“behold the ring! how strange the group appears
of dirty blackguards, commoners and peers;
jews, who regard not moses nor his laws,
all ranks of christians eager in the cause.
what eager bets—what oaths at every breath,
who first shall shrink, or first be beat to death.
thick fall the blows, and oft the boxers fall,
while deaf'ning shouts for fresh exertions call;
till, bruised and blinded, batter'd sore and maim'd,
one gives up vanquish'd, and the other lam'd.
say, men of wealth! say what applause is due
for scenes like these, when patronised by you?
these are your scholars, who in humbler way,
but with less malice, at destruction play.
you, like game cocks, strike death with polish'd steel;
they, dung-hill-bred, use only nature's heel;
they fight for something—you for nothing fight;
they box for love, but you destroy in spite.”
[392 ] the following tuesday having been appointed by the knowing ones for a pugilistic encounter between jack randall, commonly called the nonpareil, and martin, as well known by the appellation of the master of the rolls, from his profession being that of a baker; an excellent day's sport was anticipated, and the lads of the fancy were all upon the “qui vive.”
our friends had consequently arranged, on the previous night, to breakfast at an early hour, and take a gentle ride along the road, with a determination to see as much as possible of the attractive amusements of a milling-match, and to take a view as they went along of the company they were afterwards to mingle with.
“we shall now,” said dashall (as they sat down to breakfast) “have a peep at the lads of the ring, and see a little of the real science of boxing.”
“we have been boxing the compass through the difficult straits of a london life for some time,” replied bob, “and i begin to think that, with all its variety, its gaiety, and
[393] its pride, the most legitimate joys of life may fairly be said to exist in the country.”
“i confess,” said dashall, “that most of the pleasures of life are comparative, and arise from contrast. thus the bustle of london heightens the serenity of the country, while again the monotony of the country gives additional zest to the ever-varying scenes of london. but why this observation at a moment when we are in pursuit of fresh game?”
“nay,” said tallyho, “i know not why; but i spoke as i thought, feeling as i do a desire to have a pop at the partridges as the season is now fast approaching, and having serious thoughts of shifting my quarters.”
“we will talk of that hereafter,” was the reply. “you have an excellent day's sport in view, let us not throw a cloud upon the prospect before us—you seem rather in the doldrums. the amusements of this day will perhaps inspire more lively ideas; and then we shall be present at the masquerade, which will doubtless be well attended; all the fashion of the metropolis will be present, and there you will find a new world, such as surpasses the powers of imagination—a sort of elysium unexplored before, full of mirth, frolic, whim, wit and variety, to charm every sense in nature. but come, we must not delay participating in immediate gratifications by the anticipations of those intended for the future. besides, i have engaged to give the champion a cast to the scene of action in my barouche.”
by this time piccadilly was all in motion—coaches, carts, gigs, tilburies, whiskies, buggies, dog-carts, sociables, dennets, curricles, and sulkies, were passing in rapid succession, intermingled with tax-carts and waggons decorated with laurel, conveying company of the most varied description. in a few minutes, the barouche being at the door, crack went the whip, and off they bowled. bob's eyes were attracted on all sides. here, was to be seen the dashing corinthian tickling up his tits, and his bang-up set-out of blood and bone, giving the go-by to a heavy drag laden with eight brawney bull-faced blades, smoking their way down behind a skeleton of a horse, to whom in all probability a good feed of corn would have been a luxury; pattering among themselves, occasionally chaffing the more elevated drivers by whom they were surrounded, and pushing forward their nags with all the ardour of a british [394] merchant intent upon disposing of a valuable cargo of foreign goods on ?change. there, was a waggon, full of all sorts upon the lark, succeeded by a donkey-cart with four insides; but neddy, not liking his burthen, stopt short on the way of a dandy, whose horse's head coming plump up to the back of the crazy vehicle at the moment of its stoppage, threw the rider into the arms of a dustman, who, hugging his customer with the determined grasp of a bear, swore d———n his eyes he had saved his life, and he expected he would stand something handsome for the gemmen all round, for if he had not pitched into their cart, he would certainly have broke his neck; which being complied with, though reluctantly, he regained his saddle, and proceeded a little more cautiously along the remainder of the road, while groups of pedestrians of all ranks and appearances lined each side.
at hyde-park corner, tom having appointed to take up the prime hammer-man, drew up, and was instantly greeted by a welcome from the expected party, who being as quickly seated, they proceeded on their journey.
“this match appears to occupy general attention,” said tom.
