the -remainder of the deposits dated and settled. Not a little surprise, -however, was occasioned by the fact that Harry Broome appeared as the -backer, friend, and adviser of the Slasher, and declared himself -responsible for his training expenses, colours, &c.; the date fixed -being November 15th. At the second deposit, however, which was -appointed for the succeeding Tuesday, at the Slasher’s own house, “The -Champion” Inn, Spon Lane, Tipton, “a scare” was occasioned; neither -Paddock nor any representative was present, and the Tipton claimed -forfeit. Inquiry proved that the seldom-failing post office was the -innocent cause of the non-delivery; Paddock’s £10 having been duly -forwarded from Brighton two days before, but returned to the post -office, marked “Address not known;” “Spon Lane,” being written -thereon, but the important word “Tipton” accidentally omitted. All -which was explained, and the envelope produced, at the next deposit, -at Jem Burn’s, “Rising Sun,” in Air Street. From this time things went -on regularly until £80 were down, when, to the general disappointment -of all parties, Tom presented himself at the appointed place――Jem -Ward’s “Champion Stores,” Oxford Street――and quietly stated that, -owing to “want of friends,” and his own losses “at racing,” he “must -submit to a forfeit.” Hereupon Broome declared that Slasher should -fight for £50, rather than there should be “no fight;” to which there -was no response, and the whole of the money was handed over in due -time to the lucky Tipton Slasher, at a “Champion’s” dinner, at “The -Coal-hole,” presided over by the facetious Chief Baron Nicholson. How -this short-lived Championship was “done for,” in 10 rounds, by little -Tom Sayers, on the 16th of June, 1857, at the Isle of Grain, must be -read in the Life of TOM SAYERS, hereafter. - -In the month of February in the following year, after Sayers’ second -defeat of the unlucky Aaron Jones, we could not help remarking that -the little Champion had mentioned to us privately, though certainly -not under the seal of secrecy, that he thought his next venture would -be either Tom Paddock or the Tipton. It proved to be the latter. Tom, -chafing at the delay, called on the Editor of _Bell’s Life_, on the -17th of June, the day after the battle between Sayers and “The -Tipton,” and on the 21st we read:―― - - “TOM PADDOCK AGAIN IN THE FIELD.――Paddock is by no means - satisfied that Tom Sayers should wear the Champion’s belt - undisputed. He has, therefore, called upon us to state that - he can be backed against Sayers for any sum from £100 up to - £500. To fight within five or six months at Sayers’ option. - He will be at Alec Keene’s, Moor Street, Soho, on Wednesday - next.” - -A comical episode intervened. “Big Ben” actually left £10 with “the -Editor” to make a match with Sayers, who, thereupon, promptly covered -it, informing Paddock that if his “engagement” with Ben went off he -should have the preference. The “little game” of the Big One was next -week displayed most transparently. Caunt declared it “to be understood -that the articles were to be drawn up, and further deposits made, at -_his_ house;” and “he should expect Sayers to attend there,” &c., &c.; -adding, that “of course the date must be beyond my affair with -Langham,” (nearly two months later!) Tom was not “drawn” by or to the -“Coach and Horses,” and the negotiations were suspended. In the same -paper we find the subjoined letter from Alec Keene, relating to -Sayers’ reply to Paddock:―― - - “Three Tuns, Moor Street, Soho, July 9, 1857. - - “MR. EDITOR,――I have very strictly observed the results of - Tom Sayers’ recent career, and certainly did expect (taking - into consideration the many warm interviews between Sayers - and Paddock on former occasions), that the first-named - gentleman would have been only too glad to accommodate - Paddock with a ‘merry meeting.’ I cannot understand why - Sayers does not accept Paddock’s offer, for should Sayers be - permitted, there is just a possibility of abortive matches - being continually made, forfeits taken, ultimately the - prescribed time for legitimate possession or the belt - elapse, and then Sayers becomes its lawful possessor. Let it - be distinctly understood, sir, that I do not say such _will_ - be the case; but matches like Caunt’s (that personage being - preoccupied with Langham) must necessarily occupy needless - time; and gentlemen connected with the P.R. have lately - become so learned that it behoves me (as Paddock’s deputy) - to regard every move in the camp of the enemy with jealous - watchfulness. I see no other person really capable to fight - Paddock, therefore it will be useless for the opposite party - to dissemble; _we must meet_, and I hope Sayers will think - with me, that the sooner we conclude terms the more - satisfactory to the public, as it is but just that Tom - should be accepted after being so long ‘an expectant.’ I - nearly omitted to mention that Sayers never meets Paddock - without distributing a quantity of that chaff for which he - is famous. We do not want this, we wish business; and I - conclude by earnestly hoping your kind insertion of this - will assist us. - - “Yours, &c., “ALEC KEENE.” - -There is, indeed, “many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip.” The very -week in which Alec Keene penned his friendly note, Paddock was laid -prostrate by a severe attack of rheumatic fever, his state being -declared dangerous when admitted to the Westminster Hospital, on the -recommendation of the medical man called in. - -And here we must interpose what a parsonic biographer would call a -“refreshing” incident, showing that there is that “touch of nature -which makes the whole world kin” even in the hearts of “those degraded -wretches who engage in brutal prize-fights” (as we heard a very -Reverend Dean, the Vicar of Cheltenham, charitably characterise this -very pugilist and his _confrères_). Tom Sayers called in Norfolk -Street, in the next week, to accept Paddock’s challenge and cover his -deposit, when he was informed of his namesake’s illness. He was -himself that very day going North, and he not only expressed his -earnest sympathy with his adversary’s affliction, but at once left £5 -for his use, with a promise to use his best endeavours to collect a -fund among his friends for the same purpose; and he did so. We find no -such practical Christian charity among the “refreshing” passages in -“the Memoirs” of the vice-suppressing clergyman. - -In the October following, Paddock, recovering from his long and -painful illness, looked up his friends, and wrote from Brighton -(inclosing £10) to say that he was “ready to meet the winner of the -fight between Tom Sayers and Bill Benjamin for £200 a side; to come -off within four months after the 5th January, 1858,” the fixture for -that fight. - -The disposal, by the “coming man,” in 1856, of Harry Poulson, in -February, 1857, of Aaron Jones, of the Tipton Slasher in June of the -same year, and of Bill Benjamin (Bainge), in January, 1856, seemed to -have failed to convince “the knowing ones” of even the probability of -a 10½ stone beating 12 or 13 stone; so the anti-Sayerites readily -backed Paddock to do battle with the “little” champion. Sayers, on -hearing that Paddock had a difficulty (he had quarrelled with Alec -Keene, his money-finder) in raising the £200 required, showed his -accommodating temper by lowering the stake to £150, thus making the -total £300 instead of £400. The 15th of June, 1858, was appointed for -the battle. - -The public interest was intense, and the crowd at London Bridge -station on the eventful morning was immense. Paddock never looked -better; he was red as a beetroot, and as strong and healthy as if he -never had witnessed the sight of “turning off the gas.” He was -credited, on the authority of his trainer, with doing fifty miles of -walking a day at one period of his training, and weighed exactly 12 -stone, at which he was supposed to be at his best. How all these -qualifications, backed by perfect confidence unflinching game, and -desperate courage, failed in the trial, and he struck his flag to the -victorious “Champion,” who, on this day, proved himself the stronger -though the lighter man, will be found in the first chapter of the next -“Period” of our History. - -Once more, and for the last time, our hero appeared in the P.R. This -was in combat with the gigantic Sam Hurst, who, in 1860, put forth a -claim to the Championship. Hurst, who weighed 15st., and stood 6ft. -2½in., was renowned as a wrestler. Hurst, of whom the reader may know -more by a reference to the Memoir of JEM MACE, in a future chapter of -the present volume, was, of course, formidable from his strength, -weight, and bulk; his boxing pretensions were of a mediocre quality. -Paddock lost the battle by a chance blow from the Colossus, in the -fifth round, at the end of nine and a half minutes; and thus closed an -active, chequered, but not inglorious Ring career as a defeated man. - -From this time Paddock no further occupied a position of prominence in -pugilistic circles. He had but few of the qualifications necessary to -impart the principles or demonstrate the practice of boxing to -learners, and except an occasional appearance with the gloves, he was -unheard of by the public, until his demise, from a somewhat lingering -illness, on the 30th June, 1863. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -HARRY BROOME (CHAMPION). - -1843-1856. - - -Harry Broome, a younger brother of the renowned Johnny, was born in -the “hardware town,” which has given so many of its best pugilists to -the modern Ring, that Birmingham early rivalled, and afterwards -eclipsed, the fame of Bristol as the birthplace of boxers. The subject -of this memoir, who first saw the light in 1826, was a mere boy at the -time when his elder brother had fought his way to “the topmost round -of fortune’s ladder”――Broome’s ultimate victory, that over Bungaree, -the Australian, being achieved in April, 1842, when Harry had not yet -counted sixteen summers. At that time Johnny had already married, and -settled as host of a well-accustomed tavern――to wit, “The Rising Sun,” -in Air Street, Piccadilly, where his shrewdness, activity, and -enterprise had transformed the short avenue from Piccadilly to Regent -Street into a “high change” of sporting; a very Rialto of the Ring, -where patrons and practitioners of the Noble Art “most did -congregate.” The sparring saloon at “The Rising Sun,” at this period, -was the arena for the display of the best fistic talent of the -Metropolis; and here, at the age of sixteen, we first saw the aspiring -youngster――a lithe, smooth-skinned, active stripling, very boyish in -look, standing 5 feet 8 inches, and weighing 9 st. 7 lbs.――put on the -mittens, and make a most creditable “private trial” with the -well-known Byng Stocks, of Westminster. Stocks, despite his 11 stone -and experience, by no means had the best of the mimic mill, though -once or twice urged by the delighted “Johnny” “Not to spare the young -’un because he was his brother.” This promising _début_ was followed -by several favourable public displays; and within a few months not a -few of the best judges were of opinion that, barring all question of -breed and blood, a new and formidable aspirant for the middle-weight -Championship would be found in Young Broome, when a year or two should -have hardened the gristle into bone, and manhood had consolidated the -muscle and set the frame of the future gladiator. And so some months -rolled on; a glove-fight, in which Harry disposed of Mitchell, a -10-stone outsider, for a £5 note, being a mere _coup d’essai_, got up -by a few aristocratic visitors of “The Rising Sun,” of which Harry was -the rising star. - - [Illustration: HARRY BROOME (CHAMPION). - _From a Print by_ MOORE.] - -As we have already said, Johnny Broome at this time filled a large -space in the eye of the sporting world, and young Harry, emulous of -the fistic fame of his elder brother, with a strong family instinct -for fighting, was most importunate with Johnny to let him try his -“prentice han’” in combat with some suitable antagonist. Johnny, -however, did not choose to lower the dignity of the name of Broome by -allowing Harry to strip for “a purse” with any novice; nor would he -hear of a match with any “commoner” or “outsider,” for a five, ten, or -twenty-five pound stake. He would back Harry for £50, or not at all. - -At this time there was a strong jealousy, not to say envy, of the -position earned by Johnny in Ring affairs, and more than once did we -hear a wish expressed by East-enders and others, that “somebody” would -“take the shine out of these upstart Brums.” Accordingly, when it was -made known, in September, 1843, that “Young Harry” was ready for a -“customer” for £50, they put on their considering caps, and Fred Mason -(the Bulldog), standing idle in the market-place, was asked what he -thought of the young “ten-stunner?” - -Mason, who had, among others, twice beaten Bill Jones, after desperate -battles, in which he earned his formidable nickname, received a sort -of certificate from Johnny Walker (by whom he had been beaten) that he -was just the man to achieve the desired object, if he could raise the -half-hundred. At a council held at “The Grapes,” in Aylesbury Street, -Clerkenwell, it was decided that the “needful” should be posted, and -the cartel accepted. The articles proposed Tuesday, the 10th of -October 1843, but subsequently Broome objected to this, as on that day -the Cesarewitch would be run, at Newmarket, and several of Harry’s -best friends, who were anxious to see his “first appearance,” would be -unable to be present. It was accordingly postponed to Wednesday, the -11th. By mutual agreement “The Nymph” steamer was engaged by the two -Johnnies (Broome and Walker) for the mutual advantage of the men, and -to disburse their training and other expenses. All went smoothly. “The -Nymph,” at the appointed hour of eight, got under weigh from -Hungerford Market, with a goodly freight of West-enders; then she took -in a large company at Old Swan Stairs, London Bridge, while the “Sages -of the East” came on board at Brunswick Pier, Blackwall, in increased -numbers. Thence she steamed down stream with pleasant speed (with the -unwelcome convoy of a trio of crowded tugs), until she came to Long -Reach, where, between Dartford and Northfleet, in a meadow distant -from all human habitation, it was determined to land. This operation -was performed amidst an aqueous downpour, which drenched all the -row-boats and their occupants, except those who were clad in -waterproof garments. The Commissary lost no time in forming the lists, -immediately within the sea wall, upon an excellent piece of turf, and, -despite the rattling shower, which increased rather than diminished, -accomplished his task in a workmanlike manner. The stools and benches -of the steamer were, as usual, transferred to the shore for the -accommodation of the “Corinthians,” of whom there were many present, -and a most acceptable save-all they proved; nevertheless the great -majority had to grin the storm out of countenance; and amidst a -perfect deluge, at twelve o’clock the combatants and their seconds -made their _salaams_――the Bulldog under the care of Jem Turner and -Jemmy Shaw; Broome waited upon by Levi Eckersley and Tom Maley. - -Little time was lost in encircling the stakes with their fogles――white -and blue spot for the Bulldog, and blue and white spot for Broome. -Both were as cheerful as if pirouetting in the Lowther Rooms. Happily, -before business commenced the storm somewhat abated, and the weather -became comparatively fine, although occasional slantindicular -visitations from the upper regions proved that the only thing settled -was the unsettled state of the weather. Young Harry’s “first -appearance” was prepossessing. He entered the ring, after dropping in -his cap, with a modest bow, and a smile or nod of recognition to -several acquaintances, and at once steadily proceeded to divest -himself of his upper clothing. “He is a fine young fellow,” says a -contemporary report, “only eighteen years of age, standing 5 feet 9 -inches, and weighing 10st. 2lbs. (he was limited by virtue of the -articles to 9st. 3lbs.), and evidently in first-rate condition, not an -ounce of superfluous flesh being visible, and his form as active, -alert, and springy as a greyhound.” Of his milling qualifications of -course no one had as yet any opportunity of judging, so that he was -scanned with all the curiosity with which men examine a “dark horse.” -The “Bulldog” also looked in robust health, but he struck us as being -too fleshy; and, added to this, it could not but be felt that he was -rather stale, not only from the free life he had led, but from his -repeated battles, in which he sustained no small quantum of -punishment, and especially in his fight with Johnny Walker, who, -however, expressed the greatest confidence in his powers. His weight, -we should say, was at least 9st. 10lbs., and in length he was full two -inches shorter than Broome. His rushing and fearless character of -fighting gained for him the sobriquet of “Bulldog,” and his courage -further entitled him to this canine distinction. - -The officials being nominated, offers were made to take 7 to 4, 6 to -4, and ultimately 5 to 4; but the Broomites were cautious, although, -taking youth, length, and weight into consideration, he was certainly -entitled to be backed at odds. Doubts as to his qualities were, -however, still to be satisfied, and the speculators were shy of -investing. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Precisely at twelve minutes to twelve the men - were delivered at the scratch, neither displaying the - slightest nervousness, and both looking jolly and - determined on mischief. No time was lost; Broome led - off with his left, but the Bulldog stopped and got away - quickly. Bulldog now advanced to the charge left and - right, and got home on Broome’s nose and left eyebrow. - Broome, not idle, returned prettily, when the Bull - rushed in, closed, and, after slight fibbing, finding - Broome too strong, got down, amidst the vociferous - cheers of his friends. - - 2.――Broome, nothing daunted, was quick to the scratch, - and led off left and right, the Bulldog hitting with - him; a sharp rally, and heavy hits exchanged, in which - Broome had it on the smeller, and his cork was drawn. - (First blood for “Bully.”) A close at the ropes, in - which Broome tried for the fall, but Mason held his - legs too wide apart, and the crook could not be got. - Broome forced him on the ropes, and there held him as - if in a vice――his own nose dropping the crimson fluid. - Bully struggled to get loose, but Broome grappled him - closer. Mutual attempts at fibbing――when, after an - ineffectual trial on the part of Broome for the fall, - Mason got down besmeared with his opponent’s claret, - and pinked on his left cheek. Broome showed a slight - cut on the left eyebrow as well as the tap on the - snout. - - 3.――Broome opened the ball without hesitation, and - caught Bully on the mouth, lifting the bark from his - nether lip. A short pause, when Broome again went to - work left and right, but Mason got away; Mason hit out - of distance. A rally, in which Broome followed his man - to the ropes, hitting left and right; while at the - ropes Broome let go his right, and catching Bully on - the temple he dropped, but looked up smiling. - - 4.――Broome popped in his left slightly on Bully’s - cheek; tried it again, but the blow passed over his - shoulder. Mason rushed in left and right, closed, and - tried to fib; Broome, however, proved the stronger man, - grappled him against the stake, and, after some - in-fighting, in which Mason got a crack over the - larboard cheek, he contrived to pull Broome down. - - 5.――Mason displayed a mouse under each eye, and came - slow to the scratch. Broome hit short with the left, - and Bully did ditto. Exchanges left and right, and a - close at the ropes. Broome hung on the neck of Mason, - which lay across the ropes, but was unable to get the - look for the fall; at last both were down, Broome - having had the best of the round. - - 6.――Broome, as lively as a kitten, let fly his left, - and caught Bully on the mug, repeating a smack on the - body with the same hand. Mason tried his right, only - tapping Broome’s shoulder. Counter-hits with the left, - both napping it on the muzzle. A short rally, followed - by a close, in which Broome slipped down. - - 7.――Broome tried his left and right, but was stopped; - he was not, however to be denied; he again rattled in - in the same style, nailed Mason with both hands, and - gave him the upper-cut with the right. Heavy exchanges, - Mason fighting rather wild. In the close Bully down, - having all the worst of the milling. - - 8.――Broome led off quickly with his left, and nailed - his man on the cheek. A pause for wind, when Broome - again commenced operations. Heavy counter-hitting left - and right, and a spirited rally, in which the exchanges - were severe. Broome closed for the fall, but Mason - dropped on his knees. - - 9.――Hits left and right attempted, but both short. - Bully’s left neatly stopped, when Broome delivered a - rattler with his right on the body, and on the cheek - with his left. Good counter-hitting with the left; a - close at the ropes, and Mason caught Broome round the - neck over the ropes, but the latter slipped down. - - 10.――Mason, short with his left, retreated, and sparred - for wind. Slow fighting on both sides. They at length - got to work left and right, and heavy muggers were - exchanged. A close for the throw, but Mason got down, - Broome on him. - - 11.――The Young’un popped in his left prettily on - Bully’s muzzle. Mason fought wildly and hit short. - Broome rushed to him and closed, but Bully was not to - be had at that game, and fell. - - 12.――Good outfighting on both sides, left and right, - and heavy exchanges. Broome popped in his right - heavily, and as Mason was staggering hit him - beautifully down with his right. In the counter-hits - Broome had received a nasty crack on his smeller, which - bled profusely. (First knock-down for Broome.) - - 13.――Harry, as usual, led off left and right; Mason - rushed to a close, and they reached the ropes, where - Broome, with his arm round Mason’s neck, hung on him, - till at last Mason got back and fell, Broome over him. - - 14.――Broome popped in left and right in splendid style, - repeating the dose with the left on the head, and the - right on the body. Mason closed, but, finding Broome - too strong for him, dropped on one knee with both hands - up. Broome, although entitled to hit, left him. - (Applause.) - - 15.――Broome again led off with his left. Mason short - and wild in his returns. Broome steady, and again - delivered his left, drawing additional claret. A close - at the ropes; more squeezing on the part of Broome, and - Mason got down, apparently fagged. - - 16.――The Bulldog slow to the scratch; counter-hitting - with the left, ditto with the right. In the close Mason - down again on one knee, but Broome once more retired - without taking advantage of the opportunity offered. - - 17.――A good weaving rally, in which the hitting was - tremendous, and, after mutual compliments, in the close - Mason dropped on his knees. (Mason’s seconds now called - for brandy.) - - 18.――Mason slow in going to the scratch. Broome rattled - to him left and right, catching him a severe nozzler. - Bully made a desperate rush, and heavy counter-hits - were exchanged. A lively rally followed, in which - mutual compliments were paid, and the dripping claret - proved that both had been heavily hit. In the close, - after a severe struggle on the part of Broome to obtain - the fall, Mason dropped on one knee, and Broome walked - away, exhibiting heavy marks of punishment. Mason was - likewise severely mauled, and his left eye was fast - closing. - - 19.――Each regarded the other with mutual good will. - Broome bleeding at the mouth and nose, but still steady - and self-possessed. He led off with the left, but was - prettily stopped. Counter-hits on each side missed, - when Broome closed, caught Mason round the neck, and - hung on him at the ropes till he got down, amidst loud - shouts of disapprobation from Bully’s friends. - - 20.――Broome led off with his left, and again nailed - Mason on the left eye. Mason closed, when the Young’un - suddenly disentangled himself, stepped back, gave Mason - the upper cut with his right, followed by a neat slap - with his left, when Master Fred slipped down. - - 21.――Broome led off left and right; closed, again - caught Mason round the neck, hanging upon him across - the ropes until he fell. - - 22.――Mason somewhat slow to the scratch, across which - Broome stepped, and led off left and right. Bully let - fly wildly left and right, when Broome once more - closed, flung him across the ropes, and squeezed him as - if his neck were in a vice, amidst repeated shouts of - disapprobation. Jack Sheppard, urged by the impatience - of some of Mason’s friends, ran with a knife to cut the - ropes, but luckily his man slipped down, and thereby - prevented an act which would have been highly - imprudent, inasmuch as the ring would have thereby been - destroyed; and however unseemly such a style of - fighting might appear, it was not inconsistent with any - fixed rule of the Ring. - - 23.――Broome delivered a heavy hit with his left on - Mason’s body; Mason short in the return, and, after - some wild exchanges, Bully dropped on his knees. - - 24.――Counter-hitting with the left; a close, and, after - some slight fibbing, Mason again dropped on his knees. - - 25.――Mason stopped Broome’s left, rushed to in-fighting - left and right, then, missing his upper cut, got down. - - 26.――Mason’s left eye all but gone, and Broome’s mug - showing sundry marks of severe deliveries. A desperate - rally, both having made up their minds to mischief. - Heavy exchanges left and right, followed by a close at - the ropes, at which Mason once more dropped on one - knee, but Broome still refrained from hitting. - - 27.――Counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it - heavily on the nose. A slashing rally, in which heavy - right-handed hits were exchanged till Mason fell on his - knees, both bleeding profusely. - - 28.――Both men cautious. Broome in with his left, and - Mason short in his return. Heavy counter-hitting. Bully - receiving a finishing smack from the right on his left - eye, which was completely closed. Broome grappled for - the fall, seized Mason by the neck, and hung upon him - until he brought him down upon his nose. - - 29.――Counter-hits with the left, followed by a close, - in which Mason attempted to get down, but Broome held - him by the neck under his arm, and tried to lift him - from the ropes, until he fell, amidst shouts of - disapprobation. - - 30.――Mason led off short, when Broome steadied himself - and popped in a terrific hit with his left on the - cheek. Counter-hits left and right followed, Mason - fighting wildly. In the close Broome again hung on his - man till he extricated himself from his painful - position, and in getting away Broome fell heavily upon - him. - - 31.――Mason getting slower. Counter-hitting with the - left and exchanges with the right, in which Bully - delivered heavily. In the close Mason dropped on his - knees. - - 32.――A rattling exchange of hits; a close at the ropes, - and Mason got down, amidst the cheers of his friends. - Broome rather groggy from the heavy deliveries in the - last round, and the brandy-bottle on his side in - requisition. - - 33 and 34.――Short and merry rallies, in both of which - compliments were exchanged, and Mason got down on his - knees. - - 35.――Broome delivered two heavy lunging hits with his - left at the body; a rally and heavy exchanges, when - Broome caught his man in the corner and again grappled - him round the neck with his arm as if in the folds of a - boa constrictor. Here he held him for a considerable - time, till Mason got each leg in succession over the - ropes, and snatched his pimple out of chancery, as he - rose making a desperate upper cut with his right, which - he luckily missed, for had he struck his man when - outside of the ropes, he would have lost the fight on - the ground of foul play. - - 36.――Broome, although fatigued, came up with - unshrinking spirit. Heavy counter-hits with the left, - when Mason overreached himself, missed, and fell. - - 37.――Mason evidently less confident. He was slow to the - call of time, while Broome rushed to his work, hit out - left and right, bored his man to the ropes, and again - clasped him in his vice till he fell. - - 38.――Broome, apparently regaining fresh energy, the - moment time was called rushed to his man, led off left - and right, closed at the ropes, and, after some - in-fighting, Mason got down, Broome falling over him, - evidently with the intention of avoiding falling on - him. - - 39.――Broome, becoming still gayer, got to work without - delay, popped in a stinger at the body with his right, - and after an exchange of facers, closed at the ropes. - Mason struggled and fell back, Broome hitting with his - right, and falling on him. It was now seen that Mason - was satisfied, and after a short consultation with his - friends, he declined proceeding with the contest, - declaring that he felt he had no chance, for he could - not get at his man, and his power of hitting was - exhausted. At this time his left eye was completely - bunged up, and his face, mouth, and nose were seriously - contused; added to which he complained that both his - hands were injured. Under these circumstances Johnny - Walker saw it was in vain to protract the combat, and - gave in on the part of Mason, who immediately stood up - and shook hands with his opponent, who was proclaimed - the conqueror, after fighting _one hour and twenty-one - minutes_, greatly to the disappointment and vexation of - many of Mason’s friends, who considered that he was - still able to continue the mill, and probably make a - turn in his favour. None, however, know so well where - the shoe pinches as he who wears it, and Mason was - sufficiently satisfied with the dressing he had - received, without adding to its severity. On quitting - the ring after being dressed, Broome was so elated with - his success, that he threw three successive - somersaults, thus proving that his strength and - activity, at least, were unimpaired, although the - disfigurement of his “dial” afforded pretty strong - evidence of the severity of Mason’s hitting. - - REMARKS.――The issue of this battle has placed Young - Harry in a very creditable position, and proved him to - possess the first of the requisites for a professor of - pugilism――courage, combined with perfect - self-possession and a fair share of science. He is - quick on his legs, and possesses the happy knack of - using both hands with vigour and effect. He never once - lost the control over his own actions, and between the - rounds nursed and husbanded his strength with the - cunning and calmness of a veteran. He was always first - on his legs on the call of time, and almost invariably - led off with his left with precision and success. It is - clear that he knows the use of his legs; and had not - Bully known how to foil his intentions he would no - doubt have shown him a quick way to his mother earth. - If there was any fault to be found with his style of - fighting, it was in his repeated hanging on his man at - the ropes. It ought not to be forgotten, however, that - Mason in the closes endeavoured to grapple him with no - friendly intention, and to resist this he had recourse - to an expedient which is anything but pleasant to the - spectators. There is no law, however, against it, and - he cannot, therefore, be blamed for following an - example afforded him, not only by his own brother but - by many men of long experience in the Ring. Taking him - “all in all” his _début_ has been highly creditable, - and we have no doubt, if not overmatched or overworked, - he will become an ornament to the P.R. The Bulldog - fought, we think, even better than on former occasions - on which we have seen him engaged. He used his left - more handily than it has been our good fortune to - witness in his former contests, and his counter-hitting - with that hand was extremely severe, while his slogging - right told with stunning effect on young Harry’s mug. - Of throwing he has but little knowledge, although he - possesses sufficient tact to evade the exercise of that - talent on the part of his antagonist. Like all old ones - who have felt the sting of repeated punishment, he - could not resist the influence of hard knocks; and the - body and the mind concurring in the opinion that - “enough was as good as a feast,” and deeming discretion - the better part of valour, he left off while he yet - possessed sufficient self-possession to enjoy the - satisfaction of knowing that he might have been worse - beaten without being better off. - -All now sought the ark, there to obtain the “creature comforts” which -had hitherto been withheld. To the men every possible attention was -paid, and a liberal subscription was collected for the loser. The -battle-money was given up to Young Broome, at his brother’s house, in -Air Street, Piccadilly, on the Wednesday of the following week. - -The “breed” of young Harry being thus satisfactorily proved, his more -experienced brother determined that he should turn gristle into bone -before he again “sported buff” in the 24-foot, and more than a -twelve-month elapsed ere he made an appearance within the ropes. This -was on December 10, 1845, when he was matched for £50 a side against -Joe Rowe, a well known East-ender, of 10½st., whose victory over -Cullen, in 1844, had raised him to a high position among the middle -weights. - -Mixed up with this encounter was a contemptible and ridiculous feud, -provoked and maintained by certain East-enders, who, taking umbrage at -what they considered the upstart assumption of Johnny Broome, and also -prompted by bitter jealousy at his success with the better order of -Ring patrons, sought by fair or by foul means to disparage the name of -Broome, and to defeat the pretensions of his younger brother. We quote -the contemporary report:―― - - “The unfortunate issue of the meeting is to be attributed to - the gross irregularities and unjustifiable outrages of the - parties assembled to witness the affray, who, regardless of - all attempts to preserve an outer or even an inner ring, - rushed close to the ropes and stakes, which were broken and - levelled with the ground, and were at length reduced to such - a state by the intrusion of the multitude that it was - utterly impossible for the men to continue their contest; - and the referee having withdrawn, both retired from a scene - which, we regret to say, is but a repetition of similar - misconduct in all parts of the country. This species of - misconduct has more to do with the downfall of the Prize - Ring than any other cause to which we can refer. We shall - endeavour to describe the proceedings of the day, and must - leave it to the members of the Ring itself who mean to - preserve their ‘order’ to adopt some plan hereafter by which - similar evils may be prevented.” - -It must be borne in mind that by the articles neither of the men was -to exceed 10st. 5lbs., and that they were to meet at Peter Crawley’s -on the Monday for the purpose of going to scale. At Peter’s they did -meet, and were each 1lb. within the stipulated figure, both looking -remarkably well and equally confident. Rowe returned to his -training-quarters, at Mitchell’s Green, about three miles from -Greenhithe, Kent, and Harry Broome remained in London, to be prepared -for his embarkation in the morning. The “Nymph,” Woolwich steamer, was -patronised upon this occasion, as upon many former expeditions of a -similar sort, and received on board a goodly muster of the friends of -the men on Tuesday morning, at Hungerford, London Bridge, and -Blackwall. She was not, however, without her opponents, and another -large steamer named the “Nelson,” as well as the “William Gunston” -tug-boat, by the cheapness of their fares, succeeded in obtaining a -very extensive patronage from the “rough-and-ready” customers both -from the East and the West, but more especially from the former, the -great nursery of Rowe’s early pretensions. - -Harry Broome embarked at Blackwall, and it was considerably after ten -o’clock before the “Nymph” led the way to the field of battle, tardily -followed by her two rivals, the “Nelson” having got aground under -London Bridge, to the infinite terror of her passengers, who began to -apprehend that they had invested their three “bobs” each without the -chance of obtaining a view of the mill for their money. Luckily, -however, they ultimately got off; and from the delay which took place -in arranging the preliminaries for the battle, they arrived in time -not only to reach the field, but to increase, and perhaps create, the -confusion which subsequently prevailed. The marshes below Greenhithe -were selected for the encounter, and here the Commissary executed his -operations with his customary despatch. By twenty minutes after one -the lists were prepared, but upwards of half an hour elapsed before -the combatants made their appearance, and by this time more than 1,000 -persons had assembled, including not only the crews of the flotilla, -but a large accession from the inhabitants of the surrounding -district, who, from Rowe’s training in the neighbourhood, and from the -frequent visits of Peter Crawley and his friends, became fully -apprised of the treat which was in store: a species of foreknowledge -which likewise reached a magistrate in the neighbourhood, who, before -the fight was half over, arrived on the ground accompanied by some -dozen policemen. The impolicy of the men approaching the intended -locality of their fight previous to the mill is manifest, and the -present instance confirmed the justice of our remark. In this case, -however, from the terrific confusion which prevailed, neither -magistrate nor policemen ventured to get within the vortex, the chance -of a broken head being infinitely more apparent than the probability -of a respectful reception. His beakship, consequently, contented -himself with directing his aides-de-camp to take down the names of as -many active members of the P.R. as they could obtain. - -We will now endeavour to describe, as well as the buffetings to which -we were exposed will permit, “the mill,” its progress, and final -interruption. Shortly before two o’clock Harry Broome and Rowe arrived -at the ring; the former accompanied by his brother, Jack Hannan, and -Sam Simmonds; the latter by Peter Crawley, Jem Turner, and Young -Sambo. The ground was hard and the weather cold, but the breeze was -somewhat tempered to the “shorn lambs,” and not quite so piercing as -it had been the day before. The prospect of the commencement of -business produced a great deal of bustle among the ring-keepers, who -endeavoured to beat out those who had not paid for the privilege of -the posts of honour; but this was found to be a task of no common -difficulty; in fact, it was soon seen, from the conduct of the -majority, that they were not persons disposed to be governed by the -rules of courtesy or fair play. Among the betting fraternity Harry -Broome had become the favourite, and was backed at 6 to 4, at which -price he backed himself on board the boat on his passage down. As in -the match between Maley and Merryman, Tom Spring was again persuaded -to take upon him the office of referee――a kindness which he had much -reason to regret, as the issue will show. All being in readiness, at -the given signal the men were stripped of their upper crusts, and -amidst the cheering exclamations of their respective partisans, shook -hands and threw themselves into attitude. Their colours were, blue -bird’s-eye for Rowe, and blue with a divided white spot, and the -initials “H. B.” in the centre, for Broome. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――We have already described the condition of - the men, and certainly on their stripping there was - nothing to induce us to recall our judgment. Broome had - a little the advantage in height and length, but - whatever advantage he possessed in this respect was - counterbalanced by the superior muscular development of - his opponent. Broome smiled cheerfully, while Rowe - displayed the steady phiz of “a sage from the East.” - After a few dodges by way of feelers, Rowe tried his - left twice in succession, but was stopped. Harry then - led off with his left, catching Rowe slightly on the - mouth. This brought them to a sharp rally, in which - blows were exchanged. Broome popped in his left at the - body, immediately closed, and succeeded in throwing his - man. - - 2.――On coming up Broome rushed to his man, put in a - slight blow on his mouth with the left, closed, and - after a short struggle both were down. - - 3.――Harry led off with his left, which got home on - Rowe’s whistler; slight exchanges to a close, when both - were again down. (On Rowe reaching his corner, we - fancied we discovered a tinge of blood on his lips.) - - 4.――Rowe, on going to the scratch after one or two - feints, sent his left well home on Broome’s conk from - which the purple fluid instantly flowed in profusion. - Rowe again made his left, this time under Harry’s eye, - from which the claret also spurted. They then rattled - to a close, when some sharp in-fighting took place, - Broome catching Rowe on the skull with his right, in a - sort of round hit, which evidently injured the - thumb-joint, as he shook it as a dog would his sore - paw, and they fell together. - - 5.――On leaving his second’s knee Broome showed a slight - mouse on his left eye, the effect of Rowe’s visitation - in the last round. Both hit slightly together with the - left, and came immediately to a rally, when some heavy - exchanges left and right took place. They closed, - struggled for the fall, and at length fell together, - Broome under. - - 6.――The men instantly rushed to a close, and Broome got - his man to the ropes, where they hung until they went - down, Broome again under. - - 7.――Broome napped another crack on the left eye; ditto - repeated; a close, a breakaway, hit for hit exchanged - left and right, Broome making both fists tell on Joe’s - body. They then closed, and both were down, Broome - under. - - 8.――Broome jumped up with alacrity, rushed to his man, - and attempted to plant his left, but was neatly - stopped. This led to a rally, in which heavy hits were - exchanged, Rowe catching it on the muzzle and Harry on - the old spot under his left eye. They then closed, hung - on the ropes, and both were again down. (The confusion - outside the ring now became greater and greater. In - vain did Cullen, Alec Reed, Young Reed, and others, use - their sticks and whips on the nobs of the “roughs” who - were pressing forward; they were not to be driven back. - It was with the greatest difficulty the stakes and - inner ring were preserved entire.) - - 9.――After a few dodges, Broome put in his left slightly - on Joe’s body below the waistband. A claim of “foul” - was instantly raised by Rowe’s partisans, who alleged - that the blow had fallen below the waist. On Spring - being appealed to he immediately decided “fair,” and - the fight proceeded. The men went to work, counter-hits - right and left were exchanged to a close, and Rowe got - down. - - 10.――Broome again home on Rowe’s ’tato-trap, which - increased in protuberance; counter-hits with the left, - Broome catching it on the nose; body blows exchanged; - counters left and right on the dial――a close, in which - both were down. Broome on being picked up showed a cut - over his left brow, from which the claret was coursing - down in profusion. - - 11.――Heavy exchanges; Broome again caught a nasty one - over his eye. He returned the compliment on Joe’s - mouth. Body blows exchanged. A close, and both down, - Broome under. The punishment in this round increased - the flow of claret from the wounds of both, but they - took it coolly, and came up smiling for the next round. - - 12.――This was a punishing round on the part of Broome, - who had no sooner risen from his corner than he rushed - to his man, put in two or three body blows, and then - made his left and right on Rowe’s frontispiece. The - latter made some slight returns, and Broome rushed in, - caught Rowe in his arms, and hung upon him at the ropes - until the latter went down――a game he pursued - throughout the fight. - - 13.――The cheering and chaffing of the East-enders were - deafening, and it was with difficulty the timekeepers - made themselves heard. On reaching the scratch heavy - counter-hits were exchanged left and right, Broome - again experiencing the effect of Rowe’s left on his - eye. They soon closed, struggled for the fall, and went - down together. - - 14.――This round was similar to the last. - - 15.――Heavy in-fighting blows exchanged left and right, - both on the mug and on the body, the hitting rather in - favour of Broome. In the close both down. - - 16 and 17.――In these rounds the men rushed to - in-fighting at once, and some stinging hits were made - by each on the sore spots of the other. Broome’s left - eye was observed to be fast closing. In the closes - which terminated the rounds they fell together. - - 18.――Slight exchanges to a close, when Rowe was down, - Broome alongside of him. Rowe’s mouth began to exhibit - unmistakable evidence of Harry’s power of hitting, - although, with the exception of the cuts on his lip, - there was nothing particular the matter with his face. - Indeed, the hitting on both sides seemed to have been - directed almost entirely to particular spots――viz., - Broome on Joe’s mouth, and the latter on Harry’s left - eye and cheek. - - 19.――Rowe made his left slightly on Broome’s forehead. - The latter then attempted his left, but was prettily - stopped. In two other attempts he was more successful, - as he put in his left twice, first on Joe’s mouth, and - then on his smeller, from which, as well as his mouth, - the claret began to exude. In the close Joe was down, - Harry on him. - - 20.――The combatants quickly rushed to a close, and - after a short struggle at the ropes, both went down - together. (The noise and confusion were now becoming - terrific. The spectators in the rear made a rush, the - stake in Rowe’s corner was nearly forced from the - ground, several other stakes were broken, and the - bottom rope of the inner ring was completely trodden - under foot. The pressure was so great in the corner - where we sat that we were obliged to enter the inner - ring, in order to be able to get a note of what was - going on. There seemed among some of the lowest order - of spectators to be a strong party feeling against - Johnny Broome, for what cause it was impossible to - tell, but they repeatedly called upon him to come in - and fight himself, and charged him with acting foully, - although we saw nothing of the kind in his conduct up - to this, beyond his assisting the seconds in wiping his - brother――an example which Crawley followed with Rowe.) - - 21 and 22.――Broome home with his left on Joe’s nose and - mouth several times. Rowe’s returns were slight. In the - latter round, however, Rowe succeeded in the close in - forcing Broome over the ropes, and falling on him. - - 23.――Broome’s left again in collision with Rowe’s - mouth. Counter-hits with the left. A close at the - ropes, and Broome succeeded in throwing his man. - - 24 to 29.――In these rounds the same style of fighting - was pursued, hitting left and right being the order of - the day. Very few attempts were made at stopping, and - these few were on the part of Rowe, who parried Harry’s - left on several occasions. The rounds ended with a - close at the ropes, in which Broome generally had the - advantage, and got his man down by hanging on him. - - 30.――Joe stopped a nasty one from Harry’s left. Heavy - hits were then exchanged on the old spots, and both - were down, Rowe under. (The disorderly conduct of the - spectators got worse and worse. The ring-keepers were - obliged to get inside the ring, and used their whips - and sticks very freely; but as fast as they drove the - intruders back from the ropes they again came forward, - returning hits for compliments paid them.) - - 31 to 36.――Heavy exchanges, and no flinching or - attempts to stop. Previous to these rounds we thought - Rowe was weak and on the wane, but he now rallied, and - was firmer on his pins. He was, however, generally - forced to the ropes, where Broome hung upon him until - he fell. - - 37.――Broome received a stinger on his snout, which - renewed the rivulet of claret. He returned slightly on - Rowe’s cheek and closed. Rowe was, after a short - struggle, forced down, Broome on him. - - 38.――Broome made his left again on Joe’s mouth. He then - retreated to his corner, as if to get wind. Rowe was - following, but Harry rushed to him, repeated his dose - on the mouth, and fought to a close at the ropes, - where, after a somewhat lengthened struggle, amidst - great confusion in and out of the ring (Johnny Broome - holding the rope), both got down together. - - 39.――Hitting right and left, and a close, in which some - slight fibbing took place, Broome again receiving over - his damaged eye, which was now almost “used up.” At - length, after a break away, and a few harmless - exchanges, Rowe got down. - - 40.――Heavy counters with the left, Broome receiving a - snorter, which re-opened the springs from which the - by-no-means-limpid stream had previously trickled. A - close at the ropes, Broome still pursuing his tactics - of endeavouring to hang upon his man. Rowe at length - got down, pulling Broome along with him. - - 41.――Rowe had now evidently obtained fresh vigour, and - his bellows seemed to have undergone a thorough repair. - On coming up, he immediately went to his adversary, led - off with his left, which was returned by Broome on the - nose. Rowe attempted to obtain the fall, but in so - doing slipped down. - - 42 and 43.――Slight exchanges, no mischief done; both - down at the ropes. - - 44.――Harry hit out left and right on Joe’s mug, closed, - and threw him heavily, falling on him. - - 45.――Broome again touched up Rowe’s “blow pipe.” Joe - immediately insinuated a tremendous counter-crack on - Broome’s head with his right, which dropped him, and he - fell on his hands and knees and fell forward on his - face. (First knock-down blow for Rowe.) - - 46 and 47.――Counter-hitting left and right, Rowe - occasionally stopping Broome’s left, but the latter - would not be denied, and hit away until he brought his - man to a close, and they both went down together, Rowe - under. On reaching their seconds’ knees, their - punishment appeared to be about equal, neither showing - many marks beyond those on Broome’s left eye and cheek - on the one hand, and Rowe’s mouth and nose on the - other. (About this time a cry was raised that the - police had arrived, but we could see nothing of them, - as we were so hemmed in by the mob, and, as we stated - above, it was impossible for them to get at the - combatants, or any one in the ring.) - - 48.――Stinging hits exchanged with the left to a rally - and a close at the ropes, where Rowe got down to avoid - Harry’s friendly hug. - - 49.――Broome’s left eye was now completely closed, and - the surrounding flesh was considerably swollen; his - nose, also, looked very blue. He went to his man, - caught him round the neck with his left, and fibbed him - severely with the other hand. Rowe at length caught the - offending mawley, and forced Harry’s head back. After a - little struggling, Rowe slipped down. - - 50.――Joe stopped a well-intended smack from Broome’s - left. The latter then made his “one, two” on Rowe’s - mouth and body. Joe slipped, and Broome was making an - upper cut at him as he went down, but just succeeded in - stopping the delivery in time to prevent grounds for a - claim of “foul.” - - 51 and 52.――Some good countering took place in these - rounds with equal advantage, for what Broome gave on - Joe’s mouth and cheek he received in return on his - damaged ogle and sneezer. - - 53.――The men quickly rushed to a close, and after a - short struggle Joe succeeded in giving Broome a clean - somersault over the ropes, amidst the joyous shouts of - his partisans. - - 54 to 57.――Still the same hit-away style of fighting, - no stopping or flinching, Broome occasionally getting - his man’s head in chancery and fibbing. In the 56th - round Harry put in a smasher on the body of Rowe, from - the effects of which he was going down, when Broome - sent in another, which did not reach him until he was - on his knees. Another claim of “foul” was made by Jem - Turner and Sambo, but the blow was evidently - accidental, and Spring decided “fair.” Had it been - otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for - Spring to see, he was so beset by the mob who were - creating the disturbance and overwhelming the ring. - Spring at length was compelled to come within the arena - to watch the proceedings. In the 57th round Rowe went - down weak. Both Johnny Broome and Peter Crawley had now - been in the ring during some rounds, Broome assisting - his brother, and Crawley performing the same kind - office for Rowe. Broome led the way, and his presence - excited a good deal of angry feeling, but it was “six - of one and half-a-dozen of the other.” - - 58 and 59.――Rowe was getting weaker, and Broome was - piping. In the latter round heavy counter-hits were - exchanged in Broome’s corner. The latter then put in a - heavy body blow, from the effects of which Rowe - staggered and went down. - - 60.――In-fighting in favour of Rowe, who made several - good hits on Broome’s dial. Broome retaliated, but not - so severely. They closed at the ropes, and both fell - together. (The ring was now half full of people, and - sticks and whips were being plied without avail on all - sides.) - - 61 to 70.――On coming up for the 61st round, Broome’s - face, principally on the left side, was terribly - disfigured, while Rowe’s right jaw, cheek, and upper - lip were so much cut and swollen as to produce the - appearance of dislocation of the jaw. The hitting in - these rounds was severe, although Rowe occasionally hit - open-handed. In the close they generally fibbed each - other severely, and fell together. The space in which - they were fighting became gradually more and more - circumscribed, and almost invariably in the close the - ring-keepers were obliged to surround the combatants, - and literally beat the crowd away, to give room for - them to struggle for the fall, and to prevent their - being injured by the mob. - - 71.――Tom Spring now, finding that there was not the - slightest probability of a clear ring being again - obtained, and satisfied that it would be impossible to - obtain fair play, resigned his office as referee. The - seconds and backers ought then to have each withdrawn - his man; instead of this, however, the fight was - continued amidst the most dreadful confusion, and in a - space about two yards square, until the 81st round, - when the men were taken away and conveyed on board the - Nymph, after fighting for 2 hours and 21 minutes. All - chance of concluding the contest had at this time - vanished, and, of course, universal dissatisfaction - prevailed. A cowardly attack was made on Johnny Broome - by some of the disappointed Eastenders, but Peter - Crawley manfully threw his shield over him, and - prevented mischief. - - REMARKS.――We have thus, to the best of our ability, - amidst the shameful confusion which prevailed, - endeavoured to give as accurate a description of this - battle as our opportunities would admit. We can only - repeat that at a very early period of the battle the - crowd completely overwhelmed the efforts of those who - were certainly anxious and creditably active in their - endeavours to preserve order. The jealousy of those, - however, who could not pay towards those who had paid - was so forcibly evinced as to prevent all resistance; - and this, combined with a large majority of Rowe’s - friends and partisans, who indulged in a very unseemly - expression of ill-feeling towards Johnny Broome and his - brother, produced the very unsatisfactory conclusion at - which the affair arrived, and of course led to the - necessity of another meeting before it could be decided - which was the better man. We confess we do not feel - ourselves justified, from all we have yet seen, in - assigning the palm of decided superiority to either. - They both fought manfully and bravely, and exhibited - all those sterling qualities which are calculated to - reflect credit upon the characters of British boxers. - There was no flinching, no cowardly attempts to fall to - avoid punishment, nor were any of those subterfuges - adopted on either side calculated to create the - disapprobation of the spectators. On the contrary, when - permitted by the disgraceful intrusion of strangers in - the ring, they promptly and fearlessly obeyed the call - of time, and hit away left and right each with a - courageous determination to turn the scale in his - favour. In the last few rounds――or, rather, - scrambles――which took place, we are inclined to believe - that Broome had a little the advantage; but it would be - by no means just on our parts to give this as a decided - opinion, and the less so as we saw Rowe run vigorously - from the ring to the place of embarkation, followed by - Broome. We were glad to make our escape from such a - scene, and made our retreat along the banks of the - river to Greenhithe, from whence we subsequently - obtained a passage, not in the “Nymph,” but in a - Gravesend boat, on its way to Blackwall, and thus did - not obtain a close view of the men. Many heavy blows - were exchanged in the course of the turmoil, and some - one, with a wantonness perfectly indefensible, flung up - a quart bottle in the air, which, alighting on Johnny - Broome’s head, might have been fatal, and, as it was, - proved anything but agreeable to his feelings. We - cannot too strongly impress upon the parties concerned - in this disgraceful exhibition that, as in the fable of - the goose and the golden egg, they are sacrificing the - chances of their own future gratification. A clear ring - and no favour is the battle-cry of all fair boxing; and - if the spirit of this cry be once abandoned, it is in - vain to hope for the continuance of those manly - demonstrations of courage and fair play which render - prize-fighting defensible. It seems also to be - forgotten that, by keeping a wide and extended ring - throughout a combat, all have a fair opportunity of - witnessing its progress; while, by thus closing in, the - greater portion must be debarred from a view of the - combatants, and thus disorder becomes inevitable. Added - to this, the prejudices of the opponents of the good - old sport become trebly fortified, and the interference - of the magistrates and the police will find not only - apologists, but eulogists, even among those who - heretofore would have been the first to decry their - interference. Aquatic excursions, by limiting the - number of spectators, were, in the first instance, - adopted as a prudent and judicious move, and so long as - they were confined, by a fair charge, to the men and - their real supporters, this object was gained; but the - unfair system of starting opposition boats, at low - prices, by enabling the worst class of Ring-goers to - obtrude upon the scene of action, has superseded this - intention, and it now only remains to adopt some new - expedient by which fair play and good order can be - maintained. Nothing but a determined coalition upon the - part of the milling fraternity themselves will prevent - the repetition of evils which must altogether - extinguish their popularity as a class. - -Great complaints were made of Broome having gone into the ring to -assist his brother, which was decidedly contrary to the rules of the -Ring, and led to Crawley following so bad an example. It was -undoubtedly wrong; but some allowances must be made for the horrible -confusion which prevailed, and the utter impossibility of the referee -calling for a stringent attention to the rule referred to; although in -two instances when Broome had intruded he peremptorily ordered him -out, and was obeyed. It must be distinctly understood that any man, -save the seconds, thus interfering with his man loses the fight. - -Broome soon recovered from the contusions on his face, although when -we saw him on the Friday the marks were sufficiently apparent. The -forebone of the thumb on his right hand was, however, fractured. This -occurred in the fourth round, and the repeated use of the hand -afterwards rendered the consequences more serious. Rowe’s physiognomy -was still far from symmetrical. His face on the right side was -dreadfully swollen, and the cut on his lip severe and deep. The left -side of his countenance also showed obvious symptoms of unpleasant -visitations. In other respects the men were little damaged; but Rowe -had clearly got the larger share of the punishment. His left hand was -also much puffed. It was stated that for the present it would be -impossible for Broome to use his right hand, and Crawley readily -agreed that the day for the renewal of the battle should not be fixed -till a surgeon had pronounced when the damaged feeler was likely to be -fit for service. Johnny Broome proposed to give £5 towards Rowe’s -training expenses, provided the match were made for £100, and to come -off in four months. To this Crawley could make no response, as he had -his apprehensions of being able to get any addition to the stakes -down. - -The final agreement was that the renewal of the combat should take -place on the 6th of May; Peter Crawley and Johnny Broome to name the -locality. At a subsequent meeting at Spring’s, it being mentioned that -the 6th of May was the day of running the Chester Cup, the date was -altered to the 13th by mutual agreement, and the place of rendezvous -was settled for Ensham, Oxfordshire, six miles from the University -city. On the overnight the men and their mentors set off for that -locality. The “London Particulars,” however, contented themselves with -the half-past seven morning train, and the quarter to ten fast ditto, -as their method of reaching the trysting-place. Soon after eleven all -was alive in Ensham, and the cavalcade moved off for the battle-field, -many of the drags being of the style and pattern that bespoke the -Corinthian quality of their owners or occupants. At twelve the -Commissary and assistants had made a model ring and enclosure in an -emerald-green meadow near Ensham, and soon after Harry Broome, his -brother Johnny, his seconds and friends, came on the ground on a -four-in-hand; while Rowe, under the broad shadow of Peter Crawley, -escorted by a numerous cavalcade of equestrians and charioteers, with -a long queue of pedestrians was also “thar.” Harry Broome was waited -on in the ring by his brother and Sam Simmonds, of Birmingham; Rowe by -Jack Macdonald and Bill Hayes. Broome’s colours were blue with a large -white spot, Rowe’s the old blue birdseye. - -After some little delay in the choice of a referee, “time” was called, -and the men, in fighting costume, advanced from their corners and -shook hands. Young Harry, in point of condition, was all that his best -friends could desire; he was indeed a model of youthful health and -activity. He stood slightly over his opponent, and had evidently the -advantage in length of reach. Rowe looked far more solid and burly at -his weight (10st. 5lbs.), and was much less graceful in his movements; -indeed, his look lacked the animation and confidence which beamed on -the features of his youthful antagonist. The friends of Rowe were, -nevertheless, sanguine of his success, and took the 5 and 6 to 4 -readily which some of Broome’s patrons offered. - -At a few minutes before one the men and their seconds crossed hands, -the latter retired to their corners, and the twain stood up for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On throwing themselves into position each put - out his feelers and advanced and retreated several - times. After one or two feinting dodges Rowe tried his - left, but was short; they got closer to their work, and - left-hand counters were exchanged, Rowe catching it on - the mouth and Broome slightly on the cheek. After a - break away they again approached, and once more - exchanged counter-hits with the left, Broome getting - well home on Rowe’s kissing organ, whence blood - immediately trickled, and “first blood” was claimed for - Broome and awarded. Broome rushed in, caught Rowe round - the neck under his left arm, fibbed a little with his - right, hitting up, then, giving him a leg, threw and - fell on him. (7 to 4 on Broome offered.) - - 2.――Rowe, on coming to the scratch, showed a stream of - the crimson fluid from the side of his mouth. Broome - led off with his left, but was neatly stopped, and in - the second attempt equally well foiled. Slight - exchanges, and Broome closed, and, after a short - struggle, had his man down, but came himself to the - ground rather heavily. - - 3.――Rowe short with his left. Broome quickly caught him - a smasher on his damaged mouth, repeating the dose - twice, and playing round his man with a celerity that - reminded us of Young Dutch Sam. Rowe tried to get home, - first with one hand then the other, but was short, from - the rapid shifting of his adversary. In the close - Broome tried to get the lock, but Rowe kept his legs - wide and declined the intended favour. Broome tried to - hit up with the right, but Rowe slipped on one knee, - catching a stinger on the jaw as he was falling, and - Harry tumbling over him. - - 4.――On Rowe coming up, his left eye, left cheek, and - mouth gave evidence of renewed visitations. Harry, - though flushed in the frontispiece, was not yet - “adorned with cuts.” Rowe hit short with the left, and - then stopped two or three attempts by Harry to get home - with the same hand. In trying to return Rowe hit rather - in the style of the sparring school, drawing back his - elbow just as his fist reached its destination, instead - of letting the blow go straight from the shoulder. A - rally, in which Rowe succeeded in planting his left on - Broome’s eye, and then stepped in with a rattling hit - on the jaw that seemed for a moment to stagger the - Young’un; in fact it looked for a moment as if he would - go down from the stunning visitation; but he did not, - and Rowe closed and threw his man amidst vociferous - acclamations from the East-enders. - - 5.――Broome came up smiling, steady, and resolute, - showing little effects of the last round. He made play, - but Rowe easily stopped two long shots from the left. - Rowe retreated, but did not succeed in drawing Broome - near enough, so the latter, after an exchange or two, - got within distance, delivering left and right heavily - on the head and body, then catching his man firmly on - his left arm, he “fiddled” him with the right, and as - he struggled away gave him the leg and fell heavily on - him. (The Rowe-ites mute with astonishment.) - - 6.――Both showed signs of punishment, Rowe on mouth, - eye, cheek, and left ear, Broome on the left cheek. - Rowe short with the left; a rally, when Harry caught - Rowe an upper-cut with the left, but Rowe grappled him, - and Harry got down through his hands, amidst the jeers - and scoffs of the Rowe party. - - 7.――Broome came up slowly; he sparred and shifted - ground, but Rowe would not be drawn. Broome sent out - his left, but was short, and in a second attempt just - reached Joe’s neck with his right, who threw his head - back with great quickness out of the way of mischief. - Three times in succession Rowe stopped Broome’s left - with great neatness. (“That’s the way to break his - heart,” cried Jack Macdonald.) After some more clever - sparring, in which little damage was done, Broome - closed, and again threw his man, falling on him. - - 8.――Broome was again neatly stopped, but he persevered - and got in a smasher on Rowe’s damaged mouth, who - counter-hit, but not effectively. Broome got in to - half-arm and visited Rowe’s left eye. Joe, not - relishing these pops, dropped on his knees, but Harry - caught him with his left arm and lifted him bodily up - from the ground, thus displaying immense muscular - strength, threw him and dropped on him. (2 to 1 on - Broome.) - - 9.――Harry came up smiling confidently. He led off with - his left, but Rowe stopped him three or four times - beautifully. (Applause.) At length they got close, and - Broome twice in succession got home on Rowe’s mouth and - eye. Rowe, wild and stung, rushed into close quarters, - but Broome got away, broke ground, and twice or three - times popped in sharp hits in the face. Rowe got down - in his own corner during a rally. - - 10.――Broome played round his man actively, occasionally - getting in a “little one.” Rowe was slow, and stood - steadily on the defensive. He evidently reckoned on - Broome tiring himself by doing all the work. He could - not, however, keep Broome out, who gave him a tidy - smack on the cheek, and Rowe got down. - - 11.――Rowe still slow and on the defensive. Broome put - in a nobber, and Rowe was down on the grass. - - 12.――Rowe stopped a succession of hits with the left, - but Broome would not come in to be propped; at last - they exchanged two or three sharp hits, when Broome - closed and threw Rowe, but not heavily. - - 13.――Good out-fighting on the part of Broome, who - planted on Rowe’s neck and ear. Rowe continued his - stopping, and stepping back, until Broome, tired of the - game, fought in, closed, and threw him. - - 14.――Broome got home with his left, a cutting blow; - Rowe let go right and left wildly, of which Broome took - advantage, closed, caught him round the waist, and - flung him cleverly. - - 15.――Rowe still stopped steadily, but was sadly short - in the returns. As we have before said, his blows did - not go from the shoulder, but partook of the flip-flap - character of the sparring school. Broome advanced and - retreated, and at last, springing in, caught Rowe in - the mark with his left, and gave the “first knock - down.” - - 16 to 19.――Broome made the fighting, got in his left, - and threw his man in all these rounds. - - 20.――Rowe maintained his steadiness amazingly. He - stopped with precision, and was getting down from - Broome’s onslaught when Harry seized him, lifted him by - sheer strength, and threw him. - - 21.――Rowe getting slow, and apparently vexed at not - being able to get his man to hitting distance. Broome - played half-round to the right, then to the left. Rowe - went in desperately and forced a rally, in which he got - home his right a sounder on Broome’s jaw, and both were - down, amidst the uproarious cheers of the East-enders, - who seemed “thankful for small mercies.” - - 22.――Broome showed symptoms of fatigue; he coughed and - hemmed, stepped back, and rubbed his arms, leisurely - surveying his antagonist. “Don’t be gammoned,” said - Bill Hayes; Rowe nodded his head assentingly. As Rowe - would not advance Broome went to him, and in some sharp - exchanges hit hardest and oftenest. Broome’s right came - in sharp contact with Rowe’s sconce as he was going - down, and Broome was seen pulling at his right little - finger, to which some mischance had happened. - - 23.――On coming to the scratch Broome again sparred _à - la distance_. “Go in,” cried Crawley to Rowe; “his - hands are gone, it’s all your own.” This was an error; - “the wish was father to the thought,” for Harry - frustrated his adversary’s attempt by sending his left - slap in Rowe’s mazzard, hit him with the supposed - disabled right in the ribs, closed, and got him down. - - 24.――Broome popped in his left, closed, and rolled over - his man as he got down. - - 25.――Rowe, getting slower and slower, seemed to content - himself with guarding his head and ribs, and shifting. - Broome bided his time, but at length got home, and - muzzled poor Joe, who went to grass somehow. - - 26.――As before, Rowe on the defensive, stopping, but - not returning. Broome followed him up, forced him on to - the ropes, and rolled over with him. - - 27th and last.――Broome came to the scratch cheerfully; - his seconds certainly sent him up remarkably clean. - Although Rowe, as before, stopped an experimental - left-hander or two, Harry gave him two severe smashers - on the mouth and cheek, then closing as Rowe was trying - to get down, he gave him the crook, and fell heavily on - him. It was all over. Rowe, though still strong on his - legs, declined to continue the contest; and Bill Hayes - threw up the sponge in token of defeat. Young Harry was - highly elated. He jumped about the ring like a parched - pea in a frying-pan, shook hands with his opponent, and - performed a _coup de théâtre_ by pressing the - winning-colours to his lips, and then waving them round - his head. At this moment Harry showed no further - discolouration of the face than a blue mark under the - left eye. One of the bones of his right-hand, however, - was broken, and from that round it was of little - effectual service, though he used it several times. The - fight lasted exactly fifty-seven minutes, and from - first to last was conducted with the utmost fairness, - and without the slightest interruption from the - surrounding multitude, which was largely increased by - the accession of several Whitsun clubs, who were - celebrating their holiday in the neighbourhood. - - REMARKS.――Broome won the fight from superior tact, good - in-fighting, and the clever use of his legs, both in - getting away and throwing. To the quick use of his - left――for he did but little with the right――the - downfall of his game antagonist is also to be ascribed. - Rowe, we must confess, from what we had previously - seen, somewhat disappointed us. Not only was he slow, - and generally short, but his hits were - elbow-deliveries, while, before the battle was half - through, he adopted such a determined line of mere - defensive tactics as never could have gained him - victory over such a courageous and active adversary as - Young Broome. We almost suspected he had made up his - mind to defeat early in the fight. Broome’s youth, - though much against him, was relied on by Rowe, - mistakingly, as the event proved. He was neither so - much exhausted, or even tired, as his older opponent. - It would be prudent, from the injury he has twice - sustained in his right-hand, that he should, for a - time, retire from the active pursuit of the profession - he has adopted, until gristle has hardened to bone, and - well-knit sinew and tendon replace his youthful rounded - muscle. That Young Harry possesses steadiness, - self-possession, game, and confidence he has fully - shown, and these, aided by the increasing strength and - stamina which time must bring, must ensure him a high - position among pugilistic professionals. The weather - was, throughout the day, most favourable, and order and - regularity admirably maintained, Spring, Peter Crawley, - Jem Burn, Owen Swift, Johnny Hannan, Jem Turner, Young - Reid, Jemmy Welsh, and others of the _corps d’élite_, - contributing greatly to this desirable state of things. - -At this period (1846) there resided at Birmingham a boxer of high -local repute, some five years the senior of Harry, and still in his -prime, who, in the opinion of his fellow-townsmen, was well fitted to -check the triumphant career of the juvenile representative of the -house of Broome, which was considered to have transferred its -pugilistic fame from its native place to London. This was Ben Terry, -whose successive defeats of Jem Hodgkiss, Forster, Davis of -Birmingham, and Tom Davis, in 1841, 1842, 1843, and 1844, all -middle-weights, had earned for him a character approaching -invincibility. After some cavilling with Johnny Broome in times passed -by, before that boxer retired from the Ring, which, however, ended in -nothing. Ben now proposed a match for £100 a side, with Young Harry, -at 10st. 4lbs., and the youngster, nothing loth, closed with the -offer. There was much partisan feeling mixed up in the affair, and on -February 3rd, 1846, the men met at Shrivenham, Berkshire, on the Great -Western line. There was tedious disputation on the choice of a -referee; and the behaviour of the partisans of Terry was simply -disgraceful, and marked most significantly the falling fortunes of the -Ring. The unfinished battle, which occupies an immense and undue space -in the contemporary report, is not worth preserving. Suffice it to say -that for the first half hour the fighting of Harry was singularly -irregular and wild, and only accountable upon the supposition, loudly -proclaimed by Brother Johnny, that Young Harry had been stupefied by -the surreptitious introduction of some drug in his drink――in short, -had been “hocussed.” We, who witnessed the fight, however loth we -should be to admit such a shameful act without clear evidence, could -not resist the suspicion of some foul play. Terry, however, seemed to -fight very little better than his opponent. After the 35th round, the -confusion and disorder defied description. The ring was broken in, and -filled with an unruly crowd; repeated claims of “foul” were made from -both sides; the referee was sought to be intimidated by uproar and -threats; and finally the fight was claimed for Terry, without any -decision being given by the properly constituted authorities, and the -respective parties returned――the one to Birmingham, the other to -London, to wrangle over the destination of the £200 in the hands of -the stakeholder. After a tedious controversy and furious mutual -recriminations, it is clear that the Terry party did not fancy a -second meeting, and the affair ended by Johnny Broome, on behalf of -his brother, consenting to draw stakes on receipt of a douceur of £5. -Terry, who was subsequently beaten by Coates and Posh Price, died at -Birmingham, October 12th, 1862. - -We have noted in the life of the Tipton Slasher, how, after his defeat -of Paddock, in December, 1850, he laid public claim to the -Championship; how Bendigo, after stating that he was prepared to fight -for £500, and no less, backed out when the Tipton offered to meet him -for that amount; and further, that he, the Tipton, would fight any man -for £100 or £200. This challenge was unanswered until May, 1851, when -Broome declared himself ready to make a deposit for an “Unknown,” for -£200 a side. This was accepted. At a subsequent meeting at Johnny -Broome’s, on the 2nd of June, the articles were completed, and the -battle agreed to take place within four months. On the occasion first -named poor Tom Spring, who had in this case undertaken to see to the -interests of the Slasher in London, lay stretched on a bed of -sickness, struggling with that grim antagonist who soon after gave him -his final fall; consequently Johnny Broome claimed and received -forfeit at the second deposit, the Slasher’s friends not putting in an -appearance. In the following week a gleam of hoped-for health on the -part of Spring, and the arrival of Perry himself in London, led to a -demonstration, and a sum of money was deposited in the hands of the -Editor of _Bell’s Life_ on the part of Tipton, to meet the “Unknown” -for the sum proposed. That the “Great Unknown” was a mystery, like the -authorship of “Junius,” and, for a time, the Waverley Novels, was -evident, for men did not scruple to say that Johnny had had a lucky -escape from “a bit of bounce” by the receipt of the small amount down. -The mystery, however, was quickly dissipated, for at the next meeting, -to the astonishment of all, Young Harry announced himself to be the -“mysterious stranger,” prepared to join issue with the ponderous -Slasher, and from that evening the match progressed satisfactorily. - -In the interim, the Tipton, after a provincial tour, went into -training at Hoylake, in Cheshire, under the mentorship of Jem Ward, -and the superintendence of Jemmy the Black (Young Molyneaux). Harry -was, of course, looked after by his brother, but was unable to do so -much work as he required, owing to the necessity that arose of -constantly shifting his quarters. This, we may now state, was owing to -the embarrassed state of his pecuniary affairs, in connection with the -Opera Tavern, in the Haymarket, of which he was then the landlord. - -When we last saw Harry in the lists, in his interrupted combat with -Ben Terry, he was looked upon as a “middle-weight,” his height 5 feet -9 inches, his weight 10½st.; and from this circumstance, despite the -assertion that he had grown nearly two inches in stature, and would go -to scale full two stone heavier in muscle and bone, there was an -obstinate incredulity on the part of many who thought they knew the -man, with respect to the 10½st. Harry and the 13st. Slasher ever -facing each other in the Ring. - -The stakeholder, upon whom devolved the duty of naming the place of -fighting, selected Mildenhall. Johnny Broome had a predilection for -Six Mile Bottom, near Newmarket, as suitable for the convenience of -the sporting men going to the First October Meeting, but this he -subsequently abandoned. The place having been appointed, Johnny Broome -and Young Spring, on behalf of the Slasher, engaged a special train on -the Eastern Counties Line, which, it was notified, would start at -half-past eight. There was little excitement abroad, for the eve of so -important an event as that which was to decide the _vexata quæstio_ as -to who was to be Champion of England. It is true, the houses of the -two Broomes, and the Castle Tavern, were thronged, but we did not hear -of a bet being made, and a strong impression prevailed up to the very -day that something would occur to prevent the issue of the battle. On -reaching the platform whence the train was to start we found the -assemblage was limited, and we should calculate that not more than one -hundred took their places in the carriages, so that these who -speculated on gain were on the wrong side of the post. With the -exception of Peter Crawley and Old Tom Oliver, we recognised none of -the representatives of the old school. - -The travellers having taken their seats――the Tipton, accompanied by -Nobby Clarke and Molyneaux, being among them――the whistle sounded, and -off went the party. A good deal of consternation was expressed by some -persons at the non-appearance of Broome; but, on the train arriving at -Bishop Stortford, all doubt was set at rest by his presence on the -platform. The train once more got under weigh, and shortly the goal -was reached. Pursuing a winding lane, the veteran Commissary led the -way to the field where Bendigo won his parting laurel from Paddock, in -1850. This ground, however, was found to be under plough, and the -travellers had to go further afield; nevertheless, all was soon in -apple-pie order for business. The London train band was reinforced by -a few of the Norfolk and Suffolk Militiamen, and a cavalry contingent -from Newmarket, and by one o’clock there was a tolerable muster round -the roped arena. At ten minutes after that hour the Tipton hero -advanced to the ring-side, and, removing his nob-cover, tossed it -gaily within the magic circle. Harry was not long in answering the -Tipton’s call for him to come forth, and was loudly cheered on -presenting himself. After shaking hands, the difficult point of -choosing a referee came on the _tapis_. This knotty question seemed -likely to occupy the whole day, for to each proposition a negative was -offered, chiefly by the Tipton and his friends. One hour and forty -minutes were thus cut to waste, but at twenty-five minutes past two -the differences ended by the selection of Peter Crawley, and the men -commenced their toilettes. Crawley had been previously rejected by the -Tipton, from an apprehension that his predilections were in favour of -Broome; and it was not until Harry offered to fight without a referee -that he at last consented. The choice made, the Slasher approached -Crawley, and said all he desired was a fair fight and no favour. If he -did anything foul he must abide by the consequences, and if his -antagonist did wrong he hoped an equal measure of justice would be -meted out to him. Crawley said he might rely on his performing his -duty strictly and impartially. All he desired was to see a fair and -manly contest, and to see it fairly and manfully fought out. - -The attendants on the Slasher were Nobby Clarke and Jem Molyneaux. The -bold Harry was esquired by Callaghan, of Derby, and Bob Castles, -Johnny, of course, being in the corner. A little interlude, in the -shape of a shindy between Molyneaux and Callaghan, enlivened the -interval of suspense, but, on everything being ready, they were soon -quieted down. The ring was admirably kept throughout, Tom Callas, -Jerry Noon, Mallet, and others lending a helping hand. The betting at -the commencement was 2 to 1 on the Slasher; and at forty-five minutes -past two business began. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――And so the men stood up, and all doubts, - fears, and suspicions as to whether there would or - would not be a fight were at an end, and the question - was now to be set at rest as to what sort of a fight - those present were to witness, and we were to record. - No sooner had the youthful Harry struck his canvass, - and exhibited himself in Nature’s buff suit, than an - almost audible buzz of surprise and admiration broke - from the spectators. Never did gladiator of old offer a - finer study for the chisel of the sculptor or the - pencil of the painter. 5ft. 10½in. in stature, his - height was only fairly proportioned to his weight, - 12st. 10lbs. on the morning of the battle, which, - by-the-bye, was 10lbs. too much. His chest and scapulæ, - with their masses of prominent and rigid muscle, were - almost preternaturally developed; and as he swung his - long, round arms, with the motion of one practising - with the dumb-bells, closing and unclosing his hands - (black with the astringent juices applied to them), to - supple his joints for the impending encounter, all - seemed to agree that he was up to the standard of - weight and measure which the veteran Captain Barclay - said “was big enough to fight any two-legged creature - that ever walked.” There is much, however, in “a - name”――despite Juliet’s declaration to the contrary, - which, coming from a green young Miss, don’t carry much - authority――and, accordingly, the old ring-goers were - half inclined to a belief in the Slasher’s - invincibility, and doubted whether the audacious “boy,” - as the Tipton contemptuously called him in our hearing, - would stand up to his ancient friend and fellow-trainer - in bygone days. That this was a mistake was soon - apparent. Throwing up his hands with smiling - confidence, Harry toed the scratch, saying, as he did - so, “Here I am, old boy, and I mean to win to-day.” The - Tipton grinned――the absence of his incisors imparting - that expression to his laugh. On the present occasion, - though he looked brown, hardy, and sunburnt, there was - somewhat of an antiquated cut about his figure-head - which was not observable on his last public appearance, - which, as we have already recorded, was with Paddock, - in December, 1850. His frame, however, showed no waste - or diminution of its formidable proportions. Poised - upon his letter K-like pedestals, his huge upper works, - broad shoulders, immense blade-bones, wide loins and - well-ribbed carcase showed the ponderous athlete, - though the bloom and freshness of youth had faded from - his skin. It was clear he meant to give no rest, and as - little room and opportunity, to his antagonist as he - could help. Harry offered with his left high up, in the - direction of the Slasher’s nob; it was a sort of - measuring, and he stepped aside, breaking ground with - graceful agility. Slasher followed him, when he stepped - aside laughing, closing and unclosing his hands, - playing about out of reach, and sparring. “Go to him, - Tipton,” cried Jemmy Wharton; “he’s afraid of you.” The - Tipton did as he was bid, and Harry retreated until - near the ropes. The Tipton let go his right, and just - reached Harry’s ribs, who rapidly caught him a - cross-counter with the left on the face. A couple of - rather hasty exchanges brought the men together; they - separated, and Broome delivered an upper cut on the - Slasher’s face, who retaliated on Harry’s body so - effectively that he slipped in jumping back, and fell, - throwing up his feet as he reached the ground, to - prevent the Tipton falling on him, and, when he found - himself safely landed, bringing his heels over his head - with a spring, and turning a complete somersault. A - claim for a knock-down; but it was anything but that. - Four minutes. (6 to 4 on the Tipton, and no takers.) - - 2.――Harry came up laughing, and nodded at the Tipton, - who laughed and nodded in return. Nothing was the - matter on either side. Slasher followed Broome, who - retreated to the ropes. “Get nearer, Harry,” cried - Brother Johnny. “Don’t go after him,” said Molyneaux, - and the Tipton in turn retired to the scratch, to which - he pointed down with his index-finger. Harry stepped - right up to his head, and delivered his left flush on - the Slasher’s mouth. (Cheers.) There was a momentary - pause, Slasher pursued Harry to the ropes, where the - latter jumped into a close, and caught his opponent - round the waist. Harry tried to get the lock, but both - were down, Tipton having hold of the upper rope with - his right. - - 3.――Broome was all confidence and elasticity. He went - up to the Slasher, and reached his head, then retreated - from the return. “He’ll stand it,” cried Callaghan. The - Tipton got in his left on Harry’s right cheek, who, in - return, gave him a sounding flush hit on the olfactory - organ. The Slasher let fly right and left, and the men - closed near the centre stake. Harry got an unmistakable - outside look with his right leg over the crooked knee - of the Slasher. There were a few seconds of severe - struggling, when Broome, having fixed his hold, brought - the Slasher over on his back. Down he came, shaking the - earth with the concussion, his shoulders, neck, and - back part of his caput first saluting the ground, while - Harry rolled over on him. The effect was electrifying: - even “Peter the Great” gave an audible grunt in unison - with the “thud” that accompanied the Slasher’s - downfall. There lay the crooked Colossus prostrate, - till his active seconds, seizing him by the legs and - wings, conveyed him to his corner, whither Harry - followed him with inquiring eyes. - - 4.――Tipton came well and boldly, but not till time had - been several times vociferously called, the Broomites - evidently in most hurry. Harry shifted round and round - the corners, the Slasher following him. Harry reached - the Tipton’s mouth smartly, who let go both hands. The - hit sounded. Broome closed, and tried the lock again. - The Tipton avoided his hips, and both were on the - grass. - - 5.――The Tipton had shaken off the effects of his fall. - He tried to gammon Harry within reach of his formidable - right by short feints with the left. As this did not - have the desired effect, he went in, hitting out with - both hands. Harry nailed him on the frontispiece, and - as he came on again, administered an upper-cut. It was - not quite close enough, or it might have told tales. In - the close the Tipton was under at the ropes, but it was - no detriment. - - 6.――Broome went to the Slasher’s head in the most manly - style, and popped in one. “Fortune favours the brave.” - Tipton retorted, but missed one very mischievous hit. - The men closed, Harry hit up, catching the Tipton on - the nose, and both were down in the scramble――the - Tipton, if either, first. - - 7.――“First blood” for Broome, which was unmistakably - distilling from the Slasher’s nose, to which he put his - hand as if to feel it. The Tipton forced Broome to the - ropes, threatening with his right, where they closed, - and after some not very effective fibbing, Broome - brought the Tipton down on his back, falling on his - stomach with his latter end. (An offer to take evens on - Broome.) - - 8.――Smart active sparring and a bustling exchange. - Harry gave the Slasher a very heavy hit on the jaw, - producing a slight cut. The Tipton retorted with a - nobber, and also sent home a body-hit. Whether the - Tipton’s right hand had lost its cunning or not, these - ribbers did not seem to stagger the Young One as they - did former adversaries. Still, the old one rattled in, - and in the scuffle was jobbed in the head, till at the - end of the round Broome pushed him from him sideways - with both hands, when he got down. Bellows to mend on - both sides. - - 9.――The Slasher came up grinning, but his merriment - looked rather forced, although the hitting had left but - little traces on his hard features. He hit very short - with his left, and Broome walked round smiling. There - was a close at the ropes in Harry’s corner, in which - the Tipton got Broome awkwardly over them, and hung on - him, holding the rope with his right, his left hand - being across Harry’s face. The rope was slacked, and - Harry was let down. The referee was appealed to, who - ordered the fight to proceed. - - 10.――Exchanges: Harry gave the Tipton a blow on the - left eye that raised a lump, then swung round and broke - away from the return. He jobbed the Slasher as he - advanced, but was driven to the ropes, whence he - suddenly sprang forward, took a half-arm hit, and - making his favourite grip, brought the Tipton over――a - heavy fall――tumbling on him with his knees. As Harry - lay on the grass, he blew like a grampus. - - 11.――The Slasher came slowly up. There was a short - pause, when again Broome went up to his head. The - Slasher’s right reached Harry’s body, who put in a - sharp left-hander that cut the Tipton’s lip; there was - some quick half-arm hitting, in which Broome delivered - a clever upper-cut with his right, and both were down. - Broome uppermost, the crimson fluid from the Slasher’s - nose and lip smearing Harry’s frontispiece as they - embraced. - - 12.――The Tipton bored Harry to the ropes, was on to him - before he got his chance for a lunge, and had him down - in a scramble. - - 13.――Harry retreated to the ropes. The Tipton followed. - Broome stopped his left, and shifted from his right, - but got a slight taste as he broke ground, and moved - round his man. Harry dashed at the Slasher, and got - within his guard. There was a short scrambling rally, - when the Tipton got down to avoid the lock. Offers to - take evens, and then to bet the short odds on “the - Young’un.” Bob Castles retired from Broome’s corner in - this round, and his place was supplied by Macdonald. An - objection to the change of seconds overruled. - - 14.――Broome milled prettily on the retreat, the Tipton - hitting remarkably short with his left. Harry unclosed - his hands, and shifting round towards the Slasher’s - corner, said, cheerfully, “I’ll take odds ‘the boy’ - licks him without a black eye.” The Tipton was - evidently more bothered than beaten, and the facility - with which he was thrown made him put on his - considering cap. Broome went up to his head, as if to - attack, but as quickly stepped back. The Slasher - followed, and let go both hands, his right alone - getting home. Harry turned at the instant, hit up - sharply with the left, and weaving away, the Tipton got - down. In the in-fighting there were some heavy hits - exchanged, and Broome’s over-weight told sadly on his - bellows, which heaved and jerked like those of a - pumped-out steeplechaser. - - 15th and last.――There was a little squabble about time, - the Slasher slowest from his corner. Both sides seemed - somewhat inclined to spar for wind. Harry dashed in, - evidently with the intention of closing and trying for - a heave. He hit the Tipton on the chin, but the Ould’un - got away, as if to get room for his right. Harry - advanced, closed, and a struggle took place, each - attempting to hit. The Tipton grasped him tightly with - his left, and was trying to hit with his right, when - Harry slipped down on both knees. The Tipton let go his - right just as he reached the ground, giving him a - decided nobber, which certainly did not reach its - destination till Harry was down. It was the work of a - moment. The shouts from all sides were tremendous. - Broome’s seconds ran to the umpires and referee, as did - the ever-active Molyneaux, on the side of the Tipton. - There was a short pause, during which “Peter the Great” - declared he had not yet been formally appealed to. This - was done, the umpires, of course, disagreeing. “A most - deliberate foul,” said “Peter the Great,” and the ring - broke up. Thirty-three minutes had sufficed for the - present decision of the question, “Who is the Champion - of England?” - - As the ponderous Peter left the roped enclosure, - another instance was added to the many previous of the - suicidal conduct of the present race of Ring men. The - referee was surrounded by a vociferous and violent mob, - whose language was of the most outrageous description. - The Tipton himself, too, so “raised the dander” of the - referee by his remarks and conduct, that the veteran - Crawley declared he would fight for his credit and - integrity, and, to the no small amusement of many, was - disencumbering his portly person of his outer coat, to - inflict summary punishment on his assailants, when the - Tipton was forced away. - - REMARKS.――Upon this battle, ending in a manner so - unsatisfactory, few remarks are necessary. The style of - fighting will speak for itself. It was clear that the - Tipton was surprised by the vigour and determination of - his youthful opponent, and not less so at the manner in - which he exhibited his throwing powers; for, in - closing, not only was Harry the better wrestler, but - apparently the stronger man. How the battle would have - terminated had it proceeded in the ordinary way it is - impossible to say, and in this respect opinions - naturally differed. For, on the one hand, the little - punishment that was administered came from the Young - One, while the Old One had evidently lost none of his - personal confidence, and no doubt anticipated that - Harry would out-fight himself, and, by the rapidity of - his movements, increase that exhaustion which had - already shown itself at the conclusion of some of the - earlier rounds. The sudden termination of the battle - came upon all by surprise, and few believed that there - was a “deliberate” intention on the part of the Tipton - to administer the blow which was pronounced “foul.” - That Harry was on his knees when he received the ugly - hit we can aver, as we were seated by the side of the - referee at the time of the appeal. The men were - certainly in a scrambling close at the moment; and it - was obvious that, while Harry desired to get out of - trouble, the Tipton felt inclined to make the most of - his fancied advantage. Crawley’s experience thoroughly - enabled him to form a correct opinion, and we have no - reason to believe that his judgment was not given - fairly and impartially. Of course those not over-honest - persons, who always attribute unworthy motives to - others, assert that Crawley’s prepossessions were in - favour of Broome, and that this was the reason why the - Tipton originally objected to his being selected as - referee. To this we can distinctly oppose that, to our - own knowledge, the bias of Peter, if he had any, would - have carried him the other way. Such, however, was not - the opinion of the Tipton nor of his friends, as the - latter, on the following day, served the stakeholder - with notice “not to part with their money,” and the - Tipton still asserted himself to be “Champion of - England.” - - Upon this unsportsmanlike proceeding the Editor - commented with much severity, arguing that if such - practices were pursued, there would be an end to all - confidence between man and man in sporting matters, and - would assuredly deter any one from posting money on any - similar event, as well as from holding stakes. - -Harry Orme having, as we have seen in the preceding chapter, defeated -Aaron Jones a second time, was strongly urged to put forth his claim -to the Championship, and to meet Harry Broome on his “advertised” -terms. Months, however, passed before the match was made. First Broome -made one stipulation, and then Orme’s friends showed their “stupid -cleverness” in a counter-proposition, and there was a cannonade of -angry correspondence of the most futile controversial character. Late -in the year 1852, however, articles were signed and delivered for a -fight to come off on the 18th of April, 1853, for £250 a side, the -Editor of _Bell’s Life_ to name the place of fighting, and also -appoint a referee. - -Harry, who since developing into a Boniface had become excessively -corpulent, at once placed himself under the care of Levi Eckersley, at -Cleave Hill, near Cheltenham, and here diligently subjected himself to -an immense amount of work. Orme went into training near Maidstone, -whence, the Monday before the battle, he removed to Greenstreet Green, -in Kent. - -It being stipulated in the articles that the stakeholder should name -the whereabouts for the event, a special train was engaged on the -Eastern Counties Railway, for “an excursion of 100 miles or -thereabouts,” the exact spot being undivulged to the general sporting -public, lest the gentry then known as “Cheapsiders” should get down -“by hook or by crook,” and, by alarming the county, spoil sport. The -arrangements with the railway company were made with despatch, and the -gentlemen at the Shoreditch Station took every care to make such -dispositions on the eventful morning as effectually to prevent any of -the unprivileged classes from obtaining admittance. The time for -starting was nominally a quarter-past eight, but long before that hour -the neighbourhood of Shoreditch was in a perfect ferment; the streets -and the station-yard were crowded with spectators anxious to get a -glimpse of the chief performers in the forthcoming drama; but in this -they were disappointed, as they had both proceeded a certain distance -on the line of march on the previous day. As the time for starting -approached, the arrival of cabs and other vehicles was incessant, and -it was perfectly clear that there would be a very large muster of -patrons of the sport, the majority of whom were what Pierce Egan would -have called “reg’lar nobs and tip-top swells,” but who are, in the -present Ring vernacular, classed as patrician and Corinthian patrons -of the noble art. At no fight for many years past had there been such -a congregation of noblemen and gentlemen; and certainly at no -encounter since that between Caunt and Bendigo, in 1845, was so much -interest excited. Among the company present we were glad to observe -some patrons of the Ring of the Old School――gentlemen who remembered -the battles of Cribb, Spring, Hickman (the Gas-man), Oliver, &c. There -was also a good sprinkling of Turfites present, attracted partly owing -to its being a bye-day in the racing world, and partly by the fact -that Orme’s backer was a gentlemen well known in the betting-ring. -Among the latest arrivals at the station was the “Arch” Bishop of Bond -Street, with a considerable number of his flock. The reverend “gent.” -although suffering from gout, had strained a point to be present at -such an important contest, no doubt anticipating that the winner would -insist upon his “crowning” him upon the spot; but in this the “mad -priest” was disappointed: his services were not required, and he had -to return to town after the battle, without being called upon to -distinguish himself in any manner except in the voracious devouring of -the contents of a huge sandwich-box, which he was compelled to attack -by the calls of appetite, and in the ceremony of swallowing which he -highly distinguished himself. At length the train was full, the -station-doors were closed, and at half-past eight precisely the -whistle sounded, and we were off. The caravan, consisting of some -sixteen carriages, all of which were crammed, proceeded steadily on -its way until we reached Bishop Stortford, where we took in Orme (for -the fight), and water (for the engine). The next stoppage was -Elsenham, where Broome got into the train, and the engineer received -his orders as to the final destination. He, acting under directions, -pulled up at Ely, where a pilot, who had gone on the previous day, -took up his position on the train, and informed us of that of which we -had already our misgivings――viz., that an immense number of persons -had gone by parliamentary train from London to Mildenhall, early in -the morning, and were there in waiting to receive the combatants and -their friends. This being the case, proved the correctness of the -precautions we had taken in sending on a pilot beforehand. That -gentleman now undertook to conduct us to a spot where business could -be proceeded with in peace and comfort, and the train once again sped -on its way. As we passed Mildenhall, we saw hundreds of disappointed -travellers, who had been patiently waiting all the morning, and who -were thus, very properly, baulked in their parsimonious intentions. At -Lakenheath, the next station, we perceived a company of mounted blues -in readiness to spoil sport. These worthies, like the would-be -spectators at Mildenhall, also had their trouble and expense for -nothing. There was no intention of breaking the peace within their -bailiwick, so still the train went on. At length the appointed spot -was reached, between two stations, and about 108 miles from London. -Here a hasty debarkation was effected, and the train returned to the -nearest station. Tom Oliver, his son, and Tom Callas, at once -proceeded to erect the lists, while Dan Dismore carried on a brisk -business in the sale of inner-ring tickets. Some idea of the number of -gentlemen present may be gathered from the fact that the tickets so -disposed of realised between £40 and £50. There were, of course, a -great number of outsiders on the ground, but owing to the precautions -that had been taken in keeping things dark, the total number of -spectators did not exceed 2,000. All these persons, by the admirable -arrangements, and the activity of the ring-keepers of the Pugilistic -Association, obtained an admirable view of the contest throughout, and -we did not, during the day, hear of a single disturbance calculated in -the slightest degree to interfere with the sport, or those anxious to -witness it. By a quarter-past one o’clock the ring was completed. Orme -immediately pitched his castor within the ropes, and followed himself, -attended by Tom Sayers and Jack Grant. He looked well and hardy, and -wore a smile of confidence on his good-humoured mug. In about ten -minutes more the other Harry made his appearance, closely followed by -Bill Hayman, of Birmingham, and Callaghan, of Derby, his brother -Johnny being, as he had promised, “in the corner.” Harry smiled, and -shook hands with t’other Harry, and both were loudly cheered. The -ceremony of peeling now commenced, and by half-past one the men were -delivered at the scratch in fighting undress. - -On toeing the scratch, there was a very perceptible difference in the -appearance of the men. Broome overtopped his adversary a good two -inches, and was proportionably longer in reach. His weight, we are -told, did not exceed 12st. 5lbs., but of this he might well have -spared half a stone. There was much loose flesh about his back, chest, -and ribs, and although he was evidently in rude health, he had not -been drawn fine enough to stand a long day’s work under such a burning -sun as shone down upon the combatants during the fight. Broome, had he -been permitted to take that pains with himself requisite to make him -fit, would have been about as awkward a customer as could have been -well conceived. As it was, however, he was so much harassed with law -and other proceedings that he could not pay that attention to his -training that he otherwise would have done. We think at 11st. 8lbs. -his condition would be about perfection. His attitude, as he stood -awaiting the attack, was admirable, and, had it not been for his fat, -he would have looked all over a gladiator. Orme, whose colour is -almost mahogany, is barely 5ft. 8in. in height, but is a thick-set, -powerful fellow, with a frame of iron, long arms, a perfect bull-neck, -and a pair of understandings fit for an Atlas. His weight was 11st. -8lbs., and of this scarcely 2lbs. was superfluous stuff. His attitude, -when on the defensive, is not graceful, but he looks rough and ready, -his dangerous right being across his mark, but always ready to be -dashed out at the least opening on his adversary’s ribs. It was clear -that there was a determination on both sides “to do or die,” and the -spectators made up their minds that they were in for a good thing. -Before the men entered the ring, the betting was 6 and 7 to 4 on -Broome, but these odds were, previous to the fight, increased to 2 to -1, at which price a good deal of business was done. The colours having -been duly tied to the stakes (blue and white spot for Broome, green, -with small white rings thereon for Orme), the signal was given that -all was in readiness, and “time” was called. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Broome, after one or two feints, approached - his man and attempted to draw him, but Orme was wary, - and stepped back. They both then advanced and retreated - several times, Broome repeatedly making attempts to kid - his man within reach, but Orme was too wary. Broome - scratched his ear, as endeavouring to rouse an idea - what to do next, when Orme approached and lunged out - heavily with his right out of distance; Broome then let - fly both hands, but was neatly stopped. Orme now went - up to his man and sent out both mauleys, but Broome - jumped away. More sparring and fiddling, Orme several - times stopping Broome’s left. At length Broome crept - close again, lunged out one, two――his left was stopped, - but his right just reached the left side of Orme’s nut; - Orme returned very heavily with his right on the ribs, - and after receiving a gentle tap on the forehead from - Broome’s left, the latter closed, and both rolled over. - This round lasted eight minutes, and at once showed to - the spectators that Orme was much better on his legs - and cleverer at stopping than the public had given him - credit for. - - 2.