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7907.df. 2 .

1-2.
BETTING
Stand

G.S
mee
Sold by ton.
LON
 K
THE ART
OF
BOXING.

LONDON,
Sold by G.Smeeton, Martins Church ar
 PREFACE.

HE taste for exhibitions of this kind,

T are, I believe, entirely peculiar to
this nation ; other countries have their
gymnastic and athletic exercises, but the
English are singular in their exercise of
the Fist, and are curious in this manner of
settling disputes, which, among foreigners,
are oftenterminated in dangerous wounds,
and sometimes in death itself.
Ofall methods of self-defence, it is cer-
tainly the least dangerous, and the most
ready upon any sudden occasion. Polite-
ness and good manners forbid the frequent
exercise, but it is not altogether unneces-
sary to know somewhat of self-defence in
this way, particularly to correct the impu-
dence of over-bearing and insolent fel-
lows, who pushthemselves forward, where
their presence is not wanted; or to chas-
tisetheinsolence ofaggravated and pointed
remarks, which reflect upon character, si-
tuation, or any local circumstances what.
ever.
In this view, Milton (in his Tractate on
Education) recommends Boxing to be al-
lowed to boys, not only as a useful athletic
exercise, but as serviceable to them for
this purpose in after life. Humanity is
perhaps contrary to the practice, and it
shocked the pious Dr. Watts so much, that.
he wrote a poem against it. The Specta-
 ( ii )
tor, and other polite authors, have disap
proved spectacles of this kind, but never
altogether condemned the practice as to-
tally unnecessary while it is certain that
boys should be left to their own inclina-
tions in the manner of settling their own
disputes ; a too great proficiency in these
manœuvres, ought by no means to be en-
couraged, as it may incline them, as they
grow up, to be quarrelsome in company,
and make them fond of fishing in troubled
water.
If the following happy instance of vin-
dictive justice was principally effected
from a knowledge ofthe Science, it may,
withseveral others, powerfully tend to ob
viate the stigma of inhumanity, that has
been by some national persons wrongly
fixed upon the same.
A few years since, as a countryman,
(whose appearance bespoke a state of
emaciation) was drivingacart along Snow-
hill, and finding the way, as is often the
case, impeded by a brewer's dray, and
the driver not within call, he took the li
berty ofleading the fore-horse, to open a
passage. This being observed by the dray.
man, who was drinking at a public-house,
he came out, and without any ceremony,
felled the countryman to the ground. Be-
fore this was recovered, a gentleman,
whose chariot had been stopped, had
stripped himselfto his black sattin breeches,
and coming to the drayman as a comba-
tant, was willingly received ; one of the .
former's colleagues exclaiming," Dam'me,
this is a gentleman, thrash him !" The
coachman would have taken the office
 ( iii )
upon him, but this was refused by the gen
tleman, who displayed so much skill in the
business, that the drayman was unexpec-
tedly, and to the satisfaction of all the
spectators, completely drubbed in ten mi-
nutes ; he wascut in several places, thrown
every close, and was able to strike his an-
tagonist very seldom during the whole
time. The gentleman, satisfied with the
fellow's concessions, &c. gave him half a
crown to get his wounds dressed, and the
same to the countryman to drink his
health.
Excellence in every art whatever, is a
pre-eminence to which but few can attain,
and this is one, that every well-bred man
would wish might produce but few imi-
tative votaries; but those who esteem
these things as curiosities, and exertions
of a singular ingenuity, and wish to see
what has been written on this subject,
may read Borelli de Motu Animalium ; a
small tract, intitled Ars Pugnantis ; Sir
Thomas Parkyns's Inn-Play-Wrestler and
Cornish Lug; Captain Godfrey's Science
of Defence; and Boxiana.
Painters and Poets who wish to describe
the efforts of muscular strength, are re-
ferred to the figure of Hercules, which
supports the monument of Sir Peter War-
ren, in Westminster Abbey; and that sum-
mary of statuary skill of Rysbrach's, at
Stourhead, the seat of Sir Richard Colt
Hoare, where masonry and marble are
taught by genius to depend on nature for
their best ornament.