“i should think so,” was the reply—“why it will be a prime thing as ever was seen. betting is all alive—the daffy club in tip-top spirits—lots of money sported on both sides—somebody must make a mull{1}—but randall's the man—he is the favourite of the day, all the world to a penny-roll.”
the simile of the penny roll being quite in point with the known title of one of the combatants, caused a smile on dashall's countenance, which was caught by the eye of tallyho, and created some mirth, as it was a proof of what has frequently been witnessed, that the lovers of the fancy are as apt in their imaginations at times, as they are ready for the accommodating one, two, or the friendly flush hit which floors their opponents.
the morning was fine, and the numerous persons who appeared travelling on the road called forth many inquiries from bob.
“now,” said he, “i think i recollect that the admirable author of the sentimental journey used to read as he went along—is it possible to read as we journey forward?” “doubtless,” replied tom, “it is, and will produce
1 mull—defeat, loss, or disappointment.
[395] a fund of amusing speculation as we jog on. lavater founded his judgment of men upon the formation of their features; gall and spurzheim by the lumps, bumps and cavities of their pericraniums; but i doubt not we shall be right in our views of the society we are likely to meet, without the help of either—do you see that group?”
bob nodded assent.
“these,” continued tom, “are profitable characters, or rather men of profit, who, kindly considering the constitution of their friends, provide themselves with refreshments of various kinds, to supply the hungry visitors round the ring—oranges, nuts, apples, gingerbread, biscuits and peppermint drops.”
“not forgetting blue ruin and french lace,"{1} said the man of fist; “but you have only half done it—don't you see the cash-cove{2} behind, with his stick across his shoulder, padding the hoof{3} in breathless speed? he has shell'd out the lour{4} for the occasion, and is travelling down to keep a wakeful winker{5} on his retailers, and to take care that however they may chuse to lush away the profit, they shall at least take care of the principal. the little dandy just before him also acts as whipper-in; between them they mark out the ground,{6} watch the progress, and pocket the proceeds. they lend the money for the others to traffic.”
“i confess,” said tom, “i was not exactly up to this.”
“aye, aye, but i know the blunt-monger,{7} and am up to his ways and means,” was the reply.—“hallo, my eyes, here he comes!” continued he, rising from his seat, and bowing obsequiously to a gentleman who passed them in a tandem—“all right, i am glad of it—always good sport when he is present—no want of sauce or seasoning—he always comes it strong."{8}
“i perceive,” replied tom, “you allude to the noble marquis of w———.”
1 french lace—a flash or cant term for brandy.
2 cash-cove—a monied man.
3 padding the hoof—travelling on shanks's mare, or taking
a turn by the marrow-bone stage, i.e. walking.
4 shell'd out the lour—supplied the cash.
5 wakeful winker—a sharp eye.
6 mark out the ground—is to place his retailers in various
parts of the ring for the accommodation of the company, any
where he may expect to find them himself.
7 blunt-monger—money-dealer, or money-lender.
8 comes it strong—no flincher, a real good one.
[396] travelling gently along the road, they were presently impeded by a crowd of persons who surrounded a long cart or waggon, which had just been overturned, and had shot out a motley group of personages, who were being lifted on their legs, growling and howling at this unforeseen disaster. a hard-featured sailor, whose leg had been broken by the fall, brandished a splinter of the fractured limb, and swore—“that although his timbers were shivered, and he had lost a leg in the service, he would not be the last in the ring, but he'd be d———d if he mount the rubbish-cart any more.” it is needless to observe his leg was a wooden one.
upon examining the inscription on the cart, it was found to contain the following words:—“household furniture, building materials, and lumber carefully removed.” as it was ascertained that no real injury had been sustained, our party speedily passed the overturned vehicle and proceeded.
the next object of attraction was a small cart drawn by one poor animal, sweating and snorting under the weight of six swells, led by an old man, who seemed almost as incapable as his horse seemed unwilling to perform the journey. a label on the outside of the cart intimated that its contents was soap, which created some laughter between tom and bob. the man in the front, whose jew-looking appearance attracted attention, was endeavouring to increase the speed of the conveyance by belabouring the boney rump of the prad{1} with his hat, while some of their pedestrian palls{2} were following close in the rear, and taking occasionally a drap of the cratur, which was handed out behind and returned after refreshment.