――Again did each man make ineffectual feints out of - distance. Broome at length let go his left, but Orme - jumped cleverly away. Broome tried it again, but was - stopped. “There’s luck in odd numbers,” however, for, - in a third attempt, he got home heavily on Orme’s left - peeper, and then on his mouth, and, on Orme rushing at - him to make a return, Broome turned his back and ran - round the ring. They quickly got together again, when, - after one or two very slight exchanges, Orme got down. - - 3.――Broome, on nearing his man, led off with his left, - and reached Orme’s kissing-trap. Sharp counter-hits - followed, Orme reaching Broome’s left ogle with his - right, and Broome getting heavily home on Orme’s right - eye. A few weaving half-arm hits followed to a close, - and both were down, Orme under. - - 4.――Broome feinted with his left, but it was no go. At - length he succeeded in drawing Orme, who rattled at - him, when Broome propped him heavily on the left - peeper, drawing “first blood” from a cut on the brow. - Some heavy exchanges followed, Orme delivering his - right with terrific force on Broome’s ribs three times, - and receiving heavy spanks in return on his right ogle - and mouth, drawing more claret, and in the end, as Orme - lunged out with his right, his head came forward, and - Broome administered a terrific upper-cut in the mark, - which doubled him up completely. Orme turned round, and - gradually fell to the ground. It was now thought to be - all over, but Orme, being in good condition, quickly - rallied. - - 5.――Orme, on coming up, showed marks of Broome’s - visitations on his right peeper, which was beginning to - close, while the marks on Broome’s ribs proved that - Orme’s right had done him good service in that quarter. - Broome dodged his man, and on Orme poking his head - forwards, instantly dashed in his left on the dexter - optic. He tried to repeat it, but was stopped. Both now - let fly out of distance, crept close, and Broome made - his one, two, on the right eye and side of Orme’s - canister. Orme returned with severity on the ribs, and - then on Broome’s mouth. A pause ensued, during which - Broome put down his hands. On lifting them again he - approached Orme, planted one hand on the forehead, and - the other on the left lug, and cleverly jumped away - from Orme’s return. Broome made two attempts to repeat - the dose, but Orme got quickly away. Orme now took a - turn, swung out his right heavily on the ribs, and got - away. Long sparring followed, during which the - perspiration came from Broome’s every pore――the sun was - insufferably hot for the time of year, and must have - been distressing to both men. Caution was now the order - of the day, until Broome got within distance, when he - sent out his left and caught Orme on the right eye, but - not heavily; this he repeated, when Orme again swung - out his right, catching Broome heavily on the ribs, and - jumped away. Some wild hitting out of distance - succeeded, but, on their getting steadier, Broome let - go his left spank in Orme’s mouth, and jumped away; - again he crept close, made his one, two heavily on the - left and right cheek, drawing claret from the latter. - On Orme attempting to rush in, Broome again turned tail - and ran across the ring. Orme followed him up, when - Broome jumped quickly round and delivered his left - heavily on the right cheek. Orme countered him heavily - on the mazzard――received another spank on the right - cheek, when Broome once more turned his back and - retreated. Long sparring for wind now took place, after - which there was some mutual stopping. Broome, at length - caught Orme sharply on the mouth and right cheek, which - brought them to a rally, in which Orme’s right was - excessively busy on Broome’s ribs, while the returns of - Broome did no execution. The repeated “thuds” on his - ribs made Broome wince, and screw himself up, evidently - with pain; he retired, blowing, while Orme (instead of - following him up) stood in the middle of the ring until - Broome recovered himself. The latter now popped in his - left on the right cheek, but Orme countered him with - the left heavily on the nozzle, drawing claret from a - cut on the bridge of that organ, which, in Harry, as - well as Johnny Broome, is slightly of the Roman order. - Orme also caught Broome another spank on the ribs with - his right, which led to heavy exchanges, in the course - of which Broome reached Orme’s mouth and right cheek, - while the latter caught Broome a tremendous hit on the - left eyebrow, with his right, inflicting a deep, - perpendicular cut, and drawing the ruby in profusion. - Broome retired, and wiped away the fluid as it ran into - his ogle, Orme again refusing to profit by opportunity, - and go in while his man was confused. Broome soon - recovered his presence of mind, went at his man, and, - after some rattling exchanges, Orme was down, amidst - the vociferous cheers of his friends, who considered - that in this round he had infinitely the best of the - hitting. It was a tremendous round, lasting sixteen - minutes, during the greater part of which time the - hitting was extremely severe. - - 6.――Both came up puffing, and their countenances - considerably changed since the last round. After a good - deal of sparring out of distance, Broome opened the - ball, just reaching Orme’s nose with his left. A second - attempt was frustrated by Orme jumping away and lunging - out his right most viciously at the body; luckily, - however, for the Champion, it did not reach him, or it - would most assuredly have “found him at home.” Broome - again crept up, caught Orme on the potato-trap with his - left, but was prettily stopped in a second attempt. He - tried once more, reached Orme’s left whisker-bed, but - napped it heavily on the sore spot, his left eyebrow, - from which a fresh tap was instantly opened. Broome - retreated to wipe away the carmine from his peeper, and - as Orme attempted to follow him up, he met him with a - straight shooter on the mouth, which opened up another - spring. This caused Orme to rush in wildly, when he - caught it severely on the smeller, from which more - claret trickled; Broome then closed, and, after a long - struggle, threw and fell heavily on Orme. - - 7.――Broome led off with his left, but was neatly - stopped; he tried again left and right, and was again - parried, Orme returning a stinger with his right on the - left eye. Orme now took the initiative, dashed in - regardless of consequences, and was propped heavily on - the left eye. This led to tremendous counter-hits with - the left, each getting well home on his opponent’s - smelling-bottle. A ding-dong rally followed, both - getting it severely on the mouth and nose, left and - right, and Orme punching Broome’s ribs with great - severity. At length they closed, and rolled over - together, Orme under. - - 8.――Both came up much the worse for wear. They sparred - cautiously for wind, until Broome got close and sent - out his left, which Orme parried, and missed his - return. Broome led off twice in succession; the first - time Orme jumped away, but the second Broome paid a - visit to his right cheek. Orme then made his left on - the chest, Broome returning with both hands on the side - of his opponent’s nut and his right cheek-bone. Two - more attempts were cleverly stopped by Orme, after - which they rested a short time. Broome was first to - recommence, caught Orme on the left cheek, and received - another awkward reminder on the left eyebrow from - Orme’s right sledge-hammer. Heavy exchanges followed, - Orme getting well home on Broome’s mug and nose, and - Broome on the right ogle and mouth. Broome now resorted - to his old system of turning his back and running away, - Orme after him. Broome at length turned round, let out - his left, but was countered heavily on the nozzle and - mouth. Heavy hits were now exchanged, left and right, - and in the end Orme caught Broome full on the point of - his conk, drawing the ruby in profusion, and knocking - the Champion off his legs; “first knock-down” being - awarded to Orme amidst vociferous cheering. This round, - which, like the fifth, was extremely severe, lasted - twelve minutes. - - 9.――Broome came up snuffling; the crack on his - snuff-box in the last round had evidently been a - teazer. His left eye was fast closing, and the hopes of - the East Enders began to be in the ascendant. The - betting receded almost to even money, and it was clear - Broome had made the discovery that his adversary was no - such catch as people had expected. He, nevertheless, - opened the proceedings by dashing out his left, which - was well stopped. Counter-hits followed, Broome - reaching his opponent’s left cheek, and receiving in - return on the mouth. Broome next made play left and - right, caught the gallant Orme heavily on each cheek, - and then, closing, threw and fell on him. (One hour had - now elapsed.) - - 10.――Broome once more took the lead, but was prettily - stopped. Heavy counter-hits followed, Broome on the - nose and Orme on the left cheek. A close at the ropes - succeeded, when Broome hugged Orme round the neck. - Orme, however, punched away at his ribs until Broome - released him, and Orme retreated to the centre of the - ring, whither Broome followed him, and some heavy - exchanges took place, Orme reaching Broome’s nose and - left peeper, and Broome punishing him severely on the - mouth. In the end Orme got down. - - 11.――Broome, first to open the ball, caught Orme - sharply on the ivory box with his left, drawing claret - and loosening several of his head rails. Orme would not - be stalled off, but immediately rattled in, when some - heavy counter-hitting took place, each getting it - severely on the nose and mouth. A break away and at it - again. The hitting in this round was really tremendous, - both men staggering away after the counters, and each - having his cork drawn to some purpose. At length they - closed, and after a slight struggle Orme got down. - - 12.――Broome, in coming up, looked weak and distressed. - Orme was also by no means in good order; both his - cheeks were considerably swollen, and his mouth was - “reethur” out of shape. Orme led off, but was well - stopped. A second attempt from his right reached - Broome’s ribs very heavily, and caused the latter to - wince like a galled horse. He quickly got over it, - however, and dashed out his left on Orme’s mouth. He - tried again, but Orme stepped back, propping Master - Broome on the sneezer with his left as he came in. - Exchanges followed, Orme inflicting a fresh cut under - Broome’s left peeper, and receiving sharply on his - damaged kissing trap. In the end Orme got down to avoid - the fall. - - 13.――Broome, after a little cautious sparring, let go - his left and right, but was short, and Orme immediately - returned on his right peeper; Broome retreated, and as - Orme came after him Broome sent out his left on the - mouth again, drawing the cork freely. Broome now made - two attempts to get in his one, two, but on each - occasion Orme was too quick for him, and jumped away. - In a third attempt he reached Orme’s smeller, a heavy - nose-ender, which again tapped his best October. He - repeated the dose on the mug, whereupon Orme dashed in, - caught him on the left cheek with his right, closed, - and, after a short struggle, both were down. - - 14.――Orme feinted with his left, and then dashed in his - right on Broome’s left ogle, a very heavy hit. Broome - returned on the mouth, and then retreated; some - sparring at a distance followed, and on their again - getting close, Broome sent out both mawleys, but was - cleverly stopped. Orme then popped in his left on the - right cheek, and Broome, in getting away from further - visitations, fell through the ropes. - - 15.――Both slow to the call of “time,” and on reaching - the scratch they stood and looked at each other until - Orme advanced, when Broome tried to meet him with his - left, but Orme stopped him neatly twice, and at a third - attempt jumped away. Orme then again crept in and made - his right tell heavily on the ribs. Broome now sent - home his left and right on the left ogle and nose of - Orme, repeated the dose on the nose and mouth heavily, - and as Orme dashed in with his right on the ribs, - Broome caught him a tremendous upper-cut on the mark - with his right, and Orme fell. - - 16.――Orme, on coming up, appeared to have suffered - severely from the upper-cut in the last round; he was - evidently much shaken, in addition to which both his - eyes were gradually going. He nevertheless tried to - lead off left and right, but his blows wanted power. - Broome returned on the left cheek, and then on the - mouth, Orme’s return being out of distance. Orme still - persevered, but got propped heavily on the nose from - Broome’s left. Broome at length closed, when Orme - punched him heavily on the ribs, but Broome succeeded - in throwing and falling heavily on him. - - 17.――Orme led off left and right, but was stopped; he - then rushed in, and was propped heavily on the nose, - and got down. (Time, one hour and a half.) - - 18.――Broome rattled in left and right on the ogles of - Orme, and got away. Orme followed him up, reached his - chest with the left, and was propped heavily on the - left cheek. Broome closed, and catching Orme round the - neck, hugged him until Orme dropped on his knees. Orme - then put his hands round Broome’s thigh, but Broome got - away, and walked to his corner. A claim of “foul” was - made on the part of Broome, on the ground that he - (Orme) had attempted to pull him over by catching him - below the waistband. The claim, however, was not - allowed, the referee believing that Orme was utterly - unaware as to where he had caught hold of Broome. - - 19.――Broome again led off left and right, reaching - Orme’s cheek and mouth heavily. A close, and some - in-fighting in favour of Broome, followed by a - break-away, and at it again, Broome delivering heavily - on Orme’s nose and eyes, and drawing claret from - several bottles. In the end Broome closed, and threw - his man again, making the unpleasant addition of his - own weight. - - 20.――Both long in answering to the call of time, but - Broome first up. On getting close Orme caught Broome on - the ribs, and was countered sharply on the nose. Broome - then took the lead, and planted on his right cheek - heavily. This brought them to some sharp exchanges in - favour of Broome. In the end, Orme got down on his - knees, and Broome caught him on the _os frontis_ with - his left while in that position. A claim of “foul” was - now made by Orme’s friends, but it was clear Broome’s - blow had started before Orme reached the ground, and - could not have been withheld. The decision was again - “fair,” and the mill proceeded. - - 21.――Broome, after one or two feints, let go his left, - reaching Orme’s snuff-box with effect; slight exchanges - ensued, and Orme again got down weak. - - 22.――Broome, seeing his man was much shaken, at once - went to work, caught Orme heavily on the left cheek, - and closed at the ropes, where he hung on Orme; the - latter pegged away at Broome’s ribs until he let him - go, and Orme then planted his right heavily on Broome’s - left cheek. Tremendous exchanges followed, each - staggering from the effects of the blows, Broome - reaching Orme’s left eye and nose, and he receiving on - the left peeper and ribs. Broome then stepped back, and - as Orme came again caught him heavily on the left ogle, - and Orme fell. Both were now much distressed, and lay - on their backs on the ground until time was called. - - 23.――Orme was the first at the scratch, and attempted - to lead off, but Broome got cleverly away, and then - went at his man, delivering both hands on the mouth and - nose heavily, and jumped easily away from Orme’s - returns, which were sadly out of distance. Orme, - however, followed him up, and although Harry met him - full on the snout, he planted his dangerous right on - the ribs with astonishing effect. Harry then reached - Orme’s sinister peeper heavily, drawing more of the - Falernian, and finally shut up the shop. Rattling - exchanges followed, Broome getting well home on the - mouth, and receiving a slogging right-hander on the - jaw, from the effects of which he staggered back and - fell in his corner. - - 24.――Orme came up almost blind, but still he - persevered; he feinted, and tried to get on to Broome, - who stepped cleverly away, and waited for the attack. - Orme did not keep him long in suspense, but dashed out - left and right; the former was stopped, but the latter - reached Broome’s damaged peeper, drawing more blood. - Broome, however, by way of retaliation, cross-countered - him on the nose heavily, again drawing a crimson - stream. Broome now walked to his corner, took a sponge - and wiped his eye, and went at it again, caught Orme - heavily on the point of the nose with his left, and - Orme dropped on his knees, Broome again catching him a - snorter just as he reached _terra firma_, giving rise - to another appeal, which was not allowed. - - 25.――Caution the order of the day, both evidently - tired. Orme at last led off, and caught Broome with his - right on the side of his cranium, on which Broome - closed, and Orme immediately got down. - - 26.――Orme led off with his left, but was short. Broome - quickly returned one, two, on his left cheek and mug, - and got away from Orme’s return. Orme persevered and - bored in, but Broome hit him straight on the cheek, - Orme being again out of distance with his returns. At - last he reached Broome’s ribs with a heavy - right-hander, and Broome returned on the mouth. Both - now retired to their corners, and permitted their - seconds to wipe their phisogs for them, and took a pull - of “Adam’s ale,” after which refreshing ceremony they - once more returned to the scratch, and Broome let fly - his left on Orme’s left cheek, closed, and after a - short struggle both were down. (Two hours had now - expired.) - - 27.――Broome set a good example by dashing out his left - on Orme’s right cheek, which led to light exchanges at - the ropes. Orme then walked to the middle of the ring, - whither Broome followed, gave him a spank in the left - eye, and walked away. He again approached his man, - caught him heavily on the mouth, and in return received - another rib-bender from Orme’s right. Broome now made - his right tell on Orme’s ribs, and in getting away from - the return fell. - - 28.――Orme, although almost in darkness, led off with - his right on the ribs――he attempted a repetition, but - Broome caught him heavily on the mouth and then on the - nose. After some slight exchanges in favour of Broome, - they again retired to their corners and had a rest, and - came at it again; Orme was receiver-general, and in the - end got down. - - 29.――Orme again led off, but was well stopped; he tried - it yet once more, but from the style of his hitting it - was pretty clear he could scarcely see his adversary. - He, however, reached Broome’s ribs heavily after one or - two attempts, and Broome missed a well-intended - upper-cut in return. The latter, however, soon - approached his now fast-sinking adversary, delivered - his left and right heavily on Orme’s left ogle and - smeller, drawing a fresh supply of claret from the - latter, and knocking his man down. - - 30.――Orme came up very groggy and wild, but determined; - he led off with his right, but Broome laughingly - stepped on one side; he tried again but was stopped, - and received heavily on the left eye and mouth, and was - again knocked down. His backers and seconds, seeing - that it was useless to prolong the contest, wished to - throw up the sponge, but the gallant fellow would not - hear of it, and he laid on his back until time was - called, when he again went to the scratch for the - - 31st and last round.――It was evident that he came up - only to receive, and that he was struggling against - nature; he was all but blind, and tremendously punished - about the head, but was still tolerably strong on his - pins. He led off wildly, but of course was out of - distance. Broome then went to him, administered the - _coup de grâce_, in the shape of a gentle tap on the - nose, and the brave fellow went to earth almost - insensible. Tom Sayers now threw up the sponge, and - Harry Broome was proclaimed the victor, and still - Champion of England, amidst the vociferous cheers of - his friends. The battle lasted exactly _two hours and - eighteen minutes_. All being over, all at once made for - the station to which the train had been removed, the - vanquished man being conveyed there on a truck. The - only personage left behind on the ground was Jem Burn, - who, being still a martyr to the gout, declined - attempting to walk a good mile along the railway to the - station, and intimated his intention of remaining on - the field of battle all night. All necessity for his - imposing on himself such a penalty as this was, - however, avoided by the engineer taking the engine and - tender which had been attached to the train down the - line to the place where “my nevvy” was located, and - bringing him up, sitting on a heap of coke, to the door - of the carriage in which his patrons were already - seated. All now quickly ensconced themselves in the - train, and the homeward journey was commenced about - half-past four o’clock, and the Metropolis was reached - about eight o’clock, after many stoppages. On the - homeward passage a collection was made for the game and - resolute Orme, which reached the handsome sum of £22, - and this was considerably increased at the giving up of - the stakes. - - REMARKS.――This battle took everybody by surprise. On - the one hand, there had been continual rumours that - Broome never intended fighting, that he could not - possibly get himself anywhere near fit, and that the - match would end in a juggle. On the other, it was - asserted that Orme had overreached himself, and was - flying at too high game; that he would never be able to - reach Harry Broome, and must be beaten in half an hour. - Our readers will perceive, by the foregoing account, - that the “croakers” were far from the mark. The fight - was the best we have had for years between two big men. - Broome has lost none of his scientific acquirements. He - is a good straight hitter, clever at stopping, an - excellent wrestler, and quick on his pins. He is, - however, remarkably awkward in getting away when in - difficulty――instead of jumping back, as we are - accustomed to see others do, he turns his back and - runs, leaving himself open to severe punishment from a - cleverer tactician than Orme. Although he was much out - of condition, and was hit very hard, both in the ribs - and on the frontispiece, and several times was in great - difficulties, he persevered most gamely throughout, and - took his punishment like a thorough glutton. Should he - make another match, he ought to commence training much - earlier than he did on the present occasion, and reduce - himself certainly to 11st. 10lb., which is the outside - weight at which he ought to fight. If he does this, we - think, looking at the way in which he fought on Monday, - he will prove himself a tough customer to all comers, - and the man who wrests the laurels of the Championship - from him will have reason to be proud of his - achievement. Orme, since his last battle with Aaron - Jones, has wonderfully improved in science and - quickness. On Monday, for a considerable length of - time, Broome found it exceedingly difficult to get on - to him; he could stop well, get away sharply, and, - directly he saw an opening, was ready with his - dangerous right, which, as will be seen above, proved a - dreadful teaser to the flesh-covered ribs of Broome. We - consider him to be the severest hitter of the present - day, and did he but understand leading off with his - left, instead of giving his head, as he must - necessarily do when he makes play with his right, would - be “hard to beat.” The knock-down blow on Broome’s nose - and jaw, and one or two of the punches in the ribs, - administered early in the fight, were of such a nature - as for the time to reduce Broome to a standstill, and - had Orme only possessed the requisite skill to follow - up his advantage, things might have presented a very - serious aspect as regarded Broome’s chance of winning. - By saying that Orme did not possess skill, we do not - for an instant impute to him a want of ordinary boxing - capability, but a want of tact in knowing when to - “force the pace,” and prevent his opponent recovering - wind and strength. Had Orme been capable of pursuing - that system, the result might have been “a horse of - another colour.” This only applies to the earlier part - of the contest. After the upper-cut administered on the - mark in the 15th round, a great deal of the steel was - taken out of Orme, and we are informed that he felt - sick during the remainder of the fight, while Broome - slowly, but surely, improved his position. Although - Orme now and then got again on the damaged ogle and - ribs, Broome almost invariably met him on the eyes and - mouth, gradually reducing his chance, until, in the - last round, he was completely blind, and nature had - deserted him. Some remarks were made on the novelty of - the men retiring to their corners, and “taking a drink” - during the rounds. We do not recollect ever witnessing - a similar scene before; but the want of condition on - the part of Broome, combined with the heat of the day, - was a very good excuse for his adopting such a plan, - and as it was resorted to by one, there could, of - course, be no reason why the example should not be - followed by the other. The battle, from first to last, - was a manly, upright struggle for pre-eminence――neither - man attempted to take an unworthy advantage――and had it - not been for the ridiculous appeals made by the seconds - on each side, would have been a model mill in every - sense of the word. Such a fight for the Championship - has not been seen for very many years. - -Once again the Old Tipton made public his “grievance,” declaring that -the award of “foul” in their former encounter had deprived him of the -honour of the belt and the profit of the stakes, and that the bold -Harry held the Championship by “a fluke.” Harry accepted his offer, -and articles were entered into, but when £25 were posted, Broome -forfeited the money down; his plea being that he had an engagement -with Aaron Jones (this went off), and another with Paddock. Forfeits -seem to have been in fashion in 1855. On February 20th, 1855, Harry -Broome forfeited £180 to Tom Paddock, and on March 12th, £10 to the -same. In March, 1856, the Tipton received £70 forfeit from Aaron -Jones; and on October 2nd, 1856, he also received £80 forfeit from Tom -Paddock. Pleasant times for the _bonâ fide_ backers of men! - -It would have been well for Broome’s fame had his hard-won victory -over the gallant Harry Orme been the closing scene of his Ring career; -his increasing bulk, as was evident to all who knew him, forbade the -absolutely necessary reduction of weight which must precede anything -like fitness for a pugilistic contest of a prolonged and severe -character. Not so, however, thought Harry Broome. On the 12th of -December, 1855, he signed articles with Tom Paddock, for £200 a side, -for a meeting on May 19th, 1856, and on that day experienced his final -defeat, of which the full details will be found in the Memoir of -PADDOCK in our preceding chapter (pp. 294-303). - -From this time forth Harry fell out of the rank of claimants for the -“blue riband” of the P.R., leaving the struggle for supremacy to -Paddock, Aaron Jones, the Tipton Slasher, and the little pugilistic -phenomenon of 10st. 12lbs. who successively beat all three of them, -and whose exploits form the subject of our next chapter. - -Harry left London in 1856, and became the landlord of the Albion -Tavern, in Warblington Street, Portsmouth, which was soon famous as a -sporting rendezvous. From this house he backed several good men, the -best known of whom was the unlucky Bill Bainge, or Benjamin, who as -“Broome’s Novice” was twice unsuccessfully brought out to check the -upward and onward career of Tom Sayers to the eminence of the -Championship. For a few years following Harry was a public caterer and -attendant at the principal race-meetings. The last time we met him in -the flesh――and he had then too much of it――was at Epsom in 1865, in -Gladiateur’s year, when, in reply to an inquiry after his health and -prospects, he told us he was “in charge” of the Count Lagrange’s -invaluable horse; we suspect as a “watcher,” for which he was -formidably well qualified, physically as well as mentally. He was, -however, aptly described by a friend as “all to pieces,” and this was -shown by his death, which soon followed, on the 2nd of November in the -above-named year, at the early age of 39 years.[27] - - - [27] It may interest some readers to know that we are - indebted to Harry Broome’s early opponent, Joe Rowe, for the - original of the portrait which faces the first page of this - memoir. In our search after authentic likenesses, we learned - that “Joe” still flourished as the proprietor of a cigar and - tobacco store in Sun Street, Finsbury. Thither we bent our - steps, and there we found a pleasant-spoken and - young-looking specimen of the fair sex, who, in answer to - our inquiries, announced herself as Mrs. Rowe. Our first - impression was that we had chanced upon “Young Joe’s” bride; - but no, it was the spouse of “Old Joe,” who was “kicking up - behind and before,” and in his sixty-second year is - proprietor of the lady and the “Sultan Cigar Stores.” A - shake of the hand and a recognition, a smoke, and a - “liquor-up,” renewed acquaintance; and as Joe has a - portfolio of “sporting celebrities,” he cheerfully placed - them at our disposal, for which we thus record our thanks. - - - - -APPENDIX TO PERIOD VII. - - -Of the numerous pugilistic pretenders who did battle during the years -comprised between the Championships of Bendigo and that of Harry -Broome, few deserve the honour of a separate memoir, or even of a -recapitulation of their battles. The best of the fights, indeed, may -be safely credited to the middle and light-weight men, who were, by -their class, excluded from competing with the big ones for the -Championship. - -Of these, Hammer Lane, Jem Wharton (Young Molyneaux), Johnny Broome, -Johnny Hannan, Owen Swift, Ned Adams, Mike Madden, Bill Hayes, -Donnelly, and others, will be found in the Author’s “Recollections of -the Ring,” to which the reader is referred. Here it is proposed to -insert, with a brief notice, the best battle of such heavy-weights as -appear in these pages as the antagonists of the men whose biographies -are included in this Period. - - - - -I.――BRASSEY (JOHN LEECHMAN), OF BRADFORD, AND YOUNG LANGAN, OF -LIVERPOOL, FOR £100. - - -In the Memoir of CAUNT (_ante_ pp. 60-69) will be found the details of -Brassey’s gallant contest with the gigantic Champion, October 26th, -1840. That John Leechman had fair pretentions to be selected by his -patrons to do battle with “Big Ben,” the subjoined account of his -fight with Young Langan, of Liverpool, in the October of the previous -year, will show. - -John Leechman, whose height was six feet, and weight 12st. 7lbs., was -born at Bradford, in Yorkshire, on the 1st of January, 1815. His first -battle, recorded in “Fistiana,” was in 1831, when, at the age of 16, -he defeated one Thomas Hartley, at Eccles Moor, near Leeds, after a -tough fight of an hour and a quarter. On August 24th, in the same -year, he took the same time to batter one Ned Batterson, in 72 rounds. -He then fought, at Harpurhey, near Manchester, in May, 1833, Young -Winterflood, of Nottingham, for an hour, when the affair ended in a -wrangle. Brassey next met the well-known Jem Bailey, at Baildon Moor, -and beat him, on the 24th of April, 1835, in 74 rounds, occupying 2 -hours and a quarter; Brassey being at the same time sadly out of -condition. Tom Scrutton was also disposed of in 20 minutes, 17 rounds, -on January 11th, 1836; and this brings us to Brassey’s battle with the -eccentric Bendigo. In the memoir of that boxer (_ante_ pp. 7, 8), will -be found the particulars of that defeat, which took place near -Sheffield, on the 24th of May, 1836. Brassey’s former antagonist, Jem -Bailey, now came out, and demanded a second trial, to which Brassey -assented, and the men met at Hales Green, near Pulham, Norfolk. -Although Brassey had won the fight in the 71st round, through the -indecision or misconduct of the referee, Bailey’s backers raised a -dispute, sued the stakeholder, and recovered back their money. We now -come to the battle with Young Langan, of Liverpool, which, except his -defeat by Tass Parker, is Brassey’s only fight worth preserving. - -This contest, which was decided on the 8th of October, 1839, at -Woodhead, in Cheshire, excited an unusual degree of interest, not only -among the friends of each man, but throughout all sporting circles in -Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands. Brassey was trained near -Norwich, under the personal superintendence of the veteran Ned -Painter, who accompanied his pupil to the scene of action. Langan took -his exercise at Bootle, near Liverpool, in company with Tommy Britton, -and his condition was pronounced “perfect.” The ring was formed by the -Liverpool Commissary, and at 25 minutes past one Brassey, accompanied -by Bill Hall, and Gregson Green, the “sporting sweep,” as seconds, -threw in his hat, and was quickly followed by Young Langan, amidst -loud cheering from the Liverpool contingent. The day was magnificent, -the sun shining with splendour, and as Langan lost the toss for -corners, Brassey was placed with his face to the north. Each man was -near upon 13 stone, but Brassey was a little the taller. An objection -having been taken to the length of the spikes in Langan’s shoes, “the -Morocco Prince,” who acted as his second, condescended to waive his -dignity, and a file being procured, he sat down, and in a most -workmanlike style reduced the sharp projections to the dimensions of -“sparrowbills.” Again some delay took place in the selection of a -referee; this point settled, the men stripped for action. The colours, -an orange bandanna for Brassey, and a green and yellow for Langan, -being knotted to the stake, at 23 minutes past two the men shook hands -and stood up for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Each advanced to the scratch, Langan cool and - smiling, Brassey looking serious and earnest. After - slight manœuvring, Langan tried his left, and caught - his opponent upon the mug. Brassey was impetuous, as if - his anxiety was outstripping his prudence. He looked - sternly at his antagonist, let fly, and planted two - successive right-handers upon Langan’s - frontispiece――one upon the left eye, and the other on - the potato-trap; a close, and both down. Upon Langan’s - rising “first blood” was claimed for Brassey, which was - perceptible upon Langan’s mouth. - - 2.――Langan still wore a good-natured smile, while - Brassey appeared serious, and the eagerness which he - displayed was checked by several of his friends, who - saw that although “his soul was in arms and eager for - the fray,” yet a little more of “the better part of - valour――discretion,” might prevent an accident. A - little sparring――Brassey using his arms _à la Bendigo_. - Closer and closer went the men, and a few smart - exchanges took place, when they fell upon the ropes; a - brief struggle ensued, and both went to the ground. - - 3.――No alteration of moment was to be seen upon either - of the men, except that Langan’s left eye seemed rather - inclined to renounce the plebeian cast, and become “a - swell.” Langan held his right arm upon his breast, and - his left a little advanced; feints from both, when - Langan shot out with his left, caught Brassey upon the - pimple, and sent him to grass. Brassey’s second - objected to this being considered a knock-down blow, - but the referee decided “first knock-down blow” in - favour of Langan. - - 4.――Brassey came to the scratch with as much eagerness - as ever, and scowled upon his rival. Langan was not - dismayed, and the smile of good-humour, before noticed, - assumed, for an instant, that of derision; he was, - however, cautious, and played about actively. Brassey - tried his right, was well parried, ditto with his left, - when Langan receded a pace or two, and escaped a nasty - one for his nob. Langan tried his luck, when a rapid - bout of in-fighting ensued, which terminated in - Brassey’s being thrown. - - 5.――Upon “time” being called, Langan marched to the - centre of the ring, and as Brassey did not appear - inclined to advance so far, Langan pointed to the - scratch, as much as to say, “Come to the spot, my boy.” - Brassey kept his station, when Langan “crossed the - Rubicon,” and a long, dodging round took place, each - trying his left mauley occasionally without effect, - until they reached a corner of the ring, when a - slashing rally followed――Brassey down. - - 6.――Brassey was now more quiet in his demeanour, but - still intent upon mischief; in fact, had he not - softened down the very strong penchant for going in, - which he evinced during the five preceding rounds, it - is questionable whether his eagerness would not have - led him headlong into mischief. Each man eyed the other - with determination, Langan tried his left, no - go――again, it would not fit――again he essayed, and - caught Brassey a good left-hander upon his dial, - receiving a straight left-handed one in return upon his - snuff-box. A quick rally, mutual exchanges, when once - more Brassey fell. - - 7.――The visit which Brassey had paid to Langan’s snout - was far from pleasant and the claret flowed profusely; - the left eye also of the young Hibernian began to puff, - and increase beyond its natural dimensions. Lengthened - sparring. A close; Langan got away; the men closed - again, when some severe blows from the right and left - took place, the punishment being about equal, and in - the struggle both went down, Langan first on the floor. - - 8.――The concluding rally of the last round had not been - mere play, for each man’s phisog bore _striking proofs_ - of handy work. Brassey was cut over the right eyebrow, - and was bleeding copiously; and Langan’s left was - following suit, except that his wound was under the - eye, and his opponent’s over. Extreme caution was now - the password. Sparring, and no attempt at a single blow - for nearly six minutes, which drew forth some volleys - of hisses at the tardiness of the performers. Two - minutes more elapsed, and no inclination to go to work, - when Langan tried his left, missed, and caught a - tremendous left-hander upon his nut, which, we fancy, - suffered less than his assailant’s knuckles, and - Brassey slipped down. - - 9.――Langan evidently wished to repay Brassey for his - kindness, and planted two successive right-handers, one - upon his weasand, and the other upon his nob. (Loud - cheers for Langan.) A close, both down. - - 10.――Sparring and manœuvring (5 to 4 on Langan). - Brassey looked daggers, made a feint with his right, - and made a lunge with his left upon Langan’s body - corporate. Langan quickly tried a right-handed return, - failed, immediately seconded his intention with an - effectual one, when some excellent counters ensued, and - Brassey went down. - - 11.――The men met, when Brassey dropped his arms - straight down, looked and nodded to his opponent. - Langan maintained his position, and smiled (loud - applause). Protracted sparring. Dodging all round the - ring: another halt; more procrastination. (“Go to - work,” cried the Morocco Prince; I’m tired of this sort - of play.”) All was of no avail, the men still continued - sparring, at last an indifferent rally ended suspense, - and Brassey was thrown. This round lasted sixteen - minutes and a half, and no real work done. - - 12 and 13.――Mutual returns, with considerable bodily - exertion, both down in the struggle. - - 14.――Very slight variation from the two last. - - 15.――Counters. Brassey lunged out, and gave Langan an - effective muzzler, receiving an excellent left-hander - by way of “change,” upon his brow, which set the - crimson flowing. Langan went to his antagonist, when - Brassey slipped and fell. - - 16.――Langan’s lip began to swell, and the gash under - his left eye still emitted the claret. Brassey’s first - wound was quite dried up, and a stranger might have - pronounced it three or four days old. After a little - sparring, Langan shot out with his left, and fell from - the over-reach of his own blow. - - 17.――Give and take; Brassey down. - - 18.――Langan was advancing to the scratch, when some - cowardly rascal pitched a clod at him, which struck him - on the hip, without doing any damage. A tedious round, - when Brassey fell, escaping in his fall a right-handed - upper-cut from Langan’s bunch of fives. - - 19.――Hit for hit; when Langan, in striking out, as - Brassey jumped back, caught him just below the belt - with his right. An appeal, but the referee decided the - blow to be unintentional, and consequently fair, and - the fight proceeded, Langan getting the worst of the - rally; both down. - - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.――All in favour of Brassey. A great - uproar and confusion took place in the last round, in - the outer ring, which threatened an interruption of the - mill, but, after some delay, the tumult was quelled, - and the spectators resumed their stations. - - 25 to 33.――Each of these rounds were, more or less, in - favour of Brassey, although he was invariably - undermost. - - 34.――Langan’s frontispiece was sadly disfigured, whilst - Brassey’s was tolerably symmetrical. This may be - accounted for from the fact of Brassey’s flesh not - swelling, nor his wounds remaining fresh, but quickly - assuming the appearance of cuts of some standing. From - this to the 39th round, Langan gradually lost ground, - though he never flinched from fairly meeting his man. - - 40.――Another uproar in the outer ring, with the - addition of a few heavy clods flying about, the - Liverpool party containing some noisy members. The men - proved themselves good ’uns in reality, for they paid - no attention to the row, but kept to their work, caught - each other’s open left hand, and delivered two terrific - round swinging right-handers upon each other’s corpus. - After some little fibbing Brassey went down, and Langan - rolled over him. - - 41 to 44.――Brassey was evidently gaining ground, and in - the latter round Langan severely injured his right leg - in falling against a stake, which made him lame for the - remainder of the fight. - - 45.――Nothing material in this round, except one - dishonourable knave deliberately cutting the rope of - the inner ring, and had it not been for the - praiseworthy activity of little Billy Critchley in - splicing the same, would doubtless have finished the - mill with a wrangle. - - 46 to 51.――Brassey’s friends were in transports. - Victory was now booked as certain, and the rowdy upon - Brassey could find no takers. - - 52.――Langan rallied, and up to the 56th round may be - said at intervals to have turned the tide in his own - favour; nay, even bets were loudly proclaimed, but - little tin was sported. - - 57.――Brassey was evidently at sea, and the Langanites - bawled most lustily. Compliment for compliment, each - party alternately cheering on their man until Brassey - fell. - - 58 to 62.――Both men fought well and to win. Brassey’s - lower lip had received some stingers from his opponent - in the way of cutting and carving, while Langan’s - phisog was quite the reverse of what Lavater would term - “the exquisite,” strongly reminding us of Kenney - Meadows’s “Gallery” portrait of the “Man wot won the - fight.” - - 63.――To all appearances it was now extremely doubtful - which would be the victor. Hit for hit――right and - left――give and take――advance and retreat, until both - heroes fell over the ropes and out of the ring. - - 64.――Brassey came up and lost no time in drawing the - claret from Langan’s right peeper, but slipped down - from exertion. - - 65.――Langan’s mug was awful, his left ogle nearly - closed, and he looked more languid than in any round - previously; this and the 66th round told against him. - - 67.――One effort more; Brassey missed his left, Langan - grasped him, and with a vigorous strength which we at - this time thought he did not possess, threw him - heavily. - - 68.――From this to the 73rd round Langan gradually - continued losing, his left eye being quite closed, his - right much swollen, and his lips as thick as those of - Massa Molyneaux; Brassey seemed recovered, and was - nearly as fresh as ever. - - 74.――Brassey, bent upon finishing as soon as possible, - met his man, delivered his left, then retreated, and as - Langan stumbled forward, delivered two tremendous - right-handed blows, which felled him to the ground. - - 75.――Upon time being called, Langan was deaf to the - cry, and Brassey was pronounced the conqueror after a - protracted struggle of _two hours and thirty-five - minutes_. - - REMARKS.――The instant the men had peeled the disparity - in height and length of arm was apparent, which nothing - short of superior science and activity on the part of - Langan, which he certainly did not possess, could have - overcome. In science Brassey is fully equal to Langan, - while in lasting power he is his superior. In the - quality of game Langan proved himself a hero; he only - gave in when nature left him powerless to continue the - contest. Brassey was quickly himself, and walked to his - carriage, and Langan, though by far the most punished, - said, soon after, that he was fairly beaten. Both men - left the ground, as all British boxers should, with no - feeling of ill-will towards each other. - - - - -II.――TASS (HAZARD) PARKER, OF WEST BROMWICH, AND JOHN LEECHMAN -(BRASSEY), OF BRADFORD, FOR £100. - - -After Brassey’s defeat by Caunt, already referred to, Tass Parker, of -West Bromwich, offered himself to the notice of Brassey, proposing to -meet him halfway between Bradford and West Bromwich, for £100. Parker, -(whose best fighting weight was 11st. 10lbs.) at catch weight, and -Brassey not to exceed 12st. 7lbs. on the day of fighting, which was -fixed for the 13th of July, 1841; a date which was subsequently -extended to the 10th of August, on which day the men met at Brunt -Lays, near Worksop, under the circumstances and with the result we are -now about to narrate. - -Though the match was originally made in Manchester, the celebrity of -the men lent a metropolitan interest to the battle, and on the receipt -of a letter, dated the previous Friday, naming Lindrick Common, Notts, -near Eckington, on the borders of Yorkshire, as the rendezvous, the -writer booked himself, on the Monday, by the North Midland Rail for -Worksop. On arriving at that place he ascertained that Brassey was -already snugly ensconced at a small inn on the borders of Lindrick -Common, aforesaid, under the care of a liberal backer and Jemmy -Wharton (Young Molyneaux). Brassey was in high spirits and full of -confidence, yet we did not, upon a close scrutiny, consider him up to -the mark, and there was a feverishness in his pulse when we shook -hands with him that induced us to question the Black, whereon we were -informed that he had made an eccentric bolt from his training quarters -a few days before, and that otherwise he had not been strictly -observant of the rigid discipline indispensable to A 1 condition. -Nevertheless his friends not only declared him “all right,” but -offered the odds of 6 to 4 in proof of their good opinion. On the same -night Parker arrived, accompanied by Nick Ward, and by Jack Hunt, of -Birmingham. He domiciled at the “Red Lion,” where we saw him on the -following morning. He was in rude health, his corpus as firm as -collared brawn, and in expressing confidence he was by no means more -backward than his foe. The expediency of an early meeting at the scene -of action being admitted, it was agreed that Brassey should go to -scale at 10 o’clock, and that as soon as possible afterwards -operations should commence――a prospect extremely agreeable to some -hundreds, who were desirous of returning the same day to the distant -localities from whence they had come, among whom we noticed several -Corinthians of “the upper crust,” and staunch supporters of the fistic -art. - -Precisely at 10 o’clock we reached the Common, where an immense -multitude had already assembled, in every order of vehicle, and -including an extraordinary field of equestrians, who were, however, -far out-numbered by the muster of _toddlers_, a vast number of whom -had devoted the night to the exercise of their pedestrian powers. The -scene was altogether most animated, and rendered not the less so by a -huntsman and a pack of foxhounds taking their morning exercise in the -distance. To all this, however, there were drawbacks which threatened -mischief; the first was the fact of our having passed a body of the -rural police for Nottinghamshire on their march to the Common, and the -next and more serious, the actual presence of a worthy beak for -the county of York, who, however loth, declared he could not -permit hostilities to take place within his jurisdiction. Thus -Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire were _tabooed_, but as Derbyshire, close -adjoining, was unrepresented, it was at once resolved to conduct the -candidates for milling fame to its hospitable meads. In the interim -Brassey was found to be as he should be in “pounds avoirdupois,” and a -general move to the “land of promise” took place. Of pilots there were -abundance, but, as it turned out, not equally happy in their knowledge -of the county; for while Parker and his friends took one road, Brassey -and the Commissary, with the ropes and stakes, took another. The -latter led through bridle paths of the most villainous description, -which had never been traversed but by farmers’ carts, and through -which it was with the greatest difficulty the carriages could be -dragged, not only from the narrowness of the roads, but from the -horrifying ruts by which they were cut up. At last, after -indescribable difficulties, this portion of the cavalcade reached a -field in which it was said the two counties of York and Derby were -divided by a small bank. Here, with great difficulty, from the rocky -character of the subsoil, the ring was formed, and all waited with -patience for the arrival of Parker and his division; but they waited -in vain. It was now ascertained that the ring was still in the county -of Nottingham; a fatal error. At last, when patience was exhausted, -news arrived that Parker had been more successfully led by turnpike -roads to a place called Brunt Lays, near Worksop, and to that place a -move became inevitable. - -The materials of the ring having been once more transferred to the -cart in which they had been brought, another pilgrimage was commenced -through paths if possible more perilous than the former, till finally -by two o’clock the desired goal was reached, and a fresh arena formed. -But here a new difficulty arose: the carriages and carts drew so close -round the ring that it was impossible to drive back the dense masses -which had congregated. There was but one remedy, and this was to carry -off the _materiel_ to a new position, where in maiden ground a more -extensive field of action was secured, and the throng as it approached -being marshalled with a due regard to the formation of a spacious -area, the preliminaries were happily and conveniently adjusted for the -accommodation of all parties; the pedestrians forming the inner -circle, and the outer circle being composed of carriages, carts, -waggons, and horsemen. There were scarcely less than ten thousand -persons present, and a more imposing spectacle has seldom been -witnessed on any similar occasion. The police were in the rear of the -cavalcade as it moved, but they did not attempt to interfere, merely -intimating that “such scenes were contrary to Act of Parliament,” a -piece of information as novel as it was ineffective in preventing -sport. - -All being in readiness, the heroes were summoned to the lists; Parker -from an adjacent farm-house, where he had been hospitably sheltered, -and Brassey from the carriage which had conveyed him to the ground. -Brassey first made his appearance, attended by “King Dick” and Hall, -with a host of friends sporting their bright “yellowmen.” On throwing -his castor within the ropes he was received with shouts. Parker next -presented himself, under the care of Hunt and Nick Ward, and also -escorted by his backers, displaying fogles bearing the insignia of the -Royal Standard of England in four compartments. His reception was far -from flattering, and the yells of the roughs completely drowned the -friendly cheers of his admirers, but they created a strong sympathy in -his favour among the advocates of fair play. Betting was commenced -with great briskness, and 6 to 4 were freely laid and taken――Brassey -being of course the favourite. There was the usual admission of -privileged spectators within the outer circle on the payment of a -stipulated fee, and the difficulty of preserving order was -proportionately increased; but at last all was tolerably well -adjusted, and the men commenced their toilettes. The toss for choice -of position was won by Brassey, who not only took the higher ground, -but placed his back to the sun, which was happily shining with great -brilliancy――more favourable weather could not in fact have been -enjoyed. The colours of the men having been tied to the stakes in the -usual way, a curious scene followed. Several of the partisans of each -who wore colours agreed to bet them one against the other, and these -were also entwined to different stakes, giving to the ring an -appearance of unusual gaiety, from the brightness of the kerchiefs as -they fluttered in the breeze. Umpires and a referee having been -chosen, little time was lost in commencing business. - -On Brassey being stripped his appearance by no means altered the -estimate we had formed of his condition on the previous night. He was -“unshaven” and “unshorn;” barbers being unknown on Lindrick Common, he -had not been able to obtain the assistance of one of the fraternity. -This gave a haggardness to his countenance――not the most -prepossessing――which was not calculated to raise him in the estimation -of the spectators. His flesh, too, appeared flabby, and there was an -absence of that healthful glow and muscular development which was -observable at his contest with Caunt. He struck us, too, as being out -of spirits, although there was no indication of the want of personal -confidence. Parker, on the contrary, was obviously “up to the mark,” -his skin was clear and fresh in colour, and his muscles exhibited a -tensity indicative of rude health, while his bearing was marked by -unusual confidence. On standing together the disparity of size was not -so remarkable as might have been supposed, although in height and -frame Brassey had clearly the advantage. At twenty minutes to three -o’clock the men were conducted to “the scratch,” and their seconds -retired to their corners. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Brassey, on throwing himself into position, - stood erect, with his hands well up and his head thrown - back, but his manner was stiff and constrained. There - was nothing of that graceful ease which distinguishes - an accomplished master of the art, and which is - characteristic of quickness and activity. Parker was - more free in his action, his shoulder and head thrown - slightly forward, and his arms free and in playful - attitudes, low, but ready for a fly. Brassey waited for - the assault, and on Parker making one or two dodges, - showed himself well on his guard. Brassey advanced, but - Parker broke away; at last Parker let go his left, but - was stopped. Brassey again made a forward motion, and - Parker retreated. Brassey let out his right, but was - short, and Parker instantly popped in his left and - fell. (Cries of “Nick Ward has come to town” from the - Brasseyites.) - - 2.――Parker evidently creeping in to hit, Brassey - waiting. Slight exchanges with the left, when Brassey - popped in his right on Parker’s nose, and in the - scuffle Parker got down (cries of “First blood from - Parker”), and in a short time the purple fluid was seen - trickling from his nasal promontory. - - 3.――Brassey on his guard, but Parker succeeded in - popping in his right; his left went over Brassey’s - shoulder. After slight exchanges, Parker was down, his - nozzle still bleeding. - - 4.――Parker tried his left and right, but did not get - home. Brassey rushed to him and hit him slightly on the - ear with his right. He was preparing for further - mischief, but Parker slipped down, holding on by the - ropes with his left. - - 5.――Parker led off again, left and right, but without - effect. Brassey followed him, and in a wild rally, in - which trifling hits were exchanged, Brassey fell back - on his knee. - - 6.――Parker, who was the first to go to work, planted - his left and right on Brassey’s dial. Brassey tried his - left in return, but was short, and Parker slipped down. - - 7.――Parker short with his left and right, Brassey - stepping back. Brassey attempted to return with his - left, but was also short. Parker, in a second attempt, - was more successful, and delivered his left on - Brassey’s ogle. Brassey returned a round hit with his - right on Parker’s pimple. Slight exchanges, when Parker - let go his left with dire intent, but Brassey ducked - his nob and got away. In a scramble which followed - Parker got down. - - 8.――Parker dodging, Brassey waiting; Parker let go his - right, which got home on Brassey’s cheek, but missed - his left. Brassey made play, but Parker retreated and - slipped on his knee, looking up at Brassey as he - approached. Brassey walked quietly to his corner. - - 9.――Brassey now changed his tactics and led off, but - Parker got away. Slight counter-hits with the left. - Parker retreated, but, waiting an opportunity, popped - in his left twice in succession. Brassey followed, - contemplating mischief, but Parker got down. (Cries of - “Foul,” but no notice taken by the umpires.) - - 10.――Parker tried his left and right, but Brassey got - away. Brassey advanced, hit round with his right, but - was short. Wild exchanges with no effect, and Parker - down. - - 11.――Parker was the first to make play, tried his left - and right but did not get home. He retreated, when - Brassey followed him up, shoved out his left, and - Parker went down. - - 12.――An exchange of trifling hits, and Parker down to - avoid. - - 13.――Up to this time there was no visible appearance of - punishment on either, with the exception of the first - blood already noticed. Parker put in his left and - right, when Brassey caught him round his neck with his - left, and gave him a crack on the ear with his right. - Parker slipped down to avoid a repetition of the - compliment. - - 14.――(2 to 1 on Brassey). Counter-hits with the left, - but that of Brassey was more like a shove than a hit; - it wanted elbow-grease, and made no impression. Brassey - closed, grasped his man with his left, and was about to - fib him with his right when Parker slipped down to - avoid. - - 15.――Brassey came up eyeing his antagonist with - contempt. Parker approached him slowly, and let fly his - left and right, catching him on the phiz. Brassey - rushed at him to return the compliment, but Parker went - down “nasty,” quite in the Nick Ward style. - - 16.――Parker, as usual, opened the ball, but was stopped - left and right. Brassey ran to him, hit out slightly - with his left, when Parker fell on his back, Brassey - falling over him, with his knees on each side of his - body. - - 17.――Parker hit over Brassey’s shoulder with his left, - and was going down to avoid when Brassey hit him with - his right hand open on the back. - - 18.――Parker again hit over with his left, and Brassey - followed him to the ropes, hitting, without precision, - left and right, while Parker retreated and fell on his - knees. - - 19.――Smart exchanges left and right, Parker napping it - on the auricular, and down to escape a repetition of - the dose. - - 20.――Parker popped in his left heavily on Brassey’s - mouth, from whence blood was drawn. It was a stinging - smack Brassey rushed after him in the retreat, when - Parker fell, Brassey upon him. - - 21.――Smart counters with the left, and Brassey again - paid a visit to Parker’s listener. Parker, on Brassey’s - efforts to engage him in a rally, went down. - - [This falling system on the part of Parker caused many - expressions of contempt on the part of Brassey’s - friends, and he was called upon to “stand up and fight - like a man.”] - - 22.――Parker pursued his dodging system, and again - delivered his left on Brassey’s mouth. Brassey caught - him with his right on the side of the head, but was - unable to get home with his left; Parker dropped. - - 23.――A trifling exchange of hits left and right, when - Parker got down, Brassey falling upon him. - - 24.――Counter-hits with the left, but Brassey did not - get well home. Brassey tried to bring his man to a - rally, but he went down to avoid. - - 25.――Parker hit short with his left and retreated to - his corner. Brassey followed boldly, when he napped it - from the right on the jaw. Brassey hit out left and - right, missing his man, and Parker went down. - - 26.――Parker hit slightly left and right, but in getting - away from the return slipped down. - - 27.――Brassey led off, missing his left and right, when - Parker got away and went down. - - 28.――Parker, as usual, led off with his left, but - caught it in return from Brassey’s right on the lug. In - the close Parker caught Brassey round the waist, threw, - and fell on him, thereby showing that he possessed - strength enough if he had but courage to use it. - - 29.――Counter-hits, followed by a close, in which, after - a slight struggle, Brassey threw Parker on his back and - fell on him. Parker in going down caught at Brassey’s - face open-handed, and drew blood from his mouth. (Cries - of “He’s gouging him,” and exclamations of disgust.) - - 30.――Wild fighting, in which trifling exchanges took - place, and Parker went down, Brassey falling on his - knees beside him. - - 31.――Parker led off, but Brassey retreated, hitting out - wildly. Parker rushed in to him, and Brassey fell as he - stepped back. From this to the 38th round little - mischief was done. Parker generally led off, and - occasionally delivered heavy blows left and right, - which began to tell on Brassey’s phisog; Brassey was - far from idle, but Parker invariably pursued his - dropping system when mischief was likely to ensue. - - 39.――In this round they looked at each other for some - time with their arms down, Brassey laughing and shaking - his flabby sides, but still fresh and vigorous. At - last, on approaching nearer, Brassey let go his left, - with little effect. In the short rally which followed - Brassey received a heavy right-handed thump on the jaw, - and Parker went down. - - In a rally in the 44th round heavy blows were - exchanged, Parker catching it on the nose, which again - commenced bleeding, but he still pursued his getting - down system. In the 46th round Brassey led off, hitting - Parker on the ear with his right, and repeating the - dose with his left on the mouth and nose; Parker down - bleeding, and 3 to 1 offered on Brassey, although he - had evidently received the worst of the punishment. - Parker’s pusillanimous system of dropping excited - general disapprobation, but he contrived so to time his - tactics as to keep within the pale of the law. - Brassey’s seconds, finding that Parker’s one two was - invariably set aside when Brassey led off, urged him to - let fly the moment Parker approached; from these - assaults, Parker, stopping left and right, retreated, - but in the 55th round went down so palpably without a - blow, that cries of “Foul!” burst from all quarters. An - appeal was instantly made to the referee, who, however, - would not pronounce his judgment till properly applied - to by the umpires, to whom no appeal was at all made, - and Brassey, instead of retiring to his corner, as he - ought to have done, to await a deliberate decision, - rushed to take the handkerchiefs from the stake, an - example which “King Dick” followed. At this moment - Parker approached Brassey, struck him a heavy blow with - his right, and a desperate rally ensued; heavy hits - were exchanged left and right, and in the close both - were down. On rising to their seconds’ knees both - showed severe marks of punishment, Parker on his left - ear, and Brassey on his mouth and left eye. This - renewal of the combat with such mutual good will - necessarily set aside the claim of “foul,” and thereby - deprived Brassey of the verdict of “victory,” which - would doubtless have been given in his favour.[28] - - 56.――Counter-hits with the left, when Brassey caught - Parker another of his terrific round hits on the ear, - and after a short scramble Parker got down. - - 57.――A rally, in which heavy hits were exchanged, - Parker down, Brassey falling upon him with his knees. - (“Foul” was claimed for Parker, but the intention was - not sufficiently apparent to justify a decision in his - favour, added to which, he provoked the act by his own - tricks.) - - From this to the 100th round the same style of fighting - was pursued, with alternate changes, Parker receiving - some heavy lunges from Brassey’s right on his ear, - which was dreadfully swollen, and presented a most - unseemly aspect, and Brassey catching it repeatedly on - the mouth and face――the former of which was cut, and - the latter exhibited marks of repeated visitations. - Parker went down at the termination of almost every - round, obviously to avoid punishment; but although this - system was cowardly, and opposed to the character of a - fair stand-up fight, he contrived so to time his - prostrations, as to keep himself within the pale of the - law; blows, however slight, having been exchanged. The - unnecessary length of the spikes in his shoes might - have had some influence in the falls, but it was too - clear that he wanted a heart to stand up manfully to - give and take in the old English fashion. From the - 100th to the 117th round the same objectionable system - was pursued; but although numerous hits were exchanged, - and the marks of punishment on the side of Parker’s - head and Brassey’s frontispiece increased in severity, - there was still no decisive mischief done. Brassey’s - left seemed to be of little use to him; and although - with Caunt he used it with cutting effect, with Parker - he did no execution, and the right side of Parker’s - face was literally without a mark. Nevertheless, in the - 118th round, Brassey was the favourite at 2 to 1. From - the 118th to the 127th round, during which time the - same style of tactics was adopted, little visible - alteration took place in the spirits of the men, both - coming to the scratch with confidence, but slowly. In - the latter round, however, Parker succeeded in - delivering a heavy blow with his right on Brassey’s - nob, who fell in a state of apparent insensibility. All - was now thought to be over, and a simultaneous rush - took place from all quarters to the ring. “Time” was - called, to which Brassey did not respond. Parker, for - whose personal safety from the crowd apprehensions were - evidently entertained, was almost immediately taken - away, his seconds and friends claiming the battle. To - the astonishment of all, however, Brassey rose, and - declared his readiness to renew the combat, a claim - which the referee, when appealed to, allowed; for - although more than eight seconds had elapsed, by which - time he ought to have been at the scratch, still, as he - had not been duly summoned――the umpires having, in the - confusion, neglected their duty――he was fairly entitled - to the advantage. In like manner it was determined that - Parker, who quitted the ring without first going to the - scratch, to which he had not been called, was absolved - from the penalty of the loss of the battle to which his - absence might otherwise have exposed him. - - [This, again, imposes on seconds and umpires the - absolute necessity of obtaining a perfect knowledge of - their duty, and strictly adhering to its dictates. From - the great confusion which prevailed in this instance - some excuse may be found, but it only confirms our - repeated observations on the great disadvantage arising - from permitting throngs of partisans to congregate - close to the milling arena, who, by shouts and - exclamations, tend to interfere with that cool and - dispassionate judgment which the umpires and referee - should be permitted to exercise, and which, in ancient - times, was perfectly secured, none but the umpires and - referee being then permitted to sit close to the ropes - and stakes.] - - Some delay took place before Parker returned, one of - his seconds declaring he had been knocked down, an - assertion which proved without foundation, although on - his way to his carriage he had certainly fallen, and - execrations were showered upon him from the friends of - Brassey. - - With the 128th round the fight was renewed, but amid - such a riotous display of party feeling from the crowd, - which could not be driven back from the ring, that it - was difficult to note the changes which took place. - Brassey exhibited unshrinking “game,” and succeeded in - planting some heavy blows with his right on Parker’s - ear, while the latter was occasionally equally - successful in delivering his left and right on his - opponent’s disfigured mug. Parker, as usual, preserved - his cautious or rather questionable generalship, and no - sooner found himself in danger than he got down. In - point of freshness he had a decided superiority over - the unfortunate Brassey, and not only hit oftener but - harder. In the 143rd round he planted the first heavy - body-blow with his right, the effects of which were - instantly visible on Brassey’s countenance, who was - almost doubled up with pain. In the next round he was - equally successful with his left on the body, and - Brassey was again down. For the three succeeding rounds - Parker fought not only with renewed vigour but with a - more manly and determined spirit, a change sufficiently - amounted for by the almost helpless state of his - antagonist, who was down in every round. - - The friends of Brassey now saw that all hope of a - favourable change was extinguished. The ropes were cut, - and a crowd armed with sticks and bludgeons rushed - between the men, and prevented the possibility of the - continuation of the fight. The most dreadful confusion - prevailed, during which Brassey lay at full length with - his head resting in his second’s lap, who sat down on - the ground to receive him. He was evidently in a - helpless state, but still he refused to give in, - declaring himself perfectly ready to renew the contest - whenever the ring was cleared. Persuasions and - entreaties were all in vain to induce the interlopers - to retire. Parker’s seconds claimed the battle; but - this would not be conceded; and after a long wrangle - between those who wished the fight to be drawn and - those who wished it to be concluded, a body of horsemen - were admitted within the outer circle, who instantly - galloped round the fragments of the ropes and stakes - yet left standing, and effectually succeeded in - clearing the area. Those within the ring then retired, - and with some difficulty the ropes were spliced and the - ring assumed something of its original form. Brassey - still continued to lie prostrate on the earth, but - there being no further impediment to his once more - resuming the battle he was again called to the scratch. - He came up quite groggy, while Parker, on the contrary, - was fresh, and apparently as strong as when he - commenced the battle. - - It was soon seen that the forebodings of Brassey’s - friends would be confirmed, and that his chance of - success had indeed vanished. In fact, Parker hit him as - he liked, his boldness increasing as his sense of - danger diminished. Still, from the 148th to the 156th - round, Brassey came valiantly to the scratch, but was - down in every round, and was obviously incapable of - stemming the current of misfortune. His friends again - forced themselves into the ring; but “King Dick,” - feeling the folly and foreseeing the danger which a - repetition of punishment under such circumstances might - incur, refused to second him any longer, and the - unfortunate fellow at last consented to give in. He - then shook hands with Parker, who although thus crowned - with the wreath of victory, was certainly not entitled - to praise for either manliness or gallantry. He retired - from the field perfectly fresh with few marks of - punishment, save those on his left ear and on the left - side of his _caput_, which were certainly most wofully - damaged. Brassey was completely exhausted, and almost - in a state of stupefaction from the repeated - visitations, left and right, to his knowledge box. His - lip was split, and in other respects his punishment - sufficiently testified that he had not left off till - nature had deserted him. It is needless to say that his - friends and himself were deeply mortified and - disappointed by the result. The fighting was rapid, - time called quick, and the rounds extremely short, - which will account for the number of rounds is so - limited a period. - - REMARKS.――We candidly confess that from first to last - we never witnessed a fight the conclusion of which was - less satisfactory. We have more than once expressed our - disgust at that species of tumble-down fighting by - which men, regardless of the principles of fair - stand-up boxing, seek to punish others, while by - cowardly subterfuges they escape punishment themselves. - It is a species of paltry cunning to which no true - British boxer would have recourse, and which in - Parker’s case, as well as that of Nick Ward, admits of - no apology. It is ridiculous to say that such manœuvres - are consistent with good generalship, or excusable when - small men are opposed to men of greater bulk; because, - if small men are incapable of fighting men of larger - size by fair means, it is not incumbent on them to - enter the lists at all. But here the disparity of size - was by no means such as to justify the adoption of such - a mode of defence. From the first it was clear that - Parker was not only the better fighter left and right, - but was the harder hitter; and if he had had the - courage to exercise those physical qualities which he - possessed, and fought fairly and manfully at his man, - there is little doubt that he would have brought the - combat to a similar issue in one-third of the time. - That he actually went down without a blow in more - instances than one the spectators must have been - perfectly satisfied, although on those particular - occasions the appeals to the referee were not legally - and properly made; and that he frequently went down - equivocally is equally certain, but he had always - self-possession and cunning enough to take care that he - did not have recourse to these tricks except under - circumstances where no adverse decision could be - formed. He was repeatedly warned by the referee, but he - declared solemnly he could not help it. On quitting the - ring he vauntingly forewarned Caunt, who was present, - that he would ere long have a tussle with him for the - Champion’s belt, but we apprehend this is idle bounce, - which he will be very unlikely ever to realise. With - regard to Brassey, he utterly disappointed the - anticipations of his friends. He no longer presented - the formidable front by which he was distinguished in - his contest with Caunt; he seemed, in fact, to have - lost that gift of hitting left and right of which the - head of Caunt, after their fight, afforded such signal - testimony. His left hand appeared to be utterly - ineffective, and when he did hit with it it was rather - a shove than a blow, while the hits with his right hand - were anything but decisive, although from their - repetition they seemed at one time to threaten the - ultimate defeat of his shifty antagonist. Of Parker’s - cleverness and pusillanimity the reader will find - further examples in the account of his defeat by Perry, - the Tipton Slasher, in our memoir of that boxer, - forming Chapter IV. of this volume. - -This was the last appearance of Brassey in the P.R. The poor fellow -was evidently on a downhill course, and died at his house, the “Coach -and Horses,” Todd Street, Manchester, in 1845. - - - [28] It should never be forgotten by seconds that the - referee is distinctly bound by the 4th of the New Rules of - the Ring, to “withhold all opinion till appealed to by the - umpires.” And it is to those umpires alone that the first - appeal should be made; not by bystanders, who may be - influenced by personal interest, but by the seconds alone, a - rule which is unfortunately but too frequently forgotten, - and which was in this instance attended by unfortunate - consequences to Brassey――ED. - - - - -III.――TASS PARKER, OF WEST BROMWICH, AND HARRY PRESTON, OF BIRMINGHAM, -FOR £100. - - -As the name of Harry Preston has more than once occurred in connection -with the subjects of Memoirs in our history, and was at one period of -his career thought good enough for a match for £300 with Young Dutch -Sam (see PUGILISTICA, Vol. II., p. 388), we shall here give his last -battle, which was also memorable as being Tass Parker’s first Ring -victory. The articles, which fixed the 8th of May, 1838, as the day of -meeting, and the stakes to be fought for at £200, and further -stipulated that Preston should confine himself to 11st. 7lbs., were -duly complied with, Preston, on the morning of fighting, balancing -11st. 6lbs., which many considered 8lbs. below his best standard. -Harry, it must be borne in mind, was an “old stager,” having credited -to him, in the previous ten years, seven victories, two draws (one -with Young Dutch Sam, already alluded to, the other with Davis, of -Birmingham, whom he afterwards conquered), and but _one_ defeat, and -that by the scientific Jem Wharton (Young Molyneaux). It was, -therefore, to be expected that 6 to 4 was readily offered on Preston, -and that the defeat of Parker, who, notwithstanding his admitted -superior skill with the gloves, had been twice beaten by the renowned -Hammer Lane, with a prevalent doubt of his gameness, should have been -booked as a certainty; the sequel, however, proved that in the Ring, -as on the Turf, “public running” is not always to be implicitly relied -on. - -On the morning of the event we found ourselves in Sawley, a village in -Derbyshire, eight miles south-west of Nottingham, where we were -introduced to Preston, at a “public” on the banks of the Trent, -wherein he had taken up his quarters. He spoke confidently of his -prospects of success, and treated his reduction of weight as by no -means reducing his capabilities. We, however, did not share his -opinion; though lighter bodily, his face struck us as more puffy than -is consistent with perfect training, and he did not impress us with -the idea of a man hardened by his exercises. Of Parker’s whereabouts -we could learn nothing; and a warning being given that “a magistrate -was in the village with an escort of police,” Preston was hastily -disguised and got out of danger; and not a bit too soon, for scarcely -was Preston on the road to Appleby, when a clerical “beak,” with a -constable and three or four “specials,” armed with a warrant for -“three counties,” as we were informed, made their unwelcome -appearance. In justice to these officials, however, we must say that -they behaved in what poor Jack Scroggins called “a gentlemanlike sort -of a way,” and gave all to understand that they should exercise their -undoubted powers with moderation, and that if “the peace” of -Derbyshire was unmolested, their function would then and there cease. -Away, then, for Leicestershire, towards Ashby-de-la-Zouch――renowned in -days of old for its tournaments and “passage of arms”――was the word. -Now, as fighting Ashby (fifteen miles from Leicester) was about -seventeen from where we then were, and as it was already past twelve -o’clock, the “fixture” was indeed a damper, many remembering how they -were thrown out when Caunt and Bendigo held their first “joust” at -Appleby. The cloud, however, passed away when, about a mile and a half -beyond Castle Donington, a hint was given that in a field not three -hundred yards from the turnpike-road, yet out of view of it, a -secluded spot was at the service of the weary wayfarers. A general -halt was made; each man was temporarily housed in an adjacent “Tom and -Jerry;” and these establishments being each luckily provided with -considerable stabling, every stall and shed was at once occupied by -vehicles and quadrupeds, while the bipeds consumed every eatable and -drinkable, to the last loaf and the last “tilt of the barrel,” in both -establishments. These despatched, word was brought that the Birmingham -Commissary had pitched his stakes, and all moved off to a pretty dell, -where, on a nice bit of turf, surrounded by gentle slopes thickly -wooded, the lists were formed; not a few aspiring countrymen and -youths ascending the trees nearest the ring, and forming a “rookery” -whence a vocal, but not very musical, “cawing” was heard at intervals -of the fight. - -At two o’clock precisely, Preston made his appearance, and shied his -pimple-coverer into the ring; an example immediately followed by -Parker, who stepped briskly into the arena, and with a good-humoured -smile went up to Preston and shook hands with apparent cordiality. -There was a buoyant springiness in Parker, and a confidence in his -appearance, which seemed to say “I mean winning, and nothing else.” -Preston’s manner was more subdued――he looked serious, but exhibited -nothing like distrust in his own powers. Betting was 6 to 4 on -Preston, which, in a few instances, was taken, Parker’s partisans -seeming doubtful of their man. The colours having been fastened to the -stakes, and umpires and a referee chosen, the men stripped. Parker’s -condition appeared excellent――he looked as fine as a star, and weighed -exactly 11st. 4lbs. Preston looked delicate――his flesh did not appear -firm, nor had it the roseate hue of health. At fourteen minutes after -two the men came to the scratch――Peter Taylor and Nick Ward seconding -Parker; and Dick Davis and Holland, both of Birmingham, performing the -same friendly office for Preston. After the usual formalities, - - - THE FIGHT - - Commenced, Preston having the sun shining brilliantly - in his face. “It will be a merry fight,” said Taylor, - who had been taking the odds of 3 to 2; “but my man is - in a merry mood, and means winning, and nothing else.” - Preston’s attitude was good; he appeared ready either - for the offensive or defensive, and watched his man - closely, who was also on the alert; Preston trying to - draw him, and making two or three feints, but Parker - was wide awake. Preston made a hit, but Parker jumped - back, keeping his hands well up. After two or three - feints, Preston hit right and left; Parker countered; - several exchanges, slightly in favour of Preston. A - smartish rally, each trying to give the upper-cut; a - short struggle, and both down, Preston under. “First - blood” was claimed for Parker, and admitted; it was - from a slight blow on the mouth. This round occupied - four minutes, and was in favour of Preston; but the - Parkerites were uproarious, Tassey having gained the - first event. - - Round 2.――After sparring for some time, neither man - liking to commence operations, Preston put in a tidy - one with his left on the ribs without a return; more - sparring; Preston got in his left, and Parker countered - well. Both on their mettle, and rapid exchanges of - compliments passed, each anxiously trying to give the - upper-cut. Parker planted a facer, and Preston returned - under the left ear. Loud cheering for both men animated - them to redouble their exertions; and after a sharp and - merry round, in which there was good fighting on both - sides, both down, Preston under. Preston had rather the - best of this round. This round lasted 16 minutes. - - 3.――Long sparring; Preston trying to “gammon” his man - to begin, but Parker seemed to be down to Preston’s - moves. At length Preston led off with his left, which - was well stopped; Parker countered smartly, and fought - well before him, boring his man, who gave his head - away. Preston tried to give the upper-cut, but failed. - “Give and take as much and as quickly as you can” - appeared to be the motto of each, and they rattled away - merrily without any decided lead to either. This was - the best-contested round in the fight, and Parker - proved himself a better man than many anticipated. He - stood well to his gun, and not a few thought Preston - began not to fancy his man quite so much. Indeed, Harry - found him stick closer to him than he expected, and a - much sharper fighter than he had calculated upon; - still, the round was, if anything, favourable to - Preston. 25 minutes had elapsed. - - 4.――The effects of the last round and the heat of the - day appeared not to suit Preston. He had a slight mouse - on the left eye, when he came to the scratch, and - hemmed several times, as if a “little” touched in the - wind. Preston manœuvring to draw his man; Parker hit - short. After sparring for some time, Parker put his - hands down as a “ticer.” After a little more sparring, - Parker made his one-two without a return, and followed - his man briskly. Preston’s face covered with - perspiration, both hit together; exchanges, Parker - driving his man to the ropes, where he fell, Parker - upon him. (Shouts for Parker, and cries of “He’s got - Harry; where’s your 6 to 4?”) - - 5.――This was a short round; Parker took the lead, and - hit his man well and smartly, gave him no time for - parrying, but bustled away. Preston relished this mode - of attack so little that he turned from his man. (“What - do you say now? Why it’s Donington Hall to a cowshed!” - exclaimed Peter Taylor. “Oh, my man’s got him - beautifully――it’ll soon be over.”) Parker stuck to his - man; delivering rapidly as he went in, and Preston went - down. - - 6.――Preston looked as if he meant mischief, but was - fearful of going in; after he had made a few feints, - Parker went boldly in, hitting away right and left, - and, to avoid punishment as well as fatigue, Preston - went down in a short rally. (“He’s coming it”――the - Tassites uproarious, and the layers of odds rather - blue.) - - 7.――Parker found he had got his man, went to work - instanter, and drove him before him, and Preston fell - outside of the ropes. (“He’s done for!” was the general - exclamation of the Parkerites). - - 8.――Parker determined not to give a chance away, - commenced fighting instanter; Preston giving his head, - and making no defence, slipped down. (Cries of - disapprobation.) - - In the next round Preston was driven out of the ropes; - and the three following rounds were all one way. It was - clear that Preston’s chance was gone. From the fourth - round he appeared to fight like a man who had either - made up his mind to be beaten, or was so dreadfully out - of condition that he had not the power to make any - defence. At the end of the thirteenth round, on being - lifted up, he could not, or would not, stand; and his - seconds gave in for him. Preston’s friends said he was - seriously hurt, in a very tender part of the body, by - Parker falling upon him. He certainly looked faint and - ill, but Parker’s friends denied the assertion, and the - Brums were loud and deep in their expression of disgust - and indignation. Time 40 minutes. - - REMARKS.――The fight was over at twenty minutes to - three, and certainly disappointed every one who saw it; - after the third round Preston appeared to be “down on - his luck;” still, many thought he was only “gammoning,” - but the conclusion of the fourth round convinced the - most sceptical that the glory of Harry had departed, - for he never stood well up to his man afterwards. He - gave his head every round, and fell to avoid punishment - in a manner that excited feelings of contempt. Parker - from the first showed great confidence; when he found - he had “got his man,” he bustled in and gave him no - time for breathing, and although two pounds the - lighter, proved himself by far the stronger man; he - used both hands well and quickly. Among the members of - the Ring on the ground were Hammer Lane and his brother - Surrender, Lazarus, Johnny Broome, and Bill Atkinson; - Caunt, Merryman, and several others were thrown out. - Preston exhibited no severe marks of punishment, - excepting a mouse under the left eye, and a swelling of - the left ear, although Parker appeared to have given - him several “hot ’uns.” Parker appeared as fresh as - when he began. If, as Preston said, “He never was - better,” it is clear he never used his physical - advantages to less effect. That he is a game man he has - on more occasions than one signally proved, and his - defeat can only be attributed to a falling off in power - and lasting quality; while the proverb that “youth will - be served” receives another illustration in Parker’s - rapid success when he found his adversary’s strength - had left him. Tom Spring being stakeholder the money - was handed to the victorious Tass at the “Castle,” - Holborn, on the ensuing Thursday week, who then and - there challenged Britton of Liverpool. With that boxer - Tass fought, on the 8th May, 1839, a drawn battle. - Britton was subsequently arrested, and bound over for - twelve months. The men met again on the 9th of June, - 1840, when Parker was victorious after 77 rounds fought - in 1 hour and 50 minutes, and was thereafter matched - with Brassey of Bradford, with the result we have - already narrated in a former page. - -Harry Preston appeared no more in the 24-foot after this defeat. He -died at Birmingham on the 25th of February, 1850, in his 41st year. - - - - -IV.――AARON JONES AND BOB WADE (THE DOVER CHAMPION). - - -“’Tis not in mortals to command success,” says Addison in his -sententious “Cato,” though they may “do more――that is, deserve it.” -Aaron Jones, born in 1831――who, in his first essay in the Ring, at the -age of 18, had the ill luck to encounter the formidable Harry Orme (in -1849), when he fought him for 2 hours and 45 minutes, at Frimley, as -we have already narrated――was a notable instance of this. Jones’s -after-defeats by Orme, Paddock, and Tom Sayers being herein set down, -we now propose to resuscitate and “photo” the only gleam of sunshine -in Aaron’s clouded career. This was his battle with Bob Wade, called -the Dover Champion, on the 24th September, 1850. - -From the time of Jones’s first defeat he had been anxious for a second -customer; but his friends dissuaded him, and gave him the good advice -to wait until another year or two had hardened gristle into bone, and -set the stamp of endurance on his frame. The youngster, however, was -impatient and importunate, and a cavalry officer, to whom Jones had -been known in his boyhood, and who was a constant visitor at Jem -Burn’s, on Jones calling his attention to a challenge from Bob Wade, -offering himself as a candidate for the favours of any 12 stone man, -for the small stake of £25 a side, consented to find the quarter of a -hundred needful for the match. To improve the amount for the men, it -was arranged that they should join in hiring a train on the South -Eastern line, in conjunction with the clever little Joe Hoiles (“The -Spider”), who was articled to do battle with Jemmy Madden, on the 24th -of September. Accordingly, the “excursionists” repaired, on the -morning of that day, to the London Bridge terminus of the South -Eastern; for as yet the London, Chatham, and Dover was not. The day -was delightful, and the destination, Edenbridge, Kent, was reached by -noon. Here the travellers alighted at the foot of a rude set of steps -cut in the turf embankment. These surmounted, a walk of a few hundred -yards down a shady lane, out of sight of travellers by the rail, -brought Tom Oliver’s roped square in view, and the smaller couple of -heroes were soon at work. After a lively exhibition of game and -resolution on one side, and artistic skill, with precise and cutting -execution, on the other, “The Spider” succeeded in knocking his sturdy -little opponent out of time. - -The bantams having settled their difference of opinion, the bigger -brace of “unfeathered bipeds” appeared in the pit――we beg pardon, the -ring. Jones looked youthful, fair, cheerful, and symmetrical; his -height 5 feet 11 inches, his weight 11st. 7lbs. Wade, on the other -hand, was a brown and hardy veteran, his look as solid as his carcase, -and his weight the same as Jones. His more compact frame, however, -gave him quite two inches less stature than the Young’un. Jones had -two excellent seconds in Alec Keene and Bob Fuller, while Wade had no -reason to complain, having the services of the gallant Jack Grant and -the accomplished Bill Hayes. It was currently reported that Jones had -made rapid improvement since his encounter with Harry Orme, in the -previous December, and hence he had the call in the betting at 5 to 4. -We prefer giving a description to a mere numbered detail of the -rounds. - -In leading off, after a few seconds spent in manœuvring, Jones got in -his left so cleverly and effectively on Wade’s jaw-bone that he not -only staggered the veteran, but sent him against the centre stake with -such force that his head was cut severely, and bled profusely -throughout the after rounds of the fight. Wade, nevertheless, returned -to the charge, and in the exchanges caught Jones a sounding -right-hander in the ribs, after which both were down in a scrambling -rally. In the second round Jones displayed superior science, nobbing -Wade neatly, who, however, when he got to half-arm hitting, pegged -away with resolution and effect, until again both were on the grass, -with hardly any “best” in the matter, though Jones’s friends were -uproarious in their encouragement of their man. - -From the third to the tenth round Wade worked away well, Jones not -seeming able to meet him with sufficient precision and certainty as he -came in. When the men got together, ding-dong hitting and give and -take was the order of the day; thus they roughed away until one or the -other was down in the hitting, Wade the most frequently, Jones’s -superior and straighter style gradually improving his position. In the -twelfth round Wade, who had certainly by far the larger share of the -punishment, caught Aaron a stinging hit on the nose, and so severe was -its effect that for the moment it brought the Young’un forward in a -state of mystification, and, hitting out at random, he came upon his -knees. The Dover lads were vociferous in their acclamations, but Jones -came up steady, and in the next round, nailing Wade as he came rashly -in, balanced the account by battering his already damaged figure-head. -In the succeeding three or four rounds Jones stopped Wade’s rush -effectually. Both men rallied with great determination, and many -thought that the lasting stamina of Wade must wear out the active -spurts of Jones. In a rally in the 25th round, the Dover veteran hit -Jones down with a swinging body-blow, and the hopes of his partisans -were again buoyant. Wade, however, was too much abroad from severe -hitting to take full advantage of his chance, and again and again his -adversary administered punishment, as he followed him up to force the -fighting. In the 39th round, Jones having propped Wade three or four -times in succession without a return, the Old’un fell. Fifty-six -minutes had elapsed, and amidst cries of “Take him away!” Wade came up -for the 40th round, and Jones, in a half-arm rally, milled him down. -The 41st and 42nd rounds presented little variation, Wade obstinately -refusing to give in, though so advised by his friends; and at length, -just as the hour had expired, and Wade had come up for the 43rd bout, -Jones nailed him two straight ones, the first on the side of the head, -the second on the mouth, and down went poor Bob, to all intents and -purposes a beaten man. Jones was highly elated at his conquest, which -was certainly creditable to the youngster, as his experienced -antagonist was one of that old-fashioned “give and take” school, the -members of which are not to be beaten by any boxer who cannot stand -heavy retaliation in return for the favours he may bestow upon his -opponent, even by superior skill or activity. The money, £50, was -given up to Jones on the following Thursday, at Mr. Prior’s, South -Audley Street, when the brave Old Bob received a liberal supply of -“golden ointment” to heal his disappointment and his bodily hurts. - -Jones, for a long period, up to the present year, 1881, has been -living in America, where he has earned respect for his civility, -steadiness, good behavour, and his skill as a teacher of the art of -boxing. A paragraph in a recent newspaper informs us of his return to -the Old Country at the age of fifty-one. - - - - - [Illustration: TOM SAYERS (CHAMPION)] - -PERIOD VIII.――1846-1863. - -FROM THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF TOM SAYERS TO THE FIGHT BETWEEN HEENAN AND -KING. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -TOM SAYERS (CHAMPION).――1849-1860. - - -As seven cities contended for the honour of being the birthplace of -Homer, so, _parvis componere magna_, half a dozen places, English and -Irish, have been named as the spot of dull earth whereon the last -Champion of England opened his sharp little grey eyes. Somers Town and -Camden Town, his favourite haunts in later life; Pimlico, now a -palatial precinct of Belgravia, and several other places, have been -oracularly declared, in “Answers to Correspondents,” in sundry -sporting journals, to have been the _locus in quo_ Tom struggled into -what proved in his case literally “the battle of life.” A clever -sporting writer (“Augur”) remarks with truth that “Ireland makes it -her rule of faith always to claim the winner, be it man, woman, or -quadruped. The ‘divided honours’ of Farnborough presented no obstacle -to this. She adopted the maternity of Heenan out of hand, and with -fair pretence, and now she has put in a _post mortem_ claim to Tom -Sayers. A regular county Kerry genealogy has been found for him, -including a maternal aunt, who, naturally and nationally attributes -his valour to her family infusion of the ‘blood of the Fitzgeralds!’” - -In the memoir in _Bell’s Life_, at the date alluded to (which to our -knowledge was from the pen of a trueborn Celt), we read “Tom Sayers, -whose parents came from Dingle, in the county of Kerry,” &c. This -gossip we pass, being able to state from personal knowledge, not only -that Tom was born at “Pimlico,” a place of “fish-like smell,” in the -middle of Brighton, Sussex, on May 25th, 1828, but that his father, -“Old Tom,” so called from the bronzed complexion he transmitted to his -son, whom he survives, is a genuine Sussex man, born at Storrington, -near Steyning, in that county, where he was baptised in 1793, and in -1819 married a home-born and home-bred Sussex woman. Tom’s pedigree, -therefore, is indisputably that of an Englishman. How he passed his -youth, pushing off the Brighton hog-boats from the shingly beach of -London-super-mare, we may also pass. In due time he was placed out to -the trade of a bricklayer, and we have heard him say his first “big -job” was on the Preston Viaduct of the Brighton and Lewes Railway, a -noble structure of stone and white brick, visible from the Brighton -terminus, crossing the Preston Road. Tom quitted Sussex, and in 1848 -he was following his vocation on the extensive works of the North -Western Railway at Camden Town, a locality for many years a favourite -with the departed Champion. - -Sayers’s Ring career was doubtless one of the most remarkable on -record, his fights extending over twelve years, 1849-1860, besides -numerous earlier battles. They were, within the regular P.R. ropes, -sixteen in number, including one defeat and a wrangled “draw;” and in -all but three cases against heavier and bigger men; for soon after the -opening of his career no professional of his weight and inches cared -to tackle him. - -Tom was in his twenty-third year when, having migrated in the pursuit -of employment from Brighton to Camden Town, he was induced by the -challenge of one Aby Couch, and the stake of a “fiver,” to meet his -opponent “down the river,” in the ropes of old Commissary Oliver. The -affair came off on March 19th, 1849, near Greenhithe, when Tom sent -Couch to rest in less than 13 minutes. For more than a twelvemonth -Tom’s friends looked in vain for a customer at 10st., or thereabouts, -but could not find one, though they declared him not particular to a -few pounds. - - [Illustration: A TRIO OF CHAMPIONS――THE THREE TOMS.] - -At length “Tom Spring’s waiter,” Dan Collins, whom we remember as a -civil, smart, intelligent news-boy, petitioned his worthy master for a -shy at Master Thomas, and articles were agreed for £25 a side, to -fight on October 22nd, 1850. Dan was about an inch taller than Sayers, -and a trifle heavier, though each on the day was under 10st. His known -skill, too, from his exhibitions at Spring’s, made him the favourite, -though he had been defeated by Ned Donnelly in the previous year. We -well remember the surprise of the veteran Vincent Dowling (Editor of -_Bell’s Life_ for more than its first quarter of a century), and of -Tom Spring, not only at the tough resolution and remarkable endurance -and strength of the “novice,” as the Camden Town hero was called, but -at the gameness with which poor Dan, sadly overmatched, took his -“gruel.” At Edenbridge, Kent, in the first ring, they fought nine -resolute rounds in 27 minutes, when, the rural constabulary intruding, -the belligerents retired to Red Hill. Spring considerately proposed to -Dan to decline, saying “He had fought quite enough for his money,” but -Dan earnestly entreated, and was indulged, when thirty-nine more -rounds were fought in 1 hour 52 minutes, both men being heavily -punished. Darkness now interposed, and the final trial was postponed -to December 10th, to meet in the same ring as Young Sambo (Welsh) and -Cross. This draught-board game proving a draw between black and white, -burned out two hours and a half of the short daylight, and there was -no time for Sayers and Dan to exhibit; so once more the decision was -deferred. - -On April 29th, 1851, Sayers and Collins met in fistic fray at Long -Reach. The improvement of Sayers in skill made poor Dan appear to have -fallen off, and though he struggled gallantly through forty-four -rounds, occupying 84 minutes, the tide never turned in his favour. -Collins scaled 10st. 2lbs. at this second meeting, Sayers 9st. 10lbs. -If Tom reaped fame by this contest, there was but little profit in -training three times for a quarter of a hundred “yellowboys.” - -The great improvement of Sayers on this occasion was evident to every -judge of boxing; he took a strong lead, was never headed, and won in a -canter. If there was little profit in three trainings and three fights -for one stake, Tom gained confidence and lots of friends. His weight, -however――too heavy for the nine-stone men, and underweight for the -“middles” and “heavies”――kept him without a match for nearly a year. -The “empty praise” of his friends, too, kept him from the “solid -pudding,” so that none of the 9st. men cared to meddle with him. -Various challenges in the columns of _Bell’s Life_ show the impatience -with which Tom bore this enforced inactivity. At length, to the -surprise and delight of the Southwarkians, Tom had, what they thought, -the presumptuous hardihood to offer to meet the renowned Jack Grant, -for £100 a side. Jack was at the top of his renown. He had beaten -James Haggerty, drawn with Mike Madden (daylight failing), beaten Alec -Keene, and received forfeit from the talented Callaghan of Derby. -Winning, and nothing else, was the idea of the Borough lads. The mill -came off at Mildenhall, Suffolk, June 29th, 1852, for £100 a side. -Grant was attended by Harry Orme and Jemmy Welsh; Sayers by Nat Adams -and Bob Fuller the pedestrian. Betting 6 and 7 to 4 on Grant. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On appearing at the scratch, the condition - and general appearance of Sayers was the theme of - admiration: there was not an ounce of superfluous flesh - about his body――he appeared all wire and muscle. His - phiz wore a good-humoured smile of confidence, and - there was a ruddy glow upon his cheek which told of - good health and condition. His attitude was graceful - and firm, and, to a good judge, it was apparent that if - he was as good as he looked the Borough Champion had - his work cut out. Grant seemed not quite up to the - mark. His arms, it is true, were muscular and brawny, - and his good-tempered mug looked healthy; but there - were certain accumulations of fat upon his chest and - ribs which sufficiently indicated that his exercise had - not been so severe as it might have been, and we were - informed that, instead of weighing about 10st. 2lbs. he - turned the scale at 10st. 6lb. Notwithstanding his - lustiness, however, he appeared to look upon the result - with quiet confidence, and to hold his adversary at a - very cheap rate. His position indicated the old - tactician――the arms well up, and not too far from his - body, his head back, and his eye fixed upon that of his - adversary, who stood well over him, and was longer in - the reach. After a little dodging, Grant, who was - anxious to begin, led off with his left, slightly - reaching Tom’s forehead, and jumped away from the - return. Sayers followed him up, when Grant tried to - repeat the dose on the forehead, but was prettily - stopped. Sayers at length got home with his right on - the ribs, which was followed by heavy counter-hits, - Grant on the left cheek, and Sayers heavily on Grant’s - nose. Ditto repeated, when Sayers gained “first blood” - from a cut over that organ. Grant then went in to force - the fighting, but Sayers stepped back, jobbed him again - on the nose, cleverly stopping the return. Counter hits - succeeded, Sayers catching a nasty one on the left side - of the head, and on getting back slipped down. - - 2.――Grant tried to lead off several times, but was on - each occasion well stopped. He returned the compliment - by twice stopping Sayers, and then lunged out his - right, catching Sayers heavily under the left ear. Tom - countered him with effect on the nose, and a close - following, both were down; Sayers under. - - 3.――Grant took the initiative, but Sayers jumped away - smiling; he, however, came again directly, and led off - with his left, but was stopped. He was more successful - a second time, and reached Grant’s damaged nose. Grant - closed for the fall, but Sayers would not struggle, - contenting himself with fibbing Grant on the nose and - left ear until both rolled over. - - 4.――Mutual good stopping, after which Sayers delivered - his left heavily on Grant’s ribs and jumped away. - Counter-hits with the left followed――Sayers on the - nose, and Grant on the ribs. A close, and some sharp - fibbing. A break away, and at it again, Grant - delivering his right heavily on Tom’s left eye. Slight - exchanges, Grant again getting it on the nose, and - Sayers slipped down. - - 5.――Both, on coming up, looked flushed. Sayers smiled, - while Grant looked grim. The latter led off, but was - twice stopped. They then got to work; sharp - counter-hits were exchanged, Sayers receiving heavily - on the left cheek, and Grant on the nose and jaw. A - close and struggle for the fall ended in Grant being - thrown, but not heavily. - - 6.――Sayers tried to lead off, but Grant was wary, and - stopped him. He was not to be denied; however, he made - another attempt, and again reached Grant’s smeller, - getting well away from the return. Sayers then repeated - the dose heavily with both hands, and followed this up - by one or two punches in the ribs. At length Grant - swung round his dangerous right, and caught Master Tom - a tremendous whack on the left ear, which staggered - him. Grant then closed, but Sayers declined to struggle - for the fall, and fibbed away at his man until he - allowed him to slip down. - - 7.――Sayers showed the effects of Grant’s visitation to - his left ear, which was considerably swelled. Grant - looked flushed from the taps on the nozzle. The latter - led off, but was quite out of distance, and Sayers - followed his example by delivering too high to be of - any service. Exchanges then took place, each catching - it on the right eye, Sayers’ delivery appearing to be - the heavier. In getting away Sayers slipped down. - - 8.――Grant took the lead, but was again stopped, and - caught an awkward one on the left listener for his - pains. He then succeeded in planting his left on Tom’s - forehead. Grant bored in, but Sayers stepped back, - administering an upper-cut, which led to a rally, in - which some sharp hitting took place, and Sayers - scrambled down. - - 9.