This exquisite piece, is a full-sized figure
of Hercules ; and for which the artist (as
 ( iv )
Mr. Walpole informs us in the fourth vo-
lume ofhis Anecdotes of Painting,) " bor-
rowed the head ofthe Farnesian God, and
compiled the rest from various parts and
limbs. ofseven or eight ofthe stoutest, and
best athletic made men in London, chiefly,
the boxers and bruisers of the time ; the
Sculptor selecting the parts that were the
mosttruly formed in each : the arms were
Broughton's, the breasts a celebrated
Coachmam's, a bruiser ; and the legs were
those of Ellis the Painter, so that Rys-
brach's Hercules, may be considered as the
monument ofthose Gladiators."
 INTRODUCTION.

is usual for Authors to introduce what-

ever subject they write upon with the
sanction of Antiquity, borrowing examples
from the remotest ages and customs, to
produce a greater degree of consideration
to their Works than they very often de-
serve.
In this manner the Antiquity ofBoxing
may be traced as far back as the time of
Adam. It may be presumed, that Abel
died under his brother's blows for want
of a good sccond to prevent unfair play.
Jacob wrestled with an Angel who ham-
med him, and gave him an unfair fall,
and for that reason the sinew is taken
from the leg by the Jews to this day,
which occasions that joint to cut a different
appearance upon their tables, than it does
upon ours.
The Egyptian, who had the misfortune
to encounter Moses, was under the same
dilemna, his antagonist being too power-
ful for him, over-came and buried him, in
the sand. Had he had a good second,
Moses might have had another bout, in
which he might not have come off as well
as from the first ; but we must here seri-
ously suppose the Egyptian was the ag-
gressor, or like a foot pad attacked the
Jewish-law-giver, whom the law of nature
obliged to resent the injury, and that his
 ( vi }
conduct was the result of that invariable
principle in human nature, self preser-
vation.
In fact, all nations have had their gym-
nastic amusements, by which they endea-
voured to keep alive the fire of warlike
genius. Benaiah slew two Lion-like men,
or, as it is rendered in the margin, Lions
of God, and also a real lion in the bottom
ofa pit in a time of Snow. He also slew
an Egyptian, a Godly-Man, who had a
spear in his hand, but he appears to have
performed this last feat with a staff, al-
though he was a boxer, and as such had his
name with the three mighty men. David,
in consequence ofthese great actions, en-
rolled him among his mighty men, as our
second king George, to whom that Jewish
monarchhas been compared, made Brough-
ton one ofhis Yeomen.
Sampson slew a Lion most probably with
his Fists. Some ancient critics suppose, that
by the same weapons he slew the thousand
Philistines, as the word Jaw-bone, might
be translated Fists, with as much propri-
ety as sheaves of corn are called in our
language Foxes.
The Romans had their gladiators : ac-
cordingly St. Paul says, " If, after the
manner ofmen,, I have fought with beasts
at Ephesus, &c. so one of the fathers is of
opinion, that by beasts in that passage is
implied Prize-fighters, or whom we call
Boxers. If that commentator is right, he
very well accounts for the modern expres-
sion in the mouth of every son of Brough-
ton--- " As Paul paid the Ephesians over
the face and eyes."
 ( vii )
Wallace, the Caledonian hero, whom Ed-
ward Long Shanks envied, and at last
sacrificed to his cruelty, in his early days
fought a pitched battle in a cock-pit, with
an English Hercules, who had dared the
whole country round, man after man, to
encounter him. The young Scot first
darkened the day-lights ofhis antagonist,
then knocked out his jaw-bone, and with
that same fist, felled as many of the sur-
rounding croud, as offered to retard his
escape from impending justice.
 GENERAL HISTORY

OF

BOXING.