“these,” said tom to his cousin, “are also men of profit, but not exactly in the way of those we passed—second-rate swells and broken-down gamesters, determined, as the saying is, to have a shy, even if they lose their sticks, and more properly may be termed men of plunder; desperate in their pursuits, they turn out with intent to make the best of the day, and will not fail to nibble all they can come easily at.”
“they are not worth the blood from a broken nose,” said the pugilist, with a feeling for the honour of his profession which did him credit.—“they are all prigs, their company
1 prad—a cant term for a horse.
2 palls—partners, accomplices, colleagues.
[397] spoils all genteel society, and frequently brings disgrace upon others with whom they are unworthy to associate, or even to be seen—there's no getting rid of such gentry. is it not d———d hard a man can't have a pleasant bit of a turn-up, without having his friends filched?—but here comes the gay fellows, here they come upon the trot, all eager and anxious to mark the first blow, start the odds, and curry the coal.{1} these are the lads of life—true lovers of the sport—up to the manouvre—clear and quick-sighted, nothing but good ones—aye aye, and here comes bill gibbons, furnished with the fashionables.”
“what do you call the fashionables?” inquired bob.
“why, the binders.”
here he was as much at a loss as ever, which the other perceiving, he continued—“the binders are the stakes and ropes, to fence in the ring.”
bill gibbons, who was well known on the road, and was speeding down pretty sharp, was followed by crowds of vehicles of all descriptions; as many to whom the place of meeting was but conjectured, upon seeing him felt assured of being in the right track. here were to be seen the swells in their tandems—the nib sprigs in their gigs, buggies, and dog-carts—and the tidy ones on their trotters, all alive and leaping. mirth and merriment appeared spread over every countenance, though expectation and anxiety were intermingled here and there in the features of the real lads of the fancy; many of whom, upon this very interesting occasion, had bets to a considerable amount depending upon the result of the day. the bang-up blades were pushing their prads along in gay style, accompanied by two friends, that is to say, a biped and a quadruped. the queer fancy lads, who had hired hacks from the livery-stable keepers, were kicking up a dust, and here and there rolling from their prancers in their native soil; while the neck or nothing boys, with no prospect but a whereas before their eyes, were as heedless of their personal safety as they were of their creditor's property. jaded hacks and crazy vehicles were to be seen on all sides—here lay a bankrupt-cart with the panels knock'din, and its driver with an eye knock'd out, the horse lamed, and the concern completely knock'd up, just before the period when the hammer of the auctioneer was to be called in, and his effects knock'd down. there was another
1 curry the coal—make sure of the money.
[398] of the same description, with a harum-scarum devil of a half-bred, making his way at all risks, at a full gallop, as unmanageable in his career as his driver had been in his speculations; dust flying, women sprawling, men bawling, dogs barking, and the multitude continually increasing. scouts, scamps, lords, loungers and lacqueys—coster-mongers from—to the hill fields—and the bloods from bermondsey, completely lined the road as far as the eye could reach, both before and behind; it was a day of the utmost importance to the pugilistic school, as the contest had excited a most unparalleled degree of interest!
it would be scarcely possible to give a full and accurate description of the appearances as they went along; imagination would labour in vain, and words are altogether incapable of conveying a picture of the road to this memorable fight; the various instances in which they could discover that things were not all right were admirably contrasted by others, where care and good coachmanship, with a perfect management of the bloods, proved the reverse—while the single horsemen, whose hearts were really engaged in the sport, were picking their way with celerity, and posting to the point of attraction.—the public-houses were thronged to excess, and the turnpike-keepers made a market of the mirth-moving throng.
page398 road to a fight
our party arrived in the neighbourhood of copthorne about half-past twelve, where all was bustle and confusion. the commissary in chief, mr. jackson, being out of town, some of the subalterns, who had taken the command pro tempore, had, for divers weighty reasons,principally founded on a view to the profits of certain of the surrey trusts, and to accommodate the sporting circles at brighton, fixed the combat to take place in a meadow belonging to a farmer named jarvis, near this place.
on this spot accordingly the ring was formed, and an immense mass of all descriptions of vehicles was admitted, not much, it may naturally be supposed, to the prejudice of the owner of the premises, whose agents were praise-worthily active in levying proper contributions. some gentlemen however in the neighbourhood, observing that the strictest delicacy was not maintained towards the sacredness of their fences, insisted that the place was too confined, and intimated that a move must be made, or they should make application to the magistrates; and at the same time suggested crawley downs, the site of so [399] many former skirmishes, as the most convenient spot for their accommodation.