――Both slightly blown. Tom stopped Grant’s attempts - to plant on him, and then delivered his left on the - nose twice in succession. Grant again made his right - sound against the left side of Tom’s head, and then - sent in a heavy one on the ribs. Sayers, nothing - daunted, was at him again, popped in his left on the - cheek and his right on Grant’s left ear, and this - bringing them to a struggle, Sayers letting himself - down easy. - - 10.――Grant tried to force the fighting by boring in, - but got it on the left eye rather heavily. Sayers, - however, had not the strength to stall him off. He - again went in, caught Sayers on the left eye, and in a - struggle which followed the latter again slipped down - to avoid being thrown. - - 11.――Grant led off, got well home on Sayers’ left ear, - and then closed, and both rolled over together. - - 12.――Sayers’ left ear and left side of his head were - much swollen; still he smiled, and calmly awaited the - attack, which was not long in coming. Grant dashed in, - and commenced hitting away with both hands; he drew - blood from Tom’s mouth by a heavy spank from his left. - Sayers delivered on the left cheek, and the round - finished by both falling together at the ropes. - - 13.――Grant made his right with severity on the ribs, - getting away from Sayers’ return. Sayers followed him - up, and some sharp hits were exchanged left and right, - both catching it on the nose and cheek, and Grant at - length got down. - - 14.――Grant dashed in resolutely, but twice was well - stopped. Sayers then delivered his left and right on - the nose and left eye. Grant, not liking this, bored - in, made his right on Tom’s left cheek, closed, but - Sayers catching well hold of him, threw him a - cross-buttock and fell on him. - - 15.――Both, anxious to get to work, led off at the same - time, and each got it on the left eye. Grant was then - neatly stopped twice in succession, but at length - closed, and some sharp in-fighting took place, Sayers - catching it on the left eye, and Grant on the left ear. - The round ended by both going to grass. (Forty minutes - had now elapsed, and those who had backed Grant to win - in an hour began to look blue.) - - 16.――A capital round. After some excellent stopping and - manœuvring on both sides, they got close together, and - some sharp exchanges took place, each catching it on - the nose and left cheek. A close ensued, followed by a - break away, and both at it again, left and right, until - Grant got down, somewhat blown, his want of condition - evidently beginning to tell. - - 17.――Somewhat similar to the last, each catching it - severely on the side of the head. The hitting appeared - rather in favour of Grant, who drew more claret from - Tom’s mouth. Both were eventually down. - - 18.――Grant dashed in and closed for a fall, but Sayers - declined the struggle, fibbed him severely on the left - ear several times, and Grant slipped down. He lay on - his back where he fell, blowing like a grampus until - time was called, when he was carried to his corner, - from whence he walked to the scratch. - - 19.――Some good exchanges, Sayers on the right eye, and - Grant on the nose, removing the bark, and drawing a - fresh supply of the ruby. Quick exchanges, but both - apparently hitting open-handed, were followed by Tom - getting down cleverly. - - 20.――Grant, whose ear had been lanced, came up bleeding - from that organ, which was much swelled from the blows - in the 18th round. He rushed in, but Sayers caught him - heavily on the damaged listener. Grant, still - determined, persevered, caught Tom on the left side of - the head twice in succession; exchanges followed in - favour of Grant, and at last Tom got down. - - 21.――Sayers’ left eye began to show symptoms of - adopting the early closing movement. He tried to lead - off, but was stopped by Jack, who made his left again - on the closing peeper, and then closed. Sayers fiddled - away at his left ear until both were down. - - 22 and 23.――Both slow but steady, and the rounds ended, - after a few exchanges, in the men slipping down at the - ropes. In the latter round Grant pursued Sayers, who - ran round the ring until he got to his own corner, when - he turned sharp round, caught Grant left and right on - the nose and left eye, which led to the close and fall. - - 24.――Grant came up bleeding from a cut over his left - eye. Sayers attempted to take the lead, but was well - stopped, Grant making his right heavily on his left - ear, and Sayers fell through the ropes. - - 25.――Sayers was again neatly stopped, and in stepping - back from Grant’s return, caught his heel and fell. - - 26.――Mutual good stopping, Sayers evidently the more - active; he caught Grant again on his left ear, which - was terribly swollen, received a heavy thump on the - ribs from Grant’s right, and dropped on his south pole. - - 27.――Grant dashed in with his left on the mouth, and - then his right on the side of Sayers’s head. - Exchanges――Grant drawing blood from Tom’s nose. Some - good in-fighting in favour of Sayers, and Grant got - down. - - 28.――Good counter-hits, each catching it heavily on the - nose. They now went to work in earnest; the hitting on - both sides was tremendous, but owing to the excellence - of Sayers’s condition, he did not show it much, while - Grant, who received principally on the left ear and - nose, looked considerably the worse for wear. - Eventually Sayers slipped to avoid Jack’s friendly hug, - and Grant, who fell over him, cleverly avoided touching - him with his spikes. - - 29 to 32.――In these rounds Grant led off, but his want - of condition prevented his being as quick as he - otherwise might have been, consequently he was often - stopped, and of course exhausted himself by throwing - away his blows. When, however, they got at it he gave - as good as he got, and the rounds ended by Sayers - slipping down. In the 32nd, however, Grant threw - Sayers, and fell heavily on him. - - 33.――Grant came up bleeding from the mouth and left - ear; he tried to lead off, but was stopped. Sayers - popped in his left and right on the mouth and throat, - getting it in return on the nose heavily, more of the - bark being displaced, and in the end both were down. - - 34.――Grant planted both hands, but the steam was gone; - Sayers returned on the mouth and left eye. A rally, - Grant delivering on the damaged cheek-bone of his - adversary, and receiving another gentle tap on his - nose, which drew more fluid. A close struggle for the - fall, and both down, Sayers under. - - 35.――One hour and a half had now elapsed, and both - appeared fatigued from their exertions. Grant stopped - several well-intentioned deliveries, and returned on - Tom’s left eye and nose, drawing blood from both. Good - exchanges led to a close, when both were down. - - 36.――Sayers came up weak, while Grant had slightly - recovered. The latter led off, was twice well stopped, - but ultimately sent home his right on Sayers’ left - cheek and the latter slipped down. - - 37.――Sayers, whose left cheek and eyebrow were much - swollen and discoloured, led off, and caught Grant on - the left eye and nose, but not heavily, and in - retreating fell. - - 38.――Grant took the lead, but was propped in the throat - by Tom’s right. Grant, however, found out the side of - his head with effect. Exchanges followed, both - receiving on the nose; but Sayers, who was the weaker, - got down on the saving suit. - - 39.――Grant dashed in with his right on Tom’s left - cheek, who closed, fibbed him heavily on his damaged - ear, and then slipped down. - - 40 to 42.――In these rounds but little mischief was - done, both sparring for wind, and eventually Sayers got - down cleverly. - - 43.――Grant, who seemed to have got second wind, led off - quickly, but Sayers jumped away. Grant followed him up, - caught him on the ribs, heavily with his right, and - then on the nose with his left. Sayers returned on the - throat, and some heavy deliveries on both sides took - place, both standing and hitting away for some time - without an attempt at stopping, and there appeared to - be no decided advantage on either side; at length - Sayers slipped down exhausted. This was unexceptionally - the severest round in the fight. The men appeared to - think this was the turning-point, and each wished to - make some decided impression on his game adversary. - - 44.――Both were the worse for the exertions in the last - round. Grant’s left ear bore marks of having been again - severely visited, and we believe his seconds again - found it necessary to lance it. Sayers did not show - such decided marks of Grant’s handiwork, but this was - mainly accounted for by his excellent condition. His - left eye was, however, closing, and his left cheek much - swollen. Both unwilling to begin, and some slight blows - having been exchanged, Sayers slipped down. - - 45.――Grant went into mill, but napped it on the left - ear and nose with severity. Good exchanges followed, - and Sayers again slipped down. - - 46.――Grant still first to fight, but was cleverly - stopped by Sayers, who was getting more active. They - quickly got to in-fighting, when after a few exchanges - they rolled over, and Grant excited the admiration of - all by the careful manner in which he avoided falling - on his man with his feet or knees. - - 47, 48.――Grant took the lead in both these rounds, but - was stopped in each instance, and received deliveries - from Sayers’s right on his left ear. He nevertheless - succeeded in each round in planting on Sayers’s left - ear with his dangerous right; but the blows had not - that vigour we have seen him exhibit on former - occasions. Both were down in these rounds. - - 49.――Some rattling exchanges took place in this round; - Grant getting it on the throat and ribs, and Sayers on - the chest and mouth and eventually slipping down. - - 50.――Sayers made play on the ribs with his left - heavily, Grant returning on the nose with his left; - Grant then stopped two attempts on the part of Sayers, - made his left and right on the nose and left cheek, and - Sayers slipped down. - - 51.――Grant again popped in a spank on Tom’s nut, - receiving in return on the smeller heavily, and losing - more claret. Good exchanges followed, when Grant rushed - in and bored his man over the ropes. - - 52.――Sayers attempted to make the running, but was - stopped by Grant, who went in to mill, and planted both - hands, one on the nose and the other on the left side - of the head heavily. Another on the nose succeeded, - which opened the claret jug again. Sayers only planted - his left once on the nose and slipped down. This round - was decidedly in favour of Grant. - - 53.――Sayers made his left on the ribs, and tried to - plant the same hand on the nose, but was well stopped. - He received one from Grant’s right on the side of his - head; this brought on a rally, in which he caught it on - the eyebrow heavily, and slipped down. - - 54.――Grant, thinking the game was now his own, again - rushed in, but Sayers was with him and in the exchanges - which followed he visited Grant’s left ear with great - severity, catching it slightly on the side of the head, - and then getting down cunning. - - 55.――Grant again first, but stopped; he however, made - good his right on the ribs directly afterwards, and - then his left on the right eye of Sayers, who sent home - his right on the neck, and his left on the left ear. - Grant bored in again, received one on the left ear, - which bled freely, and Sayers slipped down. - - 56.――A close, and Sayers got down. - - 57.――No mischief done. Some slight exchanges, and - Sayers slipped down. - - 58.――Sayers caught Grant as he came in on the nose and - throat, and then on the mazzard heavily, drawing more - of the ruby. Grant then closed, struggled, and both - fell heavily to the ground――Sayers uppermost. - - 59.――Grant, who seemed weak and exhausted, was twice - stopped; but in a third attempt caught Sayers on the - left ear with his right, and the latter slipped down. - - 60.――Grant led off, reached Sayers’ left eye, received - one on his damaged listener, and slipped down. - - 61.――Grant appeared determined to finish the matter off - hand, rushed in left and right on Sayers’ cheek and - nose. Sayers put in both hands on the left eye and - nose; a rally, close, and short struggle, both again - coming to the ground heavily――Grant under. - - 62.――Sayers tried to lead off, but was short; Grant - just contrived to reach his nose, but the blow had no - steam in it, and Sayers in getting back slipped down. - - 63.――Both slow to the call of time, and both evidently - exhausted. Grant was first up, but he looked much - flushed; his face was much swollen, his nose anything - but Roman in its appearance, and his left ear - presenting an unpleasant spectacle. He rushed in, but - Sayers, whose good-natured mug still bore the ghost of - a smile, although nearly on the wrong side of his - mouth, stopped him cleverly and got away; Grant - followed him up, got home with his right on the side of - his head, receiving, in return, on the left ear. A - close, and long struggle for the fall, which Grant got, - throwing his man and falling on him. - - 64 and last.――Grant came up looking very groggy. The - falls in the few last rounds had evidently shaken him. - He appeared to be suffering from cramp, but still was - determined. He led off, getting slightly home on - Sayers’ left cheek bone. Tom retaliated on the left - ear. A few sharp exchanges were succeeded by another - struggle for the fall, and ultimately both came very - heavily to the ground――Grant being undermost――Tom - falling across his stomach. Both were immediately - picked up and carried to their corners, and on time - being called, Jemmy Welsh, on the part of Grant, threw - up the sponge in token of defeat. On our inquiring as - to the cause of this rather unexpected termination of - the affair, we were informed that Grant was severely - suffering from cramp, and had moreover injured some - part of his intestines in such a manner that it was - feared he was ruptured, and he was in such pain that he - could not stand upright. Sayers went up to his fallen - but not disgraced adversary and shook him kindly by the - hand, and was proclaimed the victor amidst the shouts - of his friends. Grant was conveyed on a railway truck - to a small public-house in the neighbourhood, where - every attention was shown to him, but he continued in - great pain for some time afterwards. The poor fellow - was not actually ruptured; but he had received a severe - internal strain, which caused him considerable - uneasiness for some time. Grant met with an accident - some time before at Manchester, which always rendered - him weak in the muscles of the stomach, and he - considered that being not fully up to the mark, he was - more than usually susceptible of injury. The fight - lasted exactly _two hours and a half_. - - REMARKS.――The great length to which our account of this - “model mill” has extended imposes upon us the necessity - of being brief in our remarks. Tom Sayers by this - victory established for himself a reputation as a man - of science, courage, and endurance, for which few were - disposed to give him credit. The manner in which he - stopped the determined attacks of his adversary, and - the judgment with which he extricated himself from - difficulty, and continually refused to struggle for the - fall with a man stronger than himself, proved that his - headpiece was screwed on the right way, and that - although, compared with his opponent, a novice in the - Prize Ring, he was perfectly acquainted with the theory - of his art, and only wanted the occasion to arise to - put that theory into practice. He proved himself a very - hard hitter, and managed to get on to his opponent so - frequently that even Grant’s iron mug displayed such - bumps and contusions as the gallant hero has seldom - exhibited in his former engagements. Sayers is a - good-tempered, well-behaved young fellow, and bears a - high character for honour and integrity. He is by this - victory nearly at the top of the tree, and we trust - that by his future conduct he will show that prosperity - has not, in his case, as it has in many we could name - in his profession, had the effect of destroying his - good principles. Grant, although not destined on this - occasion to wear the crown of victory, was not - disgraced by his fall. He manfully disputed every inch - of ground with his clever opponent, and showed that his - qualifications as a sparrer were quite equal to those - of Sayers. His stopping and wrestling were universally - admired, while the manliness and care with which he - avoided falling upon his adversary in such a way as to - cause any dispute, obtained for him the repeated - plaudits of the surrounding throng. The fight, as we - have before observed, was conducted throughout in a way - to leave nothing to be desired. - -Tom now remained idle until January of the following year, 1853, when -a game, resolute fellow, named Jack Martin, who had disposed of -several countrymen, and grown into high favour with Ben Caunt, was -brought forward by “Big Ben” to uphold the honour of the “Coach and -Horses.” Tom’s standing challenge was accordingly accepted for £50 a -side, and Wednesday, January 26, 1853, named as the day of battle. A -foggy trip per steamer landed the voyagers in Long Reach, and, the -preparations being made, the men stood up and shook hands; Alec Keene -and a friend, for Sayers, and Tom Paddock and Jerry Noon as seconds -for Martin, joining in the friendly ceremony. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On toeing the scratch it was clear to all - that Sayers was a bigger man than his adversary; and, - if possible, in better condition. His eye had resumed - its brightness, and there was a hardness in his general - appearance which made him look all over a perfect - gladiator. Martin, who was shorter in the reach than - his opponent, showed great muscularity of arm and - thighs, but elsewhere he was not nearly so well - furnished. He was pale, but there was a good-humoured - smile on his mug, which showed that the word fear was - unknown in his vocabulary. Little time was lost in - sparring――Sayers led off, catching Martin slightly with - his left on the nose. Martin immediately rushed to - in-fighting, when some heavy hits were exchanged, each - catching it on the left eye, and each showing claret at - the same moment from cuts on the brow. After a few - random shots both were down together. “First blood” was - claimed by each party, but was decided by the referee - to be a drawn event. - - 2.――Both bleeding from the left eye, Sayers appearing - to have the worst of it. He was undaunted, smiled, led - off with his left, catching Martin on the right cheek. - Martin again went in, and commenced pegging away with - both hands. Sayers was with him, hitting with most - precision, and the round ended in both again falling - together. - - 3.――Sayers commenced the ball, caught Martin a spank on - the right cheek, received slightly on the body, and - then catching Martin full with his left on the nose, - sent him to grass, a clean “knock-down blow,” and thus - won the second event. - - 4.――Martin came up bleeding from the nose, but with a - smile of confidence. Sayers led off, but Martin jumped - cleverly back. He then stepped in, caught Sayers on the - damaged optic, drawing more of the ruby. Heavy - exchanges followed; Martin delivered his right heavily - on the ribs, Sayers returning with effect on the nose. - A close at the rope followed, and both were quickly - down. - - 5.――Martin attempted to take the lead, but was neatly - stopped; he then swung round his right at the body, and - immediately closed for the fall. Sayers, instead of - struggling, fibbed away at Martin’s head until Martin - forced him down. - - 6.――Sayers led off on the nose with his left; Martin - countered on the side of the head. A tremendous rally - followed, the hits on both sides succeeding each other - with great quickness. Each caught it on the side of the - head, but the blows of Sayers, from his superior reach, - told with most force. In the end both were down. - - 7.――Martin led off, was well stopped, and received a - nasty one on the nose; he then closed, but Sayers - refused to struggle with him, and got down, Martin - following suit. - - 8.――Sayers commenced by planting his left on Martin’s - nose with effect, and immediately repeating the dose. - Martin returned on the left eye heavily, enlarging the - old cut; and Sayers, in stepping away, slipped down. - - 9.――Martin showed a bump on each side of his nose from - the heavy blows in the last round. He tried to take the - lead, but was well stopped. Ditto repeated. After which - he bored in, Sayers catching him heavily on the left - cheek. Martin succeeded in reaching Sayers’ damaged - brow; good exchanges followed, Sayers getting, however, - on Martin’s right eye, and Martin on the ribs with his - right. Another tremendous rally followed, each getting - heavy pepper, Martin, however, having the worst of it, - and receiving on the mouth and left eye with great - severity. At last they got close together, and, after a - short struggle, Sayers eased himself down, and Martin - fell on him. - - 10.――Martin, on coming up, showed marks of the efficacy - of Sayers’ handiwork in the last round. His right eye, - which was previously “all serene,” was now completely - closed, and his right cheek much swollen, while Sayers - appeared little the worse for wear. Sayers led off, but - was short; Martin then made an attempt, but failed in - like manner. Counter-hits followed; Sayers again - reached the right ogle of his adversary, who took all - in good-humour, and still smiled with one side of his - face. He now dashed in, and more exchanges took place, - Martin succeeded in inflicting a cut over Sayers’ right - eye, which had been hitherto unscathed. At length, - after some sharp in-fighting in favour of Sayers, - Martin slipped down on one knee. Sayers, who might have - hit him, laughed and walked away, amidst cries of - “Bravo” from both sides. - - 11.――Sayers led off with his left, reaching the side of - Martin’s nose. A rattling rally followed, at the end of - which Sayers threw his man, and fell heavily on him. - - 12.――Martin came up bleeding at all points, but still - the same good-humoured fellow as ever. Sayers led off - short, ditto Martin; Sayers in on the ribs with his - left. Counter-hits, Sayers on the nose, and Martin on - the cheek, drawing more of the ruby fluid. A close - followed, and some more heavy infighting, after which, - Martin contrived to swing Sayers over. - - 13.――Sayers on coming up was bleeding rapidly from a - severe cut on his left hand, evidently inflicted - against Martin’s teeth. The men quickly got to it, - counter-hits were exchanged, Martin on the ribs, and - Sayers on the right cheek, followed up by two spanks, - left and right, on the nose and mouth. More heavy - pounding in favour of Sayers, who hit at points, while - Martin hit round, and principally at the body. At - length they closed, and both were down, side by side, - each looking at his adversary and smiling. - - 14.――Martin led off with his left, but was out of - distance. Sayers, with great quickness, let go his - left, and reached his opponent’s mouth. Martin merely - grinned at the visitation, bored in, but only to - receive another severe prop on the right eye and a - spank on the nasal organ. Still he was determined, and - again went at his man, who, in getting away, slipped - down. - - 15.――Martin’s phisog in anything but picturesque - condition, his right cheek much swollen and bleeding, - and his mouth completely out of kissing condition. - After a few passes, slight counter-hits were exchanged, - Martin getting home on the body, and Sayers on the left - cheek. Martin, not to be stalled off, rushed in and - delivered a heavy round hit on the ribs with his right; - Sayers was with him, and visited his damaged smeller - with severity. This led to another good rattling rally, - in which Sayers inflicted more heavy punishment on poor - Martin’s nose and right eye, while Martin only - succeeded in delivering some sounding punches on his - ribs. They broke away, again got at it ding-dong, and - finally, in the close both were down. Martin apparently - as strong on his legs as his opponent. - - 16.――Good counter-hits with the left, each catching the - other on the mazzard. Sayers now stopped one or two - attempts on the part of his adversary very neatly, and - returned heavily on the nozzle. An attempt to repeat - the dose was unsuccessful, Martin quickly jumping back. - Martin came again, and swung round his left on the - ribs, but napped it again on the nose for his - imprudence. More mutual punching in favour of Sayers - followed, but still Martin’s deliveries were - occasionally severe. A close, in which both fibbed away - hammer-and-tongs. Sayers reaching Martin’s remaining - optic, but not with sufficient force to put up the - shutter, and Martin drew more claret from his - opponent’s left ogle. A break away, and at it again, - until Martin slipped down on one knee; Sayers again - walking away smiling. This round, which was one of the - best fighting rounds we have seen for many a day, - elicited universal applause. - - 17.――Martin came up piping, and rather slow, but still - smiling, as well as his damaged phiz would allow. He - endeavoured to lead off, but was easily stopped. In a - second attempt he reached Tom’s left cheek, but Sayers - countered him on the left eye heavily, his superior - reach giving him the advantage. Martin, not to be - cowed, popped in a heavy right-hander on the ribs; - received again on his left eye, and, in retreating, - slipped down. - - 18.――Sayers let fly his left, but was short; both - appeared fatigued from the quickness with which they - had worked, and sparred a few seconds for wind. Sayers - at length again led off, and caught Martin on the left - eye, Martin returning on the same suit with - considerable quickness. Both were now short in their - deliveries. Martin at length bored in and reached Tom’s - ribs with his right. Sayers returned on the right - cheek, and both slipped down. - - 19.――Sayers again out of distance. He soon crept - closer, however, sent out his left, was neatly stopped, - and cleverly got away from Martin’s return. Martin - followed him up, caught him on the left cheek, and then - on the body, receiving a nasty one in return on the - left eye. In the close which followed he succeeded in - throwing Sayers heavily, amidst the cheers of his - friends, who did not think he had so much strength in - him. - - 20.――Sayers led off, caught Martin on the mouth, was - unsuccessful in a second attempt, and then caught a - heavy right-hander on the ribs. Martin sent out his - left and was stopped, Sayers returning with effect on - the right eye, and then on the left, from which he drew - more claret. Martin, whose head was much swollen, again - planted a rib bender, closed, and after a short - struggle both were down. - - 21.――Martin took the lead, but Sayers jumped away - laughing; Martin returned the grin, and again sent out - his left, which was easily stopped. Sayers once more - reached his adversary’s blind side, and Martin slipped - down weak. - - 22.――Any odds on Sayers, who was as fresh as possible. - Martin made an effort to turn the tables, but was - stopped several times; he at length reached Tom’s ribs, - and the latter stepping back, steadied himself, waited - for Martin’s rush, and then sent out his left with - terrific force, caught poor Martin on the right jaw, - and the latter tumbled over on his face apparently out - of time. It was thought all over, and the poor fellow - was carried to his corner, but when time was called, to - the surprise of all he came up for round - - 23, and last.――He was evidently all abroad, and - staggered about the ring. Sayers went up to him, - delivered his left on the right cheek, and following - this with a right-hander on the nose, down went Martin - for the last time, and Sayers was proclaimed the winner - after fighting 55 _minutes_. Sayers, although severely - handled about the mug, was still fresh on his pins; - both his eyes were fully open, and it was evident that, - had it been necessary, he was good for many more - rounds. Martin, on being conveyed to his corner, was - laid upon the ground, and every effort made to restore - consciousness, but it was fully five minutes before he - could be made to understand what had happened. As soon - as possible he was conveyed on board the steamboat, and - made as comfortable as could be expected under the - circumstances. - - REMARKS.――A few more such battles as that we have just - recorded would go far to restore the fallen fortunes of - the Prize Ring. It was, in truth, as we have styled it - above, a mill of the old school. More punishment was - inflicted in 55 minutes than we have seen in two hours - in any encounter during the last few years. There was - not a single appeal to the referee, nor was there a - single action on the part of either man throughout the - fight at which the greatest stickler for fair play - could take exception. Both had evidently made up their - minds to a fair and manly struggle for victory, and - their friends ably supported them in their laudable - resolution, by rigidly abstaining from any - interference. In fact, the only thing at which we felt - inclined to cavil was the manner in which Jerry Noon - seconded the losing man. A good second always remains - quiet until the round is over, then picks his man up, - carries him to his corner, and cleans him as tenderly - as possible. Roughness, or interference during the - round, only tends to confuse a man’s ideas and lead him - into jeopardy. As to the merits of the men, there - cannot be two opinions. Martin was clearly overmatched. - He was opposed to a taller, longer and stronger man, - one, moreover, possessing greater knowledge of the art - of self-defence than himself. That he (Martin) is a - game, resolute fellow no one will deny. A greater - glutton we have seldom seen. He is, also, an - exceedingly fair fighter, scorning to take the least - advantage, and is possessed of that greatest of all - requisites to a boxer――unwavering good-temper. The - terms of praise in which he was mentioned by all - clearly showed that his conduct was appreciated as it - deserved to be. Of Tom Sayers, and his manly, - good-tempered style of fighting, we have before spoken - in the highest terms, and it is only necessary for us - to state that his conduct was as upright and his - tactics were as fair as ever. He, on several occasions, - refrained from punishing his adversary when he was down - on one knee only――a position in which he was perfectly - entitled to strike him, and one in which he might have - administered pepper with effect. He used his left hand - with greater precision than in his battle with Grant, - and his deliveries appeared altogether heavier than in - that encounter. As we have before observed, the ring - was exceedingly well kept throughout, and all had an - uninterrupted view of the encounter from its - commencement to its conclusion. As soon as possible - after the event was decided, the crowd that had - assembled took its departure――some returning by the - boat, while others, who did not fancy a return trip up - the river in the dark against an ebb-tide, struck - across the marshes to Dartford, and thus reached town - at seven o’clock by the North Kent Railway. Among the - latter was our eccentric friend, Bendigo, who quite put - out the pipe of the milling orator and poet, Charley - Mallett, as, while waiting at the station, he composed - and sung a long extempore poem, descriptive of the - day’s sport, and laudatory of the heroes and of - himself, which elicited uncontrollable laughter and - applause from his Corinthian auditors, and sent all - back to the Metropolis in perfect good humour, caused - as much by the ready wit and “hanky-panky” performances - of that eccentric individual, as by the extraordinary - treat they had enjoyed on the field of battle. - -The year 1853 was not to expire without witnessing the first and last -defeat of the gallant Tom. - -Nathaniel Langham, for many years known as “mine host” of the “Mitre,” -in St. Martin’s Lane, Leicester Square, whose biography illustrates a -former portion of this volume, was, as the reader is already aware, of -that unlucky weight, 11st., which is so difficult to match when -accompanied by first-class pugilistic capabilities. Too heavy for the -light men, whose average lies between 9st. and 9st. 10lbs., and too -light for real “big-uns,” provided they possess skill and pluck, men -of this size can find fair competitors only among men of their own -weight and inches. Nat’s earlier combats, therefore, as we have -already seen, were with heavy men; and his only defeat had been by -Harry Orme, his superior by more than half a stone, under -circumstances fully detailed at page 244 of this volume. Two years had -elapsed since Nat’s defeat, and public talk had prophesied in fistic -circles of “the coming man” in the person of the conqueror of Jack -Grant. “Ould Nat,” who seemed for the moment laid on the shelf, -pricked up his ears when he heard that Tom, whose motto was -“Excelsior,” was ready to make a match with the “Champion of the -Middle-weights.” Nat picked up the gauntlet, and all was soon -arranged. At Lakenheath, Suffolk, on the 18th October, 1853, they met, -with the result already recorded. - -Defeated, but not disgraced, Tom lost no time in challenging Langham -to a second trial; but the latter, for good and sufficient reasons, -which we have fully set forth in our memoir of that boxer (_ante_ p. -251), declined the invitation. - -Sayers was, therefore, on the look-out for a new competitor, and -although Tom “proposed” to several of the provincial “ten stunners” -and upwards, none listened to his suit. - -One evening, after some “chaff,” George Sims, a long-limbed professor -of the art, immensely fancied by some of the “locals,” threw down the -gauntlet to Tom, professing regret that £25 was all he could raise for -the experiment, and that Tom could easily post £50. Finding that the -professor was serious and “meant business,” Sayers, who declared -himself “blue mouldy for want of a bating,” accepted the chance, as he -said, “to keep his hand in.” - -The day fixed was the 2nd of February, 1854, and on a miserably foggy -morning the principals and their friends took steamer to Long Reach, -below Gravesend, and soon were face to face, near the river wall. -Sayers, who weighed 10st 6lbs., looked remarkably well. Sims, who -stood over him, was 5 feet 10 inches, and said to be under 11st. We -doubt if he were so light, despite his leanness. Sims was waited upon -by Jemmy Welsh and Harry Orme, so that he had talent behind him; -Sayers had Jemmy Massey and Bob Fuller as counsel. 7 to 4 and 2 to 1 -on Sayers. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Sims was so much taller than Sayers that he - seemed quite a lath before him, and, as soon as he held - up his hands, displayed such awkwardness that it was - evidently “sovereigns to sassingers” on Sayers, and Dan - Dismore immediately offered 4 to 1 on him, which was - taken by Jem Burn on the off chance. Sims, after a - little unartistic squaring, lunged out awkwardly, and - caught Tom on the chest with his left. Tom, who was - evidently waiting to find out what his adversary could - do, returned smartly on the mouth, and in getting back - fell on his corybungus. - - 2.――Tom grinned, dodged his man, and, on the latter - wildly sending out his left, countered him on the - nozzle heavily. Sims immediately closed, and Tom, - seizing him round the neck, pegged away with his right - at the ribs and left eye until both fell. - - 3.――Sims led off, evidently without any settled plan; - he caught Tom slightly on the mouth, and the latter - again countered him heavily on the nose, deciding the - first event in his favour by producing an excellent - supply of the best crimson dye. Sims did not like this, - and again closed, when Tom fibbed him heavily on the - proboscis, drawing more of the ruby, and then on the - left eye, and both again fell. - - 4th and last.――Sims on coming up looked much flushed; - his left ogle winked again as if it saw so many bright - stars as to be perfectly dazzled. He attempted to lead - off, but was countered with the greatest ease by Tom on - the left eye and mouth. He retreated as if bothered, - and then went in again, when Tom let go both hands, the - left on the smeller, and the right with terrific effect - over the left brow, inflicting a deep cut, and drawing - a copious supply of the best double-distilled. Sims was - evidently stunned by the hit; for, as Sayers caught - hold of him, he fell back and rolled over him. It was - at once perceptible that it was all over; poor Sims lay - perfectly insensible and motionless. His seconds did - their best to stop the leak in his _os frontis_, but - for some time without effect; and, as for rendering him - capable of hearing the call of “Time,” that was quite - out of the question, and Tom Sayers, to his own - astonishment and the disappointment of those who had - expected a rattling mill, was declared the conqueror, - after a skirmish of exactly five minutes. Sayers was so - bewildered that he could not make it out; he evidently - did not know he had made so decided a hit, and - displayed considerable anxiety to ascertain the fate of - his less fortunate opponent. A medical gentleman was - present, who soon did the needful for the poor fellow, - and in about five minutes more he was himself again, - and was able to walk about. He was quite dumbfounded as - to the result, and expressed a strong wish to be thrown - into the river; but, after some persuasion from his - friends, became more calm, and thought it better “to - live to fight another day.” - - REMARKS.――A few words are all that are called for in - the shape of remarks on this mill. Sims was from the - first overmatched. He is a civil, well-behaved, - courageous fellow, ridiculously over estimated by his - friends. Tom Sayers and his tactics are too well known - to require comment. He did all that was required of - him, and left the ring without a scratch. We never saw - him in better fettle; and if he ever had a day on which - he was better than he ever had been before, that day - was Tuesday. An easier job never fell to man’s lot; and - the best wish that his friends can express is, that he - may never have a worse. - -This brief episode left Sayers literally without a chance of -continuing the main story of his battles, of which this could be -hardly reckoned more than “_un affaire_,” as French _militaires_ would -call it. Tom looked round and round, he sparred, and challenged, and -travelled, but he was not fancied as a customer by either Londoners or -provincials. He was too good a horse, and handicapping him was not so -easy. There was much “talkee, talkee” about a match between himself -and Tom Paddock, then claiming the Championship, and a proposal for -Paddock to stake £200 to Tom Sayers’s £100, Paddock weighing 12st. -8lbs. to Tom’s 10st. 1lbs., or thereabouts. It came to nothing, -however; and Tom, in despair, announced his intention of going to -Australia. - -Harry Poulson, of Nottingham, whose three tremendous battles with -Paddock, in the first of which he was victorious, though defeated in -the second and third encounters, had raised his fame deservedly, was -now talked of, and Tom was induced to match himself against him. Here, -again, Sayers was giving away “lumps of weight;” for Poulson, though -an inch shorter than Sayers (namely, 5ft 7½in.) was a perfect Hercules -in the torso, weighing 12st. 7lbs. in hard condition. He had thrashed, -in provincial battles, all comers, and was known as one of the -coolest, most determined, and game fellows that ever pulled off a -shirt. True, he had come into the London Ring rather late in life, -having been born in 1817, but his endurance and strength were -considered an overmatch for Sayers. So, too, thought Jem Burn, a -staunch friend of Poulson, and he proposed to stake £50 on his behalf. -Sayers accepted it, and Bendigo, who was Poulson’s friend and adviser, -snapped at what he declared to be “a gift” for his townsman Harry. - -Many of Tom’s friends were displeased with the match, which they -considered presumptuous on his part, and declared that he was -completely overmatched, as it was known Poulson could not fight under -12st., and Sayers to be well ought to be more than a stone under that -amount. At first he had some difficulty in finding supporters, but -that was happily got over by the influence of one of the staunchest -Corinthian fanciers of modern times. After he was matched, Sayers -remained longer in town than was prudent, and, as a natural -consequence, was too much hurried in his preparations. He was not -quite a month at country quarters, and on arriving in London looked -fleshy, and had evidently done insufficient work. Had he been about -five pounds lighter he would have been all the better. He was, -nevertheless, extremely sanguine of success, and assured his backers -that he would fully justify the confidence they had placed in him. We -saw Tom at Nat Langham’s, the “Cambrian,” on the Monday evening. He -was surrounded by an extensive circle of the upper-crust supporters of -the P.R. His weight was about 10st. 12lbs. or 13lbs. - -Poulson, after his last defeat by Paddock, had remained at Nottingham, -where he followed his laborious occupation as a navvy until informed -of the proposed match, in which, as already stated, he was taken in -hand by Jem Burn. That facetious worthy, determined that no pains -should be spared, summoned Bendigo to his assistance, and under the -able tutelage of that eccentric but painstaking ex-champion did Harry -get himself into very first-rate trim. Every muscle in his powerful -frame was beautifully developed, and there did not seem to be an ounce -of superfluous meat in any place. As the men were not tied to weight, -no scaling took place at the last moment on which dependence could be -placed. He was certainly not less than 12st., and might have been a -pound or so more. His height 5ft. 7½in., and in figure and general -appearance, although shorter and thicker set, marvellously like “the -renowned” Bendigo. On the Monday before the battle Poulson took up his -quarters under the hospitable roof of “My Nevvy,” at the “Rising Sun,” -where he was greeted by an admiring circle, including many patricians. -He retired to his “flea pasture” at an early hour; but the eccentric -Bendy kept the company at the “Rising Sun” in a perpetual grin until -the approach of the small hours reminded him that he, too, had work to -do early in the morning, upon which he retired to roost, as did the -host himself, who, although suffering from gout, had made up his mind -to be present. The betting, at both Jem’s and Nat’s, varied between 6 -and 7 to 4 on Poulson――odds which the superior strength, weight, and -condition of the countryman fully justified. The betting was tolerably -brisk, but there were more layers of odds than takers. - -By six o’clock in the morning all the Fancy were astir, and great was -the difficulty in getting cabs. A hard frost had set in, and most of -the vehicles were detained at home to get the horses “roughed.” -Several, owing to this unforeseen occurrence, were unable to catch the -train at eight o’clock; and, had it not been for the opportune arrival -of the drag of an old friend, Sayers would, in all probability, have -been left behind. As it was, he cut it so fine that he only arrived as -the station-doors were closed. The journey down was performed by -eleven o’clock, and within half an hour the ring was ready at -Appledore. The men lost no time in entering its precincts, Poulson -attended by Bob Fuller and Bendigo, and Sayers receiving the friendly -assistance of Nat Langham and Jemmy Massey. Umpires and a referee were -soon appointed, and at six minutes to twelve the men toed the scratch. -The betting now was tolerably brisk at 7 to 4 on Poulson――odds which, -at one period of the fight, advanced to 3 to 1, which was laid by Tom -Paddock, whose confidence in his old opponent’s tried game and -resolution tempted him to overstep the bounds of prudence in his -investments. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The disparity in weight was very perceptible, - as was also the superior condition of Poulson. Sayers, - however, had the advantage in height and length. - Poulson threw himself into the old-fashioned attitude, - with both hands held somewhat high, and planted firmly - on both pins. Sayers, on the contrary, assumed an - elegant position, resting most upon his left foot, his - right arm across the mark, and the left well down. He - fiddled a little, until Poulson went in and let go his - left and right. The former was stopped; but with the - latter he got home on Tom’s nut. A sharp rally - instantly took place, which brought them to close - quarters, in which Sayers fibbed his man very cleverly, - catching him heavily on the conk, and in the end both - were down, Poulson under. - - 2.――Both were flushed from the rapid in-fighting in the - last round, which had evidently been severe. Poulson - tried to lead off, but was too slow for his active - opponent. He persevered, and at last got home with his - right over Tom’s left ear. This led to more heavy - exchanges and a close, in which Poulson caught Sayers - round the neck. Sayers hit up, but without doing any - damage, and in the end was down, Poulson on him. - - 3.――Sayers came up smiling but cautious. He fiddled his - man until he got within distance, when he lunged out - his left on the right brow, but too high for mischief. - Poulson returned heavily on the ribs with his right, - when Tom retreated. Poulson followed him again, let go - his left and right, was beautifully countered, but - again too high and on the side of the nut, and Poulson - slipped down. - - 4.――Sayers feinted and let go his left on the nose, but - not heavily. Poulson was wild and missed his return, - whereupon Sayers put in his left very neatly on the - right cheek. Poulson now went in ding-dong, but his - blows wanted precision. He got close, when Sayers - caught him on the right peeper and the right lug, from - each of which there was a tinge of blood. Tom then - closed and threw his man very neatly, falling on him. - (“First blood” for Sayers.) - - 5.――Sayers again feinted to draw his man, who came in, - and Sayers sent his left over his shoulder. Poulson - then closed, threw, and fell on him. - - 6.――Tom, after one or two feints and dodges, again let - fly his left, but was well stopped. Poulson, however, - missed his return with the right at the body. He now - rushed in determined, and some tremendous punching, - left and right, ensued, in which Sayers hit straighter - and oftener, but Poulson heavier with his right, which - paid some heavy visits to Tom’s nut. - - 7.――Sayers again feinted and succeeded in drawing his - man, who let go both hands, but out of distance. Sayers - with quickness returned on the forehead, but was too - high. Heavy counter-hits followed to a close, in which - the fibbing was severe, Sayers receiving on the left - side of his head and returning on the mouth. - - 8.――Both, much flushed on the dial, came up laughing. - Poulson lunged out his right, catching Tom heavily on - the ribs and then on the cheek, Tom instantly closed, - and, after a sharp struggle, in which it was thought - Poulson had the best of it, Sayers cleverly back-heeled - him, throwing him heavily and falling on him. - - 9.――Poulson tried again to deliver his right on the - ribs, but Sayers was well away. Harry rushed after him, - slinging out both hands, when Tom ducked and escaped. - Poulson persevered, and at last caught him with his - right on the ribs, when some more severe in-fighting in - favour of Poulson took place. In the end both were - down. - - 10.――On coming up Tom’s nose showed that Harry had been - there in the last round; his ribs, also, were - unmistakably bruised. He feinted to draw his adversary, - and let go his left, which was stopped, and Poulson - returned on the ribs. Sayers, with great quickness, - countered him as he delivered this blow, and sent him - to grass by a sharp left-hander on the right temple. - (“First knock-down blow” for Sayers.) - - 11.――Poulson came up slow, as if posed by the blow in - the last round. Sayers dodged with his left, and popped - it over Harry’s right peeper, getting quickly away from - the return. Poulson followed him up, but missed his - right; he persevered until they got to close quarters, - when Sayers again knocked him down by a heavy - right-hander on the jaw. (Loud cheers for Sayers, the - Poulsonites looking blue.) - - 12.――Tom came up smiling and all alive, dodged, and put - in his left very straight on Harry’s nasal promontory. - Poulson instantly rushed in, but napped it on the right - side of his nut and slipped down. - - 13.――Poulson, who had been called on to fight with his - left, waited for Sayers, and, on the latter coming - near, caught him heavily with that hand on the - proboscis, staggering him. Tom soon came again, and - retaliated by a heavy delivery on the mouth with his - left. After some mutual sparring, Harry was short with - his left, and Tom countered him with the right on the - left peeper, and then with the left bang on the - olfactory organ. Some sharp exchanges ensued, in which - Poulson drew the ruby from Tom’s snout, and Tom slipped - down. - - 14.――Both got quickly to work. No stopping; and, after - one or two harmless cracks, Sayers got down. - - 15.――Poulson again attempted to fight with his left; - but Sayers was too quick for him, and nailed him on the - right cheek. Harry tried it again, but was stopped; and - Sayers then let drive with his left on the - smelling-bottle very heavily; he retreated, feinted, - and, by putting the double on, succeeded in delivering - another smack on the same organ. Some very heavy - exchanges followed, in which Sayers got home on the - right eye and Harry on the sneezer; Sayers slipped - down. - - 16.――Tom came up filtering the juice from his beak. - Poulson tried to plant his favourite right, but was - stopped. He then tried his left, but was out of - distance. After several more wild efforts, Sayers - caught him with his left heavily on the right cheek, - and retreated. Poulson followed him to the corner and - let go his left and right, when Sayers countered him on - the cheek. Poulson retaliated on the mouth very - heavily, and Tom slipped down. - - 17.――Tom was now bleeding from the mouth and nose. He - was as steady as ever, and planted his left on the side - of the head. This led to some sharp in-fighting, - without material damage, and in the end Sayers slipped - down, tired. - - 18.――Poulson bored in, let go his left, which was - stopped, and Sayers was out of distance with his - return. The same thing was repeated on both sides; but, - on their getting closer, some good counter-hits were - exchanged, Poulson getting it on the jaw and Tom on the - damaged nose. Tom retreated, followed by Harry, who let - go both hands, but was prettily popped on the nozzle. - Some more sharp exchanges followed, Tom getting it - heavily on the left eye, and in the end Tom was down. - - 19.――Tom’s left peeper showed signs of closing. - Poulson, seeing this, bored in, but was propped on the - forehead and cheek. He persevered, when Tom succeeded - in planting a very straight nose-ender, which removed - the bark from Harry’s proboscis. The force of his own - blow staggered Tom, who slipped down. - - 20.――The gnomon of Harry’s dial was by no means set - straight by these visitations. He tried his dangerous - right at the body, but missed. Sayers nailed him again - on the snout, and got down. - - 21.――Tom again put in his favourite double on Harry’s - _os frontis_ and nose, and, on receiving Poulson’s - right on the ribs, fell. - - 22.――Harry, in his usual style, lunged out his right at - the body, but was short; Tom returning on the right - peeper, and getting cleverly away. Poulson followed him - up, and, after innocuous exchanges, Sayers went down. - - 23.――Poulson again led off, but was propped neatly on - the forehead and nose. This led to sharp - counter-hitting in favour of Poulson, and Sayers was - again down. - - 24.――Tom tried his double and got home his left on the - frontal bone, to the detriment of his knuckles, and - again too high to be effective. Poulson pegged away at - the ribs and the side of his head very heavily, the - latter blow knocking Tom off his pins. - - 25.――Tom seemed much fatigued; he nevertheless led off, - but without effect. Poulson tried to return, when Tom - met him on the nose with his left, and then on the - forehead. Poulson once more reached Tom’s nose with his - right, and Tom was down. - - 26.――Harry tried his left, and succeeded in reaching - Tom’s right peeper, but not heavily. Tom returned on - the forehead, and then delivered his left on the snout. - He retreated to draw his man, and as he came caught him - a tremendous spank on the potato-trap with his right, - but in retreating caught his foot against the stake and - fell. - - 27.――Harry’s mouth much swollen from the hit in the - last round. He rushed in, when Tom caught him on the - nasal organ heavily with his left, and got away. - Poulson now tried his left, but was short; and Sayers - caught him once more on the lips, renewing the supply - of carmine. Poulson rushed after him, and Tom in - getting away again caught against the stake and fell - heavily. - - 28.――Tom smiling, dodged and popped in his left on the - mouth, and then on the nose with great quickness, - drawing more gravy. Poulson rushed after him, but - missed his right; some slogging punches followed on - both sides to a close, in which both fell, Sayers - under. - - 29.――They immediately closed, and after some sharp - fibbing, in which Sayers was the quicker and - straighter, both were again down. One hour had now - elapsed. - - 30.――Tom led off, and again reached Harry’s nose. It - was a long shot, and not heavy. Poulson missed his - return, whereupon Sayers planted his left twice in - succession on the nose, and, after receiving a little - one on the chest, slipped down. - - 31.――Poulson led off with his left, but was stopped, - and Sayers was short in his return. Harry then missed - his right on the ribs, and napped a hot one on the - kisser from Tom’s left. This visitation Tom repeated, - and then got on Harry’s nose. Harry rushed at him, and - Tom slipped down, the ground being in a dreadful state. - - 32.――Sayers feinted and again got well on the mug and - nose with his left, and Harry was short with his - return. Tom drew him, and as he came got home on the - right eye. Harry now reached his left cheek heavily, - and Tom got down. - - 33.――Tom planted his left slightly on the dexter ogle, - and then in the mazzard, getting cleverly away from the - return. Poulson followed him up and delivered another - terrific smack with his right on the nose, drawing a - fresh supply of the sap. A close followed, in which Tom - slipped down, bleeding from his proboscis. - - 34.――Poulson tried both mauleys, but was short. He then - rushed in again, missed, and Tom, in getting back, - fell. He was evidently weak, and it was now that - Paddock laid 3 to 1, thinking, no doubt, that Poulson, - who from his fine condition showed scarcely a mark, - would tire him out. - - 35.――Poulson went to work, missed his left, but caught - Tom with his right on the larboard cheek, which was - much swollen, and in the close which followed Tom was - down. - - 36.――Tom led off with his left on the nose, but not - heavily. Harry returned on the nose and the side of his - head, and Tom slipped down. - - 37.――Harry let go, and planted his right on the nose. - Exchanges followed in favour of Poulson, and Sayers got - down. - - 38.――Tom collected himself, waited for his man, and - nailed him twice in succession on the right eye. Slight - exchanges followed, and they fell opposite to one - another on their knees, the ground being more slippery - than ever, and their spikes almost useless. - - 39.――Tom dodged, put in his left and right on Harry’s - optics; the latter then went to work, and some heavy - exchanges ensued in favour of Poulson who nailed Tom - with effect on the left eye, and Tom fell. His left eye - was nearly closed. - - 40.――Tom still took the lead, caught Harry on the - snuffbox heavily, and in retreating slipped down. - - 41.――Tom busy with the left on the right eye, and then - on the mouth. Poulson returned heavily on the left - goggle, and then bored Tom down through the ropes, his - left daylight being quite extinguished. - - 42.――Sayers tried his left on the mouth, but was - stopped, and Poulson dashed in, nailed him with the - right on the mouth, closed, and fibbed him until Tom - was down. - - 43.――Tom, although evidently tired, came up smiling, - feinted, and let go his left on the right cheek. - Poulson dashed in, when Tom met him heavily over the - left eyebrow. Poulson still followed him as he - retreated, and Tom nailed him on the nose. In the end - Tom got down in his corner. - - 44.――Tom “put his double on,” but it wanted steam. - Poulson then bored in, closed at the ropes, and, after - a short struggle, both were down. - - 45.――On getting close, some heavy counter-hitting took - place, Tom getting on to the right peeper, and Poulson - on the mouth, renewing the supply of crimson. Tom - retreated, came again and caught his man on the temple, - and then on the mouth. Poulson returned on the latter - organ and ribs with his right. - - 46.――The left side of Tom’s nut was much swollen, and - his nose all shapes but the right. He came up - undaunted, let go his left well on the right ogle, - which at last began to show signs of a shut-up. Tom - retreated, followed by Poulson, and as the latter let - go his right, Tom countered him bang on the right eye. - Poulson returned slightly on the nose. - - 47.――Sayers once more tried his double with effect, and - got on the right eye. Poulson rushed after him, when - Tom slipped down in rather a questionable manner, but - there was no appeal. - - 48.――Tom crept in and popped his left on the nose. A - close followed, in which Tom got down on the saving - suit. - - 49.――Poulson tried to take the lead, but was too slow - for the nimble Tom, who got quickly away. Harry - persevered, and got well on the ribs twice in - succession very heavily. - - 50.――Tom evidently felt the effects of the visitations - to the ribs, for his left arm certainly did not come up - with the same freedom as before. Poulson went in, - delivered another rib-bender, and Tom got down. - - 51.――Harry tried to improve his advantage; but Sayers - propped him beautifully on the nose, received another - little one on the ribs, and dropped. - - 52.――Poulson once more swung out his right; but Tom got - away, and, as Harry followed, planted his left on the - smeller. Poulson then bored him down, and falling - himself, carefully avoided dropping on Sayers by - placing a knee on each side of him. This manly - forbearance on the part of Poulson elicited loud - applause on all sides, the more particularly as it was - not the first time during the fight. - - 53.――Poulson again let go his left and right, but Tom - was away, planting his left on the jaw as Harry came - after him. Poulson succeeded in delivering his right - slightly on the cheek, and Sayers got down. - - 54.――Poulson led off left and right, but was stopped, - and he, in turn, stopped Tom’s attempted deliveries. - Tom then made his left on the throat and mouth by one - of his clever doubles, and, after napping a little one - on the proboscis, dropped. - - 55.――Poulson popped his right on Tom’s damaged peeper, - and then on the jaw very heavily. Heavy exchanges - followed, each getting it on the side of the cranium, - and in the end Sayers was down. - - 56.――Tom feinted, put his double on the mouth and - throat, and, as Poulson followed him up, he took - advantage of a slight hit to go down. - - 57.――Poulson dashed his right on the left cheek, and - Tom was again down, evidently requiring rest. - - 58.――Harry got well on to Tom’s conk with his right, - and then with his left, and Tom dropped. - - 59.――Harry again led off, but the blow was of no - effect; he followed it by another on the nose, and a - third on the side of the head, and Tom went to earth. - - 60.――Harry made his left and right, but they were very - slight, and Tom got down. - - 61.――Sayers was now recovering his wind, and, waiting - for his man, countered him very straight on the right - eyebrow as he came in, inflicting a cut, and drawing - the carmine. Exchanges in favour of Sayers followed, - who again caught his man over the right peeper, and, in - the end, Tom got down, the Poulson party asking why he - did not stand up, and claiming a foul, which was not - allowed, there being no ground for it. - - 62.――Tom led off, but missed, and napped a heavy smack - on the whistler from Poulson’s left. On getting close, - a tremendous counter-hit with the right was exchanged, - Sayers getting it on the jaw, and Poulson on the right - eye, each knocking his adversary down. - - 63.――Both slow to time, the counter in the last round - having been a shaker for each. Poulson was bleeding - from the right ogle, and Tom from the mouth. Tom again - got on to Harry’s right eye, and, on getting a little - one on the mouth, once more fell. - - 64.――Tom, again very weak and tired, waited for his - man, caught him slightly on the left cheek, and slipped - down. Another claim that he went down without a blow - disallowed, the ground being very bad; the referee, - however, cautioned him to be careful. - - 65.――Tom tried his left, which was easily stopped, and - Poulson nailed him on the mouth. A close and fibbing - followed, when Tom, having all the worst of this game, - got down. - - 66.――Poulson led off with his right, which was stopped, - and Sayers missed his return; Poulson then caught him a - little one with his right on the side of his nut, and - Tom, glad of the excuse, got down. - - 67.――Harry tried his left, and succeeded in reaching - Tom’s right cheek. Heavy counter-hits followed, Poulson - on the nose, and Tom on the left cheek; and Tom, in - turning, after getting another crack on the side of his - occiput, dropped. - - 68.――Poulson dashed out his left, but Sayers got - cleverly away. He tried it again with the same result, - and on making a third essay, Tom countered him well off - on the right ogle. He then made his left twice on the - left eye, and, as Poulson rushed at him, got down. Two - hours had now passed, and the punishment was pretty - equally divided. Poulson’s right eye, like Tom’s left, - was completely closed, and each of their noses was much - out of shape. The right side of Tom’s face was - unscathed, but his ribs bore heavy marks of punishment. - Poulson had a mouse under his left eye, but was much - stronger on his legs than Sayers, and it was still - thought he must wear him out. Many also imagined that, - as Tom was getting slower, Poulson would knock him out - of time with his dangerous right. - - 69.――Tom tried to lead off with his left, but was - stopped twice in succession, and Poulson nailed him on - the snorer. Tom returned the compliment by a tidy smack - with his right on the mouth, drawing more of the - cochineal; slight exchanges followed, and Sayers got - down. - - 70.――Tom’s left was again stopped, and Harry was short - in his return. Tom then feinted and popped his double - on the nose and right cheek, which he cut slightly. - - 71.――Poulson let go his left, but did not get home. On - Sayers attempting to return, Harry popped him on the - nose, and Tom got down. - - 72.――Poulson’s left was stopped easily; he then tried a - one, two, and reached Tom’s mouth with his right; the - left, however, did not reach its destination (the - unscathed side of Tom’s phisog). In the end Tom got - down. - - 73.――Sayers stopped Poulson’s one, two, and then got - home on the right eye. Poulson returned on the chin. - Some rapid exchanges followed, Tom making both hands on - the mouth and left cheek, and Poulson getting in on - Tom’s nose. Poulson closed, when Tom caught him heavily - on the mouth, and Poulson got down. - - 74.――Tom put in a well-delivered left-hander on the - damaged peeper. Slight exchanges followed, and Tom got - down. - - 75.――Tom getting more lively every round, and Poulson’s - head at last beginning to swell. Tom let go his left on - the throat; good counter-hits followed, Poulson on the - mouth, and Tom on the side of the head. Poulson then - dashed in with his right on the ribs, leaving marks of - his knuckles. Tom retaliated on the right eye, and a - determined rally followed, in which each got pepper; - but Sayers was straighter in his deliveries. In the end - he was down. The Poulson party began now to look - serious; their man was gradually going blind of both - eyes, and Sayers appeared to be no weaker than he was - an hour ago, added to which he had still a good eye. - - 76.――Both came up piping from the effects of the last - round. Poulson tried his left twice, but Sayers got - away, and, as Harry came after him, met him well on the - mouth, and then on the right eye, and in the end both - fell side by side. - - 77.――Sayers came up smiling as well as his distorted - mug would allow; he dodged, and then got well over - Poulson’s guard on to his left eye. Harry instantly - returned on the chin, when Tom once more popped his - left on the mouth heavily, and got away. He played - round his man and at last sent home another left-hander - on the left eye――a cross hit. Poulson just reached his - jaw with his right, and Tom got down. - - 78.――Tom made play with his left on the right ogle, and - avoided the return. Poulson persevered, and at last Tom - got down in his corner. - - 79.――Poulson dashed in his right on the nose, but not - very heavily; Sayers returned on the right gazer, and - napped a heavy right-hander on the cheek, from the - effect of which he went down weak. - - 80.――Tom steadied himself, crept close, and popped his - left on the left eye. Poulson rushed at him, and heavy - counter-hits were exchanged on the jaw, both coming to - the ground side by side. - - 81.――Tom missed two attempts to deliver, and received - another heavy thwack on the bread-basket. Heavy - exchanges ensued in favour of Poulson, who was always - best at close quarters, and Sayers got down. - - 82.――Tom came up a little stronger, and let go his - left, but not heavily, on the right cheek. Poulson - tried a return, but Tom, who gradually retreated, - propped him as he came in, on the right eye and nose. - Poulson, determined if possible, to make a decided turn - in his favour, persevered, and some rattling ding-dong - fighting took place, each getting it heavily on the - dial, and in the end both were down. - - 83.――Both looked the worse for the last round, but - Poulson’s left eye was fast following suit with his - right, and it was evident to all that if Sayers kept - away it was a mere question of time. Sayers feinted, - put in his double very neatly on the mouth, and then - got a hot one on the left cheek. Good exchanges at - close quarters followed, in which Poulson’s visitations - to Tom’s snout were anything but agreeable, while Tom - was busy on the right eye. This was another ding-dong - round, and astonished every one after the men had - fought so long. In the end Sayers got down, and Poulson - fell on his knees at his side. - - 84.――Tom’s double was once more successful, and he got - well on Harry’s smeller. Poulson once more reached the - left side of the nut, just by the ear, and Tom fell. - - 85.――Poulson led off with his left, getting well on - Tom’s nose. Good counter-hits followed, Tom getting it - on the mouth, and Harry on the left eye. Poulson now - dashed in, but got one on the right eye; he, however, - nailed Tom on the right ear, drawing claret. Another - desperate rally followed, in which Jack was as good as - his master, and in the end Sayers got down. Two hours - and thirty minutes had now elapsed. - - 86.――Poulson dashed in, but Sayers stepped nimbly back, - propping him as he came on the left eye. Harry at last - made his right on the left ear, and Tom got down. - - 87.――Poulson again rushed in, but Sayers, after - propping him over the right eye, dropped. Another claim - of foul not allowed. - - 88.――Tom tried his left, but was short; Poulson then - rattled in, caught him on the left side of his - knowledge-box, and Tom dropped. - - 89.――Poulson, after being short with his one, two, made - his right on the ribs, and Tom fell. - - 90.――Poulson again hit out of distance; he persevered, - and eventually nailed Tom slightly on the nozzle, and - that hero wisely got down, by way of a rest, finding - that Harry was still dangerous at close quarters. - - 91.――Tom stopped Harry with great neatness, and then - planted his left on the throat; heavy exchanges - followed in favour of Poulson, who again reached Tom’s - left ear very severely, drawing more of the Burgundy, - and Tom fell very weak. - - 92.――Tom, who staggered up, received a heavy one from - Harry’s right on the brow, and got down. - - 93.――Neither very ready at the call of “Time,” but Tom - slowest; he nevertheless came up steady, and, as - Poulson rushed in, planted his left very heavily, first - on the right eye and then on the nose, and got away, - followed by Poulson, who forced the fighting. Heavy - exchanges followed, Harry on the ribs and Tom on the - forehead, and Tom down. - - 94.――Poulson for the first time got on to Tom’s right - eye, but not heavily; he then popped his right on the - ear, and also on the ribs very heavily, staggering Tom, - who evidently winced under the latter visitation. Tom, - however shook himself together, and some sharp - exchanges took place, which ended in Sayers dropping to - avoid a fall. - - 95.――Poulson’s right neatly stopped. He tried again - with a rush, but Tom cleverly ducked and got away. - Poulson followed him up, and napped a sharp reminder - over the right brow; Poulson returned on the chest, and - Tom got down. - - 96.――After some harmless exchanges, Sayers got down, - amidst the groans of the Nottingham party. - - 97.――Poulson was again neatly stopped, and Tom returned - heavily on the mouth, turning on the main once more. - Poulson made his right on the ribs, and then on the - left cheek, and, after one or two harmless passes, Tom - got down. - - 98.――Sayers put in his double on the throat, and - Poulson rushed to a close, and, after a brief struggle, - Sayers fell; Poulson again, and in the most manly way, - avoiding failing on him. - - 99.――Tom, evidently the best man, dodged, and put in - his left on the side of Poulson’s head; Harry wide of - the mark with his return. Tom came again, dodged him, - and whack went his left on the smelling-bottle. Slight - exchanges followed, and then Poulson, as Sayers was - retreating, caught him a heavy right-hander on the jaw - which knocked him down. - - 100.――The Poulsonians anxious for the call of “Time;” - but to their surprise Tom came up quite steady. He - dodged his man, popped in his double on the nose and - left peeper without a return, and then on the throat, - and in getting back fell. - - 101.――Poulson, nearly blind, dashed in with - determination, and heavy counter-hits were exchanged, - Tom getting well on the mouth and Harry on the nose, - and Sayers slipped down. Three hours had now elapsed. - - 102.――Sayers drew a fresh supply of the ruby from - Harry’s right cheek, and, in retreating, fell. Another - claim of foul. - - 103.――Poulson went in and made his right on the side of - Tom’s head. Tom retreated, advanced, making his usual - feint, but, on seeing Poulson coming at him, he tried - to get back, and, his legs slipping apart, he could not - get himself into a defensive position, and fell. - Another claim of foul was here made; but the referee, - who had not seen the round, owing to the interposition - of the bodies of the seconds and backers of Poulson, - pronounced “fair;” and in his decision we decidedly - concur, as, in our opinion, the fall on the part of - Sayers was entirely unpremeditated and accidental. It - was for some time before order was restored; and the - delay was of the greatest advantage to Sayers, while it - had an opposite effect on Poulson, whose left eye was - now all but closed. - - 104.――Tom came up gaily, dodged his man, who came - towards him, and then nailed him heavily on the - proboscis and left peeper. A close followed, and Sayers - got down. - - 105.――Slight exchanges, in which no damage was done, - and Sayers slipped down. - - 106.――Poulson dashed in to make a last effort, and - heavy counter-hits were exchanged. Sayers caught him on - the left eye, and received a heavy rib-bender and then - a crack on the left ear, whereupon he dropped. - - 107.――Sayers, bleeding from the left ear, came up - slowly and feinted in his usual style; caught Harry on - the right eye, and then on the mark. Poulson popped his - right heavily on the ribs, and another give-and-take - rally followed, at the end of which Sayers, who was - still weak on his legs, got down. - - 108.――Poulson’s face was now much swollen and there was - scarcely a glimmer from his left peeper. He was, - however, still strong as ever on his pins. He rushed - in, knowing he had no time to spare, and caught Tom - heavily with his right on the left ear. Exchanges - followed, Sayers being straightest. Poulson bored in, - and got home heavily with his right on the ribs, when - Tom delivered his left heavily on the jaw, and knocked - him down. - - 109, and last.――The last blow had evidently been a - settler for the gallant Poulson: he came up slowly and - all abroad. The game fellow tried once more to effect a - lodgement, but missed, his head came forward and Tom - delivered the _coup de grâce_ by a heavy right-hander - on the jaw, which again knocked the veteran off his - legs, and, on being taken up, he was found to be deaf - to the call of “Time.” He recovered in a few minutes, - and shed bitter tears of disappointment at the - unsatisfactory and unexpected termination of his - labours. Sayers walked to a public house adjoining the - field of battle, and of course was vociferously - congratulated by his friends and admirers upon his - triumphant success. Poulson was also conveyed to the - public-house, and, after taking some refreshment, - became himself. He was quite blind, and his mug - otherwise much battered, but beyond this had sustained - no serious injuries. Sayers complained a good deal of - the punishment about his body, and the repeated - visitations to the side of his head, but of course the - fact of his being the winner went far to allay the - physical suffering he endured. Both were enabled to - return to town in the same train with their friends, - and arrived at their respective houses about half-past - nine o’clock. The fight lasted three hours and eight - minutes. - - REMARKS.――Owing to the minute details which we have - given of all the material incidents in this really - extraordinary battle, we may spare our readers the - trouble of reading many observations upon the - respective merits of the men, of which the account of - the different rounds will have enabled them to form as - correct an opinion as ourselves. Tom Sayers, by his - quickness on his legs, his steadiness and excellent - judgment, not only astonished his adversary and his - backers, but completely took his own friends by - surprise. He had evidently much improved, in every - possible way, since his defeat by Nat Langham. Great - fault was found with him for his too constant resort to - the dropping system; but for this he had every excuse. - He scarcely ever went down without having had a - bustling round, and once only during the battle did we - observe anything at which an impartial man would cavil. - This was at a period in the middle of the fight when he - was extremely weak, and at the time no appeal was made - by the friends of Poulson. It must be taken into - consideration that Tom was anything but himself, and - the ground was far from favourable for keeping on his - legs and getting out of the reach of his weighty and - powerful adversary. It has been urged that the ground - was as much against Poulson as Sayers; but this was - hardly so. Poulson is a steady ding-dong fighter, of - the squarest build, does not depend much on his - defensive tactics, and makes little use of his legs; - while Tom had to be continually jumping back, and, when - opposed to such superior weight, would of course find - proportionate difficulty in keeping on his pins. - Indeed, many times when he fell he came to the ground - with such a “thud” as must have shaken a good deal of - his strength out of him. We are aware that since the - match had been made many things had occurred to harass - Tom’s mind, and that he had pecuniary difficulties to - contend with which, we trust, will not exist in future - matches; and this, again, must be taken into - consideration. He does not want for friends, and, we - doubt not, with steadiness and good conduct, will find - himself on the high road to prosperity. Of Harry - Poulson’s gallantry and manliness we cannot say too - much. He fought from first to last in a game, - straightforward manner, with an evident determination - to do his best to win in a fair and honourable way. He - scorned to take advantage of many opportunities of - falling on his man, when he might have done so with - perfect fairness, and otherwise comported himself in a - manner as reflects the very highest credit upon his - character as a man, and a demonstrator of the noble art - of self-defence. Although evidently annoyed at being - unable to get home as he expected, he still never - allowed his temper to get the better of him; and often - when Tom, from his shifty tactics, evaded what had been - intended as a finisher, he stood and shook his head at - him, as much as to say it was too bad, but not once did - he allow a harsh or angry expression to escape him. He - is truly one of the gamest of the game; but he is too - slow, and depends too much on his right hand, to have - much chance of success against a really finished boxer. - We do not consider that his age had anything to do with - his defeat, for he is as fresh as most London boxers - who are ten years his juniors. His bravery and - universal good conduct cannot but secure him the - respect and support of all admirers of such good - qualities. - -The conquest of Poulson was unquestionably the greatest achievement of -Sayers’s pugilistic career. He was now established as a man with whom -the men under 12 stone on the boxing list must not meddle; at any -rate, none other were likely to get backers against him. - -From this period the name of Tom Sayers mixes itself with every -question of the belt and the Championship. - -In the year 1855, a proposition was set on foot by a number of patrons -of the Ring, to raise, by subscription, a sum of money to purchase a -belt of greater intrinsic value than anything of the kind previously -presented, in lieu of the belt which had “gone astray” during the -squabbles between Bendigo, Caunt, and the Tipton Slasher. Lists were -opened, and before long a sum of nearly £100 was collected. To Mr. -Hancock, of New Bond Street, was entrusted the manufacture of the -trophy, and from that gentleman’s establishment was produced the -elegant badge of the highest fistic honours which Tom Sayers so well -and so worthily won. On the belt being ordered, the committee who -undertook its management issued the following as the conditions on -which it should be held: “That it should not be handed over to any -person claiming the Championship until he had proved his right to it -by a fight; that any pugilist having held it against all comers for -three years, without a defeat, should become its absolute possessor; -that the holder should be bound to meet every challenger of any weight -who should challenge him for the sum of £200 a side, within six months -after the issue of such challenge, within the three years; that he -should not be bound to fight for less than £200 a side; that at the -final deposit for every match within the three years the belt should -be delivered up to the committee until after the battle; and, finally, -that on the belt being given to the winner of any Champion-fight, he -should deposit such security as should be deemed necessary in the -hands of the committee to ensure the above regulations being carried -out.” - -No sooner did it become known that the belt was ready for whosoever -could win it, than there was a general stirring up of the dormant -energies of the big men who had retired, or thought to be about to -retire, from the Ring. Harry Broome shook himself together; the Tipton -Slasher roused him from his lair; Tom Paddock’s hair stood on end -between hope and fear of disappointment; while Aaron Jones, who about -this time (1855) had fought the second of two tremendous battles with -Paddock, and, though defeated, had entirely removed any impressions as -to his want of pluck caused by his battles with Harry Orme, also -pricked up his ears, and issued a defiant grunt. The only man among -the recent combatants for Champion’s honours who made no sign was -Harry Orme, who was content to rest upon his well-earned reputation. -At first it was thought there would not be found a man sufficiently -venturous to tackle the “Ould Tipton,” but this was soon seen to be a -fallacy; for not one only, but each and every of the aspirants sent -out a defiance to the crooked-legged hero of the hardware districts. -The first cartel that reached him was that of Aaron Jones, and with -him preliminaries were at once arranged. - -The challenges of Broome and Paddock arriving afterwards, the Slasher -informed them that they must wait the issue of the struggle with -Jones. Broome and Paddock seemed both disinclined to wait for this -event, and neither was desirous of postponing his claims to those of -his co-challenger, and, as a natural consequence, a good deal of -badinage took place between them, which ended in their being matched -for £200 a side, to ascertain which should have the preference. While -they were in training Aaron Jones was compelled to forfeit to the -Tipton Slasher, through meeting with an accident during his training; -so that there appeared a clear course for the winner. - -The fight between Broome and Paddock took place on the 19th of May, -1856, and was won by Tom Paddock with ease in 51 rounds, and 63 -minutes, it being at once apparent that, though Harry Broome had all -the will and the courage to do deeds of valour, the power had deserted -him, and he had become prematurely old and stale. (See page 294.) - -Soon after Paddock’s defeat of Broome, Paddock obtained the acme of -his desires――viz., a match with his old opponent, the Slasher; but -when £80 a side had been staked Master Tom allowed his temper to get -the better of his judgment, and, having offended his best friends, had -to forfeit through a scarcity of “ochre.” This was not only a -disappointment to himself, but also to his opponent, who was thus -foiled in his efforts to get hold of the belt, which could not be -obtained without a mill, and which he had made sure of winning from -Tom Paddock. Just previous to this mishap Jones had recovered from his -accident, and, to the surprise of all, had been matched with the -“coming man,” Tom Sayers; so that even here the “Old’un” was again -done out of an opponent, and the belt still remained in abeyance, to -abide the issue between Sayers and Jones, the winner to meet the -ponderous Tipton for the coveted trophy. This fight, which took place -on the banks of the Medway, on the 19th February, 1857, we now propose -to narrate. - -Owing to the puritanical persecution to which the Ring had been for -some time subjected, a line of country had to be selected which had -for a long time been untried, so that there was every prospect of -matters being adjusted in that quarter without let or hindrance. -Although bills were circulated, stating that a train would leave the -Great Northern Station at King’s Cross on Tuesday at nine o’clock, it -was at the eleventh hour considered that the locality would on the -present occasion be too “warm,” and therefore, an alteration was -deemed prudent. This alteration could not be made public at so late a -period, and it was only those who happened to consult the initiated at -the benefit of the Pugilistic Benevolent Association, on the previous -Monday evening, who got a due to the real state of the case. The -consequence was that on Tuesday morning, at the Fenchurch Street -Station, there were at the utmost 180 persons, including a -considerable number of patricians and a very small proportion of the -professors of the noble art, while of the “roughs” and other noisy -demonstrators there was an almost total absence. These gentry and some -few unfortunates of the higher class hastened to the Great Northern -terminus at the hour named in the handbills, and great was their -disappointment, and loud their indignation, at finding themselves -sold. - -The start from Fenchurch Street took place at eight o’clock precisely, -and by nine o’clock Tilbury was reached, where all at once embarked in -a vessel provided for the purpose, and by twenty minutes to ten were -safely on board, and, greatly to the credit of the managers of the -expedition, a start was at once effected. In order to throw dust in -the eyes of the Blues, it was determined to proceed straight to the -mouth of the river; and, in the face of a stiff gale from E.N.E., the -journey to the Nore was effected in excellent style. The lumpy water -in this locality had, as may be imagined, a most unpleasant effect -upon many of the voyagers, whose stomachs, unaccustomed to salt water, -and anything but improved in tone by their nocturnal vigils (as they -had sat up all night in order to be early in the morning), were turned -inside out; and the consequence was that swabs and buckets of water -were in strong demand. After about an hour’s tossing among the -billows, “’bout ship” was the cry, the river was re-entered, and the -vessel sped homewards until a spot was reached not far from Canvey -Island, where Freeman and the Tipton Slasher fought. With some -difficulty a landing was effected, and Tom Oliver, Tom Callas, Puggy -White, &c., proceeded to form the lists, although it was not without -extraordinary exertions that anything like a favourable spot could be -found, and even this was rough and extremely uneven, from the late -heavy weather. Numerous were the mishaps of the company on landing, -but by no means equal to those they experienced on attempting to -regain the vessel after the battle was over, when thick darkness -overspread the land, and led many an unwary traveller into mud and -mire of the most consistent character. The ring was pitched by -half-past twelve o’clock, and a tolerable outer ring was established; -but, as usual when the attendance is small, the difficulty of -preserving this outer circle intact was very great, and towards the -close of the fight, notwithstanding the exertions of some of the -ring-keepers, the spectators crowded close to the ring, but, -fortunately, did not disturb the ropes and stakes. - -The combatants, who had made a sort of demi-toilette on board the -steamer, quickly entered the ring, Sayers attended by Jemmy Welsh and -George Crockett, Jones advised by Alec Keene and Mike Madden. The -stake was £100 a side. The career of Tom’s youthful antagonist will be -found sketched at pages 253, 283, and 289 of this volume. Jones had -the advantage of Sayers in age by five years; his height 5 feet 11½ -inches, and his weight 12st. - -Jones, after his defeat by Orme, was on the shelf for a period of two -years. He then came out with a challenge to Tom Paddock, which was -accepted, and the men met July 18, 1854, at Long Reach, for £100 a -side, and, after as gallant a struggle as was ever witnessed, Jones -became blind, and his friends gave in for him, after fighting 121 -rounds in two hours and twenty-four minutes. So satisfied were his -backers on this occasion that they at once expressed their willingness -to make a fresh match. After some little time articles were entered -into, and they went into training for the second mill. This affair -came off at Mildenhall on the 26th of June, 1855, and was another -display of manly courage and perseverance on both sides. Towards the -close Jones, who for some time had the best of it, fell off very weak, -and Paddock, who, like his opponent, was much punished and exhausted, -saw that his time was come, and, shaking himself together, he rattled -away in style until poor Aaron was once more compelled to cry “a go,” -after a contest of sixty-one rounds, in one hour and twenty-nine -minutes. Jones after this was matched with the Tipton Slasher, as we -have already stated, but this went off; and this brings us to the -present meeting. - -On entering the ring both men were loudly cheered, and both looked -equally confident. No sooner had they put in an appearance than -speculation began. The Sayers party originally stood out for 6 to 4, -but being unable to get on at that price, they reduced their demands -to 5 to 4, at which price considerable business was done, and a bet of -£10 to £8 was made and staked between the men. It was piercingly cold; -and, the ground being in a moist state, all looked anxious for -business, in the hope that the excitement of the combat would dispel -some of the shivering fits to which the spectators, one and all, -notwithstanding their Crimean-looking outfits, seemed to be subject. -Little time was lost by the men in denuding themselves of their -remaining outer-garments, and, the handkerchiefs having been tied to -the stakes (a light grey and white for Sayers, and a neat white and -blue check for Jones), at one o’clock precisely “Time” was called, -hands were clasped, and the men began - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On baring their forequarters to the piercing - breeze, a perceptible shiver ran through the carcases - of the combatants. Sayers looked in perfect condition; - every muscle was perceptible, and we doubt whether - there was an ounce of superfluous flesh about him. - There was a smile of confidence on his lips and bright - sparkle in his eye that betokened extraordinary health - and spirits. His attitude was artistic and firm, yet - light. Of course he stood on the defensive, and eyed - his heavier opponent. There did not appear to be that - disparity of size that really existed; for Jones - stooped rather on throwing himself on guard, and thus - reduced his height almost to a level with that of the - gallant Tom, who was upright as a dart. Aaron’s - condition did not seem to us so first-rate as the first - glance at him had led us to suppose. His muscles, - though large, were too well covered, while his back and - chest also displayed much superfluous meat, and we - should say that his weight could not have been less - than 12st. 4lbs. He, like Sayers, looked confident, but - was far more serious in his demeanour. They both - commenced the round with the utmost caution, sparring, - and attempting to draw one another into something like - an opening; but for a long time neither would throw a - chance away. At length Jones dashed out left and right; - but the blows passed over Tom’s shoulders, and Tom with - quickness tapped Aaron on the face, but without force. - Sayers now let go his left, but Jones retreated. Tom - persevered, and was cleverly stopped. In a third - attempt, after more dodging, he got heavily on Aaron’s - mouth and stepped back without a return. Jones now - assumed the offensive, but was stopped, and Tom, after - another dodge or two, planted his left heavily on the - mark, and then the same hand on the side of Aaron’s - nut, but not heavily. Jones returned heavily on the - right peeper, and shortly after made a second call at - the same establishment. More stopping and dodging, - until Sayers paid another visit to Aaron’s kisser, - Jones missing his return. Each now stopped a lead; but - immediately afterwards Jones popped in his left on the - snuff-box, a heavy hit without a return. Tom grinned a - ghastly grin; but the crack evidently made him see - stars. Jones attempted to repeat the dose; but Tom got - well away, and, as he retreated, popped his left on the - neck. More excellent stopping on both sides, and, after - a few harmless exchanges, Tom tried a double with his - left and got on the throat, but the blow lacked steam. - Jones returned with quickness over the left peeper, - inflicting a cut and drawing the claret. (“First blood” - for Jones.) Tom, although staggered, was undaunted, and - went at his man with determination. He once more got on - the bread-basket heavily. Good counter-hits followed, - in which Jones again reached Tom’s damaged peeper, - drawing more of the essential, and Tom delivered a - straight one on the snout, removing a small portion of - the bark. Tom then got on the left eye, and, after some - sharp punching at close quarters, both fell. This round - lasted exactly half an hour. - - 2.――Tom came up much flushed, and the crimson - distilling from his damaged eye. After a little - dodging, he tried his double, but did not get it home. - He tried a second time, but was stopped, and Jones - returned on the left eye. This led to very heavy - counters, each on the larboard goggle. Jones now - feinted, and popped his left on the nose. They got hold - of one another, swung round, broke away, and Sayers - then popped his left again on the left eye. Severe - exchanges followed at close quarters, and both in the - end were down. - - 3.――Sayers quickly led off with his left, and was - stopped. He then tried his double, but was short. In a - third essay he got home on Aaron’s nose, but not - heavily. Twice again did he pop in gentle taps, but he - now napped another rattler on the left eye. Severe - exchanges followed, Aaron again turning on the stream - from Tom’s left brow, and Tom tapping his opponent’s - snuff-box. More exchanges in favour of Jones; and in - the end both fell in a scrambling struggle, Jones - under. - - 4.――Tom’s left brow and the left side of his canister - were much swollen, but he was still confident, and led - off, Jones countering him well on the mouth. Heavy - exchanges followed, Tom on the nose, and Jones on the - left cheek, and both again slipped down, the ground - being anything but level. - - 5.――Tom let fly his left, but was neatly stopped; Jones - returned on the side of the brain pan, and got down. - - 6.――Sayers came up, looking very serious, and it - subsequently turned out that he was suffering from - severe cramp in the stomach and lower extremities. He - went in, feinted, and got well home on Jones’s left - eye. This led to sharp exchanges and a close, when both - were down, Jones being underneath. Aaron had now a bump - on his left peeper, which was apparently closing. - - 7.――Aaron lost no time in sending out his left, which - fell on Tom’s chest. Heavy counter-hits followed, Jones - on the nose, and Tom on the mouth. More exchanges in - favour of Sayers, who again got on Aaron’s damaged - optic, and the latter got down. - - 8.――Sayers went to his man, and tried his double, the - second blow dropping on Aaron’s sneezer, and Tom then - got cleverly away from the return. Exchanges ensued, - Tom on the mark, and Aaron on the mazzard; Aaron then - got home his right heavily on the left side of Tom’s - knowledge-box, then his left on the left eye, and in - the close Sayers was down. - - 9.――Aaron led off, but was well stopped, and this led - to some sharp exchanges, Jones on the bad peeper, and - Tom on the left brow. Sayers tried another double, and - once more visited Aaron’s nose, but not heavily. More - mutual stopping, and Jones, at length, in getting away, - slipped and fell. One hour had now elapsed. - - 10.――Tom planted his left on the beak, and received a - little one in return on the forehead. Jones now let fly - his left and right, but was cleverly stopped. In a - second essay he got home on the left cheek. Heavy - exchanges followed, Tom getting on both peepers, and - Jones on the side of Tom’s cranium with both daddles, - and Tom fell. - - 11.――Aaron had now a mark on each peeper, the left fast - closing. Tom’s left, too, appeared almost shut up. - Jones tried to take the lead, but missed; Sayers - likewise missed his return. Exchanges followed in - favour of Jones, who, in the end, closed, and in the - struggle both fell, Jones uppermost. - - 12.――No time lost; both quickly at it, and some sharp - exchanges took place in favour of Jones, who got - heavily on Tom’s nose. Tom made his left on the body - heavily, and they then pegged away wildly at close - quarters until Jones got down. - - 13.――Aaron dashed in and pegged away left and right, - but without precision, and ultimately bored his man - down. - - 14.――Jones feinted and popped his left on the left eye, - without a return. Tom then let go his left, but was - short, and Jones, in dashing at him in return, slipped - and fell. - - 15.――Aaron led off, left and right, but Tom got away. - He came again, and tried to plant his left, but was - short. He then tried his double, but Jones got away. - Both now sparred and dodged, but nothing came of it. At - last Jones dashed in, and heavy exchanges took place in - favour of Jones, who, however, in the end, fell. - - 16.――Both at once went to work, and heavy exchanges - took place, each napping it on the left ogle, and both - fell through the ropes. - - 17.――Tom’s forehead and left eye much disfigured. Jones - let fly his left and right on the sides of the nob very - heavily, and both again fell through the ropes. - - 18.――Tom came up slowly, and was nailed on the damaged - peeper. In return he caught Aaron on the brow, but not - heavily. Jones then made his left and right on the side - of the head and left eye, and Tom retaliated on the - nose a little one. A close followed, and in the end - both were down, Jones under. - - 19.――Tom dodged and got home on Aaron’s smeller with - his left, and Aaron then made both hands on the left - side of Tom’s wig-block. A close and sharp struggle, - when both fell, Tom under. - - 20.――Jones dashed in and let go both hands on the head. - Tom returned on the left brow, and both fell backwards. - - 21.――Aaron again dashed in. He missed his right, - closed, and both fell, Jones under. - - 22.――Tom now led off, but missed, and Jones caught him - heavily with his right on the frontispiece, and knocked - him down. (“First knock-down for Jones.”) - - 23.――Tom, on coming up, showed the effect of the last - blow on his forehead. He attempted to lead off, but was - very short. He tried again with a like result; and - Jones, in letting go both hands in return, overreached - himself and fell. - - 24.――Aaron rattled in, planted his left and right on - the scent-box and left ear, the latter very heavy, and - bored Tom down. - - 25.――Tom came up bleeding from a severe cut on the left - lug, and his gnomon much out of straight. He tried to - lead off, but Jones caught him on the right brow, but - not very heavily. Tom then got home on the body, and - tremendous counter-hits followed, in favour of Jones, - who, in the end, slipped and fell, Tom catching him, - just as he reached the ground, on the side of the head. - - 26.――Jones went in left and right, closed, and both - were down. Sayers was now very weak, and the Jonesites - were in ecstasies. - - 27.――Aaron led off, getting well on the side of Tom’s - nut with his right. Tom missed his return, and Jones - then planted his left and right on the top of the - skull; closed at the ropes, where Tom managed to throw - him but not heavily. - - 28.――Jones led off, and got well on Tom’s nose with his - left, and Tom returned on the side of the head. After a - little dodging, Jones popped his left on Tom’s left - peeper, and his right on the jaw, again flooring Tom - and falling on him. - - 29.――Tom, who was excessively weak, came up slow, but - determined; he tried his left at the body, but was - short. Jones then let fly his left in return, but was - countered on the mouth. He then planted his left and - right on Tom’s damaged listener, and in the end fell. - - 30.――Aaron, after a few dodges, once more popped a - little ’un on Tom’s ear. Tom thereupon dashed in, but - got a little one on the nose, and another on the side - of the head, and Jones, in getting away, fell, - laughing. - - 31.――Jones attempted to lead off, but Tom got away. - Jones followed him up, caught him again on the side of - the nob, closed, and both rolled over together. - - 32.――Jones dashed in, planted both hands on the - brain-pan, closed, and forced Tom down. - - 33.――Jones again rushed in, but inflicted no damage, - and again bored Tom down. - - 34.――Jones still forced the fighting, and caught Tom, - who seemed very tired, on the side of the head, and, in - the end, both slipped down. - - 35.――Sayers was forced down, after getting a gentle - reminder on the side of his damaged figure-head. - - 36.――Tom, a little refreshed, sparred about for wind, - until Jones went in, and heavy exchanges took place, in - favour of Jones, when both fell backwards. - - 37.――Tom, recovering a little, tried his double, but - Jones got away, and, as Tom came, he nailed him on the - left brow. Tom then made his left on the mark, but - again napped it heavily on the left eye. Aaron now got - on the nose with his left――a heavy spank――and, in - getting back, he staggered and fell. - - 38.――Jones dodged, and planted his left on the mouth - heavily, and his right on the side of the head. Tom - returned slightly on the nose, and, after slight - exchanges, both fell. - - 39.――Very slight exchanges, and Sayers slipped down. - - 40.――After a little sparring they got close, and - exchanges took place, each getting it on the mouth. - Sayers then tried his left at the mark, but Jones got - away. Tom followed him up, and was caught by Aaron, - left and right, on the side of his head and fell. - - 41.――Tom came up, shook himself, and rattled in, but he - got it on the top of his cranium. Jones, in stepping - back, fell. Two hours had now expired. - - 42.――Jones, steady, let go his left on the side of - Tom’s head, and then both mauleys on the same spot. Tom - followed him up, but got it again on the brow. He, - however, got home on Jones’s body, and, in retreating - slipped and fell. - - 43.――Long sparring for wind, until Jones once more made - play on the left side of Tom’s occiput, and then on his - snout. Tom returned on the latter organ, but not - heavily. He now tried his favourite double, but did not - get home. In a second attempt he got heavily on Aaron’s - proboscis, and got away. Exchanges followed, in which - Tom again delivered heavily on the nose with his left, - and in the end Jones dropped. - - 44.――Tom was now evidently recovering from his - exhaustion. He came up steadier, and sparred shiftily - until Jones commenced the attack, when he stopped him - neatly. Heavy counter-hits followed on the jaw, after - which Sayers tried the double once again, but was - stopped. More good counter-hits, Tom getting well on - Aaron’s left eye, and receiving on the mouth. Aaron’s - left eye all but closed. - - 45.――More sparring, until Jones let fly his left, but - Sayers got away. Exchanges followed, Tom on the - whistler, and Jones on the nose, but not heavily. More - sharp counter-hitting, Tom once more getting on the - left eye severely. Jones returned, but not effectively, - with both hands on the side of the head, and in getting - away from the return he fell. - - 46.――Jones succeeded in planting a spanking hit from - the left on the left eye, and then another with the - same hand on the left cheek. In a third attempt he was - stopped. Heavy counter-hits followed, and in the end - Jones fell, Sayers falling over him. - - 47.――Aaron feinted with his left, and got well on Tom’s - nose; a very straight hit. Tom, in return, tried his - double, but was short. After some more ineffectual - attempts they got to it, and tremendous exchanges took - place, each getting it on the nose and left eye, and in - the end Jones got down. Two hours, fifteen minutes. - - 48.――Tom tried to lead off, but was stopped, and Jones - planted his left on the cheek. Tom now stopped two of - Jones’s hits, after which heavy exchanges took place, - Tom getting well on to the left eye, and Jones on the - nose. More sharp exchanges, left and right, each - getting pepper in earnest, and the favours mutually - divided. A break away, and to it again, ding-dong, and - Tom drew the crimson from Aaron’s left peeper, which - was now effectually closed. In the end Jones fell. It - was now anybody’s battle; Tom had quite recovered his - wind, and was nearly as strong as his heavier opponent. - - 49.――Both much punished. Sayers sparred until Jones - tried to lead off, when he got away. Jones followed him - up, but was short in his deliveries. In the end they - closed, and as they were falling Tom popped his right - sharply on Aaron’s back. - - 50.――Jones, after sparring, led off, and got home on - the nose, but not heavily; Tom returned on the right - peeper, and some pretty exchanges, left and right, took - place, followed by a break away, and Jones then stopped - Tom’s left; Tom, in return, stopped Aaron, and planted - his left on the mark, and then on the left eye, and - Jones got down. - - 51.――Jones led off, but was stopped. He persevered, and - a good give-and-take rally followed, Jones getting on - the left eye, and Tom on the left cheek heavily. Tom - next got on the mouth, drawing the Burgundy, and then - on the nose and left cheek. Another sharp rally - followed, after a break away, and in the end both down. - - 52.――Sayers visibly improving while Jones fell off. - Jones was short in his lead, and Tom returned on the - smelling-bottle, and got away. Jones followed and - dashed out his left, but Tom ducked his head. Tom then - got home on the mouth and nose, and drew more of the - ruby from the latter ornament. Jones succeeded in - returning a little ’un on the left eye, and Sayers - slipped down. - - 53.――Jones, who was bleeding from the left eye and - month, led off, but was well stopped. He then missed - his left, but in the end heavy exchanges, left and - right, took place, Jones on the side of the nut and the - neck, and in getting back he fell. - - 54.――Tom now essayed a lead, but was stopped. A second - attempt reached Aaron’s body, but not heavily, and - Jones returned on the nose. Tom tried his double, but - missed, and Jones popped a little one on the mouth, and - then his left on the left eye, and fell in the corner. - - 55.――Tom dodged about until he got within distance, and - then got home heavily on the mark. Jones returned on - the jaw with his right, but not heavily. After some - more sparring, Jones dashed in, when Tom met him very - sharply on the right cheek-bone with his left, and - Aaron fell all of a heap. He was carried to his corner, - where it was with the utmost difficulty he could be got - round at the call of “Time.” - - 56.――Jones came up all abroad, and Tom popped in - another spank on the same spot, whereupon Jones again - fell. It was thought to be all over; but, by dint of - shaking him up, Aaron was again enabled to respond to - the call. - - 57.――Tom rushed at his man to administer the _coup de - grace_, but, going in without precision, he contrived - to run against Aaron’s left, which was swung wildly - out, the blow, which alighted on Tom’s nose, regularly - staggered him. He quickly recovered himself, and went - in again, but Jones fell weak. - - After this, the battle continued to the 62nd round, - Jones getting gradually blind, and Sayers becoming very - tired. At length in the 62nd round, after slight - exchanges, the men, who were much exhausted, stood - still, looking at each other for some time, their - seconds covering them with rugs. Upon this the referee - and umpires called on them to go in and finish. Both - went to the scratch, but on Sayers approaching Jones, - the latter retreated to his corner, and Tom, in - obedience to the orders of his seconds, declined going - to fight him there. It was getting dark, and it was - clear that Jones and his friends were determined not to - throw a chance away. The referee once more called on - Jones to go to the scratch, which he did, but with - precisely the same result; and the referee, seeing that - Tom was not strong enough to go with prudence to finish - on his adversary’s ground, and that Jones was unwilling - to try the question at the scratch in his then - exhausted state, ordered the men to shake hands, - leaving the motion as to further hostilities to a - future day. Both were severely punished; each had a - peeper closed; Jones’s right was fast following his - left, and his right hand was injured; so that a second - meeting the same week was not to be thought of. The - fight lasted exactly three hours. The men and their - friends now hastened to regain the vessel, and it was - dark long ere the last of the company were safely on - board. Of course there were many laughable accidents in - the mud through which all had to wade; but luckily, - nothing occurred of a serious nature to mar the - pleasures of the day, which, although in some measure - clouded by the fact that the battle was not finished, - still left sufficient impression on the minds of the - spectators to cause them to remember this brilliant - passage of arms, which formed so hopeful an opening to - the pugilistic year 1857. The vessel conveyed the - company with all due speed to a convenient place for - debarkation, whence they obtained a passage by railway - to the Metropolis, which was reached in safety by nine - o’clock. Numerous complaints were made by the - disappointed ones who went to the Great Northern - Railway, at the manner in which they were deceived; and - the only consolation is that we are sorry for those - whom we should have been glad to welcome at the - ring-side, but who have themselves alone to blame for - not finding out the final fixture as many others had - done; while as to others of a certain class, who are - always more free than welcome, we can with truth say - their room was better than their company, and we - rejoice, with others who were present, that they were - so completely sold. Some unlucky wights got a sort of - hint as to the fixture, and arrived within a few miles - of the spot at a late hour in the afternoon, and were - landed, but unluckily for them, on the wrong island, - and here the poor fellows had to remain all night, and - sleep under a haystack. The boats that landed them had - departed, and they could make no one hear; so that, - cold, hungry, and thirsty, they had to weather the - cold, severe night in the best way they could. - -The renewed battle, which was for £200 and an additional bet of £100, -was fixed for Tuesday, the 10th February, 1857, on the same spot as -the previous gallant encounter. On this occasion Sayers was seconded -by Jemmy Massey and Bill Hayes, with Jemmy Welsh as bottle-holder; -Aaron Jones by Alec Keene and Jack Hicks, Jack Macdonald taking care -of the restoratives. 