10 trace the origin of this gymnastick

T° exercise will necessarily oblige us to
date it from the days of Nimrod, the son of
Cush, who was saidto be not only a mighty
hunter, but dexterous in the sleight of man-
hood, insomuch that he was by the voice of
the people proclaimed their chief leader
(or prince) for his victorious arm in over-
coming the son of Canaan, whereby he es-
tablished his throne in Shinar, Sidon his
competitor being obliged to remove from
thence, with all his household ; and in this
contest neither champion was allowed any
weapon, but were by efforts of strength
and prowess ofmanly exercises adjudged
by an umpire to which the victory was
given. Hence may be inferred that each
of those champions exerted their utmost
endeavours in strength and agility to van-
 ( 9 )
quish his antagonist, as a diadem was
annexed to the fortune of the conquerer.
But whether those Eastern heroes fought
upon a stage agreeably to our modern
taste, or upon a platform, or the plain, we
will not venture to determine, and only
observe to our readers, that this champion
to whom we ascribe the source of this
manly exercise, was the great grandson of
Noah, and was born about two thousand
two hundred and eighteen years before
Christ's circumcision, which is asserted as
a fact by that learned antiquary and his-
torian of credit, Strabo, to whom we beg
leave to refer our readers who are curious
upon this article, as it gives a greater
scope to the history of this art than our
modern writers were aware of, as most of
those who have wrote hints on the subject,
date their historical facts or occurrences
within the annals ofthe present century.
There appears no regular data to deter-
mine the fact, whether, in the exercises of
the Circus of Rome, the pugilists ever
fought with naked hands and arms ; but
as this nation, it seems, borrowed most of
her arts from Greece, it is probable that
the boxers never engaged without the
chirothecæ, or gloves, stuffed with lead:
more especially as the ancients were re-
markably fond of shew in their public
exhibitions ofvigour and strength.
Originally, little doubt can exist, when
every man stood on the alert to provoke
or resist an insult, he fought without sys-
tem and with naked fists ; but soon rules
were laid down, and these natural means
of attack or defence submitted to peculiar
 ( 10 )
regulations, the collection ofwhichbecame
a discipline, a science, and an art. A
discipline, because it was taught for the
benefit of the respective individuals ; ---
a science, on account of the necessary
trainings, before the acquisition of expert-
ness ; ---and an Art, with respect to the
different studies it presupposed. Conse-
quently, in order to give a better oppor-
tunity to the boxers to shew their skill, by
protracting the temporal length, or dura-
tion oftheir exertions, strong armour for
the head and hand was invented. This
circumstance gave rise to two sorts of
boxing. The first, when the champion's
had no other arms than their natural
strengthand agility ; the other, when they
made use of the Amphotides and Cæstus
The Amphotides, as the word implies,
were a sort of guard to secure the tem-
poral bones and arteries, and encompass-
ing the ears, in their thongs and ligaments,
which used to buckle either under the chin
or behind the head. They were not unlike
caps made of hides of bulls, studded with
knots ofiron, or strongly quilted, in order
to blunt the Impetus of the blows ; but
this mode of fighting seems rather to
belong to the second age of the pugilistic
era. The Cæstus was an offensive wea
pon, the head-piece a defensive dress.
Several sorts of Cæstus, or gauntlets, were
known to the ancients ; and were com.
posed in general of strong interwoven
leather straps, which embracing the fist
and part ofthe Carpus or wrist, and wind
ing up round the fore arm, were fixed at
the elbow. They appear to have often
 ( H )
been armed with knobs of brass, blunt
points of iron, plummets oflead, &c.
The performers in the Athletic Art, it
appears, were divided into three classes.
The Boxers, Wrestlers, and Runners. If
we attend to the manner in which a man
attacks his antagonist, we shall find that
boxing comes in the first place ; closing or
wrestling in the second ; and Running, if
fear makes its unwelcome appearance, in
the third. Thus Homer considers it, and
generally follows this order in his des-
criptions ofgymnic games.
Plutarch asserts, that the Pugilate was
the most ancient of those games, and took,
generally, the lead in all public spectacles,
as the most manly and scientific of the
gymnastic arts. It also appears, that Pugi-
fism, or Pugilate, is derived from the
Latin Pugilatus, the art offighting with
the fist, Pugnus.