in this state of things, a move immediately took place, and a fresh ring was established on the spot alluded to; but, in effecting this new lodgment, much mortification was experienced, not alone by those, who, after a dreadful drag up one of the worst by-roads in england, had obtained a comfortable situation, but by those, who, speculating on the formation of the ring, had expended considerable sums in the hire of waggons for their purpose from the surrounding farmers. the waggons it was found impossible to move in due time, and thus the new area was composed of such vehicles as were first to reach the appointed ground.
the general confusion now was inconceivable, for, notwithstanding the departure of connoisseurs from jarvis's farm, martin still maintained his post, alleging, that he was on the ground originally fixed, and that he should expect randall to meet him there; in which demand he was supported by his backers. this tended to increase the embarrassment of the amateurs; however, about one, randall arrived at crawley downs, in a post-chaise, and took up his quarters at a cottage near the ground, waiting for his man; and at two, general barton, who had just mounted his charger, intending to consult the head-quarters of the magistrates, to ascertain their intention in case of proceeding to action at jarvis's farm, was suddenly arrested in his progress by an express from the martinites, announcing that their champion had yielded his claim to the choice of ground, and was so anxious for the mill, that he would meet randall even in a saw-pit. bill gibbons arriving soon after, the ring, with the assistance of many hands, was quickly formed; by which time, tom and bob had secured themselves excellent situations to view the combat.
about twenty minutes before three, randall entered the outer ring, attended by general barton and mr. griffiths. he was attired in a whitehall upper benjamin, and threw his hat into the ring amidst loud applause. in a few minutes after, martin approached from an opposite direction, accompanied by mr. sant and mr. elliott; he was also warmly greeted.
the men now passed the ropes, and were assisted by their immediate friends in peeling for action. martin was [400] attended by spring and thurton; randall, by harry holt and paddington jones.
the men stript well, and both appeared to be in excellent health, good spirits, and high condition; but the symmetry of randall's bust excited general admiration; and the muscular strength of his arms, neck, and shoulders, bore testimony to his herculean qualities; the whole force of his body, in fact, seem'd to be concentrated above his waistband. martin stood considerably above him, his arms were much longer, but they wanted that bold and imposing weight which characterized those of randall. they walked up to the scratch, and shook hands in perfect good fellowship. every man now took his station, and the heroes threw themselves into their guard.
it was rumoured that martin intended to lose no time in manoeuvring, but to go to work instanter. this however he found was not so easily to be effected as suggested, for randall had no favour to grant, and was therefore perfectly on his guard. he was all wary caution, and had clearly no intention of throwing away a chance, but was evidently waiting for martin to commence. martin once or twice made play, but randall was not skittishly inclined, all was “war hawk.” randall made a left-handed hit to draw his adversary, but found it would not do. martin then hit right and left, but was stopped. randall was feeling for martin's wind, but hit above his mark, though not without leaving one of a red colour, which told “a flattering tale.” randall returned with his left, and the men got to a smart rally, when randall got a konker, which tapped the claret. an almost instantaneous close followed, in which randall, grasping martin round the neck with his right arm, and bringing his head to a convenient posture, sarved out punishment with his left. this was indeed a terrific position. randall was always famous for the dreadful force of his short left-handed hits, and on this occasion they lost none of their former character. martin's nob was completely in a vice; and while in that hopeless condition, randall fibbed away with the solid weight of the hammer of a tuck-mill. his aim was principally at the neck, where every blow told with horrible violence. eight or ten times did he repeat the dose, and then, with a violent swing, threw martin to the ground, falling on him as he; went with all his weight. the ring resounded with applause, and jack coolly took [401] his seat on the knee of his second. martin's friends began to look blue, but still expected, the fight being young, there was yet much to be done.
all eyes were now turned to martin, who being lifted on spring's knee, in a second discovered that he was done. his head fell back lifeless, and all the efforts of spring to keep it straight were in vain. water was thrown on him in abundance, but without effect: he was, in fact, completely senseless; and the half-minute having transpired, the nonpareil was hailed the victor.
randall appeared almost without a scratch, while poor martin lay like a lump of unleavened dough; he was removed and bled, but it was some time before he was conscious of his defeat.
nothing could exceed the astonishment which so sudden and complete a finish to the business produced. the round lasted but seven minutes and a half, of which four minutes and a half had elapsed before a blow was attempted. thus ended one of the most extraordinary battles between two known game men on the pugilistic records. very heavy bets had been made upon it in all parts of the kingdom. one gentleman is said to have had five thousand pounds, and another one thousand eight hundred guineas. the gains of the conqueror were supposed to be about a thousand pounds.