7 to 4 on Sayers. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On toeing the scratch the condition of both - men struck the spectators with admiration. In our - opinion it was perfect on both sides, but the - development of muscle was decidedly in favour of - Sayers, who is better ribbed up, and has his thews and - sinews laid on in the right place. He looked brown, - wiry, and healthy, and, for a middle weight, seemed - wonderfully big. Jones, who is of fairer complexion, - was altogether more delicate in appearance than Sayers, - and, although so much taller, heavier, and longer, did - not loom out so much larger as might be expected. He is - a fine-made, muscular young fellow, but still there is - an appearance about him which at once leads to the - conclusion that his stamina is scarcely fitted for the - wear and tear of gladiatorial encounters. He is about - twenty-six years of age, and in height is over 5 feet - 11 inches, while Tom Sayers is thirty-one, and is - little more than 5 feet 8 inches. It was soon seen that - Sayers intended to pursue different tactics to those he - adopted on the previous occasion. He dodged about for a - few seconds, and then let go his left and right with - great quickness, but Jones stopped him neatly, and in - getting back fell. - - 2.――Tom came up smiling, feinted with his left, and - then tried his favourite double; the first hit was - stopped, but the second caught Aaron on the chin. This - he repeated, and got away without a return. After - trying his double once more without success, he planted - his left very heavily on the mark. Jones at once went - to close quarters, and some quick in-fighting took - place in favour of Sayers, who got well on to Aaron’s - snuffbox with his left, drawing “first blood.” Jones - got on the left side of Tom’s head, but not heavily, - and at length both fell. - - 3.――Both quick to the call of “Time,” and Sayers at - once went to work with his left, Jones countering him - heavily, each getting it on the forehead. Tom then - popped his left on the mark, and Aaron returned, but - not heavily, on the nose. Tom now again planted the - left on the mark, and was stopped in a second effort. - Heavy exchanges next took place, Tom once more drawing - the cork from a cut on Aaron’s sniffer, and receiving - on the left ear. After a few dodges, Tom again - approached, and made a heavy call on Aaron’s - bread-basket, then planted a stinger between the eyes, - and got away laughing. He attempted to repeat the dose, - but was stopped. Another effort was more successful, - and he dropped on the mark, staggering Jones, who, - however, recovered himself, and popped his left on the - chest, then on the left cheek, but not heavily. - Sparring until Tom got within distance and shot out his - left heavily on the proboscis, without a return, Jones - being a little wild. Tom now essayed his double, but - Jones got away, and returned on the mouth. Tom - persevered, and napped a little ’un on the left eye for - his pains; still, he would be at work, and got well on - Aaron’s left peeper, drawing the ruby. Heavy exchanges - followed, Jones getting on Tom’s left brow, and Tom - turning on the home-brewed from Aaron’s nasal organ. - After two or three slight exchanges in favour of - Sayers, he again put the double on, reaching the left - cheek and bread-basket. Next he popped another hot one - on the victualling department, receiving a slight - return on the forehead. After a break away he stole in, - and bang went his left on Aaron’s damaged eye, drawing - more of the ruby. A merry little rally followed in - favour of Sayers, who at last broke away, and sparred - as if blown from his fast fighting. Jones approached to - take advantage of this, when Tom propped him on the - brow, and then on the forehead. Jones returned with - both hands, but not heavily, on the brow and body, and - another bustling rally came off, Tom getting home on - the left ogle and throat heavily, and Aaron on the - larboard cheek. Another break away, and Tom, on getting - himself together, resumed the double, got on the mark - very heavily, and then popped his right on the left - side of Aaron’s nob; he got away laughing, and as Jones - tried to follow him up he warned him off by a pop on - the left eye. A heavy rally at last took place, in - which Jones got sharply on the left ear, and Sayers on - the left eye, and this protracted and well-fought round - was concluded by Tom slipping down. - - 4.――Sayers, on coming up, showed a mark on his - forehead, and another on his left ear, while Aaron’s - left eye and nose were much out of the perpendicular. - Tom lost no time in going to work, and planted his one, - two, the left on Aaron’s right eye, and the right on - the left jaw, knocking Aaron off his pins. (“First - knock-down” for Sayers.) Jones seemed all abroad, and - it was with the greatest difficulty that he was got - round to the call of “Time.” - - 5.――Sayers at once went in left and right, but he was - too anxious to finish his handiwork, and the blows - lacked precision. He reached the side of Aaron’s nob, - and Jones returned slightly on the same spot, and after - mild exchanges, both fell. This gave Jones time to get - round, and by the commencement of the next round he had - shaken off the nasty one he had got in the fourth. - - 6.――Tom tried his double, but missed, and Jones rushed - in to close, when Tom caught him round the neck and - punched him heavily on the left peeper and nozzle, - drawing more of the ruby, In the end both fell, Sayers - under. - - 7.――Aaron came up with his left eye all but closed. Tom - let go his left, but Jones returned on the nose. Tom - tried again and got on the ribs; Jones returned merrily - left and right, but did little damage, and Tom fell in - his corner. - - 8.――Jones dashed in and pegged away with both mauleys - on the left side or Tom’s knowledge-box; Tom returned - on the left brow and closed, when both fell, Tom under. - - 9.――Jones again dashed in, and some sharp in-fighting - took place, followed by a close, in which both fell, - Jones, this time, being underneath. - - 10.――Tom’s dial seemed flushed, but his eyes were still - uninjured. Jones rattled in to close, some quick - fibbing took place, followed by a long struggle for the - fall, which Sayers got and fell on his man. In drawing - his legs away, he brought one foot in smart contact - with Aaron’s leg, which was claimed as a foul kick, but - disallowed by the referee, being evidently accidental. - - 11.――Jones again took the initiative, and let go both - hands on Tom’s forehead, and then his left on the nose. - Tom returned on the left eye, and then a squasher on - the mark. Exchanges, and Sayers fell, evidently - fatigued by his fast fighting. - - 12.――Jones persevered in his forcing system, and got on - the left side of Tom’s cranium, Tom returning very - heavily on the nose. Jones again went in, and planted - his left under the left optic, closed, and both fell, - Tom under. - - 13.――Jones rushed at Tom, and pegged away at him in his - corner. It was a rambling, scrambling round, and both - fell, no mischief being done. - - 14.――Jones again led off, but Tom propped him well on - the left eye, and Aaron fell on his face. - - 15.――Good exchanges on the left cheek, after which - Jones got well on Tom’s throat, closed, and both were - down. - - 16.――Jones dashed at Tom, popped in his left and right - on the frontispiece and nose, and bored Tom through the - ropes. - - 17.――Jones again opened the ball, got on to Tom’s left - ear, closed, and both were down. - - 18.――Aaron led off on Tom’s nose; Tom returned on the - left eye, very heavily, and Aaron fell. - - 19.――Tom resumed the initiative, and reached Aaron’s - nose――by his favourite double. Jones returned, but not - heavily, on the forehead; after which Tom - cross-countered him prettily on the left peeper, and - this led to exchanges in favour of Jones, when Sayers - fell. - - 20.――Both quick to work; good exchanges, and in the end - Jones floored Tom by a heavy right-hander on the jaw. - (Loud cheers for Jones.) - - 21.――Jones, elated, rushed in, but Tom steadied him by - a straight ’un on the left cheek, and Jones dropped. - - 22.――Aaron missed both hands, and after some sparring - Tom caught him heavily on the left ogle, and Jones - dropped. Sayers also fell. - - 23.――Tom, who seemed getting fresh wind, rattled in, - and planted his double on the nose and mouth. Jones - rushed at him, and in the scramble Sayers was bored - over. - - 24.――Tom popped a left-hander on the “grubbery,” - received a little one on the nose, and fell. - - 25.――Heavy exchanges, Sayers on the left eye, and Aaron - on the nose. Jones slipped down. - - 26.――Jones led off with both hands, but not heavily, - and Tom returned severely on the nose and left eye, - which was now quite closed. Jones fell. - - 27.――Jones rushed to close quarters, and after a brief - struggle fell. - - 28.――Tom feinted, and popped his left twice on Aaron’s - damaged peeper. Jones returned on the mouth, and Tom - fell. - - 29.――Jones went to work, catching Tom over the right - eye, and Sayers in getting back fell. - - 30.――Both went to work with good will, and, after sharp - exchanges in favour of Sayers, Jones got down. - - 31.――Aaron tried to lead off, but was well stopped, and - Tom returned on the mark. He next popped his left on - the left cheek, and in getting away slipped down, just - escaping a heavy upper-cut. - - 32.――Tom feinted, and then got well on to Aaron’s nose - with his left, and retreated, Aaron pursuing him. At - length they got close, and Tom sent in a stiffener on - the scent-box, receiving a right-hander on the left - ear, which opened a cut received in their former fight, - and both fell. - - 33.――Tom again seemed tired, and sparred for wind. - Jones came to him, when Tom let go his left on the jaw, - closed, and both fell. - - 34.――Tom slowest to time. He tried his left, but was - stopped; Aaron closed, and Tom fibbed him on the left - eye as they fell. - - 35.――After a little dodging, they got close, and heavy - counters were exchanged. They now closed, and, as they - fell, Tom again put a little one on Aaron’s left eye. - - 36.――A close and a struggle, when both fell, Jones - under. - - 37.――Sayers led off, but was stopped, and, after a wild - scramble, Tom fell. One hour and five minutes had now - elapsed. - - 38.――Jones dashed in, but Tom steadied him by a - left-hander on the left cheek, and Aaron got down. - - 39.――Jones, still first, let go left and right on the - mouth and left cheek. Sayers returned on the blind eye, - and got down. - - 40.――Jones let fly his left, but missed. Slight - exchanges to a close, and both down. - - 41.――Jones, on the forcing system, planted his left on - the jaw and then on the left ear, and as he was - pursuing his man he fell on his face. - - 42.――Jones missed his left. Tom returned open-handed on - the back, and Jones dropped. - - 43.――Jones dashed to a close at the ropes, where they - pegged away smartly but ineffectually until they fell. - - 44.――Tom got home on the left jaw. Aaron missed both - hands, and fell. - - 45.――Jones went to work, but without precision, and as - Sayers retreated, Jones fell on his face. It was clear - that Tom was carefully nursing himself, while Jones, - feeling that both his ogles were going, was forcing the - fighting, in order to tire out his opponent before he - became blind. - - 46.――Jones rattled in and caught Tom on the left cheek, - but not heavily. Tom returned on the left peeper, - drawing more claret, and Jones dropped. - - 47.――Aaron, in his anxiety, missed both mauleys, and - Tom caught him a heavy right-hander on the proboscis, - whereupon Jones dropped. - - 48.――Jones went to his man, who nailed him on the left - ogle, and, as Jones persevered, he caught him heavily - on the throat, and Jones fell. - - 49.――Tom tried to lead off, but was short, and Jones - returned heavily on the ribs with his right. He then - attempted to close, but, on Sayers catching hold of - him, he fell. - - 50.――Tom tried his double, but Jones stopped him, and - in getting away slipped down. - - 51.――Slight exchanges; Jones on the mouth and Sayers on - the nose, and Jones down. - - 52.――Jones led off and was neatly stopped. Tom missed - his return, and Jones fell forward. - - 53.――Tom led off and got on Aaron’s blind eye. Jones - returned very slightly on the nose, and fell. - - 54.――Tom planted his left heavily on the mark, which - led to mutual exchanges, and Jones fell. - - 55.――Tom feinted and popped both hands slightly on - Aaron’s good eye, which began to tell tales. Jones - returned on the left ear, but it was too long a shot to - do damage, and Sayers fell. - - 56.――Aaron opened the ball, and planted his left and - right on the nose and ear twice in succession. He then - rushed in, when Tom stopped him by a straight one on - the blind eye, and Jones down. - - 57.――Jones again went to work, but Tom was too quick on - his pins, and got out of harm’s way. Sayers missed his - return, and Jones fell. - - 58.――Tom, still on the nursing system, kept himself - quiet, waiting for the attack. Jones went in, but Tom - stepped back; slight exchanges ensued, and Jones down. - - 59.――Jones let go his left; Tom ducked his nut, and the - blow went over, when Jones fell. A claim of foul, as - Jones fell without a blow. The referee said, “Fight - on.” - - 60.――Jones popped his left on the chest; Tom returned - on the left cheek, and Jones fell. One hour and a half - had now elapsed. - - 61.――Jones, still first to begin, got on Tom’s nose and - fell, Tom falling over him. - - 62.――Jones planted his left very slightly on the ride - of Tom’s nob; Tom just touched him on the smeller in - return, and Jones down again. - - 63.――Jones rushed in, caught Tom on the chin, and Tom - fell. The blow was not very heavy. - - 64.――Jones missed both hands, got a little one on the - side of his nut, and fell. - - 65.――Jones got home, left and right, heavily on the - ribs; Tom retaliated on the mark, and Jones down. - - 66.――Jones let go his left, but Tom avoided the force - of the blow by stepping back. He returned on the neck, - and Jones got down. - - 67-71.――In all these rounds Jones led off, but did no - mischief, from Tom’s quickness on his pins, and in each - Jones was down. - - 72.――Tom still waiting and resting himself; Jones came - in and planted his right on the ribs. Tom returned on - the right ogle, but not heavily, and Jones down, his - right eye going fast. Sayers, though much tired, had - both eyes well open, and his face presented no very - serious marks of punishment. - - 73.――Heavy exchanges, and Jones fell on his face. - - 74.――Jones tried to lead off, but was stopped. - Counter-hits, Sayers on the nose, and Jones on the - cheek, and Jones fell. - - 75.――Heavy exchanges, in favour of Sayers, and Jones - down. - - 76.――Jones, who saw he must do it quickly or not at - all, dashed in recklessly, but was stopped. Tom popped - a little one on the nose, and Jones down. - - 77.――Jones was again stopped, and Tom got well on his - good eye, and Jones fell. - - 78.――Sayers stopped Aaron’s rush, and again got on to - his good peeper. Jones instantly fell on his knees. - - 79.――Aaron delivered his left on the nose, and, in - trying to repeat it fell on his face. Another claim - that he had fallen without a blow not allowed. - - 80.――Heavy exchanges, Tom getting again on Aaron’s good - peeper, which was now all but shut up, and Jones down. - - 81.――Jones led off, but wofully out of distance, and - fell forward. - - 82.――Exchanges in favour of Sayers, and Jones down - weak. - - 83.――Tom, who saw his time had arrived, went in, - planted his favourite double on Aaron’s good peeper, - and Jones fell. - - 84.――After a little fiddling, Tom crept close again, - dashed out his left on the good eye, and then on the - cheek, and Jones down. - - 85 and last.――Jones made a last effort, was easily - stopped, and, as he turned round Tom caught him with - his right a terrific half-arm hit on the right eye, and - knocked him off his pins. It was evidently a finisher. - Poor Aaron’s nob fell forward, and it was at once - apparent that his remaining daylight was closed; and - his seconds, seeing this, of course threw up the - sponge, Tom being proclaimed the winner, after a - gallant battle of exactly _two hours_. Sayers at once - went to shake hands with his brave antagonist, and then - repaired on board the vessel, whither he was soon - followed by Jones, whose damaged peeper was at once - looked to by a medical friend. The poor fellow was very - severely punished, but he did not seem to feel this so - acutely as he did the bitter disappointment of having - to play second fiddle to one so much smaller than - himself. The expedition quickly got under way, and all - reached the Metropolis by nine o’clock. As soon as - Sayers was dressed he went round among his - fellow-passengers, and made a collection for his fallen - antagonist, which reached the sum of £8. Beyond - fatigue, and a few trifling bruises on his forehead and - nose, he was unscathed, and he certainly could scarcely - be said to have a black eye. - - REMARKS.――We have little doubt that many of our readers - will have anticipated the remarks that we feel called - upon to make respecting the two game encounters between - these men. On the first occasion it was obvious that - Sayers felt he had a great undertaking before him, and - he was therefore naturally cautious in the outset not - to throw a chance away which might at once put the - victory beyond his reach. Jones was known to be a very - heavy hitter with his right, as was proved by the - severe punishment he dealt out to Tom Paddock in both - their mills. Sayers accordingly “played ’possum,” and - in the first few rounds allowed him to take the - initiative, in order that he might measure his powers - carefully before he exposed himself to danger. Tom - proved himself extremely quick on his pins, and by his - agility he to a certain extent neutralised the effect - of Jones’s severe lunges. True, he got hit occasionally - with effect, as witness the cut over his left eye, and - also on his left ear. Jones, to his surprise, found - before him a man clearly his superior at out-fighting, - and one, too, as he soon discovered, but little his - inferior in bodily strength. For the first hour and a - half, it will be recollected, he had apparently the - advantage, Sayers suffering severely from cramp, and - having to depend principally upon his legs to keep him - out of harm’s way; but after this he gradually - recovered, and Jones, as was the case in his fights - with Paddock, after the said hour and a half, gradually - fell off, and became languid in his exertions. Tom, of - course, improved the occasion, and showed such - superiority in hitting that many thought he would have - won with the greatest certainty had not darkness come - on. We must confess that, although we did not say so at - the time, we entertained a similar opinion, and we at - the same time thought that the darkness was in other - respects an unfortunate circumstance for Sayers, - believing, as we did, that Jones, profiting by - experience, would at the next meeting have resorted to - a different system of milling, and, by at once going to - close quarters, have reduced his adversary to such a - state in a few rounds as to render victory certain. It - seemed to us that this would have been his game in the - first fight, instead of trusting to long shots, at - which he found Sayers as good as himself, and we, in - common with others, were fully prepared to see him - adopt the system. There is no harm now in making known - our opinion that Aaron’s performance on the first - occasion disappointed us not a little. We all along - thought Sayers had overmatched himself, and it was not - until the conclusion of the first round that we changed - our mind. Many shared our belief that the man who could - maul the game and resolute Paddock as Jones had done - must prove too much for an antagonist so inferior in - size and weight as Sayers, and many blamed the latter - for his presumption. Among this latter class we do not - number ourselves, for it is our practice never to blame - a man for soaring at high game when he really feels - confidence in his own powers. Ambition, when kept - within bounds, is a praiseworthy quality, and Sayers - merely followed the example of other middle weights who - had preceded him, in essaying to raise himself to a - higher level when he could not find an antagonist - worthy of his fist in his own sphere. How fully he was - justified in his confident aspirations the result has - proved. On Tuesday last, as may be gathered from our - account of the fight, Jones fought even less - “judgmatically” than at the first merry meeting. - Instead of forcing the fighting at once, as he had - expressed his intention of doing, he allowed Sayers to - open the ball, and in the very onset to inflict such - punishment upon him as to shake the confidence of his - friends very materially; and not only did he allow his - adversary to take extraordinary liberties with him, but - he seemed to have lost his precision in returning, and - for some time made not the slightest impression upon - Tom’s wig-block. The exceedingly clever performance of - Sayers in the third round, and the apparent impunity - with which he got home upon all parts of Aaron’s dial, - took his own friends by surprise, and the fear - expressed was that he was fighting too fast for a long - day, and that the strength and length of his opponent - must tell with fearful effect when he became tired. He - was cautioned as to this, but requested to be allowed - to fight his own way, as he knew what suited him best. - The blow on Aaron’s jaw in the fourth round was very - severe, and nearly decided the event, and this we are - induced to believe had some effect in stopping his - rushes later in the fight, when, had he been capable of - continuing the offensive with effect, the result might - have been very serious to Tom, who for a long period - was exceedingly fatigued, and had to nurse himself in - the most careful manner in order to bring himself - through. The improvement he (Sayers) displayed in every - way, since his last match, was extraordinary. His - system of leading off is almost perfect, and his - quickness on his legs would have delighted the late Mr. - John Jackson, whose opinion on the subject of this - qualification is well known. He had little recourse to - stopping, trusting to his activity to keep him out of - harm’s way, and the success with which his manœuvring - was attended was proved by the fact that he had - scarcely a black eye, and, beyond exhaustion, had - nothing to complain of. In addition to his quickness in - defence, he seems also to have acquired greater - facility in pursuing the offensive, and the weight with - which many of his blows fell upon his opponent proved - that his hitting was as effective as that of most 12 - stone men. As usual, he stood up in the gamest, most - resolute manner, and faced his adversary throughout - with the utmost good humour, but, at the same time, - with determination. By many it was expected he would - have adopted the dropping system, as he had done with - Poulson; but we were delighted to perceive that on - neither occasion did such a notion enter his head; and - indeed we are told that even with the bold Nottingham - man he would not have had recourse to it, had he not - been terribly out of condition, and altogether in such - a state as to be incapable otherwise of resisting the - onslaughts of so powerful an opponent. We understand - that Tom has now an intention of looking still higher - in the scale for an opponent worthy of his powers, and - both Tom Paddock and the Tipton Slasher are talked of - as his next antagonists, but that he will first rest on - his oars a while to recover from his recent fatigue. - How far this may be true we know not, but we presume - time will show. Of this, however, we are confident, - that whoever the Middle Weight Champion may next pick - out, that worthy must look to his laurels, and leave no - stone unturned to get himself fit for the fray; for big - as he may be, he will have a hard day’s work before - him. Of Aaron Jones we must say that his exhibition on - each day disappointed us, and fell far short of what we - expected after his extraordinary encounters with - Paddock. True it is that he never once flinched from - punishment, and when severely hit persevered in the - most manly way to turn the scale in his favour. Not a - word can now be said against his character for gameness - and gluttony, for both which qualities he had already - earned for himself sufficient fame in his passages with - Paddock to remove any stigma that his meetings with - Orme might have cast upon him. Most gamely did he - persevere while Sayers was fatigued to force the - milling and to wear out his antagonist; but, owing to - the great quickness and judgment of Tom, his efforts - recoiled upon himself; and, being unable to effect any - punishment, he did but reduce himself below the level - of the gallant Tom, and thus fall a prey to his - opponent’s superior judgment and tactics. - -Sayers’s triumphant _coups d’essai_ with two good “big ’uns” gave him -an open “perspective view” of the goal of his ambition――the -Championship――an honour never yet achieved by a middle-weight. With -this view he addressed a challenge to the redoubtable 13 stone Tipton -Slasher, who then claimed the belt; the Tipton having received forfeit -in 1856 from Harry Broome, who retired, and in the year 1857 from both -Tom Paddock and Aaron Jones. - -Never since the memorable battle between Caunt and Bendigo, in Sept., -1845, had there been a match which excited such general interest -outside the circle of regular supporters of true British boxing. Here -was a man, the acknowledged Champion of the Middle-weights, boldly -throwing down the gauntlet to the equally acknowledged Champion of -England, and daring him to combat for the title and reward to which -for so long a time he had laid claim without meeting an adversary of -his own weight and inches daring enough to deny his pretensions. Not a -semblance of ill feeling was there existing between the men, and we -are glad to state that throughout, even up to the very contest itself, -they maintained towards one another the most kindly sentiments. The -only matter at issue between them was whether a man of 5 feet 8½ -inches, and under 11st. in weight, possessed of whatever science he -might be, could contest, with any chance of success, against one -topping the 6 feet by half an inch, and weighing not less than 14st. -6lb. The Slasher himself laughed at the idea of defeat, and stated to -us his firm belief that on entering the ring he would, in addition to -his other advantages, be found the cleverer man of the two. He said he -had made up his mind not to run all over the ring after his younger -and more active opponent, but to take his stand at the scratch, and -await the onslaughts of the gallant Sayers. This we (who knew the bold -Tom’s capabilities) deemed a sound determination; how far the burly -Tiptonian adhered to it on entering the ring will appear in the -sequel. Sayers also, to some measure, made us his confidant as to his -intentions on the day of battle, and intimated that he believed the -Slasher was perfectly worn-out and incapable of anything like -prolonged exertion. He had fully made up his mind, he said, to keep -him on his pins, and lead him about the ring, by forcing the pace, -until he should be so exhausted as to be somewhat nearer his own mark. -He, like the Slasher, scorned the idea of defeat, and felt such -intense confidence from the very day the match was made, that he -invested almost every penny he possessed upon the result of the -encounter. The excitement in all quarters increased week by week from -the time the match was made, and in every sporting circle the contest -was made one of the great themes of discussion. The general feeling at -first appeared to be that Sayers had by his victory over Aaron Jones -got above himself, and that his overweening confidence would lead him -into unexpected difficulties, if, indeed, as was in many quarters -anticipated, the match did not end in a forfeit on his part. As the -time approached, however, and it was found that both men were in -active work, and evidently both meaning mischief, the doubts as to the -match going on vanished, the only point remaining for discussion being -the foolhardiness of Sayers, and the overweening confidence of his -friends in allowing the match to come to an issue for the full stakes. -The Sayers party, however, maintained their own opinion, and from -first to last contended that the Slasher was stale and out of -practice, that he was destitute of scientific acquirements, and so -slow that any want of size and weight on the part of his adversary was -fully compensated for by these deficiencies. We believe they never -refused to take 6 to 4, and finally accepted 5 to 4 against their pet. - -The doings of Tom’s gigantic opponent will be found in our fourth -Chapter. We have noted the awakening given to the Ring by the -announcement of the New Champion Belt, and the Slasher’s defiant -challenge. Tom accepted the terms, and Jemmy Massey immediately made -the match for the Tipton; the day being fixed for the 16th of June, -1857. So soon as articles were signed, the Slasher, who was then -keeping a public-house in Spon Lane, Tipton, gave up his business and -betook himself to training at Boxmoor, where he got off some -superfluous flesh acquired in his calling as a Boniface; indeed when -we saw him one evening at Owen Swift’s he appeared to have been -carefully prepared. He was certainly not so hard and thin as we had -seen him some years before; but his complexion was fresh and his -muscles well developed, and he told us he “drew the balance at 14st.” -He expressed entire confidence, and grinned good humouredly at the -bare mention of defeat by so small an opponent. The Tipton left London -overnight to avoid interruption, and was picked up on the downward -voyage at Tilbury. - -The stakeholder (the Editor of _Bell’s Life_) having to name the place -of fighting, proposed to charter two steamers; one to convey the men, -their seconds and friends, the other a select party of Corinthians; -and for this tickets were issued. At the last moment, however, the -scheme miscarried, a special boat being unobtainable. A gentleman, -however, offered a vessel to start from Southend, with 250 passengers -as a maximum number, on the Tuesday morning, to convey the -“excursionists” wherever they might wish to go. This offer was -gratefully accepted. The number was, subsequently, limited to 200, -including ring-keepers, men, and seconds. On arriving at Southend, it -was blowing a gale from the S.E., and there was a heavy sea on. The -boat could not come alongside the pier, and it was with great -difficulty that the passengers were able to get on board. It was -upwards of an hour before Tom Oliver and the ropes and stakes were got -in. - -When all were on board, the vessel steamed out to sea, and rounded the -Nore Light. The passage was anything but enjoyable to bad sailors, and -many offered their contributions to Neptune in the most liberal -manner. The passengers in the fore-part of the vessel were drenched -with salt water, but they bore the infliction with stoical good -humour. The men entered the ring between two and three, but just as -all was arranged, the company seated, and the dressing commenced, a -bevy of blues was seen swiftly approaching the ring. _Sauve qui peut_ -was the order of the day, and all rushed off to the steamboats, many, -in their anxiety, making for the wrong vessel, and many mistakes -consequently occurring. All, however, got on board one or the other by -three o’clock, and a move was made some miles farther on to an island, -where a second debarkation speedily took place. Another ring was -pitched, and round it were quickly ranged some 3,00 persons. The -movements of the steamer had put all the frequenters of the river on -the _qui vive_, and the water was studded with boats and sailing -vessels of various sizes conveying their numerous freights to the -scene of action. The ground selected was excellent for milling -purposes, and the inner and outer rings were formed with as much -expedition as possible, for fear of further interruption. A good -business was transacted in the sale of inner-ring tickets, the amount -realised by which was £47 2s. 6d. The number of Corinthian sportsmen -was the largest we remember at the ring-side, and the spectators most -orderly. At half-past four the men entered the ring ready for -business; Sayers attended by Nat Langham and Bill Hayes, and the -Slasher under the superintendence of Tass Parker and Jack Macdonald, -perhaps the best pair of seconds that could be found. No time was cut -to waste in preliminaries; the colours were tied to the stakes――blue -and white spot for Sayers, and the old blue birdseye for the -Slasher――and at twelve minutes to five they were delivered at the -scratch, the betting being 6 to 5 on the old one. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On toeing the scratch the contrast between - the men was, as may be imagined, most extraordinary. - The ould Tipton topped his adversary at least four - inches, and it looked, to the uninitiated, “a horse to - a hen.” His immense frame and ponderous, muscular arms - and legs seemed calculated to bear him to victory - against four such men as Sayers. He looked all full of - confidence, and evidently considered he had a very easy - little job before him. He was thinner than we expected - to see him, and his condition generally was very fair, - but there were the usual indications of age upon - certain points where the fulness and roundness of youth - had disappeared from his form. He looked all his age - (thirty-eight); indeed, by many he was thought to be - far on the shady side of forty. His attitude was - ungainly, but still he was rough and ready, and the - question that suggested itself was “how was Sayers to - get at him?” Tom Sayers, as he advanced to meet his - antagonist, was the perfection of manly strength and - athletic development. His fine broad shoulders, small - loins, and powerful arms and legs were all turned in - one of Nature’s best lathes, and there was not a fault - to find, unless it was found that he had two or three - pounds more flesh than was necessary about his back and - ribs. His attitude for attack or defence was admirable, - and however confident the Slasher was, it was perfectly - obvious that Sayers was not one whit behind him in that - respect. The Slasher had evidently made up his mind to - set to work at once and cut his man down in a jiffey. - He lumbered in like a huge bear, let go both hands with - more vigour than judgment, but did not get home, and - Sayers, in stepping back, fell, but at once jumped up - to renew the round. The Slasher went at him, put in a - little one on the skull, and Tom again fell. - - 2.――The Slasher came up evidently with greater - confidence than ever, and lunged out his right, which - reached Tom’s ribs with great force, and Tom countered - him sharply on the mouth, drawing “first blood.” The - Slasher looked astonished, stopped to consider a - moment, and again went in, swinging his great arms like - the sails of a windmill. Sayers danced lightly out of - harm’s way, and then, stepping in, popped a tidy smack - on the spectacle-beam, and got away laughing. After - dancing round his man, and easily avoiding several more - lunges, Tom again got home on the snuffer-tray, - removing a piece of the japan, and drawing a fresh - supply of the ruby. The Tipton, annoyed, rushed in, - missed his right, and also a terrific upper-cut with - his left, and Sayers again dropped in upon the nose. - After this, slight exchanges took place, the Slasher - too slow to be effective. He now chased Sayers all over - the ring, the latter dancing round him like a wild - Indian, or fleeing like a deer, to draw him after him. - The vicious blows aimed by the Slasher all fell upon - the air, and his exertions to catch his nimble - antagonist caused him to blow off steam to an - indefinite extent. Had one of the intended compliments - alighted upon Tom, it looked as if it would have been - all over with him. After Sayers had completed his dance - he went to his man, cleverly avoided a good - right-hander, and delivered another very hot one on the - proboscis (more “Lafitte” of the _premier crû_). The - Tipton tried his heavy punches again three times and - missed; a fourth attempt was prettily stopped, after - which both hit short. The Tipton next got on Tom’s - right cheek with his left, but not heavily, and some - very pretty stopping followed on both sides, after - which the Tipton made another rush like a bull at a - gate, and found himself once more battling with - vacancy, Tom having slipped under his arm, and danced - off laughing. The Slasher looked with astonishment, and - shook his nut. Sayers again approached, and after one - or two feints a good exchange took place, Sayers - getting on to the left eye, and the Slasher on the - ribs. Sharp counter-hits followed, Slasher on the mouth - and Tom on the cheek. Tom now led off with his double, - but the Slasher stopped him prettily twice in - succession, when he missed his return. The Slasher - again pounded away, principally with his right, but - without effect, as Sayers jumped back or stopped every - effort. Sayers now planted a stinger with his left on - the mark and stopped the return. The next minute he got - sharply home on the nasal organ, and jumped quickly - away from a well-intended upper-cut, which looked like - a finisher. The Slasher now stopped one or two pretty - leads, but his return came so slowly that Sayers was - far out of harm’s way. This occurred several times, the - Slasher rushing about like a baited bull, Sayers - skipping and nimbly getting away from every rush. After - a little of this entertainment Sayers went in, let go - his left, and was stopped neatly, and he, in turn, - stopped two very round hits on the part of Perry. - Sayers next feinted, and got home a slashing - left-hander on the right cheek, which he cut severely, - and drew a plenteous supply of ruby. Another hit fell - on the same spot. The Slasher then got a little one on - Tom’s body, and tried again, but Tom got away. The - Slasher retired to his corner to get his mug wiped, - and, on coming out again, Tom led him another dance all - over the ring, the Old One, with more haste than speed, - trying to catch him, and repeatedly expending his - strength in empty space. At last Sayers, having given - him a good turn at this game, stopped to see whether he - was pumped, and some good exchanges followed, Sayers - again on the damaged cheek, and the Slasher also - reaching the cheek. Mutual stopping followed, and - Sayers next got home heavily on the olfactory - projection. The Slasher now stopped Tom, and returned, - but not heavily, on the top of his nut, which led to - exchanges, Tom on the left optic, and Bill on the ribs. - After one or two more exchanges, another tremendous - counter took place, Tom receiving on the mouth, and the - Slasher on the nose, each drawing the carmine. The - Slasher having next made several misses went in, and - another sharp counter was exchanged, Tom receiving on - the brain-pan, and the Slasher on the beak, from which - more home-brewed escaped. Each now had a wipe of the - sponge, and Tom treated his opponent to another game of - follow-my-leader all over the ring, in the course of - which the Slasher caught him a heavy right-hander on - the back. He then stopped Tom’s left and heavy counters - followed Tom on the nose, and Slasher on the _os - frontis_, knocking him down (first “knock down” for - Slasher). This round lasted nearly half an hour. - - 3.――The Slasher came up laughing, but he was evidently - bent on mischief. Sayers smiled, tried his left and was - stopped, and the Slasher, as usual, missed two swinging - right-handers. Tom dodged, popped his left on the mark, - and then on the forehead, got a little one on the ribs, - and exchanges followed, Tom getting home on the left - ogle, and Tipton on the mouth. Some heavy give and take - fighting followed, Tom getting more juice from the - Slasher’s right cheek, and receiving one or two smart - ones on the neck and side of his head. Mutual stopping, - feinting and dodging until Tom got home on the mark, - and the Slasher again followed him all over the ring, - hitting out of distance, and with no manner of - judgment. Finding he could do nothing, the Slasher put - down his hands, and retired for another wipe from Jack - Macdonald, and then renewed his exertions, when some - pretty stopping took place on both sides, after which - Sayers got home on the left side of the nob, but was - stopped in another essay. The Slasher stopped two more - well-intended ones, and then got home on the side of - Tom’s cranium; Sayers returned now heavily on the - proboscis, once more turning on the tap. Tom now - dodged, and then got home heavily on the damaged - cheek――a tremendous hit, and again did the home-brewed - appear. The Slasher retired to be cleaned, and came - again viciously, but Sayers pinked him on the smeller, - receiving a slight return on the top of the nob. More - futile efforts on the part of the Slasher, whose - friends called upon Sayers to stand still and be hit, - but Tom wisely declined. He had orders to keep his man - on his legs and fight him at long shots, and these - orders he carried out most excellently. Again and again - did the Slasher miss or get stopped. Occasionally he - got home a very little one, which did not leave a mark, - and now he rushed at Tom, dashed out his right, and - very narrowly escaped smashing his fist against the - stake――it was within an inch. Sayers lifted up his arms - with astonishment, and stood laughing until the Slasher - wore round on another tack, and came at him again, when - Tom got away, shaking his noddle and grinning. The - Slasher followed, Tom nailed him on the nozzle, stopped - his return, and then planted another on the cheek. - Sharp exchanges followed, the Slasher getting on Tom’s - right cheek and just drawing the juice, while Tom left - a mark on the Slasher’s left eye. The Old’un, very - slow, sparred apparently for wind, and was then stopped - left and right, after which each hit over the shoulder. - Tom afterwards stopped both hands, and got easily away - from a third attempt. Slight exchanges followed, Tom on - the nose, and Slasher on the top of the head. More - dancing by Sayers, and exhausting efforts on the part - of the Slasher, and then as the Slasher came, Tom - caught him a severe straightener on the snuff-box, - drawing lots of claret. The Slasher, savage, stood to - consider, and then rushing in delivered a little one on - the side of Tom’s head with his right, and Tom fell. - (Time, 52 minutes.) - - 4.――The Slasher came up grinning, but he was evidently - somewhat fatigued by his exertions. He nevertheless - adhered to his practice of forcing the fighting, again - dashed at Tom, and contrived to plant a little one on - the body with his right, but it was not within - punishing distance. Slight exchanges followed on the - side of the wig-block, after which the Slasher stopped - Tom’s left. Heavy counter-hits next succeeded in favour - of Sayers, who got home on the Slasher’s potato-trap, - and napped a little one on the nob. After another dance - round the ring, Tom stopped the Slasher’s right, and - the latter then drove him into the corner, and, - evidently thinking he had him safe, wound himself up to - finish; but when he let go his left and right, he found - that Tom had slipped under his arm, and was laughing at - him in the middle of the ring. The K-legged giant, - irate that his opponent would not stand to be hit, - again lumbered after him, like an elephant in pumps, - but it was no go. “No catchee, no havee,” was Tom’s - maxim, and he kept to his active tactics. The Slasher - persevered, and Sayers stopped his left and right, and - then turned away laughing and shaking his noddle. The - Tipton giant could not make it out, and turned to his - second as if to inquire what he should do; another - illustration of the classical adage――_capit consilium - gladiator in arena_. At last he went at it again and - got home on the body, receiving in return on the - kisser. Some sparring followed, until the Tipton again - led off, and was short with both hands. Finding he - could do nothing, he retired to his corner, where he - stood leaning on the ropes, Tom waiting and beckoning - him to the scratch. After a rest the Slasher came out, - feinted at Tom, but was quickly nailed on the left - cheek. He tried again, and got home heavily on the - ribs, and Sayers fell. (Time, one hour and four - minutes.) - - 5.――Perry still adhered to his boring tactics, but Tom - was far too quick on his pins, and easily avoided him. - Another attempt was stopped, and from a third Sayers - got easily away. A fourth was missed, and Tom returned - on the left cheek, which led to heavy exchanges on the - side of the head, and Tom fell, the Slasher falling - over him. - - 6.――The Slasher came up laughing, and let go his left, - but out of distance; good exchanges followed, Sayers - effecting another lodgment on the right cheek, and - increasing the cut in that quarter, and the Slasher - getting home on the cranium. The Slasher, after another - ill-directed rush, again retired to his corner, had a - drink and a wipe, and then came again, when Sayers - stopped his deliveries with the greatest ease. The - Slasher persevered, and Tom led him another - morris-dance, but they afterwards got close, and slight - exchanges ended in the Slasher falling. - - 7.――The Tipton bored in stooping, head-foremost, like a - bull of Salamanca. Tom, not being provided with a - mantilla to throw over his head, jumped aside like a - matador, and on went his assailant to the ropes. Perry - swung round, just got on to Tom’s head, and each then - missed a blow. The Slasher persevered, and Tom - countered on the left side of his forehead with his - right, after which Perry retired to his corner, whither - Sayers followed him, and the Slasher at once lunged out - at the cheek, but not effectually. He now made another - of his wild onslaughts, but only to be disappointed, - and he next stopped both Tom’s mauleys. Some sparring - followed, both being slightly blown; the Slasher - stopped Tom’s left, and returned with his right on the - body. After a few more misses, they got close, and Tom - delivered a heavy spank on the left eye, and fell from - the force of his own blow. (One hour, fifteen minutes.) - - 8.――Perry showed a bump under the left peeper, but he - came up smiling, and let go his left and right, both of - which were stopped. He then stood blowing, until Sayers - went to the attack, and some mutual pretty stopping - took place, followed by several misses on either side. - The Slasher once more retired to rest in his corner, - but was fetched out by Sayers, who then got home on the - side of the nob, and neatly avoided a return. Both were - now rather wild in their lunges, and the Slasher, who - pursued his man most vigorously, repeatedly missed his - blows. Tom at length caught him on the cutwater, - drawing a fresh supply from the best bin, and the - Slasher walked off to borrow Jack Macdonald’s wipe. Tom - followed, and got home very heavily on the mark and - then on the mouth, renewing “the cataract from the - cavern.” Sharp exchanges in favour of Sayers followed, - and in the end both fell. - - 9.――The Slasher came up slowly. Notwithstanding his - severe punishment, his seconds sent him up beautifully - clean, and in fact their attention throughout was - beyond all praise. He tried again and again to plant - upon the agile Sayers, but in vain. Sayers stopped him - at all points, and then delivered a heavy left-hander - on the mark. Some sparring followed, and Sayers stopped - several heavy lunges, the Tipton in return stopping his - left. Tom, in another attempt, got on the damaged - cheek, increasing the cut, and the Tipton walked to his - corner, whither Tom followed him, but on the Slasher - making his usual lunge Sayers jumped back. Perry - followed, and some pretty taps and stops, without - mischief, took place. The Slasher then hit out of - distance several times in succession, but on getting - close some neat exchanges followed, Tom on the mark, - heavily, and Perry on the cheek, but not effectively. - Perry once more bored in, and delivered his right, but - it was a mere fly-blow. Tom missed his prop with the - left, and the Slasher retired for a drink. Tom thought - this an example worth following, and after the inner - man was refreshed, they went to work again, and sharp - exchanges, all in favour of Sayers, followed; he kept - playing on the Slasher’s damaged nose and cheek, his - double being very effective, while Perry’s blows - appeared to leave no mark. Tom now stopped several - well-intended blows, and returned heavily on the right - cheek with his left. Perry, although getting slower - every minute, gamely persevered, put in his right and - left on the body, and then hit short with both hands. - More mutual stopping ensued, until they got close, when - the Slasher dashed his right at the body, but Tom met - him with a very straight left-hander on the mouth, - drawing more of the elixir of life, and with his right - he planted severely on the nose. Another sharp one on - the mouth caused the Slasher to stagger and fall, and - Tom fell over him. The Slasher evidently was fast - going; the last three blows, particularly the - right-hander, were very heavy, and the game old fellow - was almost abroad, and was very slow to time. - - 10 and last.――The Slasher crawled very slowly to the - scratch, and attempted to lead off. It was, however, - only an attempt. Tom easily avoided it, and planted a - tremendous hit on the mark, stopping the return with - ease. He stopped two more attempts, and then as the - Slasher lunged out a third time he caught him with the - left on the damaged cheek and the right on the mouth, - cutting his upper lip very severely, and the Slasher - fell, Tom on him. The Slasher was carried to his - corner, and, with some difficulty, was got round in - time to go to the scratch for another round. His dial, - however, was dreadfully punished, and his lip was so - much cut that he presented a piteous appearance. It was - evident that he had not the slightest chance; he was as - weak as a kitten, and entirely at the mercy of his - adversary, who was perfectly scatheless and apparently - as active as when he began, and Owen Swift, the - Slasher’s principal backer, seeing the state of things, - stepped into the ring, and with praiseworthy humanity - declared that he should fight no more. Perry was very - unwilling to give up without one more shy, but Owen was - imperative. He insisted upon the men shaking hands, and - the sponge was thrown up, Tom Sayers being proclaimed - the winner, and Champion of England, amid the cheers of - his partisans, at the expiration of one hour and - forty-two minutes. - - No time was now lost in getting on board the vessels, - the majority of the spectators making for the larger - vessel, for which they had no tickets, and taking - advantage of the absence of the authorities on shore to - scramble on board before demands could be made upon - them to show their credentials. The charterers of the - “Widgeon” (the companion or rather opposition), did not - display much consideration for their patrons, as they - steamed off almost immediately on the conclusion of the - mill, leaving the majority of their customers to their - fate. - - It was fortunate for Sayers that he finished his task - at the time he did, for scarcely had the men left the - ring when the same body of peelers who had before - interfered arrived upon the ground, just in time to be - too late to put their kind intentions into effect. It - was only the difficulty in getting a boat that - prevented their arrival at an earlier hour. - - As soon as all were on board the regular boat a - consultation was held as to the course that ought to be - pursued, and the general opinion having been taken, it - was resolved to make for Strood, instead of giving the - navigators another turn round the Nore, and by eight - o’clock a landing was effected at that town, and nearly - all were enabled to reach town by eleven o’clock in the - evening. On the voyage to Strood, Tom Sayers went round - among the Corinthians and made a collection for his - fallen but game opponent, which amounted to the sum of - £22 5s. - - REMARKS.――The account of this battle tells its own - tale, and calls for scarcely any remarks. From first to - last it was evident that the Tipton Slasher’s star had - sunk, and that he was no longer “The Slasher.” He must - have felt from the very first that, barring an - accident, he had not the slightest chance. All his - quickness and activity had left him, and we could not - help thinking that his eyesight also must be failing, - for times out of number did he lunge out and attempt to - deliver upper-cuts when Tom Sayers was far beyond his - reach, and these blows were of such tremendous force - that they must have tended to take much of the steel - out of him. It appeared to us that from the very - beginning he adopted a wrong principle. For a heavy, - lumbering man, like himself, to attempt to force the - fighting, and pursue a lithe, active fellow such as - Sayers, was perfectly ridiculous, as he evidently felt - towards the conclusion of the battle; and we should - imagine that he must many times since have regretted - that he did not adhere to his original intention of - awaiting the attack and depending upon his powers as a - counter-hitter to bring him through. That he did his - best to please his backers and to bring the fight off - in his favour cannot for a moment be denied, and that - he took his severe punishment without a murmur was - self-evident. He always had the character of being a - game man, and that character he carried with him into - retirement. The Tipton said that early in the fight he - injured his right hip in one of his sudden twists to - catch his opponent, and this materially interfered with - his powers. Tom Sayers fought strictly to orders - throughout, and his coolness and judgment greatly - enhanced his reputation among his friends. Some persons - present commented upon his retreating tactics, and - contended that this was not fair fighting, but as these - remarks proceeded from the enemy’s camp they are worth - but little. Of course it would have been infinitely - more pleasing to them had Tom stood and slogged away - against an adversary of so much heavier metal until he - was disabled by a chance blow, but such a course would - have been perfect madness on his part. How his jumping - or running away could be called unfair, so long as he - confined himself within the ring, we cannot conceive. - The ring is always constructed of a certain size for - the express purpose of restraining the combatants - within certain bounds, and within those bounds a man - has a perfect right to retreat and jump about as long - as he likes, so that he does not decline to face his - opponent; and that Tom Sayers for one moment declined - to continue the battle cannot by any one be maintained. - How far his jumping about and exertions upon his legs - were advisable for his own sake is another question, - and we are inclined to think that he might have kept - out of harm’s way with far less exertion, and reserved - much of his strength against any unlooked-for - contingency, had he restrained his peristaltic energies - within more reasonable bounds. If the Slasher had been - younger and more active, it is not improbable that the - gallant Tom would have found out to his cost, as the - battle progressed, the benefit of such a mode of - fighting. As it turned out, however, no harm was done, - and as he achieved such an easy victory, none of his - friends can for one moment complain. That his - retreating arose from any want of confidence is a - proposition not to be entertained for a moment. Never - in his brilliant career has he shown the semblance of - the white feather, and we feel assured that the only - causes to which his method of fighting the Slasher can - be set down are caution, a desire to please his - friends, and an extraordinary exuberance of animal - spirits. The ring throughout the fight was well kept, - and, beyond the few vicissitudes connected with the - voyage to the scene of action, we heard of nothing - calculated to mar the pleasures of the day. - -Tom’s defeat of the ponderous Tipton was not, however, to leave him in -undisputed possession of the belt. Tom Paddock considered himself -capable of taking the shine out of such a little one, and challenged -Sayers accordingly; but ere a match could be arranged, the Redditch -man was suddenly seized with a rheumatic fever, which completely -floored him, and from which it was feared he would not recover. There -was now apparently every chance that Sayers would walk over the -course, but this did not suit Harry Broome, who, although unable to -cope with Tom himself, “thought he knowed a cove wot could,” and made -a match for an “Unknown,” to fight Tom for £200 a side on the 5th of -January, 1858. The speculations as to who this unknown could be were -extraordinary――he was the bold Bendy, he was Ben Caunt, he was Ould -Nat, he was Harry Orme――in fact, he was everybody but himself; and -great indeed was the public astonishment when it became known that he -was not only actually an “Unknown,” but also a perfect novice, being, -in fact, Bill Bainge, or Benjamin, a native of Northleach, 5ft. 10¾in. -in height, weighing 12st., of whose prowess rumour had propagated -extravagant accounts, while others maintained that as the Broomes were -behind Benjamin, it was a “got-up” robbery, and that Sayers would -“chuck it.” Poor Tom was sadly mortified at these insinuations, and -indignantly assured the writer that if he should be beaten it should -only be by a better man. - -A steamboat conveyed the men and their backers down the river to the -Isle of Grain, where, at about half-past twelve o’clock, the Champion -made his appearance at the ring-side, and modestly dropped his castor -within the ropes, following it at once himself, attended by Bill Hayes -and Harry Brunton. He was hailed with loud cheers from all sides. Bill -Benjamin was close upon his heels, and stepped into the ropes under -the care of Harry Broome and Jemmy Massey. There was a smile upon the -face of each man; but we fancied that of Sayers was the genuine smile -of confidence, while that of his opponent had somewhat of a nervous -twist about it. They shook hands good humouredly, tossed for corners, -Sayers proving the winner, and then at once commenced peeling to the -bitter frost and south-easterly breeze. The colours, a neat French -grey for Sayers, and blue and white spots for Benjamin, were now tied -to the stakes, the usual preliminaries were quickly settled, and at -fourteen minutes to twelve “time” was called. The betting round the -ring was very slight, 2 to 1 being freely offered, but takers were -scarce at anything under 5 to 2. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――When the men appeared at the scratch, which - they did in the midst of perfect silence, there was a - visible contrast in their physical powers. The Novice - stood well over Sayers, his muscles were larger and - better developed, and altogether he looked, as he - undoubtedly was, the heavier and more powerful man. His - attitude at first was good, and led one to suppose he - had studied under a good master. His condition was - perfect, there not being a superfluous ounce about him. - Tom looked rather fleshy about the chest and shoulders, - but in such weather it was perhaps a fault on the right - side. His attitude was the same as ever――cool, calm, - and collected. He eyed his adversary with steadiness, - and there was the same unmistakable glance of - confidence always to be seen on his mug. He had clearly - made up his mind to let the Novice make the first move, - and tried several dodges to draw him out. The Novice, - although evidently nervous, sparred and feinted like an - accomplished boxer for a brief period, and at length - tried his left, but Tom stopped him with nonchalance, - and returned quickly with the left on the nozzle, and - then on the mark a sharp crack. The Novice stood his - ground, and now succeeded in stopping Tom twice, and - returning, but very slightly, on the cheek. Tom next - delivered his left and right at close quarters, on the - cheek and jaw, and the Novice dropped. He was conveyed - to his corner, and the look of dismay upon his - countenance as he glanced around was perfectly - ludicrous. It was at once patent to all that he knew - nothing of the business he had undertaken, and that the - contest was virtually over, for directly his guard was - broken through he appeared to have no resources. He - could not use his legs, and his arms flew about like - the sails of a windmill, so that Tom was able to put in - both hands perfectly at his ease. The celerity with - which he brought his right into play thus early in the - fight was remarkable. - - 2.――The Novice did not “smile as he was wont to smile,” - but seemed to be on the look-out for a place of secure - retreat. Tom walked quietly up, led off with his left - and was stopped, but the Novice missed his return. Tom - then popped his left very heavily on the mouth, - knocking his opponent clean off his pins, and filling - his potato trap with ruby. The Novice lay as if - undecided for a second, and then, turning over, got - gradually on his pins, and his seconds took him to his - corner. He shook his head several times, and appeared - extremely undesirous of encountering another of Tom’s - heavy shots, but, on time being called, Harry Broome - pushed him forward, and he went reluctantly to the - scratch, Massey, in disgust, having declined to have - any more to do with him. - - 3.――Sayers, evidently bent on making short work of it, - quickly went to work left and right. Benjamin tried to - rally with him, but beyond an accidental touch on the - lip, did not reach him. Tom planted heavily on the - mouth and jaw, drawing more ruby, and down went the - Novice all abroad. He lay in the middle of the ring, - and nothing could persuade him to come to “time.” - Broome then threw up the sponge, and Tom Sayers was - once again proclaimed the conqueror, and still - champion, in _six minutes and a half_, the battle――if - battle it could be called where it was all one - way――being the most bloodless we ever witnessed. The - Novice, on being asked to account for his cutting up so - badly, said he was hit very hard in the mark in the - first round, and not expecting to be hit there, it had - made him very sick and incapable of exerting himself. - Further than that he knew not. His easy defeat struck - dismay into all his friends, and the look of surprise - and contempt cast upon him by Jemmy Massey was a study - for an artist. Both men at once left the field of - action, and repaired on board the boat, where they lost - no time in resuming their warm wraps, and taking other - means to infuse a little of that caloric into their - systems which had been subtracted therefrom during - their brief exposure to the outward air. - - REMARKS.――We question whether it is not an insult to - the understanding of the reader to offer any remarks - upon this singular exhibition of incapacity upon the - part of the would-be champion. Of Tom Sayers we have - nothing more to say than he did what he was called upon - to do with the utmost _nonchalance_, and that he - performed his task even easier than he had all along - anticipated. The Novice did not exhibit a single point - which would entitle him to be called even an - “outsider.” From the time that he was foiled in his - very first move he cannot be said to have even “tried.” - All his senses seemed to have left him, and, as far as - we were able to judge, the only predominant thought in - his mind was how to escape from the dilemma in which he - had been placed, with the least damage to himself. - Doubtless he was hit very heavily, but still he had not - received even half enough to justify him in crying “a - go,” had he meant winning at all hazards. That he must - eventually have been beaten by such a man as Sayers, - barring an accident, is a positive certainty, and that - he exercised a sound discretion in not submitting to - further punishment is equally true; but that he has - done more than heap ridicule upon himself and those who - brought him out, by his miserable performance, is a - proposition not to be disputed for a moment. How such a - judge of fighting as Harry Broome could have made the - mistake he did we cannot understand, but the task of - bringing out a candidate for the Championship once - undertaken by a man of his known “talent,” it is easy - to understand how the public were induced to come - forward and take the long odds offered on Sayers. Among - the deceived was the renowned Jemmy Massey, who, liking - the appearance of the man, and being led on by the - reports of Harry Broome as to his man’s cleverness and - gluttonous qualities, took the odds of 2 to 1 to a - considerable amount. The whole affair was carried out - from first to last in a quiet and orderly way, and - there was no fault to find with the partisans of either - man for either unseemly language or noisy - demonstrations. All that was required to render it a - model fight was a little more devil and resolution on - the part of the loser. The battle money was handed to - Tom Sayers at Owen Swift’s, “Horse Shoe” Tavern, - Tichborne Street, on Wednesday evening, January 13th, - when he was again adorned with the Champion’s belt, - which, according to rule, was deposited with the - stakeholder to abide the event of his next battle for - the permanent possession of the trophy. - -After this victory Tom appeared in a fair way to rest upon his -laurels, but soon, to his astonishment, as well as every one else’s, -it was announced that Tom Paddock had recovered, and did not intend to -let the belt pass without a struggle. He issued a challenge to Sayers, -in which he intimated that, it being dead low water in his exchequer, -he was as poor as a church mouse, and that unless Tom would extend him -the hand of charity, and meet him for £150 a side, instead of the -stipulated £200, the darling wish of his heart could not be gratified. -He thought he could win the belt, and hoped Tom would not let a paltry -£50 stand between them and prevent a friendly mill. Sayers, like a -“brick” of his own laying, promptly responded to the call, and -intimated that the meeting would afford him the highest gratification. -With such an old pal he could not allow the paltry “rag” to stand in -the way. The match was at once made, and came off on the anniversary -of Tom’s fight with the Slasher――viz., on the 16th of June, 1858. -After some narrow escapes from police pursuit and persecution, the two -Toms met on a place selected as “maiden ground,” at Canvey Island. - -And here the phrase, “the two Toms,” tempts us to a brief digression. -The baptismal name of “Tom” has, indeed, furnished more than its -calculable proportion of Champions of the fistic Ring; and hence we -have pictured on a previous page the “three Toms” whose deeds made -their names, in the first three-quarters of the present century, among -admirers of pugilistic prowess, “familiar in men’s mouths as household -words.” This curious pre-eminence of name may be further extended; for -though the Christian name of John, the familiar Jack, and the royal -one of George (during the reign of “the four Georges”) twice -outnumbered the Toms, yet Tom Johnson, Tom Paddock, Tom Sayers, and -Tom King――the _ultimus Romanorum_――make up the mystic number of Seven -Champions bearing that designation, while Jack Broughton, John -Jackson, and John Gully are the only three to be credited to the far -more numerous family of “Johns.” - -The first to shy his wide-awake into the ring was Tom Paddock, who was -loudly cheered. He was attended by Jemmy Massey and that accomplished -master of the art Jack Macdonald, and looked as red as beet-root, and -as strong and healthy as though he had never in the course of his life -assisted at the ceremony of turning off the gas. His demeanour was the -same as ever, that of extreme confidence, and the smile on his mug was -more that of one who had merely come out to enjoy a little gentle -exercise than of a candidate for honours preparing to meet the -Admirable Crichton of the P.R. There was, however, nothing of bravado -about him; he merely took the affair as a matter of course, which -would soon be over. He was not kept many minutes before he was joined -by his opponent, who, attended by Bill Hayes and Harry Brunton, was -also received with a complete ovation of applause. Tom, like his -brother Tom, also looked in rude health, but his good-tempered mug -struck us as if anything too fleshy, and in this we were confirmed -when he stripped, for it was then apparent that he was some three or -four pounds heavier than he should have been under such a tropical -sun. The lads shook hands good-humouredly, and while they were -completing their half-finished adornments, the betting round the ring -was of the liveliest and heaviest description: £25 to £20, £50 to £40, -and similar odds to smaller sums upon Sayers were offered and eagerly -accepted in all quarters, and it was as much as the stakeholder could -accomplish for some time to collect and enter the names and amounts of -perhaps some of the heaviest investments for many years. - -We feel it incumbent upon us here to perform an act of justice to Alec -Keene, which speaks volumes for his kindness of heart, and without -which our account would be incomplete. After the men had been fighting -about twenty minutes, Alec, who had followed the belligerents in a tug -from Gravesend, made his appearance on the ground, and, finding that -things were not going altogether smoothly with Tom Paddock, at once -betook himself to his corner, offered him the hand of fellowship, and -throughout the remainder of the fight stood by him, to afford him the -benefit of that experience and advice which he is so capable of -imparting. - - - THE FIGHT - - Round 1.――Both came grinning to the scratch, and - manœuvred for a brief space for an opening. Paddock - looked, as usual, big and burly, but it was evident he - was no longer the active, fresh man we had before seen. - His mug was more marked with age, and there was a - dulness about his eye we never remember in former days. - His condition was good and he was in good health, but - still he looked only Tom Paddock in name. Sayers was - more fleshy than he should have been, but this was the - only fault to be found with him. His eye was as bright - and clear as a hawk’s, and the ease of his movements - was a picture to behold. His attitude was, as usual, - all readiness for a shoot or a jump. Paddock, instead - of rushing, as had been expected, steadied himself, and - felt with his left for an opening. It was not long - before he attempted it, but Sayers stopped him easily. - He made a second attempt, and Sayers stepped back, - shaking his noddle and laughing. After a little - sparring, Paddock tried again, and got on Tom’s brow, - but not heavily. Again they dodged, and at length two - counter-hits were exchanged, each getting on to the - proboscis. After this Paddock again reached Tom’s - nozzle rather sharply, but was stopped in another - attempt. Another bit of cautious sparring eventually - led to very heavy exchanges, in which Sayers left a - mark on Paddock’s left cheek, and napped a warm one - over the right peeper, slightly removing the bark, and - giving Paddock the first event. Several rapid passes - were now made on both sides, but they were evidently - mere trials to find out what each intended. After a - pause Sayers tried his favourite double, which he - succeeded in landing on Paddock’s cheek, but not very - heavily. More sharp exchanges followed, the advantage - being with Sayers, until they both retreated and stood - to cool themselves, the heat being intense. After a few - seconds thus employed, they again approached one - another smiling, and after a dodge or two they - exchanged slight reminders on the side of the nut, - broke away, and then got at it again, when heavy - counter-hits were exchanged, but Sayers was first, and - inflicted a cut on Paddock’s left brow, calling forth - the juice in abundance. Paddock landed on the cheek, - but not heavily. After this slight exchanges with the - left took place, and they again stood, Sayers awaiting - the onslaught, and Paddock puzzled. At last the latter - dashed in, and was easily stopped twice in succession. - He rushed after Sayers, who ducked under his arm, and, - as Paddock turned round again, nailed him very heavily - over the left peeper, renewed the supply of carmine, - and then got out of harm’s way. Paddock, nothing - daunted, dashed in, but Sayers stopped him most - beautifully, and then, putting in his double, got well - on the old spot. Paddock once more bored in, and was - neatly stopped, but, persevering with his usual - gameness, heavy exchanges ensued, all in favour of - Sayers, who was as straight as a die, and got heavily - on the left cheek and brow. Paddock, wild, rushed after - him; Sayers ducked, and then planted his left on the - left cheek, another hot one, and then on the snout, - renewing the ruby. As Paddock bored in, he made a - cannon off the cushion by putting his double heavily on - the mark and nose without a return, and Paddock then - rushing after him, bored him down. This round lasted - fifteen minutes, and at its conclusion the backers of - Sayers offered 2 to 1――an offer not accepted by the - Paddock party, who looked indigo. It was patent to all - good judges even thus early that Paddock was only - Paddock in name, and that all the steel was out of him; - and he has since informed us that he felt tired and - worn out, and that he had no chance from this time. His - gameness, therefore, in persevering so long and so - manfully against his own conviction is the more - commendable. - - 2.――Both came up grinning, but while Sayers was almost - scatheless, Paddock’s mug showed that Sayers had been - there. Paddock, nothing daunted, rattled in, and got on - to the top of Tom’s nob. Sayers returned, but not - heavily and sharp counter-hits followed, Sayers on the - damaged ogle, and Paddock on the left cheek. After - this, Sayers got home his dangerous right on the side - of Paddock’s nob, and the latter fell. - - 3.――Paddock seemed slow, while Sayers was as fresh as a - daisy; Paddock attempted to lead, but was very short. - He, however, stopped Tom’s return. Heavy exchanges - followed, Sayers receiving on the left cheek, and - getting heavily on Paddock’s damaged squinter. Paddock, - nothing daunted, made several desperate efforts, but - Sayers got away with the greatest ease, and at length, - as Paddock persevered, he once more countered him on - the old spot, drawing more of the red port, and stopped - Paddock’s return. Twice again did Sayers repeat this - visitation, and get away from Paddock’s kindly - intentions. Sayers then tried to lead off, but was well - stopped. He made another attempt, and lodged his - favourite double on the mark and nose, and then stopped - Paddock’s return. Paddock now endeavoured to force the - fighting, but Sayers danced away under his arm, came - again, and, as Paddock rushed in, delivered a - tremendous left-hander on the cheek, by the side of the - smeller, drawing more home-brewed from the fresh cut. - Paddock, angry, made several desperate efforts, but was - well-stopped. At length they got close, and in the - heavy exchanges, Sayers got his right heavily on the - side of the nut, and received on the mouth. Paddock now - dashed in, and although Sayers pinked him on the nose - and eye, he persevered until he forced Sayers down. - - 4.――Paddock’s physog. seemed a good deal out of the - line of beauty, while Sayers had scarcely a mark. - Paddock still smiled, and attempted to lead, but the - dash and vigour we remember of yore were all gone; his - blows seemed but half-arm hits, and did not get near - their destination. Almost every time Sayers stopped him - with ease, and at last, as Paddock came boring in, he - met him heavily on the cheek, producing another streak - of cochineal. Still did Paddock persevere but only to - be nailed again, and to have the Red Republican once - more called forth. After this he got home on Tom’s - chest, and then on the cheek, but the blows lacked - vigour. Exchanges ensued, in which Paddock removed the - bark from Tom’s sniffer, and turned on the main, but it - was not a material damage. After a rest, in which both - piped for wind, they again got at it, and a tremendous - rally took place, in which Sayers was straightest and - heaviest; he, however, got a hot’un on the mouth, which - drew the Badminton. This was a tremendous give-and-take - round, and Paddock caught it heavily on the left side - of his nob, while Sayers received chiefly on the - hardest parts of his cast-iron canister. In the end - Paddock was down, amidst the vociferous cheers of the - Sayers party. - - 5.――Paddock made two ineffectual attempts to deliver, - each being short, after which Sayers missed his - favourite double. He then stopped Paddock’s one, two, - and exchanges followed, in which Paddock reached Tom’s - chin, and received with interest on the damaged cheek. - Again did they deliver left and right, and Paddock drew - more gravy from Tom’s sucker. Paddock rattled to it, - but Sayers countered heavily on the snorer, again - calling forth the ruby; he, however, napped one on the - kisser, which must have shaken his false ivories. After - this they piped for wind, the perspiration oozed from - every pore, and they were evidently both tired. Paddock - retired for a wipe, and after a pause Sayers went to - him, and Paddock, seeing this, rushed in but Tom danced - away, followed by Paddock, who eventually got a - reminder on the cheek, and Sayers, in getting away from - the return, fell. - - 6.――Sayers feinted and dodged until Paddock came to - him, when Tom got home a very hot one on the snuff-box, - turning on the vermilion galore. Paddock, wild, dashed - at him to deliver the right, but Sayers getting quickly - out of mischief, the blow fell on the stake, and - evidently caused the poor fellow intense pain. He was - not cowed, however, but followed Sayers, who fell, and - Paddock’s umpire appealing, the referee desired Sayers - to be cautious. - - 7.――Paddock slow, came up cautiously, and after a few - dodges, led off, but was short, and received a reminder - on the beak from Tom’s left. Sayers then got heavily on - the mark with the left, and stopped the return. This - led to heavy exchanges, in which Paddock received on - the nose, and lost more juice, while Sayers only got it - on the brow. Paddock tried again and again to lead off, - but Sayers danced away, or ducked under his arm, and - each time nailed him heavily on the nose or left cheek, - and, finally, Paddock fell weak. - - 8.――Paddock’s left peeper was now completely closed, - and the left side of his knowledge-box much swollen. He - was sent up very clean, however, and again tried to - lead off, but Sayers was too quick for him, and got - away. Still did the gallant Paddock persevere, but - Sayers stopped him with ease, and returned on the - damaged visual organ very heavily. Paddock again dashed - in, but was short, his blows lacking vigour; and Sayers - returned on the mark. Again and again did Paddock make - an onslaught, but there was none of the vigour of the - Paddock of former days; he was repeatedly stopped with - ease, and Sayers caught him again and again on the mark - and damaged chop. At last they got close together, and - Paddock succeeded in knocking Sayers off his pins by a - heavy right-hander on the whistler, which inflicted a - severe cut, and drew the carmine (loud cheers for - Paddock, who had thus won the two first events). - - 9.――The blow in the last round had evidently shaken - Sayers, who was slow to the call of time, and came up - with a suspicious mark on his potato-trap. Paddock - tried to follow up his advantage and incautiously went - in, when Sayers met him with a beautiful left-hander on - the snout, which sent him staggering, and put an end to - his rushing for the time. This enabled Sayers to - recover a little, and then, as Paddock afterwards came - in, he made another call on the cheek, and got cleverly - away from the return. Paddock followed him up, and - heavy left-handed exchanges took place in favour of - Sayers, who afterwards stopped Paddock’s right twice in - succession. Good exchanges ensued to a close, and - Paddock got down, just escaping Tom’s right. - - 10.――After slight harmless exchanges, they stood - piping, until Paddock took the initiative, but Sayers - danced under his arm, and, as he turned round, pinked - him on the blind goggle, and then, putting in his - double, renewed the home-brewed from the cheek. Paddock - tried a return, but was stopped twice in succession, - and then got another little ’un on the out-water. After - some neat stopping on both sides, Sayers made another - call on the cheek, then on the chest, and after sharp - exchanges, as Paddock rushed after him, he slipped and - fell, but obviously from accident. - - 11.――Paddock at once rushed to close quarters, but - found Sayers nothing loth; they struggled for a brief - period, and in the end both fell, it being obvious that - Sayers was the stronger man. - - 12.――Paddock, who was piping and evidently fatigued, - tried to lead off, but was miserably short. After a - slight exchange they again closed, and, after a short - struggle, Sayers threw and fell on his man, amidst the - cheers of his admirers. One hour and two minutes had - now elapsed. - - 13.――Paddock, whose mug was all shapes but the right, - and whose remaining goggle glared most ferociously, - rushed in and missed. Sayers, in getting back, fell, - and there was a claim of foul; Massey and Macdonald, - according to the custom of modern seconds, neglecting - their man, and rushing to the referee. There was not - the slightest ground for the claim, Sayers evidently - having fallen from pure accident; but the usual - complimentary remarks were offered by the card-sharpers - and other blackguards, whose only interest was, - perhaps, the value of a pot of beer depending on the - result, and who were proportionately anxious to win, - tie, or wrangle rather than lose their valuable (?) - investments. After some time the ring-keepers succeeded - in clearing these gentry away, and inducing Macdonald - and Massey to return to their duty; and the referee - having said “Fight on,” the battle proceeded. - - 14.――Paddock, to whom the delay had afforded a short - respite, dashed in, caught Sayers on the cheek, closed, - and both fell. - - 15.――Sayers feinted, and got on to Tom’s nozzle, - drawing more claret, and, in getting away from a rush, - crossed his legs near the stakes and fell. - - 16.――Paddock, who was evidently fast getting worn out, - at the instigation of his seconds dashed in, as if to - make a final effort to turn the scale; he let go both - hands, but was short, and Sayers once more pinked him - on the swollen smeller. Paddock still persevered, and - more exchanges, but not of a severe description, took - place, followed by a breakaway and a pause. Again did - they get at it, and some heavy counter-hitting took - place; Sayers well on the mouth and nose, and Paddock - on the brow and forehead. Paddock then rushed in and - bored Sayers down at the ropes. (Another claim of foul - disallowed.) - - 17.――Paddock, desperate, rushed at once to work; and - they pegged away with a will, but the punishment was - all one way. At last they closed and rolled over, - Sayers being top-sawyer. In the struggle and fall the - spikes in Sayers’s boot in some way inflicted two - severe wounds in Paddock’s leg, and Massey declared - that the injury had been committed on purpose; but this - every one who saw the fight was convinced was - preposterous. Even supposing it was Sayers’s spikes, it - was evidently accidental, but so clumsily did they roll - over that it is not impossible that it was done by the - spikes in the heel of Paddock’s other boot, which - spikes were much longer and sharper than those of - Sayers. The idea of Sayers doing such a thing - deliberately when he actually had the battle in hand is - too ridiculous to admit of a question. - - 18.――Paddock rushed in and caught Sayers on the side of - the head with his right, and they closed and pegged - away at close quarters until Sayers got down. - - 19.――The in-fighting in the last round had told a tale - on Paddock’s nob, which was much swollen, and the left - eye was now beginning to follow suit with the right. At - last they got close, and both fell, Paddock under. - Massey made another claim that Sayers fell with his - knees on Paddock, but it was evidently an attempt to - snatch a verdict. - - 20.――Paddock tried to make an expiring effort, but was - wofully short, and Sayers countered heavily with the - left on the damaged cheek, then repeated the dose with - great severity, staggering the burly Tom, who, however, - soon collected himself, and once more led off, but out - of distance. He then stood, until Sayers went to him, - popped a heavy one on the nose, and the right on the - cheek, then closed at the ropes, where he fibbed - Paddock very heavily, and both fell, Paddock under. - - 21 and last.――Paddock came very slowly to the scratch, - evidently without the ghost of a shadow of a chance. He - was groggy, and could scarcely see; the close quarters - in the last round had done their work, and any odds - might have been had on Sayers. Paddock tried a rush, - but, of course, Sayers was nowhere near him, and as he - came again Sayers met him full on the right cheek, a - very heavy hit with his left. It staggered poor Tom, - who was evidently all abroad, and all but fell. He put - out his hands, as if to catch hold of Sayers to support - himself, and the latter, who had drawn back his right - hand to deliver the coup de grace, seeing how matters - stood, at once restrained himself, and seizing - Paddock’s outstretched hand, shook it warmly, and - conducted him to his corner, where his seconds, seeing - it was all over, at once threw up the sponge, and - Sayers was proclaimed the victor in one hour and twenty - minutes. Paddock was much exhausted, and it was some - time before he was sufficiently himself to realise the - fact that he had been defeated, when he shed bitter - tears of mortification. That he had any cause for grief - beyond the fact that he was defeated no one could say; - indeed if ever man persevered against nature to make a - turn it was he, for notwithstanding the constant severe - props he got whenever he attempted to lead, he tried it - on again and again, and, to his praise be it said, took - his gruel with a good temper exceeding anything we have - ever witnessed on his behalf during the whole of his - career. As soon as possible after the event was over, - the men were dressed and conveyed on board the vessel, - where Paddock received every attention his state - required; but it was long before he recovered from the - mortification he felt at his unexpected defeat. Sayers - in the meantime went round among the spectators, and - made a collection for him amounting to £30. - - REMARKS.――Although the above battle tells its own tale, - our account would not be complete unless we appended a - few remarks, not only upon the contest itself, but also - on the general management and other concomitants. From - the very commencement it was obvious to us that the - fight was out of Tom Paddock. All the devil and - determination for which he had been so famous had - completely left him, and he was almost as slow and - ineffective as the old Tipton. True, he left no stone - unturned, and never once flinched from the severity of - the punishment administered to him. He took all that - Sayers gave with apparent indifference, and although it - was obvious his powers of delivering had departed, his - extraordinary gifts as a receiver of punishment were - fully equal to his olden reputation; and, as we have - before remarked, his good temper exceeded anything we - have ever witnessed on his part. It was supposed by - many that had he not injured his right hand by the blow - delivered upon the stake he would have done better; - but, as he used that mauley afterwards so effectually - as to floor the Champion, and as he admitted to us that - he felt his cause to be hopeless previous to that - accident, such speculations go for nought. That both - his daddles eventually became much swollen and - innocuous is true, but that he could have turned the - tide in his favour had this not have been the case, we - do not believe. It was not the mere hardness of the - hammer that was wanting, but the steam for driving the - hammer was absent. The principal cause of regret was - that he should have been induced, after his severe - illness, to try conclusions with one so much fresher, - and, as it turned out, stronger than himself; but, - however much his physical powers had declined, it was - all along evident that his old spirit of daring - everything was as strong in him as ever. From the first - moment he entered the ring he did all, and more than - all, that could be required of him to make a turn in - his favour, but in vain. As may be gathered from our - account, he once or twice seemed to gain a slight - advantage, but it was very short lived. Enough, - however, was done by him to convince us that had he - been the Paddock of five years ago, the chance of Tom - Sayers retaining his proud position would have been - anything but “rosy.” The collection made for Paddock - proved the estimation in which his gallantry was held - by the spectators. - - Sayers, throughout the contest, fought with that - extraordinary judgment of time and distance which so - much distinguished him during the last few years of his - career; and from the first it was apparent that any - diffidence he might have displayed in his mill with the - Slasher had completely disappeared. He abstained, to a - considerable extent, from the harlequinade which he - displayed in that encounter, and often stood and fought - with his ponderous opponent with steadiness and - precision. He fell down, it is true, three times, but - only on one of these occasions could it be fairly said - that it was not accidental, and even then we do not - believe that it was a wilful act, especially as it was - clear that the tumbling system was farthest from his - thoughts, and his great desire was to keep Paddock on - his legs. - -Tom had now reached the very pinnacle of his fame, for among the not -very extensive range of big ones then in the field――Harry Poulson, -Aaron Jones, the Tipton Slasher, and Tom Paddock had fallen beneath -his punishing arm, while Harry Broome, having struck his flag to Tom -Paddock, and Harry Orme (who had also retired) surrendered to Harry -Broome――there was a clear title made for the Little Wonder, Tom -Sayers, the first ten-stone Champion. - -This state of things seemed likely to leave Tom to enjoy _in otium cum -dignitate_ the laurels of his many hard-fought days. The year 1858 -grew old, when once more “an Unknown” was talked of, who would be -backed to try conclusions for the £400 and belt against the redoubted -Tom. Again these rumours came from the head-quarters of the erewhile -Champion, Harry Broome, in the Haymarket; and to the astonishment of -every one who recollected the “lame and impotent conclusion” which, -sixteen months before, marked what was supposed to be the first and -last appearance within any ring of Mr. Bill Bainge (Benjamin), that -worthy was named as the man for the coming fight. - -It was urged by himself and his friends that he did not have fair play -in his training for his former battle; that he was very far from well -on the day of fighting; that these drawbacks, coupled with his novelty -of his position in entering the ring for the first time, and going -through the ceremony of peeling, &c., before the assembled throng, had -quite unnerved him, and rendered him almost oblivious as to what had -actually taken place. The weather, too (it was January, and bitterly -cold), had a great effect on him, his frame not being accustomed to -the exposure in a “state of buff;” and besides all this, he himself -asserted that the suddenness and severity of the punishment he -received was something that had more paralysed than hurt him. He had -felt ever since that a stigma attached to his name, which he felt -conscious was not deserved. He believed himself at heart to be no -coward, and, being anxious to vindicate himself, he had begged his -backer to give him an opportunity of clearing his character, and that -gentleman, believing his version of the case to be true, had kindly -granted him a new trial. Of course, when Sayers heard of the challenge -he was nothing loth, feeling, as he did, certain of victory, while -further calculating that what he considered such an easy job would -bring him six months nearer to the retention of the belt as his own -private property, he threw not the slightest difficulty in the way of -settling preliminaries, and articles were signed and delivered at -once. - -The men did not go into training immediately, as they had nearly six -months before them, but Benjamin took every opportunity of gaining -such knowledge as might assist him in his undertaking, and acting -under the advice of an experienced ring-goer, he lost no time in -securing the services of “ould Nat Langham,” whose judgment could not -but prove of the greatest assistance. Liberal offers were made to Nat -to go down to Shirenewton, where Benjamin was resident, to take the -entire management of him, but Nat rightly judged that his own business -was such as to require his presence; he, therefore, contented himself -with an occasional run down for a couple of days, when he enforced -upon his pupil some of his own peculiar style of practice in many a -heavy bout with the mufflers. As he could not undertake the whole -training, however, Nat recommended Bill’s backer to send a retaining -fee to the bold Bendigo, whose country habits, sobriety, vigilance, -and judgment he knew could be depended upon, and the appearance of his -_protégé_ on the day of battle proved that his confidence had not been -misplaced, for his whole bearing was the very perfection of condition. -Bendy, however, had a corporation of most Daniel Lambert-like -proportions, no doubt much increased by good living, in which he had -indulged while superintending his new pupil, and was therefore a -curious choice for the trainer to a candidate for the championship. - -As to the gallant Tom, he occupied the next four months after the -articles were signed in starring it about the country, and exhibiting -himself, his cups and his belts, to hosts of admiring friends. He took -a benefit here, a benefit there, and a couple of benefits in one week -somewhere else, and so on, and was everywhere so well received, that -he must have returned to town, prior to his going into work, with a -perfect sack full of “shiners.” He further announced at these -gatherings his retirement from the Ring, which he had already fixed -for June, 1860, when the belt would become his private property. - -From the very first Tom held this match extremely light, and had -expressed the most entire confidence, a confidence which at one time -during the fight now under description we thought was very near -proving his downfall, from the fact of his having split on the same -rock which has proved fatal to many a good man and true under similar -circumstances. We allude to neglect of training. The first portion of -Tom’s exercise, which did not extend over more than seven weeks, was -taken, as on former occasions, in the neighbourhood of Tunbridge -Wells, but about a month later he removed to Rottingdean, another -favourite locality of his, for the purpose of sea bathing, and it was -during his stay at this place that his practices were anything but -conducive to high condition. During his so-called training, Tom, -instead of the usual walking, running, &c., was repeatedly seen on -horseback in full career after the harriers which meet in the -neighbourhood, and during these gallops his falls were anything but -few and far between. Had the champion, by an unlucky purl, dislocated -a limb or sprained an ankle or a wrist, what a pretty pickle his -backers would have been in, and how he would have cursed his own -folly! His backers’ money would have been thrown away, his belt would -have been forfeited, and he would have had to recommence his career of -three years as its holder, in addition to losing the confidence of -those who were behind him. As it was, on entering the ring, the -general remark was that he was too fleshy, and there were signs of a -protuberance in the neighbourhood of his bread-basket which told an -unmistakable tale. Many a brave fellow has suffered severely for this -reckless despising of an adversary, and has thereby lost a position -which he has never been able to regain. - -The rumours and speculations anent this match were of the most -extraordinary character. Tales of deep-laid conspiracies to rob the -public――such as it has never been our ill fortune to see put into -practice during our career as chroniclers of this truly British -sport――were rife. The croakers and slanderers, who always look at the -dark side of the picture, and by listening to the statements of those -who attempt to decry the ring by blackening the characters of its -members, are always ready to see “a barney” in every match, could not -be persuaded to believe that Tom Sayers had far too high a notion of -himself to listen to any suggestions on such a subject; and that, even -admitting, for the sake of argument, that his principles might give -way (which we were confident they would not), his pride and vanity -were such as to forbid the supposition. While on the subject of -“barneys” we may be permitted to remark, that such occurrences are -much more common in the imaginations of some would-be knowing ones, -who are literally know-nothings, than in the actual practice of the -P.R.; and that we firmly believe, and we state it earnestly and -seriously, that there is far less of this kind of thing in the doings -of the members of the Prize Ring than in almost any other sport. -Besides these rumours about “Mr. Barney,” there were whisperings that -Benjamin was in reality an extraordinary good man, and that the -winning of the former fight by Sayers was purely a piece of accidental -good fortune. How these various “shaves” were received by the general -public and by the _cognoscenti_ may be best gathered from the fact -that as the day approached no one would take less than 4 to 1 about -Benjamin winning, and that many persons laid 5 to 2 that Sayers would -win in a quarter of an hour. The betting on the whole, however, was -small in amount, the cause no doubt being the preposterous odds -demanded, which, as the backers of Sayers said, was actually buying -money. - -Shortly after eleven o’clock Tom Sayers modestly dropped his castor -over the ropes, and then as modestly crept under them himself. He was -attended by Jerry Noon and Harry Brunton, and was received with -enthusiastic cheers. He had wisely donned his milling boots and -drawers, and had therefore only to remove his outer shell. After an -interval of five minutes he was followed by Benjamin, who made his -_entrée_ in an equally unpretending way. He also was well received. He -was waited on by the Bold Bendigo and Jack Macdonald. At this time -there were several offers to bet £20 to £5 on Sayers, but there were -no takers. Despatch being the order of the day, no time was lost by -the men in preparing for action. Benjamin, like Sayers, had taken the -precaution to make ready beforehand, so that a very few minutes -sufficed to strip and tie the colours in their appropriate places. -Sayers sported a pink and white striped brocaded silk of the richest -description, while Benjamin adhered to the old-fashioned blue and -white spot. By twenty-three minutes past eleven o’clock, under a -burning sun, the men were delivered at the scratch and stood ready for -hostilities amidst the most profound silence. Benjamin appeared in -perfect health and condition; he had a smile of confidence on his mug, -and he stood well up in a fearless manner, presenting a wide contrast -to his _début_ on the former occasion. He stood well over Sayers, -whose height is only 5 feet 8½ inches, and struck us as decidedly the -more powerful man. Although Tom was evidently too fleshy, there was a -dash and calm self-possession about him which denoted the more -accustomed boxer. He moved about in a business-like way, and evidently -had no fears for the result. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Benjamin stood well on the defensive, and - there was much in his position to remind us of his - mentor, Nat Langham. He fixed his eye on Tom, and - sparred for a short time to see what could be done. His - whole bearing, indeed, was such as to call forth a - general remark that he was a different man. Tom dodged - in and out in his usual style, evidently trying for his - favourite double, but Benjamin was ready. At length Tom - dashed in, and delivered his left on the cheek, but was - beautifully countered on the smelling bottle, and - Benjamin had the honour of gaining “first blood” from - that organ, a success which was hailed with much - cheering from the Taffies. Sayers seemed pricked at - this, and making his favourite dodge, he popped the - left on the body and then on the left cheek, knocking - Benjamin off his pins, thus gaining the second event, - and equalizing matters. - - 2.――Benjamin, nothing daunted, came steadily to the - scratch, and, after a feint, let go his left, which was - well stopped. He got away from the return, and after - some sparring got home the left on the chest, and they - got to close quarters, when the in-fighting was of a - heavy description. Each got pepper on the nozzle and - whistler, and Sayers also planted heavily on the side - of Bill’s nob. In the close at the ropes Benjamin was - forced down. - - 3.――Both came up a good deal flushed, and each seemed - blowing. Benjamin looked serious, and was rather - cautious. Sayers, anxious to be at work, dashed in, and - got home a very straight one on the proboscis, but - Benjamin with great quickness countered him on the left - cheek, just under the eye. This led to desperate - exchanges, in which there appeared to be no best. At - length Sayers caught his man round the neck, and - holding him tight, pegged away with a will on his dial, - and finally threw him heavily, his nob coming with some - force against the stake. - - 4.――Benjamin, desperate, at once rushed to work, and - after some tremendous exchanges, each getting it on the - left eye, Benjamin fell. - - 5.――Sayers tried to lead off, but Benjy walked away, in - obedience to his seconds. Sayers followed until they - got close together, and a magnificent rally followed, - in which Sayers drew the claret from Bill’s right brow, - and also paid a heavy visit to the conk. Bill got on - Tom’s left cheek, but his blows had not the precision - and weight visible on the part of Sayers. - - 6.――Benjamin was evidently shaken by the punishment he - had received, which even at this early period was very - severe. He sparred, and was evidently in no hurry. - Sayers seeing this went to him, but was exceedingly - wild in his deliveries. At last he got home on the - bread-basket, but without effect, and Benjamin missed - his return. Tom now feinted, and just reached Bill’s - smeller, but it was a mere flyblow. He tried a body - blow, and was well countered on the cheek and mouth. A - close and in-fighting followed, in which both were very - wild, but in which Tom again turned on the main from - Benjamin’s nose. After a struggle both fell through the - ropes. - - 7.――Benjamin looked savage. He lost no time in dashing - at his man, and a tremendous round followed. Sayers let - go the left at the nose, but Benjy countered him - straight and well with the same hand, opening a fresh - bottle. Several tremendous counters with the left - followed, Benjamin astonishing every one by his - calmness, and by the precision with which he timed his - hits. Each got pepper on the nose and eyes, and Sayers - napped a nasty one on the middle of the forehead. - Sayers now missed his left, and Bill returned well on - the cheek. They broke away, and after surveying one - another again went to it, and more heavy exchanges took - place, in which Tom again turned on the main from - Bill’s nasal fountain. Benjamin persevered, and again - did they dispute the ground inch by inch. Both were - blowing, and the confidence of Bill’s friends was - looking up. It was plain both men meant to do all they - knew in this bout, and that each felt that it was to be - the turning point, one way or the other. Sayers now got - heavily on the left eye, which began to close, while - Bill caught him on the mouth. The fighting was - tremendous, and the way Benjamin stood to his man was - beyond all praise. Sayers now and then was extremely - wild, and had Benjamin possessed more knowledge of the - art the result might have been serious, for Tom was - evidently tiring fast, but still the greater force of - his hitting was evidently telling a tale. As hit - succeeded hit Bill’s dial grew more slantindicular; but - he was undaunted, and evidently had made up his mind to - do or die. At length they got to close quarters, when - some heavy fibbing took place, and both fell, Benjamin - under. - - 8.――Bill’s left eye was all but closed, the bump at the - side telling of Tom’s powers of delivery. Sayers was - much flushed, and puffing like a grampus; he lost no - time, however, in going to work, evidently hoping to - frighten his man. Benjamin was ready, and after some - sharp exchanges in his favour, he retreated. Tom - followed, and as Benjamin attempted to plant his left, - Tom cross-countered him heavily with his right on the - jaw, and knocked him off his pins. He was almost out of - time, and it required all the exertions of his seconds - to get him round. - - 9.――Benjamin shook himself, and came up resolutely, but - evidently much shaken. He sparred a little, and on Tom - going in, he timed him neatly on the middle of the - dial, but without much force. Again did Sayers try it - with a like result, and Benjamin then dashed in, but - was short. Sayers returned with great quickness on the - bad eye, and poor Benjamin was again floored. - - 10.――Benjamin struggled up gamely, although requested - to give in; he held up his hands, and tried to counter - with his man, but Tom with great neatness got well home - on the good eye, avoiding the return, and Benjamin once - more dropped. His seconds threw up the sponge, but the - poor fellow broke from them, with an intimation that he - was not licked, and wanted to prove he was no cur, and - commenced. - - 11th and last.――Benjamin tried to lead off, but it was - evidently a mere flash in the pan; he missed and - stumbled forward, when Tom gave him a slight tap on the - nose, which sent him for the last time to grass. He was - conveyed to his corner, and his seconds then declared - he should fight no longer. Sayers went to him to shake - hands, but Benjamin, who was all but blind, wished to - commence another round. This, of course, could not be - listened to, and the poor fellow was forced from the - ring against his will, Sayers being proclaimed the - winner in twenty-two minutes, amidst the enthusiastic - cheers of his friends. Benjamin was much exhausted, and - his punishment was as heavy as one generally sees in - double the time. He took it, however, unflinchingly, - never complaining from first to last; and on this - occasion, although defeated, his most determined enemy - (if he has one) cannot say he was dishonoured. Sayers - also was much exhausted, but this arose not so much - from his punishment, although in this respect he did - not come off scatheless, as from his want of condition - telling upon him in a battle which was disputed for - some rounds with unwonted quickness and desperation. - - REMARKS.