August 1725 produced a conflict for the
entertainment of the visitors of Mr. Figg's
Amphitheatre, Oxford-road, which is cha-
racteristic of native valour indeed. Sut-
ton the champion ofKent and a courageous
female heroine of that County fought
Stokes and his much admired consort of
London ; 401, was to be given to the male
or female who have most cuts with the
sword, and 201. for most blows at quarter
staff, besides the collection in the box. A
poetical account ofthis famous battle was
published in the London Journal, and is I
think, worth preserving, especially as it is
said to have been written by the author of
the Pastoral in the Spectator beginning
" Mytime, Oye Muses, was happily spent :"
 . ( 12 )
LONG was the great Figg by the prize-
fighting swains
Sole monarch acknowledged of Mary-bon
plains ;
To the towns far and near did his valour
extend
And swam down the river from Thame to
Gravesend.
There lived Mr. Sutton, pipe-maker by
trade,
Who hearing that Figg was thought such a
stout blade,
Resolv'd to put in for a share ofhis fame,
And so sent to challenge the Champion of
Thame.
With alternate advantage two trials had
past,
When they fought out the rubbers Wed-
nesday last.
Tosee such a contest the house was so full,
There hardly was room left to thrust in
your skull.
With a prelude of cudgels we first were
saluted,
And two or three shoulders most hand-
somely fluted ;
Till, wearied at last with inferior disasters,
All the company cry'd, “ Come, the Mas-
ters, the Masters."
Whereupon the bold Sutton first mounted
the stage ,
Made his honours as usual, and yearn'd to
engage ;
ThenFigg withavisage so fierce and sedate
Came, and enter'd the list with his fresh-
shaven pate.
Their arms were encircled by armigers
two
 ( 13 )
With a red ribbon Sutton's andFigg's with
a blue ;
Thus adorn'd the two heroes 'twixt shoul-
der and elbow
Shook hands, and went to't ; and the word
it was bilboe.
Sure such a concern in the eyes ofspec-
tators
Was never yetseen in our Amphitheatres !
Our Commons and Peersfrom their several
places
To half an-inch distance all pointed their
faces :
While the rays of old Phoebus that shot
through the sky-light
Seem'd to make on the stage a new kind
oftwilight;
And the Gods without doubt, if one could
but have seen them,
Were peeping there through to do justice
between them.
Figg struck the first stroke, and with such
a vastfury,
That he broke his huge weapon in twain, I
assure you.
And if his brave rival this blow had not
warded,
His headfrom his shoulders had quite been
discarded.
Figg arm'd him again, and they soon took
t'other tilt,
And then Sutton's blade run away from its
hilt ;
The weapons were frighted, but as for the
men,
In truth they ne'erminded, but atit again.
Such a force in their blows, you'd have
thought it a wonder
 ( 14 )
Every stroke they receiv'd did not cleave
them asunder.
Yet so great was their courage, so equal
their skill,
Thatthey both seemed as safe as a thiefin
a mill ;
While in doubtful attention dame Victory
stood,
And which side to take could not tellfor
her blood,
But remain'd like the Ass 'twixt two bottles
ofhay
Without ever moving an inch either way ;
Till Jove tothe Gods signified his intention
In a speech that he made them too tedious
to mention.
But the upshot ofit was, that at that very
bout
From a wound in Figg's side the hot blood
spouted out;
Her ladyship then seem'd to think the case
plain,
But Figg stepping forth, with a sullen dis-
dain,
Shew'd the gash, and appeal'd to the com.
pany round
Ifhis own broken sword had not given him
the wound.
That bruises and wounds a man's spirit
should touch
With dangerso little, with honour so much !
Well,they both took a dram, and return'd
to the battle,
And withafreshfury theymade the swords
rattle ;
While Sutton's right arm was observed to
bleed
 ( 15 )
By a touch from his rival, so Jove had de
creed ;
Just enough for to shew that his blood was
not icor,
But made up like Figg's, of the common
red liquor.