the amusements of the day were concluded by a second fight between parish and lashbroke, which proved a manly and determined contest for upwards of an hour, and in which the combatants evinced considerable skill and bravery, and was finally decided in favour of parish. all amusement which might have been derived from this spectacle, however, was completely destroyed by the daring outrages of an immense gang of pickpockets, who broke in the ring, and closed completely up to the ropes, carrying with them every person, of decent appearance, and openly robbing them of their watches, pocket-books and purses. and the lateness of the hour, it being five o'clock, and almost dark, favoured the depredators.
in the midst of this struggle, tom dashall had nearly lost his fancy topper,{1} and tallyho was secretly eased of his clicker.{2} from the scene of tumult and confusion they were glad to escape; and being again safely seated in the
1 topper—a flash term given to a hat.
2 clicker—a flash term given to a watch,
[402] barouche, they made the best of their way home; in doing which, they found the roads almost as much clogg'd as they were in the morning. the randallites were meritorious, and, flushed with good fortune, lined the public-houses on the road to wet their whistles, singing and shouting his name in strains to them equally inspiring as
“see the conquering hero comes!
sound your trumpets, beat your drums;”
while the martinites rolled along the road in sullen silence; and, by the time they reached town, an account of the battle was hawking about the streets, and songs singing to the praise of the successful combatant in all the melodious cadences of a last dying speech and confession: such is the promptitude of london printers, poets, and news-venders.
“well,” said dashall, as they re-entered the house, “the events of this day have completely disappointed some of the knowing ones.”
“that may be,” replied bob, “but they have been too knowing for me, notwithstanding your previous instructions. however, i don't regret seeing the humours of a prize ring; and the next time you catch me there, i must take a lesson from the man of profit, and keep a wakeful winker on the possibles. really, i could not help feeling astonished at the immense number of persons assembled on such an occasion.”
page402 a private turn-up
“zounds!” said tom, “'tis the real centre of attraction, the thing, the tippy, and the twig, among the lads of the fancy. why, it is pretty generally known, through the medium of the newspapers, that a certain nobleman paid the debts of one of these pugilists, amounting to 300l. that he might be released from newgate in order to fight a prize battle; and it is not long since that the marquis of t—ed—e, whilst entertaining a large party, after dinner introduced the subject with so much effect, that a purse of 100 guineas was subscribed among them for a turn up between two of the prime hammermen; who, being introduced, actually set-to in his drawing-room for the amusement of his friends. nor is it less true, that this sporting nobleman gloriously took up the conqueror, (as the saying is) and evinced his patronage and his power at once, by actually subduing his antagonist, proving to certitude, that if his lordship would but practise this sublime art, he [403] could hardly fail of adding to his present title that of the champion of england! it is the theme of constant conversation, and in many cases there is more anxiety about contests of this sort than there is about the arrival of a monarch on the irish coast among the lads of praties, whiskey, and buttermilk—thoughts are busy, energies are active—and money in galore is circulated upon it.”
bob laughed heartily at these observations of his cousin upon what he termed the sublime art.
“you don't appear to enter into the spirit of it,” continued tom; “but i can assure you, it is a very animating subject, and has occupied the attention of all classes, from the peer to the prelate, the peasant and the pot-boy; it is said that one of the lower order of ranting preachers, not many miles from bolton-on-the-moors, lately addressed his auditory in the following metaphorical language, accompanied with striking and appropriate attitudes:—'i dare say, now, you'd pay to see a boxing-match between randall and turner, or martin—yet you don't like to pay for seeing a pitched-battle between me and the black champion beelzebub. oh! my friends, many a hard knock, and many a cross-buttock have i given the arch bruiser of mankind—aye, and all for your dear sakes—pull—do pull off those gay garments of mammon, strike the devil a straight-forward blow in the mouth, darken his spiritual daylights. at him manfully, give it him right and left, and i'll be your bottle-holder—i ask nothing but the money, which you'll not forget before you go.' ”
“the true spirit moved him,” said bob, “and a very laudable one too; but he very emphatically deprecated the votaries of mammon.”
“certainly, he being called, would have been unworthy of his calling if he had not.”
this conversation was carried on over a glass of generous wine, and, dwindling into indifferent subjects, is not necessary to be detailed; suffice it to say, that, fatigued with the day's exertions, they sought repose in the arms of morpheus at an early hour, determined on the pursuit of fresh game with the dawn of the morning.