――Having commented upon the want of condition - of Tom Sayers, and having gone at some length into a - description of this short but busy fight, it is - unnecessary to trouble our readers with many remarks - thereupon. That Benjamin succeeded in redeeming his - character, and proving that he can receive punishment - and struggle hard for victory when properly looked - after, is not for a moment to be denied, but that he - will ever make a star in the pugilistic horizon we do - not for a moment believe. He is, at 34, too old to - learn the rudiments of the business; at that age even - the limbs of a practised boxer begin to get stiff, and - it is therefore extremely improbable that those of a - man trained to other pursuits can acquire that - quickness and readiness so necessary to a finished - pugilist. Had he begun some years ago, we think it not - improbable, with such strength and activity as he - possesses, he might have hoped to rank in the first - division. The desperation with which he contested the - seventh round――which was one of the sharpest and - severest we ever saw――evidently showed what he might - have done; but as it is we think, having fulfilled his - mission and proved to his friends that he is composed - of more sterling metal than they gave him credit for, - the best advice we can give him is to shun for the - future the attractions of the P.R., and devote himself - to the duties of his station in his own country. We are - glad for his own credit sake that he determined to - undergo this second ordeal, and equally glad that he - came out of it so successfully. It also gives us - pleasure to know that he has good and staunch friends - at his back, who having witnessed his performance on - Tuesday, are perfectly satisfied with him. Of Tom - Sayers we have only to say that he did not fight so - well on this as on former occasions; and, as we think - this was entirely owing to want of condition, we feel - we are only doing him a favour in impressing upon him - the necessity in future of leaving no stone unturned to - retain that confidence which has been hitherto so - implicitly placed in him. - -Thus ended the second attempt of the Broomes (Harry and Frederick) to -wrest the belt from the great little Champion, but there were other -“Richmonds” now in the field. Bob Brettle, of Birmingham, could not -persuade himself that he was unable to interpose a check to the -victorious career of the hardy Tom. Bob had his own reasons, too, for -believing in his chance. He had tried conclusions with the Champion -with the gloves, and felt assured he had the best of it; and in this, -perhaps, he was not far wrong, for it was pretty generally known that -Tom was much more at home with his digits in nature’s habiliments, and -in a four-and-twenty-feet ring, than when they were muffled in -horsehair in the sparring-school. The backers of Tom at first laughed -at Bob’s propositions, but he declared he was in earnest, and went so -far as to say they would wish they had let him alone before they had -done with him. After much palaver Sayers offered to stake £400 to -£200, but Brettle then required the belt to be thrown in. This, of -course, was rejected, Tom considering that as holder of that trophy he -was only bound to defend it on even terms. Brettle was extremely loth -to give up his chance for the belt, but still he did not think it -equivalent to the extra £200 which Sayers had offered to stake, and -eventually he waived all pretensions to the “ornamental,” and closed -the bargain on the chance of obtaining the “useful,” which would have -sufficed to purchase a belt of double the mere intrinsic value. - -At the meeting at Owen Swift’s, where the articles were finally -ratified, a friend of the Champion’s treated the match with such -ridicule that he ventured to suggest the probability of Bob being -licked in _ten minutes_, whereupon Brettle, in the heat of the moment, -offered to bet £100 to £10 against such a contingency. “Make it £200 -to £20,” said Tom’s friend, “and it’s a bet.” “Done,” said Bob, and -the money was staked in the hands of Alec Keene. All these -preliminaries were adjusted before the second fight for the -Championship in April between Tom Sayers and Bill Benjamin, it being -stipulated that Tom should name a day after that event was decided. - -At Tattersall’s, on the previous Monday, September 18th, the event -seemed to attract as much attention as the speculations on either of -the great handicaps, and in the yard a regular ring was formed, where -betting, or offers to bet, went on very briskly. The backers of Tom -commenced by offering 5 to 2, at which some few investments were made, -but the Brums soon opened their mouths for longer odds, and would take -no less than 3 to 1, and at this price again money was laid until the -Sayersites in their turn held back, and speculation left off at offers -of 5 to 2. In the evening, at the sporting houses, 3 to 1 might have -been got in some few instances, and a sanguine admirer of Tom’s -actually laid 4 to 1, but we believe he was a solitary specimen. - -For at least a month, Mr. John Gideon, one of the most earnest backers -of Sayers, had been on the look-out for a scene of action which might -be reached with ease and comfort, and which, at the same time, should -be so situated as to be beyond the reach of the rough and ready -attendants at boxing matches, whose presence is anything but -desirable, and also tolerably safe from the too-prying eyes of the -powers that be, who do not love a mill, and who will in the most -unaccountable manner interfere with the pleasures of the Fancy, on the -ground that a friendly boxing-match is a breach of the peace. A few -consultations with other managers of excursions, and a considerable -expenditure of time and trouble, ended in the perfect success of Mr. -Gideon’s arrangements, and not only did he carry the expedition to a -triumphant _dénouement_, but ensured the utmost comfort to all the -travellers. Of course the profits of the expedition were equally -divided between the backers of both men, and the figure being -tolerably high, and the company unusually numerous, there is no doubt -each realised a handsome sum. Owing to the distance to be travelled, a -very early start was found absolutely necessary, and seven o’clock -being the hour named, the “lads wot loves a mill” had to be early -afoot; and many there were who having, as usual, devoted the first two -or three hours of the morning of the 20th of September to “seeing -life,” found some difficulty in opening their eyes in their very first -sleep to enable them to get to the starting-post in time. Many a one -started breakfastless, and many were the wistful glances cast at the -victualling department under the able charge of Mr. Dan Pinkstone, an -old and well-known caterer, long before the end of the journey was -attained; but as the train could not be stopped there was of course no -chance of an issue of stores from the commissariat until the goal was -reached――a field near Ashford, in Kent, being the _champ clos_ for -combat. - -The train comprised thirty-six carriages, every one of which had at -least its full complement of travellers, and many were over-full. The -start was effected by a quarter before eight, and with the aid of two -powerful engines a rapid and pleasant journey was effected to the -scene of action, on entirely maiden ground, some sixty miles from the -Metropolis, which was reached shortly after ten o’clock. The vast -multitude lost no time in clearing out from the carriages, and a -pioneer, who had gone on ahead the previous evening, placing himself -at the head of the army, proceeded, closely followed by the veteran -Commissary and his _posse comitatus_, to the proposed scene of action. -No time was cut to waste in preparing the lists, which were in -readiness before eleven o’clock. While these preliminaries were being -arranged, a brisk business was carried on in the sale of inner ring -tickets, and our readers may judge of the class of spectators and -their number when we tell them that the sale realised a sum of £54 -10s. for the benefit of the P.B.A. This done, Billy Duncan and his -constables proceeded to clear out the ring, and experienced the usual -difficulty in persuading the company to seat themselves at a -sufficient distance from the enclosure. All were naturally anxious to -be as close as possible, and accordingly had seated themselves in -compact rows, those in front close to the ropes. The consequence was, -that all were crowded together, and many were scarcely able to get a -glimpse of the ring. And now as we have brought the men _en face_, we -will say a few words concerning Tom’s antagonist, as we do not purpose -to devote space to him in a separate Memoir. - -BOB BRETTLE was born at Portobello, near Edinburgh, in January, 1832, -and was therefore, six years younger than Tom Sayers. On the present -occasion he just turned the scale at 10st. 4lb., and did not appear in -any way too fleshy. By calling he was a glassblower, and it was while -he was engaged in one of the larger establishments in the hardware -districts that he first became connected with the P.R. His first essay -of which we have any record was with Malpas, of Birmingham, whom he -fought for £50 a side, on the 14th of February, 1854. There were 80 -rounds, principally in favour of Bob, but eventually there was a claim -of foul on his part. A wrangle took place; the referee gave two -decisions, and ultimately the stakes were drawn. Brettle’s next -encounter was with old Jack Jones of Portsmouth, for £100 a side, on -the 21st of November, 1854. Jack had only been out of the hospital a -few weeks, and was in anything but condition; but still he had the -best of the mill, Brettle resorting to the dropping system. Forty-nine -rounds were fought in 105 minutes, when darkness came on, and as -neither man was much punished, the referee ordered them to fight again -on the following Saturday. On that day Jones was at the appointed -place, but Brettle did not show, and it being discovered subsequently -that he had been apprehended, either through the kind offices of his -friends or by his own negligence, the stakes were awarded to Jones. -After this Bob was idle until the 20th of November, 1855, when he -defeated Roger Coyne, of Birmingham, for £25 a side, in 49 rounds and -48 minutes. Then came his match with Sam Simmonds, for £200 a side, -which took place near Didcot, June 3rd, 1856, and was won by Bob very -easily in 13 rounds and 16 minutes. - -Another year, or rather more, elapsed before Bob made another essay, -his next opponent being Job Cobley, dubbed by his patron Baron -(Renton) Nicholson, “the Enthusiastic Potboy,” whom he fought for £100 -a side, August 4th, 1857. Here Bob’s greater weight and superior -strength enabled him to take a decided lead, and Job, finding it too -hot to be pleasant, resorted to dropping, and finally lost the battle -by falling without a blow in the 47th round, at the expiration of 90 -minutes. - -On the 25th of January following, Brettle met Bob Travers for £100 a -side at Appledore, when, after fighting 42 rounds in 65 minutes, the -police interfered. An adjournment took place to the following day, -when they met again at Shell Haven, and after fighting 100 rounds in 2 -hours and 5 minutes, Bob Travers, who had, like “the Enthusiastic -Potboy,” found the earth the safest place, was decided to have lost -the battle by falling without a blow. - -Bob’s only subsequent encounter was with Jem Mace of Norwich, who, as -may be seen in our next chapter, met him, for £100 a side, on the 21st -of September, 1858, and at the end of two rounds and three minutes, -although with none the worst of it, hid his diminished head, and -declined to have any more. This was Bob’s last appearance prior to the -present, and it was imagined by most people that he would retire from -the Ring, but the temptation of a turn at the Champion was too great -for him, and induced him to try a flight at the top of the tree. It is -difficult to understand whence he got the confidence to match himself -against Sayers, unless it was from his supposed superiority with the -gloves――in the case of Tom Sayers an unusually delusive test. This -brings us to the eventful 20th of September, 1858, and the ring at -Ashford. - -So soon as all were seated a cap was seen to fly over the heads of the -dense mass, and in a second Bob Brettle, aided by his seconds, Alec -Keene and Jem Hodgkiss, of Birmingham, was seen elbowing his way -through the crowd. He was vociferously cheered on all hands, and his -good-humoured mug brightened up with a broad grin of delight at the -hearty welcome. Tom Sayers was not long behind him, and as he entered -on the scene, attended by Jack Macdonald and Harry Brunton, he too was -greeted with a tremendous ovation, which he acknowledged in a becoming -manner, and then shook hands good-humouredly with his opponent. The -spectators now began to make their final investments, and several bets -of 3 to 1 were made and staked to considerable amounts. The last, -however, that we heard was £25 to £10 on Sayers. After the lads had -completed their toilettes Brettle came forward and offered to take -£150 to £50 from Tom, but the Champion declined, as his money was all -on. Bob then held up the note and offered to take the same odds from -any spectator, but silence was the only reply, and he had to return -the flimsy to his “cly.” Tom’s colour was a very handsome blue and -white stripe, with blue border; and Bob’s a dark blue, with a white -star. Brettle’s boots having been examined by Tom’s seconds, it was -found that the spikes were beyond the regulation length, and had to be -filed, but this was so inefficiently done that they were still far too -sharp and long for the purpose for which they were intended. Had -Sayers’s seconds done their duty resolutely they would have shown them -to the referee, who doubtless would have ordered a still further -curtailment, but Tom personally requested them to make no bother about -it, as, in his own words, he “could give all that in.” - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On throwing off their blankets there was a - great disparity in the appearance of the men, much - greater, indeed, than would have been expected from the - slight difference in weight. Tom, whose condition was - superb, was broad-shouldered, thick-loined, and - muscular, the weight being just where it ought to be; - while Brettle looked narrow and round on the shoulders, - and had not the upright, firm bearing of the Champion. - In height, too, there appeared more than the actual - difference of a bare inch. Tom’s mug, of the two, was - fleshier than his opponent’s, but it looked hard as - nails. In point of age it was evident there was a - considerable difference in favour of the Brum, whose - fresh, fair skin and healthful country appearance - contrasted strongly with the Champion’s bronzed but - somewhat stale complexion. The wear and tear of fifteen - contests, and the gay life he had led, had evidently - left their mark. Each had a pleasant, good-humoured - smile on his phiz, but the Champion seemed to be more - at home than his adversary. Bob looked cunning and - shifty, walking round his man with a kind of crab-like, - sideway movement, and leering out of the corner of his - eye, evidently on the look-out to catch the Champion - tripping, and make a dash at him with his right. Tom - was awake, however, and though not moving far from the - scratch, stepped with his adversary, and contrived to - keep continually facing him. At length Bob, finding his - man so “fly” to his “little game,” dashed straight at - him, and let go the left, which caught Tom very - slightly on the nose. Tom nodded and smiled as much as - to say, “Wait a minute;” and Bob renewed his journey - round his man, who remained in the middle of the ring. - At length Brettle again dashed in, and exchanges took - place, in which Tom left his mark on Bob’s forehead, - the bump being of considerable size. Brettle retreated, - came again, and lunging out his left was prettily - countered on the mouth, from which “first blood” was - instantly visible, the blow being a hot ’un. Some neat - exchanges followed on the side of the head; they then - broke away, and, as Sayers followed his man, Bob ducked - his head, but Sayers caught him a sharp spank on the - proboscis, which led to counter-hitting, when Tom got - well on the forehead, and Bob fell. A claim of first - knock-down for Tom was made but disallowed, as Bob was - evidently getting down when the blow reached him. - - 2.――Bob’s nose and mouth showed that Tom had been - there; he, however, dashed in, and heavy exchanges took - place, Tom getting on to the left peeper and Brettle - the body. Brettle now broke away, and resorted to his - cunning peripatetic dodge, but Tom only grinned, turned - as he moved, and waited for him. At length Bob dashed - in, and got on the chest very slightly, Sayers - returning well on the kisser. Brettle, after another - pedestrian excursion, came again and let go the left, - which was stopped, and he again “walked round and - showed his muscle.” Tom stepped with him, and each - tried to draw the other, until Brettle at last let go - his left, and sharp exchanges followed on the cheek - with the left, and Sayers fell. A claim of knockdown - for Brettle not allowed, Tom being on the hop, and - partially slipping down. - - 3.――Sayers, on owning up, had a slight mark on the left - cheek, which caused the Brums to cheer vociferously. - Brettle, seeing it, made a dash to force the fighting, - but Tom stopped him by a straight one on the whistler, - and then closed. This led to some sharp but very wild - in-fighting in Tom’s corner, and at last Brettle was - down on his knees with all the worst of it. - - 4.――The Brum came up blinking with his left eye, which - had evidently got pepper in the last wild rally, and - seemed as if about to close. It was now discovered that - the ten minutes had just expired, and that his bet of - £200 was saved. He lost no time in getting to work, but - giving one or two sideway steps he dashed in, planted - his right on the ribs, and then one or two sharp - counter-hits were exchanged. While dodging and stepping - in and out, Brettle’s spikes came into dangerous - collision with Tom’s shin, and inflicted a serious - wound; Tom pointed to the injured spot and shook his - head, whereupon Bob apologised, assured him that it was - unintentional, and promised to be more careful for the - future. The wound was excessively deep, and only shows - the extreme danger of using such absurd spikes, which - are utterly useless to a man who intends really to keep - on his legs. Tom, after a little dodging, got heavily - on the nose, and counter-hits were exchanged, Tom - getting very heavily on the left peeper, and receiving - a hot one on the jaw, which knocked him clean off his - legs. (“First knock down” for Brettle, who was - enthusiastically cheered as he went to his corner.) - - 5.――On coming up there was no mark of Bob’s visitation - on Tom’s jaw, but the effect of Tom’s blows on - Brettle’s mouth and eye was very visible. His nose and - left eye were swollen, and the claret was still visible - from his mouth. (The backers of Tom offered 4 to 1, but - in only one instance was it taken――viz., by Bob - Travers, who invested “a tenner” on the Brummagem pet.) - Brettle, after a little queer manœuvring, rushed in - left and right, and got the latter on the body, but not - heavily. He looked serious, and walked round and round, - but finding Tom ready he tried a dash, succeeding in - landing the right on the body. Tom got heavily on the - forehead, and then, counter-hits being exchanged, - Brettle got slightly on the neck, and Tom, with his - right, caught Brettle very heavily on the left - shoulder, and Bob went down in Tom’s corner. Sayers ran - after Brettle as he was being carried to his corner, - with a curious look of anxiety and alarm on his - countenance, evidently thinking that he had inflicted - some dangerous injury. Finding, however, that the blow - had not had the serious effect he feared, he walked - smiling to his corner. - - 6.――Brettle came up looking very serious, and several - times led off left and right, but quite out of - distance. Tom then stepped in and tried his left, which - Brettle cleverly avoided, and then returned on the - chest. They quickly got to close quarters, and after a - sharp exchange on the neck, Brettle fell forward on his - hands in Sayers’s corner, Tom missing a terrific - upper-cut with his right as he fell. - - 7th and last.――Brettle missed several well-intended - lunges with the right, and then walked round the ring; - he came again, and tried the left with a similar - result. He kept hitting out of distance, as if afraid - of Tom’s right, which had already missed him so - narrowly. Again and again did he step in and out, and - as Sayers tried to catch him on the hop he would point - and grin; at last he got slightly on the chest, - receiving a little one on the cheek. Brettle retreated, - and then hit out with his left most furiously, but - missed, and Tom countered him heavily on the shoulder; - Brettle immediately put his right hand to his shoulder - as if in pain; he, however, shook himself together, and - tried to stand and prop his man with his right, but - from the expression of his countenance something - evidently was amiss, and on Tom’s approaching him he - got down in his own corner, apparently suffering - considerable pain. Solid Coates, his umpire, at once - went to his corner, and on inquiry found that he had - dislocated his shoulder, either by the force of his own - blow, or from the effect of Tom’s heavy counter; and - this being the case, of course he had no option but to - resign the victory to Tom Sayers, who was hailed the - conqueror in _fifteen minutes_. Tom at once went to - shake hands with his fallen foe, and then resuming his - clothes, quickly reappeared among his friends without a - mark to show that he had been fighting. A medical - friend who was on the ground quickly attended upon poor - Brettle, and lost no time in restoring his arm to its - position, and the poor fellow, more injured in mind - than body, was soon sufficiently recovered to enter - freely into conversation with his friends, many of whom - believed, and still believe, that he had to the full as - good a chance as Tom Sayers at the time so disastrous a - termination to the battle occurred. That this was so - is, of course, but a matter of opinion; our ideas on - the subject will be found in the remarks appended. That - Bob’s own opinion did not coincide with that of his - friends may be gathered from the fact that he - subsequently called upon us to state his intention of - retiring from the ring. He says he knows of no man of - his weight who is likely to try conclusions with him; - that he has no intention of again overmatching himself - as on the present occasion, and as he has a good - business in Birmingham, he thinks he can well afford to - leave fighting alone, at any rate as an active - professor of the art. In this resolve we think he is - perfectly right, and as he is a thoroughly honest, - upright young fellow, and of an excellent temper, we do - not doubt of his success. - - Before closing this part of our account we should not - be rendering justice where it is due did we not mention - that Jack Macdonald, one of Tom Sayers’s seconds, on - finding the nature of Bob’s injuries, rushed to his - corner, and rendered very material assistance to the - surgeon in attendance in restoring the dislocated arm - to its socket. - - REMARKS.――Where the battle was of such short duration, - it is, of course, difficult to find much to say in the - shape of remarks. To every judge of milling who was on - the ground, not excluding some of Brettle’s own - friends, it was obvious from the very first round that, - bar an accident, the victory must lie with the - favourite. In fact, in our own hearing, at the - conclusion of the first round, where Tom drew the - crimson from Brettle’s mouth, and set his sign manual - on his forehead, one of the backers of the latter said, - “It’s all over; we shan’t win.” It had been anticipated - that the Champion, in his anxiety to win the bet of - £200 to £20, would at once take the initiative, and - that thereby he would throw himself open to the - dangerous right-handed counters of Bob; but those who - knew Tom Sayers were too well acquainted with his - judgment and tact to believe any such thing; hence - their confidence and the great odds they so freely - laid. From the very commencement it was obvious Tom saw - the game he had to play, and the calm way in which he - shifted his position so as always to present a square - front to the enemy delighted every one. He was, of - course, taken by surprise at Bob’s getting home first, - but this only rendered him steadier, and convinced him - that he must act in a cautious manner. We do not - believe he for a moment contemplated going for the bet, - although we feel convinced that had one vicious - upper-cut got home he must have won it to the greatest - certainty. In all his recent fights he has been the one - that has fought in the jump-about, dancing-master - style, but here he was the steady old stager, quietly - biding his time and seldom throwing away a hit. The - knock-down blow in the fourth round was indubitably a - fair knock-down, but it must not be forgotten that - although matters thereby looked favourable for Brettle, - the real fact was that Tom in his counter got home much - heavier than his opponent, and that had he been - stepping in instead of back at the moment he would not - have been floored. The proof of the effectiveness of - the blow was seen on the men again appearing at the - scratch, when Tom showed no mark, while the evidence of - his visitation to Bob’s eye was unmistakable. That the - battle terminated as it did we cannot help feeling was - fortunate for Brettle. Tom’s dangerous right――never - brought into play until he has his man “safe,” as he - says――was already busy; true, he missed once or twice, - but he is not the man to do this often, and had it got - home effectively there is no telling what injury he - might have inflicted. The actual cause of Bob’s - accident it is impossible to fathom. Some aver that it - was partly caused by the heavy blow in the fifth round, - others that the shoulder was injured by the fall on his - hands, but, as he was able to use it so vigorously in - the last round, we believe both these suppositions to - be wrong. Possibly they may have rendered the muscles - weaker than usual, and predisposed the arm for such a - _contretemps_, but our own idea is that Bob, swinging - his arm out so very viciously at a distance from his - man, and receiving a tap on the collar-bone at the same - moment, the joint was jerked out entirely in that - manner. That his arm was dislocated there was not the - slightest doubt, for we have the evidence not only of - the surgeon himself, but also of Jack Macdonald, as to - the dislocation being reduced: and even if we had not, - the expression of poor Brettle’s countenance and his - contortions when in his corner were far too natural to - have been put on for the occasion. We should not have - thought it necessary to make these observations had we - not heard it whispered that a set of idiots, who think - everything connected with the ring is “a barney,” or - something tantamount to it, have been going about - saying that there was no accident at all, and that the - statement as to Brettle’s accident was all moonshine. - The gentry who make these remarks should look at home, - and before throwing mud at persons in a different walk - of life, should consider whether in the event of a - similar compliment being paid to themselves, there - would not be a much larger portion of the sticking part - attached to them, and whether they could be as easily - whitewashed as their humbler, though perhaps, honester, - brethren of the P.R. Of Brettle’s performances we need - say but little. He evidently found himself - out-generalled from the first; and this being the case, - all that remained for him to do was to make the best of - a bad bargain, and this we are bound to say he did to - the utmost of his ability. Our own opinion was, before - the battle, that he had not the ghost of a chance, and - that opinion was borne out by the result. We are sorry - that he was disappointed in his expectations, which - were entirely raised by his underrating his man; but as - we do not believe he will be a loser by his defeat, he - is, perhaps, not to be so much pitied as some of his - less fortunate compeers. He has been always a general - favourite, and so long as he perseveres in his present - straightforward course he must retain the good wishes - of all parties. As we have stated above, we think he - has taken a wise resolution in retiring from the Ring, - and we hope that no vain flattery on the part of any - interested admirers will induce him to change his - resolution. - -These excellent remarks of the writer, on the readiness of silly -persons to impute dishonesty to the losing pugilist, are as laudable -as they are just and honest. We shall elsewhere have occasion to -remark upon a recent work devoted to the resuscitation and reassertion -of these defunct, discreditable, and often dishonest “shaves.” - -With this very easy defeat of the Birmingham Pet, Tom Sayers, as was -generally supposed, had disposed of the last of his competitors for -the belt; but it was not to be so. A breeze, whispering of war, was -heard from across the broad Atlantic. Aaron Jones, not long after his -defeat by Sayers, had emigrated to the land of the stars and stripes, -and being a fine-looking young fellow, of good address, and of quiet -and civil deportment, had found much favour as a teacher of the art -pugilistic among our Yankee cousins. His anecdotes of British boxers -and exemplifications of the English method became fashionable among -the young bloods of New York, and the subject of pugilism grew to be -the talk of the town. John Heenan had been selected by a party to -“whip” John Morrissey, who for some reason had become obnoxious to -some of them, and Heenan’s friends made choice of Aaron Jones as -trainer and ring adviser of “The Benicia Boy.” Heenan, however, being -attacked by illness, was stopped in his work, and thus forced to go -into the ring with a stone of superabundant flesh, and suffered defeat -at the hands of Morrissey. About the close of the year 1858, distance -lending enchantment to the view, the Transatlantic papers told us that -Aaron did not think Tom Sayers such a very formidable customer after -all, and “Had a mind to return and have a second (third?) shy for the -belt.” Rumour added that, failing Aaron, Uncle Sam was about to send -over one of his champions, to see what he could do towards humbling -the pride of the little Englishman. Early in 1849 rumour ripened into -certainty, and a letter reached _Bell’s Life_ office from Mr. Wilkes, -inquiring on what terms Heenan could be placed on the rota to have his -turn against Sayers. A good deal of astonishment was created at the -time by the fact that the defeated man, and not the winner of the -American fight for the championship, had been selected; but when it -came to be remembered that Morrissey, the winner, was an Irishman by -birth, and not a native American, the wonderment ceased, and Heenan -was recognised as the proper representative of America. The Editor of -_Bell’s Life_ replied to Mr. Wilkes’s letter, intimating that -immediately on the receipt of a deposit from Heenan he could be placed -on the list. He further stated, however, that, in the event of his -winning, he would not be permitted to take the belt back to America, -without leaving its equivalent in value or remaining here three years -to contest its possession against all comers on the usual terms. By -the next mail, after Mr. Wilkes’s first letter, came a second, dated -New York, March 29, 1859, which was as follows:―― - - “Office _Wilkes’s Spirit of the Times_, New York. - “March 29, 1859. - - “DEAR SIR,――Enclosed please find a draft for £200 sterling, - drawn in your favour on the Bank of Liverpool, which I have - been requested to forward to you, on the part of Aaron - Jones, in order that you may deposit for him the necessary - sum for a meeting with the Champion of England within six - months of the date of the battle of the 5th April, between - Sayers and Benjamin; and in case the winner of that fight do - not accept, you will please hold the money subject to my - order. The language with which Jones accompanies this draft - is as follows:――‘I, Aaron Jones, hereby challenge the winner - of the coming fight for the championship, to fight me in six - months from that time for _two hundred pounds and the - Champion’s belt_. The fight to take place near London, and - to be governed by the rules of the London Prize Ring.’ Jones - also requests me to say to you for him that ‘he would prefer - having the forfeit or first deposit to be as much as _fifty - pounds_, as he does not wish to be at the trouble of - crossing the Atlantic for nothing, though he is willing to - pay his own expenses over and back to get the fight.’ He - also hopes that Sayers will, for old acquaintance’ sake, - give him the first chance; but this is a consideration which - I have no right to press, after having previously consented - to lay before you the wishes or the claims of Heenan. Your - sense of propriety will find a law for the matter, and will, - I hope, likewise permit me to remain, yours, very truly at - command, - - “GEO. WILKES. - - “P.S.――I am also desired by the backers of Jones to say that - the stakes will be increased to _five hundred pounds a - side_, if the Champion wishes it. - - “G. W.” - -To this letter Sayers at once replied, closing with the proposition of -Jones, and thus placing that hero first on the list of candidates -after his second battle with Benjamin. Hardly had the missive of the -gallant Tom been despatched when another letter arrived from Mr. -Wilkes――who throughout acted as the adviser and amanuensis of both -Jones and Heenan――enclosing a sum of £50, which he had been directed -by his friends to stake on the part of Heenan. In that letter he -requested the stakeholder, if not contrary to rule, to give Heenan’s -claim the preference, as that aspiring youth had been the first to -challenge Sayers, and was fearful that if he was not at once placed on -the list of candidates, his chance of encountering Sayers might be -entirely lost by some unforeseen accident. Inasmuch, however, as -Jones, with prudent foresight, had been the first to post the coal, -the stakeholder felt bound, according to practice, to give him the -priority, and Heenan was compelled reluctantly to moderate his -impatience; Heenan, like Jones, offered, if Sayers wished, to increase -the stakes to £500 a side. - -Shortly after the second defeat of Bill Benjamin, Tom Sayers was -called upon to meet Jack Macdonald, who had been delegated by Aaron -Jones to act the part of plenipotentiary on his behalf. Another -conference was held, and after many _pros_ and _cons._, articles were -signed, sealed, and delivered, under which Jones was bound to fight -the Champion early in the current year, a margin of one month being -allowed on either side as to the actual day of battle. For this match -£50 a side was deposited. It was not long after this that a further -communication was received from Mr. Wilkes, requesting the stakeholder -to return him £50 out of the £200 he had sent for Jones, to pay the -passage of Aaron to Europe, and to transfer the remaining £100 to the -account of the match between Heenan and Sayers. He added, that if -Jones intended to go on with his match he would have to find the -remainder of his money himself, his American friends having some -reason to be dissatisfied with him, and being desirous of transferring -all their interest to the Benicia Boy. By the very next mail came -another letter intimating that Jones would be able to find all his -money himself, and therefore the match was still to be considered -“on,” and so for several months the matter rested. - -In the following October the public were startled at reading the -following letter from Mr. Wilkes to the Editor of _Bell’s Life in -London_:―― - - - “Office, _Wilkes’s Spirit of the Times_, New York, Oct. 7, 1859. - - “MY DEAR SIR,――I take pleasure of informing you that Aaron - Jones, conceding to the common desire on this side of the - Atlantic to see Heenan have the first chance at Sayers for - the Championship (after the Unknown), has desired me to have - forfeited the £50 which now remain staked for him in your - hands against Sayers. Enclosed I send you Jones’s letter - authorising me to take this course; and as I represent the - money of his backers, your authority for declaring the match - “off” will, I suppose, be considered complete. I forget, as - I write, whether Sayers has already covered a deposit of - Heenan’s for the Championship; if not, please let the same - deposit be made and covered in his case (£50) as was made - and covered in the case of Aaron Jones. I am very solicitous - about this point as, for special reasons, I want Heenan - regularly upon the record at as early a moment as possible. - I send with this a note to Sayers, directed to your care, in - which I apprise him of Jones’s forfeit. Please preserve the - note of Jones to me, and believe me to be yours, ever truly, - at command, - - “GEO. WILKES, Editor _Wilkes’s Spirit of the Times_.” - -This communication was of course made known to Sayers without loss of -time, and having now no business on hand, the way was clear for the -Benicia Boy, and Tom’s backers being anxious that he should finish his -career as quickly as possible, and get into business, at once covered -the £50 of Heenan, and signed articles for Tom to fight him on or -about the day originally fixed for the fight with Jones, supposing it -was the wish of Heenan to step into Jones’s shoes. In this, however, -the English managers of the affair had mistaken the meaning of Mr. -Wilkes’s letter, for on their writing to him, with details of what had -been done, the following reply was forwarded:―― - - “Office, _Wilkes’s Spirit_, New York, Nov. 23, 1859. - - “MY DEAR SIR,――Your letter of 3rd inst., enclosing copy of - articles for a fight between Heenan and Sayers, and signed - by the latter, for our acceptance, reached me yesterday, and - have been communicated to Heenan. We are all, however, taken - by surprise at the proposal that the fight should come off - in February next, instead of at the expiration of the - regular six months, as was stipulated in the original - proposition, and I am requested on Heenan’s part to say, - that he expects the usual preparatory term will be granted - to him. By reference to his cartel you will find he - challenged Sayers to fight him near London for £200 and the - Champion’s belt, in six months from the date of his (Sayers) - reception of that challenge, or the date of the first - deposit under it. This challenge having reached England - during the pendency of the engagement between Sayers and the - Unknown, was kept in abeyance in your hands, and having been - further kept back by the next succeeding engagement of - Sayers with Jones, was not recognised or _received_ by - Sayers until after he had accepted forfeit from Aaron Jones. - Being thus left free of all engagements, he responded to the - challenge of Heenan, and on the 26th October (I believe) - covered the £50 deposit which you had, for months, held in - Heenan’s name. The articles for this _new match_, however, - were not signed by Sayers until the 3rd Nov. inst., and - consequently Heenan claims that he is entitled to six - months’ preliminary time from either one or the other of - those dates. He, however, desires me to say that if there be - anything in the rules of the P. R. Benevolent Association - which entitles the Champion to reduce the term for meeting - on his acceptance of a regular six months’ challenge, he - will conform to those rules, and fight Sayers at the - indicated time, even though it will leave him deficient of - the due preparation; but he utterly repudiates the idea - (which the selection of February by Sayers perhaps infers) - that his match with Sayers is a continuation of the match - with Jones. With this explanation he desires to state that - he will be ready to put up his second deposit of £50 at Owen - Swift’s in London, on the 15th December next, and if he be - not represented at that time by any agent from this country, - he begs you will continue your past kindness and again put - up the money for him. Waiving no right, but conceding to all - rules, he remains your obedient servant, though very - respectfully yours, - - “GEORGE WILKES.” - -At first it was feared this would occasion a hitch in the match, but -it was not the case. Tom was nothing loth to let the affair take its -course. He had promised to give Heenan a chance, and would not -disappoint him. He proposed, therefore, to extend the time to the end -of March, and a missive with this proposition was despatched across -the Atlantic, together with a proposition from Tom that the stakes -should be £500 a side, or as much more as Heenan could get. Before, -however, it could reach its destination, a Mr. Falkland had left that -country as the representative and forerunner of Heenan, prepared, -immediately on his arrival, to do the needful on his behalf. Early in -December, Mr. Falkland presented himself at the stakeholder’s, where -he was met by some of the friends of Sayers, but as Tom was not -present it was agreed that the evening of December 15, which was set -apart for staking a further sum of £50 a side at Owen Swift’s, should -be selected for coming to terms. At Owen’s, on the night in question, -Tom made his appearance, and quickly fraternising with the ambassador -of his foe, found not the slightest difficulty in arranging everything -on that satisfactory footing upon which the match afterwards stood. -Mr. Falkland had instructions not to make the match for more than -£200, as Heenan could lay out the remainder of his money to more -advantage in bets, the odds being against him. The following day -articles were drawn in the approved form, and information was -forthwith despatched to Heenan that his presence in the Old Country -was at once required. - -In the meantime, on the other side of the Atlantic, things had well -nigh tended to prevent the consummation of the wishes of the Fancy. -John Heenan and his quondam opponent Morrissey had got to loggerheads, -and Heenan proposed to fight Morrissey a second time before fighting -Sayers. Through the timely diplomacy of Mr. Wilkes, however, the -difficulty was solved, by Morrissey promising to give Heenan another -chance, in either England or America, for his own sum, should he prove -fortunate enough to defeat our Champion. With this promise the “Boy” -was forced to be content, and after innumerable hair-breadth escapes -from warrants out against him for an alleged breach of the peace, he -succeeded (again thanks to the good management of Mr. Wilkes) in -getting on board the “Asia,” which brought him to this country, -landing at Liverpool on the 16th of January, 1860. - -Thenceforward all went serenely and smoothly; the whole of the -deposits were made good, and the 17th of April, 1860, was waited for -with feverish expectation. - -Though it was made known to those who invested their gold in the -ticket for “there and back,” that the start must be made as early as -four o’clock, this had no effect in diminishing the number of those -who resolved to be “thar,” as our Yankee visitors expressed it. - -The scene at Owen Swift’s and Harry Brunton’s, where tickets were -obtainable, beggars description, the rush was terrific, and many were -entirely unsuccessful in getting tickets at all. Nat Langham’s, Alec -Keene’s, and other sporting houses were also crammed, but there was -not the same difficulty in carrying on the business of the landlord as -at the first houses named, where at one time trade was at a -standstill. Many of the frequenters of the sporting hostelries -evidently determined to make a night of it in order to make a -certainty of being up betimes in the morning, and that they carried -their intentions fully into effect was plainly visible in their -countenances on their emerging into daylight. The more prudent -ring-goers, however, took time by the forelock, and early ensconced -themselves in their beds until the summons to be up and doing should -arouse them. - -The scene at London Bridge Station was one of continual bustle for at -least an hour before the time appointed for the start, and, judging -from the early arrivals, all seemed impressed with the necessity of -taking time by the forelock. The precincts of the station reminded us -of the crush on the Derby Day, but the effect was far more striking -from the circumstance of its being a “midnight flitting.” The -company’s arrangements, however, were such as to meet the pressing -requirements, and the travellers by the late trains from the -provinces, and those who had postponed the purchase of their tickets -until the last moment were enabled to provide themselves with the -necessary passport at the last moment. Two monster trains were -prepared, and as early as half-past three the first, which consisted -of thirty-three carriages, was so full that the non-arrival of the -men, both of whom were accommodated at private lodgings close by, -alone delayed its departure. The Champion arrived first, and his -fresh, brisk, and natty appearance indicated a good night’s rest, and -especial pains with his _toilette_. He was soon followed by Heenan, -who seemed to wish to avoid recognition, and instantly proceeded to a -compartment reserved for him and his seconds. The tickets were then -collected, and at twenty minutes past four they started on their -journey. By this time night had cast off her sable mantle, and day -dawned with that peculiar tint which foretold the brilliant sunny -weather with which the expedition was favoured. Throughout the whole -of the metropolitan district, which extends for fifteen miles from -London, the police, both mounted and on foot, and all armed with -cutlasses, were on the look out on each side of the line even at this -early hour, but the speed at which the train proceeded at once -satisfied those watchful guardians that the mill was never intended to -take place within their bailiwick, after leaving which scarcely a soul -was to be seen beyond husbandmen proceeding to their daily avocations. - -Great preparations were made to “stop the mill” further down, both on -the Dover and Brighton lines; but they were unnecessary, as the -travellers turned off at Reigate Junction on to the Guildford line, -along which the train rattled at a good pace――we may say, “in peaceful -serenity”――until within a short distance of the latter old-fashioned -country town, where the first stoppage was made for water. In due -course the journey was resumed, and in a short time the travellers -entered the wild district where the military town of Aldershott is -situated, the deserted appearance of which satisfied all that the -“pilot” to whom the selection of the _locale_ had been entrusted had -made a “happy choice.” It was near seven o’clock when the first train -discharged its living burthen at Farnborough station, after a most -pleasant journey through one of the prettiest counties in England, -which, illumined by a glorious sun, and shooting forth in vernal -beauty, must have inspired all with feelings of intense gratification; -whilst the Benicia Boy and the numerous Americans present must have -been struck with the highly favourable contrast to the miserable -pilgrimage which from all accounts preceded their representative’s -last appearance in the Ring, when he fought Morrissey in America. - -No time was lost in choosing the spot for the ring, which was quickly -and well formed by the veteran Tom Oliver and his son, in a meadow -adjoining the railway, situate on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey, -and within half-a-mile of the Farnborough Station on the South Western -line. By this time the second train had reached its destination, and -the crowd could not have numbered fewer than twelve hundred persons, -both of high and low degree, though compared with former mills the -present “congregation” must unhesitatingly be pronounced the most -aristocratic ever assembled at the ring side. It included the bearers -of names highly distinguished in the pages of Burke and Debrett; -officers of the army and navy, members of Parliament, justices of the -peace, and even brethren of the cloth; whilst the muster of literati -on behalf of the leading metropolitan journals, and the most popular -periodicals and miscellanies――to say nothing of the editorial and -pictorial staffs of our American contemporaries, _Wilkes’s Spirit of -the Times_ and _Frank Leslie’s Illustrated News_――gave quite a new -feature to the gathering, and evinced at the same time the -overwhelming interest and excitement this national rivalry had created -throughout both hemispheres. The sale of inner-ring tickets (raised to -10s. each on this occasion) produced a large revenue to the Pugilistic -Benevolent Association, and Billy Duncan’s speculation in chairs must -have been a most successful one, judging from the demand for those -conveniences, by means of which the spectators were enabled to “see -the fight” with comparative comfort.[29] - - [Illustration: JOHN CAMEL HEENAN.] - -APPEARANCE OF THE MEN.――All being in readiness, and the immense crowd -disposed in tolerable order by the exertions of those of the -ring-keepers who chose to do their duty, Tom Sayers appeared at the -ring-side, and having deposited his hat within the ropes, quickly -followed it himself, attended by his old pal, Harry Brunton, and the -accomplished Jemmy Welsh, as seconds. The Benicia Boy was not long in -following his example, attended by Jack Macdonald and his trainer, -Cusick. Tom looked as dapper and well set up as ever, and was full of -smiles. “The Boy” (aged 26), whose attire was not quite so -fashionable, was also all on the broad grin. They eyed one another -curiously for a few seconds, this being, it must be recollected, their -first meeting, and then advancing, shook hands most cordially -together, each regarding the other with evident friendly feeling. The -warmth of the greeting appeared to give great satisfaction to the -surrounding multitude, who cheered vociferously. The men conversed for -a few minutes, but of course the subject of their interview did not -transpire. Umpires and a referee having now been appointed, the signal -was given to prepare for the combat. The first ceremony, that of tying -the colours to the stakes, was then proceeded with, and no time was -cut to waste in doffing their upper toggery. Each had taken the -precaution to put on his boots and drawers previous to entering the -ring, so that the usual tedious process of lacing the men’s boots was -dispensed with. In Heenan’s case, however, there would have been no -necessity for this, as his boots were of fashionable make, with -elastic sides. He was the first to appear in buff, and a single glance -was sufficient to show that his condition was all that could be -desired by the most fastidious. Tom’s mahogany bust was quickly after -bared to the gaze of the multitude, and here, too, was evidence of -strict attention to his work. They had a last rub from their seconds, -and now advanced to give the final friendly shake. This was the time -to get a fair idea of their respective proportions, and in size it -really looked a horse to a hen. Heenan stood full four inches and a -half over Tom, and had an immense advantage in length. Every muscle on -his broad back, his shoulders, and arms, was well developed, and gave -evidence of enormous power. His legs were rather light, but still -there was no lack here of wire and activity. His skin was exceedingly -fair and transparent, and shone like that of a thorough-bred. His mug -was hard, and looked older than we expected, his cheek-bones being -very prominent, and now that they had been denuded of much that was -superfluous, his _tout ensemble_ was far more like that of his brother -professional than on his first interview with us. Tom looked brown and -hard as nails: his well-knit frame seemed fitter that we have seen it -for years. He looked visibly older even than when he fought Brettle, -but, considering what he has gone through, this is not to be wondered -at. The only points in which there appeared any advantage on his side -were in his loins and his legs, which were cast in a decidedly -stronger mould than those of his towering opponent. The contrast -between them was far greater than between Tom and the Tipton Slasher, -and taking into consideration the fact that the advantage in age on -this occasion was t’other way, Tom’s work seemed indeed cut out. That -he had the remotest doubt as to the result we do not for an instant -believe. He smiled confidently, and had evidently made up his mind to -do or die. Heenan seemed to have an equally decided opinion as to the -termination of the battle, and, to use an expression of his own -countrymen, he was “all thar.” He won the toss for corners, and, of -course, placed himself with his back to the sun; and, in addition to -this, he had the advantage of being on slightly rising ground, so that -Tom had all the way through to fight up hill. The usual ceremony was -now gone through by the seconds and men. Time was called at -twenty-nine minutes past seven, and they commenced - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Heenan at once threw himself into very fair - position, his left well balanced ready for a shoot, and - the right across the body. Tom’s position was the same - as ever, lightly but firmly planted on his pins. He - smiled and nodded, and on Heenan trying to lead off his - left got well back. Heenan tried again, his reach being - tremendous, but again did Tom get well away. Tom now - essayed a draw, but “the Boy” was awake. Each feinted - and dodged to find out a weak point, but for a short - time each fortress was too well guarded. At last Tom - let go his left and right, but out of distance. Heenan - shook his nob and grinned, then again tried a lead, but - was short. They got gradually to Heenan’s corner, who - appeared disposed to fight on the defensive, and the - sun being in Tom’s eyes seemed to bother him not a - little. At length they came together, and sharp - left-handers were exchanged, Tom getting on “the Boy’s” - nose, drawing first blood, and Heenan leaving his sign - manual on Tom’s frontispiece. Heavy counter-hits - followed, Tom again getting on the nose, and receiving - on the nob. More sparring ensued to a close, when - Heenan seized Tom round the neck, but Tom pegged away - at the back of his head until he made him leave that, - and Tom fell laughing. - - 2.――Heenan showed marks of Tom’s handiwork on the back - of his neck, and Tom’s forehead was flushed. Heenan - kept to his corner, whither Tom went to draw him out; - when he thought Tom was near enough, “the Boy” lunged - out his left, but Tom stopped him and got back. Heenan - tried again, and just reached Tom’s nose. After one or - two feints a pretty counter took place, Tom getting on - the nose, and receiving a sharp one over the right eye. - Heenan then closed, got well hold of him, and threw the - Champion, falling heavily on him. Offers to take 2 to - 1. - - 3.――After a little lively fiddling, Tom got too near to - the big’un, who instantly slung out his left straight - and full on the bridge of Tom’s beak, knocking him - clean off his pins. (“First knock-down” for Heenan.) - - 4.――Tom, on coming up, looked rather astonished, and - his eyes blinked in the sun like a dissipated owl. - Heenan went at once to him at the scratch, dodged him, - and once more planted a heavy spank with his left, this - time on the jaw, and down went Tom again, amidst the - shouts of the Yankees, who now offered 6 to 4 on - Heenan. The Sayers party looked excessively blue. - - 5.――Tom’s mug showed visible marks of “the Boy’s” - powers of hitting. He was cautious, and kept away from - his man; Jack followed, and letting go his left on the - mouth was well countered by Tom on the proboscis. - Heenan now bored in, and after dodging Tom, got again - heavily on the sneezer, and Tom fell. - - 6.――Tom’s countenance, though not swelled, was much - flushed, while the Boy was almost scatheless. He was - somewhat wild, and tried both hands, but missed. - Counter-hits ensued, in which Tom received the full - weight of Heenan’s ponderous fist on his right arm, - which was driven back against his face. Tom reached - Heenan’s left cheek, leaving his mark. Heenan - retaliated on the right brow, and Tom fell. - - 7.――Tom’s right peeper displayed marks of pepper, and - it was perceptible that he had sustained severe injury - to his right arm, which was beginning to swell, and - which he now kept close to his body, as if to support - it. Still he went to Heenan in his corner, and that - hero delivered his left, but not effectively, on the - chest. Tom danced away, and as he turned round napped a - little one from the right on his back. He was quickly - out of harm’s way, and, coming again, dodged his man - until he let fly, when Tom countered him heavily on the - right cheek, drawing the claret and raising a - considerable bump. The blow staggered Heenan, who stood - all of a heap for a moment. Soon did he collect - himself, and as Tom came again, lodged a little one on - the nose, but was once more countered very heavily on - the right cheek, the cut being increased and the bump - enlarged. Slight exchanges followed, in which Tom - received on the right eye and Heenan on the right - cheek, whereupon Heenan went to his corner for a - sponge. He seemed in no hurry to come away, and Tom - stood in the middle of the ring until Heenan went - slowly to him, and tried his left, but it was no go. He - tried again, but only just reached Tom’s brow. Tom now - feinted and got home on the right peeper, Heenan - missing an upper-cut. Tom danced away, came again on - another tack, and bang went his left on the sore spot, - a heavy spank, and he was instantly out of danger, - laughing; Heenan rushed after him, but was well - stopped, thrice in succession. Again and again Tom went - to him, and baulked his efforts to effect a lodgment, - and then Heenan napped another slashing crack on the - right cheek, which had the effect of at once closing - his dexter goggle. He retreated for a wipe, and was - followed by Tom, and some mutual cautious dodging and - feinting took place. At last Heenan got on the top of - Tom’s smeller, but not heavily, and Tom then avoided - another attempt. Once more did Heenan retire to Jack - Macdonald for consolation and advice; Tom walking round - and eying him in an inquisitive manner, as if admiring - his handiwork. Tom, after satisfying his curiosity, - went close, and slight exchanges followed, without - mischief. Heenan tried his left and was stopped. Both - very cautious, and neither disposed to go within - gunshot. Heenan now led off and got slightly on the - mouth with his left, Tom retaliating on the closed - peeper. Mutual taps and stops, and then Tom got his - left heavily on the old spot another cracker, whereupon - Heenan once more retired into the privacy of his - corner, amidst cries of 2 to 1 on Sayers. Tom, after a - few turns and a touch of the sponge, went to him, but - Heenan shook his nob and seemed disinclined for work. - Tom finding he could not draw him, retreated, whereupon - “the Boy” came out, and let go his left viciously, - which was beautifully stopped. He then feinted, and got - well on the bridge of Tom’s snorer as he was - retreating, and again knocked him off his pins. Tom - rolled over, laughing, and was carried to his corner. - This round lasted 13 minutes, and was a fine specimen - of stratagem and skill, especially on the part of Tom. - His right arm now was much swollen, and so painful that - he could make little or no use of it. - - 8.――Tom slowest to the call of time, but directly he - was at the scratch “the Boy” retired to his corner, - whither Tom had to follow him. Heenan at once let go - his left, but Tom laughed and jumped back. A slight - exchange followed, and Tom napped a straight one on the - sniffer. Heenan now missed a couple of well-meant - shots, and Tom jumped away from a third, and as he - turned his back upon Heenan got a right-hander on the - back of the neck. Heenan followed him up, but Tom - grinned and jumped nimbly away. His activity on his - pins was as remarkable as ever. Heenan pursued him, and - at last lodged his left slightly on the nozzle, and - once more turned on the tap. Tom, however, countered - him on the damaged cheek, which caused “the Boy” to - retire for the kind offices of Jack Macdonald. On Tom’s - going to him he let go his left on the kisser, drawing - the carmine, and this led to pretty exchanges at long - shots on the cheek. Heenan at this time appeared weak, - and the hopes of the Sayers party were greatly in the - ascendant. Heenan preferred his corner to the scratch, - and Tom had some difficulty in persuading him to leave. - This he at last accomplished, and some beautiful stops - were made on both sides. Another break away ensued, - after which they countered effectively, but Tom was - heaviest on the right cheek, which was now swelled as - big as two. Heenan’s blow alighted on Tom’s oration - trap, and drew more of the ruby. On his trying to - repeat this lodgment, Tom stopped him cleverly. Capital - exchanges followed, in which Tom was again at home on - the cheek very heavily. Heenan rushed at him, but Tom - was away, and after once or twice being baulked Heenan - again retired to his corner. After Tom had scrutinized - him carefully, he rubbed his hands and went to him, - whereupon Heenan let fly his left, but Tom got well - away laughing; Heenan shook his head and also laughed - good-humouredly. Tom now crept in, and pop went his - left on the plague-spot, and off went the Champion - laughing. More dodging and stopping on both sides, - until Tom was once more on the cheek a slogger. Heenan - retaliated sharply on the bridge of the snout, but was - stopped in a second attempt, and Tom nailed him on the - right cheek very heavily and got away. Heenan tried to - take the lead, but Tom jumped back. “The Boy,” - persevering, got well on the forehead, but was - unsuccessful in a second essay. The first was - sufficient to leave a bump on the gallant Tom. More - sparring until a severe counter-exchange took place, in - which Tom got a hot’un on the whistler, which shook his - ivories, and turned on a fresh tap. It was a staggerer, - but Tom recovered and went to his man, when more severe - counters were interchanged, Heenan getting another rum - one on the cheek, and dropping his left with effect on - Tom’s sneezer. Both now indulged in a wipe, and washed - their mouths out. They came again, now like giants - refreshed, and each in turn tried a lead, but each was - well stopped. Tom’s right arm, from the continual - stopping such a heavy cannonade as Heenan’s, was now - much discoloured and swollen, and utterly useless for - all purposes of hitting, and he was thus deprived of - his principal weapon. After a good deal of this another - heavy exchange followed, in which Tom was at home on - the old spot, and Heenan on the jaw heavily, knocking - Tom once more off his pins. This round lasted 20 - minutes, and was a splendid specimen of milling on both - sides. Tom’s nose and mouth were bleeding, but both his - eyes were well open. His arm was his chief drawback. - Heenan’s right eye had been long closed, his cheek was - fearfully swollen, and his mouth was also somewhat out - of straight. - - 9.――Heenan came up as if he intended to force the - fighting. He led off viciously, but Tom got well away. - “The Boy” followed him closely, and at last got on - Tom’s mouth, drawing more of the juice. He followed - suit on the snuffer-tray with a like result, and - counter-hits ensued, in which each did mischief. Heenan - continued to bore in, and at last Tom, after getting a - little one on the back, dropped laughing. - - 10.――Tom was very slow to the call of time, and - appeared to want nursing. It was evidently heavy work - struggling against such superior mettle. He stood in - the middle of the ring until Heenan went to him, when - slight counter-hits were exchanged; after which they - closed. Heenan lifted Tom from the ground and threw him - heavily with the greatest ease. - - 11.――Tom, again very much behindhand in coming to time, - and the friends of Heenan did not appear in much hurry. - When they did come up Tom had to go into Heenan’s - corner. After a dodge or two Tom got his right on the - good eye rather heavily, but it was not such a - right-hander as of yore, and evidently gave him pain. - Heenan returned on the chest, and Tom fell. - - 12.――“Time, Time!” neither too ready. On Sayers at last - facing his man, Heenan caught him, but not very - heavily, on the jaw, and dropped on the saving suit. - - 13.――Heenan, first to leave his second’s knee, now went - to Tom, and after a dodge or two popped the left very - straight on Tom’s nose, once more knocking him clean - off his legs. He turned round on returning to his - corner, and looking to Mr. Falkland, his umpire, - exclaimed, “That’s one for you, Fred!” Offers were now - made to lay 5 to 4 on Heenan, but the takers seemed - scarce. - - 14.――Tom, very weak, came up cautiously and slowly, his - nose being large enough for two. Heenan, seeing Tom’s - state, tried to force the fighting, but Tom got - cleverly out of the difficulty. Heenan followed him up, - and popped a rattler on the throat, without a return. - He paused, and then sent a little one on the - scent-bottle, but Tom countered him well and straight - on the nose, drawing the crimson in profusion. Heenan, - nothing daunted, let go his left, and was stopped. He - then swung round his right heavily on the jaw. They got - to close quarters and some heavy in-fighting took - place, in which Tom was very busy. At length both were - down heavily, Heenan under. - - 15.――Neither seemed in a hurry to leave his second’s - knee, but Tom was slowest in answering the call. Heenan - at once went to him, got the left well on the proboscis - and his right on the jaw, and down again fell the - Champion in a heap. - - 16.――Tom shook himself together, but was very cautious. - He sparred as if requiring rest, until Heenan came in, - when slight exchanges took place, Tom getting it on the - nose, and Heenan on the whistler, but neither very - heavily. Heenan then made a sudden dart, and planting - heavily on Tom’s mouth, once more knocked him off his - legs. (Loud cheers for Heenan.) - - 17.――Tom did not display many marks from his repeated - knock-down blows, but came up smiling, although - somewhat tired. Heenan’s mug was decidedly the most - disfigured, being so much swelled. Heenan took the - lead, but did not get heavily on. He tried again with - his right, but the blow passed over Tom’s nob. Counter - hits followed on the nose, in which Tom’s delivery was - most effective, but Tom was down. - - 18.――Very slight exchanges, followed by a heavy - counter, in which Heenan’s mouth came in for pepper, - and Tom got it slightly on the nose, and fell. - - 19.――Tom slow to time; Heenan not in a hurry. At last, - on facing one another, Heenan went in to a close, and, - throwing Tom, fell on him. - - 20.――Heenan followed Sayers, who was on the retreat, - and after one or two dodges, caught him on the jaw - heavily with his right. He tried again, but Tom jumped - back. Still he persevered, and heavy exchanges followed - at close quarters, and both were in the end down at the - ropes. - - 21.――Sayers very slow, which Heenan seeing, dashed at - him, slung out the left on the nose, and again floored - the Champion. - - 22.――Tom seemed none the worse for this floorer; it - rather seemed to do him good, for he came fresher, - which Heenan seeing, he retired to his corner. Tom - followed and tried to deliver, but missed, and the - Benicia Boy dropped him with another straight one on - the jaw. Heenan’s left hand was now much puffed, and - did not seem to leave such impressions as formerly. - - 23.――The time was very badly kept on both sides, and - there were now complaints that the Benicia Boy was - allowed a stool in the ring. An appeal was made to the - referee, who at once ordered its removal, as contrary - to the laws. Heenan rushed at Tom, who retreated and - got one on the back. Tom then turned round and missed - his right. They closed, and Tom pegged away merrily on - the nose and left cheek, and in the end both down, Tom - under. One hour and eleven minutes had now elapsed. - - 24.――The Benicia Boy, first up, tried his left by a - sudden dart, but was stopped. An attempt with the right - just landed on the side of Tom’s nut, and he fell. (5 - to 4 on Heenan still offered.) - - 25.――Tom, weak, came up slow, but cheerful. He waited - the attack, which was not long in coming, and after - getting a little one on the side of his head, Tom - popped his left very heavily on the snout, drawing more - home-brewed. Heenan, wild, rushed in and bored Tom - down. - - 26.――Tom, fresher, came up gaily, and tried to lead off - with his left, but the Boy stopped him prettily. - Another effort landed on Heenan’s good eye. Heenan in - return planted a rattler on Tom’s jaw with his right, - which staggered him, and was all but a knock down. Tom - soon shook himself together, whereupon Heenan let fly - his left, but Tom was well away. Following up, “the - Boy” got on Tom’s chest, but not heavily. Exchanges; - Heenan on the ’tato-trap, and Tom on the nose, a - smasher, each drawing the cork. Heavy counters followed - with the left, and they broke away. Heenan came again, - and got on Tom’s snorer heavily with his left, once - more staggering him. Twice after this did Tom stop - Heenan’s right and they closed. After some slight - fibbing Tom fell, Heenan hitting him when down. An - appeal of foul was overruled, the blow being obviously - accidental. - - 27.――“The Boy” came up determined and led off, but Tom - was away. A second attempt was equally unsuccessful, - and as Tom turned his back to dash away, the Boy caught - him on the neck, but not heavily. Sharp exchanges - followed, Tom on the left cheek and nose, and “the Boy” - on the mouth. Heenan then went in and tried his left, - but was short, whereupon he retired to his corner, had - a wipe, and wetted his whistle, and then went to the - middle of the ring. Tom joined issue at once, and some - heavy exchanges took place, each on the nose, and - Heenan now tried to close, reaching after Tom to catch - him round the neck. Tom kept out of harm’s way, but at - length “the Boy” bored him down at the ropes. - - 28.――Both much fatigued, wanted all the time they could - get. After some sparring, Heenan ran at Tom, who darted - away. The Boy rapidly pursued, and they got together, - and in the fibbing Tom was busy on Heenan’s good cheek, - while he caught it on the mouth. In the end Tom was - down. - - 29.――Tom still slow to time. The Boy at once went to - him, and got heavily on the top of his nut. Tom - countered with effect with his right on the left cheek, - and then popped his left on the proboscis. Heavy - exchanges followed in Tom’s favour, who met “the Boy” - very straight and effectively on the nozzle, opening a - fresh bin. A break away, followed by slight exchanges, - led to a harmless close, and Tom slipped down. - - 30.――Heenan’s other eye was now quickly closing, and he - had evidently no time to lose. He was strongest on his - legs, but his punishment was far more visible than - Tom’s. He tried to lead off, but Tom met him neatly on - the nose, turning on the red port. “The Boy” rushed at - Tom, and literally ran over and fell on him. - - 31.――After standing some time in his corner, Heenan was - fetched out by Tom, who had now recovered a little. A - short spar was followed by another retreat, after which - Tom went in and got a little ’un on the left cheek, but - it lacked steam. More sparring, and Heenan again - retired. Tom stood and examined him with the eye of a - connoisseur until he came out, when good exchanges took - place, Tom getting heavily on the mouth, and Heenan on - the nose. A break away; more sparring for wind; Heenan - again to his corner. On Tom going at him he slung out - his left heavily on the nose, and prone once more fell - the brave Champion. - - 32.――Tom all alive, dodged, and caught “the Boy” on the - chin. He turned to retreat, and “the Boy” nailed him on - the body, but not heavily. Heenan then tried repeatedly - to draw Tom, but the latter would not go into Heenan’s - corner. “The Boy,” therefore, had to go out, and some - rapid hits and stops followed, without any apparent - damage; each, however, got a small tap on the mouth. - Heenan having taken another rest in his corner, came - out, and got a hot one on the left cheek for his pains, - which all but shut up the other eye. This brought on - exchanges, each on the mazzard, and then Heenan reached - Tom’s nose. Heavy determined counter-deliveries on the - note ensued, after which Heenan floored Tom by a - right-hander on the cheek. The betting was now even, - Sayers for choice. It was obvious that, strong as - Heenan was, unless he could make a decided change, he - must in a very few minutes be blind. - - 33.――The Benicia Boy, feeling he had no time to lose, - rushed in, but only just reached Tom’s chest. Both - seemed fagged, and they stood a few seconds, and then - went to close quarters, where Tom, as usual, was busy - on “the Boy’s” frontispiece, until he let him slip - through his arms on to the ground. - - 34.――Heenan again tried to force the fighting, but Tom - got away. They then stood and sparred until Heenan let - fly his left, which did not reach its destination. He - retired for counsel, and then came at Tom and tried his - right at the body, but without success. Steady - exchanges led to close and rapid in-fighting, and both - fell, Tom under. Heenan’s eye all but closed up. - - 35.――The Benicia Boy dashed viciously in, and caught - Tom on the snout, but the blow was without powder. Tom - retreated from the vigorous onslaught; Heenan followed - and got home on the jaw with the right, still with no - effect. Tom now turned and ran, Heenan after him, when, - on turning round, Tom napped one on the nose. He, - however, landed another little pop on the good eye. - Sharp exchanges at close quarters ended in the downfall - of Tom. Two hours had now elapsed. - - 36.――The Benicia Boy’s face was a spectacle to behold, - while Tom was very weak. The Boy rushed to a close, and - caught Tom round the neck, dragging him to the ropes. - At this time, the police, who had been gradually making - their way to the ring, began a violent struggle to get - close and put a stop to hostilities. “The Boy” tried to - hold Tom, but the latter slipped through his arms and - fell. - - 37.――Tom was first up, and seemed the better man; he - made his left twice on Heenan’s eye, and the latter at - length caught him round the neck at the ropes and there - held him. Tom’s efforts to extricate himself were vain, - but he administered severe punishment to Heenan’s face. - The police at this time got closer, there was a rush to - the ropes from all sides, and we, in company with - others, including the referee, were completely shut out - from the view. We are informed that the round ended in - both going to grass at the expiration of _two hours and - six minutes_. We had hoped that the men would now have - been withdrawn, as the referee had been forced from his - post, and the police were close by. The battle, so far - as it may be called a battle, was for the time over, - and the men should have been taken away. However, - although the referee sent orders for a cessation of - hostilities, five more so-called rounds were fought, - with pretty equal advantage. Heenan’s right eye was - fast closing, his left being in complete darkness. The - ring was half full of people, however, and neither man - had a fair chance. Much do we regret the unpleasant - duty that now is imposed upon us, of finding fault with - the Benicia Boy for conduct which was not only unmanly, - but quite against the rules of the Ring, and had the - Referee been present, would inevitably have lost him - the battle. We can ourselves declare, as an impartial - eye witness of the mêlée, that in the fourth of these - supplementary rounds, while Sayers was on his second’s - knee, Heenan rushed at him in a very excited state, let - fly left and right at Tom’s seconds, floored them, and - kicked at them when on the ground in desperate style, - after which he closed with Sayers, and after a wild - rally, they fell together. The final round was merely a - wild scramble, in which both fell. The referee by this - time was able to get near again, and ordered the men to - desist from fighting. Immediately after this Heenan - rushed away from the ring, and ran some distance with - the activity of a deer, proving that as far as strength - was concerned, he was as fit as ever; but he had not - been away from the ring many minutes before he was - totally blind. Tom Sayers, although a little tired, and - suffering from his arm and the desperate hug in the - 37th round, was also strong on his pins, and could have - fought some time longer. The blues being now in force, - there was, of course, no chance of the men again - meeting, and an adjournment was necessary. It was found - that the authorities were up in arms in all directions, - so that it would be mere waste of time to go elsewhere. - Backward home was therefore the word, and the men and - their friends returned to the Metropolis shortly after - three o’clock. The whole time occupied, up to the men’s - leaving the ring, was two hours and twenty minutes. - - REMARKS.――Up to the unfortunate departure of the - referee, this was decidedly the very best Championship - fight we ever witnessed. It was to the time aforesaid - fought out with a manliness, a fairness, and a - determination on both sides worthy of the highest - commendation. Without any attempt at shifting, each - scorned to take a mean advantage, and loudly and - repeatedly was each of them cheered. The game displayed - on both sides was remarkable. The gluttony and bottom - of Tom Sayers are too proverbial to need further - comment at our hand; but as certain rumours had been - flying about to the effect that Heenan was destitute of - those qualities, we deem it right to express our belief - that a gamer, more determined fellow, never pulled off - a shirt. His punishment was terrible, and yet he took - it round after round without flinching, and almost - invariably with a smile on his face. We are bound to - own that in this, as in his talent, he very agreeably - disappointed us; and had we not known his career, we - certainly should never have set him down for a novice. - He has an excellent delivery with his left, which was - as straight as a dart, and early in the fight was very - heavy. It appears to us, however, that his hands are - not strong, for before half the battle was got through - his left hand was so much swelled as to be almost - useless; and this, doubtless, was fortunate for Tom, - who with his right arm gone, could have made but a poor - stand against such a weapon had it retained its - original hardness. Of his right Heenan makes but little - use. Of his conduct at the conclusion of the battle we - cannot speak in too strong terms. We trust it was - occasioned by the state of excitement in which he was - owing to the ring being broken, and by the fact that, - being almost blind, he took the unoffending seconds of - his opponent for some other persons. The state of - Heenan’s eyesight was shown by the fact that he hit out - with both hands at Jemmy Welsh, who wore a red and - black striped woollen shirt, mistaking him for his - antagonist. Of Tom Sayers we need not say more than - that he fought the battle throughout with consummate - tact and judgment, and, considering that his right arm - (his principal weapon) was rendered almost useless from - the commencement, too much praise cannot be awarded to - him for his courage and coolness. We are of opinion, - even without that arm, that he would eventually have - pulled through, had the fight been finished on the day. - But it is useless speculating on possibilities or - probabilities. On the question of nationality, the only - point that has been decided, and the only point in our - opinion requiring decision, is that both England and - America possess brave sons, and each country had reason - to be proud of the Champion she had selected. Both - were, doubtless, anxious to have it settled; but for - ourselves, were we asked, we should say each is so good - that he is deserving a belt, and we would call on our - countrymen to subscribe for such a trophy as a reward - for Heenan’s enterprise and boldness in coming, as he - has done, to face the British Champion on his own - ground. - -The writer of these lines, having been one of the less than half-dozen -sporting writers and reporters who remained among the driving crowd -which swayed hither and thither in the broken ring after the departure -of the referee, and as several of these, notably _The Times_ reporter, -wrote their published accounts from hearsay, feels himself freely -entitled to express his unbiassed opinion on the probable result of -the battle, and to describe “the occurrents of the fight,” in its last -struggles, from the avouchment of his own eyesight. - -The fight, which began at twenty-four minutes past seven, was over at -a quarter to ten, lasting two hours and twenty minutes. - -When the ring was broken in, in the thirty-seventh round, and the -referee shut out from view, Heenan, who was fast becoming blind, -hugged Sayers on the ropes. The ropes were lowered by Tom’s friends, -doubtless, but were not cut. Had the referee been there, he would -unquestionably have ordered the round to have been closed. Rule 28 of -the Ring Code was as follows, _before_ the Farnborough fight. It has -since been enlarged in its scope to prevent similar dangerous -practices more effectually:――“28. Where a man shall have his -antagonist across the ropes in such a position as to be helpless, and -to endanger his life by strangulation or apoplexy, it shall be in the -power of the referee to direct the seconds to take their man away, and -thus conclude the round; and that the man or his seconds refusing to -obey the direction of the referee shall be deemed the loser.” Of this -the Yankee scribes chose to be utterly oblivious, though the articles -specified the battle to be under the New Rules of the Ring――_i.e._, -those of 1853. The referee, however, so say the American party, sent -an order for the cessation of hostilities. This, though since -confirmed, was not believed by Sayers’ friends, who, seeing victory -within his grasp, thought it a mere _ruse_ to obtain a drawn battle. - -Five rounds were thereafter fought, Heenan’s sight being so defective -that, in the fourth of these, the forty-first, Heenan rushed from his -corner while Sayers was on his second’s knee, and, letting fly at -Jemmy Welsh, knocked him nearly over, and kicked at Harry Brunton, if -he did not strike him, of which we are not certain. He then hugged -Sayers, and they both fell; Tom hitting up sharply in Heenan’s -battered frontispiece. A cry was raised that the referee had declared -the fight over, whereon Heenan rushed from the ring with great -activity, followed by his clamorous friends. We stayed, and found -Sayers strong, with his sight good, and in all respects but his -injured dexter arm――of little use since the fourth round――able, as he -said, “to fight an hour.” - -Leaving Tom, we hurried to the carriages, the train standing on the -Farnborough embankment, where we saw Heenan, already blind as a bat, -lifted into his compartment. Arrived at the Bricklayers’ Arm Station, -we accompanied the gallant Champion to the hostelrie of his old -friend, Ned Elgee, “The Swan,” Old Kent Road. Here no sooner was the -hero seated, for he refused to go to bed, than he inquired after his -opponent. His friend and backer (Mr. John Gideon) suggested that the -heroes should meet and shake hands, and the writer of this hastened -across the road to invite the Benicia Boy and his friends to an -interview. He was in a close cab wrapped in blankets――blind, -unpresentable, and seemingly unconscious. Tom was soon cheerful, and -over a little tea regretted that the doctor’s veto prevented his -partaking of the champagne creaming around him to his health and -success, amid plaudits to his bravery. - -Sayers was next morning at Norfolk Street, at the stakeholder and -referee’s office, and a photograph has fixed beyond dispute his -condition, which, save his right arm already spoken of, was nothing -beyond a tumefied mouth and a few bumps on his hard forehead. Heenan, -on the contrary, despite the absurd declarations of his American -letter-writer, was not in a condition to see or be seen. For fully -forty-eight hours he was in “darkness,” in bed in an upper-room at -Osborne’s Hotel in the Adelphi, and for more than that time in a -critical condition, as we know from unimpugnable proof. The friends of -Heenan pretended to base their great grievance on the fact that, as -the contest was not finished on the day, it ought to have been resumed -during the week. The answer to this is, first, that this was mere -bounce, as Heenan was in no condition to resume hostilities; secondly, -that in the condition of Sayers’s right arm he was entitled, by Ring -precedents (the fight having been once interrupted) to a reasonable -period to recover its use; thirdly, that it would have been contrary -to all dictates of humanity――and fairness, which includes humanity, is -a prized attribute of British boxing; fourthly, that public opinion -was opposed in the strongest manner to the two brave fellows who had -so heroically contended, and had been baulked of a result by no fault -or shortcoming of either, after such punishment as they had undergone, -renewing their interrupted struggle. For these and other cogent -reasons, it was proposed by the referee and stakeholder, and――after -the subsidence of the American mortification to a better state of -feeling――agreed to by both men, that two similar belts should be made, -one to be presented to each champion. - -We shall not record the ceremonial of this presentation――which was -performed on the part of England by Frank Dowling, Esq., editor of -_Bell’s Life_, and on that of America by G. Wilkes, Esq., editor of -the _New York Spirit of the Times_――as the whole affair, speeches and -all, savour too strongly of the circus style of bunkum and bombast. -The modest paragraph in the _Times_ of May 30th, 1860, though written -as an _avant courrier_, is more to our taste:―― - - “THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS.――America and England shake hands - cordially to-day. What our greatest diplomatists and - engineers have failed to achieve has been accomplished by - the Benicia Boy and Tom Sayers, whose fame will descend to - future generations, and whose posterity will each be enabled - to show a _fac-simile_ of that much desired ‘belt,’ so - boldly challenged, so manfully defended. The Atlantic cable - has not linked the two nations together, but the good - feeling which has been shown by the two gladiators, who on - this day receive at the Alhambra their respective ‘belts,’ - will be responded to by the two nations on either side of - the Atlantic. We have been favoured with a view of the old - belt, ‘the belt’ still open to competition, and of the two - other belts to be presented to the ‘two Champions of - England,’ for such is the inscription upon the case of each. - Both are precisely similar in every respect, and the - somewhat clumsy workmanship, in frosted silver, carefully - copied from the original, is by Mr. C. F. Hancock, of Bruton - Street.” - -How British admiration of true courage expressed itself in the -substantial form of a public subscription, and how Members of -Parliament, the Stock Exchange, Lloyd’s, and Mark Lane, clubbed their -gold pieces to enable the Champion to pass in peace and competence the -remainder of his days, guarded from the stings and sorrows of poverty, -have been told in the columns of the contemporary sporting press. - -After Mace’s victories over Sam Hurst and Tom King, there was some -talk of Sayers coming out from his retirement and having a turn with -the Norwich man, but it ended in smoke. As Tom, from the universal -interest excited by his heroic display, was an object of interest to -the multitude, he received liberal offers from some Yankee circus -proprietors, and by the aid of the “rhino” thus earned became first a -shareholder, and then proprietor of Howes and Cushing’s Circus, under -the management of Jem Myers. The speculation, we suspect, carried Tom -out of his depth, and the horses, mules, carriages, &c., were sold off -some twelve months after their purchase. Tom’s free living degenerated -into excess during this loose and excited life of a travelling showman -and exhibitor; for poor Tom, in his simple faith, was by no means an -Artemus Ward, and no match for Yankee smartness. There is little doubt -that Tom at this time laid the seeds of the inflammatory disease which -shortened his days, and cut him off at the early age of thirty-nine. - -The kind friends who uncompromisingly stipulated, when Tom’s capital -was invested, that he should “fight no more,” did not place any -restriction on his re-appearance in the roped arena. When King and -Heenan fought, on December 10, 1863, Sayers conformed to the etiquette -of his profession, and seconded “the American.” Heenan’s party -evidently believed that Tom’s _prestige_ would scatter dismay in the -ranks of King’s followers, and help to overwhelm the “jolly young -waterman” at the outset. Poor Sayers’ descent had, however, commenced, -and when he stepped into the ring, in Heenan’s corner, it was plain he -was there more for dramatic effect than anything else. Attired in a -fur cap, a yellow flannel jacket, and jack-boots, he was vociferously -applauded when he commenced his duties in attending to Heenan’s -toilette. Even then people said, “How are the mighty fallen,” for poor -Tom was no more equal to his onerous task than a child. During the -fight at Wadhurst he looked in strange bewilderment at King and -Heenan, and when the “Benicia Boy” required assistance, his second was -perfectly helpless. Still the gladiator quitted the scene in a -graceful and generous manner, in having stood esquire to the opponent -who was instrumental in bringing out that steel, courage, and pluck of -which the first of English pugilists was composed. - -As it no doubt will prove interesting to all those who have admired -the wonderful pluck and endurance of the greatest gladiator of modern -times to know something of the progress of that insidious disease -which gradually but surely did its work, we append a few particulars. -Since the memorable battle of Farnborough――when Sayers appeared in the -ring the picture of health, and the result proved that his _physique_ -could not have been improved upon――he now and again showed symptoms of -the hectic flush which is the precursor of an affection of the lungs. -This was brought on by the course of life he subsequently chose, or -rather by the force of circumstances under which he was placed. Unable -to fall back upon the pleasures of a cultivated mind from want of -education, Tom became the idol of his fellows; he cast off all those -restraints which had secured for him health and victory, and plunged -into excesses of living――late hours and dissipation. Nature’s laws are -not to be broken with impunity, and in the beginning of 1866 he fell -into a very low condition, and betrayed symptoms of consumption, -aggravated with diabetes, for which Mr. Adams, F.R.C.S., attended him -on February 20, at his sister’s, Mrs. King’s, 16, Claremont Square, -Pentonville. His robust and healthy frame exhibited a great change for -the worse, and the doctor then feared, from his having wasted away so -much, coughing frequently, and losing strength fast, that he was -sinking into a decline. He was ready to acknowledge his physical -weakness, but when told of the serious nature of the disease then -apprehended, he became as docile as a child, and obeyed the -injunctions of his medical adviser, who, we may remark in passing, -expressed to us the melancholy pleasure which he experienced whilst -Tom was under his care. However, the dreaded enemy was stalled-off by -careful watching and nursing, and he recovered sufficiently to take a -trip to Brighton about the middle of April. When there, he appeared -strong and robust, and like his former self. This, however, was not to -last long, for at the end of August he returned to his sister’s, in -Claremont Square, and in a consultation held there between Dr. Adams -and Mr. Brown, they came to the conclusion that actual and absolute -disease of the lungs had set in, and that he could not survive many -weeks. He took a fancy to go to his old friend’s, Mr. Mensley, High -Street, Camden Town, on October 16, and there he stayed until he died. -For the satisfaction of Dr. Adams himself, that gentleman called in -Dr. Gull to consult, but they both agreed that nothing more could be -done to save him. A reaction took place in his condition after being a -fortnight at Mr. Mensley’s; he seemed to get fresher and stronger, and -for a week remained in a doubtful state, giving hopes to his friends -that he would survive the illness. A relapse came on, and with it -unconsciousness, and for the last few days he had only a few intervals -of consciousness. Mr. Litten, assistant chaplain of St. Pancras, -attended by desire of Sayers, and administered the consolations of -religion. He passed away at six o’clock on Wednesday evening, November -7th, in the presence of his father, with his two children at hand. For -upwards of four-and-twenty hours before his death he was in a state of -semi-insensibility, and could only recognise his friends on being -aroused and appealed to. But the great change came with comparative -peace at last, and when nature compelled him to “throw up the sponge,” -he left the world, let us hope, without that pain which no man feared -less when he stood up in defence of his reputation as the Emperor of -British boxers. Many were the inquiries made for the health of poor -Tom, and it is satisfactory to know that he was visited by some who -had taken a part against him in the battle-field, and that he bid -them, each and all, a peaceful farewell. - -The amount of money subscribed for Sayers by his personal admirers and -the public was £3,000, which sum was invested in the names of -trustees, Tom to receive the interest during his life, providing he -never fought again; and, in the event of his fighting again or dying, -the interest was to go to the children until of age, when it was to be -divided between them. Tom left only two children――young Tom, then at -boarding-school, and fourteen years old, and Sarah, in her seventeenth -year. Independent of the interest in this sum, Sayers left a -considerable amount of property in plate and other valuables. Some of -his backers have treasured up _souvenirs_ of him. Mr. John Gideon, -Tom’s earliest “guide, philosopher, and friend,” has the boots in -which Sayers fought Heenan, with the Farnborough grass and earth -attaching to the spikes, just as the great gladiator left them. - -Those who remember the personal appearance of the departed Champion -will have his bronzed, square, and good-humoured, lion-like phiz in -their mind’s eye; those who did not see him in the flesh must imagine -a round, broad, but not particularly thick-set man, standing 5 feet 8½ -inches in his stocking-feet, with finely turned hips, and small but -powerful and flat loins, remarkably round ribs and girth, and square -shoulders. His arms were of medium length, and so round as not to show -prominently the biceps, or even the outer muscles of the fore-arm, to -the extent often seen in men of far inferior powers of hitting and -general strength. Indeed, the bulk of Sayers was so compactly packed -that you did not realise his true size and weight at a cursory glance, -and it was this close and neat packing of his trunk――excuse the -pun――that doubtless was an important ingredient in many a “long day” -in which Tom’s lasting powers were the admiration of every spectator. -Tom’s head was certainly of the “bullet” shape, and it was supported -by a neck of the sort known as “bull,” conveying the idea of enduring -strength and determination to back it. We have no phrenological -examination of Tom’s “bumps” before us, but we doubt not those of -combativeness and amativeness were fully developed. Tom’s fighting -weight began at 10st. 6lb.; in his later battles it was 10st. 10lb. to -10st. 12lb. The photographs which figure in the print-shop windows do -not convey a fair idea of Tom’s good-tempered and often merry -expression: he seems to have been taken when filled with the -contemplation of the seriousness of the position of having one’s -“counterfeit presentment” multiplied and sent forth to the world. From -the hips downward Tom was not a “model man.” Though round in the calf, -his thighs were decidedly deficient in muscular development; yet no -man made better use of his pins in getting in and out again, as -witness his _up_-hill performances with the six-foot Slasher, and the -ponderous and more active Benicia Boy. It was to Tom’s excellent -judgment of time and distance that the severity of his hitting was -due, and to his mighty heart――a bigger never found place in man’s -bosom――that his triumphant finish of many a well-fought day is to be -attributed. No man ever fought more faithfully to his friends or -bravely with his foes in “the battle of life;” and therefore is the -tribute of a record of his deeds due to TOM SAYERS. - -His remains were consigned to their parent earth, on Wednesday, -November 15th, 1866, at the Highgate Cemetery, attended by an immense -concourse of the sympathising and curious. A committee of friends, the -admirers of true British courage, raised a monument over the spot -where―― - - “After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.” - -Of this monument we present a faithful delineation. - - [Illustration] - -It would be an unpardonable omission were we to conclude the biography -of Tom Sayers without appending the remarkable poem, attributed to the -pen of William Makepeace Thackeray, which appeared in _Punch_, April -28th, 1860. We need hardly say that it is a paraphrase rather than a -parody of Lord Macaulay’s legend of “Horatius” in the “Lays of Ancient -Rome.” - - - THE COMBAT OF SAYERIUS AND HEENANUS. - - A LAY OF ANCIENT LONDON. - - (Supposed to be recounted to his Great-grandchildren, - April 17th, A.D. 1920, by an Ancient Gladiator.) - - Close round my chair, my children, - And gather at my knee, - The while your mother poureth - The Old Tom in my tea; - What while your father quaffeth - His meagre Bordeaux wine―― - ’Twas not on such potations - Were reared these thews o’ mine. - Such drinks came in the very year―― - Methinks I mind it well―― - That the great fight of HEENANUS - With SAYERIUS befell.[30] - - These knuckles then were iron, - This biceps like a cord, - This fist shot from the shoulder - A bullock would have floored. - CRAWLEIUS his Novice, - They used to call me then - In the Domus Savilliana[31] - Among the sporting men. - There, on benefit occasions, - The gloves I oft put on, - Walking round to show my muscle - When the set-to was done; - While ringing in the arena - The showered denarii fell, - That told CRAWLEIUS’ Novice - Had used his mauleys well. - - ’Tis but some sixty years since - The times of which I speak, - And yet the words I’m using - Will sound to you like Greek. - What know ye, race of milksops, - Untaught of the P.R., - What stopping, lunging, countering, - Fibbing, or rallying are? - What boots to use the _lingo_, - When you have lost the _thing_? - How paint to you the glories - Of BELCHER, CRIBB, or SPRING―― - To _you_, whose sire turns up his eyes - At mention of the Ring? - - Yet, in despite of all the jaw - And gammon of this time, - That brands the art of self-defence―― - Old England’s art――as crime, - From off mine ancient memories - The rust of time I’ll shake. - Your youthful bloods to quicken - And your British pluck to wake; - I know it only slumbers, - Let cant do what it will, - The British bull-dog _will_ be - The British bull-dog still. - Then gather to your grandsire’s knee, - The while his tale is told - How SAYERIUS and HEENANUS - Milled in those days of old. - - - Y FYGHTE. - - The Beaks and Blues were watching - Agog to atop the mill, - As we gathered to the station - In the April morning chill; - By twos and threes, by fours and tens, - To London Bridge we drew; - For we had had “the office” - That were good men and true; - And saving such, the place of fight - Was ne’er a man that knew. - From East, from West, from North and South, - The London Fancy poured, - Down to the sporting cabman, - Up to the sporting lord; - From the “Horseshoe” in Tichbourne Street - Sharp OWEN SWIFT was there; - JEM BURN had left the “Rising Sun,” - All in the Street of Air; - LANGHAM had out the “Cambrian,” - With tough old ALEC REID, - And towering high above the crowd - Shone BEN CAUNT’S fragrant weed; - Not only fighting covies, - But sporting swells besides―― - Dukes, Lords, M.P’s., and Guardsmen, - With county Beaks for guides; - And tongues that sway our Senators, - And hands the pen that wield, - Were cheering on the Champions - Upon that morning’s field. - - And hark! the bell is ringing, - The engine puffs amain, - And through the dark towards Brighton - On shrieks the tearing train; - But turning off where Reigate - Unites the clustering lines, - By poultry-haunted Dorking - A devious course it twines, - By Wootton, Shier, and Guildford, - Across the winding Wey, - Till by heath-girded Farnborough - Our doubling course we stay, - Where Aldershot lay snoring - All in the morning gray, - Nor dreamed “the Camp” what combat - Should be fought here to-day. - - The stakes are pitched, the ropes are rove, - The men have ta’en their stand; - HEENANUS wins the toss for place, - And takes the eastward hand; - CUSSICCIUS and MACDONALDUS[32] - Upon “the BOY” attend; - SAYERIUS owns BRUNTONIUS - With JIM WELSHIUS for friend.[33] - And each upon the other now - A curious eye may throw, - And from the seconds’ final rub - In buff at length they show, - And from their corners to the scratch - Move stalwartly and slow. - - Then each his hand stretched forth to grasp - His foeman’s fives in friendly clasp; - Each felt his balance trim and true―― - Each up to square his mauleys threw―― - Each tried his best to draw his man―― - The feint, the dodge, the opening plan, - Till right and left SAYERIUS tried―― - HEENANUS’ grin proclaimed him “wide;” - Then shook his nut――a “lead” essayed, - Nor reached SAYERIUS’ watchful head. - - At length each left is sudden flung, - We heard the ponderous thud, - And from each tongue the news was rung, - SAYERIUS hath “first blood!” - Adown HEENANUS’ Roman nose - Freely the tell-tale claret flows, - While stern SAYERIUS’ forehead shows - That in the interchange of blows - HEENANUS’ aim was good! - Again each iron mauley swung, - And loud the counter-hitting rung, - Till breathless both, and wild with blows, - Fiercely they grappled for a close; - One moment in close hug they swing, - Hither and thither round the ring, - Then from HEENANUS’ clinch of brass, - SAYERIUS, smiling, slips to grass! - - I trow mine ancient breath would fail - To follow through the fight - Each gallant round’s still changing tale, - Each feat of left and right. - How through two well-fought hours and more - Through bruise, and blow, and blood, - Like sturdy bull-dogs, as they were, - Those well-matched heroes stood. - How nine times in that desperate mill - HEENANUS, in his strength, - Knocked stout SAYERIUS off his pins, - And laid him all at length; - But how in each succeeding round - SAYERIUS smiling came, - With head as cool, and wind as sound, - As his first moment on the ground, - Still confident and game. - How from HEENANUS’ sledge-like fist, - Striving a smasher to resist, - SAYERIUS’ stout right arm gave way, - Yet the maimed hero still made play, - And when “in-fighting” threatened ill, - Was nimble in “out-fighting,” still―― - Still did his own maintain―― - In mourning put HEENANUS’ glims, - Till blinded eyes and helpless limbs, - The chances squared again. - How blind HEENANUS, in despite - Of bleeding face and waning sight, - So gallantly kept up the fight, - That not a man could say - Which of the two ’twere wise to back, - Or on which side some random crack - Might not decide the day; - And leave us――whoso won the prize―― - Victor and vanquished, in all eyes, - An equal meed to pay. - - Two hours and more the fight had sped, - Near unto ten it drew, - But still opposed――one-armed to blind―― - They stood, those dauntless two. - Ah, me! that I have lived to hear - Such men as ruffians scorned, - Such deeds of valour “brutal” called, - Canted, preached-down, and mourned! - Ah! that these old eyes ne’er again, - A gallant mill shall see! - No more behold the ropes and stakes, - With colours flying free! - - * * * * * - - But I forget the combat―― - How shall I tell the close? - That left the Champion’s belt in doubt - Between those well-matched foes? - Fain would I shroud the tale in night―― - The meddling Blues that thrust in sight―― - The ring-keepers o’erthrown; - The broken ropes――th’ encumbered fight―― - HEENANUS’ sudden blinded flight―― - SAYERIUS pausing, as he might, - Just when ten minutes, used aright - Had made the day his own! - - Alas! e’en in those brighter days - We still had Beaks and Blues―― - Still canting rogues, their mud to fling, - On self-defence, and on the Ring, - And fistic art abuse! - And ’twas such varmint had the power - The Champions’ fight to stay, - And leave unsettled to this hour - The honours of that day! - But had those honours rested―― - Divided as was due, - SAYERIUS and HEENANUS - Had cut the Belt in two. - - And now my fists are feeble, - And my blood is thin and cold, - But ’tis better than Old Tom to me - To recall those days of old. - And may you, my great-grandchildren, - That gather round my knee, - Ne’er see worse men, nor iller times - Than I and mine might be, - Though England then had prize-fighters―― - Even reprobates like me. - - - [29] There were numerous pictorial representations of the - battle both in England and America; some of them amusingly - imaginative. The large, coloured engraving, published by - Newbold, and its smaller American piracy, are faithful as to - the men and the field of action. The object in view in these - pictures――that of giving recognisable portraits of most of - the pugilistic, and many of the sporting, and a few of the - literary notabilities of the day, of course destroys all - truthfulness or reality of grouping, as in so many works - professing to represent great battles, festivals, or public - commemorations. Our frontispiece, from a contemporary - sketch, is less pretentious, and therefore more realistic - and truthful. - - [30] An allusion to “Gladstone claret;” cheap, thin French - wines being admitted first at low duty in 1860.――ED. - - [31] Domus Savilliana――Saville House, on the north side of - Leicester Square, where sparring exhibitions and bouts with - the gloves were frequent in those days. See also - PUGILISTICA, vol. i., page 19, for a notice of Saville - House.――ED. - - [32] Cusick, Heenan’s trainer, and Jack Macdonald (still - living, 1881). - - [33] Harry Brunton, now host of the “Nag’s Head,” at Wood - Green. Jemmy Welsh, late of the “Griffin,” Boro’.――ED. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -JEM MACE, OF NORWICH (CHAMPION). - -1855-1864. - - -None who have witnessed the public appearances of this accomplished -boxer will dispute that he was one of the cleverest, smartest, and -most skilful pugilists that have sported buff in the 24-foot. Indeed, -had Jem appeared at an earlier and better period than the latter days -of the failing and moribund P.R.; and (another _if_) had he chosen -honestly and manfully to exert his powers, the fame that accompanies -the championships of the two elder Jems――Jem Belcher and Jem -Ward――might have shone on the career of Jem Mace. As we have already -more than once said, such as the patrons of the Ring (or, indeed, of -the turf and any other sport) are, such will the character of its -professors or exponents be. If horse owners are mere mercenary -speculators, can we expect jockeys to go straight? When the patronage -of the P.R. had fallen from noblemen, gentlemen, and the admirers of -courage and fair-play into the hands of the keepers of night houses, -“hells,” and even resorts yet more detestable, whose sole object was -to fleece the dissipated and unwary by the sale of high-priced railway -passes for “special excursions,” and bring customers and victims to -their dens of debauchery and robbery, could it be expected that boxers -would remain honest and brave? The encouragement of bravery and skill -being as nothing to these debased speculators. This, we regret to say, -was the degradation into which the Ring had fallen, or was fast -falling, when Jem Mace first became known as a boxer, and to these -influences some of the “shady” incidents of his career are easily -traceable. - - [Illustration: JEM MACE, OF NORWICH (CHAMPION) 1855-1864.] - -Jem, who was born at Beeston, near Swaffham, in Norfolk, made his -first appearance on the stage of life in May, 1831, and, like St. -Patrick, “came of dacent people.” His “forebears,” as transpired -incidentally in evidence at the Commission _de lunatico inquirendo_ -known as “The great Windham scandal,” which was tried at Gray’s Inn, -in 1861, seem to have been tenants on the Windham estates for more -than a hundred years. We have mentioned this fact, as a general -impression prevailed, from Jem’s nomadic antecedents and propensities, -that he was a born Bohemian; indeed, we more than once read in -newspapers that he was of gipsy extraction. Of Jem’s youth we know -nothing, except that he “growed,” like Topsy, and we should say rather -wild; for when we first heard of him he was proprietor of a travelling -booth, wherein, at fairs, races, and public gatherings he not only -played the violin――on which he is a tolerable performer――and supplied -refreshments, but was acknowledged as a skilful professor of the art -of self-defence. Indeed, he had not long been in this line of business -before Jem Mace’s booth was the resort of numerous admirers of -glove-practice, and Jem himself was famed for his readiness and -success in polishing off any aspiring yokel who might desire to try a -bout with the mittens. As Jem’s youthful weight did not quite balance -ten stone he was of course often “overweighted,” though never -overmatched in these encounters, and as he was always ready “to -accommodate” without regard to size or avoirdupois, Jem’s early career -taught him how to deal with “big ones,” as his after-fights with Tom -King and the gigantic Sam Hurst bear witness. - -Jem was not a precocious pugilist, having attained his twenty-fourth -year before engaging himself to strip with a local boxer, bearing the -formidable name of Slack, in October, 1855. Of this “illustrious -obscure” we need only say that _Fistiana_ has but one line chronicling -his defeat by one Jack Baston (fighting as Mace’s Novice) in -September, 1857, when Slack broke his arm. Mace’s fight with Slack, -which took place at Mildenhall, October 2, 1855, was a one-sided -affair, Jem snuffing out his adversary’s pretensions in nineteen -minutes, which included the 9th and last round, and leaving off -without a mark of punishment. From this time, for more than a year, -Jem pursued the even tenor of his way, increasing his fame as a fistic -practitioner and professor, when the rumour of his “gift” of hitting -reached the great metropolis, and with it came an announcement that -Mace would be happy, upon finding a suitable customer, to exhibit his -talents in the London Ring with any 10 stone practitioner, and give a -few pounds. - -Bill Thorpe, a fine made and well-proportioned 10 stone man, standing -about 5 feet 9 inches in his stocking-feet, had crept into favour with -some “over-the-water” sporting circles by his defeat of a man named -Bromley, in the same ring in which Dan Collins (Sayers’s early -opponent) beat Patsy Daly, on September 28, 1856. Thorpe, being on the -look-out for a job, was considered a fit match for Jem Mace, and his -friends placing him in the hands of Dan Dismore, the articles were -drawn and signed to fight on the 17th February, 1857, for £50, neither -man to exceed 10 stone. This limitation of weight suggests a rather -curious reflection as to the remarkable manner in which some modern -pugilists may be said to have increased in weight by “leaps and -bounds.” Jemmy Massey, who fought at 8st. 10lbs., could not latterly -scale under 10 stone. Sayers increased from 9st. to 10st. 12lbs., yet -he was twenty-four years old when he fought Dan Collins; Harry Broome -in two years grew from 10st. to 12st.; he, however, began unusually -young, while Jem Mace, who was twenty-six when he first appeared in -the London ring, increased from 9st. 10lbs. to 11st. 4lbs. just as Tom -Sayers did. The affair came off, after a shift from the Kentish -marshes, on Canvey Island, and although the men were termed novices, -there was a better muster than usual of the patrons of the ring, owing -to the popularity of Dan Dismore and Keene, who severally backed the -men. The weather was genial and more like a May day than February, and -a pleasant voyage was followed by an easy debarkation, and well-kept -ring. Thorpe first threw in his hat, esquired by Jemmy Welsh and Tom -Sayers――the appearance of the latter bearing testimony to the -wonderful strength of his constitution, one week only having elapsed -since his renewed and tremendous battle with Aaron Jones! Mace was not -long in following Thorpe’s example, being accompanied by the -accomplished Bill Hayes and a Norwich amateur. At three o’clock, all -being in apple-pie order, the men and seconds crossed hands, and the -former were left face to face to begin - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――As Mace threw himself into attitude there was - a general expression of admiration among the best - qualified judges at the style of “the countryman,” and - the easy grace with which he moved in and out, as if - measuring his opponent, without the least hurry or - nervousness. Thorpe, who, as we have already said, is a - fine straight young fellow, stood with his right leg - foremost _à la_ Bendigo, and by his steady coolness - showed he too was a practitioner in the sparring - school, and not easily to be got at. Mace, however, - filled the eye as a longer and altogether bigger man, - though there was but three pounds difference in their - weight. Thorpe, as his opponent tried to draw him, - declined the temptation and retreated, closely and - warily followed by Mace, who, at length seeing an - opening, instantly planted a right-hander on Thorpe’s - nob with a swiftness that completely astonished the - Londoners. Thorpe did not shrink, but tried to - cross-counter Mace’s left, when dash went in Jem’s - mauley such a spank on Thorpe’s proboscis, that the - Londoner was hit clean off his legs, a fair and - indisputable “knockdown,” thus scoring the first event. - On being carried to his corner, Thorpe was seen to be - distilling the crimson from his olfactory organ, and - “first blood” was also awarded to the member for - Norwich. Thus early the odds were offered on Mace, but - no response was made even to an offer of 6 to 4, - followed by 2 to 1 from a Norwich speculator. - - 2.――Mace lost no time in getting to work; he lashed out - his left before he was well within distance. Thorpe - retreated, but Mace did not get near enough for a prop, - and Thorpe appeared to be confused at the manner in - which his antagonist had planted on him in the opening - bout, and was by no means desirous to have a second - dose. In his tactics, however, he did not display - science, for he neither hit with precision nor - judgment. In his former battle with a 12st. opponent - Thorpe fought with steady resolution, but the quickness - and cleverness of Mace seemed to unnerve and puzzle - him, and he hurriedly missed both hands, while after a - little manœuvring, Mace let fly left and right in rapid - succession on the head, and then got cleverly away. - Thorpe, after following his man up, dashed out wildly - with the right, and just missed getting home a stinger. - Mace, in returning the compliment, again delivered a - rattling spank on the nose, when Thorpe went down. - - 3.――Thorpe, acting under the instruction of his - seconds, led off, but was neatly stopped. Determined - not to be denied――Jemmy Welsh seeing that out-fighting - would never do, urged his man to go in, and go in he - did in an impetuous manner, just reaching Master Jem on - the top part of the cranium. In the counter-hitting, - Mace had all the best of it, and after a scrambling - kind of rally, they closed at the ropes, when both went - down, Mace rolling over his opponent. - - 4.――The countryman administered a pretty one-two on the - front of his opponent’s nob, who did not appear to have - the least idea of how to stop these telling - visitations. In returning the compliment, Thorpe hit - out wildly, and succeeded in getting slightly on Jem’s - brain canister. This brought the combatants to a close, - when Mace threw his man and fell on him; the London - division looked blue at this proof of superiority at - close quarters, and the “Norwich novice” was pronounced - a “stunner,” by more than one good judge. - - 5.――The Londoner led with the left and right, but - without precision. Mace, in the countering, planted the - left on the cheek, and in a bustling rally fought his - man to the ropes, when Thorpe succeeded in getting home - a heavy spank with the right on the top of the - knowledge-box, and Mace slipped and went down. - - 6.――Bill, in opening the ball, tried the right, but - again missed. The London party vociferously encouraged - their man, declaring the countryman was “half-licked.” - Mace retreated as his antagonist came dashing in; but - Thorpe was not to be denied, though, in the exchanges - that ensued, he had all the worst of it, for Mace - delivered the left and right full on the _os frontis_, - when Thorpe went down in the middle of the ring, - bleeding profusely. - - 7.――On coming up, Thorpe displayed considerable marks - of punishment, having a cut over the left peeper, and - one under the right, a proof that his antagonist was a - hard hitter, as well as a quick and rapid fighter. Bill - again tried to take the lead, and to put in a hot ’un - on the nob with the right, but the intended compliment - was not within the mark. Mace, as Thorpe dashed to him - for in-fighting, sent both mauleys full in the middle - of the Londoner’s dial, but, in stepping back, slipped, - and partly went down on his knees. On the instant, - however, he recovered his equilibrium, and, after some - spirited exchanges, in favour of the countryman, they - closed, when Thorpe went down against his will. - - 8.――Thorpe was unsteady on coming up; Mace had no - sooner been met by his antagonist than he delivered the - left with telling force right on the mark, following it - up with a one-two on the nob, and then, to avoid his - opponent’s rush, being near the ropes, went down - cunning. - - 9.――The supposed success of Thorpe in fighting down his - man in the last round led to encouraging cheers from - his partisans, who declared the countryman was “cutting - it.” Thorpe, after leading off with little or no - effect, closed, and got home a heavy thwack on the side - of the head with the right, when, after a little - fibbing, Mace broke ground, and went down. - - 10.――Mace came from his corner with a smiling - countenance. Thorpe had all the will to be dangerous, - but lacked the judgment, for, in commencing the attack, - he was again out of distance. Mace, when he had worked - his way well to his man, administered the left and - right once more on Master Bill’s damaged pimple, and - then, as Thorpe rushed in for the close, went down - easy. - - 11.――After two or three ineffectual attempts, Bill went - in resolutely and got home with both mauleys on the - side of the nob; Mace, after returning the compliment, - with a slight addition by way of interest, closed with - his opponent, and both went to grass, Thorpe under. - - 12.――Thorpe with the left got home slightly on the - head, but in trying to improve upon this he was well - stopped. In a wild rally the Londoner fought his man to - the ropes, when the countryman with both the left and - right gave him an additional dose of punishment on the - nob, drawing another supply of claret. After these - exchanges the men closed and fell. - - 13.――Thorpe, after leading off, napped a stinger on the - side of the nob, when he immediately closed with his - opponent. Some half-arm fighting ensued, all in favour - of Mace, and both were down. - - 14.――Bill, in a wild impetuous manner, went dashing in - at his man, but in the counters did little or no - execution. Mace, after steadily planting both mauleys - on the head, retreated, and in breaking ground slipped - and fell. - - 15.――The Londoner made an attempt with the right, but - was well stopped. As Mace broke ground, Thorpe followed - him up with much gameness and resolution, and in the - exchanges delivered a tidy spank with the left on the - side of the head, when Mace went down to avoid the - close, with more prudence than pluck. - - 16.――Mace, who had been allowing his opponent to do all - the work, now saw he had him in hand; with great - quickness and precision he let fly with both hands at - the head, and repeated the dose without a return. - Thorpe rushed at his man for the close, when Mace went - down laughing. - - 17.――Thorpe met his antagonist with much resolution, - and with the right planted a stinger on the side of the - head. Mace, in retreating, slipped and went down, but - on the instant he was again on his pins, and renewed - the battle. In the counter-hitting he got home with - telling effect, and in retreating from his man he again - slipped and went on his knees, but instantly jumped up - and faced his opponent. Bill, though, as usual, - receiving all the punishment, stood his ground - manfully, until they closed, when, after some little - fibbing, Mace went down. - - 18 and last.――Mace in this bout gave his antagonist the - _coup de grace_ in the most off-hand and masterly - manner. Thorpe came up desperate, and Jem, after - stopping the opening shots of his opponent, delivered - his left and right with stinging force on the middle of - Master Bill’s nob, the last hit with his right being - full on his nasal prominence. This immediately sent - Thorpe to grass, and when “time” was called, it was - found that he was in no condition to renew the contest. - Hereupon Jemmy Welsh throw the sponge up in token of - defeat, the battle having lasted twenty-seven minutes. - - REMARKS.――There was but one opinion among the - _cognoscenti_ as to the winner――namely, that he was one - of the best boxers that we have seen for many a day. He - is a quick and rapid fighter, and hits with judgment, - precision, and remarkable force, as the condition of - poor Thorpe’s head strikingly manifested. The Londoners - knew by repute that he was considered to be a good - general; but we are confident that they never for a - moment imagined that he was anything like the man he - turned out. As will be seen by our description of the - rounds, he fights remarkably well, and when in danger - has the ability to get out of it in clever style. From - first to last he had the battle entirely in his own - hands, Thorpe never having the remotest chance of - winning, for he was out-fought and out-manœuvred in - every round. Mace at the weight is a strong-made, - powerful man, and if his pluck and bottom are in any - way equal to his other qualifications, we can only say - that it will require an opponent of first-rate ability - to beat him. This tournament, however, is by no means a - fair criterion of those qualities, for he had the - fortune and skill to get in no way punished, absolutely - winning the contest without so much as a black eye. - Thorpe, the unfortunate loser, is, there can be no - doubt, a very game man, but he will never be able to - obtain a front position in the P.R. It must, however, - be borne in mind that, as a game and determined fellow, - he did his best, and it is to be hoped that he will not - be forgotten either by his friends or by the winners. - All being over, the company returned to the metropolis, - which was reached before seven o’clock in the evening. - -The money was given to Mace, at Mr. G. Smith’s, King Street, Norwich, -on the following Thursday, when several matches were talked of, but -nothing came of them. After a sparring tour, we find our hero in -London, making Nat Langham’s his headquarters, and offering to do -battle either with Mike Madden or Bob Brettle, of Birmingham, at 10st. -3lbs., for £100 a side. He was also “nibbled at” by Job Cobley -(nicknamed by Baron Nicholson “the Elastic Potboy”) whose victories -over Webb, Bob Travers (the black), and George Crockett, had brought -him into the front rank of middle-weights; Cobley’s engagement with -Mace going off, owing to the former being matched against Bob Brettle. -Some pourparlers with Jack Grant also ended in talk, until, early in -the month of September, Mace having left a deposit in the hands of the -Editor of _Bell’s Life_, Mike Madden covered the same, and articles -were signed for a fight for £50, to come off in the Home Circuit, on -the 20th of October, 1857. - -Mace was now in business as a publican, keeping the Swan Inn, Swan -Lane, Norwich; and at the final deposit at Nat Langham’s on the -previous Thursday we heard an ominous whisper to the effect that there -would be “no fight;” while, _per contra_, we were assured by both -parties that each meant fighting and nothing else. On the Friday Mr. -Lockwood, of Drury Lane, on the part of Madden, and Langham, on the -part of Mace, attended at the Editor’s Office, and were there -informed, as that gentleman could not be present, he should exercise -the power vested in the stakeholder by the articles of naming the -referee, and further that he should appoint Dan Dismore to that -office, to which neither of the parties made the slightest objection. -On the Monday the men went to scale at Mr. Lockwood’s, and here there -were loud complaints on the part of Mace’s friends about Madden’s -style of weighing, they stating him to be overweight, also that he -jumped off the scale before the balance was fairly ascertained, and, -putting on his clothes, refused to return. On the other hand Madden -and Co. averred that Mace never meant fighting, that after the -weighing he went out of the house in his shirt sleeves, and did all in -his power to attract the attention of the police; and that in the -evening he went to Gravesend, where he ostentatiously paraded himself, -and even proclaimed the whereabouts of the coming mill. - -On the Tuesday morning, on reaching the ground, we found an excellent -ring, which was quickly surrounded by a large number of Corinthians -and other Ring patrons, prepared to witness what many expected――a real -good battle. To their disappointment and surprise, however, when all -other preliminaries were arranged, Mace and his friends stepped -forward, and formally objected to Dan Dismore as referee, on the -ground that he had money on the fight. Dan instantly replied that he -had not a shilling on the result, and that he should not have been -present had he not received the letter appointing him referee. Mace’s -party persisted in their objection, and various propositions were -made, among others one by Mike Madden himself, who said he was willing -to fight with two umpires and without any referee; but to this Mace -objected, as “contrary to the articles.” Several gentlemen were -proposed for the onerous and thankless office, who either declined or -were objected to; so at last what was to have been the second fight -(between Clamp and Gibbs) was got off amidst disgraceful confusion, -Clamp proving himself the best man in one hour and thirty minutes. -Both Madden and Mace remained in or at the side of the ring while the -men were fighting, and after some more discussion of the vexed -question of a referee, all returned to London. On the Wednesday, after -a patient hearing of both sides, the stakeholder declared that Mace -having refused to go to the scratch, when called upon by the -duly-appointed referee, had thereby deliberately violated the articles -and forfeited the stake, £100, which in due course was handed over to -Madden. An unusual amount of irrelevant correspondence, statements as -to shares of stake-money, training expenses, unpaid bets, promises and -defalcations, from Mace, Madden, and Messrs. Lockwood, Hayes, Dismore, -Keene, &c., followed. Finally, after six months’ quibbling, a new -match was agreed on, and the 10th of March, 1858, named as the day of -battle. - -Well do we remember the early muster on that spring morning at the -Eastern Counties Railway terminus at Shoreditch. There was “old Mike,” -whose deafness, solidity, and stolid look had already earned him the -prefix of “old,” though he numbered but thirty summers; he was -buttoned up to the chin, in an old-fashioned drab box-coat, with a -deep-red neckerchief, and a sealskin cap, the ears of which completely -covered his ears and cheeks. He was anxiously inquiring of the group -around for his “friend the enemy,” as the time for starting was near. -We entered the station. Could it be true? We had the word of the -traffic station-master for it. After a brief conversation on the -platform, in which some “d――d kind friend” inopportunely alluded to -the lamentable result of “ould Mike’s” last battle――that with Jack -Jones, of Portsmouth――Jem, with a nod of the head and a cheerful -expression, left his friends, and seating himself in an Ipswich -carriage just about to steam out of the station, coolly waved a -“good-bye” to the astonished group! Another account states, that after -Madden and Co. had gone down by the appointed train, Mace was found in -a neighbouring coffee-house, whither he had taken refuge from an -impending arrest by the police! It is not of much consequence which is -the correct version, as the claim of Madden to forfeit from the -absence of his opponent was made and fully admitted. - -That the pugilistic qualifications and cleverness of Mace were still -believed in by some of the best judges of boxing is shown by the fact -that “George Brown’s novice,” as Jem was now called, was thought good -enough to back against Bob Brettle of Birmingham, whose conquests of -Roger Coyne, Sam Simmonds, and Bob Travers were then fresh in the -memory of Ring-goers. George Brown, Billy Richardson, and Jack -Macdonald were sponsors, and these knowing ones declared that the 21st -September, 1858, would show “the coming champion.” Nevertheless, -serious misgivings haunted the public mind, not only when the last -deposit of the £200 stakes was “tabled,” but even on the short railway -journey which preceded the voyage per steamer to Shell Haven, odds -being taken that there would be “no fight that day.” Great, therefore, -was the satisfaction when it was found that Mace was on board the -boat, not only well but cheerful, and apparently confident. After a -pleasant run down the river, a fitting spot was selected on the banks -of the Medway, where Tom Oliver and his assistants pitched an -excellent ring on a lovely piece of greensward. - -The Champion of the Midlands was first to cast his beaver into the -ropes, amidst hearty cheering, Alec. Keene and Jem Hodgkiss attending -as his esquires. Mace soon after showed, advised by Jack Macdonald and -Jemmy Massey. It wanted ten minutes to twelve when the men shook -hands, the seconds retired to their corners, and the men threw -themselves into position for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――There was very little time lost in - manœuvring, both men surprising their friends by an - almost nervous eagerness to get at it. Mace at once - made play, and let go both hands in the style that had - so disconcerted Thorpe; Brettle, however, making a good - stop or two, and returning wildly, getting two or three - severe cracks, one on the ear so specially heavy that - the blood appeared from his auricular organ, and the - first event was scored to Mace. After a short rally - Brettle closed; Mace hit up sharply, but Bob got the - crook and fell over him. The friends of Mace thought - their man meant fighting, and the odds which had been - offered――5 and 6 to 4 on Brettle――subsided to evens. - - 2.――The men threw themselves into good form; Brettle - tried to lead off with the left, but was stopped - neatly, and after another offer and a shift, Jem landed - his right smartly on Brettle’s left ear. Again there - was a stop or two, and Mace got home slightly; Brettle - retreated, and measuring his man as he came in, let go - his right on the left side of Mace’s head, on the - temple; down went the Norwich man, and the round was - over. Alec Keene claimed “first knock-down” for - Brettle, and the referee awarded it. Mace was picked up - by his attentive seconds, when a strange commotion was - seen in his corner; he glared round for a few seconds, - then suddenly swooned in Jack Macdonald’s arms. Mac and - Massey shook him, and the latter bringing a stool into - the ring, tried to seat him thereon. In vain: his legs - fell about like Mr. Punch’s, or the nether limbs of a - _fantocchino_, and his toes determinedly found their - way under the ropes. The syncope was so determined that - the Brums began to roar and jeer, and the Eastenders to - swear; when the enraged Mac administered such a - vice-like pinch to his man’s ear, that he roared - lustily, but the next moment was as insensible as ever - to all outward things. “Time” was now called, and - “Time!” was repeated by the referee. Jem was set up in - a perpendicular position, but those recalcitrant legs - sent up their heels, and Jem would have assumed a - devotional attitude, but that the “stunted - lifeguardsman” held him up by main strength, while his - head fell sideways on Macdonald’s shoulder. “Time!” the - eight seconds’ “grace” were counted. “There are none so - deaf as those that won’t hear,” was once more verified, - and Bob Brettle was declared the conqueror, the actual - fight having lasted _three minutes_. On the boat it was - observed that Brettle’s last hit had raised a very blue - mouse on Jem’s cheek-bone, but that it had knocked him - out of time――_credat Judæus Apella_――indeed we are sure - no Sheeny from Houndsditch would believe it. - -The elation of Brettle’s friends at this victory led them into a -mistake. They matched their man against Tom Sayers, and on September -20th, 1859, in a short quarter of an hour, seven rounds disposed of -the Brum’s pretensions, as may be fully read in our last chapter. - -Mace’s next match remains a yet-unexplained riddle. He was backed on -this occasion by Bob Brettle――the man who had defeated him with such -apparent ease――against one of his own townsmen, Posh Price, at 10st. -10lbs., for £50 a side. Price was a boxer of proved game and no mean -capabilities. The deposits were posted by Brettle in the name and on -the behalf of a man called in the articles “Brettle’s Novice,” and it -was not until the last deposit that it was declared that Jem Mace was -the “Novice” thus described. - -On the 25th of January, 1859, after the gallant battle between Dan -Thomas (the Welshman) and Charles Lynch (the American), in which the -former was victorious, a special train having conveyed the spectators -and combatants from London Bridge to Aldershot Common, the ring was -cleared and re-formed by Fred Oliver and his assistants. No sooner, -however, had the ropes been tightened, and the stakes driven firm, -than, to the chagrin of the expectant assemblage, a detachment of the -rural constabulary made their appearance, and a move into the adjacent -county of Surrey became imperative. The transit was quickly and safely -effected, and no sooner was the ring adjusted, than “Brettle’s -Novice,” attended by his backers, tossed his cap into the ropes in -token of defiance, and stood revealed to all as Jem Mace of Norwich. -His condition and bearing not even the most prejudiced could find -fault with. The men went to scale on the previous day at George -Brown’s, “The Bell,” Red Lion Market, both being well within the 10st. -10lbs. Posh Price, who was born in 1832, and won his first victory in -the Ring at eighteen years of age, was as yet unbeaten. He had -successively defeated Mush, Boucher, Leighton, Benson, Holland, Liddy, -and lastly the once renowned Ben Terry, who fought a draw with Harry -Broome. In all these battles he had borne himself bravely, and showed -no mean amount of skill. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at that -Price was favourite in the betting at 5 and 6 to 4. The Birmingham man -was seconded by Sam Simmonds and Joe Wareham, while Mace had behind -him Jem Hodgkiss and Brettle. Price, whose age was twenty-seven――Mace -being one year older――was all his friends could desire in point of -condition, and his hardy, good-natured mug wore a smile of confidence -in the result of - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――On the retirement of their seconds the - belligerents at once threw themselves into attitude, - the superior freedom of Mace’s style being quite - evident to the initiated. He played round his man, - watching him keenly; Price looking somewhat puzzled how - to begin. Presently Posh broke ground, and retreated, - keeping a good guard; Mace followed his man closely, - and, getting well within distance, popped in his left - on Price’s mazzard, but was countered by Price’s left - on the forehead. Mace stuck to his work, and caught - Price right and left in the head. Posh fought - determinedly in the exchanges, but Mace drove him back, - planting the left on Price’s right eye with such - severity that the ruby streamed down his cheek. (First - blood for Mace.) After a break and a little wincing - they again got within striking distance, when some - heavy exchanges ended in Price being on the grass. - - 2.――The men went at once to work, and some slashing - exchanges followed, in which Mace, partly from a hit, - and partly from a slip, was down. In an instant he was - on his feet again, and as the Brum, somewhat surprised, - retreated before him, followed him close. Near the - ropes Posh made a stand, and hit out with both hands. - After some fine two-handed fighting in favour of Mace, - Price was on the ground, Mace walking smilingly to his - corner. - - 3.――Mace forced the fighting. He led off with - astonishing rapidity, doing terrible damage to the - Brum’s dial and cranium. Posh stood to his guns like a - man, but Mace’s metal was too heavy for him. - Nevertheless, in the exchanges, Price got in a hot ’un - on Mace’s jaw, and another on his neck, that made - Master Jem look serious, and although the odds had - changed, the Brums took heart from the general opinion - of Mace’s deficiency of game. In the close both were - down at the ropes. - - 4.――Mace led off rather short, and as he got nearer - Price planted his left in the middle of his opponent’s - nob. (Tremendous cheering from the Brums). Mace drew - himself together, and fighting rapidly, got heavily on - Posh’s eye and mouth. The gallant Brum paused a moment, - then dashed in, and after a magnificent rally, in which - Mace astonished the spectators by the straightness and - rapidity of his hitting, Price went down against his - will. - - 5.――Jem lunged out his left, delivering an enlivener on - his adversary’s brain pan, and getting cleverly away - from the Brum’s returns. After a little sparring, Mace - got again within distance, and in some clipping - left-handed exchanges got with tell-tale force on the - Brum’s dial. Posh, scorning to retreat, stood his - ground, and fought up. In the fall both were down, - Price undermost. - - 6.――Mace opened the ball with a shot from the left, - when the Brum retreated. Jem followed, and again got in - the left with telling effect. They closed at the ropes, - when Posh, who was catching pepper, got down. - - 7.――Heavy counters, each doing execution on the head. - As Price retreated, Mace followed, and as the Brum - turned on nearing the ropes, Mace caught him a terrific - right-hander on the head, just behind the ear, opening - a cut from which the carmine ran copiously; Posh, who - appeared dazed by the effect of this rasper, went down - on his knees in the middle of the ring. - - 8.――Price came up slowly but steadily; in an instant - Mace dashed in with electric rapidity, right and left, - in his opponent’s damaged frontispiece; Price was, - however, by no means idle, and stuck to Mace in the - counter-hitting. In a rally Posh was down. - - 9.――Mace came with alacrity from his corner; he was - almost unmarked, while poor Posh’s countenance was out - of shape in every feature. Still he kept his form――such - as it was――and tried to stop his man, too often - ineffectually. Mace drove him to the ropes, and would - have screwed him up for fibbing, but Posh slipped down - through his hands. - - 10.――Posh made a desperate attempt to lead off, but - Mace stopped him artistically, and caught him a smasher - on the proboscis for his temerity; Posh in turn - retreated, when Mace followed him. Price, to avoid a - heavy right-hander, ducked his head, and in doing so - caught his foot in the grass and fell. - - 11th and last.――The combatants came up readily. The - Brum seemed determined upon a last effort to stem the - tide, and the Norwich man at once accepted the attack. - The exchanges were effective and sharp, and while the - men were thus fighting, Mace hit his man a terrific - blow on the left arm, which caused Price to drop his - hand, and stagger to his corner. A swelling on the fore - arm was instantly visible, and it was stated that the - small bone of the limb was fractured. Sam Simmonds - stepped forward and declared that his man was disabled, - and he would not permit the game fellow (who had risen - to his feet to renew the contest) to fight any longer. - The sponge was accordingly thrown up, and Mace hailed - the winner, the battle having lasted exactly 17 - minutes. - - REMARKS.――We do not remember to have seen such severe - and cutting punishment administered in so short a time - in any battle of modern times. Mace, in this contest, - not only justified the high opinion of his scientific - quality which we always entertained, but displayed a - steady resolution for which none had given him credit. - True, he was never in danger of losing the fight, and - as round succeeded round his superiority became more - manifest. He fought throughout with wonderful - quickness; and that his hitting was as hard as it was - precise poor Posh’s battered mug and bruised carcase - fully testified. Of the gallant Brum, we can only say - he was out-classed, out-generalled, stopped, foiled, - and punished at all points; and, as he did all that - became a man, he deserves the respect of all who admire - pluck and resolution; and it should not be forgotten - that at last his defeat was due to an unfortunate and - disabling accident, not to a surrender. The £100 was - given over to Mace on the Tuesday following, at Bob - Brettle’s “White Lion,” Digbeth. - -Mace was now a publican, hanging out his sign at the Swan Inn, Swan -Lane, Norwich, and exhibiting his talents almost nightly at the -“Baronial Hall,” West End, Norwich. In the early months of 1859 we -read, “Jem Mace, wishing to try his hand once again in the London -P.R., will fight any man at 10st. 7lbs., in four months from the first -deposit, for £100.” This was answered by Job Cobley; but for a time -the friends of the “Elastic Potboy” hung back, and George Crockett -offered himself at 10st. This weight was simply preposterous as a -limit for Mace. Dan Collins, too, Sayers’s first opponent, proposed; -but, doubtless fortunately for himself and friends, the match went off -upon a question of amount of stakes. - -At length in November, 1859, Bob Travers (then known as “Langham’s -Black”) responded to Mace’s cartel, and articles were drawn to fight -on the 21st of February, 1860, for £100 a side. - -The character and antecedents of Travers left no doubt in the minds of -the patrons of pugilism that Massa Bob would fully test the stuff of -which Jem Mace was really composed. With the exception of a solitary -defeat by Job Cobley, Travers’s reputation had been well won. In his -first battle, October 29th, 1855, he beat Geo. Baker, in two rings -(after an adjournment from October 19th) in twenty-three minutes, for -£25 a side, at Tilbury. In February, 1856, he conquered Jesse Hatton, -at Combe Bottom, in 76 minutes, during which 39 hard rounds were -fought. George Crockett succumbed to his arm at Egham, in 37 rounds, -occupying 114 minutes, on May 13 in the same year, in which also (he -was fighting too often) he suffered his first defeat by Job Cobley, -after a tremendous battle of 3 hours and 27 minutes, in which 110 -rounds were fought. In January, 1857, he beat Cleghorn for £100 a -side, on the Medway, in 36 rounds, 87 minutes, and in May 13th of the -same year defeated the accomplished Bill Hayes, in 3¾ hours (!), the -stakes being £100 a side. Beaten by Bob Brettle (Travers fell without -a blow), January 27, 1858, he received a forfeit of £90 from Johnny -Walker, who did not show, on the 25th May, 1858; and in April, 1859, -beat the game and unflinching Mike Madden in 45 rounds, 97 minutes, at -Ashford, Kent; and this brings us to his present engagement. - -With such a deed-roll Travers’s chance was booked as a certainty by -the circle at the “Cambrian,” where Massa Ebony was a “bright, -particular star,” especially as many persisted in asserting the -visible “white feather” in Mace’s plumage. - -The men injudiciously delayed their departure from town until nine -o’clock, and after a long journey by rail much time was lost before -the excursionists got on board the “City of Rochester” steamer. John -Heenan, the Benicia Boy, was among the voyagers, attended by Jack -Macdonald, and was, as may be imagined, “the observed of all -observers.” After a long water trip a debarkation was attempted in -Essex, on an oft-visited spot, and there the ring was pitched, and all -in readiness, when the police came in sight, and all were compelled to -go on board again. After another steam trip of five miles a landing -was effected in Kent. Travers, who won the toss for choice of corners, -had for seconds Jerry Noon, and, to the mystification of many, Jem’s -whilom patron Bob Brettle, with whom a feud had arisen. Bos Tyler and -Jack Hicks attended upon Mace. Travers at the opening was an immense -favourite, 2 to 1 being offered on him. It was five minutes to five -o’clock when the men’s toilettes were completed and they stood up for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――As they faced each other there could be no - doubt that the condition of the combatants was - faultless. Travers’s skin shone with an unmistakable - lustre, resembling a dark piece of fine old Spanish - mahogany. His massive and deep chest and broad lines - displayed a grand development of muscularity, denoting - the possession of exceptional strength. The only - circumstance that detracted from his general appearance - was his legs, and the looseness with which, like most - niggers, he was put together. He looked all over smiles - and grins, and as if perfectly confident he must be the - winner. Mace, possessing the superiority in height and - reach, with his keen eye, symmetrical frame, and - graceful freedom of attitude, looked from head to foot - an athlete to whom, if the heart were there, anything - might be possible. His friends declared that he had - “screwed his courage to the sticking place, and could - not fail,” and the event proved their trust to be well - grounded. Travers, after a little manœuvring round the - ring, tried to lead off with the left, but was short. - Mace was awake, and as Bob jumped back, Mace followed - him, and Bob again hitting out, Mace nailed him with - the left on the cheek, and then with the right on the - left peeper. In the close, after a smart dose of - fibbing, they struggled for the fall, when Mace threw - Bob, but not cleverly. There was an attempt to claim - first blood for Mace, but it was not admitted. - - 2.――The ice being fairly broken, the men were no sooner - up than at it. Bob again led off, out of distance, with - the left, then retreated with rapidity; Mace followed - him up, and some sharp exchanges followed; the Black - getting home on Jem’s mouth, while Mace was home with - both hands on the Woolly-one’s nob. In shifting - position, Travers got with his back on the ropes and - rolled down. - - 3.――Both men came eagerly from their corners, and at - once sparred for an opening. The Black, who was as - lively as a young kangaroo, hopped about the ring; Mace - kept to him, so at last, after hitting out without - effect, Travers got down. (Disapprobation.) - - 4.――The combatants came up smiling. As yet there had - been little harm done Travers, as usual, opened the - ball, planting the right on the body; in return, Mace - timed his man with fine precision, landing both left - and right effectively, the latter on the point of the - chin, when the Black went down on his hands and knees. - - 5.――After manœuvring and breaking ground, the men got - to the ropes in Travers’s corner; the Black, after - slight exchanges, getting down cunning. (There was an - appeal of “foul,” which the referee disallowed, saying - “Go on.”) - - 6.――As the Darkey, in somewhat ungainly fashion, was - dancing about the ring, Mace went to him, and at the - ropes planted both mauleys on the head with rattling - precision. In the close Travers had his back on the - ropes, when Mace tried to put on the hug; Travers got - down. - -There was here a general cry of “Police!” and a posse of these -unwelcome intruders came to the ropes, when Bob, in his anxiety to -“make tracks,” nearly ran into the arms of the Philistines. Jerry Noon -had also a narrow squeak for it, and had he not jumped into the river -and swum to a boat, he would certainly have been nailed, as the Bobby -who had singled him out did not give up the chase until up to his -middle in water. The escape so pleased several of the lookers-on who -had reached the steamer in boats safely, that a subscription was made -to “dry Jerry’s clothes,” and liberally presented to him when on -board. The battle thus interrupted had lasted 21 minutes, and as -darkness would soon come on, the steamer’s prow was directed -homewards, and the referee ordered a meeting for the next day. - -At an early hour on Wednesday morning, the men and their backers were -on board, and at a few minutes after nine Fred Oliver announced all to -be in readiness. Mace was first to throw his castor in the ring, which -action was immediately followed by Travers, who entered with the same -grin of nonchalance as on the preceding day. Mace had scarcely a -visible mark, while the black’s ebony complexion concealed all but a -cut over the left eyebrow. A rumour was spread that Mace’s left arm -was partially disabled; but this proved a _canard_, no doubt flown to -influence the betting, the Black still being backed at 2 to 1. The -seconds were the same as on the first day. - - - THE RENEWED FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Just before the commencement of hostilities, - Travers proposed to back himself to any amount at - evens, and produced a roll of notes about as thick as - the steamer’s shore-rope for that purpose; but Mace - politely declined, regretting that his exchequer was - not so flourishing as to permit him to indulge in such - speculation. Travers, in taking the initiative, broke - ground with more haste than judgment. Jem again - followed him, got home with both hands, and, after a - close at the ropes, the Black slipped down anyhow. - - 2.――After a little sparring Mace got home beautifully - on Bob’s black-letter title-page, when Travers - retreated, hitting out wildly. Mace counter-manœuvred - and followed, when Bob paused a moment, then rushed in - hand-over-hand, but did not get home. Mace planted his - left with fine judgment, following it with a job from - the right; there was a little fibbing in the close, and - both down by the ropes. - - 3.――Travers again led with the left, the blow alighting - on Mace’s breast, when Mace caught him on the side of - the head. Bob retreated, and went down to avoid. (Bos - Tyler here appealed to the referee, who declined to - notice the get down. “Go on.”) - - 4.――The Black, all activity, was all over the ring, - Mace watching his gyrations keenly and following him - close up. After a little fiddling, Mace got near - enough, and planted his left sharply, but Travers, - ducking his head at the instant, caught the blow on the - top of his impenetrable skull. The Black tried to take - a lead, but did not get home; Mace, getting to - distance, planted a sharp left-hander in Bob’s face, - who fell immediately in the middle of the ring. (Loud - cries from Mace’s partisans of “Stand up! remember the - 13th rule!”) - - 5.――Both men went eagerly to work, Mace got on a - stinger over the left eyebrow; after some wild - exchanges, in which Jem peppered the nigger handsomely, - both were down, Travers first to earth. - - 6.――Travers dashed to in-fighting, when Mace again - propped him beautifully, and after a scramble in the - close, Bob got down anyhow. - - 7.――Travers, leading with the left, again reached - Mace’s breast, when Mace stepped back and recovered - guard. As Bob now broke in turn Mace followed as usual, - and taking exact measure, popped in his left on the - Darkey’s thick lips; Bob again sidled and skipped about - the ring and as Jem was letting go a straight one the - Black fell, as a bystander observed, “with the wind of - the blow.” - - 8 to 14.――Similar in character, and an appeal by Hicks - to the referee followed by a “caution” to Travers from - that functionary. From the 15th to the 30th round - Travers pursued the same dropping tactics, getting home - with little effect at the opening of each round, but - unable to prevent Mace’s stinging deliveries, from - which his left eye was now fast closing, besides other - serious disfigurements. Loud disapprobation was - expressed at the Black’s shifty tactics, and in the - 32nd round the referee got into the ring and went to - Travers’s corner to warn him of the danger he was - incurring. Bob assured him his fall was accidental, - from the state of his shoes and the ground. - - 33.――Travers fought his man foot to foot in a fine - rally, the hitting all in favour of Mace, and both - down. - - 34.――Bob tried to lead once more, but Jem countered him - beautifully, and the Black in getting away fell. - - 35 to 40.――Travers at the old game again, leading off, - getting home slightly, and then scrambling or slipping - down to avoid the consequences of standing up to his - man. That Mace was winning as fast as his opponent’s - shiftiness would allow was manifest. In the 57th and - last round, after hitting out, the Black shifted his - position, and as Mace was delivering his blow - deliberately threw himself down. The referee now - decided the battle against him, and Mace was hailed the - victor at the end of one hour and thirty-one minutes. A - scene of disgraceful confusion followed; Travers’s - friends assailing the referee with the foulest abuse, - and refusing to accept his decision. Travers shed - tears, and declared he was ready to fight on, refusing - to shake hands with his opponent. Travers was severely - punished; Mace’s bruises were unimportant. - -After some acrimonious disputation and letter-writing, the referee’s -decision was properly upheld by the stakeholder, and the money handed -over to Mace at Mr. Smithers, “Golden Cross,” Charing Cross, Norwich, -on the ensuing Friday week. - -We have already noted the fact of the disruption of friendly relations -between Mace and his quondam conqueror and subsequent friend and -patron Bob Brettle. In the early months of 1859 this ill-feeling took -the form of a challenge from Mace to Brettle, and some haggling -between the disputants on minor details and conditions. Mace’s last -two exhibitions had so far restored the much-shaken confidence of his -admirers as to satisfy them, however otherwise inexplicable his “in -and out running” might be, that, at his weight, none could “live with -him,” when he really meant “to stay.” So they listened to his -solicitation to give him a second trial “with the only man who had -ever beaten him, and that by a fluke”(?). In reply to Jem’s challenge -for £100 Brettle replied that being now a “bung” in a good way of -business it would not pay him to train under £200. Holywell Lane and -Club Row, and a “voice from Norwich” preferred a bigger stake, so the -prelims. were soon settled. The 19th September, 1860, was named as the -day, and Oxfordshire, as (half-way between London and Birmingham) the -_locus in quo_. Accordingly, the London division took their departure -from Euston Square, meeting Brettle and Co. at Wallingford Road; there -all alighted, and, under the pilotage of a local amateur, a charming -spot was selected. Many of the older Ring-goers, however, expressed -doubts as to the judiciousness of the selection, and foreboded an -interruption, which came all too soon. No time, therefore, was lost, -and at a few minutes before noon the men shook hands, and began. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――As the men toed the scratch it was clear to - all that they were both all that could be wished in - point of condition. Mace had three or four pounds’ - advantage in weight, and also a trifle in height and - length. Brettle, who looked rounder, bore a smile of - self-satisfaction on his good-natured mug, and as he - swung his arms in careless fashion, and raised his - hands, he nodded to a friend or two, as if quite - assured of the result. Brettle tried to lead off, but - Mace stopped him coolly, and tried a return, which was - prettily warded off by Brettle, who shifted ground. Bob - offered again, but was stopped, and Jem popped in a - nose-ender in return which drew Bob’s cork, and - established a claim of “first blood for Mace.” Bob - shook his head as if annoyed, and in he went ding-dong; - the exchanges all in favour of Mace, who hit - straightest, hardest, and oftenest. Brettle closed, and - Mace was under in the fall. - - 2.――Brettle exhibited some red marks indicative of - Mace’s handiwork, while Mace showed a mouse under the - left eye. Bob again opened the ball, but he was - baffled, and as he persevered Jem popped him prettily - on the nose, and then on the mouth, Brettle, - nevertheless, giving him a rib-bender with the right, - and on Mace retorting on his kissing organ Bob got - down. - - 3.――Brettle’s countenance bore increasing marks of - Mace’s skill as a face-painter, but he lost no time in - going to work; Mace stood to him, and sharp - counter-hits were exchanged; Mace on Brettle’s left - eye, Brettle on Mace’s jaw. Exchanges and a close; the - men separated, and Mace, in getting away, fell. - - 4.――Brettle was more cautious. He waited, and tried to - draw his man. After a little manœuvring Brettle, amidst - the cheers of the Brums, dropped on Mace’s conk a - rattler, producing the ruby. Jem looked rather serious, - and the Brums were uproariously cheerful. Bob tried it - again, but failed, for Mace was first with him with a - smasher on the mouth. Brettle bored in, but Mace threw - him cleverly, and fell on him. - - 5.――Brettle slow, being shaken by the blows and fall in - the last round. Mace waited for him, delivering right - and left straight as an arrow, and getting away - cleverly from the return. Bob followed him wildly, - getting more pepper; and in the end Brettle was down in - the hitting. - - 6.――Brettle’s left daylight was nearly obscured, and - the right showed a distinct mouse. His mouth too, was - out of symmetry, and his nose, naturally of the Roman - order, resembled a “flat-fish.” Notwithstanding, he - went in, and got it on the nose and mouth, returning in - a wild and ineffective fashion, until a hot left-hander - brought him to his knees in anything but a cheerful - condition. At this point a cry of “Police,” was - followed by the appearance of a posse of “blues,” - headed by a magistrate from Didcot. Hostilities were - immediately suspended, and all returned to the train. - On a council being held, the “manager” who had - deprecated this landing, declared that there was now no - hope of pulling up at any part of the line; so there - was nothing for it but to order the men to meet the - referee on the following morning. “Book agen” was the - _mot d’ordre_, which was doubly vexatious for the - Birmingham division, who _nolens volens_ had to journey - to London, with very doubtful prospects of getting back - their money at the next meeting. - -After some discussion, all parties agreed to a renewal of the combat -on the 20th of the month. The day proving exceptionally fine, the men -and their friends started at an early hour from Fenchurch Street, -concluding the rail part of the journey at Southend, where a couple of -steam-tugs were in waiting, and a voyage to ground on the sea-coast of -Essex, never before visited by the Fancy, was chosen. The odds on Mace -were not taken, Brettle’s friends being few, and lacking confidence. -At five minutes to one, all being in order, the men stood up. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Brettle had not entirely got rid of the marks - of the previous week’s encounter; besides a cut under - the left eye, the right optic was “deeply, darkly,” but - not “beautifully blue,” and his face looked somewhat - puffy. Mace had no more than a skin-deep scratch or - two. No sooner had Brettle toed the scratch, than - instead of forcing the fighting he stepped back, as if - to try whether an alteration in tactics might change - the fortune of war. Mace appeared fora few seconds - doubtful, then drawing himself together, he slowly - followed his man. Getting closer, Brettle let fly his - right, and got home on Mace’s head, too round to be - effective, while Jem’s counterhit caught him flush on - the dial. Brettle broke ground, Mace after him; Bob got - home on Mace’s body, but fell at the ropes in - retreating. - - 2.――Mace came up smiling, and was met cheerfully by the - Brum. Mace was no sooner within distance than he made - his one two on the nose and eye, Brettle’s returns - being short and ineffective. As Bob shifted position he - slipped down on one knee, but instantly rising renewed - the battle. In the struggle at the ropes, Mace was - under, and a “foul” was claimed, on the allegation that - Brettle had tried to “gouge” his man. The referee said - “Go on.” - - 3.――Mace came up with a slight trickle of claret from - his proboscis. Brettle’s face looked as if Mace “had - been all over it.” Brettle fought on the retreat, but - Mace was too clever at long shots for him to take - anything by that manœuvre. As Bob broke ground, Mace - nobbed him so severely that his head nodded like a - mandarin, and on a second visit down went Bob, - staggering from something very like a knock-down. - - 4.――The Brum came up bothered; yet he faced his man - boldly――it was observed that he hit with the right hand - open. Mace timed him with a straight prop and - retreated. The Brum bored in; the men got across the - ropes, when Brettle, lest Mace should fib him, slipped - down, as quickly as he could. - - 5th and last.――Brettle came up quickly, but Jem, - perceiving he had got his man, stood to him, and - delivered both hands with marvellous rapidity. Bob hit - away desperately, fighting his opponent to the ropes, - where Jem delivered two more punishers, and Bob was - down “all of a heap.” His seconds carried him to his - corner. “Time” was called, when Mace sprang rapidly - from Johnny Walker’s knee. Brettle’s seconds were still - busy at their man, until, the given eight seconds - having expired, Jem Hodgkiss threw up the sponge, and - Mace was hailed the conqueror; the second fight having - lasted seven minutes, the first twelve――nineteen - minutes in all. - - REMARKS.――These shall be as brief as the battles. From - first to last Brettle was out-classed, over-matched, - and out-fought, Mace fully proving that once on a - winning track, at a winning pace, he was not to be - beaten. - -In the summer of 1860, a gigantic Lancashire wrestler, 6ft. 2½in. in -stature, and balancing 15 stone, put forth a claim to the Championship, -and to do battle with this Goliath no better man was found than the -once-hardy Tom Paddock, now on his last legs. They met on November -5th, 1860, when poor Tom was knocked out of time by the clumsy -Colossus in the 5th round (see _ante_ p. 307). With Sam Hurst――having -formed a very low opinion of his boxing capabilities――Jem was most -anxious to try conclusions, rightly estimating that a triumph over -such a “man mountain” would dissipate any lingering doubts in the -public mind of his personal pluck and prowess. - -Accordingly, articles were drawn for a fight for £200 a side, Waterloo -Day, the 18th of June, 1861, appointed for this interesting combat, -and a trip down the river agreed to by both parties. It was determined -that, to avoid interruption, an early start should be effected, and so -well was this arrangement carried out that at a quarter before nine -o’clock the queerly-matched pair stood facing each other in a marshy -field on the river-shore, in the centre of a well-surrounded ring; Bos -Tyler and Woody being entrusted with the care of Mace, Jem Hodgkiss -and Jerry Noon nursing the North Country “Infant.” - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――The old comparison of “a horse to a hen,” was - not so fully verified as might be supposed, there being - five stone difference in their relative weights, though - the discrepancy in size was certainly remarkable. There - was another point of contrast which, to the eye of the - initiated, was fully worth consideration in any - calculation of the chances of victory, and that was, - the condition of the men. The Norwich champion’s - compact symmetrical figure, well set-on head, bright - keen eye, and finely-developed biceps, with tendons - showing like knotted whipcord, muscle-clothed - shoulders, square bust, flat loins and rounded hips, - the whole supported by a pair of well-turned - springy-looking pedestals, looked a model gladiator. - Hurst, on the other hand, loomed big, heavy, clumsy, - while a slight lop-sided lameness, the result of a - broken leg, which accident had befallen him since his - battle with Tom Paddock, did not improve the naturally - ponderous slowness of his movements. His skin, though - clear, seemed loose in parts, and the flesh looked - flabby on his back and sides. There was an ungainliness - in every movement, too, which suggested a second - edition of the Tipton Slasher, considerably enlarged. - His face, however, was tolerably hard, and he had a - look of determination which augured well for his own - opinion of success. His friends depended much upon the - effect of any single blow he might get in in the course - of the mill, feeling a kind of confidence that any - damage he might incur from Mace he would put up with - without a murmur, and that he certainly possessed an - amount of game which, had it been backed by an ordinary - share of the other attributes of a pugilist, must have - rendered him invincible. On taking position Hurst at - first stood well, with his left rather low, and, if - anything, his elbow a little too close to his side; his - general attitude, however, was good, and all fancied he - had improved since his appearance with Paddock. This, - however, lasted for a very brief period. Mace appeared - steady, serious, and cautious, and fully aware of the - difficulties he would have to face. He sparred round - his man, in and out, feinting with all the skill of a - perfect master of the art, but for some time did not - venture near the gigantic arms of Hurst which swung - like the sails of a windmill. At last he crept up, and - after a quick feint led off on Sam’s left eye, but not - heavily. Hurst made a chop in return, but out of - distance. Jem again crept near, feinted then hit Sam - heavily, left and right, on the cheek and nose, without - a return. Hurst, not liking this, lumbered after his - man, and a sharp exchange followed, Mace on the cheek - and Hurst on the ribs. Mace retreated, looking serious, - walked round his man, jobbed him swiftly on the nose, - and got away laughing. Hurst tried another rush, and - made one or two chopping hits which Mace easily avoided - and then planted a straight right-hander on the nose, - gaining “first blood,” amidst the uproarious cheers of - his friends. Hurst still bored in, but only to receive - another smack on the left eye; he just succeeded in - reaching Jem’s lips, and the latter fell, laughing. - - 2.――Sam came up with the claret trickling from his - nose, and his left eye swollen and discoloured; he - commenced business at once by rushing at his man, - slinging out his arms with no sort of precision. He - caught Mace on the ribs and back, close to the - shoulder, rather heavily with his right, which made the - latter look very solemn, and caused him to retreat - awhile, stopping right and left, and avoiding close - quarters. At length he shook himself together, and - again playing round, put in a heavy hit on the left - cheek, and then got home with great force on the nose, - drawing more blood; this he followed with a straight - job in the mouth, drawing the ruby from the giant’s - lips. The spectators were astonished at Sam’s - inertness. Hurst let go both hands, when Mace with ease - stepped between his arms, and delivered both hands with - the quickness of lightning, and with tremendous force, - upon the nose and eye. Again and again did he do this, - and then step away, inflicting fearful punishment, and - laughing defiance at Hurst’s ungainly attempts at - retaliation. Hunt, who was clearly a mere chopping - block to Mace, seemed bewildered by the severity of the - hitting, but still persevered, only, however, to be - jobbed heavily on the mouth, nose, and left eye, which - latter was quickly shut completely up. Still the game - fellow persevered, until it seemed perfectly cruel to - let him go on. Mace did exactly as he liked without a - return, and at length in a close both were down. It was - a dog fall (side by side), but it proved that Hurst’s - supposed superiority of power was destroyed, probably - by the weakness of his leg. Mace was almost scatheless - at the end of the round, while Hurst, as may be - imagined, was fearfully punished. - - 3.――Hurst, notwithstanding his injuries, was first to - the scratch, his left eye closed, and the whole of the - left side of his cheek bruised and cut; his nose too - was swollen and bleeding. Mace, with the exception of a - slight scratch on his mouth, was little the worse for - wear. Hurst, in desperation, immediately rushed at his - man, but Jem met him with a stinger from his right on - the nose, drawing a fresh stream, and jumped back, - covering his head completely. Sam, furious, persevered, - but the more he swung out his arms the more did he lay - himself open to an attack. He hit round, he sawed the - air, he chopped, and, in fact, did everything that a - perfect novice would do, but it was only to expose him - to more attacks from his artistic foe. At length he - succeeded in planting a heavy blow on the jaw, which - almost knocked Mace down, but Jem steadied himself, and - returned desperately on Goliath’s mouth. Mace got away, - stepped quickly in again, and hit Hurst severely in the - face, left and right, without a return. Hurst, - thoroughly confused, tried another rush, but Mace - retreated all round the ring, repeatedly jobbing him - with impunity as he lumbered after him. At length Jem - caught his foot against a stake, and fell, but was up - in an instant, and after a feint or two got home on - Sam’s good eye twice in succession. Hurst’s returns - were ridiculously short; in fact they were not like - blows at all, and never seemed to come from the - shoulder. At length he got a little right-hander on the - body, but received two heavy left-handed hits in quick - succession on the cheek. Sam, in rushing in, here - stepped on to Mace’s toe, the spike in his boot - entering the flesh, and inflicting a severe wound. Jem - drew back his foot in pain, and pointed to it, but - Hurst shook his head, as if to say it was - unintentional. After Mace had inflicted a little more - punishment he slipped down; poor Hurst, who was - completely blown by his exertions, panting like an - overdriven dray-horse, stood in the middle of the ring. - Some influential friends of Hurst’s wished him here to - give in, but his principal backer would not bear of it. - - 4.――Jem merely showed a slight bruise under the left - arm, while Hurst was awfully punished about the face, - but was still strong. He rushed at his man at once, who - laughed, got away, and then, after leading him a dance, - turned, and delivered another tremendous hit on the - blind eye. Again and again did Hurst follow him, and as - repeatedly did Mace hit him with stinging effect in - every direction. Mace at last seemed tired of his - exertions, and stood for a short time with his arms - down. Hurst also rested a little from sheer exhaustion; - at length he made another rush, and Jem, in getting - away, slipped down. Hunt pointed at him, as much as to - say it was deliberate, but Jem was up at once, and - offered to resume the round, but Hurst’s seconds took - him away. Thirty minutes had now elapsed. - - 5.――Sam, whose face was coloured all over, made another - rush and got slightly home on the body, when Jem again - slipped down. Once more he jumped up to renew the - round, but Sam walked away to his corner at the call of - his seconds. - - 6.――Jem made the fighting, and planted heavily on the - cheek and nose, getting quickly and easily away. Again - did he do this, and then again, hitting Hurst with - stunning force in the middle of the head with both - hands, until the poor fellow turned away completely - bewildered. Nevertheless, he quickly rallied, and again - tried his rush, but only to get into more difficulties, - until everybody round the ring cried “Take him away!” - (Hodgkiss here appealed to his backers to be allowed to - throw up the sponge; they refused, indeed, it was - evident that Sam himself would not yet consent to own - that he was licked.) Sam made another rush, and after - slight exchanges, closed; a brief struggle took place, - when both fell, Hurst undermost. It was claimed by - Mace’s friends as a cross-buttock, but it scarcely - amounted to that, although Jem certainly had the - advantage in the fall. - - 7.――Bob Brettle now appealed to Sam’s backers to give - in, but in vain. Bob tried to get into the ring, and - did throw up his hat, but was forced away by Sam’s - backers. Mace offered to shake hands, and seemed - unwilling to inflict more punishment, feeling that it - was useless cruelty. Sam would not hear of surrender, - but made his rush, and succeeded in getting home his - right on the body, when Jem fell. - - 8th and last.――Hurst came up staggering, his face much - disfigured; Mace also seemed rather tired. Sam made a - final effort, letting go both hands, but was short, and - received two more very straight hits on the cheek and - nose, drawing claret in fresh profusion. Sam blundered - in almost blind, and Mace pushed, rather than hit him, - several times in the head, looking at him steadily and - stepping back after each delivery. The “big ’un” was - evidently powerless, and Jem was commendably - forbearing. Another attempt was made by Brettle to - throw up the sponge, and the referee stepped into the - ring to remonstrate with Sam’s principal backer, but - neither he nor Hurst would listen to reason. The - consequence was that Jem was reluctantly compelled to - hit him again, which he did with perfect impunity; and - finally Jem Hodgkiss, finding it useless to reason with - either Sam or his backer, took the responsibility upon - himself, and threw up the sponge, forcing the unwilling - giant to his corner, where Mace went up to him, and - shook hands, although sorely against Hurst’s will, who - could not even now reconcile to himself his defeat by - one upon whom he looked with contempt. Mace was then - proclaimed the victor, after fighting for _fifty - minutes_. He bore his honours modestly, and as soon as - possible went round with the hat, and collected the sum - of £35 for his unsuccessful antagonist. - - Scarcely was this done, when the police made their - appearance, fortunately too late to prevent a - satisfactory conclusion. - - REMARKS.――Volumes could not prove more demonstratively - the value of skill in the art of boxing as turning the - scale against mere weight and strength, than this - one-sided contest of Mace and Hurst. Poor Hurst, who - had been trained by Turkish Baths, instead of hard - work, ought not to have fought this battle. Apart from - his want of condition, however, it was quite manifest - he was not cut out for a fighting man. He had little - knowledge of the art of self-defence, could not hit - straight from the shoulder, and it was obvious that a - man of his build and gait――even when endowed with the - uncommon powers he displayed as a receiver――cannot hope - to contend with success against extraordinary - cleverness and activity, even though possessed by a man - of far lighter calibre than himself. The unfortunate - Sam was, however, a remarkably straightforward fellow, - and from the first it was clear he had the interests of - his friends more at heart than his own, and the - greatest credit is due to him for his manly - perseverance. No credit, however, is due to those who - allowed him to go up after every possible chance of - success had vanished. - - As to Mace, his fighting was faultless; he was not - called upon to display any great amount of gameness, - though the mere facing such a giant and exchanging - shots at close quarters involves a confidence and - coolness that shows no small amount of personal - courage. As to Mace’s attack and defence, they were in - every respect indicative of the master. It redounds to - his praise that he abstained from making a more rapid - finish, as he certainly might have done, unless - restrained by a desire to spare his almost helpless - antagonist. This battle elevated to the Championship of - England one of the most finished boxers who had ever - gained the title. - -Jem Mace was now on the pinnacle of success, and as―― - - “Envy doth merit as its shade pursue, - And by the shadow prove the substance true,” - -so the newly fledged Champion was carped at, criticised, challenged, -and unfavourably compared with all sorts and sizes of preceding and -even contemporary heroes of the Ring. As to the unconquered little -Champion, who had, after his great battle with John Heenan, in April, -1860, finally bid farewell to the fistic stage, he had left no -immediate successor; so “the world seemed left” for Jem Mace “to -bustle in,” and the question of the cynical Cassius was for a time -unanswered―― - - “When went there by an age since the great flood, - But we were famed with more than with one man? - When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome, - That her wide walks encompassed but one man?” - -“Time and the hour,” however, never fail to bring “the man,” and in -these latter days of the Ring he came, in the person of Tom King, -whose first appearance in November, 1860, and subsequent career, will -form the subject of the concluding chapter of our history. - -The form displayed by King in his first two battles, although neither -of his opponents stood high in the pugilistic roll, was thought to -give promise that the belt might again revert to a Champion of the -traditional 12-stone calibre and stature. - -There can be no dispute that after the retirement of Tom Sayers, the -public sympathy with the Ring and favour with its professors had -completely faded away, just as, in the preceding century (in 1760), -after the defeat of Slack by Stevens “the Nailer,” the title of -Champion was dragged through the dirt by a set of unworthy “knights of -the _dirty_ cross,” until its restoration by the brave Tom Johnson. At -a later period came its reestablishment in more than its former renown -by John Jackson,[34] George Humphries, Mendoza, John Gully, the -Belchers, Tom Cribb, and Tom Spring, and their successors, who live -only in these pages which record its “decline and fall.” - -To return from digression, we may state that the challenge of Tom -King, and the signing of articles for £200 a side, for a meeting on -the 28th of January, 1862, excited but faint interest even in those -circles where a struggle for the Championship was wont to set all upon -the _qui vive_. Indeed, those who were anxious that a change for the -better should take place, and a removal of the disgraceful disorder -which had driven from the ring-side those on whom both pugilism and -pugilists depended for their existence, were fain to confess that -pugilism was dead――dead by the hands of its own pretended friends, and -the misconduct of prizefighters themselves. Still a few of “the old -guard” rallied round the colours; and the good character of Tom King, -with the now well-earned reputation of Mace, gave them hopes of a -revival of honesty, manliness, skill, and “a fair field and no favour” -for both men. - -The morning of the 28th of January, 1862, dawned――if such dim light as -struggled through the dense masses of dark clouds deserved the name of -dawn――wet, cold, cheerless and miserable, and to add to this -unpromising look-out, there were added unpleasant rumours that the -“authorities” of half a dozen home counties had taken sweet counsel -together how to frustrate the fight; that the magnates of the railway -boards had been notified and communicated with on the subject of -sinful “specials,” and the complicity of conveying company to the -field of blood; that every police inspector and superintendent had -been put on his mettle by the solemn warnings of “My Grandmother,” the -_Record_, _Watchman_, and a host of “unco guid” newspapers and -puritanical preachers, of “the awful responsibility to God and man” -they incurred in not “stamping out” this “national sin.” We quote from -a Sheffield print and preacher, who thus charitably described a fair -and manly contest for the belt――the symbol of skill and courage in the -exercise of the most humane mode of often unavoidable encounter -between man and man, especially among the lower orders. We name -Sheffield, because it was not long after infamous for the “organised -assassination” council of Messrs. Broadhead and Co.; whilst its -“public instructors” were denouncing and suppressing an art which -certainly does not include ginger-beer bottles charged with -blasting-powder placed under the beds of the wives and children of -obnoxious parents; cylinders of dynamite thrown through the fanlights -or windows of humble dwellings; the use of loaded bludgeons and -fire-arms from street corners or behind dead walls; the splitting of -grindstones; or the cutting of driving-bands, as modes of settling -personal or popular disputes. Yet from all these murderous and -treacherous cruelties the anti-fistic teachings of the Reverend Mr. -Lilyliver failed to wean and guard his “lambs.” We return from this -digression to our own “muttons,” whom, we opine, even in their last -and worst days, were as unlike “lost sheep,” and perhaps less like -“goats,” than their saintly slanderers. - -Thus pleasantly forewarned by the croaker pessimists, the “managers” -prudently declined to give any hint of the “whereabouts” until the -Monday night previous to the encounter (January 28th), when tickets -were purchasable at Jem Mace’s house (Jem was now landlord of the “Old -King John,” Holywell Lane, Shoreditch), and at Nat Langham’s new -house, the “Mitre,” St. Martin’s Lane, merely conveying the facts that -the rendezvous was at London Bridge, and at the unusually early hour -of six o’clock. The difficult point of choosing a referee was also -judiciously arranged for. Arrived at the terminus of the South -Eastern, we found a more numerous gathering of the “right sort” than -we had anticipated; a proof that “still in their ashes lurked their -former fires,” and that a well-conducted mill had yet attractions for -the legitimate patrons of the sport. The last two championship battles -(those between Tom Paddock and the Staleybridge Infant, Hurst, and Jem -Mace and the same clumsy giant) were not, viewed as battles, anything -but exposures of the lamentable lack of good men; while the -disgraceful confusion, and double interruption of the police, of the -yet more recent fight between Bob Brettle and Rooke, almost -extinguished the last hope of the survival of the Provincial Ring. - -It was nearly seven when the bell rang for departure, and the train -steamed away on its journey. Owing to the excellent arrangements of -Nat Langham, who acted for King, and Mr. Moss Phillips, who attended -to the interests of Mace, all parties were duly deposited at their -destination at a little after eight o’clock, Mace attended by Jack -Hicks and Bob Travers the Black, his late opponent, and King by Bos -Tyler and Jerry Noon. King, who had trained at Mr. Packwood’s, at -Hammersmith, was in first-rate fettle; nor was Mace, who had taken his -breathings near Norwich, and latterly near Newmarket, one whit behind -him in respect of condition; each was “fit to fight for a man’s life.” -“It is a long lane that has no turning,” and as we looked at the -orderly array of the inner and outer ring, and the attentiveness of -the ring-constables, armed with their brass-bound whips and their -badges, we flattered ourselves for a time that the turning-point had -been reached, and that “a fair fight and no favour, and may the best -man win,” might once again be a phrase with a meaning. Thus dreaming, -as “hope told a flattering tale,” we addressed ourselves to the duty -of observing the fight we here chronicle. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Having gone through the customary friendly - salutation at the scratch, each man drew back and threw - himself into position. There was at this moment a - silence that might be felt, and the eager glances - directed by all toward the combatants evinced the - interest with which every movement was being watched by - those surrounding the ring. There was undoubtedly much - to rivet the attention of the patrons of the art; for - though both were unquestionably fine fellows, yet there - was that disparity between them which could not fail to - impress itself even on the uninitiated. Mark the - towering height of King, standing a clear 6 feet 2 - inches in his stockings, and, as he faces his opponent - with attentive watchfulness, but without a sign of - nervousness or anxiety, how immense and preponderating - appear the advantages in his favour. Tom, we were - informed by Langham, when he last scaled, pulled down - 12st. 8lbs., and taken for all in all must be declared - a model man, although some judges of athletes declared - his loins too slender for a man of his height Tom, like - Mace, has a bright, keen eye, but he lacks the - square-out jaw bone and hard angular contour which some - judges of “points” declare to be always found in the - “thoroughbred” boxer. Be that as it may, King’s length - of reach, firm, round muscle, skin ruddy with the glow - of health, and cheerful, courageous aspect gave promise - of a formidable opponent, even to the scientific - Champion, Jem Mace. As to the Champion, who pulled down - 11st. 4lbs. on the preceding Monday, he was “all - there,” and as he himself said, felt “fit as a fiddle.” - After keeping on guard a few seconds, during which Mace - was keenly scrutinising him, Tom dropped his hands, - resting his left upon his left thigh; Jem, being out of - range, and seeing that Tom had lowered his daddles, - followed suit, and the position of the pair at this - moment caused some astonishment. Tom rubbed his left - forearm with his right hand, and Jem, who also felt the - chilly effects of the morning air on coming out of his - flannels, rubbed his breast with his right palm. Tom, - in shifting, had got nearer his own corner, when Jem - advanced, and, from the manner he gathered himself - together, evidently intended mischief; his left was - admirably poised, while his right played with firm - elasticity, ready as a guard, or, if occasion presented - itself, a shoot. Tom, however, was on the alert, and - Mace, after putting out a feeler or two, sprung back to - tempt Tom to follow. King, who at first seemed a little - puzzled, smiled and retreated, cool as a cucumber in an - ice-well. There was more than one repetition of the - movement we have here described, the men shifting, - changing position, and manœuvring all over the ring - without coming to business. King had heard so much of - the ability of Mace that he felt he was standing before - the best tactician of the day, and would not lead off. - Mace, on the other hand, with the perception of a - practised general, found that he had before him a - dangerous and determined antagonist; one whom it would - not do to treat in the style he had made an example of - big Sam Hurst. At length, after a display of almost - every sort of drawing and defensive tactic, Mace got - well in, delivering a neat nobber with the left, - stopping the return, and getting away. King dashed at - him, his height enabling him to hit over Jem’s guard, - and Tom got one in on Mace’s head with the right; the - men closed and fibbed, then getting on to the ropes, - both went down. The seconds were instant in their - attendance, Bos Tylor claiming “first blood” for King, - which was admitted, as the cochineal was trickling from - a cut on the Champion’s shin. King’s partizans were in - ecstasies, and “Who’ll lay 2 to 1 now?” met no - response. - - 2.――The cold rain now came down in earnest, and did not - much abate throughout the rest of the mill. With ready - alacrity each man came from his corner and scratched - simultaneously with his opponent. Mace, who was still - bleeding, looked flushed. After a little sparring, Mace - popped in his left. His second hit was prettily - countered, but notwithstanding King’s length, Jem’s - blow seemed hardest, reaching home a “thought” before - his adversary’s poke. Another exchange, Tom getting on - the side of Mace’s head, but not severely, and Jem’s - smack in return sounding all round the ring. In the - close both were down. - - 3.――The ball had now been fairly opened, and each bout - improved the spirit of the performance, on which even - the pitiless rain could not throw a damper. Jem, on - coming from his corner, was still distilling the - _elixir vitæ_ from the old spot, which as yet seemed - the only mark made. King went dashing in to force the - fighting, and the hot haste of the onslaught marred the - pretty position of Jem. Tom, who seemed to hit from the - forearm rather than the shoulder, got home his left on - the jaw, and then, with the right, reached Jem’s head; - his superiority of length of reach being fully - demonstrated. Jem, however, quite balanced accounts by - two severe props in the nob; King closed, and Mace got - down easy. - - 4.――The rapidity of King’s fighting seemed somewhat to - surprise Mace, and he moved right and left in front of - his man, his point well covered. Tom dashed in left and - right, and went to work, his counsel advising the - forcing principle; King, in hitting out, had his left - hand partially open; Mace cross-countered with the left - a smasher, but a second attempt passed over King’s - shoulder. Jem broke away, and in retreating got to the - centre stake. Tom, following, dashed out his right, - when Mace ducked his head and slipped down, thereby - escaping a rasper. - - 5.――Mace first to scratch, King promptly facing him. As - Tom tried to lead off with the left, Mace showed how - well he was fortified by his left-hand guard, and then - retaliating with the right. King, in turn, retreated. - Tom, in shifting, got to the ropes, when Jem weaved in, - getting both hands on head and body. Tom lashed out - both hands defensively, but could not keep Jem off - until he chose to retire to his own corner, where he - got cleverly out of difficulty and was down. - - 6.――King had evidently got home at the close of the - last round, for Jem came up with his proboscis tinted - with the carmine. Tom dashed at his man with more - determination than judgment, hit from the forearm - without doing execution; Jem, hitting up as he made the - backward break, gave Master Tom a straightener, who, - persevering, got his man down at the ropes; no harm - done. - - 7.――Jem advanced to the scratch with a firm step and - determined bearing, as if the difficulties of his - position had only produced a concentration of the - resolute “I will.” The men stood eyeing each other in - the pelting rain; Jem rubbed his chest, which had a - large red mark as though a warm plaster had recently - been removed. After manœuvring round the ring, Mace got - to range, delivering a well-aimed shot on King’s - cranium. As Jem broke ground he nearly lost his - equilibrium from the slipperiness of the grass, but - quickly steadied himself. After a feint or two, they - got well together and countered splendidly, Mace - sending home his left on Tom’s right cheek, King - getting his right on the Champion’s left peeper, - raising a small bump, and causing him to blink like an - owl in sunshine. The men, with mutual action, broke - away, and manœuvred all over the ring. At last Jem, - measuring his man accurately, gave him such a - left-hander on the snuff-box that claret _du premier - crû_ was copiously uncorked. As Mace retreated after - this smack Tom went in rather wildly, and closing, got - his left leg between Mace’s and threw him. (Cheers for - King.) - - 8.――Tom no sooner faced his man than he made play, and - got his right arm round Mace; he then tried to lift him - by main strength for a throw, but the Champion put on - the head-stop, with his hand on Tom’s face, and King - had to let him go down an easy fall. - - 9.――King, by the advice of his seconds, again forced - the fighting, slung out both hands, and closed, when - Mace cleverly put on the back heel, and down went Tom - undermost. - - 10 to 14.――The ropes had now got slack, and Puggy White - busied himself in driving the stakes deeper, and - tightening them. In this and the following four rounds, - King still led off, and though his hits did not seem - severe, he had got as often on Jem’s eye and nose, that - his friends were confident of his pulling through. - - 15.――The odds seemed melting away like butter in the - sun, and the backers of the Champion were just becoming - “knights of the rueful countenance;” while Tom’s - partisans were as merry and chirpy as crickets; Jerry - Noon, especially, dispensing an unusual and unseemly - store of chaff among the despondent patrons of Mace. - King once again went at his man, and both were down at - the ropes. King’s seconds claimed the battle for a - “foul,” alleging that Mace had tried to force his - fingers into King’s eye in the struggle at the ropes; - the referee crossed the ring to caution Mace, who - indignantly denied any intention of so unmanly an - action. - - 16.――King seemed determined to lose no time. He rattled - in, and Mace, nothing loth, stood up and hit with him, - certainly straightest and swiftest. In the close both - were down at the ropes. - - 17.――In sparring, the combatants changed positions, and - paused in the centre of the ring. King had been - fighting very fast, and wanted a breathing time. On - resuming, he went in, and after some exchanges Mace got - down easy at the ropes. - - 18.――Sharp exchanges, left and right, on the cheek, - mouth, and jaw, when Jem, in shifting, dipped down. His - seconds ran to him, but he motioned them away, resumed - his perpendicular, and beckoned Tom with a smile to - renew the bout. The challenge was cheerfully accepted, - and fighting into a close both were down. - - 19.――The men were admirably seconded in both corners, - and both came up clean and smiling, though each had the - contour of his countenance seriously altered by his - opponent’s handiwork. In a close both fibbed away - merrily and both were down. - - 20.――There was an objection by Jerry Noon that Mace had - some “foreign substance” in his left hand, King opened - his hands before the referee, and Mace, following his - example, merely showed a small piece of paper in his - palm, which, however, he threw away. Mace’s left hand - seemed somewhat puffed, and Tom’s leading counsel, - observing this, told King that his adversary’s “left - was gone,” which it was not, for Mace, this time, took - the initiative, and landed the left sharply on Tom’s - cheek. As Mace broke ground Tom followed, and when near - the stake he landed a round hit from the right on Jem’s - left jaw that sent him to grass――a clean knock-down - blow. - - 21.――Tom, eager to be at work, went in, but he did not - take much by his motion; after several exchanges, Jem - retreated. Mace slipped and got between King’s legs in - a defenceless position, holding himself up by the - handkerchief round Tom’s waist. King gallantly withheld - his hand, threw up his arms and smiled, walking to his - corner amidst general cheering. - - 22.――King was now the favourite, odds being offered on - him of 6 to 4, but no takers. King, as before, began - the business, and Mace was down to close the round. - - 23.――This was a harmless bout. King bored in; Mace - missed as he retreated, backed on to the ropes, and got - down. - - 24.――Both men came up with alacrity, despite the - pelting rain which streamed down their faces and limbs. - King was evidently slower, and Mace tried a lead. He - did not, however, get quite near enough, and Tom - pursued him round the ring until both were down, Mace - undermost. - - 25.――A curious round. Tom dashed at Mace, who stopped - him, then twisted round and got away. Tom followed, and - Mace propped him; at the ropes, when down, both men - patted each other in a good tempered manner. - - 26.――Mace came up determinedly, but exhibited ugly - punishment off the left eye and mouth. Still he was - steady, and met Tom’s onslaught cleverly. King closed - and tried to hold up Mace, but he slipped through his - hands. - - 27.――Tom administered a right hander on the jaw, and - down went Mace against his will for the second time. - - 28.――Mace recovered from the effects of his floorer in - an amazing manner. Tom had now a serious bump on his - right eye the size of a walnut, and had otherwise lost - his facial symmetry. His friends were, however, more - than sanguine, and urged him to keep his man at it. Tom - tried to do so, but got nothing at it, and in the fall - hit the stake. - - 29.――King got a round right-hander on Mace’s back of - his head, and both were down――a side fall. - - 30.――Mace seemed wonderfully steady, and in good form. - King, as before, made play; the ground was so soddened, - cut up, and pasty, that a good foothold was impossible. - Tom sent in his right, and Jem, with well-judged - precision, returned with both mauleys, when King - embraced him, but Mace put on the back-heel, and threw - Tom cleverly on his back; as Mace rose first from the - ground he patted King in a good-tempered manner, amidst - cries of “Bravo, Mace!” - - 31.――King, as he sat on his second’s knee, seemed much - distressed. His sides heaved like a forge-bellows; his - seconds were most assiduous, and sent him up clean and - fresh. Tom came slowly from his corner; not so Jem, who - advanced quickly to the scratch, and then tried to - entice his man to lead off. At last he did so, and gave - King as good as he sent, when Tom forced Mace to the - ropes. The latter turned himself round, reversing their - positions, and, after a short wrestle, threw Tom with - the back-heel a fair fall. - - 32.――Exchanges; King on the body, Mace on the head, and - both down. - - 33.――King still forcing the fighting; Mace as lively as - a grasshopper. After some pretty exchanges, Mace got - home the left on his opponent’s right cheek――a - cutter――a close, some fibbing, and both down, King over - the lower rope, and partly out of the ring. - - 34.――Mace first from his corner, but had not long to - wait for his opponent. Tom hit out with better - intention than judgment, and failed to do execution. A - close, Mace again got King with the back-heel, and - threw him heavily. - - 35.――The sun of success was brightening in the East, - though the clouds were pouring heavily. King was - suffering from his protracted exertions, and “bellows - to mend” was the case in his corner. His heart was - good, and he fought gallantly into a close, catching - pepper; Mace, after delivering a flush hit, falling in - the middle of the ring. - - 36.――After a little manœuvring, the men got on the - ropes, when King slipped down by a pure accident. As - King’s friends had objected to Mace’s style of getting - down, there were derisive counter-cheers and cries of - “foul!” followed by enthusiastic cheers for both men. - - 37.――Tom’s seconds found that their plan of forcing the - fighting had miscarried, and now gave opposite advice. - King waited for Mace, who manœuvred and feinted, until - Tom let go his left, and was countered artistically. - Mace then stepped in and delivered his left full in - King’s dial and in an exchange both were down in the - middle of the ring. - - 38-40.――King, finding Mace his master at out-fighting, - resumed his plan of going to work just as he was - getting second wind. The rounds again were of the old - pattern; King got the larger and heavier share of the - hitting, and both were down, Mace choosing his own time - to end the round. In the 40th round, King complained of - Mace using him unfairly, but the referee saw nothing - calling for his notice. - - 41, 42, 43 and last.――King was visibly distressed in - the first two of these three final rounds. In the last - of these bouts the combatants closed in the middle of - the ring, when Mace, who had delivered a heavy thwack - on King’s neck, struggled with him for the fall. In - going down, King, who was undermost, struck the front - of his head with great force on the ground. Tom’s - seconds had him in his corner in an instant, as the - position was critical. The die was however, cast. - “Time!” was called in vain. Mace, who was eagerly - watching his opponent’s corner, advanced to the - scratch. The referee entered the ring, watch in hand. - The eight seconds were counted; but King was still deaf - to the call of “Time!” and Mace was hailed the winner, - after one hour and eight minutes of rapid fighting on - both sides. Scarcely had the fiat gone forth when a - posse of police made their appearance, who, to do them - justice, seemed glad that the affair was over before - their arrival. - - REMARKS.――The principal point to be noted is the - admirable manner in which both the loser and winner - fought out this gallant contest. The superiority of - Mace as a scientific pugilist alone enabled him to - contend with and finally defeat his brave, powerful, - and in size and physique formidable antagonist; while - to Tom King, the loser, the credit must be awarded of - doing all that man could do towards victory, and - yielding only to absolute physical incapability to - continue the contest. Although, however, the majority - were satisfied that the best man won, there was one who - entertained the opposite opinion, and that was Tom King - himself, as we shall presently see. - -In April, 1862, some curiosity was awakened in fistic circles by the -return of John Heenan to England, preceded by an _annonce_ in the -American newspapers that he had “gone over to fetch the old belt, and -to fight Mace, the so-called Champion.” Hereupon Messrs. Moss Phillips -and John Gideon waited upon Heenan, on Mace’s behalf, offering to find -£500 or £1,000, if needful, to make a match. Heenan repudiated the -newspaper buncombe, saying that he had come over with the sole object -of fulfilling an engagement with Messrs. Howe and Cushing’s Circus -Troupe, and that he had “cut pugilism,” at least for the present. Jem, -who was now a London “pub.,” and host of the “King John,” in Holywell -Lane, was also on tour with Ginnett’s Circus, while in _Bell’s Life_ -he declared his readiness to “meet any man for £1,000, barring neither -country, colour, nor weight.” In reply to this, Bob Brettle, still -sore from defeat, and, as he declared, “the ungrateful conduct of -Mace,” undertook to back “an Unknown” for £200 and the belt against -the Champion, and this Mace accepted. Hereupon King came out with a -statement that Mace had requested him not to challenge him “at -present,” for reasons which he gave, but now, as he had accepted a -challenge, he (King) claimed first turn. It may be proper here to -remark that King had joined Mace, at his request, in a sparring tour -early in 1862, which lends strength to King’s statement. Mace’s backer -having offered Brettle’s “Unknown” £25 to indemnify him for his -forfeit and expenses, articles were signed at Nat Langham’s, on June -18th, for a fight for £200 a side and the belt, to come off within six -months, the precise day not to be divulged until the night before the -battle, which was to take place in November or December. How Tom King -reversed the former verdict in 21 rounds, occupying 38 minutes, on the -26th November, 1862, may be read in the Memoir of King in the ensuing -Chapter. - -King having publicly declared his retirement from the Ring, Mace -resumed the style of “Champion,” with whatever honours might still -attach to that tarnished title. - -In December, 1862, Joe Goss, of Wolverhampton, an unbeaten pugilist, -weighing 10st. 10lbs., boldly offered himself to the notice of Mace -for “any sum from £200 to £500 a side;” and although the Wolverhampton -man waived any claim to the belt as the result of the battle, it was -said by his friends that they did not see why, if Mace alone barred -the way, their man should not claim the trophy. The match, though made -in December, 1862, had a most unbusiness-like aspect in some of its -details. The time of meeting being named as “nine months after -date”――a most suspicious period of gestation for such an -affair――September 1st, 1863, was the day. Nor was the amount of stakes -less calculated to tax belief, £1,000 being set down in the book; Mace -to post £600 to Goss’s £400, of which the Norwich’s man’s backers were -to table £330 to Goss’s £220 at the final deposit. - -Match-making, at this time, appears to have got “considerably mixed.” -In May and June, Bill Ryall, of Birmingham, a twelve-stone man, -“seeing that Goss, though articled to fight Mace, did not pretend to -the Championship,” offered himself for “the belt and £200 a side, to -the notice of the Norwich hero,” after he had disposed of Goss. Mace -assented, and articles were signed, but before the decision of the -affair now under notice. Ryall’s friends appear to have repented of -their rash engagement, and forfeited the £25 or £30 down, as the -penalty of their indiscretion. The Brettle party’s choice of Ryall as -the man to lower the pretensions of Mace will seem the more surprising -when we state that Goss had beaten Ryall on September 24th, 1860, and -had fought him to a stand-still in a drawn battle for £100, February -11th, 1862. We will now return from this brief digression to the first -encounter of Mace and Gross.[35] - -On the making good of the last deposit of £330 to £220, and the -announcement that it was duly “banked” in the hands of the Editor of -_Bell’s Life_, the almost dormant interest of many of the incredulous -was awakened, and crowds of anxious West End inquirers thronged to the -“Mitre” (Nat had shifted from the “Cambrian”), the “Three Tuns,” the -“Horseshoe,” the “Rising Sun,” the “Queen’s Head,” and the “Blue -Boar’s Head;” while the East Enders were as eager in their endeavours -to obtain the “straight tip” by looking in at Harry Orme’s, Joe -Rowe’s, Jemmy Welsh’s, Jem Cross’s, Jem Ward’s, Billy Richardson’s, -and the Champion’s own crib in Holywell Lane, Whitechapel. - -Mr. Tupper having won the toss for Goss, the men went to scale at his -house, the “Greyhound,” Waterloo Road, when both were found within the -stipulated 10 stone 10 lbs., and, as we can safely affirm, from ocular -demonstration, in the perfection of condition. - -In the face of a vigilant and hostile magistracy and police, the -managers necessarily adopted unusual precautions to confine the -knowledge of the time and place to none but “safe men.” Accordingly, -not only was the day kept secret, but it was not until the overnight -that even the line of rail and amount of fare were disclosed to -intending “excursionists.” When the “office” was given to those who -were prepared to invest £2 2s. in cardboard, the rendezvous was stated -to be the Paddington terminus of the Great Western, and the time _two -o’clock_ a.m., on the morning of St. Partridge, September 1st, 1863; -and thither, at that unreasonable and unseasonable hour, did the -“sheep destined for the shearing” eagerly repair. - -Unhappily for the fortunes, nay, the very existence of the P.R., it -had become the practice of the floating fraternity of thieves, -mobsmen, and “roughs”――the latter too often combining the two former -in the same ruffianly individual――to stream to the railway station -whenever they got scent of a Ring “excursion,” instinctively knowing -that there plunder might be perpetrated. As where the carcase is, -there will the birds of prey be gathered, so on this 1st of September -in the darkness and gloom of a cloudy morning, a riot was got up -outside the entrances to the noble building, and many persons hustled, -robbed, and occasionally personally ill-treated, by a disorderly crowd -which, we can of our own avouch declare, did not comprise in its whole -body one single known pugilist. Yet more than one of our “best -possible public instructors” informed the public that “a mob of -prize-fighters and other ruffians robbed and maltreated the intending -travellers with lawless impunity.” Passing the baseless imputation -that “prize-fighters and other ruffians” were personally engaged in -this nocturnal _mêlée_, we must declare that of all the scenes of riot -and disorder we have witnessed, that at Paddington was the most -disgraceful, and marked the lowest stage in the downward journey of -the Ring, unless we accept the wrangles and rows of the partisans of -the men at some minor fights as exemplifying the Miltonic paradox―― - - “Beneath the lowest deep a lower still.” - -At the hour of four the train steamed out of the station, and it was -currently stated that Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire, about five miles -below the great engine-works at Swindon, was our destination. On -arriving at Didcot Junction it was perceived that the Oxfordshire -constabulary were awake, like Johnny Cope, “Sae airly in the mornin’;” -but their only exercise of their function on this occasion seemed to -be to wave us a courteous farewell as we steamed off, with the -addition of a few “’Varsity men” (in masquerade) who had become -possessed of “the secret,” and joined our party. At Swindon we -“watered” our iron horse, and about five miles farther the brakes were -on, and all soon alighted. After some little refreshment of the inward -man from the stores of a well-plenished hamper, the “meynie” getting -what they could at a neighbouring public, we tramped a mile of a dirty -lane, until it opened on a spot where the Commissary (Fred Oliver) and -assistants had laid out an excellent ring. And now began the customary -squabble between the “clever ones” on each side about the choice of a -referee. The Editor of the chief sporting journal, for nearly forty -years the consistent and able advocate and supporter of the Ring, had -finally refused the now dangerous position, and had recently, in -consequence of disorderly defiance of the representative of the paper, -forbidden his reporter to officiate, unless in circumstances he might -consider exceptional. Thus much valuable time was cut to waste. -Finally, the reporter of a new sporting paper consented to act, was -enthroned on the judge’s straw truss, and the men quickly made -themselves ready. As they stood up Joe looked “as hard as nails,” -while Mace’s elegant position, as he stood awaiting the anticipated -onslaught of his opponent, was pronounced by more than one judge to be -“beautiful.” To the surprise of all, however, after some not very -graceful squaring of elbows and half-steps left and right, never -venturing beyond the scratch, Joe retreated, and shaking his head with -a grim smile invited his adversary to approach. Jem did not seem to -perceive the advisability of this, so he smiled and nodded in return. -Presently, after a shift or two right and left, Mace advanced, -resolved to open the ball. Joe retreated, covering his points well, -when from the outer ring rose a warning cry, and ere its cause could -be asked, half a dozen “prime North Wiltshires”――not cheeses, but -policemen――rolled into the ring. Mace darted under the ropes and -skedaddled into a thicket, his retreat covered by his seconds, bearing -his outward habiliments; while Joe had nearly rushed into the arms of -one of the “rurals,” but luckily gave him the go-by, and “made tracks” -in another direction. Meantime the “bobbies,” with the utmost -good-humour, surveyed the flight, and, without interfering with the -Commissary, left him to reload his light cart with the _impedimenta_ -of the ring, then, slowly following the discomfited company, saw them -safely down the road on their return to the train, which soon returned -at the appointed signal from a “siding” where it had been temporarily -located. Once on board, though the day was yet young, the victims were -politely informed that no more could be done that day, and that the -“Company’s” obligation to the “train charterers” would be discharged -by the delivery of the “excursionists” at their starting-point at -Paddington. “But,” added the referee, in an immediate conference, “I -shall order, as I am empowered by the Rules, the men to meet again -this day, at Fenchurch Street Station, and go down to Purfleet. When -there, we must be guided by circumstances; but we will have the fight -off to-day if possible.” That this was “gall and wormwood” to sundry -persons who looked to another “special” rather than a “result” might -easily be seen. They did not, however, dare to do more than prophesy -disaster and obstruction, and propose “a meeting at the stakeholder’s,” -or anywhere else, to procure postponement, which was properly and -peremptorily negatived. - -Arrived at Paddington, the neighbouring cab-stands were quickly -cleared of their yawning waiters, whose glee at this unexpected and -profitable “call” was certainly heightened when they “twigged,” as one -of the cabbies told us, that they were “a-helping some of the right -sort out of a fix.” At Fenchurch Street conveyance to Purfleet was -quickly arranged for, and at 3h. 30m. the men, _materiel_, and company -were duly delivered at the riverside. Here it was resolved, and -prudently, that a transit to Plumstead Marshes should be made, as -suspicious movements of an “Essex calf” were observed. Long Reach cost -many no less a sum than ten shillings for the ferry; but this did not -stop those who could command the best and least crowded boats, and at -five o’clock, in a well-formed and certainly select ring, - - - THE FIGHT - - Began with Round 2; for we suppose we most pay the - compliment to the _four and a half minutes_ of - “fiddling” at Wootton Bassett, as counting for Round 1. - As before it was expected that the “terrific Joe” would - force the fighting, and show that game and hard hitting - must tell against mere skill, with a slight and - apparently ineradicable suspicion among the provincials - from the North Midlands that Mace had a “soft place” - which Joe was the very man to find out. Nevertheless, - the Londoners offered 6 and even 7 to 4 on Mace. Again - Joe retreated, and as Jem followed got away again and - again, though in anything but a graceful style. His - intention to fight a crafty battle was apparent, and - did not seem to please his country friends. At last the - men came to a stand, Joe having his back to the ropes. - Jem let go his left sharply, but was prettily parried. - Mace drew back, when Joe, plunging at him, got home his - left straight on the body, getting, as might be - expected, a rattling smack on the mouth in return. Goss - licked his lips, and dodged about; Mace got closer, - and, swift as thought, planted a cutting left-hander on - the left eyebrow. It was a caution, and the crimson - instantly following, “first blood” was awarded to Mace. - Joe in jumping away from Mace’s advance slipped and - fell. - - 3.――Long and tedious sparring and manœuvring prefaced - this round. Goss, to the dissatisfaction of many, being - determined to avoid close quarters, and Mace equally - resolved not to give a chance away at long shots. When - they got closer, Mace sent in his left, and then his - right slap in the middle of Joe’s head, when a couple - of slashing counter-hits followed, Mace again - delivering with precision on the head, and Goss on - Mace’s forehead and chest. More sparring, Joe looking - quite vicious, and twice missing his shifty adversary, - until the latter accepted a rally, and some - extraordinary counter-hitting took place to the - advantage of Mace, he reaching Joe’s head, while the - latter got home on the chest or shoulder. Joe was - driven back, and as Mace pressed on to him slipped - down. - - 4.――The men seemed warming to their work, and lost no - time in the useless dodging which marked the previous - rounds. Mace led off and jobbed his man severely - through his guard, following his first smack with - another, and then getting away. Goss, though quick in - his returns, was hurried, and twice missed his right by - Maces’s quickness in shifting. Mace worked round into - the centre of the ring, when Joe bored in, in what his - friends called his “own old style.” In the exchanges - Joe dealt Mace a tremendous hit on the right eye, which - instantly left its mark. Mace broke ground and - retreated with his hands up in good form. (Vociferous - shouting from the Gossites, “The Young’un wins! The - Young’un wins!” and the excitement was immense at the - Wolverhampton corner.) Mace steadied himself, and, - after a short pause, Goss tried to get on to him again, - when, after some two-handed fighting not remarkable for - effectiveness, Mace caught his adversary such a - well-distanced left-hander on the head that Joe went - clean down against his will. (First knock-down for - Mace, being the second event scored.) - - 5.――On appearing at the scratch the swollen state of - Mace’s right eye told how heavily he had been hit in - the preceding round. Goss, urged by his seconds, dashed - in left and right, but was beautifully stopped. Joe - tried to play round his man, but Mace stepped in, gave - him a heavy hit in the mouth, then, after a few quick - exchanges, closed and threw him. - - 6.