Againfire
thenon,both rush'd, with as equal a
That the company cried ' Hold, enough of
cold iron;'
To the quarter-staff now, lads ; " so, first
having dram'd it,
They took to their wood, andi'faith never
shamm'd it.
The first bout they had was so fair and so
handsome,
That to make a fair bargain was worth a
King's ransom ;
And Sutton suchbangs to his neighbourim⚫
parted,
Would have made any fibres but Figg's to
have smarted :
Then after that bout they went on to ano
ther ;
But the matter must end in some fashion
or other,
So Jove toldthe Godshe had made a decree,
That Figg should hit Sutton a stroke on the
knee;
Though Sutton, disabled as soon as it hit
him,
Would still have fought on, but Jove would
not permit him,
'Twas hisfate not his fault, that constrain❜d
him to yield,
And thus the great Figg became lord ofthe
field."
 ( 16 )
Even Captain Godfrey who celebrated
our countryman as the ambidextrian hero
ofthe age, when he gives the palm to him,
in a laconic stile, by boldly asserting, that
" John Broughton is the greatest hero in
" athletic exercises that this or any other
" nation ever produced."
Here we may be satisfied that the Cap-
tain was unacquainted with the history of
the founder of the Babylonish empire,
otherwise he would not have given prece-
dency to a yeoman of the British guards,
to that ofsuch a potentate as we have just
now mentioned.
Captain Godfrey in his treatise onthis art,
published in the year 1742, seems inclined
to think that this science (as he calls it)
was first introduced into this country from
Italy, as in one of his characters he sets
forth that in the days of the celebrated
Whitaker, an Italian, a native of Florence,
(though some say of Venice) named Gon-
dolier, challenged all England to single
combat, and was known in the steel-yard
by the name of, " The Goliah of the Con-
tinent." However this Philistine did not
long wait for a David, for in a few days,
Whitaker applied at the bar of Slaughter's
Coffee-house, and left conditions of his pro-
posal, addressed to the then Earl of Angle-
sey, who was the chief sportsman in that
line in those times.
Fig was the man who was employed to
procure a customer for the saucy Gonda-
lier, and had particular charge given him,
to consider the strength of the Venetian ,
who was famous forbreaking the jaw-bone
in boxing. Fig replied , in his rough man-
 ( 17 )
ner, " I do not know master, but he may
break one of his own countryman's jaw-
bone with his fists ; but I will bring him a
man, and he shall not break his jaw-bone
with a sledge hammer in his hand."
As Whitaker laid great stress upon his
ability, " inbearing an extraordinary share
ofbeating," the nobleman was induced to
lay considerable betts in his favour, and
accordingly sent Gondolier a challenge to
fight this honest son of Vulcan, which took
place soon after at Fig's booth in Padding-
ton fields, where cudgel, or foul play, (or
fencing) was then practised, under the
respectability of our modern polite term
of an academy.
The champions met here, and on their
preparing for battle, the spectators were
astonished at the disparity of persons , the
one a Goliah indeed! the other a dapper
David! The Englishmen present were all
concerned for the fate of their champion,
whilst the Italians, Germans, and Dutch, as
well as the French and Swiss merchants
who espoused Gondolier's quarrel, were
exulting in the certainty oftheir gains upon
the victory oftheir champion.
The stage whereon the combatants were
ta exhibit their skill was without any rail-
ing, and built in the form of a parellel-
ogram, of twenty-four feet by forty-eight,
but so high, that the champions and their
seconds ascended by a ladder of eight
steps, so that we may conclude the stage
was upwards of six feet high: The Italian
bruiser had by long practice reduced his
knowledge to a sort of science, by digest-
ing the attitudes under their distinct
 ( 18 )
heads, and upon the first advance of Whi-
taker, desired him " to beware," a phrase
not understood by Whitaker; but as the
latter was advancing to attack a-la-An-.
gloise, the tall Italian raised his Herculean
arm, and with a mighty swing brought his
clenched fist to meet in contact with the
head ofthe English blacksmith, which had
so great an effect upon the latter, that he
quickly descended fromthe place ofaction,
under the legal term of a " knock-down
blow."
Here the foreigners gave a loud huzza!
to the mortification ofthe English auditors ;
but as the fallen champion had received no
other injury than a surprise at the novelty
ofthe Italian's salute, as the fall was but a
trifle compared to the head-long tumbles
of this veteran, so that he mounted the.
stage with the greatest alacrity, at the
same time showing a surprising agility of
body, as he jumped upon the stage in a
standingleap, and accosting his antagonist,
gave him to understand he knew his mark,
(meaning his aim at the head), but that
Gondolier was a stranger to his, however
he should soon be acquainted with it.
Hereupon Whitaker advanced, and gave
the Italian an English Pegg, or what the
moderns term " a dart at the mark," i. e.
a dig, or lunge, under the short rib, on the
left rib, whereby the champion ofthe Con-
tinent was deprived of respiration, for a
few minutes ; and Whitaker mending his
blow, by a short arm fist to the left of the
stomach, nearly opposite the seat of life,
completely vanquished the foreigner, so
that he gave up the contest in favour of
 ( 19 )
the English champion, to the entire satis-
faction ofthe English audience, but to the
mortification ofthe foreigners present, who
with their champion Gondolier, declared
that the blows upon the body were not ac-
cording to the practise of the art : however
in this point they were soon over-ruled, as
the umpire declared all standing blows to
be fair.---Thus far Captain Barclay, in his
book, entitled " The Characters of the
Boxers," has aimed to give the Italians the
honor of introducing this manly art into
our island, whereas the contrary is the
fact ; therefore, to omit the useless defini-
tions of particular periods that might give
rise to athletic exercises upon the Asiatic,
African, or European continents, we shall
content ourselves by adhering solely to
the history ofthe art so far as it relates to
our own country, and at once pronounce
that this gymnastic game of ambidextrian
exercise is wholly British, or at least pecu-
liarly so, as the history of early times will
clearly evince.
Let us only look back to the records of
time, and observe the truly heroic disci-
pline of the great Alfred the British King,
whenit is clearly demonstrated that boxing
and wrestling were part of the manual ex-
ercise of the soldiery of those times, and
was practised under various manœuvres, as
were comprehended under particular tech
nical terms of art, which Leland in his
British Antiquaries, particularly points out
as passages to prove that the ancient Bri
tons were a strong, robust, and manly
people, inured to exercises ofstrength and
manhood, consequently a warlike people,
 ( 20 )
and might with justice be called a nation
of heroes.
The same author of credit and respect-
able mention, speaks of the successors of
this great monarch down to Ironside, in the
year 1017, the time of the Danish invasion,
to be a hardy people ; and during the
reigns of ten succeeding monarchs, gives
the natives the just and impartial appella-
tion ofveterans and heroic men.
Upon the invasion of Cunute in 1018, the
Danes became masters of the English na-
tion, whom the same author makes men-
tion of as a hardy people, and much propor-
tioned to the natives of this isle, as being
stout and robust, and given to the like ex-
ercises of manly feats.---Hence we may
conclude, that the gymnastic games were
not laid aside, but continued down to the
Norman Conquest.
Upon the demise of Harold the IId. in
1066, William Duke of Normandy ascended
the English throne, as the conqueror of
this island, with a design to dispossess the
Picts and Scots of the northern kingdom,
which however he declined attempting
to do.
Cambden, as well as other historians, has
observed upon the commencement of this
reign, that the nation entered into a dege-
neracy, by imbibing some ofthe effemi-
nate pretended refinements of the Con-
querers who were every way inferior to
the conquered people, and who were only
overcome by a kind of disunion on the
death oftheir King (Harold II.) as having
no leader to direct their armies ; for upon
the King's death, several of the generals
 ( 21 )
ofthe British soldiery forsook their posts,
mere to canvass for the disposal of the
crown, and were not aware of the conse-
quences until they were surprised by the
invaders , who soon after put all opponents
to cruel deaths.