――Both men were now much marked, showing how heavy - the hitting had been. Goss moved all over the ring as - before, leading off, but ineffectively, being either - out of distance or easily stopped. Eventually they got - close, and exchanged heavy left-handed hits. More - chasséeing about the ring by Goss, till Jem got close, - and brought on more counters, Jem planting swift and - hard in the face with both hands. Goss returned left - and right on the head, and went down on his knees at - the ropes. Jem was about to deliver a stinger, but - checked himself, laughed, and walked away. - - 7.――Goss led off, but out of distance, as was often the - case when he attempted out-fighting. A long series of - movements with no great merit in them followed, till - Mace got in with his left, and then fine counter-hits - came, Goss certainly hitting straighter than he had - done in some preceding rallies. A little more - manœuvring, and then Joe went at his man, and brought - on some stunning exchanges――very heavy left-handed - counters, Mace on the right cheek, Goss on the - forehead. Goss, in getting away, fell. - - 8.――Joe appeared at last to be tired of the scientific - and waiting business, and went pluckily at Mace. He was - certainly first in the hitting, planting heavily left - and right on the head. Jem returned a couple of - smashers on the front of the head, and in some severe - exchanges his length and straightness of delivery gave - him the pull. The men closed, and after a good wrestle, - in which Goss displayed great muscular power, he got - the best of the fall, Mace being under him. (Great - applause for Goss, who was evidently fighting up hill.) - - 9.――Once more Joe tried to lead off, but he was out of - distance, and Mace could evidently make the fighting as - he chose. At last they closed near the ropes, when they - got a mutual hold, and some severe fibbing took place, - both men getting it hot until they fell together. - - 10.――Goss, instigated by his seconds, tried a rush. He - was neatly stopped, and seemed perplexed as to his next - move. Jem drew back and Joe followed, got home his - right on the body slightly, and was away. Mace stepped - on to him, dealt him a left-hander on the head, and Joe - slipped down. - - 11.――Mace now tried to make the fighting. He stepped in - upon Goss, who retired and shifted round in the clear - corner of the ring; at last Jem pinned him a stinger in - the mouth, and then as he jumped sideways caught him a - second crack with the same hand on the head; Goss - rushed in, delivering both hands, and Mace slipped down - amidst some hisses from Goss’s partisans. - - 12.――Some tedious sparring. Mace, who now evidently - meant fighting, tried to induce Goss to lead off, but - he would not. At length, Joe being, as Mace thought, - pushed in a corner, in he went, and a spirited rally - ensued. Mace got home on Joe’s damaged left eyebrow, - but Goss gave him a couple of rib-benders, and, - closing, proved his strength by bringing down the - Champion a sounder on the turf, and falling on him. - (Deafening cheers――“Joe’s waking him up!”) - - 13.――It was fully expected that Goss would now go to - work in the “finishing” style that had earned his fame; - but no! He again resorted to that clumsy yokel - craftiness which could never beat a man of Mace’s skill - and resource. He dodged about until Mace, seeing he had - got him, dealt him a sounding spank on the head with - the left, and then as he shifted about gave him a - straight punch in the mouth with the same hand. Joe, - stung with these visitations, went in too late, for - though he got in a round hit on the side of Mace’s - head, the latter clinched him and threw him. - - 14.――Goss, in performing his usual dancing steps around - the ring, caught his heel against a stake and stumbled; - Mace dashed at him, when Joe got down somehow. (A claim - of “foul” was preferred by Mace’s seconds, but - overruled) - - 15.――Goss was urged to “rattle in,” but he declined the - experiment, and moved round his man, then, lunging out - heavily with both hands got the left well home on the - side of the head. Mace got quickly close, hit Joe - severely in the mouth, and Goss fell in hurriedly - getting back. - - 16.――Mace measured his man carefully as they stood - sparring in the centre of the ring, and then swiftly - sent in a stinging left-hander. Joe shifted again, and - Mace, pressing him too closely, received a couple of - good hits on the head. Goss away as before; Mace worked - close to him, dealt him a crack on the head, and as he - stepped in again Goss slipped down. (Disapprobation.) - - 17.――Goss all over the ring, but Mace pressed after him - more sharply than hitherto. He fixed him at last, and - delivered both hands like lightning on the head. A - slashing rally, the best in the fight; Mace planting - with amazing quickness and force, left and right, going - home with severity. Joe stuck to his work, and lashed - out desperately in return; but though he certainly hit - his man heavily, Mace must have felt he had the - superiority for good and all in this rally. The men - closed, exhausted by severe exertion, and after a short - struggle fell together. - - 18.――Goss came up bleeding freely from the left brow, - nose, and mouth. His punishment was certainly severe; - Mace was also marked. After some sparring Joe lashed - out viciously with both hands, Mace slipped back, and - Joe, overreaching himself, fell. No mischief done, but - the Gossites looked blue. - - 19th and last.――Both slow to time. Mace, cool as a - cucumber, seemed to be taking stock of his adversary, - as if beginning a fight. Goss worked about, stepping - first to one side, then the other, as if nervously - anxious to begin “business.” Mace worked him slowly - backwards, till close on the ropes, then, as Joe was - about to break away, he delivered a tremendous - right-handed lunge, straight from the shoulder; the - blow landed on the left side of Goss’s left jaw, and at - once hit him clean out of time. Poor Goss fell forward - insensible, and all efforts of his seconds to rouse him - proving vain, Mace was proclaimed the victor. Time, 1 - hour, 55 minutes, 30 seconds. - - REMARKS.――Notwithstanding the heavy hitting which came - at intervals, we must pronounce this a bad fight; - indeed, it could hardly be otherwise. Goss was entirely - over-matched in science, length, and weight, and - evidently felt it early in the fight. His dodging and - clumsy wiles to steal a march on so perfect a - practitioner as Mace were often almost ludicrous. His - game, indeed his only chance, was to have forced his - man to desperate rallies, and have trusted to his own - hardihood, courage and endurance――though this, we do - not believe, could have altered the final result. Mace, - on the other hand, was, considering his manifold - advantages, over-cautious. He not only would not risk a - chance, but he continually gave a chance away by being - too guarded. At the same time, we must admit that - Mace’s mode of winning the battle on the line he had - marked out exhibited consummate skill. - -As a “side-light” may often elucidate a “dark corner,” we may remark, -that within a few weeks of this £1,000 victory we learned in a -disputation, that a neighbouring publican, and backer of Mace, -declared that Jem’s was a “bogus” proprietorship, and that the Norwich -“Champion” was heavily indebted to him. - -At this period a wave of cant was passing over the country. The -_Morning Star_, a London daily long since defunct, in which John -Bright, the pugnacious Quaker, was largely interested, was furious in -its denunciations of the authorities for what it called “their -connivance in the brutalities of prize-fighters.” Contemporary with -the scripturally named _Morning Star_, was a yet more straightlaced -and puritan print, rejoicing in the title of the _Dial_, whose -mission, as we learned from its prospectus, was to “purify the daily -Press” by excluding from its columns not only racing reports and -“so-called sporting news,” but even cases from the police-courts, -divorce-courts, actions for slander or _crim. con._, and we know not -what else of the doings of this naughty world. The _Dial_, after -threatening to supersede the _Times_ (and all other dailies), spent -nearly all its capital in a very weakly issue, and finally threw the -balance of some thousands of pounds into the coffers of the _Morning -Star_, which therefore contracted a marriage, and added the words “and -_Dial_” to its title. We need not observe that marriage in the -newspaper world invariably means the death of the weaker vessel; and -so the _Morning Star_ and _Dial_, positively treated its readers, -after a few flourishes of condemnation, with a full, true, and -particular account of “this horrid prize-fight.” Surely hypocrisy and -the eagerness of saints to “turn a penny” could not further go? On the -other hand, the _Saturday Review_, a journal of manly independence, -and a sworn enemy of cant, published in its impression of the -succeeding week a life-like sketch from the pen of a scholar and a -gentleman, of his adventures in going to and coming from the fight, -with his impressions of what he saw thereat. Those who can refer to -the number will thank us for the reminder: here we can only find room -for the closing reflections. - -“Looking dispassionately at this fight, and without admitting or -denying the truthfulness of the descriptions of other fights that we -have read, our conclusion is, that the epithets ‘brutal,’ ‘barbarous,’ -‘disgusting,’ and so forth, are quite uncalled for. There are people -who don’t like fights, and there are people who view them as displays -of skill and fortitude. Yet much that is objectionable in the acts of -the supporters of the Ring and the practitioners of the art would -disappear if respectable society, so called, dared to look less -unkindly upon it and them. At any rate, we see no sufficient reason -why magistrates and police should display such excessive zeal in -hunting down a fight in such an out-of-the-way place as Plumstead -Marshes, and are glad they did not finally succeed on Tuesday, -September 1st, in disappointing the hundreds of people who had -travelled 200 miles to see the battle between Mace and Goss.” - -So far as the history of the Prize Ring is concerned we would here -gladly close our record, leaving only the second combat of Tom King -and John Heenan for its finale; but a page or two of the suicidal -doings of its professors and destroying patrons must be added to -complete its story. - -In the first month of 1864 a challenge, as in 1860, came across the -Atlantic. This time the cartel was in the name of one Joe Coburn, an -Irish American, and was responded to by Mace, whose backers proposed a -stake of £500 a side; and on May 27th, the challenger, accompanied by -Cusick, known aforetime as the companion and trainer of John Heenan, -and a Mr. Edwin James,[36] who described himself as Editor of the _New -York Clipper_, arrived in London to settle the preliminaries. - -The articles as finally drawn were to the effect that Mace’s party -were to post £600, to £400 on the part of Coburn, and that at the last -deposit £100 was to be handed to the latter as expenses; that a -referee should be agreed on the day previous to the fight, which -should take place in Ireland, over 20 and under 100 miles from Dublin; -the money to be made good in ten fortnightly deposits. - -On the occasions of these diplomatic protocollings, which were -conducted with a Yankee ‘cuteness and cavilling that were suspiciously -suggestive of knavery rather than straightforward honesty of purpose, -we saw a good deal of Mr. Joe Coburn, and the more we saw of him the -more assured were we that the astute “managers” of the affair must -have had some other design in view than a fair fight for a thousand -with such a man as Jem Mace. Joe Coburn, who stood about 5 ft. 8½ in., -was a well-built fellow, something under 11 stone, and tolerably -good-looking; his countenance was the reverse of pugilistic in -formation or outline, his nose being decidedly of the Roman arch, and -the bony contour of his face and nob rather of the “hatchet” than -either the “snake” or the “bullet-headed” type. He told us that he was -a native of Middletown, County Armagh; that he was in his 26th year, -having been born July 20th, 1838; and that his parents took him to -America at an early age. At first his “business matters” were -entrusted to the care of the experienced Nat Langham, but “Ould Nat” -was soon thrust aside by the loquacious Hiberno-American “agents,” -“secretaries,” “friends and advisers” of Mr. Coburn, who, of himself, -appeared quiescent, modest, and taciturn. And here a word on the -wretched hands into which, in these latest days, the interests of the -Ring and pugilists had fallen. In times of old, but yet within his -memory, the writer has witnessed or been cognizant of conferences at -Tom Spring’s “Castle,” at Jem Burn’s, at Limmer’s Hotel, at -Tattersall’s, and especially in the editorial sanctum, the front -parlour of No. 5, Norfolk Street, Strand, whereat Honourables, M.P.’s, -and gallant Guardsmen――such patrons of pugilism as the Marquises of -Drumlanrig and Waterford, Lord Ongley, Lord Longford, Sir Edward Kent, -Sir St. Vincent Cotton, Harvey Combe――with squires, country gentlemen, -and sportsmen, have taken part in discussing the interests of fair and -honest pugilism and pugilists, and aiding them by purse and patronage. -He may add that in those times Lord Althorp (afterwards Earl -Spencer),[37] the present courtly diplomatist and Foreign Minister, -Earl Granville (Lord Leveson-Gower), the greatest of the Sir Robert -Peels, the Honourable Robert Grimston (brother to the Earl of -Verulam), Lord Wenlock, Lord Palmerston, and the now venerable -philanthropist, the Earl of Shaftesbury (then Lord Ashley),[38] with -other “brave peers of England, pillars of the State,” did not disdain -to sanction and approve, by example, speech, and pen, the practice and -principles of boxing, and the peculiarly English and manly Art of -Self-defence. - -All these had already disappeared, or withdrawn in disgust, and left -no successors. Their places were usurped by a clamorous crew of sharp -practitioners, loud-mouthed disputants, and tricky match-makers――the -sweepings of society in the Old and New Worlds. Those on this side of -the water were backed by the ill-gotten gains of the keepers of low -gambling hells and night-houses, those on the other side by the -proprietors of bar-rooms, drinking-saloons, and the large crowd of -loungers, loafers, and rowdies who hang on the skirts of the Sporting -World of the Great Republic and are its disgrace and bane. The -cardinal principle of these worthies, like that of the “welshers” of -our own race-courses, being “heads I win, tails you lose,” it was -certainly a trial for an Englishman’s patience and gravity to hear and -read it urged, as a reason for choosing Ireland as a battle-ground, -that our Hiberno-American cousins (or cozens) were afraid their man -“would not get fair play” in England. But we must proceed. - -No sooner had the conditions been duly published to the world in the -sporting papers than the “high contracting parties” set off upon their -provincial tours, with the summer all before them. With Coburn’s -progress his “secretary” kept the newspaper press _au courant_; we -were told, from week to week, how he put on the mittens with Joe Goss, -Bill Ryall, Jack Rooke, Reardon, and others, at Birmingham, -Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Dublin, and of course “bested” -them. Those who knew how these things were arranged, took them with -the needful “grain of salt,” and we coupled them with the significant -fact that three of the pugilists named each separately expressed to us -his envy at Mace’s good luck, and his regret that _he_ was not in his -place to “try conclusions” with the newly imported “champion.” Mace, -too, was not behind in travelling the “circuits,” having for his -“agent in advance” and “secretary,” Harry Montague, well known, even -up to 1881, as secretary to “Myers’s Great American Hippodrome and -Circus.” - -We skip over the months until we come to September 24th, at which -time, strange to say, not a single detail seemed to have been arranged -by either party, and when, at the last deposit at Harry Brunton’s, -Barbican, the £1,000 was declared to be made good, and the £100 cheque -of the stakeholder thereafter handed over to Coburn and Co., we must -confess we were much exercised in mind to know what would be the next -move in the _kriegspiel_. We were soon enlightened. Coburn’s -representatives having won the toss, communicated that the rendezvous -would be Mr. Woodroffe’s, “Cambridge Arms,” Island Bridge, near -Dublin, on Monday, October 4th. Accordingly, to “mak’ siccar,” we -booked ourselves, on the previous Saturday, by the “Wild Irishman” for -Holyhead, and thence by the swift mail-packet, the “Scotia,” landed -early on Sunday morning at Kingstown, suffering some delay from a -tremendous south-wester in the Channel. Here we found our Irish -friends all alive, and as full of questions and eager inquiries for -news as if they had been ancient instead of modern Greeks. _More -Hibernico_, too, we soon found that they could tell us more than we -knew about the matter; for by way of a secret we were informed in the -street, before we had landed six hours, that “Joe” (Coburn) “shure was -in Limerick, and that the foight ’ud come off nigh hand there, at -Goold’s Crass,” which, if thus publicly known, made us sure that it -would not. We stood on the pier watching the arrivals. By the -Liverpool packet came a large accession to the English division; among -them Jerry Noon, Bos Tyler, Welsh, Hicks, with Fred Oliver, the -Commissary, and his henchman, Puggy White, and not a few familiar -faces from London, Birmingham, Manchester, and the North. - -In Dublin we found not a few “London particulars” of the Press: the -editor of _Bell’s Life_ (Frank Dowling), with young Holt as his -aide-de-camp, the editor of the _Era_, ditto of two new penny -_Sportsmen_, with half a dozen penmen of the London dailies and -weeklies, all seeking pabulum for their “special correspondence” from -the Irish capital. At “the Imperial” we met an American party, which -included John Heenan, his “secretary (!)” Mr. Hamilton, Cusick, and -the literary and artistic representatives of a New York “illustrated” -journal. Here, too, we met our friend Shirley Brooks (the editor of -_Punch_, _in posse_), looking fair, fresh, and pleasant, and more -resembling a smart Meltonian fresh from “the shires” and following the -brush across a grass country than a London Press-man just escaped from -the consumption of the midnight gas. To him, as one of the -“uninitiated,” we imparted our confidence, that he had better enjoy -himself in the pleasant circles of Dublin society, than set out on any -such “pig-shearing” expedition as the contemplated journey must in all -probability prove. - -Monday morning came, and we strolled down Dame Street. We were quickly -hailed by a car-driver, “Would we like jist a dhrive to Monkstown? -Shure an’ Mishter Mace is up there, at the Salt Hill hot-el, he is; -an’ there’s lots o’ gintry as he’s a shtrippin’ an’ showin’ hisself -to――shure I seen him mysilf through an open windy, yesterday marnin’; -an’ by the same token he a-runnin’ a quarter race like a shtag, an’ -batin’ his man, a rig’lar paydesthrian too. Will I dhrive yer hanner?” -Yes; but not to Monkstown. At this moment we were accosted by an old, -very old acquaintance, none other than the erewhile host of the “Blue -Boar’s Head,” Long Acre, a renowned English “paydesthrian,” -Drinkwater, better known in sporting circles by his alias of -“Temperance.”[39] This worthy relic of a better period and better men, -had been for some years located in the Irish capital, in a -confidential employment in an extensive commercial institution, and, -as he was among the curious, we mounted the jolting jaunting-car, and -away we went for Island Bridge. - -The scene here was curious, and quite novel to an English eye. Groups -of people, consisting of men with a large sprinkling of slatternly -women and barefoot children, were thickly scattered on the roads and -river-banks, while vehicles of every description, and some of no -possible description, rattled through the crowds amid cheers, shouts, -and now and then objurgations and cries from the assemblage. Hard by, -to complete the oddity of the picture, stood a squad of active, -good-looking, and apparently good-humoured constabulary, each carrying -his handy rifle-carbine and sword-bayonet, and all seemingly on the -best of terms with Paddy and Shelah, and the “gossoons” who formed the -holiday gathering. Making our way into the house we there found, that -though the much-talked-of Goold’s Cross was the appointed _champ -clos_, that not only was there, up to this time, no train or other -mode of conveyance thither even suggested, but that the “assembled -chiefs” were only about to discuss the nomination of a referee, as -provided by the articles. Had this matter been left to Harry Brunton -on behalf of Mace, and “Ould Nat” as the representative of Coburn, no -doubt that matter would have been quickly and amicably settled. That -this did not suit the “managers” was quickly apparent. We found a -meeting much resembling, on a smaller scale, a Yankee “caucus,” or an -assembly of French communards at Belleville, gesticulating, shouting, -swearing, and all talking at once, while in the midst our deaf friend, -Harry Brunton, Old Nat, Mr. Edwin James, and half a dozen Hibernian -amateur counsellors in vain tried to obtain a hearing. Finally, as -nothing could be done here, an adjournment took place to a more -private apartment. Here the squabble was renewed. For referee, after -various names had been assented to by Brunton and rejected by the -Coburn party, the latter declared, that they would fight under the -refereeship of no man but a certain Mr. Bowler, of Limerick, a person -utterly unknown to any one present, and of whom no one could certify -that he had the slightest acquaintance with the rules of the Ring, or -the duties of the office thus proposed to be thrust upon him. At this -time, too, it was truly reported that a body of 100 constabulary were -posted near Thurles, and that a man had been just arrested at Goold’s -Cross on suspicion that he was Coburn, who, however, was stated to be -safe at a place called Ballangella, twelve miles from Limerick. -Brunton now put his foot down in refusing the mysterious Mr. Bowler, -and as Messrs. James and Co. were equally obdurate, the dispute as to -whether _either_ party meant fighting went on until the clock struck -three, when the match, according to the articles, was actually _off_. -Hereupon Harry Brunton declared his intention of not trusting his man -to the forbearance of the Irish police, and, unless a fair referee -were agreed on, he would wash his hands of the whole affair and return -to England. Harry then left the house, and embarked on board the -Holyhead packet, Mace also leaving at nine o’clock. And now came the -concluding scenes of this Irish comedy. The Coburn clique loudly -proclaimed their intention of claiming the £900 in the hands of the -stakeholder. They would go down to Goold’s Cross――and they did so――and -then and there summon the “runaway” to meet their man. Resolved to see -out the farce, we took tickets. On the platform were a hundred -greencoats armed with carbines; and a ruddy-faced young rustic, whose -name proved to be Ryan, as unlike Mace as could be, having been -pointed out by some practical joker as Mace, was forthwith arrested as -the redoubted English champion, but soon set at liberty. The ring, -consisting of four posts and a rope, having been pitched at a place -called Pierstown, Kilmana, and the police being assured that there -being but _one_ man there could be no fight, stood laughing by, while -proclamation for the appearance of the English champion was made and -the stakes duly claimed, and so the curtain fell. - -The scene shifts to England, where the stakeholder, after innumerable -criminations and recriminations, declared “a draw” of the battle-money -by each party as the only possible verdict. Of course the Mace party, -and Harry Brunton especially, were seriously out of pocket by the -_fiasco_, in travelling, training, and other expenses, beyond the £100 -disbursed to Coburn and Co. The editor of _Bell’s Life_ thus sums up -the case:―― - - “Looking at the matter calmly and dispassionately, we are - led to think that Mace has been treated harshly. Of Coburn - we have formed this opinion, that he never had the slightest - intention of fighting; that he had not even trained; that he - was a mere instrument in the hands of others, and believed - the match would be turned to account by some trick of Yankee - juggling, without the peril of exposing his cutwater - countenance to the active props of Mace’s handy digits. - Taking the affair as a whole, it has been one of the - greatest and most fatal blows to pugilism within our memory, - and will tend more to estrange and disgust true patrons of - the Ring than any event of our time. We have not heard any - more appropriate name bestowed upon any great disappointment - than that invented by the sporting editor of the _Morning - Advertiser_, when he described the no-result as ‘the - collapse of a gigantic wind-bag.’” - -While on the subject of the Press, we cannot refrain from a pleasant -episode in relief of so much chicanery and knavery. - -No one can deny the native humour of our Irish fellow-countrymen, and -their keen sense of the ridiculous, hence some Irish wag turned this -affair of Mace and Coburn to laughable account. A certain portion of -the “unco’ guid” Puritan and eminently pious Catholic press of Dublin -was loud in its outcries of horror, and its denunciations of the -unhallowed incursion of “fighting men” into the peace-loving “island -of saints.” It called loudly for the strong arm of the law to preserve -intact the holy soil, miraculously cleared by St. Patrick, from a -renewed invasion of foreign “vermin.” Some sly wag (the hoax was -worthy of Theodore Hook himself) accordingly indited the following -“pastoral” from the Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin, which, being -forwarded to the leading Irish papers, found ready insertion and -approving editorial comment:―― - - “_Dublin, Feast of the Angel Guardians, 1864._ - - “VERY REVEREND BRETHREN,――My attention has been called by - some respectable gentlemen to a report now widely - circulated, that this city, or its vicinity, is to be made - the theatre of a signal combat between two foreign - pugilists, who are about to expose their lives to imminent - danger for a certain sum of money. This report must be the - subject of great regret to every one who is imbued with the - spirit of Christian charity, and who recognises in his - fellow-man the image of his Creator. It is not necessary for - me to call on you to use all your influence to preserve this - Christian country from an exhibition so disgraceful, and so - well calculated to degrade human nature. I shall merely - request of you to publish, as soon as possible, from your - altars, that such combats, in which human life is exposed to - danger, are prohibited under the severest penalties by the - Holy Catholic Church. Passing over the decrees of the - Council of Trent, it will be sufficient to state that the - learned Pontiff Benedict XIV. excommunicates the principal - actors in such fights, their seconds, and all who encourage - them, and all who designedly become spectators of such - unworthy scenes. If you denounce these penalties from the - altar I am confident that the faithful of this diocese, who - are so devotedly attached to Holy Catholic Church, and so - obedient to its laws, will listen with contempt to the - invitation of those who would implicate them in the misdeeds - of foreign gladiators, and will abstain from countenancing - or encouraging anything condemned by our holy religion, and - contrary to the dictates of the Gospel. - - “PAUL CULLEN.” - -The absurdity of the date of this “pastoral,” and the satirical retort -on Lord Lyndhurst’s celebrated speech, in which he characterised the -Irish as “aliens in blood, in language, and religion,” by describing -Mace and Coburn as “foreign gladiators,” might have aroused suspicion. -But no; with the godly, when they attack the wicked, _on fait flêche -de tout bois_; so the Puritan and Methodist prints actually praised -the anti-combatant zeal of the Cardinal, and the “pastoral” was -reproduced with approbation in a paper containing two savage -assaults――in one of which a man’s nose was bitten off――and four other -outrages of the “foinest pisanthry” with weapons, in two of which the -victims were left senseless and apparently dead! - -That the English newspapers took the hoax _au sérieux_ is hardly to be -wondered at, but the two following specimens, one ridiculing, the -other approving, the ingeniously fabricated “pastoral,” are really -worth preserving as curiosities of newspaper literature. - - - (From the _Manchester Guardian_, October 5, 1864.) - “THE ARCHBISHOP AND THE PUGILISTS. - “_To the Editor of the_ ‘EXAMINER’ AND ‘TIMES.’ - - “SIR,――I perceive from your journal of to-day that - Archbishop Paul Cullen has issued a pastoral to his clergy - against the great fight that was to have come off in - Ireland, in which country it is well known that fighting is - the very last thing the inhabitants ever resort to for the - settlement of differences. As the men are not going to - fight, there will be little difficulty in obeying the - injunction of Cardinal Paul. Had it been otherwise, I am - afraid a few of ‘the faithful’ would have been congregated - in the outer ring, and perhaps some few (who of course could - not read or had not read the Pastoral) might have got up - some little independent shindies of their own, even as young - buds surrounding the inner red roses, or noses. But are we - quite sure the Archbishop really alludes to the same thing - as we do? He describes the projected fight as between ‘two - foreign pugilists.’ Now I understand Mr. Coburn is not an - American, but an Irishman. Mr. Mace is undoubtedly from - Norwich; and although, in a certain sense, that Quaker, - crape-weaving city may be described as _in partibus - infidelium_, yet letters from Limerick to Norwich are not - yet forwarded _viâ_ Ostend. I fancy what the Archbishop - means is this, that in the case of real native - Irishmen――take the Belfast Catholics and Protestants, for - example――fighting could not possibly occur, and that he - wishes to show that only individuals ‘not to the manner - born’ could import so dangerous a custom or practice into - that peaceful land. A ‘foreigner’ from London or from Oldham - might possibly come to fisticuffs in the county of Wicklow, - but they would receive no countenance or encouragement from - the peace-loving natives, who, refusing to hold their hats - or coats, or to mop off any casual claret, would avert their - eyes, and, like the soldier in the song, ‘wipe away a tear.’ - I have no interest in the two persons called ‘foreigners’ by - the Archbishop, but I think in so designating them his - Eminence has administered a severer punishment than the - occasion required. I should not like to retort upon the - Archbishop or call my Irish fellow-citizens - ‘foreigners’――writing a paragraph for your journal, for - instance, to the following effect――‘Two foreigners, named - Dennis Blake and Patrick O’Rafferty, were brought before Mr. - Fowler for fighting in Deansgate. O’Rafferty, who spoke with - a strong foreign accent, said “Blake tould me, plaze yer - hannar, he’d jist bate the soul out o’ me in a brace of - shakes, an’ Oi――――” Mr. Fowler, “I’ve evidence enough. You - are ’aliens in blood, in language, and in religion”――I am - quoting an eminent jurist――and you must pay a fine of ――, or - go to prison.’ - - “It must, however, be a great consolation and relief to the - minds of Mr. Mace and Mr. Bos Tyler that the Archbishop - ‘passes over the decrees of the Council of Trent,’ and - merely throws the ‘learned Pope Benedict XIV.’ at their - heretic heads. It seems to me that one of the Pope - ‘Bonifaces’ would be more appropriate in a case of ‘pubs,’ - and prize-fighters, for a ‘stinger over the left.’ - - Faithfully yours, - “J. F. T. - “_Manchester, October 5, 1864._” - -An extract from that immaculate journal _The English Churchman_, -culminates the joke:―― - - - “THE ARCHBISHOP AND THE BOXERS. - - “‘No good thing is without its attendant evil,’ is a - platitude as old, at least, as the time of Lucretius. Old, - however, as it is, and platitude as it has become, it is a - truth, notwithstanding. The intercourse and intercommunion - of nations is an undoubted good. It has, however, we are - reminded, its repulsive as well as its attractive aspect. An - international Congress may be useful. International - Exhibitions, apart from the boastful self-sufficiency which - attends them, may be good. International Copyright is what - all authors sigh for, and we can even enjoy the noise and - bustle of an International Dog Show. We have, however, - advanced beyond this, and have within the last week only - barely escaped the disgrace of another International Prize - Fight. Amidst the dearth of political news; the stagnation - of home scandals; and the absence of our chief notabilities - from London, if not from England, Mr. Edwin James――the same - person, we presume, who so recently ‘left his country for - his country’s good,’ has sought to manufacture telling - paragraphs for newspaper editors by getting up an - International Prize Fight in the sister island.[40] Happily - for the character of Ireland, its police, jealous of all - fighting save amongst the native element, and with the - lawful and national weapon――the shillelagh――have prevented a - repetition of these scandalous scenes and gatherings; and - the English Champion has had to return to London _re - infecta_. With the squabbles of the would-be combatants and - their friends――with the recriminations of Yankee sharpers - and English blackguards, we have nothing to do. We leave the - patrons of the Ring to settle the important question of the - stakes among themselves. Nor are we about to try the - patience of our readers with either a defence or an attack - upon the immunities of the Prize Ring. What we desire to - chronicle is the worthy attitude assumed by the Roman - Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, who addressed the following - letter to the clergy within his jurisdiction. [The letter - will be found elsewhere.] This letter we gladly publish as - worthy of the position of the writer. If successful, as but - for an accident it might have been, it would have afforded - an encouragement to the author, as it will be a valuable - precedent to himself and to the rest of his brethren, and - will, we have no doubt, lead them to ‘announce’ the same - ‘penalties’ of excommunication against the midnight - assassin, watching to take the life of his landlord; so that - the pugilist and the hired murderer alike will before long - both be sought for in vain in the peaceful ‘Isle of the - Saints.’ With the fact of the publication of such a document - we are too gratified to attempt to cavil at its language. - The emphasis laid on the circumstance that Mace and Coburn - were two ‘_foreign_ pugilists,’ and that they were two - ‘_foreign_ gladiators,’ seams at first sight a covert way of - claiming the monopoly of fighting for the faithful and - non-alien portion of the community, and is hardly consistent - with the fact that one of the would-be combatants was born - in the county of Armagh, which is usually considered a part - of Ireland. We have, however, no doubt that these words, - though not literally correct, were judiciously thrown in by - the Archbishop, in order to enlist the patriotism and - national feeling of those to whom this letter was addressed, - and with the hope that those Irishmen who might be - indifferent to the wishes and orders of ‘Paul Cullen,’ would - readily follow the directions of the writer when they were - fortified by the belief that the two invaders of the - peace――the two gladiators――were, after all, only - ‘foreigners,’ and hence undeserving of the honour of an - Irish audience.” - -At the “settlement” of accounts――Messrs. James and Co., receiving a -cheque of £400――a funny little incident of modern practice oozed out. -Harry Brunton, among other liabilities, had made himself responsible -to a silk-mercer for Mace’s “colours,” and now asked to be reimbursed. -In olden times, when a pugilist distributed his colours, it was with -the honourable understanding, on the part of the recipient, that in -the event of victory the man should receive a guinea (subsequently a -“sov.”), and _nothing_ if he lost. This was the understanding; not as -a sale, but, as the newspapers say of correspondence, “as a guarantee -of good faith.” In modern times, however, as Molière’s _Quack Doctor_ -assures _Géronte_, “_Nous avons changé tout cela_,” and the gallant -and generous dispenser insists on the prepayment of a guinea――we -suppose “as a guarantee of good faith”――on the part of his patron. -Indeed, we do not see how he could safely do otherwise, as the looms -of Spitalfields and Coventry would hardly suffice to supply the -demands of silk kerchiefs on “a promise to pay,” while the deposit of -a sovereign each (not returnable), for a few dozen of handkerchiefs, -invoice price 5s. 6d., most have a certain consolation in case of a -draw or a lose. - -Accounts being squared, Mace, as he said “to clear his character,” -offered to fight Coburn anywhere in England for £100 or “on his own -terms.” Bill Ryall, Joe Goss, Jack Rooke, also, were all “ready to -meet Coburn.” The latter responded that he was ready to fight Mace, in -“any part of Her Majesty’s dominions in America, for £1,000, but not -in England _with a mob at his back_.” Brunton published a list of -Mace’s backers, “to whom their money had been returned;” a similar -document of the deposits made on behalf of Coburn might have proved a -curiosity. Our sole apology for treating at such length these later -doings is, that we look upon them as the concluding chapter in the -downfall of the Ring, and as the elucidation of a question often put -to us, “Do we consider its revival possible?” to which our reply has -uniformly been, “Not only not possible, but not even desirable; ‘other -times, other manners:’ its revival would be an anachronism.” Yet did -the old bull-dog spirit die hard, and several good battles were -contested in the years 1863-70. In November, 1864, a new big one, Joe -Wormald, claimed the Championship, when he was answered by another big -’un, hight Andrew Marsden. Mace sent forth a challenge to meet the -winner, who proved to be Wormald, who received the belt. The day of -battle was named for November 1, 1865, for £200 and the Championship; -but a severe accident disabling Wormald, Mace received the sum of £120 -forfeit. - -The year 1866, opened with another “train-swindle.” A second match -“for £200 and the belt” had been got up with Joe Goss, and Tuesday, -May 24th, appointed for its decision. About four hundred tickets -having been disposed of by industrious touting, at two guineas first -class, and £1 10s. 6d. second, the company started at half-past five -on the appointed morning, on “an excursion there and back,” as the -card-board expressed it. At 6h. 13m. we passed Farningham Road, and at -6h. 35m. slackened speed and disembarked at Longfield Court, near -Meopham, Kent, where a ring was formed, and after the customary -ceremonies, Jem Mace and Joe Goss――after much waiting for the police, -who came not――stood up face to face, at a respectful distance, for the -first and only round of the - - - NO FIGHT. - - Round 1.――Mace would not lead off, but nodded and - beckoned to Joe, who, however, declined his invitation - and nodded and grinned in return, squaring his elbows - and stepping first to right and then to left, in an - ungainly manner, but never trusting himself within what - Mr. Gladstone calls “a measurable distance” of a knock; - Mace, also, politely preserving an interspace in all - his manœuvres. As minute after minute dragged on, and - it was clear neither man meant to fight, the referee - stepped into the ring, and warned the men, unless blows - were struck he would declare “a draw.” The announcement - was received with the utmost indifference by both the - principal performers, who walked about during the - discussion, chafing their arms and breasts with their - hands, and exchanging recognitions with acquaintances - and friends. Again the men faced each other, and again - alternately advanced and retreated; fifty minutes, one - hour elapsed, and not a blow was struck. Again and - again did the referee remonstrate. He might as well - have “whistled jigs to a milestone.” At the end of 74 - minutes he leaped into the ring for the last time, and - amidst the laughter and hisses of the spectators, - declared it “a drawn battle;” whereupon the unscathed - gladiators shook hands, grinned, and put on their - clothes, Mace coolly informing us, that he had - “sprained his ankle severely a few days before,” and - that “he was not fit to fight;” though how that ensured - Goss’s forbearance was left unexplained. So all - returned to town――the sheep and their shearers. - - “Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” - -and so, in the hope of witnessing a fight at last, Mace signed -articles once again for £200, and to ensure that the men should get -closer together this time, a ring of 16 feet was agreed upon. In this, -on August 6th, 1866, Jem Mace displayed indisputable superiority by -giving Master Joe an exemplary beating in 21 rounds, occupying one -minute over the half-hour. - -The bubble of 1866-7 was the appearance of a new “Irish giant,” -standing 6 ft. 4½ in., first dubbed O’Baldwin, and afterwards Ned -Baldwin――a name familiar to Ring history. Having beaten one George -Iles, O’Baldwin claimed the belt, and Mace (who had retired) backed -“an Unknown” against him. This “Unknown” Mace afterwards declared to -be Joe Goss; but Mace having got into trouble over a battle between -Holden and Peter Moore, at Derby, and Joe injuring his shoulder in his -Bristol fight with Allen, Mace was allowed (for a consideration) to -name Joe Wormald in his stead, and to postpone the fight for a -fortnight, and yet farther to Saturday, 23rd April, 1867, so as not to -clash with the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes. Will it be believed that -300 persons travelled that morning by the South Eastern Railway to -find that “the Giant” had somehow mistaken the terminus, and by a -misdirection was sitting in a four-wheeler, doubled up like a -pocket-knife, under a dry arch in Tooley Street, while the special -steamed off without him, and so Joe Wormald received the £200 forfeit? - -To console the confiding public, Mace now offered himself to the -notice of O’Baldwin on the usual terms, to meet on October 15th, 1867. -The £400 was made good, and Jem was ordered from Newmarket, where he -was training, to Woodford, Essex, when it was communicated that the -officers were after him, and he crossed over into Surrey. Here, at -Herne Hill, he was arrested by Sergeant Silverton, of the Metropolitan -Police, together with Pooley Mace, his cousin, brought before Sir -Thomas Henry, at Bow Street, and duly bound over to keep the peace in -sureties of £300. At the examination, Inspector Hannan stated that the -tickets were, to his knowledge, sold at two, three, and four guineas. -So each man, as we were told next week, “drew his stake,” on the -ground of “magisterial interference.” Again Mace had retired, and Joe -Wormald being disabled by illness, O’Baldwin was left, like the Giant -Blunderbore, “King of the Castle.” The reader has already, in this -Memoir, had the opportunity of forming an opinion of the pugilistic -pretensions of Sam Hurst, “the Stalybridge Infant.” Yet Sam Hurst was -dragged from his obscurity, and it was thought a good thing might be -made of the _gobemouches_ by a Championship fight between the giants! -This was, however, too utterly preposterous, and it broke down. In -December, 1867, Joe Goss and Wormald were matched, which ended in a -forfeit, and Wormald, O’Baldwin, and Co. were announced as departing -for America! - -Here, in 1868, as we learn from the Transatlantic journals, Joe -Wormald and the prodigious O’Baldwin were matched “for 2,500 dollars -and the Championship of the World.” They met at Lynnfield, -Massachusetts, when, after a scramble of ten minutes in a single -round, the “sheriff and his merrie men” interfered and stopped further -proceedings. Thereafter, we are told, the “stakeholder having ordered -Wormald to renew the fight,” and he not complying, that functionary -handed the money to “the Irish champion,” a proceeding which, in the -words of Lord Dundreary, “no fellah can understand.” After returning -for awhile to England, Mace sailed for the Antipodes, and by the -latest accounts was a prosperous publican in Melbourne. - -Our tale is well-nigh told. In 1870, Jem Mace, being in America, met -Tom Allen for 2,500 dollars a side. They fought near New Orleans, on -May 10th, when Jem polished off the Birmingham bruiser in style in 10 -rounds, 44 minutes. - -As the design of “PUGILISTICA” is to supply a reliable and honest -history of the British Prize Ring and the deeds of its worthies, we -shall here drop the story of New World rowdyism. The Ring had finished -its career――had died in the country of its birth; its last expiring -flicker had sputtered out, and _exit in fumo_, exiled for its misdeeds -to a land where its true merits and principles never had an existence. -Having thus traced it to its ignominious end, we return, for a single -chapter, to the doings of Tom King, whom we have already styled -“_Ultimus Romanorum_.” - - - [34] See PUGILISTICA, vol. i., p. 33, _et seq._ - - [35] The career of Joe Goss shows that even in the last days - of its degeneracy the P.R. had brave men who would have gone - straight, had they not been warped from the direct course of - honesty by knaves who sought only to make the pugilist the - instrument of their own nefarious ends. Goss’s birthplace - was the file-making town of Wolverhampton, on the 16th of - August, 1838; and he made his _début_ at the age of - twenty-one, in a battle with Jack Rooke, of Birmingham, for - £25 a side, on the 20th September, 1859. His defeat of Rooke - in 1 hour and 40 minutes, after 64 sharp rounds, was a - promising first appearance, seeing that that boxer had - recently beaten Tom Lane――brother to the renowned “Hammer” - of that ilk. His next match was with Price, of Bilston, a 12 - stone man, who has been often confounded with Posh Price, of - Birmingham――also, at a subsequent period (1862) beaten by - Goss. This battle ended in a forfeit by Goss, he being - arrested at the instance of his father when going to scale, - November 9th, 1859. Joe was determined not to be baulked, - and at a meeting between himself and Price, the latter - offering to fight him for £10, as a solace for his - disappointment, the money was posted, and the men met on the - 10th of February, 1860, near Wolverhampton. Joe’s activity, - power of hitting, and fearless style soon brought his - opponent down to his own weight; and in the short space of - 25 minutes, in which 15 rounds were fought, Price was - consummately thrashed. Bodger Crutchley, who was in high - esteem for his victories over George Lane, Sam Millard, Bos - Tyler, Smith (of Manchester), and who had last fought Posh - Price a drawn battle (interrupted by the police), was Joe’s - next opponent. They met near Oxford, July 17th, 1860, for - £100 a side, when, after a gallant struggle of 120 rounds, - lasting 3 hours and 20 minutes, Goss was hailed the victor. - On September 24th, 1861, Joe met and defeated Bill Ryall, - for £50 a side, in 2 hours 50 minutes, during which 37 - tedious and shifty rounds were fought; and on the 11th of - February, 1862, Joe a second time faced Bill Ryall for £100 - a side (on the Home Circuit), for _three hours and eighteen - minutes_, when, as neither man could or would finish, the - referee declared “a draw.” This brings us to his battle with - Mace for £1,000, detailed above. On December 16th, 1863, - Goss entered the ring with Ike Baker for £100, whose - pretensions Joe disposed of in 27 rounds, lasting 80 - minutes, the punishment being all on one side. Joe’s next - two matches were defeats by Mace. On March 6th, 1867, Goss - was matched for £100 a side with Bill Allen, of Birmingham. - This was a remarkable muddle; after fighting 34 rounds in - three different rings, time inclusive 1 hour and 54 minutes, - darkness came on, and “a draw” was declared. Soon after - Allen sailed for America, landing at New York, July 21st. - Joe, who considered he had been treated unfairly, and robbed - of the fair reward of his milling superiority, followed him, - and, notwithstanding his voyage, issued his challenge to - Allen on the 8th of April, six days after his arrival. This - was promptly accepted, and the match made for 5,000 dollars - (£1,000), to be fought for on the 7th of September. We need - hardly remind the reader that the Irish newspaper Press of - the United States is in the hands of expatriated Irishmen, - whose buncombe and bombast is only exceeded by their - prejudice and ignorance. These worthies magnified the - contest into a battle for “the Championship,” but as Goss - had been two and a half times beaten by Mace, and Allen had - done nothing in England beyond drawing the stakes in a - forfeit with Posh Price, and failed to do the same in his - draw with Joe Goss, it would puzzle “a Philadelphia lawyer” - to know how this could be a “fight for the Championship of - the World,” except of Irish America, to which title they are - both welcome. The “Cincinnati Fight” ended by a “foul” blow, - Tom Allen hitting Goss when on the ground! _Sic transit_, - &c. - - [36] We need not say that this gentleman was not the - ex-recorder of Brighton, ex-member for Marylebone, and - ex-Q.C., who about this period had left this country for the - New World.――ED. - - [37] See Vol. I., Preface, pp. viii. and ix. - - [38] No doubt many of the weak-kneed brethren, the disciples - of a flabby, invertebrate pseudo-humanitarianism, will feel - surprised, if not scandalised, at this claim of Lord - Shaftesbury as a patron of pugilistic practice. His - lordship’s Christianity, however, has always been practical, - and of the order called “muscular.” Witness his gallant - successful efforts to emancipate the poor little white - slaves in our factories by his glorious Ten Hours Bill, and - other humane legislation――legislation, let it never be - forgotten, opposed by John Bright and the Gradgrind social - reformers of the doctrinaire and politico-economical kidney. - The friend and benefactor of the Street Arab, the Shoe - Black, and the founder of Ragged Schools bore outspoken - testimony of his admiration of boxing only a few weeks since - in a speech at Exeter Hall, at the Young Men’s Christian - Association, wherein he recommended sparring with the gloves - as a gymnastic exercise of high value, and recalled, at - eighty years, the days when he was himself accounted no mean - antagonist, and “reckoned a good boxer among those who were - judges of the art.” His style was worthy of a Homeric - hero――a Nestor of the Ring. - - [39] Some who remember “old times” and “the Kentish Town - match,” may like to hear that on his annual visit to - England, in December last, we smoked a pipe and recalled - faded scenes and memories over a cheerful glass with - “Temperance” Drinkwater; his activity, mental and bodily, - being phenomenal for a man in his 77th year.――ED. - - [40] The clerical Editor’s “presumption” is equal to his - gullability. We have already pointed out that these - gentlemen are “two Dromios.”――ED. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -TOM KING (CHAMPION). - -1860-1862. - - -The brief history of the last legitimate champion of the British P.R. -is, in many respects, a consoling contrast and relief to the -chicanery, trickery, and moral or physical cowardice which marked the -“latter-day” professors of pugilism, and their yet more disreputable -and despicable patrons. If Tom King fell short in scientific -attainments and the intuitive fighting gifts which were so conspicuous -in Tom Sayers, Tom Spring, Jem Belcher, Dan Mendoza, John Jackson, and -Tom Johnson, he nevertheless exemplified through his brief but bright -pugilistic career the boldness, honesty, and fairness which are the -accompaniments of true courage; and, whether winner or loser, won or -lost upon his merits. - - [Illustration: TOM KING (CHAMPION), 1863. - _From a Photograph._] - -Tom King first saw the light on the 14th of August, 1835, in Silver -Street, in the “maritime district” of Stebonheath, or Stepney; an East -London parish in which, by an ancient popular tradition, all children -born on the high seas have their “settlement.” Among the amphibious -population of this region of docks, wharfs, stairs, and jetties, Tom’s -earlier days were passed, and here, with “a brother Tham,” he grew in -due time to the stature of six feet two inches in his stockings, and -the weight of twelve stone and some odd pounds; as active and straight -and “pretty a piece of man’s flesh” as a recruiting sergeant ever cast -eyes on, and tempted with the “Queen’s shilling” to become a bold -dragoon or a stately grenadier. But Tom’s inclination by birth, -parentage and education, was all towards “the sister service,” and at -an early age he was a “sailor bold” on board of one of Her Majesty’s -ships. In this capacity he made a voyage to the coast of Africa, and -subsequently another in a trading vessel. On his return his good -conduct and character obtained him a position as foreman of labourers -at the Victoria Docks, and here, among a very rough class of fellows, -Tom, though a giant in stature, and of the mild behaviour which so -often accompanies size and strength, could not escape insult. In fact, -our hero, instinctively brave, exemplified the wise precept of -Laertes’ father:―― - - “――――Beware - Of entrance to a quarrel; but, being in, - Bear it that th’opposed may beware of thee,” - -and so soon found some of the long-shore men who presumed on Tom’s -easy temper and mildness of manner. The mode in which, on one -particular occasion, he disposed of a half-drunken bully, known in -Wapping by the odd nickname of “Brighton Bill,” whose pugnacious -propensities and violence had made him a sort of standing terror to -his fellow-labourers, got quickly noised abroad, and coming to the -ears of Jem Ward, who at this time kept the “George,” in his old -quarter of Ratcliffe Highway, the ex-champion sought him out. The pair -were quickly on friendly terms, and the scientific Jem, after a few -trials of the youngster’s quality with the gloves, in which he quickly -perceived the excellent material, in pluck and good temper, he had to -work upon, introduced King to some staunch patrons of boxing. Hereupon -a notification was published early in 1860, that “’Jem Ward’s big -’un,’ who had never fought in the P.R.,” could be matched for £50 a -side against any comer “catch weight.” Of course this modest price was -utterly beneath the notice of modern P.R. professors, who condescended -to nothing less than five hundreds and thousands, or――save the -mark――five thousands and ten thousands when they came to reckon in -dollars. So nobody nibbled at the chance, save one Clamp, of Newgate -Market, who had fought and won a battle in the London Ring, in -October, 1857. A friend of Clamp’s, calling on Jem, posted a “fiver” -on his man’s behalf; but, being of an inquisitive turn, Mr. Clamp -presented himself at Ward’s sparring saloon, being personally unknown, -and put on the gloves, as a casual customer, with the “young sailor.” -The result being a “receipt in full” in a single round, the “fiver” -was quickly forfeited, Mr. Clamp retired from the public gaze, and Tom -was again adrift without an engagement. - -As our hero’s fame was principally spread among long-shore men and -“the Salts,” Tommy Truckle, of Portsmouth, found friends to back him -for a trial with “Jem Ward’s big ’un.” Truckle’s local fame in -disposing of dockyarders and fighting “blues” at the great naval port -and arsenal was good, and the £50 a side was duly tabled, November -27th, 1860, being the day of battle. King on this occasion was placed -by Mr. Richardson, who became his money-finder in the later deposits, -under George Woody, the trainer, at Mr. Lyon’s, the “White Hart,” -Romford. The “Young ’un” had certainly an alacrity in making flesh, -for we were assured by Woody, that when he took him in hand, he drew -all 14 stone; but that such was his docility and steady determination -in training that he had him down in four weeks to 12st. 10lbs. with -great improvement in stamina and activity. Tommy Truckle, a hardy -fellow, seemed always in condition at about 12st. but fought at 11st. -6lbs., and his 5ft. lOin. of stature seemed long enough for anything. -He trained at Portsmouth, under the watchful eye of George Baker. On -this occasion Truckle started from Mr. Tupper’s “Greyhound,” Waterloo -Road, and his colours, a black kerchief with puce and gold border, -seemed to be pretty liberally taken by his friends. An early morning -trip per rail conveyed the travellers to the water-side, below bridge, -where a steam tug was in waiting, by which the principals and their -friends were conveyed to the Kentish marshes, where a good ring was -quickly formed by Fred Oliver and Co., a large accession of spectators -arriving by another tug and numerous row boats. - -On the men entering the ring, King being first to show, they were -warmly greeted; King being attended by Jem Mace (then called the -“coming Champion”) and William Richardson; while Truckle was waited on -by Bob Travers (the Black) and Walker, of Stony Stratford. King, who -had completed his toilette long before his opponent, whose boots -seemed to give great trouble, loomed large as he walked about -enveloped in a rug, until, the word being given, Truckle stood up, and -King, throwing away his blanket and stripping off his under shirt, -displayed a bust and general figure which surprised and delighted his -partisans. Truckle, when stripped, looked small and somewhat stale, -though hardy and resolute, as he confronted the youthful and -symmetrical giant. - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――As the men stood face to face King looked the pink of - condition, and not only did he stand over Truckle, but his - attitude was decidedly the more artistic and unconstrained. - Truckle stood firmly, his left well out, and his right fore arm - covering the mark, so that there was little of the novice in his - position. Both men seemed anxious to begin work, and manœuvred in - and out when after a few offers on each side, they mutually - stepped back, looked earnestly at each other and rubbed their - arms. King threw up his hands and advanced, when Truckle cleverly - propped him with the left flush in the nose, and drew the - carmine. (Cheers, and “first blood for Truckle.”) King again - stepped in, and this time got home us right a sounder on - Truckle’s ribs, when Truckle got away and down. - - 2.――Each sparred for an opening. Truckle feinted and tried to - draw the Young’un, but it was no go. King smiled and shook his - head. Exchanges: Truckle on King’s neck, while, on getting near, - King again visited Truckle’s ribs a sounder. Truckle, in trying - to get back, slipped, but recovering himself, closed, when King, - weaving away, fought Truckle clean through the ropes in his own - corner. - - 3.――As yet little mischief was done on either side, and on coming - up each man eyed his opponent confidently. After sparring and - manœuvring a bit, each trying to find a weak point in his - adversary’s defence, Truckle broke ground and retreated, King - boldly following him step by step, when Truckle sent in his left - at King’s drinking fountain, which at once answered with a - crimson spurt; King, without a check, delivered his right sharply - on Truckle’s head, and down went the Portsmouth hero; a sort of - staggering fall. - - 4.――On coming to the call of “Time,” Truckle’s left daylight - seemed to have a half shutter up. After some rather pretty - sparring, Truckle tried his left, which was neatly stopped by - King, amidst some applause; the next moment the Young’un let go - both hands straight as a dart, visiting Truckle’s kissing and - olfactory organs with a one, two, which tapped the homebrewed - copiously. Again he invested on Truckle’s left ear with the right - in a heavy exchange, and bored Truckle down in the hitting at the - ropes. - - 5.――Truckle came up bleeding from nose and mouth, and some - sparring took place for position, the sun shining brightly in - King’s face. They, however, soon got together, Truckle leading - off, and getting his left on to King’s mouth, inflicting a cut on - his lower lip, which compliment the Young’un returned by another - crack on the left listener, which was also cut, and the - Portsmouth man found his way to grass in a hurry. (7 to 4 on - King.) - - 6.――Truckle, first to the scratch, led off, but was short; King - went in with both hands, and Truckle fell on both hands and one - knee, looking up at King, laughingly; it was a bid for a “foul,” - but “no go,” as King withheld his hand, nodded, and walked away - to his corner, amidst applause. - - 7.――A very short round. King, as soon as his man faced him, let - go both hands, which alighted heavily on Tommy’s cheekbone and - kissing-trap, and Truckle went down to escape a repetition of the - dose. (2 to 1 on King.) - - 8.――After a short spar the men rushed to a close, embraced, and - Truckle tried to bring his man over. He did not succeed, for King - shifted his hold and threw him. - - 9.――Both up together, when King cleverly ducked his head aside, - and avoided Truckle’s left, then rushed to a close, during which - he administered some rib-roasters to his adversary’s corpus, and - ended by throwing him cleverly, not, however, without getting - some sharp half-arm punches about the head and body from the - Portsmouth man’s busy right. - - 10.――The fighting had up to this time been unusually fast for big - ones, yet both were active and spry as ever. King went to his man - resolutely, and after two or three exchanges with little attempt - at stopping, Truckle went down, King standing over him. - - 11.――King seemed determined to give his opponent scant - breathing-time. No sooner was he at the scratch than he went - across the ring, and let go both mauleys on his man’s _os - frontis_, who slipped down at the ropes. - - 12.――Truckle popped his left sharply on King’s peeper as he came - on; King immediately closed, and tried to get on the lock, but - Tommy slipped through his hands, and was on the grass. (18 - minutes only to these 12 rounds.) - - 13.――King’s left came in contact with the left side of Truckle’s - knowledge-box. Tommy retorted on King’s mouth, but next moment - went down with a flush hit on the forehead, falling partly by his - own consent. - - 14.――Tommy short with his left, when King measured him and - dropped his right, a wax melter on his man’s left auricular, - which was already badly swollen. In the close both were down side - by side. This was the first time, as yet, that King had measured - his six foot length on the ground. - - 15.――King, who had certainly been making all the fighting, seemed - a little blown, as they sparred for a few seconds, and Truckle - feinted with the left; King once again got on a rattler on - Tommy’s nob, and Truckle got down. (An appeal was made to the - referee, that the Portsmouth man had fallen without a blow, but - the fiat was “Fight on.”) - - 16.――Good counter-hits. King on the side of the brain-pan with - his right; Truckle on King’s forehead, raising a visible bump. - The men closed, when King forced Truckle down. (Some confusion, - and a cry of “Police.” It was a false alarm.) - - 17.――King got home his left on Truckle’s mazzard. Truckle rushed - to an embrace and seized King round the waist, but he could not - throw him, and got down without harm on either side. - - 18.――King first at the mark. Truckle sparring, tried his left, - but, as usual, was short. King avoided Truckle’s second delivery - by throwing his head aside, caught Tommy on the ribs, and the - Portsmouth man got down somehow. - - 19.――King with the left on the mark, and the right on the jaw, - received two ineffective returns. Truckle slipped on his knees - and hand, and looked up as if expecting a “foul,” but the blow - was not delivered. - - 20-28.――Similar in character, except that King twice threw - Truckle. - - 29.――King got twice on to Truckle’s head, whose returns were wild - and ineffective. (Another appeal on Truckle’s style of getting - down. “Fight on,” was the renewed order.) - - 30-40.――Of similar character. More than one appeal from King’s - umpire, but disallowed. Truckle receiver-general, and apparently - getting more and more “abroad” in each succeeding round. - - 41.――Truckle game as a pebble, but without a chance of turning - the tide of battle; King hit Truckle so sharply on the ivories - that he drew a fresh supply of Chateau Margaux, and Tommy fell as - if shot. - - 42-47.――King strong and fresh; Truckle sinking under repeated - doses of punishment; in the last-named round King hit poor Tommy - clean off his feet with the right hand. “Take him away;” but - Tommy refused to strike his colours, and came up for Round - - 48.――When the Young’un sent him to grass with a right-hander on - the jaw. Still he would come again for Round - - 49, and last.――As Tommy stood at the scratch, in a somewhat - puzzled condition, King dropped into him left and right, which - brought Truckle forward. His head came against King’s cranium - with some force, and Truckle immediately saluted his mother - earth. George Matthison, who was one of Truckle’s backers, here - stepped into the ring and, by consent of Tommy’s seconds, threw - up the sponge, as his man had not the remotest chance of winning. - King was accordingly hailed the winner of this hard-fought battle - after a bustling contest of one hour and two minutes. - - REMARKS.――There was but one opinion on both sides, that, for - novices, both men had acquitted themselves in a first-rate - manner. King is undoubtedly the finest made young fellow it has - been our lot to behold for many a long day. He is, in our - opinion, far finer and more symmetrical in frame than Heenan, not - being so clumsily legged as the Yankee Champion, and his weight - (ordinarily 12st. 12lbs.) more proportionately distributed; and - we cannot help thinking, if ever they should come together (and - it is reported that Heenan challenges the belt) that our “novice” - is just the sort of man to give a good account in a passage of - arms with that redoubtable and over-boasted gentleman. King does - not use his left in leading off, as more practised pugilists do, - but that is a fault he has full time to amend, and as his pluck, - endurance and presence of mind, seconded by undebauched wind and - a fine constitution, were fully demonstrated in this trial, we do - not know where to look for his master. Throughout the battle the - Young’un behaved in the most manly manner, refusing to fall on - his antagonist on several occasions, when he had clearly the - right to do so, and resisting the temptation to deliver a blow, - though sorely provoked by his opponent’s shifty getting down. - Truckle has little pretensions to science; but is a rough and - ready fighter. It must be admitted that, from the first round to - the last, he tried his utmost to get a turn in his favour, but - was overmatched and outfought at all points. His friends must - have been satisfied that he only succumbed to a superior man in - all respects, and then only when nature could do no more. A - subscription for the beaten man was collected on the spot by the - winner, which was added to at the giving up of the stakes. King - exhibited on the following Monday night, at the Rotunda, - Blackfriars Road, at Tom Paddock’s benefit (after the latter’s - defeat by Sam Hurst), showing but trifling marks of his recent - encounter. - -Early in 1861, there was much tall talk of a match with Heenan, whose -intention of returning to England and claiming the championship from -Sam Hurst, the holder of the new belt, was loudly boasted, but all -ended, as it had begun, in mere talk. - -The tough and gallant Harry Poulson, of Nottingham, was proposed as a -competitor, and articles were signed in February, to fight for £100 a -side, May 23rd being fixed for the encounter, and £12 a side posted; -but the backers of the veteran Harry took second thoughts, and at the -second deposit (of £20) failed to put in an appearance, and King -pocketed the forfeit. - -After the defeat of Sam Hurst by Jem Mace, King lost no time in -challenging the new champion, for the “regulation stake” of £200 and -the belt, which trophy had been duly handed over by Hurst to the -stakeholder. A match with Young Broome, however, intervened, and came -off in October, the championship battle being fixed so far forward as -January 31, 1862. - -Of the way in which the Ring, even when the Championship itself was -involved, was made subservient to the quackery of benefit gaggery, the -puffery of the Circus, and the gobemoucherie of the gaping rustics and -sightseekers, the following from a leading contemporary sporting paper -will show:―― - - “The deposit this week of £15 a side, making £130 a side - down, was duly posted yesterday, and another of like amount - must be staked on Friday next. The big event for the belt - does not excite much interest, from the fact of the Young - Big’un (King) having a previous engagement with Wm. Broome - (Young Evans), on the issue of which, we need hardly say, - must rest his claim as a competitor for the belt and its - contingent honours. Young King, we can say, is taking every - care of himself for the approaching encounter. Jem Mace is - still starring it in the provinces with Pablo Fanque’s - circus, but on Monday week he will re-appear in one of his - superior qualifications at Birmingham, he having matched - himself to run ten miles within the hour for a bet of £100 - to £50, on Monday week, Oct. 21st. The ex-champion, Tom - Sayers, we are informed, has also entered into business on - his own account as a circus proprietor, having bought (?) - the three well-known circuses, including Messrs. Howe and - Cushings’, and Jem Myers’s Great American Circus (!). Tom - intends commencing his tour this day, &c., &c., &c.” [We - omit the rest of the “gag.”] “Mr. Edwin James (not the - Q.C.), a New York gentleman, called at our office on - Wednesday last, immediately after his landing, and informed - us that, owing to the war, business is almost at a dead - standstill in the United States; nevertheless, J. C. Heenan, - the gallant competitor of Sayers, is driving a lucrative - trade in his profession (?). Heenan repudiates the fulsome - praises of himself and the absurd tirades against Sayers - inserted in several of our Transatlantic contemporaries.” - -To return to the “trial fight” between Young King and William Evans -(known as Young Broome), which came off on Monday, October 21st, 1861, -on a spot not far from where the International Contest was left -undecided in 1860, we may say, in partial contradiction of our -quotation, that there was a lively interest in pugilistic circles, -whether “a line” could not be drawn from the event as to the -capabilities of the “Novice” to wrest the laurel from the brow of the -scientific Jem Mace. Immediately after the match was made King was -placed under the fostering wing of Nat Langham, who took him out of -town, and placed him at Tom Salter’s, “The Feathers,” at Wandsworth, -where he had the combined advantages of the river and the road, and -from time to time the preceptorship of “Ould Nat” in imparting -“wrinkles” from his own practical experience. His walking and rowing -exercises were carefully superintended by John Driver, and the -condition of King was a credit alike to himself and his trainer. - -We must here devote a paragraph to the boxer who was thought good -enough to risk 50 sovs. and expenses upon, as a “trial horse” for -Young King. - -William Evans (whose Ring alias was “Young Broome”) was born in -August, 1836, stood 5 feet 10 inches, and, on this occasion, weighed -11st. 2lb. He had fought twice before in the P.R.――viz., with a -gentleman of colour, called Kangaroo, whom he defeated, for £15 a -side, 18 rounds, 30 minutes, down the river, on March 13, 1858. He -next fought and beat Tom Roberts, for £25 a side, in 30 rounds, 50 -minutes, down the river. He afterwards received £10 forfeit from -Tyson, who could not get to weight; and £10 forfeit from Joe M’Gee; -but, on the other hand, forfeited £10 to Joe Goss. Young Broome, -having expressed a depreciatory opinion of King’s pugilistic -capabilities, and finding some friends who shared his views, -challenged the Young One to fight at catch-weight for £50, which was -accepted, and Broome, after getting his patrons to rally round him, -went to train at Mr. Packwood’s, the “Boileau Arms,” Hammersmith -Bridge, at that time weighing about 13st., which bulk was reduced by -hard work to 11st. 2lb. Dando, the well-known trainer of Tom Paddock, -looked after Broome, and most certainly did his duty to his man. Alec -Keene had the management of Broome, who showed the night previous to -the fight at the “Three Tuns,” Moor Street, Soho, from which he took -his departure in the morning. - -There was but little betting on the event, only a few speculations -being made at 2 to 1 on King. A very early hour was arranged for the -departure, which was made from London Bridge with unusual quietness -and absence of bustle; and, after a pleasant trip by rail over about -sixty miles of ground, by no means in a direct line, a spot was found -in the county of Surrey fit for the amusement. No time was lost in the -ring being formed, by Fred Oliver and assistants, when Broome was the -first to throw in his cap, attended by a well-known retired pugilist, -and Bob Travers. King quickly followed suit, with Joe Phelps and Bos -Tyler as his attendants. As both parties meant business, the referee -was quickly chosen, and the colours tied to the stake, Broome sporting -a salmon-coloured handkerchief, with a narrow magenta stripe and -border, for his flag. King had for his standard a chocolate -handkerchief, with white, blue, and yellow lozenge, and blue border. -During the progress of the toilets of the men, a large number of the -neighbouring farmers and gentry assembled on horseback, and, -altogether, the gathering was of a superior order. The ring was well -kept by Billy Duncan, the P.B.A. Inspector, assisted by Young Shaw, -Tom Paddock, and Dan Collins. At length, all the preliminaries having -been arranged, the men stood up at 9h. 44min. for - - - THE FIGHT. - - Round 1.――King was, of course, the first to attract the - eye of the _cognoscenti_, and his condition was - immediately a moot point, many, who are by no means bad - judges, stating that he was some pounds too heavy; - while others thought that he was in very good trim, but - no doubt without the polish which could have been shown - had his finishing touch been given by a first-rate - proficient. As King placed himself in attitude, his - commanding height showed to great advantage, while the - free play of his shoulders and arms indicated that, - whatever artistic skill he might be deficient in, still - there was propelling power sufficient to compete with a - greater amount of _talent_ than was generally credited - to his opponent. The Young’un certainly exhibited a - wide spread of shoulder, combined with great - development of the muscles on the back; his chest well - arched, showing that there is plenty of room for the - play of his lungs when in work; his loins are rather - narrow, while his legs are worthy the proportions of - the upper part of his frame. His attitude was very - erect, his right hand well across his chest, and the - left well advanced, but low. Young Broome looked, in - comparison, small, but, on scanning his proportions, a - great amount of power could be discovered in the - muscles, which stood out fairly developed, each as - sharply defined as in an anatomical study. His attitude - was rather stiff, with the left well in front, but with - no forcible action, the position of the right rather - showing a determination for mischief with that weapon. - The way in which Broome stood as he sparred, prepared - the spectators for an exhibition of “trotting,” of - which they were most pleasingly disappointed. No time - was lost in sparring, for, both being in the mind for - serious business, hostilities were commenced at once, - by King getting close to Broome and feinting with his - left, but Broome was “wide oh,” and got out of danger. - Broome, who was more than eager, dashed his left at the - head, but, in consequence of his great hurry, he was - short. King, who would be busy, got his left fairly on - the front of Broome’s head, receiving on the chest. - This led to good exchanges, in which both fought very - last, until Broome went down. - - 2.――On time being called Broome came up first, amidst - the cheers of his friends, who were taken by surprise - at his cleverness in avoiding punishment. King, who - appeared determined to finish the affair off-hand, went - straight to his opponent, who, nothing loth, met him, - and they fought right and left with both hands, King - getting well on the nose and forehead, Broome landing - on the chest and neck, the “pepper-box” being freely - handed from one to the other. This bout was finished by - Broome getting to close quarters, when King picked him - up in his arms, and by sheer strength threw him, after - a good struggle, and fell upon him. - - 3.――Both came up piping when time was called; - nevertheless, they commenced as soon as they were - within distance by right and left deliveries, Broome - getting fairly on to King’s neck and forehead; King - delivering his left on the nose and jaw; Broome getting - his left on the neck heavily, grazing the skin and - drawing the blood. King at the same time landing his - left on Broome’s forehead, made the first event (first - blood) equal. They then closed, and exchanges took - place until Broome went to grass. - - 4.――As Broome came up, the effects of the blow - delivered by King upon his forehead were very apparent, - there being a lump with a cut, while King had his right - cheek and chest flushed. Broome, who evidently thought - he had only to go in and win, fought very fast, which - tactics met the ideas of the candidate for the - championship, for they fought furiously with both - hands, until Broome was knocked down by a right-hander - on the jaw. The quick fighting that had taken place, - and the eagerness of the combatants, can be well - explained by stating that the time occupied in the four - rounds was only four minutes. - - 5.――Broome, who appeared to have had the worst of the - previous round, came up smiling, and, in point of fact, - forced the fighting by leading off with his left at the - head, which was rendered ineffective by King getting - home with his left on the nose. This brought on some - heavy exchanges with both hands, King getting well on - the forehead and nose, receiving on the chest and cheek - until they got to the ropes, where the same tactics - were pursued until they closed, when King proved - himself much the stronger man, as he picked up Broome, - and, after a short struggle, threw him, landing his - right on the chest as Broome fell. - - 6.――When time was called, both came up with a - determination to settle the matter “off-hand,” which - was evident from the manner in which rapid exchanges - were delivered on both sides. King landed his mauleys - on the nose, forehead, and right ear; Broome getting - well on the cheek and chest twice, and falling from the - force of his own blow at the finish. - - 7.――Both were blowing as they left their seconds’ - knees; nevertheless, the game was kept alive by their - simultaneously delivering their left on the face and - chest, King having the best of the exchanges. Broome - missed a couple of well-intended right-handers, for - which mistakes he was fought down, after a good rally. - - 8.――The same tactics were pursued as in the previous - rounds, the right and left exchanges being of the same - character. Broome, after breaking away, got his right - on King’s jaw twice, steadying the rush of the “big - ’un,” who reached Broome’s forehead with his right. - This forced a rather wild rally, in which King missed - one or two well-intended shots with the left. Broome, - who got on a right-hander on the forehead, fell from - the force of his own blow. - - 9.――Broome, who was first up, was blowing very freely, - and had a cut on the left eyebrow. King had no - prominent mark, with the exception of his right cheek - being slightly swelled. No time was lost in sparring, - for they commenced proceedings as soon as they met. - Both being eager for work, they closed, and some fast - and wild exchanges took place, Broome getting on the - cheek and forehead, King on the nose and cheek; they - then closed, and after a short struggle, were down side - by side. - - 10.――The equal fighting of the previous round had - decidedly roused the energies of both, as they missed - their first deliveries, being too eager to get on. On - steadying themselves they countered neatly with the - left, Broome getting upon the cheek, but King more - effectively on the nose. Broome, who was determined to - make the pace good, tried to land his right twice, but - without avail, getting at the third attempt on King’s - neck, who retaliated by sending his left on Broome’s - nose; the latter hit out at a venture with his right, - which reached the side of King’s head, and Broome went - down rather suspiciously from the “wind” of King’s - right hand. - - 11.――No sooner were the opponents at the scratch than - they commenced proceedings by countering with the left - flush on the front of the head, after which King got - his left on the cheek; Broome, in retaliation, sent his - left on the jaw, and popped his right under the left - eye. Exchanges followed, in which King proved himself - the stronger by forcing Broome down in his own corner. - - 12.――Broome was first up, and as King faced him, took - the initiative by leading off with his left, which was - rather short, landing on the chest. King, who was - equally eager to try conclusions, rushed in, delivered - a couple of heavy blows on the nose and shoulder, - receiving a right-hander on the forehead, a left ditto - on the cheek, which was followed by Broome delivering a - fair smack with the right on the eye, which forced King - backward against the ropes. (Offers to take 7 to 4 that - Broome would prove the winner.) - - 13.――Broome, when time was called, came up bleeding - from the cut under the eye, administered in the - previous bout, but, nothing loth, met King with great - determination, and, both being equally bent upon - mischief, the exchanges which took place were wildly - delivered, until they closed, when Broome twisted King - off his legs, who, nevertheless, was uppermost when - they reached the ground. - - 14.――Both again eager, were up on time being called; - King showing with a lump on his cheek, which was open - under the left eye; Broome had his nose sadly out of - shape and his forehead swelled. No time was lost in - sparring, each commencing by sending out his left, and - each missing from over impetuosity. Broome, who tried - his left and missed, got down cleverly. - - 15.――This round was remarkable for the quickness of the - exchanges, both getting it on the head and chest. When - they closed, King held Broome by sheer strength, and - got on his right three times, twice on the nose and - forehead, and the third time on the shoulder. King - stumbled against the stakes, and Broome went down. - - 16.――This round was commenced by each sparring for - wind, King putting his hands down and walking round the - ring. Broome, who was advised by his seconds to force - the fighting, went to work resolutely, got his left - well on the mouth, catching it in return on the nose. - He, nothing daunted, rushed in, and got his right on - the cheek, then fell, apparently from the force of his - own blow. - - 17.――A cry that the police were coming was raised, and - both men being confident and eager to settle the - business, they commenced by delivering counters on the - eye and nose, which led to exchanges at close quarters, - Broome receiving on the nose, King having one on the - same spot――“a hot ’un.” This stirred the Young One up, - and he sent his right straight on the mark, Broome - planting in return on the cheek. They then closed, and - some very heavy exchanges took place, Broome twice - visiting King’s head, but not heavily, while King, who - was very busy, planted his left between the eyes, - cutting to the bone, then taking hold of Broome, he - delivered three straight right-handers nearly on the - same spot, and Broome was eventually fought down. - Twenty minutes. - -The alarm of the arrival of the police was now realised. Several of -the county blues appeared at the ring side, but were waiting orders -from their superiors, who had not kept pace with them. The men and -seconds skedaddled from the ring, and the spectators moved off. They -passed across the border of the county, and there the attentive escort -left them. In twenty minutes after, as this invasion was unexpected, a -ring was formed in a retired spot, and at half-past ten the men were -in position for - - - THE RENEWED FIGHT. - - ROUND 18.――On the men again appearing, Broome had his - nose strapped with a bit of adhesive plaster, his mouth - was swelled, and his left eye discoloured. King had his - jaw swelled, and a cut beneath his left eye; but seemed - as strong as at the commencement. Broome, who still - looked confident, commenced the proceedings by leading - off with his left at the head, getting it on the nose - in return. This led to exchanges, both delivering - heavily on the head and chest, until Broome was fought - down in his own corner. - - 19.――King came up with alacrity, and commenced - proceedings by planting his left on the sore spot, - receiving on the forehead. Broome succeeded in planting - his left on the cheek and neck, receiving some heavy - returns on the nose and right ear, and was finally - fought down at the ropes. - - 20.――The battle from this time took a decided turn in - favour of King, who, notwithstanding the pace at which - they had been fighting, was as fresh as at the - beginning of the battle. Broome, who was suffering from - repeated visitations on the nose, tried all he could to - turn the tables, but without avail, as, on his forcing - the fighting, King hit him away; and notwithstanding - all the left-hand visitations of Broome, succeeded in - delivering severe right and left blows; the round was - concluded by King knocking down Broome with a - right-hander on the jaw. - - 21-30.――The fighting in these rounds was of precisely - the same character; notwithstanding all the game and - determined efforts of Broome, who never at any time - flinched, and in several instances surprised his - backers and the spectators by the manner in which he - struggled against the fate, which, though slowly, was - surely declaring against him. In the last of these - rounds Broome tried to get away from the repeated - visitations of King, and cleverly slipped him; but King - followed him closely, and finally knocked him down with - the right. Time in the second ring, fourteen minutes. - - 31.――Broome, as game as man could be, came up bleeding - from the cut on the nose, and with his ears much - swelled from the blows administered by King, who had - few marks except some red patches on the ribs and - shoulders, and the left eye nearly closed. - Notwithstanding the punishment Broome had received, he - persevered to turn the tables, and met the determined - onslaught of King as well as he was able. It was - evident at this time that his (Broome’s) left hand was - going or gone, as he several times gave his head in an - attempt to bring the battle off in his favour by a - cross-counter with the right. King forced the fighting, - and some good exchanges took place in favour of King, - who, after a spirited rally, fought Broome down. - - 32-34.――The same tactics were displayed by both - opponents, King, now by far the stronger man, forcing - the fighting as fast as he could, and the seconds of - Broome sending him up to fight, knowing that it was - only a matter of time, unless their man could land the - victory by an accident This he most strenuously - endeavoured to do by getting his right on the jaw; but - King bored Broome down in each round until the 34th, - when Broome landed his right on the temple, which - staggered King, who fell on his knees. - - 35.――Broome, who came up resolutely, but weak, met the - rush of King with great determination, but was, as - before, the chief recipient of the punishment. His left - hand could not be administered with effect; - nevertheless, he closed, and, after a good rally at the - ropes, threw King, but not heavily. - - 36.――The cheers and encouragement given to Broome, as - he came up, had decidedly nettled King, for, the - instant he had left his second’s knee, he rushed to - close quarters, and, despite all the efforts of Broome, - fought him down at the ropes. - - 37.――Broome, who came up slowly, was bleeding from the - cut between the eyes, which were fast closing, and, - with his mouth, much swelled. Despite his weakness he - was resolute, and did not flinch from the onslaught of - his opponent, who sent his left on to the old spot. - Broome sent in his right well upon the ribs, but King, - not to be stalled off, bored in, and fought Broome down - in the latter’s corner. Time in second ring, twenty - minutes. - - 38.――Broome came up this round apparently better than - heretofore; he was quicker on his legs than in the last - eight rounds. King rubbed his ribs as he came up, and, - getting within reach, rushed to close quarters, when - some very heavy hitting took place; King fighting at - the head, and Broome at the body. On breaking away, - Broome landed his left on King’s nose, for which he was - fought down at the ropes, despite all his endeavours to - “hold his own.” - - 39.――Broome, in this round, slightly revived the - failing hopes of his friends, as, on King missing his - left, he planted his left neatly on Tom’s nose, and his - right immediately afterwards on the jaw, King dropping - on his knees. - - 40.――It was but a transient gleam of hope. Despite the - turn in his favour in the last round, it was apparent - that Broome was fast falling weak from exertion and - loss of blood. The seconds of King, seeing the state of - the case, cried out to him “to go in and win,” and he - fought Broome down in his own corner. - - 41-43, and last.――In each of these rounds Broome only - came up to be hit down. In the last but one he was - knocked down as he came game, but staggering, to meet - his opponent. In the last, King walked straight to - Broome’s corner, as the latter retreated before him, - and, delivering a spank on the head, Broome fell - forward on his face. His seconds, finding it was - useless to prolong the contest, threw up the sponge in - token of his defeat, Young King being hailed the - conqueror, after fighting forty-two minutes in the two - rings. - - REMARKS.――The resolute and unflinching manner in which - this splendid contest was carried out from start to - finish, invested the forthcoming encounter for the - Championship with greater interest. The manner in which - King put up with the right-handed deliveries of Broome - (which were by no means light), raised him in the - estimation of all who witnessed the fight, and already - speculation on that event has commenced. King has - improved in his fighting greatly since his encounter - last autumn with Truckle, of Portsmouth, and no doubt - he has learned a lesson or two in this encounter with - Broome. He is too impetuous in his rushes, in one of - which he got the cut under the left eye, as well as - several right-hand props, which at all times are - dangerous, a chance blow having, in many instances, - brought off a battle when all chance was apparently - gone. That he is thoroughly game there can now be no - question, and his steadiness in training, &c., is a - certain proof that he will in the eventful contest for - the Championship be as fit as man can be possibly - trained. Young Broome, although defeated, is by no - means disgraced, and his friends, to a man, are - satisfied with his performance, which has taken even - his warmest admirers by surprise. Rumours had been - flying about respecting Broome’s gameness, and he - having heard of the same, stated his determination to - be game on this occasion; that he most faithfully kept - his word, a perusal of the above account must prove. - After the sponge had been thrown up, Broome was - carefully attended to by his seconds, but, - notwithstanding all their attention, he soon became - blind. On reaching the first convenient domicile, he - was put to bed, when, despite the usual remedies, he - was attacked with a severe fit of cold shivers, which - could not be subdued for some time. At a late hour of - the afternoon he was recovered sufficiently to take his - departure for town, where, on his arrival, he met with - a hearty reception. His friends expressed their - intention to pay him for his colours the same as if - they were winning ones, and a benefit was arranged for - as a solace for his defeat. King left for town at an - earlier period than his opponent, and passed the - evening amidst his friends at the east end, but little - the worse for the encounter. - -Both Broome and King rapidly recovered from the effects of their -battle, Broome being able to visit Aldershot, on the Thursday, with -Alec Keene. He was also present at the deposit for the Championship, -which took place on Thursday, when he received some substantial -recompense for his gamely contested fight. - -The stakes were given up to King on the ensuing Tuesday, at Joe -Phelps’s, the “Blakeney’s Head,” High Street, Islington, when a few -admirers of Tom King ventured to lay evens on their pet for the great -event in perspective; though 5 and even 6 to 4 was the price in the -east as in the west. - -King trained for the great encounter at Hastings, Mace near Norwich; -the latter coming to town to be present at the fight between Bob -Brettle and Jack Rooke, on the 31st December, 1861, for £200 a side -and a bet of £300 even,[41] the moderate sum of £1,000 being dependent -on the issue. - -“Time and tide speed on their course, and wait for no man,” and the -month of January, 1862, had reached its 28th day, when, on as -cheerless and miserable a winter’s morning as combined damp, drizzle, -mizzle, snow, sleet, and marrow searching cold could mix up, our bold -aspiring young sailor met the practised and scientific Norwich boxer. -How his “greenness,” despite his gameness, fell before superior skill, -tact, and experience, may be found fully set forth in the preceding -chapter. - -As we have already said, there was one person, and that one a most -important factor in the question, who thought he was beaten by an -accident――his name was Tom King. Tom maintained, without any intention -of disparaging for one moment the credit due to Mace for his skill and -also his courage, that he felt convinced, if his friends would stand -to him, he should be able to reverse the first verdict, or, at any -rate, he would then acknowledge that Mace was the better man. - -After the long and undecided battle between Joe Goss and Ryall, Goss -was brought forward by his Wolverhampton backers, as a competitor with -Mace for the belt. In April also, “the Benicia Boy” arrived from -America, bringing with him a brother “Jem,” who was said by some -Yankee paragraphists to have come “to pick up the belt.” We have -already noted, in our life of Mace, that Heenan repudiated this -newspaper bounce; and here, to avoid repetition, the reader is -referred to the memoir of Mace for the circumstances under which the -second match between King and Mace was brought about and carried to a -conclusion. - -Mace, at the time the articles were signed, was making hay after the -manner of Tom Sayers, in travelling with an equestrian circus――that -being the only ring in which he appeared to have a chance of a job. -This employment he kept up for some time after the match was made. -King, too, for a few weeks was tempted to “do the mountebank” with a -travelling company; but Tom did not take kindly to the business of -“busking,” and threw it up, returning to his London patrons. - -As the time drew on, each man found it expedient to mingle more -decidedly in sporting circles, and thus create a greater interest than -had heretofore been exhibited, and this wise discrimination gradually -had the desired effect. The match began to be talked about in all -quarters, flocks of admirers followed the rival champions on every -race course, or at any place of public resort, and soon the discussion -of their respective merits led to a comparison of their deeds and -their appearances with those of the heroes of the old ring. - -The nearer the time approached the mystery observed as to the actual -“where” tended not a little to foster anxiety, many of the intending -spectators being kept in a ferment of funk lest they should be thrown -over at the last. It was known it must be either at the end of -November or the beginning of December, and as the fights between Hicks -and Gollagher and Dillon and Reardon, both for high stakes, were fixed -for about the same time, the chance of being put on a wrong scent, and -arriving at the wrong ring side, redoubled the fears of the fidgety. -The men themselves even were not made acquainted with the actual day -until within a week of the time, and so well was the secret kept, -that, until the previous Monday, we believe the number of persons -“fly” to the arrangements might be numbered upon the fingers of the -two hands. - -Both Mace and King being sober, steady fellows in their habits, and -both being pretty well in their prime, and accustomed to hard work, -there was no inconvenience felt by either in their training in -consequence of the uncertainty as to the day of milling――both being -well up to the mark, and, indeed, almost fit to fight before they went -into training, which they did some seven weeks before the eventful -Wednesday; Mace at Newmarket, at the old training quarters of Tom -Sayers, under the care of Howard, the Bradford jumper; and King at the -“Baldfaced Stag,” near Woodford, Essex, under Harry Harris. It is -creditable to the respective mentors of the men, that nothing was left -undone which could ensure the respective champions being in a meet -state for the arduous task they had set themselves. - -Although there was so much excitement, and so much pleasurable -anticipation of the mill, it cannot be concealed that mixed up with it -was a taint of suspicion that all was not quite serene and square, -arising from the fact that the respective backers of the men had -changed sides since January, and that King, formerly an Eastern sage, -and then an enlightened West Ender, had relapsed into his original -form; while Mace had, after a fall from West to East, once more -started Westward, and was backed from the Haymarket, with at any rate -a side wind help from his former patrons. Some people imagined that -nothing could be square under such circumstances as these. They shut -their eyes to ascertained facts, and then, by a series of winks and -knowing grins, strove to create a prejudice which spread, no one knows -how, and finally gained for the Ring and its _protégés_ that pleasing -character they labour under among those who at all seasons, and on all -possible occasions, do all they can to decry the old manly sports of -their country. - -The acting representatives of the men on this occasion were Mr. -Richardson, of the “Blue Anchor,” Church Street, for King, and Mr. -Coney, of Panton Street, for Jem Mace, who was partly backed by some -old fanciers. To these diplomatic managers the stakeholder in due -course communicated the actual day he had determined for the fray, but -he declined to fix a scene for the performance, as he considered an -arena could be better settled by the agents themselves, who could -consult other parties likely to have a finger in the pie, and without -whose aid there would certainly be no getting to the rendezvous, and -without whose judgment that rendezvous could not be determined on -without great risk. The plan turned out a wise one, and thanks to the -energy and discrimination of those concerned, all was satisfactorily -arranged without let or hindrance. - -We have alluded already to the difficulties which beset the managers -of Ring affairs at this period, and on the Monday morning Messrs. -Richardson and Coney received the unwelcome information, that the -officials of a certain railway company, with which they had made all -pleasant for the “excursion,” had decided to cancel the arrangements, -and that no special train would be provided. Here was a pretty fix for -the executive. An alternative line was immediately decided on. All -ticketholders would be conveyed by ordinary train to Thames Haven, -where two commodious steamboats would be ready for the conveyance of -the voyagers to a _terra incognita_. While these arrangements were -perfecting on the Monday and Tuesday, the uncertainty added to the -excitement, and telegrams flew over the wires from every point of the -compass from “country cousins” seeking the “straight tip,” and town -friends anxious to communicate the same. The sporting houses, East and -West, were thronged, reminding some of the olden days when “Le Boxe,” -as Alphonse calls it, was an “institution.” - -As we have given an instance of “clerical” interest in Ring sports, on -another occasion, in the sister island, we may here note that a high -Anglican Church authority entered itself among the “tipsters” on this; -the _Record_ giving a prominent place to the following paragraph:―― - - “The fight between James Mace and Thomas King is to take - place on Tuesday next in the neighbourhood of Aldershot.” - -We hope the “tipster” who so egregiously sold the reverend editor, as -to day and place, did not add dishonesty to his pious fraud. At any -rate we fear, as we did not see him in his accustomed position, that -our right reverend friend, “the Bishop of Bond Street,” may have been -misled by ecclesiastical authority; we believe the police were――of -course we were not. - -By four o’clock on Wednesday morning the approaches to Fenchurch -Street were alive with intending excursionists, who on arriving at the -station found the entrance crowded by a strong posse of roughs and -thieves, always to be found at their posts on such occasions. These -gentry had a good time of it, and so strong and daring were their -forces, that the few ring keepers engaged to protect the public were -completely overpowered, and, in many instances, eased of their own -property. Bob Travers, among others, was attacked and forcibly -deprived of all he had about him. Many lost their tickets, and many -gentlemen were so intimidated that they declined facing the ordeal, -and returned home. The scene was, on the whole, disgraceful. The -managers of the undertaking were great sufferers, and were loud in -their complaints that the conduct of these roughs prevented their -reaping the harvest they had anticipated. Although the company -commenced assembling at four o’clock, it was fully seven before there -were any signs of a start, and the impatience of the early birds, -although extreme, was fully justifiable. There was no help for it, -however, as all was in the hands of the railway officials. - -Fortunately the ring forces when concentrated were strong enough to -exclude most of the undesirables from the platform; still some few -managed to penetrate the ranks of the officials, and by their presence -caused considerable annoyance, although the force of ring keepers was -sufficiently strong to prevent their attempting any combined mischief. -At length at seven o’clock the whistle sounded, and we were off for -the appointed spot, where two vessels were found in waiting, and on -board these the travellers, nearly 300 in number, at once repaired. It -was now suggested that it would be well to try and get the fight off -on the spot, instead of going further afield, where the Bobbies might -be in force. This recommendation was accepted with promptitude, and -while the Corinthians were luxuriating in a hot and comfortable -breakfast on board, provided in admirable style by their old caterer, -Dan Pinxton, the ring was pitched, and soon after eight all was in -readiness. Through the exertions of Billy Duncan and his pals such -admirable arrangements were made for the comfort of the inner ring -ticket-holders that all were seated without difficulty, and, so far as -we could perceive, the whole thing was carried out in a manner to -reflect the highest credit on all concerned. As soon as the office was -given by Fred Oliver the men approached the magic circle; Mace being -the first to drop his castor within the ropes. He was attended by his -old opponents Bob Brettle and Bob Travers, while King, who was -somewhat behindhand, was waited on by Bos Tyler and Macdonald. Both -men were welcomed with loud cheers from their partisans, which each -acknowledged in a suitable manner. There was a good deal of lively -betting at 6 and 7 to 4 on Mace, and his backers, we believe, would -have gone on to any extent at that figure. A brisk business was done -by the sale of inner ring tickets, but by no means to the extent we -have known on former occasions. The sum received was nearly £37. Among -the spectators were Tom Sayers, Heenan, and many other fistic -celebrities, who eyed the tourney throughout with curiosity. And now -the men stand up, approach each other and grasp hands, then separate; -the seconds retire to their corners, and all eyes are fixed upon them -as they upraise their daddles, and square their elbows for - - - THE FIGHT. - - ROUND 1.――The moment so fraught with interest and - excitement to the partisans of the belligerents had now - arrived; the busy and careful work of the seconds was - at last completed to their entire satisfaction, and the - men were delivered at the scratch. While their - toilettes were being arranged, the “making ready” had - been eagerly watched by all with almost breathless - silence. As Jem turned to face his opponent, he gave a - momentary glance at the sky, whose dull, cheerless - aspect was anything but calculated to enliven the - combatants. Both advanced to the scratch with that - firm, confident step which denotes the action of - well-drilled practitioners. Perhaps the first thing - that riveted the attention of the spectators, as the - men stood front to front, was the striking difference - in height that existed between them. It had been - confidently stated Mace had never been in better - condition; certainly as he stood thus confronting his - antagonist there was nothing in his appearance that - even the most fastidious could for a moment find fault - with, and in all things he looked a far superior man to - what he did at their former meeting. In weight Jem, - when he last poised the beam, pulled down 11st. 4lb., - and with inward confidence beaming in his every look, - he stated it was impossible for a man to feel better, - and this assurance there can be no doubt had great - weight with his admirers, many of whom from - over-caution had waited for this “opinion” from Mace - himself before they had ventured to “put it on.” If - condition of itself could alone endow a man with the - requisite “resin” to tune the first fiddle in such a - grand pugilistic overture, Tom might well put the thing - down as a “certainty,” for it must be admitted he was - all the most critical could desire, and spoke of the - result with a confidence devoid of anything in the - shape of braggadocia. The moment the men had been “set” - by their seconds, there was perceptible that twitch and - shrug of the shoulders which denote a disapproval of - the morning air. Jem having put up the prop in proper - order drew from range, and of his position it may be - said the skill of the master was at a glance displayed, - for he was well covered at all points. Tom also stood - remarkably well, and although by some good judges he is - stated to be a little too fine about the loins, and by - no means deep set enough in the jaw and neck, yet we - think it was conceded by all impartial persons that he - looked a most formidable opponent. Mace, as he - manœuvred, looked at his man with a sharp, penetrating - glance, as though he was mentally summing up “the - King’s affairs.” The result seemed satisfactory, for - Jem gave one of his well-known jerks of his nob, as - much as to say, “Tom, I intend to give you another - dressing.” King smiled at his man, as to intimate, if - he really imagined he was capable of dressing him again - he would oblige by being quick about it, as there - needed something in the shape of excitement to warm up - the system. After a little sparring, Mace drew from - range and dropped his mauleys, and then with his right - rubbed his breast and arms. King imitated his action, - as he felt numbed about the arms, and thought it - necessary to do the burnishing to promote the - circulation. Jem, with a cautions step, drew into - range, and then by way of a feeler slightly let go the - left, but Tom, who was decidedly quicker on his pins - than we had found him in any of his preceding battles, - got well away with the back step, thus showing that - these efforts on the part of his opponent to draw out - his guard were not likely to be successful. As Mace - broke for the purpose of getting from distance, King - dashed at him in a most impetuous manner, and missed - administering a fine right-handed shot from the - fore-arm. Mace, as Tom came on for the purpose of - forcing the fighting, retreated, but just opposite the - referee and umpire the men closed, when Jem, finding he - was likely to get in an awkward position, ducked his - head and went down, King looking at him. Both men were - loudly cheered, and as there was just a shade of - commotion among those who formed the uprights of the - outer circle, Professor Duncan, attended by the - “faculty,” promptly administered a mild dose of his - efficacious remedy for disorder――the “syrup of - whips”――and the cure was instantaneous. - - 2.