For it is a well known fact to every his-
toriographer of this nation, that had King
Harold escaped the fatal arrow, by which
he was slain, that William of Normandy
and all his men, of every denomination,
would havefallen a sacrifice to the veteran
troops ofthe defunct monarch.
Upon the accession of this monarch to
the English throne, the natives became
less addicted to exploits of manhood , as
has been before observed , and gave up
their favorite pastimes for fore and back
edges and points, which answers to the
modern broad and small swords. By the
exercise of the former they were enabled
to form a military discipline to engage
with their northern neighbours ; and by
the latter, with those on the south, namely :
the inhabitants of Gaul and Spain, who
used the long poignard or small sword in
their method of fighting.
During the reigns of the Norman line,
England greatly degenerated, so that on
the extinction of that royal line, in a pe-
riod ofonly 105 years, the natives had be-
come by far less manly and warlike than
at any other period preceding the Con-
quest. However, the ancient spirit of the
people revived on restoring the Saxon line ;
for in the days ofHenry II. "The Laws of
Rights," or, " The Challenger's Claim,"
who passed into a law by the king and the
 ( 22 )
barons, at a solemn court held in a great
field between Staines and Egham, wherein
King John afterwards ratified the Magna
Charta.
By this law the plaintiff had a right to
challenge the defendant to single combat,
and depended upon his success agreeably
to the justice or equity of his claim, by
which law the innocent were liable to fall
as well as the guilty : but in these times
faith had some power to influence those
who professed Christianity ; for in many
instances, where the accused or defendant
was conscious that he illegally detained
the complainant or plaintiff's right, he
made a solemn confession ofhis guilt, and
peaceably yielded up to the claimant that
which was his due, upon no other supposi
tion, than that his guilt would inevitably
subject him to fall bythe hands of his anta-
gonist!---Query, whether ourlaws are now
amended ---For we may question in those
early days of dawning refinement, from
various customs of barbarity in this land,
whether there were any such beings known
as pettifoggers , corrupt magistrates , or
stag-witnesses ? We are rather inclined to
thinkthere were none of those vile tools of
modern practise, who instead of using the
excellent principles of our constitutional
laws, overturn the salutary effects which
would result from an honest practice inthe
Courts of Record, or upon the benches of
Magistracy ; but, alas, we have no hoe !---
Though perhaps when as many years have
rolled through the twelve aspects, as there
has since the days of the Conquest, the
modern practise of Quacks, or Empiricks in
 ( 23 )
Law, may be changed into a system of
practise for a set of honest men !!!
But to resume our history, let us observe,
that under the Saxon line, the English
nation flourished in feats of arm; andupon
the demise ofRichard II. the royal line of
Lancaster succeeded to the crown, which
continued in the names of three Henry's,
viz. the 4th, 5th, and 6th. when the royal
line of York succeeded, and during the
reign of both those housesgymnastic exer-
cises were in daily use ; for by the records
of the late of the latter house, (Richard
III.) it is said, that he was expert at
"raising the sling, drawing the bow,
" throwing the javalin and dart, but par.
" ticularly at manly feats on foot and on
" horseback, in weilding his arm to oppose
❝his antagonist with a clenched fist."--.
Hence we may infer that manly exercises
were not accounted complete without in-
cluding the ambidextrian or boxing art;
by which it may be understood, that in
those days the nervous system was
strengthened as much as possible, as on
a strong and steady arm depended a man's
whole safety, whether in the field of the
enemy or in the exercises of fashionable
amusements.
In those days the apparentheirsto crowns
did not omit this necessary and manly
accomplishment, which gave a strength of
body and mind by a regular exercise of it,
as we find small sized men to be by hardy
exploits so inured tofeats ofmanhood, that
they acquired immortal honour when op
posed to their natural enemies, as may be
instanced in the last monarch to the union
 ( 24 )
to the royal red and white roses of York
and Lancaster, in the person of Richard
III. for had the fight been as Shakspear
would fain make us believe between
Richard and Richmond, the latter would
never have mounted the throne he usurped
under the title ofHenry VII. nor would the
Tudors ever have been a royal family in
this isle ; for the little British ambidex-
trian hero, although he mounted a hunch
back with other deformities, yet by a
constant exercise of manly exploits, he
had an arm of amazing strength, as many
of Richmond's best troops were witnesses.