――At the call of “Time,” both men, with the eagerness - of swimmers for the first plunge, rushed simultaneously - from the knees of their seconds, and threw up their - hands at the scratch. After toeing the mark each again - drew back from range, and began rubbing himself, - looking meanwhile at each other like two game-cocks. - Mace then led with the left, but did not get it home, - as King got well from range. Tom now dashed at his man, - and delivered the left on the top of the head, and put - in another from the fore-arm on the mouth, which had - the effect of producing a slight show of the crimson. - (“First blood,” as on the former occasion, for Tom.) - Jem, after getting home slightly with the left and - right on the face, closed with his man, when, finding - he was likely to get into an awkward position, he - slipped from him and got down, there being so far not - much harm done on either side, King fighting with - remarkable fairness; his opponent decidedly more crafty - and shifty, though, as Jack Macdonald said, “We’ll give - him all that in.” - - 3.――Jem was the first from his corner, but no sooner - did the busy seconds of King see that his antagonist - was on the move than they gave the office, and with - that impetuosity of action so characteristic of him, he - at once advanced to the scratch. After shifting, - changing position, and taking fresh ground, King went - dashing at his man for the purpose of forcing the - fighting, and, getting partly over Jem’s right - cross-guard, planted the left on the right cheek, and - with a wild, slinging round hit from the right also got - home on the side of the knowledge box. Mace, in the - counter-hitting, administered one with his stinging - left on the jaw, when, as Tom was not to be kept out, - they closed. In the struggle for the fall King got his - right arm round his man, and they went down near the - referee in a curious, awkward fall, Mace, who had his - head bent down, hitting the top part of it against the - ground. It was imagined by many at the moment that Jem - might have received some severe harm, but they were - soon convinced to the contrary, for when the men had - become disentangled and Jem with his usual agility had - righted, he looked up with a broad grin, as much as to - say, “Don’t be uneasy, I’m all right.” There was in the - excitement again a slight manifestation of pressure in - “Court,” the “special jury” being the least bit - inconvenienced, but Duncan, as head usher, brought up - his efficient corps to point, and the weight of this - legal element was on the instant sufficient to restore - matters to their proper balance, and the business of - this admirably kept ring went on as smoothly as ever. - - 4.――While the combatants were in their corners every - movement of their seconds was watched with the utmost - minuteness, and it was a treat to observe in what fine - order they sent them up to the mark. Tom was the first - to present his towering height at the scratch, but was - almost on the instant met by his opponent. Bos Tyler - pointed at Mace, in a good-humoured manner, as much as - to intimate Jem had had some of the burnishing powder. - Mace feinted with the left, but, finding he could not - get in with artistic effect, he did not let it go - freely from the shoulder. Tom, for the purpose of - taking better range, followed up and with the left got - home on the right cheek, and also put in one from the - right. As Mace broke to get away, Tom hit out with both - mauleys, but did no execution, as Mace threw the left - off well with the right guard. After slight sparring - and manœuvring Tom led the left, but it was not sent - sufficiently well in to be effective, nor did he meet - with any better success in following up with a wild hit - from the right, for Jem drew well out of range. On - again coming to distance, King worked with his right - arm backwards and forwards, as though he intended to - let it go, but did not. As Jem shifted Tom followed, - when Mace got home a fine left-handed hit on the jaw. - The combatants in the most spirited manner fought - across the ring, Mace administering some of the cayenne - with both mauleys. In the close both struggled for the - fall, when Tom got from his man and went to grass in - his own corner. - - 5.――Mace was the first to come from his corner, but he - had not long to wait before Tom faced him. Both men - were considerably pinked, and their physiognomies now - possessed more touches of beauty than are to be found - in their photographs in George Newbold’s collection of - celebrities. Jem, as he came from his corner, bent his - head forward, as though he was mentally debating in - what new manner he should try to get well at his man, - who by the rapid style in which he had been fighting, - had given proof that he was a dangerous antagonist. - King, the instant he had put up his hands, went dashing - to force the fighting. With the left he administered a - stinger on the right cheek, and followed up with a half - round hit from the right. Mace, as his opponent rushed - at him to close, drew out, but Tom, not to be denied, - followed up, when, in a rally, Jem pegged away with - both mauleys, left and right, with astonishing - rapidity, doing a great deal of heavy execution. In the - close they struggled for the fall, when Mace threw his - man in clever style, near the ropes. (The friends of - Mace were in ecstasies, and long odds were offered on - their pet.) - - 6.――Tom in the first two or three rounds had - unquestionably had a shade the best of it, from the - style in which he had gone dashing at his man, and the - quickness he had displayed. Mace did not exhibit that - steadiness in his practice he afterwards did. Now, - however, that Jem had got the true measure of his man - there was a total change in his tactics, and the manner - in which he now fought proved that he was in all - respects superior to the “big-’un” in science. Both, on - presenting themselves at the mark, bore evidence of - having been by no means idle, for Jem was swelled about - the ivories in a very conspicuous manner, while King, - from the appearance of his left peeper, gave - unmistakable proof of having been warmed up; he was - likewise slightly bleeding from the nose. Still there - had been no serious damage done on the part of either. - After some little manœuvring, the combatants changing - and shifting position, King dashed at his antagonist in - his usual style, getting home left and right on the - head. Mace met his man as he came with the rush on the - milling suit, and, in one of the finest rallies that - could be witnessed, the combatants fought right across - the ring; there was something delightful to the - admirers of boxing in Jem’s style of fighting his man - with both hands, left and right, at the nob. These - blows were delivered with a rapidity that was quite - electrifying, being sent ding dong, straight home, so - that Jem was all over his man in an instant, the blows - making an impression as though Tom had been stamped - with a couple of dies. Tom was by no means idle, but - also pegged away at his man with the left on the head - and the right on the body in merry fashion. In the - close they got on the ropes, when Jem for the moment - touched the top cord with his right hand, but Tom - having shifted his position, the men struggled for the - fall, when Tom, as a termination to this well-fought - round, was under. - - 7.――As the battle progressed, so did it increase in - interest, for there was a marked speciality about the - manner in which it was being fought that could not - possibly fail to enhance its importance among the - admirers of bold and genuine boxing. There can be no - disputing, both men had been from the commencement - fighting remarkably well, and the battle, as will be - seen, had already presented two striking and prominent - features; for though, until Jem had thoroughly got the - measure of his man, King had in the opening bout been - considered to have a slight lead, yet the style in - which Mace was now performing was sufficient to - convince all that there had not been the slightest - mistake made in his merits as regards milling - excellence. The combatants came simultaneously from - their corners. Tom, as he stood at the scratch, opened - his mouth and rubbed his hands, and then, on again - putting himself into position, drew out and retreated - to his own corner, Mace following. Both, as they again - drew to range, steadied themselves, and in a fine - counter with the left got well home, Jem doing - execution on the snout, Tom on the top part of the - cranium. Mace, on breaking, got to the ropes, when, as - Tom came boring in to close, he slipped from the - embrace of the young giant and got down. - - 8.――From the manner in which the tints had been rubbed - in it was apparent the colours had been well worked up, - though this was much more conspicuous on Tom’s dial - than his opponent’s, for King’s left peeper had a small - lump on the side of it, while the nose and mouth looked - a good deal puffed. Tom, as usual, taking the - initiative, lunged out the left, but did no execution, - as he was not well to distance. Mace, after King had - opened with this wild hit, took up fresh position, and - in doing so, as he was followed by his antagonist, he - hit the back part of his head against the stake. As Tom - pressed in, Jem pulled himself together, and after some - fine left-handed counter-hitting, in which Mace - delivered very heavily on the middle of the head, they - closed and went down, Mace through the ropes. The - battle had now lasted 22 minutes, and it had been - nothing but downright hard fighting and no mistake. - - 9.――King made another dash at Jem, “on hostile thoughts - intent,” and got home apparently a hot-’un on the right - eye, but there was no sign of injury, evidently owing - to Jem’s excellent condition. Jem instantly returned a - severe prop on the dial with the left, and then - countered a second effort on the part of King, who - essayed his right. Tom, desperate, now dashed in with - headstrong determination, and bored his man through the - ropes, to the delight of the Kingites, who, however, - declined to take 6 to 4, freely offered by the backers - of Mace. - - 10.――Mace, the instant the signal was given, came forth - with the utmost alacrity to renew the struggle. King, - as an opening to the attack, lunged out the left, and - administered a telling spank on Jem’s right jaw; and - then, as Tom came dashing on, the men fought in a fine - two-handed rally right across the ring, when King got - his man’s nob for an instant in the right arm lock, and - pegged away in the fibbing beautifully. Jem, like a - good tactician, extricated himself; and after some - severe milling, in which Mace got in the most telling - manner on his man’s mouth, cheek, and nose――going, in - fact, all over the dial with his clenched digits in a - rapid and surprising manner――the men closed at the - ropes right opposite to the umpire and referee, when - Jem got his man in position, and gave him a fair - back-heel fall. Immense cheering for Mace. - - 11.――King’s left eye looked worse than ever, while his - good-looking mug was knocked out of all symmetry. - Nevertheless he was again first to begin the attack, - and in leading got home the left on the right cheek, - following it in with one from the right on the side of - the pimple. Jem, who timed his man beautifully, - administered another tremendous left-hander on the - mazzard, when Tom’s nob, from its effect, went waving - back. On the instant, however, he pulled himself - together and dashed in to renew the struggle, when Jem - met him, and delivered a tremendous left-hander on the - nose, which produced a copious flow of blood. As Mace - took fresh ground Tom again dashed in, and they fought - a regular ding-dong, slogging give-and-take to a close. - Tom, with his usual style of bending his head slightly - forward, went dashing at Jem, and got more than one - straightening prop. They again fought in regular - ding-dong to a close, when Tom, while receiving Jem’s - props on the dial, made use of the right once or twice - in a very efficient manner on the body, upon which Mace - got from his man and went down. The referee here called - the attention of Tom’s seconds to the fact that their - man had struck Jem while he was down, which was true; - but Mace was just on the go, and King could not help - the hit, which was evidently unintentional, and no harm - was done. - - 12.――Another splendid rally in this round, Mace again - in a telling manner doing execution with both mauleys, - but evidently forced back by King’s irresistible - advance. The men, who had fought right across the ring, - closed in Mace’s corner, when Jem got down, Tom falling - on him. During this round the referee had several times - to caution the seconds, who, in a most reprehensible - manner, followed their principals as closely as - frequently to be in the way of the combatants. - - 13.――The men again went to work in a spirited and - determined manner. Jem, with his left, got well home on - the front of his man’s dial, and jumped back; when Tom, - with his right, administered some sounding spanks on - the ribs. As Jem broke to get away, King followed him - up, and Mace went down to end the round. - - 14.――Mace commenced operations by getting well in range - and delivering a pretty left-hander full on the nose, - knocking Tom’s head round as though it had been shaken - off its connections; nevertheless Tom again tried to - force the fighting, when, after some merry exchanges, - they closed, and in the fall went down together in the - centre of the ring. King’s friends cheered him - heartily, as he fully deserved. - - 15.――Some sharp fighting, rather in favour of Mace, - who, in the end, went down in the hitting, and King - fell over him. - - 16.――Tom dashed in viciously, and after a fine exchange - of compliments, in which each did execution, they - closed, and Jem, who had had the best of the exchanges, - fell under. - - 17.――Tom again forced the fighting, but though he - delivered with his left, he was a little too round with - his right to be effective. Mace, after countering with - his antagonist, and getting well home with the left in - the middle of the head, and following up at half - measure with the right, got cleverly away from his man. - As Jem took fresh position, Tom followed him up, and - the men in a rally fought to the ropes. In the close - both got under the top rope, and fell nearly out of the - ring. - - 18.――Such a certainty was the battle looked upon by - some of Jem’s admirers that Johnny Gideon here offered - £30 to £5 on him, but there were no takers. Indeed, - Tom’s umpire, a good judge, said that, bar accident, - Mace could not lose. After some more severe fighting, - in which Mace again delivered in a telling manner on - Tom’s dial with both mauleys, Tom made a slip in - getting from his man, and fell on his knees. On the - instant the game fellow recovered his perpendicular, - and as Jem noticed this he beckoned him to renew the - round. King was willing, but his well-skilled seconds, - seeing the fast work he was doing, refused to allow - him. - - 19.――It now seemed “all over, but shouting,” to the - partisans of Mace, who called out any odds, without - response. As the men came up it was easy to see that - Jem, thinking himself already victorious, was anxious - to finish off the business, lest the appearance of the - police, which had been rumoured, should rob him of his - conquest at the last moment. He worked in with both - hands in weaving style to get well to distance, and as - he took up his position he got into a slight hollow of - the ring. Jem, who had repeatedly tried to land a - clipping cross-counter with his right, had just opened - himself for the purpose of trying it on, when Tom, who - stood firmly to his guns, met him with one of the most - tremendous hits we ever saw. It was a cross-counter on - the left cheek with his right hand――a blow that seemed - to go all over Jem’s face with crushing effect. Jem, - bleeding from the mouth and nose, reeled and staggered - from the effect of this visitation, and then, to the - consternation of friends, fell in the middle of the - ring all of a heap. So sudden a change in the aspect of - affairs had hardly ever been witnessed in the memory of - the oldest ring-goer, and Jem’s seconds were working - with a zeal which told how serious was the position. - Down came the odds. “The Champion’s licked,” said - twenty voices in a sort of stage whisper, and all eyes - were strained in the direction of the busy group in - Mace’s corner. - - 20.――King walked up to the scratch, watching the - referee with ill-concealed anxiety to hear the call of - “Time.” When, however, that functionary had twice - repeated his summons, Mace, who had by no means - recovered from the settler he had received, came - unsteadily from his corner. Tom walked up to him, and - Mace tried a wild delivery with his left, Tom retorted - with a hot blow on the nose, and Mace, in getting away, - went down close to the referee’s seat like a lump of - lead. There was now the greatest commotion and - excitement all round the ring. It was now as clearly - King’s victory as it had previously been Mace’s. - Brettle and Travers worked with a will, doing for their - man everything possible, and he gallantly seconded - their efforts, resolutely refusing to allow them to - throw up the sponge. - - 21 and last.――Before Mace left his corner Tom was - waiting for his man, and no sooner did Mace come up - than King went to him, and, with a slight push on the - head, sent him down. Jem, who was weak and exhausted, - and who had the right side of his phiz swelled in an - extraordinary manner from the effects of King’s - right-hander, was now clearly _hors de combat_, and his - friends, seeing he had not the remotest chance of - winning, threw up the sponge in spite of his protests. - This token of defeat was hailed with loud shouts by - Tom’s friends, who were, of course, doubly delighted at - the bravery and good fortune of their man, and they - crowded enthusiastically round King to hail him as the - last addition to the roll of brave men who have borne - the proud title of Champion of England. The battle - lasted exactly thirty-eight minutes. - - REMARKS.――There can be little question as to the fact - that King’s decisive victory was more immediately due - to the tremendous hit to which Mace laid himself open - by his over-eagerness to plant what he considered a - sort of _coup de grace_ on his gallant adversary. His - skill in administering, as well as avoiding punishment, - had given him an apparent best, but he had not reduced - the courage and confidence, nor exhausted the strength - of his dangerous antagonist. The “hit” that King “had - left in him,” was, as Jem found to his cost that day, - worth the Championship of England. That this is no - disparagement of King’s victory all must admit, and a - more gallant display of skill and bravery could not - have been witnessed in any day present or past. King’s - fairness of style in the finish of several rounds, when - the lead trembled in the balance, shone conspicuously, - and was warmly acknowledged by the spectators. - -At the giving up of the stakes, on the Thursday night week, King once -again announced his intention of not contesting the Championship. This -was generally understood as owing to obligations of another -description in which a “ring” also had a part, and not a few of Young -Tom’s intimates drank a toast to his matrimonial felicity, in the old -formula of “The single married, and the married happy.” - -A curious telegraphic contretemps, which may serve as a caution to the -over-clever, occurred on this occasion. Mr. William Wright, of -Fulwood’s Rents, who was at this period an immense authority, had -arranged with his London clerks that, to prevent surreptitious use of -the earliest intelligence, for which he had incurred a large outlay, -his telegram would give the losing man as winner, and they were to -read it and manifold it accordingly. Having therefore sent off, at the -earliest possible moment, “Mace beat King,” with the number of rounds, -&c., the telegraph clerk on the spot, thinking he knew to the -contrary, innocently set the message _right_, and, out of kindness, -sent over the wire, “King beat Mace;” whereon the clerks dutifully -followed their instructions, and the wrong result was extensively -circulated to clubs, subscribers, &c., and for some hours a -bewildering uncertainty prevailed. - -The Young Sailor, however, had excited too great an interest in the -public mind to be allowed to sink quietly into oblivion. He had -distinctly stated that he did not seek the distinction, if distinction -it was, of the Championship, and he resigned the belt into the hands -of the Editor of _Bell’s Life_. Heenan, however, having made some good -friends among gentlemen of the turf by his civility, intelligence, and -good conduct, intimated to several of these, that if there was any -“big one” desirous to try conclusions with him, he was ready to make a -“quiet match” for not less than £500, and he had friends who would -make it £1000 if required. This was formally communicated to the -Editor of _Bell’s Life_, with a wish that no bouncing or offensive -challenge should be inserted. The Editor at once put these facts in -circulation in proper quarters, and the proposition, like most -American notions, “a big thing,” made some of Tom King’s friends prick -up their ears. Mace was engaged “two deep,” and moreover was not -“their man.” A conference was held at Owen Swift’s, to which Tom King -was invited, and he, with ready gallantry, declared the opportunity -was most inviting and welcome. Money was forthcoming on both sides, -and as both sides meant business, the paper subjoined was soon -formulated―― - - “ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT entered into this 17th day of March, - 1863, between John Camel Heenan and Thomas King. The said - John Camel Heenan agrees to fight the said Thomas King a - fair stand-up fight, according to the new rules of the ring, - by which the said John Camel Heenan and the said Thomas King - hereby agree to be bound. The said fight shall be for the - sum of £1,000 a side, and shall take place on the 8th day of - December, 1863, within 100 miles of London. In pursuance of - this agreement, £100 a side are now deposited in the hands - of Mr. John Coney, who shall transmit the same to the Editor - of _Bell’s Life_, who shall be final stakeholder; the second - deposit, of £50 a side, shall be made at Mr. W. - Richardson’s, “Blue Anchor,” Shoreditch, on Thursday, March - 26; the third, of £50 a side, to be made on April 9; the - fourth, of £50 a side, on April 23; the fifth, of £50 a - side, on May 7; the sixth, of £50 a side, on May 21; the - seventh, of £50 a side, on June 4; the eighth, of £50 a - side, on June 18; the ninth, of £50 a side, on July 2; the - tenth, of £50 a side, on July 16; the eleventh, of £50 a - side, on July 30; the twelfth, of £50 a side, on August 13; - the thirteenth, of £50 a side, on August 27; the fourteenth, - of £50 a side, on September 10; the fifteenth, of £50 a - side, on September 24; the sixteenth, of £50 a side, on - October 27; the seventeenth, of £50 a side, on November 5; - and the final deposit, of £100 a side, on November 26, at - Mr. W. Richardson’s, “Blue Anchor,” as above, when the men - shall mutually agree to the place of fighting. The said - deposits to be made between the hours of eight and ten p.m. - on the days and at the houses named; either party failing, - to forfeit the money down. The houses at which the deposits - shall be made shall be named by each party alternately, and - to be made in London. The place of the next deposit to be - named as the staking of the previous one, Heenan having to - name the place of the third deposit. The men to be in the - ring between the hours of ten a.m. and one p.m. on the day - named, or the man absent to forfeit the money. But, in the - event of magisterial interference, the referee shall decide - the next place and time of meeting, the same day, if - possible. The expenses of the ropes and stakes shall be - borne mutually. Mr. Dowling, the Editor of _Bell’s Life in - London_, to be referee. Two umpires to be chosen on the - ground; and, in case of dispute between them, the decision - of the referee to be final. - - “In pursuance of this agreement, we hereunto attach our names―― - - “JOHN CAMEL HEENAN. - “CHARLES BUSH, for Thomas King. - “Witness: H. A. REED.” - -The match made, each man at once proceeded to make trading capital out -of it by travelling the provinces, and this at first led to a belief -that the match would never come to anything, but was merely got up for -this purpose. On the other hand it was asserted, that the match was -sure to come off, but the result had been cut and dried; that the -backers of the men intended to make a trading speculation out of the -“Special” which was to convey the belligerents to the scene of action. -It was known that a sum of more than £1000 had been divided between -Sayers and Heenan out of the profits of the train for their match, and -the supposition was, perhaps, not unnatural that £500 would be very -good interest upon £100 for a few months, setting aside the off chance -of something else turning up into the bargain. As the day approached -for the men to go into training fears as to the affair not being -genuine quickly subsided, and in racing circles the match created much -interest, numerous bets of 6 to 4 being laid on the Benicia Boy, whose -appearance at Newmarket during the October Meetings fully justified -the confidence reposed in him. Heenan took his breathings almost -entirely at Newmarket in company with his own brother Jem, and -Macdonald, but required very little, if any, looking after. His feats -as a pedestrian during his work were something extraordinary, six -miles and a “bittock” did he generally turn in ordinary walking, and -many a spin and a tie up did he give to some of our crack jocks, among -whom are to be found no mean specimens of fair toe-and-heel walkers. -Jack’s spins at the top of his speed, too, not a little astonished the -Browns, and we have been credibly informed he could on a pinch do his -quarter in 56 seconds――not bad for a 14 stone man, standing nearly 6 -feet 2 inches. When stripped his frame was a model for a sculptor. -Every muscle was developed to a gigantic size, every tendon and sinew -was distinctly visible; and, taken altogether, we doubt whether such a -specimen of a Hurculean frame has been witnessed in the British P. R. -for very many years. That Heenan possessed every confidence in himself -may be gathered from the fact that some three weeks previously he sent -a message to the stakeholder, requesting him to state that if he did -not lick King the public ought to stigmatise him as the greatest -impostor who ever entered the Ring. The Editor tells us that he -declined to insert this statement at the time, as not being fair to -either party, and considering that should the result justify the -observation it would be time enough to make it when the battle was -over. Heenan, as may be recollected, was born in 1834, at Troy, United -States, of Irish parents. His fighting weight on stripping on the -present occasion was, as near as possible, 14 stone 2lb. - -As the time of battle drew near the difficulties of a mode of transit -to the ground increased. One after another refusals of accommodation -were returned, the powers and authorities having experienced the -disorders which seemed inseparable from the gathering of such a crowd -as had now made it a custom to gather on such an occasion. During -Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, the offices of the sporting newspapers, -to say nothing of the “houses of call” for sporting men, were besieged -by questioners; but beyond the fact that tickets at three sovereigns a -head were procurable, no definite tip was to be had. - -Tuesday evening was a night of festivity at all sporting pubs. The -public fully believing that on the following morning the mill would -come off, and all being agog to get the necessary tip. It was not -until well into the small hours that many would believe that Wednesday -was not the day. The same scene was repeated on Wednesday, with the -exception that delay had doubled the excitement, and the houses, which -on Tuesday were crammed, were on the following night well nigh -overwhelmed, and the ordinary business could scarcely be transacted. -At Owen Swift’s much anxiety was expressed as to whether a bet of £600 -to £400 appointed to be put down the night before the fight would -really be forthcoming, certain half-sceptics pinning their faith on -this ceremony as calculated to prove the genuine nature of the match. -It was also expected it would materially affect the betting, many -considering that the staking would show such confidence on the part of -King’s backers as would justify his being backed for money. - -On our arrival at London Bridge Station a few minutes before five in -the morning, we found that the “rasping” division had dwindled away to -an insignificant few. The fact is, the busy tongue of rumour had sent -them so often to the various stations on a Will o’ the Wisp errand, -that the detrimentals were completely tired out, and, after the lesson -of Tuesday and Wednesday nights, without anything turning up, they -denounced the whole affair as “a sell,” and stayed at home. Never was -a secret of such a kind better kept, and the wide-awakes who “knew the -exact spot to a yard,” found themselves neck deep in the mire, after a -fashion they little calculated on; the cut-purse family wiping the -frosty icicles from their noses in the west, when they should have -been looking out for squalls in the South Eastern horizon. The -delightful result was that the congregation of the fistic art passed -through the thin dark line of worn and weary snapper-badgers. The -arrangements of the legitimate “conveyancers” were most excellent; -everybody was comfortably “taken in and done for,” whilst the presence -of the ring-constable volunteers set the foot of authority down with a -crash upon all attemps at “rigging the market.” In fact, one might -have thought that he was going to see an early ploughing match, whilst -the “Yahoo” business didn’t rise as high as the song of an old -tea-kettle. Indeed, that ugly element was wise in the course it was -constrained to adopt; had it done otherwise there was force enough -present to have brought every atom of it to grief. Both the men -reached the ground in good time, and both had their fair quantity of -supporters, who would persist in blocking up each carriage door, so -that the entrance of a breath of air was almost next to an -impossibility. - -The train consisted of thirty carriages, in each of which, to use a -theatrical phrase, there was not standing room. We were “horsed” by -two powerful engines, and, at about a quarter past six glided out of -the station without the least confusion, and with the greatest -regularity. The morning stars were just beginning to show signs of -that glimmering faintness which indicates the approach of daybreak. -Once the train got in motion, not a sound was to be heard save the -outburst of some occasional hearty laugh at the jocularity going on -inside. But even this was of the mildest possible character, and there -was an entire absence of that reprehensible boisterous outpouring -which has too often awoke the slumbering people along the route, -filling their half-dreamy imaginations with the horror that the -Philistines were upon them. We were more than half afraid that the new -plan of paying at the doors would have been productive of the direst -confusion, but our apprehensions were agreeably dispelled. - -On casting a quiet running glance through the interior of each -carriage, before we started, we found the genuine patrons of our -national manly “trial by battle” in very strong force indeed. We heard -one and all join in a universal chorus of satisfaction at the way in -which we had been “got off.” On and on we rolled through the fair -county of Kent, and as the grey dawn of morning rose eastward on our -track the mild fresh breeze played upon our half-sleepy faces, waking -us up to a sense of life and activity that was as agreeable as it was -invigorating. The morning was beautiful and mild, and away now to our -left the bright blue-tinged light of early day could be seen breaking -gently and softly, widening and lengthening as it imperceptibly spread -over the landscape in a manner that would have excited the admiration -of a Gainsborough or a Creswick. Still on and onward we go through -deep cuttings and over high embankment; anon the iron horses slacken -their speed, and the next instant the reverberating sounds of our -whirling wheels tell us that we are passing through the bowels of -mother earth. On emerging from the tunnel into open country our ears -were saluted with voices that unmistakably marked the owners as -denizens of the aristocratic regions west of Regent Street. -Speculation made itself heard, and 6 and 7 to 4 on the Benicia Boy -seemed to be the chorus of the song. Just as we could distinguish -houses and buildings sufficiently, the train glided noiselessly into -Reigate Junction, where we were “regaled” by the sight of a strong -covey of early “blue birds” belonging to the Surrey County -Constabulary. It is needless to say that they were not there on our -invitation. We considered them more free than welcome, and following -the prudent and time-honoured example of those philosophic -predecessors of theirs, Masters Dogberry and Verges of blessed memory, -we stole ourselves out of their company with all possible alacrity and -despatch. A thin white frosty veil of mist floated over the landscape -as we again got in full swing, whilst the leaden coloured clouds as -they lay heavy and motionless overhead gave us cause for grave -anxiety, but, as our fears were rising to an uncomfortable grade on -our nervous thermometer, in we rushed to another tunnel. When we -issued forth we made a series of weatherwise surveys all round us, and -were joyed to find the dark curtain lifting evenly and gradually up on -our right, whilst on the opposite side bright broken patches -encouraged our most earnest hopes, Another turn of the steam valve, -and away we sped at over forty miles an hour; wood and dell, hamlet -and village, cottage and mansion flew by like the magic of the -kaleidoscope, and the question of our journey’s end took the place of -other topics for the moment. A few miles further on and we shot by -Tunbridge Wells. By this time we could see that the “bold peasantry” -were discussing their breakfast, but as we rattled on at the rate of a -mile a minute and a half, we did not take particular notice of what -they ate. At length we drew up in a secluded and well-selected spot, -where we got out, yawned, stretched ourselves, and gulped in the sharp -morning air most voraciously. On account of the extreme softness of -the ground it was some time before a decent place could be found. At -this hour, about a quarter past nine o’clock, the sun was shining out -as magnificently as on a fine May morning, and as we toiled some mile -and a half up a steep clayey hill, the “stuff” was taken out of many. -At length a chosen spot was taken possession of, and the ring pitched -in a field at Wadhurst, near Frant, below Tunbridge Wells. King first -dropped in his castor, amid loud cheers, accompanied by Jerry Noon and -Bos Tyler, and was immediately followed by Heenan, who was similarly -received, being esquired by Jack Macdonald, and, for the sake of -theatrical effect, Tom Sayers. Colours were now unfolded on both -sides, and the combatants began to dress. The choice of ground was won -by Heenan, and then came the referee. Some wrangling here took place -in respect to that functionary, during which the betting went on with -offers at 40 to 20, &c., on Heenan, but there did not seem to be any -takers. Confusion now became the ruling element, wasting away precious -time on the top of a hill that could be seen for twenty miles around. -There were the men and their seconds ready, while the referee was -expected to come from the clouds. Three quarters of an hour was spent -in this way before matters were finally closed, and the referee -originally proposed was ultimately agreed to. The men then began the -important duty of the toilet, and in the hands of their respective -valets that operation was soon completed. The ring was then cleared, -and the men showed themselves ready in battle array. Heenan was the -first to exhibit, mid the loud cheers of his admirers, and was -instantly followed by King, for whom another salvo rose up from the -throats of his party. Exactly at ten o’clock the men were delivered at -the scratch, shook hands, and prepared to commence - - - THE FIGHT. - - ROUND 1.――As the men advanced towards the centre of the - ring the first glance seemed to show how great were the - physical advantages of Heenan, who looked quite the - stone heavier man he really was――King being - comparatively a fair-skinned stripling; but a closer - inspection revealed a jaded appearance. He looked - clumsier altogether than when he fought Sayers. King, - on the contrary, was as well as ever he could be, and - there was a bloom and healthfulness about him, which - spoke not only of steady training, but of an unvitiated - constitution. He had not altogether the cut of a - professional pugilist, but would rather be described as - a fine, fresh, good-looking young countryman. The men - threw themselves into attitude, and opened the round - with a little sparring, but there was a hurried, not to - say nervous, manner about each of them, which indicated - that the scientific display would not be very - prolonged. Heenan led off once or twice, but was not - close enough. King was equally out of distance in - trying to return. At last they got nearer, and - exchanged good counter-hits. A couple more heavy hits - were given, and King was drawing back to take up fresh - ground, when Heenan plunged desperately at him, and got - his left arm round his neck; the impetus of his rush - carrying them both to the ropes. Here Heenan sought to - fix his man in the dangerous manner he had practised - with Sayers, but King’s strength enabled him to wrench - himself up, and, locked together, they wrestled back to - the centre of the ring. Here Heenan hung upon his man, - squeezing him tightly, and trying to force him down. - King, whose arms were at liberty, hit him heavily about - the body left and right, until he fell, dragging Heenan - with him, but the Yankee was uppermost. (The referee - here entered the ring and cautioned Heenan as to his - “hugging” system, which was certainly an unsightly mode - of attack.) - - 2.――Both men were somewhat flushed about the head from - the previous round, and King appeared a little - distressed from the severe struggle. He was urged to be - first with his man, and led off directly he came to the - scratch. He got well home on Heenan’s head; the latter - countered, but without much precision, and some wild - but heavy exchanges took place with both hands, King - dealing the Yankee a severe blow on the mouth. Tom was - pressing his man, when Heenan made a dash at him, and - showing great superiority in strength, after a few - seconds of squeezing, threw him heavily, a very - dangerous fall, coming with all his weight upon him. - (_First blood_ was here given to King; Heenan’s lips - being cut and bleeding.) - - 3.――King seemed anxious to keep away from his man spar; - there was no doubt that he was already considerably - shaken by the severe falls he had received. Heenan - appeared more anxious to seize a favourable chance to - grasp his man than to hit him. After a moment’s pause - they got together, and lashed out heavily with the - left, each getting home. This led to some more - exchanges, desperately heavy, it is true, but made in a - wild style, and not like two finished boxers. Heenan - again plunged in, King meeting him heavily as he came, - but he grappled Tom, and again brought him down with - shattering force across the lower rope, which was - pressed to the ground. Luckily the ground was not hard. - (Unpleasant as was Heenan’s style of fighting, he was - considered to be getting the best of the battle, as - King evidently could not resist his rush and clinching - throw.) - - 4.――King’s left eye was marked with a mouse, but - otherwise he did not show much signs of punishment. The - rounds were all short ones, Heenan forcing his way in - upon King, a few slashing exchanges; then King was once - more caught in the hug, and thrown a desperate fall. - (Great disapprobation of Heenan’s style of fighting――if - fighting it could be called. His hugging and squeezing - was far worse than even in Sayers’s fight.) - - 5.――King was as ready at the call of “time” as his - antagonist, yet evidently felt the falls he was - receiving, and sparred a bit for wind. Heenan was - distressed also, and glad of a pause. They worked round - a bit until they got near, when King, with the - swiftness of lightning, dealt the Yankee a terrific hit - in the middle of the head with his right, almost - knocking him off his legs, and drawing streams of - claret from a cut on his mouth. It was nearly a - floorer, and on Heenan trying a return, King - cross-countered very heavily on the side of the head. - Heenan was for a moment at a standstill, and King led - off again, but was out of distance, and the Yankee - again “clinching”――we must borrow an Americanism which - expresses more than our word “closing”――succeeded in - once more putting on the “hug” and throwing King - heavily; though he pitched over him so far as to strike - the ground with his own head. - - 6.――The fighting had been wild enough before, but in - this round there was no attempt at precision or - steadiness. The men punched――or punched at――one another - wildly, King getting the best of what hitting did tell, - till Heenan closed, and, getting his regular grip, - flung King a burster. - - 7.――The men went to work directly they faced each - other, and in a slogging rally some really terrific - hitting was given and taken. They broke away, but only - for a few seconds, when they got together with more - tremendous exchanges, yet still to the advantage of - King, who allowed what little science was exhibited, - and hit straightest. By a desperate snorter with his - right, during this rally, he drew a fresh burst of - crimson. Heenan closed in the hitting, hugged his man - viciously, and then threw him one of the heaviest - cross-buttocks seen for many a day. It was a crusher, - and King lay for a few seconds until his seconds picked - him up and bore him to his corner. - - 8.――King, to the delight of his friends, came up - promptly; although he was piping a little, he seemed - marvellously little hurt by these continuous throws. - Heenan was ready to fight to improve his supposed - advantage, and the men exchanged stinging counters - directly they faced each other, and heavy exchanges - followed. Heenan dashed in as usual to seize his man, - but on this occasion he was foiled, for King caught him - in his arms; and, after a moment’s struggle, threw the - Yankee heavily and fell on him. (This was a fair, - unmistakable back fall and the cheering for King was - tremendous.) - - 9.――Heenan looked vexed as he came up; he had plainly - made up his mind to recover his wrestling superiority, - and tried for an opening. King was with him, and met - him left and right; then, getting away again, planted - on him with tremendous effect as he came in, catching - his man well in the middle of the head; and now and - then, in each of the rounds, giving a home hit on the - body. Heenan at last got in, squeezed his man savagely, - and again threw him a shattering fall. - - 10.――The wildest and fastest of fighting still - continued, in fact, the rally more resembled a - “turn-up” of two angry navvies than the tactics of - skilled boxers. The exchanges were of the severest - description, although most of the blows seemed given at - random. Heenan was wholly bent on throwing, and once - more hugged King and threw him. - - 11.――Heenan showed that the pace was telling on him, - and it was doubtful whether he was not taking almost as - much out of himself by his desperate struggles to throw - King, as he was out of King by the falls. He persevered - in his wrestling game, however, for hardly an attempt - was made at a blow in this round before he grappled - with King, and brought him over. - - 12.――Tom was a little more on his guard this time, and - led off; Heenan returned, and a few seconds of very - hard fighting took place, both men being hit severely - about the head till they closed, when King again - succeeded in turning the tables, and threw Heenan - heavily. - - 13.――Although this round began with some countering - which looked very heavy, yet Heenan’s blows did not, as - a rule, tell very much; and when his seconds sent him - up King looked clean, and comparatively free from - punishment. Heenan again gave his man the hug, and - threw him. After this round Heenan’s left hand became - gradually of less service to him. - - 14.――Heenan feinted with his left, and threw in a - smasher on the head with his right. King stuck to him, - but after some stinging exchanges, in which he had the - best, he was thrown――one of the most tremendous - cross-buttocks ever seen――and so stunned and shaken was - King, that but for the tact and presence of mind of - Jerry Noon, it is doubtful if he could have come to - time. - - 15.――In spite of the very heavy falls being nearly - always in his favour, Heenan was now almost as much - distressed as King, and the punishment given was - certainly much against him. After a little sparring, - heavy counters were exchanged, and then three or four - smashing hits left and right, without a semblance of - stopping or avoiding. Heenan drew back a little, and - then lunging tremendously with his right, nailed King - with such terrific force that he staggered and went - down. (This was _first knock-down blow_ in favour of - Heenan, and was one at the few clean hits he delivered - or even attempted to deliver during the fight.) - - 16.――Although slower than before in answering the call - of “time,” King came resolutely up, and did not seem - greatly shaken by the knock-down blow. Indeed, Heenan - appeared worse from the effects of the last round than - did his opponent, as King had planted so heavily on his - left eye that it was badly cut and nearly closed. In - some more heavy punching――pure slogging give-and-take, - without any show of science――Heenan’s eye was quite - shut up, and he showed some decided signs of weakness. - King dashed in, and, after an exhausting struggle, - forced him down. - - 17.――In this round Heenan again got the fall; but it - was for the last time. He was evidently falling off; - and when once his superiority in strength or wrestling - power was gone he seemed useless and almost helpless as - a boxer. King hit him tremendously about the side of - the head and on the eyes, and it appeared as if Heenan - would soon be blind. However, as just said, he clutched - King desperately, and threw him one of the hardest - falls in the fight. But it was his last effort, and - while he became visibly weaker every minute, King, - strange to say, seemed little the worse. - - 18.――There was at first some fear that the ring would - be broken in; for the intense excitement among the - outer crowd had induced a rush, which broke through the - lukewarm resistance of the constables, and brought the - mass up to the ropes. Luckily, however, nothing came of - it. Heenan, thinking he had shaken King more than was - really the case, and probably feeling that he was - growing exhausted himself, rushed furiously at his man - to improve his advantage. King, however, who had - quickly recovered himself, met him with a couple of - hits left and right, stopping the Yankee’s rush, and - while he was yet on the stagger King closed, and, - giving him the crook, pitched him over, and tell on him - with stunning force. - - 19.――Heenan came up rather hurriedly when time was - called, but it was at once seen that he was almost - beaten, and was quite groggy. He tried his rush, but it - was no longer dangerous, and King stepped back twice, - measured his distance, planted on him without a return, - and, by a second straight hit, sent him down. In the - 20th round King managed to back-heel Heenan. The same - description applies to the next two rounds, excepting - that in each of them Heenan grew shakier and wilder, - and King’s superiority more marked. At the commencement - of the 23rd round it was proposed to throw up the - sponge, but Heenan would not hear of it, and staggered - at his man with the semblance of his former rush. He - staggered after receiving a blow, and was thrown by - King without a chance of resisting. His backers, seeing - that it was hopeless, and that it was only exposing the - sinking boxer to punishment, insisted on his surrender, - and the sponge was thrown up in token of defeat, after - a desperate, but slashing, hugging, and unscientific - battle of _thirty-five minutes_, and twenty-four - rounds. - - REMARKS.――We may well spare any lengthened comment upon - a contest the leading characteristics of which were - “clinching,” rushing, squeezing, and attempts at - strangulating hugs on the one side, and wild, desperate - sledge-hammer defensive hitting on the other. Heenan - proved beyond doubt or cavil that he did not deserve to - rank in the first or even second rank of artistic - boxers, and that sheer brute strength, seconded by - weight, stature, and a certain amount of mere animal - courage were his only qualifications. He seemed to have - little idea of sparring for an opening, or as a means - of defence; while the use of the skilful feints, - well-timed delivery, or accurate measurement of - distance, of getting close and then getting away, as - practised by professional boxers, he ignored or - despised. It was not the fault of Tom King that the - fight was so bad. His form and style were far the - better of the two, for he did not trust to mere - wrestling and hauling his man about, and would have - made a better show of tactics with a better man. Those - flatterers who told Heenan that he could stand a - comparison with King’s former opponent, Jem Mace, must - have been grossly ignorant or wilfully deceived - themselves. Few who saw this contest but felt, that it - was solely the accident which so early in the battle - disabled the gallant Tom Sayers’s right arm, had - prevented the signal defeat of Heenan on the memorable - day at Farnborough. King showed but few marks of severe - hitting after the fight, nor was he so seriously - exhausted by the falls as might have been expected, - considering the weight and stature of both men. On the - other hand, Heenan was seriously disfigured, indeed, - utterly prostrate, and nearly blinded at the close of - the encounter. Altogether, while an honest and game - fight, it was an unsatisfactory one; the sole point - settled being the entire absence, on the part of - Heenan, of those scientific attainments and steady - attributes indispensable to the successful practitioner - in the Prize Ring. The immense stake, £2,000, so - glaringly disproportionate to the merits of the battle, - was duly paid over to King. For the circumstance of the - appearance of the once formidable Tom Sayers at the - ring-side, as second to his former antagonist, John - Heenan, the reader is referred to pages 435 and 436 of - the present volume. - -Again, and for the last time, Tom King announced his retirement from -professional pugilism; we shall not, therefore, follow him into -private life farther than to say, that he has carried with him the -respect he earned by his public career, and that the last we heard of -him was that he had earned the peaceful distinction of a prizeman, as -a successful cultivator of flowers at horticultural shows, held in the -neighbourhood of his suburban dwelling. And here we legitimately close -the task we voluntarily imposed on ourself, of committing to the press -the history of ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF BRITISH BOXING. - - - [41] As an example of the way Ring affairs were managed, we - may note that, after 21 rounds in one hour and a quarter, - the police really did come; that the men met the next day, - January 1, 1862, and the police, after three rounds in 17 - minutes, again appeared, there being strong ground for - suspicion that they were sent for by telegram. Brettle - having sprained his ankle, a postponement was granted until - March, and then they met (the bet of £300 being off), and - after four rounds, occupying one hour and 40 minutes, the - referee gave them 15 minutes to strike a blow; but as one - wouldn’t and t’other didn’t, a “draw” was declared, March - 11, 1862. - - - - -L’Envoy to the Reader. - -“CONSTANT READER!”――for surely he deserves that title who hath borne -me mental company through fifteen hundred pages――this is an -old-fashioned book, written by an old-fashioned “pen,” recording -old-fashioned manners, customs, and pursuits of men in times fast -becoming old fashioned; it therefore seems fit that, in the old -fashion of the L’Envoy, the Author and the Reader should have a few -“more last words” ere they part company. - -When Cid Hamet Benengeli, in the ultimate Chapter of “Don Quixote,” -apostrophises his pen, he speaks of scribblers “who compile false and -idle histories.”[42] Even so does the smaller author of PUGILISTICA -feel as he ceases from his “Story of the Ring.” It would seem from the -denunciation of the worthy Cid Hamet that in all times there have been -literary fabricators and forgers, and the writer can certify that the -History of the Ring in the present day has more than one flagrant -instance. Foremost of these is a weekly newspaper professing to be the -Argus of the Turf, and the Titan of Tipsters. The “Famous Old Fights” -appearing in its columns are pure fiction, grafted on well-known -names, dates, and anecdotes procurable from standard works of -reference; the details of incidents, of rounds, &c., &c., being the -emanation of the lively imagination of the newswriter, who, to our -knowledge, and from innumerable instances in his blundering romance, -is utterly ignorant and innocent of any acquaintance with the Ring, -its professors, or the scenes he so inventively describes. The sole -reason for this _exposé_ is, that as, in many instances, these forged -accounts of battles purport to be between men whose combats are -authentically given in these pages, the reader should be made aware, -that no such reports exist in any contemporary publications, of which -innumerable proofs might be given, but that we cannot spare the space, -time, and trouble to “break a butterfly on the wheel.” Yet do we bear -no grudge to the ingenious fiction-writer; and having set the point of -truth and accuracy in its true light, we say, as did Uncle Toby, when -he released the fly, “Go thy ways, there is room enough in the world -for both of us.” - -And now for one other topic of our desultory gossip. In the later -portions of the Lives of the Boxers, we have had occasion to notice -the crusade which cant, cowardice, and hypocrisy successfully carried -out to the bitter end against pugilism and pugilists; we shall not -here iterate their defence or apology. To render, however, the work -more complete as a reference, in times when even the first principles -of fair-play to an antagonist, and forbearance towards the vanquished -seem to be little more than a memory, and to be fast vanishing out of -the minds of a pusillanimous populace, we shall here preserve the text -of the latest form of the “Regulations” which governed the practice of -honourable combat between professional opponents in the P.R. The old -Code, known as “Broughton’s Rules,” are given in volume i., page 25. - - -RULES OF THE RING, AS REVISED BY THE PUGILISTIC ASSOCIATION. - - It having been found that many of the Rules of the Ring - are insufficient to provide for the various - contingencies which continually arise in prize battles, - an entire revision has been determined on, and a - committee of gentlemen, members of the Pugilistic - Association, undertook the task. When the revision was - complete, the laws were submitted to a general meeting - of the members of the Prize Ring (being members of the - Association) and unanimously agreed to. - - RULE 1.――That the ring shall be made on turf, and shall - be four-and-twenty feet square formed of eight stakes - and ropes, the latter extending in double lines, the - uppermost line being four feet from the ground, and the - lower two feet from the ground. That in the centre of - the ring a mark be formed, to be termed “the scratch;” - and that at two opposite corners, as may be selected, - spaces be enclosed by other marks sufficiently large - for the reception of the seconds and bottle-holders, to - be entitled “the corners.” - - 2.――That each man shall be attended to the ring by a - second and a bottle-holder, the former provided with a - sponge, and the latter with a bottle of water. That the - combatants, on shaking hands, shall retire until the - seconds of each have tossed for choice of position, - which adjusted, the winner shall choose his corner - according to the state of the wind or sun, and conduct - his man thereto; the loser taking the opposite corner. - - 3.――That each man shall be provided with a handkerchief - of a colour suitable to his own fancy, and that the - seconds proceed to entwine these handkerchiefs at the - upper end of one of the centre stakes. That these - handkerchiefs shall be called the “colours;” and that - the winner of the battle at its conclusion shall be - entitled to their possession as the trophy of victory. - - 4.――That two umpires shall be chosen by the seconds or - backers to watch the progress of the battle, and take - exception to any breach of the rules hereafter stated. - That a referee shall be chosen by the umpires, unless - otherwise agreed on, to whom all disputes shall be - referred; and that the decision of this referee, - whatever it may be, shall be final and strictly binding - on all parties, whether as to the matter in dispute or - the issue of the battle. That the umpires shall be - provided with a watch for the purpose of calling time; - and that they mutually agree upon which this duty shall - devolve, the call of that umpire only to be attended - to, and no other person whatever to interfere in - calling time. That the referee shall withhold all - opinion till appealed to by the umpires, and that the - umpires strictly abide by his decision without dispute. - - 5.――That on the men being stripped it shall be the duty - of the seconds to examine their drawers, and if any - objection arise as to insertion of improper substances - therein, they shall appeal to their umpires, who, with - the concurrence of the referee, shall direct what - alterations shall be made. - - 6.――That in future no spikes be used in fighting boots - except those authorised by the Pugilistic Association, - which shall not exceed three-eighths of an inch from - the sole of the boot, and shall not be less than - one-eighth of an inch broad at the point; and it shall - be in the power of the referee to alter, or file in any - way he pleases, spikes which shall not accord with the - above dimensions, even to filing them away altogether. - - 7.――That both men being ready, each man shall be - conducted to that side of the scratch next his corner - previously chosen; and the seconds on the one side, and - the men on the other, having shaken hands, the former - shall immediately return to their corners, and there - remain within the prescribed marks till the round be - finished, on no pretence whatever approaching their - principals during the round, under a penalty of 5s. for - each offence, at the option of the referee. The - penalty, which will be strictly enforced, to go to the - funds of the Association. The principal to be - responsible for every fine inflicted on his second. - - 8.――That at the conclusion of the round, when one or - both of the men shall be down, the seconds and - bottle-holders shall step forward and carry or conduct - their principal to his corner, there affording him the - necessary assistance, and that no person whatever be - permitted to interfere in this duty. - - 9.――That on the expiration of thirty seconds the umpire - appointed shall cry “Time,” upon which each man shall - rise from the knee of his bottleholder and walk to his - own side of the scratch unaided; the seconds and - bottle-holders remaining at their corner; and that - either man failing so to be at the scratch within eight - seconds, shall be deemed to have lost the battle. This - rule to be strictly adhered to. - - 10.――That on no consideration whatever shall any person - be permitted to enter the ring during the battle, nor - till it shall have been concluded; and that in the - event of such unfair practice, or the ropes or stakes - being disturbed or removed, it shall be in the power of - the referee to award the victory to that man who in his - honest opinion shall have the best of the contest. - - 11.――That the seconds and bottle-holders shall not - interfere, advise, or direct the adversary of their - principal, and shall refrain from all offensive and - irritating expressions, in all respects conducting - themselves with order and decorum, and confine - themselves to the diligent and careful discharge of - their duties to their principals. - - 12.――That in picking up their men, should the seconds - or bottle-holders wilfully injure the antagonist of - their principal, the latter shall be deemed to have - forfeited the battle on the decision of the referee. - - 13.――That it shall be a fair “stand-up fight,” and if - either man shall wilfully throw himself down without - receiving a blow, _whether blows shall have previously - been exchanged or not_, he shall be deemed to have lost - the battle; but that this rule shall not apply to a man - who in a close slips down from the grasp of his - opponent to avoid punishment, or from obvious accident - or weakness. - - 14.――That butting with the head shall be deemed foul, - and the party resorting to this practice shall be - deemed to have lost the battle. - - 15.――That a blow struck when a man is thrown or down, - shall be deemed foul. That a man with one knee and one - hand on the ground, or with both knees on the ground, - shall be deemed down; and a blow given in either of - those positions shall be considered foul, providing - always that, when in such position the man so down - shall not himself strike or attempt to strike. - - 16.――That a blow struck below the waistband shall be - deemed foul, and that in a close seizing an antagonist - below the waist, by the thigh, or otherwise, shall be - deemed foul. - - 17.――That all attempts to inflict injury by gouging, or - tearing the flesh with the fingers or nails, and - biting, shall be deemed foul. - - 18.――That kicking or deliberately falling on an - antagonist with the knees or otherwise when down, shall - be deemed foul. - - 19.――That all bets shall be paid as the battle-money, - after a fight, is awarded. - - 20.――That no person, under any pretence whatever, shall - be permitted to approach nearer the ring than ten feet, - with the exception of the umpires and referee, and the - persons appointed to take charge of the water or other - refreshment for the combatants, who shall take their - seats close to the corners selected by the seconds. - - 21.――That due notice shall be given by the stakeholder - of the day and place where the battle-money is to be - given up, and that he be exonerated from all - responsibility upon obeying the direction of the - referee; that all parties be strictly bound by these - rules; and that in future all articles of agreement for - a contest be entered into with a strict and willing - adherence to the letter and spirit of these rules. - - 22.――That in the event of magisterial or other - interference, or in case of darkness coming on, the - referee shall have the power to name the time and place - for the next meeting, if possible on the same day, or - as soon after as may be. - - 23.――That, should the fight not be decided on the day, - all bets shall be drawn, unless the fight shall be - resumed the same week, between Sunday and Sunday, in - which case the bets shall stand and be decided by the - event. The battle-money shall remain in the hands of - the stakeholder until fairly won or lost by a fight, - unless a draw be mutually agreed upon. - - 24.――That any pugilist voluntarily quitting the ring - previous to the deliberate judgment of the referee - being obtained, shall be deemed to have lost the fight. - - 25.――That on an objection being made by the seconds or - umpire the men shall retire to their corners, and there - remain until the decision of the appointed authorities - shall be obtained; that if pronounced “foul,” the - battle shall be at an end, but if “fair,” “time” shall - be called by the party appointed, and the man absent - from the scratch in eight seconds after shall be deemed - to have lost the fight. The decision in all cases to be - given promptly and irrevocably, for which purpose the - umpires and the referee should be invariably close - together. - - 26.――That if in a rally at the ropes a man steps - outside the ring to avoid his antagonist, or to escape - punishment, he shall forfeit the battle. - - 27.――That the use of hard substances, such as stone, or - stick, or of resin, in the hand during the battle shall - be deemed foul, and that on the requisition of the - seconds of either man, the accused shall open his hands - for the examination of the referee. - - 28.――That hugging on the ropes shall be deemed foul. - That a man held by the neck against the stakes, or upon - or against the ropes, shall be considered down, and all - interference with him in that position shall be foul. - That if a man in any way makes use of the ropes or - stakes to aid him in squeezing his adversary he shall - be deemed the loser of the battle; and that if a man in - a close reaches the ground with his knees his adversary - shall immediately loose him or lose the battle. - - 29.――That all stage fights be as nearly as possible in - conformity with the foregoing rules. - -We ask, in the name of humanity, too often taken in vain, a calm and -dispassionate perusal of these rules, confident that the appeal will -at least induce a more charitable opinion of the men who could frame -and act upon them than ignorance or prejudice would form. “It has been -constantly urged,” says an experienced writer, “as a ground of -objection to the study of the skilful use of the fist that it makes -men pugnacious, and more ready to seek than to evade a quarrel, in -order that they may display their fancied superiority. Observation and -experience do not confirm this view. We have almost invariably found -(except with persons who cannot command their temper, and if this be -the case, whatever be their acquirements, they will be equally without -control) that the consciousness of power inclines men to be less prone -to quarrel, and more forbearing against an opponent. Of this abundant -proofs are to be found, not only among the ordinary classes of -society, but more particularly among professed pugilists, who, with a -few exceptions, are the last to invite a quarrel, and the first to -seek a reconciliation. Many instances are on record, and have passed -under our notice, in which the most respectable members of the Prize -Ring have actually submitted to positive insult rather than exercise -their athletic powers and take advantage of the weakness of an -assailant. This calmness of disposition, joined with perfect -self-possession, is in fact one of the most valuable attributes of a -British boxer, and one of the best tests of true courage. That there -may be and are exceptions to this rule cannot be denied; but all must -concur in the proposition, that for the strong to oppress the weak, or -the scientific boxer to take advantage of an ignorant and helpless -opponent, is an act of cowardice deserving the utmost contempt. The -ruffian who would strike a woman is not less deserving of execration -than he who, for the mere purpose of displaying his scientific -acquirements, would assail another not equally gifted. The great end -of pugilistic instruction is, to instil into the mind of the pupil a -manly and honourable bearing, combined with personal confidence in the -hour of danger; we have no apprehensions, therefore, that its pursuit -will lead to the abandonment of those principles of self-respect and -fair play which are alike estimable in the minds of all classes.” - -And here we will once again ask the question, without fear of a valid -retort, “Has the experience of the last twenty years, read by the -light of our police reports, and the records of our criminal courts, -shown any improvement in the character of what are called ‘offences -against the person’?” On the contrary, familiarity with the use of -deadly weapons, of the knife in murderous varieties of “the bowie” the -“Spanish,” “the Arkansas tooth-pick,” the “knuckle-duster,” the -many-chambered revolver, with the stringent repression of all -pugilistic conflict by an ever and over-vigilant police, has -undoubtedly led to swifter, more sanguinary, more treacherous, and -more deadly modes of settling those differences which must arise, -especially among the lower classes of society. To this humiliating -catalogue of brutality we may add the savage use of the iron-bound -clog, and the “running kick,” so fatally studied and practised by a -section of the community which in ruder and in better times would have -scorned such an unmanly mode of attack, and would not even have -permitted it where several spectators were gathered together. But -alas! the outcome of the decay and suppression of fair fighting is -manifest; the doctrine of assassination is publicly preached in the -press and in public meetings, and “the gospel of dynamite” is the -latest development of the “superior civilisation” of a people who - - “Scorning all treacherous feud and deadly strife, - The dark stiletto or the murderous knife, - Boasted a science sprung from manly pride. - Linked with true courage, and to health allied―― - A noble pastime, void of vain pretence―― - The fine old English Art of Self-defence.” - -Whether fair and regulated prize-battles are destructive of life, and -absolutely and directly shorten the period of man’s longevity, may be -fairly a subject of inquiry. A few statistics may well give us pause -before we decide this point, which an insufficient investigation and -popular prejudice would pronounce in the affirmative, while a candid -consideration of the following table may prove the negative――that is, -as compared with many other gymnastic and sporting exercises. Deaths -in the prize-ring, or even as the consequences of pugilistic -encounters, do not show a marked diminution of the term of human life, -in the recorded instances of the ages of the most celebrated -professors and practitioners of the art of boxing:―― - - - AGES OF THE CHAMPIONS FROM BROUGHTON TO TOM KING. - - BORN. DIED. AGE. - John Broughton 1703 1789 85 - Tom Johnson (Jackling) 1750 1797 47*[43] - Daniel Mendoza 1763 1836 73 - John Jackson 1769 1845 76 - Jem Belcher 1781 1811 30*[43] - Tom Belcher 1783 1854 71 - John Gully, M.P. 1783 1863 80 - Tom Cribb 1781 1848 67 - Tom Spring 1795 1851 56*[43] - Jem Ward (still living) 1800 ―― 81 - Bendigo (William Thompson) 1811 1880 69 - Benjamin Caunt 1815 1861 46*[43] - William Perry (Tipton Slasher) 1819 1881 61 - Tom Sayers 1828 1866 38*[43] - Jem Mace (living in 1881) ―― ―― ―― - Tom King (living in 1881) ―― ―― ―― - ―――――――― - 880 yrs. - An average of fourteen lives nearly 63 years. - -Our last plea shall be drawn from the records of the “collective -wisdom” of the nation, wherein we flatter ourselves manly common sense -will find little difficulty in discriminating the characters of the -meddling, malignant and persecuting preachers of the doctrine of -“sweetness and light,” from the generous and tolerant spirits who -declined to use the powers of government against the much-maligned -Ring, its professors and patrons. - -We have noted the wave of puritan cant which for some ten years -previous to 1860 had rolled over the land, and the force of which was -long after felt. In the last-named year it gave trouble and unrest in -the Senate. - -On the 13th of April, Mr. HADFIELD gave notice, on presentation of a -petition, that he would call the attention of the Government to a -meditated breach of the peace, by a pugilistic contest to take place -between an American citizen and a British subject for a so-called -Championship. He added the extraordinary information that “the -newspapers had given notice of the time and place (?); “therefore he -asked the Secretary for the Home Department whether he intended to -take measures to put down such intended disturbance of the public -peace and prevent an exhibition so contrary to the religious sense of -the country at large――(laughter)――and he would further ask whether the -public might rely on his doing his best to prevent so brutal and -demoralising an exhibition to the rising generation as the announced -contest between this American gladiator and――――(Laughter prevented the -rest of the hon. member’s question reaching the reporters’ gallery.) - -Sir GEO. C. LEWIS, rising, said: The contest between these redoubtable -champions (a laugh) has been brought under my notice, and I have -transmitted the letter to Sir Richard Mayne, who, I have no doubt, -will take the necessary steps to prevent a breach of the peace within -the metropolitan district. Beyond this I cannot assure my honourable -friend; I cannot venture to give any positive promise――for if he is -informed of the time and place I am not, and I don’t think they are -fixed――it is, therefore, impossible for me to say whether the police -will succeed in preventing the “incursion” in question. (Laughter.) - -Mr. HADFIELD was by no means satisfied with the Right Honourable -gentleman’s answer, and should again raise the question. - -The fight came off unsatisfactorily, as all the world knows. _Punch_, -in the following week, tells us (in his “Essence of Parliament”):―― -“_Commons._ More fun about the fight. Mr. Ewart admitted but deplored -the interest taken, and the questions raised upon this matter; but -wanted to know what power there was to suppress such doings, except -the police power to suppress riot? Sir G. G. Lewis was also at a loss -to know how to deal with our modern Dares and Entellus.” - -A young Yorkshire noblemen, however, a newly-fledged M.P., Lord -Lovaine (now Earl of Beverley) sought to make political and religious -capital out of the affair. His lordship opened fire by an attack on -the directors of a certain railway company――the South Eastern――for -“their conduct in offering facilities for the conveyance of persons to -these illegal contests,” and to raise the question, my Lord Lovaine, -“moved for copies of any correspondence on this subject, which had -passed between the Government and the South Eastern Railway Company.” -He also inquired whether the Government had attempted to enforce the -law, or whether anything had been done to stop the practice of letting -trains for the purpose he mentioned. - -To these impertinences, spiced with some personal inuendoes, Lord -Palmerston replied in the following terms:――“He would not argue the -technical legal question that a fight between two men――not a fight of -enmity, but a trial of strength――is, legally, a breach of the peace, -and an act that renders the parties liable to prosecution; nor whether -the persons who go to witness it are not, technically, involved in the -charge. But, as far as they are concerned, they may conceive it to be -a very harmless pursuit; some persons like what takes place; there may -be a difference of opinion, as a matter of taste, whether it is a -spectacle one would wish to see, or whether it is calculated to excite -disgust. Some people look upon it as an exhibition of manly courage, -characteristic of the people of this country. I saw the other day,” -said his lordship, “a long extract from a French newspaper, describing -this fight as a type of the national character for endurance, patience -under suffering, of indomitable perseverance in determined effort, and -holding it up as a specimen of the manly and admirable qualities of -the British race (hear). All this is, of course, entirely a matter of -opinion; but really, setting aside the legal technicalities of the -case, I do not perceive why any number of persons, say 1,000 if you -please, who assemble to witness a prize fight, are in their own -persons more guilty of a breach of the peace than an equal number of -persons who assemble to witness a balloon ascent (laughter). There -they stand; there is no breach of the peace; they go to see a sight, -and when that sight is over they return, and no injury is done to any -one. They only sit or stand on the grass to witness the performance, -and as to the danger to those who perform themselves, I imagine the -danger to life in the case of those who go up in balloons is certainly -greater (hear and laughter) than that of two combatants who merely hit -each other as hard as they can, but inflict no permanent injury upon -each other (hear, hear). I think there is moderation in all -things――moderation in all opinions; and although it may or may not be -desirable that the law should be enforced――whatever the law may -be――still I do not think any advantage is gained or good done, either -to public morals or public feeling, by the sort of exaggerations in -which the noble lord has indulged. At the same time the motion is one -to which I see no objection, and therefore I do not oppose it.” - -Some sparring took place, in the course of which Lord Lovaine taunted -the Premier with a love of pugilism, and with sanctioning rather than -discouraging these meetings. Mr. Scully also had a fling at the -Premier. - -Lord PALMERSTON replied as follows:――“I distinctly stated that it was -ruled by legal authorities that such prize fights were breaches of the -peace; but I protest, at the same time, against the exaggerated terms -in which the noble lord (Lord Lovaine) characterised the conduct of -the spectators on those occasions.” - -“Colonel DICKSON was surprised to hear his hon. friend (Mr. Scully) -take the noble lord at the head of the Government to task for the -remarks he had made on this occasion, for he (Colonel Dickson) could -not understand an Irishman objecting to fighting (a laugh). The noble -viscount (Palmerston) had not laid himself open to such taunts. He sat -on a different side of the House from the noble lord, and did not -often find himself in the same lobby with him on a division, but he -would say for the noble viscount that if he had one attribute more -than another which endeared him to his countrymen, it was his -thoroughly English character and his love for every manly sport -(cheers). He (Colonel Dickson) never saw a prize fight in his life; -but he would say that the two men who fought on the recent occasion -showed qualities of which the whole English race had reason to be -proud, our own man in particular (laughter), who evinced powers of -endurance and an indomitable pluck which entitled him to the -admiration of his countrymen (cheers.) Many men in this country -received honours who did not so well deserve them. He did not think -Parliament ought to legislate with the view to put down manly sports; -and, with regard to the duties of magistrates the law was clearly laid -down. Magistrates themselves ought to know when to act and when to -shut their eyes (a laugh).” - -The returns were then ordered; but whether any such papers existed, or -of what use they were to the meddlesome movers, the world is to this -day in ignorance. We should say that the whole debate was a peg on -which to hang a sanctimonious attack to the glory of the “unco’ guid” -assailants. While on this topic we will add a well-authenticated -anecdote which was current at the time in the clubs. - -While the Home Secretary (Sir G. Cornewall Lewis) was solemnly -explaining and admitting the illegality of Ring-fights, a well-known -sporting M.P. was collecting a “purse” for Sayers. Lord Palmerston -came upon the group, and was instantly arrested by the amateur -collector. “My lord, I want a sov. for Tom Sayers.” “A sov. for -Sayers? Splendid fellow that; I’ll give you five.” “Thank you, my -lord; but the subscription is limited to a single sov.” His lordship, -with subdued alacrity, “Well, here it is; but I wish it was five.” -There were noblemen then, in soul as in title; in humble life as in -exalted. Do they survive, and have they the courage even of their own -opinions? - - Ah, me that I have lived to hear - Such men as ruffians scorned. - Such deeds of valour “brutal” called, - Canted, preached-down, and mourned! - Ah! that these old eyes ne’er again, - A gallant mill shall see! - No more behold the ropes and stakes, - With colours flying free! - Yet, in despite of all the jaw - And gammon of this time, - That brands the art of self-defence―― - Old England’s art――as crime, - From off mine ancient memories - The rust of time I’ll shake. - Your youthful bloods to quicken - And your British pluck to wake; - I know it only slumbers, - Let cant do what it will, - The British bull-dog _will_ be - The British bull-dog still. - - - _Valete ac plaudite_: The curtain has fallen! - - - WOOD GREEN. H. D. M. - - - [42] “And now, my slender pen, whether cunningly cut, or - unskilfully shaped, it boots not much; here, from this rack, - wire-suspended, shalt thou enjoy repose to future ages, if - no presumptuous and wicked hand shall take thee down, and - profane thee by compiling false and idle histories.”――“THE - ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SAGE AND VALIANT DON QUIXOTE DE LA - MANCHA,” book iii., ch. XXII. Smollet’s translation. - - [43] A reference to the memoirs in these volumes will fully - show, that in each of the instances of early death, marked - with an asterisk (*), extraneous causes account for the - comparative shortening of life.――ED. - - - - - - INDEX TO VOLUME III. - - - PAGE - - B - - BENDIGO. _See_ THOMPSON, WILLIAM. - - BENJAMIN, BILL, or BAINGE 399, 406 - - BRASSEY, of Bradford (JOHN LEECHMAN). - Fight with Young Langan 340 - Fight with Tass Parker 344 - His death 351 - - BRETTLE, BOB. - His pugilistic career 414 - His battle with Tom Sayers 416 - Defeats Jem Mace 451 - Is beaten by Tom Sayers 452 - Is challenged by Jem Mace 457 - Adjourned fight 458 - Is beaten by Mace 459 - - BROOME, HARRY (Champion). 1851. - Younger brother to the renowned “Johnny” 308 - Born at Birmingham 308 - Early glove displays 308 - Rivalry of East and West. The Broomes 309 - Fred Mason (the “Bulldog”) 309 - Harry matched against Mason for £50 309 - A prepossessing “first appearance” 310 - Harry beats the “Bulldog” 311 - A twelvemonths’ rest. Joe Rowe 314 - A trip down the river 315 - Harry defeats Joe Rowe 316 - Tom Spring resigns his post as referee 319 - Second battle of Broome and Joe Rowe 321 - Matched with Ben Terry 323 - A suspicious affair and a “draw” 324 - “The Great Unknown,” Harry and the Tipton Slasher 325 - Broome’s remarkable increase in weight and stature 325 - His fight with the Tipton, and Peter Crawley’s decision, 327 - Negotiations with Harry Orme 330 - Matched for £250 a side 330 - Defeats Harry Orme 333 - The old “Tipton” again 336 - Broome forfeits to the “Tipton” 338 - And to Tom Paddock 338 - Is beaten by Paddock 338 - Retires from the Ring 339 - Becomes a publican at Portsmouth 339 - His death in 1865, aged 39 339 - Joe Rowe’s “Sultan Stores” (note) 339 - - BURKE, JAMES (“the Deaf’un”). - His birth and parentage 94 - Strand Lane Stairs. “Jack-in-the-water” 95 - The Thames in the first quarter of the century 95 - The old “fighting days” 96 - Joe Parish. “the Waterman.” “The Spotted Dog” 96 - Eminent watermen pugilists 96 - The Deaf’un’s first fight 97 - The butchers of Clare Market 98 - An Impromptu mill. Defeats Tom Hands 98 - Defeats a “New Black” for “a purse” 99 - Enrolled in the _corps pugilistique_ 99 - Beats Berridge at Leicester 99 - Matched with Fitzmaurice 99 - Beats Fitzmaurice at Harpenden 100 - Spars with Young Dutch Sam 100 - Is ruptured by an accident 101 - Defeated by Cousens of Chichester 101 - Defeats Girdler at North Chapel, Sussex 102 - “Whiteheaded Bob” and the Duke of Cumberland 102 - High prizes prohibitory of prize-fights 104 - A stratagem. Grabbing the wrong man 104 - Beats Gow at Temple Mills 104 - Bob Hampson’s challenge and defeat 105 - Three battles within six weeks 105 - Beats Tim Crawley 108 - Tommy Roundhead and Frosty-faced Fogo 109 - A Homeric battle; the muses appeased 110 - “The Deaf’un’s” merits as a sparrer 110 - Matched with Birmingham Davis 111 - A disappointment 111 - Defeats Birmingham Davis 112 - Matched with Blissett 113 - Beats Blissett 114 - A dinner at Tom Cribb’s; and a match 115 - Beats old Jack Carter 115 - A “little go.” Lazarus and Jem Brown 116 - An interval and a sparring tour 116 - Beats Yorkshire Macone 117 - Challenges from Cousens and Josh Hudson 117, 118 - Bill Charles, “the Welsh Champion” 118 - Claims the Championship 118 - “Too heavy” for Young Dutch Sam 118 - Sign articles with Simon Byrne 119 - “The Deaf’un’s” courage and humanity 119 - The “Irish Champion” and “the talent” 119 - The day before the battle 120 - The fight and fatal result 121-125 - Verdict of “manslaughter” against Burke and others 126 - Subscription for the Widow Byrne 126 - Trial and acquittal of Burke 127 - Presentation of a service of plate to the Editor of - _Bell’s Life in London_ 128 - Challenged by O’Rourke 128 - And by Young Dutch Sam for £500 (!) 128 - And by Jem Ward for £500, but not less than £100 a side, 128 - O’Rourke’s challenge and departure for America 129 - The Deaf’un’s “ancient statues” 129 - Harry Preston and “the Deaf’un” 130 - Plays at Sheffield in “Valentine and Orson” 131 - Burke’s “farewell,” and high stakes for prize battles 131 - A maximum stake of £200 voted 131 - Sails for America 132 - His welcome in the New World 132 - Sails South to meet O’Rourke 133 - Riots in New Orleans, and escape of “the Deaf’un” 133 - Returns to New York 134 - Battle with and defeat of O’Connell 135 - The _New York Herald_ and the P.R. 135 - Burke’s arrival in Liverpool 138 - The “big ones” of 1838 138 - A general challenge from “the Deaf’un” 138 - The school of “Tom and Jerry;” a trip to France 139 - Returns, and is beaten by Bendigo 139 - “The Lament of Deaf Burke” 140 - The Deaf’un again in the field, and matched with - Nick Ward 141 - Beaten by Nick Ward 141 - The Deaf’un’s oratory 142 - Indicted with Owen Swift, Ned Adams, Dick Cain, Lord - Chetwynd, and others 143 - The “Battle of Bedford” and Parson Cautley 143 - Address of Deaf Burke to the Grand Jury of Bedford 144 - The trial and its result 148 - Receives forfeit of £15 from the Tipton Slasher 148 - Night-houses in the Haymarket 149 - Bob Castles and “the Deaf’un” 149 - A match between Old Ones 149 - The voyage to Rainham Ferry 150 - The fight. Burke the conqueror 151 - “Triumphant epistle of Deaf Burke to Bob Castles” 155 - Dissipation, disease, and death 156 - - - C - - CASTLES, BOB 149 - - CAUNT, BENJAMIN (Champion) 1841. - A native of Nottinghamshire 47 - Hucknall Torkard and Lord Byron 47 - His first defeat by Bendigo 47 - Beats William Butler 47 - Beats Boneford 48 - Second match with Bendigo 48 - A mail-coach Journey to Doncaster in 1838 48 - The road to the fight 52 - The combatants “interviewed” 53 - Incidents and mishaps 54 - The fight; a magisterial interference 56 - The fight won by a “foul” 58 - Remarks on the battle 59 - Caunt receives the stakes 60 - A new match for £100 a side and a forfeit 60 - Challenges by Brassey and Caunt 60 - “An heroic epistle from Brassey to Caunt” 61 - Estimates of the men 62 - Newmarket and its neighbourhood 64 - A battle of “big ’uns” 66 - Caunt the victor 69 - Claims the Championship 69 - Challenged by Nick Ward 69 - Loses with Ward by a “foul blow” 70 - A second match made 70 - Stratford-on-Avon the rendezvous 71 - The field of battle, Long Marsden 72 - The Champion’s new belt 73 - Caunt defeats Nick Ward 74 - Caunt “Champion,” sails for America with the “Belt” 77 - A “buncombe” challenge 77 - Charles Freeman, “the Giant” 78 - “The Michigan Giant” and “New York Baby” 78 - Returns to England, March, 1842 79 - Caunt’s “Champion Cup” 79 - Challenges Bendigo, Tass Parker, and the Tipton - Slasher, in six months, each for £200 79 - Bendigo again in the field 80 - Caunt loses his third battle with Bendigo 80 - A dreadful domestic calamity 80 - Caunt and Nat Langham; a silly feud 81 - Matched for £200 a side 81 - Ben’s challenge to Tom Sayers 83 - Misgivings as to Caunt and Langham’s encounter 84 - The battle 86 - A “draw” and a “dispute” 88 - The “dropping” system 92 - Caunt in retirement 93 - His death, Sept. 10, 1861 93 - - - H - - HURST, SAM (“the Staleybridge Infant”). - His battle with Tom Paddock 307 - Matched with Jem Mace 459 - His battle with Jem Mace 460 - Defeat and retirement 463 - - - J - - JONES, AARON. - His fights with Harry Orme 253, 262 - Ditto with Tom Paddock 283 - Beaten by Tom Sayers 237, 287 - Fight with Bob Wade 245 - Challenges Tom Sayers 419 - A renewed match with Sayers 431 - Surviving in 1881 358 - - - K - - KING, TOM, (Champion) 1862. - His birthplace, Stepney 490 - Adopts a sailor’s life 490 - Voyages to Africa 490 - A foreman in the docks 490 - His inoffensive character and courage 491 - Disposes of a “’long-shore” bully 491 - Introduced to Jem Ward 491 - A challenge for a small stake 491 - A forfeit from Clamp 491 - Matched with Tommy Truckle, of Portsmouth 491 - Beats Tommy Truckle 492 - Arrival of Heenan 494 - Matched with Harry Poulson, of Nottingham 494 - Challenges Sam Hurst for Championship 494 - Matched with Evans (Young Broome) 495 - The Championship and Circus quackery 495 - Ring performances of Young Broome 495 - King defeats Young Broome in two Rings 496 - Large stakes for little fights 500 - Matched with Mace 500 - A tedious interval 501 - The approaching day――anxiety 501 - A clerical “tip” 501 - The journey to the fight 505 - King defeats Mace for the Championship 505 - King resigns the belt 509 - A telegraphic message corrected 510 - Heenan again in the field 510 - Agrees to meet Heenan 511 - Articles for £1,000 a side 511 - Heenan in training 512 - His pedestrian feats 512 - Difficulties as to the place for combat 513 - Three nights of watchfulness 513 - Scene at London Bridge 513 - The “roughs” at fault 513 - A morning ride 514 - Speculation; arrival at the ground 514 - The ring at Wadhurst 515 - The fight 516 - King defeats Heenan 516 - Remarks 517 - Conclusion 518 - - - L - - LANGHAM, NAT. - His qualities and “unlucky” weight 234 - Born at Hinckley, Leicestershire 234 - His first fight 234 - Comes up to London 235 - An impromptu battle. Defeats Tom Lowe 235 - Challenges Joe Bostock 235 - Beats “Doctor” Campbell 236 - Challenges; matched with Gutteridge 236 - Defeats Gutteridge 237 - Nat receives forfeit from Angelo and Gutteridge 238 - Matched with Sparks the Australian 238 - A trip per steamer and a strategic movement 239 - Nat defeats Sparkes 240 - In want of a customer 242 - Matched with Harry Orme 242 - Beaten by Harry Orme 243 - Goes into business at Cambridge 243 - Alec Keene, Tom Sayers, Harry Brunton 243 - Nat matched with Tom Sayers 244 - A trip per Eastern Counties Railway 245 - A model mill; Nat defeats Tom Sayers 246 - Tom and Nat, rival pubs 251 - A ridiculous match. Langham and Ben Caunt 251 - “A draw.” Nat dies at the “Cambrian,” Sept. 1st., 1871 252 - - L’ENVOY TO THE READER. - The extinction of the Ring 518 - Fabricated accounts of Prize Fights 519 - The Crusade against the Ring 519 - The noble supporters of Boxing 519 - Ages of the Champions from Broughton to Tom King 524 - Parliamentary discussions 524 - Railway directors and special trains 525 - Anecdote of Lord Palmerston 526 - Cant and cowardice _versus_ manly courage 527 - Farewell to the reader. Finis 528 - - - M - - MACE, JEM (Champion). - His merits as a boxer 444 - Degeneracy of pugilists and Ring-patrons 444 - Birth of Mace 444 - His parentage 445 - His travelling propensities 445 - His first Ring fight 445 - Matched with Bill Thorpe 445 - Rapid increase in weight of some pugilists 445 - Mace beats Bill Thorpe 445 - Comes to London. Proposals for matches 448 - Returns to Norwich, and matched with Mike Madden 449 - A dispute and a disappointment 449 - Six months’ quibbling 450 - A new match and a “bolt” 450 - Reappears as “George Brown’s Novice” 450 - Matched with Bob Brettle 451 - Beaten (?) by Bob Brettle 451 - Appears as “Bob Brettle’s Novice” 452 - Matched with Posh Price of Birmingham 452 - Defeats Posh Price 453 - Becomes a publican 454 - Challenges; matched with Bob Travers (Black) 454 - Career of Bob Travers 454 - Beats Bob Travers (an adjourned fight) 456 - Quarrel with Bob Brettle 457 - Match for £200 with Brettle 458 - Beats Brettle in an adjourned fight 459 - Matched with Sam Hurst 459 - The “Staleybridge Infant” 459 - Defeats Sam Hurst 460 - Mace hailed as Champion 462 - Tom King challenges the title 462 - Mace defeats Tom King 465 - Heenan returns to England, 1861 468 - Mace in business as a publican 468 - Brettle backs “an Unknown” against Mace 469 - Brettle receives £25 from King’s backers to retire 469 - Mace defeated by Tom King 469 - Matched with Joe Goss, of Wolverhampton 469 - Mace stakes £600 to £400 on the part of Goss 469 - Match-making “considerably mixed” 469 - Fighting career of Joe Goss (note) 470 - Precautions against police interruption 471 - Riotous conduct of roughs at railway terminal 471 - An early journey into Wiltshire 472 - The “referee” difficulty again 472 - A police intervention 473 - A disappointment, and return to town 473 - An adjournment “down the river” 473 - The fight on Plumstead Marshes 474 - Mace defeats Joe Goss 474 - A “side-light” on “bogus” stakes 475 - The anti-pugilistic press 476 - The _Morning Star_ and _Dial_ 476 - The _Saturday Review_: reflections on the fight 476 - A “champion” from the New World 477 - Mace and Coburn matched for £1,000 477 - Cavilling negotiations 477 - A sketch of Joe Coburn 477 - Edwin James & Co. 478 - Contrast of olden Ring “patrons” and modern Ring - “agents” 478 - Lord Shaftesbury an admirer of boxing (note) 478 - Provincial tours 479 - A journey to Dublin 479 - A public “secret” _more Hibernico_ 479 - Press men in Dublin 480 - Irish arrangements 480 - A London celebrity 481 - A scene at the rendezvous 481 - Goold’s Cross, Limerick, named 481 - A shindy, and the match “off” 482 - A farce, and the a stakes claimed 482 - The stakes drawn 482 - Irish humour 483 - An archiepiscopal hoax 483 - Comments thereon 484 - Colours and “good faith” 485 - Mace offers to fight Coburn for £100 486 - Degeneracy of the Ring 486 - New “big ones” and the Championship 486 - “Train-swindles” 486 - Mace and Joe Goss’s second match 486 - A “no-fight” 487 - A new giant, O’Baldwin 487 - O’Baldwin claims the belt 487 - Mace’s “Unknown” 487 - O’Baldwin and Joe Wormald for £200 487 - O’Baldwin loses his way 487 - Forfeits £200 to Wormald 487 - Mace offers to fight O’Baldwin 487 - Mace arrested and held to bail 488 - Sam Hurst brought on the stage 488 - Flight of the Champions to America 488 - Their “doings” there 488 - Mace beats Tom Allen at New Orleans 488 - Returns to England 488 - A publican at Melbourne, 1881 488 - - MASON, FRED (“the Bull-dog”) 309, 311 - - - O - - ORME, HARRY. - His birth. Harry an “East-ender” 253 - His brief but brilliant career 253 - Aaron Jones of Shrewsbury 253 - Orme defeats Aaron Jones 254 - Is matched with Nat Langham 256 - Beats Nat Langham 257 - A second match with Aaron Jones 259 - The “ring,” at Newmarket 259 - Hazardous ground. A shift 260 - Fight No. 1 262 - Fight No. 2. A second interruption 263 - A misunderstanding. Jones refuses a third meeting. - The victory awarded to Orme 266 - The stakes given to Orme. Legal proceedings 268 - Orme viewed as the “coming Champion” 269 - Matched with Harry Broome 269 - Defeated by Harry Broome 269 - Becomes landlord of the “Jane Shore,” Shoreditch 269 - His death, June 9, 1864 269 - - - P - - PADDOCK, TOM. - The Championship at the appearance of Tom Paddock 271 - Tom fought the best men of the day 271 - Born at Redditch 272 - Beats Pearce, of Cheltenham 272 - Defeats Elijah Parsons 272 - Nobby Clarke 274 - Paddock backed against and beats Clarke 274 - Second match with Nobby Clarke 276 - Clarke loses by a “foul” blow 276 - Paddock as Johnny Broome’s Unknown 276 - Loses the fight with Bendigo by a “foul” 276 - Forfeit with the Tipton Slasher 276 - “Draw” with the Tipton Slasher 276 - Receives forfeit from Jack Grant 277 - And from Con. Parker 277 - Is beaten by Harry Poulson 277 - Beats Harry Poulson 277 - Convicted of “a riot,” and imprisoned ten months 278 - Letter from “Lydon” on the affair 279 - A third match with Poulson 279 - Beats Harry Poulson a second time 280 - Is a matched with Aaron Jones 283 - Beats Aaron Jones 283 - Aaron Jones’s qualifications 285 - Paddock challenges the Championship 287 - Receives £180 forfeit from Harry Broome, who is - arrested 287 - The late Mr. Vincent Dowling 288 - Renewed match with Aaron Jones 288 - Beats Aaron Jones 290 - Harry Broome’s challenge 294 - Preliminary proceedings 294 - An excursion by the “Eastern Counties” rail 295 - The fight; defeat of Harry Broome 299 - Sympathy for the loser 302 - The Tipton Slasher again 304 - Tom forfeits to the “Tipton” 304 - Challenges Tom Sayers. Alec Keene’s letter 305 - Caunt challenges Sayers 305 - Paddock’s serious illness; kindness of Tom Sayers 306 - Paddock’s recovery. Match with Tom Sayers 306 - Beaten by Tom Sayers 306 - Beaten by Sam Hurst 307 - His death, June 30th, 1863 307 - - PARKER, TASS. - His battles with the Tipton Slasher 191 - His fight with Brassey of Bradford 347 - Ditto with Harry Preston 351 - - PERRY, WILLIAM (“the Tipton Slasher”). - His birth at Tipton 157 - The Slasher’s _coup d’essai_ 157 - Beats Tim Dogherty, near Chelsea 158 - Returns to the “Black Country” 158 - Fights and beats Ben Spilsbury 158 - Matched with “the Gornel Champion” 159 - Beats Jem Scunner, and becomes “a lion” 159 - Tass Parker, Harry Preston, &c. 159 - Forfeits £15 to Deaf Burke 160 - Johnny Broome “manipulates” the “Tipton” 160 - Charles Freeman, “the American Giant” 161 - Theatres, the Circus, and the P.R. 161 - A challenge to Freeman by “an Unknown” 161 - William Perry is declared as “Broome’s Novice” 162 - Matched for £150 against Freeman 162 - The Giant “in training” 163 - Description of Charles Freeman 164 - Comparisons of bulk and strength of men 166 - The journey to the field 167 - A contrast 168 - The fight interrupted by darkness 170 - The return and its incidents 173 - The adjourned battle; magisterial interference 176 - Stanzas: “The unfinished fight of the American Giant - and the Tipton Slasher” 177 - A trip down the river agreed upon 179 - Freeman’s benefit at the Westminster Baths 179 - The voyage to the fighting ground 180 - Aristocratic Ring-goers: “the Bishop of Bond Street” 180 - “A shave:” Joe Banks, “the Stunner,” Jem Burn, &c. 181 - The fight and defeat of the “Tipton” 182 - The return: Dick Curtis’s benefit 185 - A challenge to Caunt 185 - The stakes given over to Freeman 186 - Death of the American Giant, of consumption; - infrequency of deaths from Ring encounters (note) 186 - Johnny Broome and the “Slasher” 187 - Tass Parker and the “Tipton” matched 187 - Unsatisfactory result; police interruption 189 - The adjourned battle 190 - A railway “excursion” 190 - A squabble about the referee 192 - The fight: the “tumble-down system” 194 - Johnny Hannan’s good conduct 195 - The stakes given to the “Tipton” 196 - Third battle with and defeat of Tass Parker 196 - Challenge to Caunt, who declines to fight under £500 - a side 199 - Candidates for the Championship (note) 199 - Tom Paddock 200 - A forfeit, and a match with Paddock 200 - A trip per South Western Rail 200 - A day misspent: Wiltshire and Hampshire tabooed 201 - A mill by moonlight 201 - A “pig-shearing” excursion, and a “foul” blow 203 - The Tipton claims the belt 204 - Johnny Broome’s “Unknown” and the “Slasher” 204 - Harry Broome “the Veiled Prophet” 204 - Defeat of the “Slasher” by “Young Harry” 204 - Receives forfeit from Harry Broome 205 - Perry becomes a publican 205 - Rise of Tom Sayers and his challenge of the - Championship 205 - Defeat of the “Slasher” by Tom Sayers 205 - Death of Perry, in January, 1881 205 - - - R - - ROWE, JOE. - His fight with Harry Broome 314-321 - In business, 1881 (note) 339 - - - S - - SAYERS, TOM (Champion). - His birthplace disputed 359 - An Irish pedigree 359 - Born at Pimlico, near Brighton 359 - A bricklayer on the Preston Viaduct, at Brighton 360 - Comes to London. First fight with Aby Couch 360 - Matched with Dan Collins 360 - First fight interrupted by darkness 361 - Tom beats Dan Collins 361 - Various challenges. Matched with Jack Grant 361 - Beats Jack Grant 362 - Matched with Jack Martin 365 - Beats Jack Martin 366 - Matched with Nat Langham 368 - Tom’s first and last defeat 369 - Langham declines a second encounter 369 - Match with George Sims; £50 to £25 369 - Beats George Sims 370 - Proposes to go to Australia 370 - Harry Poulson of Nottingham 371 - Jem Burn, his backer, and Bendigo his trainer 371 - Sayers defeats Poulson 373 - The Championship in sight 379 - A new belt and its claimants 380 - The Championship in suspense 380 - Sayers and Aaron Jones for £200 380 - A change of route 381 - A voyage down the river 381 - Sayers fights Aaron Jones 383 - A “draw” and darkness 386 - Renewed battle with Jones 387 - Sayers beats Aaron Jones 387 - Challenges the Tipton Slasher 392 - Excitement in the sporting world 393 - Preliminaries of the battle 393 - Sayers defeats the Tipton Slasher 395 - Challenged by Tom Paddock 399 - Paddock’s illness 399 - Matched with an “Unknown” for £200 399 - Bill Bainge, or Benjamin 399 - First battle with Benjamin 400 - Recovery of Paddock and his challenge accepted 401 - The “Three Toms” 401 - Anecdote of Alec Keene 402 - Sayers defeats Tom Paddock 403 - Tom Sayers against “the field” 404 - Second match with “The Unknown” for £100 and the belt 406 - Bill Benjamin once again 407 - Sayers announces his intended retirement after his - battle with Benjamin 408 - Extraordinary rumours 409 - The second defeat of Benjamin 410 - Bob Brettle, of Birmingham 412 - Sayers fights Brettle £400 to £200 412 - £200 to £20 that Brettle was beat in _ten minutes_ 412 - Mr. John Gideon’s “arrangements” 413 - A “monster” train 414 - Bob Brettle’s career 414 - Sayers defeats Brettle 416 - Silly imputations on defeated pugilists 419 - Aaron Jones returns to England 419 - Defeat of Heenan by Morrissey 419 - A challenge from America 420 - Negotiations for an international contest for the belt 420 - Aaron Jones in the field. He retires 420 - A match proposed for Heenan and Sayers 420 - Correspondence between New York and London 421 - Arrival of Mr. Falkland. Preliminary arrangements 423 - Heenan and Morrissey. Heenan lands at Liverpool 423 - The day fixed, April 17th, 1860 423 - A rush for “tickets” 423 - Two monster trains 424 - The journey down 424 - A distinguished company 425 - Appearance of the men 426 - Pictorial representations of the battle (note) 426 - The fight 427-432 - Conflicting reports of the result 432 - Departure of the referee 433 - Return to town 433 - Condition of the men 433 - Humane decision 434 - Two belts ordered 434 - Circus buncombe 434 - Subscription for Sayers at Stock Exchange, Lloyd’s, - Mark Lane, &c. 435 - Sayers a partner in a circus 435 - Free living and its results 435 - Sayers’s last appearance in the Ring 435 - The needs of consumption 436 - Last illness 436 - His death 437 - £1,000 invested for his children 437 - Tom Sayers’s personal appearance 437 - His grave and monument in Highgate Cemetery 438 - The Combat of Sayerius and Heenanus――“A Lay of Ancient - London” 439 - - - T - - THOMPSON, WILLIAM, of Nottingham (“Bendigo”). - His birth: one of three sons 5 - Nottingham Lambs. Puritanism and Pugilism 5 - Early battles, and first fight with Caunt 6 - Challenged by Brassey (John Leechman), of Bradford, - and others 7 - Beats Brassey 8 - Receives forfeit from Jem Bailey 8 - Comes to London 8 - Proposed match with Molyneaux, and forfeit from Flint - of Coventry 9 - Defeats Langan of Liverpool 9 - Challenges any 12 stone man in England 9 - Looney’s challenge replied to by Jem Ward 10 - Looney declines Ward and is beaten by Bendigo 10 - Challenges from Tom Britton, Fisher, Molyneaux, &c. 12 - Matched a second time with Caunt 13 - Beaten by Caunt 13 - Caunt forfeits in a new match 14 - Deaf Burke returns from America, his challenge accepted 14 - Burke goes to France and the match falls through 14 - Stanzas from Bendigo to Deaf Burke 15 - Burke returns and articles are signed 16 - Narrow escape of Bendigo 17 - Shrove Tuesday at Ashby-de-la-Zouch 17 - The road to Appleby 18 - Bendigo beats Deaf Burke 18 - Challenges from and to Caunt. Benefit humbugs 22, 24 - Bendigo in London. A serious accident 24 - “The fine old English Pugilist;” a fancy chaunt 25 - Bendigo redivivus appears at Jem Burn’s 26 - Matched with Tass Parker 26 - Arrested at the instance of his brother and held to bail, 27 - Caunt returns from his American tour 27 - Renewed negotiations and “A Valentine from Bendigo - to Brassey” 27 - Third match with Caunt 28 - Preliminaries of the fight 29 - Bendigo defeats Caunt 30 - Disputed result and decision of “the Old Squire” - (Osbaldiston), the referee 36 - Caunt and Bendigo shake hands 37 - Pretenders to the Championship 37 - Bendigo accepts Tom Paddock’s challenge 38 - Defeats Paddock 39 - Receives the battle-money and retires from the Ring 45 - Bendigo’s eccentricities. Takes “the pledge” and - becomes a preacher 45 - Beelzebub and Ben Caunt; an anecdote 45 - True etymon of the nickname “Bendigo” 46 - Dies from the effects of an accident, aged sixty-nine 46 - - TRAVERS, BOB (Langham’s Black). - His Ring career 454 - Beaten by Brettle 454 - Beaten by Jem Mace 455 - - - W - - WARD, NICHOLAS. - His claims to a place in this “History” 206 - His birth in East London 206 - His maiden battle with Jack Lockyer 206 - Matched with Jem Wharton (Young Molyneaux) 206 - Arrested and held to bail 207 - A journey to Moulsey and a disappointment 208 - A black job: Sambo Sutton 209 - “Nick” is defeated ignominiously 210 - “Brother Jem” backs Nick for a second trial 210 - Misgivings: a “Beak” at Bicester 210 - The Philistines out 211 - Drawing a badger 212 - A fight and a fiasco 212 - Matched with Jem Bailey 212 - A trip to Woking: an interrupted fight 213 - A second match; Nick forfeits to Bailey 214 - A match with Brassey “no go” 214 - Articled to fight the “Deaf’un” 214 - A trip to Stony Stratford 219 - Adventures 220 - Nick defeats “the Deaf’un;” a wrangle 221 - Challenges Ben Caunt 223 - The stakes awarded to Nick Ward 224 - Matched with Ben Caunt 225 - A long journey and its vicissitudes 226 - Hostility of the “beaks” 227 - The fight: a bloodless victory for Ward 229 - A chaunt of the Ring: “Nick Ward and Caunt” 231 - The stakes given to “Nick” 232 - Second fight with Caunt, and defeat 232 - Death of Nick Ward, Feb. 17, 1850 233 - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like -this_. Footnotes were renumbered sequentially and were moved to the -end of the section in which related anchors occur. Inconsistent -hyphenation, dialect, obsolete words and misspellings were left -unchanged. Obvious printing errors, such as backwards, upside down, or -partially printed letters, were corrected. Spacing was adjusted between -paragraphs for consistency. Transliteration of one phrase in Greek -follows within brackets. - -Comments: - - There are five anchors to Footnote [43]. - Occasional sentences lack a verb. - “Edinburg” on the title page and “L’Envoy” at the end of the book are - in blackface in the original. - Fight rounds occasionally omit some numbers. - The meaning of one line ending with a hyphen is uncertain: - … and that gentle- - and Orme;… - The letters, ‘man,’ may have been omitted, or the first word on - the following line, ‘and,’ may be a misspelling for ‘man.’ - -The following items were changed: - - Added final stops missing at the end of sentences. - Removed duplicate words at line endings or page breaks. - Capitalized lower case letters at beginning of sentences. - Removed spurious stops mid-sentence. - Adjusted mis-matched quotation marks around citations. - Added spacing between words, crowded by printer. - Removed misplaced comma preceding a list. - Changed commas to stops after numbers of subparagraphs. - Changed stops to commas mid-sentences. - Added commas unprinted in lists. - Added missing dashes after fight round numbers. - Added missing page number in index for first entry of Tass Parker. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUGILISTICA, VOLUME 3 (OF 3) *** - -***** This file should be named 64111-0.txt or 64111-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/1/1/64111/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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