But as we don't wish to enter upon any
othersubject thanthe topic first announced,
we shall forbrevity's sake pass from thence
to the union of the two kingdoms of En-
gland and Scotland, under James I. in
1603, and only observe, that from that
period to the accession of the House of
Brunswick, the manly art of boxing de-
clined very considerably, as in the reign
ofJames I. the proper use of cannon was
known to the British Navy; for in the for-
mer reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI .
Mary I. and Elizabeth, the pitching ofjave-
lines, darts, and handspikes was in use in
sea-fights as well as in battle on land, so
that manly strength was required, and
sleight therefore was carefully attended to
by all ranks of men.
For in the ships that attacked the Spa-
nish " Invincible Armada" (as they stiled
their force) inthe days of Queen Elizabeth ,
none of the British ships mounted more
than 48 guns, which were all upon one deck,
and without carriages to elevate them,
 ( 25 )
therefore of little service in those days to
disable an enemy's ship ; so that we may
naturally conclude that as we became
verred in the use of fire-arms, we through
negligence lost that excellency of art, by
which our nation was distinguished for
skill and heroic courage ; nor were three
to one of any enemy accounted odds wor-
thy of notice, until the use of fire-arms
became known to the European nations.
We have now in our compendious trea-
tise descended to the reign of George I.
when fire-arms were in their zenith, and
almostall other weapons totally neglected ;
but upon being convinced that other wea-
pons were equally useful in battle, particu-
larly in close engagements either by sea
or land, it was judged necessary to train
the soldiery for both services to their use,
as in the succeeding reign (Geo. II.) it was
found ofgreat utility ; for in the battle of
Dittengen it is acknowledged that a few
troops of cavalry forced the lines of the
enemy, and gave the French a total defeat
by the strength of the arm joined with a
broad sword ; as also the bayonet of the
infantry which excellent discipline has
been continued ever since, as our ene-
mies have been convinced of by woeful
experience.
Now we shall recommence our history
after a chasm of nearly 125 years, in which
time we shall suppose one art was gaining
footing, whilst the other was continually
losing ground ; but as we have arrived at
the crisis in which manhood or manliness
was united with skill in arts and sciences,
 ( 26 )
we shall notice the vicissitudes since that
period.
Though the fashionable art of boxing
has never been licensed, and affords an
instance of the repugnance that may for
a time subsist between the laws and the
manners of a nation, it was about the
year 1742 as regular an exhibition as we
now see at any of the public places of
amusement, the theatres only excepted.
It was encouraged by the first ranks of
the nolility, patronized by the first suh-
jects in the realm, and tolerated by the
magistrates !
Before the establishment of Broughton's
amphitheatre, a booth was erected at Tot-
tenham-court, in which the proprietor,
George Taylor, invited the professors of
the art to display their skill, and the pub-
lic to be present at its exhibition.
The bruisers then had the reward due
to their prowess , in a division of the en-
trance money, which sometimes was an
hundred or an hundred and fifty pounds.
The general mode ofsharing was for two
thirds to go to the winning champion, while
the remaining third was the right of the
loser, though sometimes by an express
agreement of the parties the conqueror
and the vanquished shared alike.
Broughton opened his Amphitheatre
near Oxford Street, on March 10th, 1748,
under the patronage ofthe Duke of Cum-
berland, and many of the Nobility: this
Theatre was not kept open for a long
period, for in the Daily Advertiser, Febru
ary, 1st. 1747, we find an advertisement,
stating that Broughton proposed, with
 ( 27 )
proper assistants, to open an Academy at
his house, in the Haymarket ; which was
well attended by persons of the first rank
and consequence.---The Fives Court, in
St. Martin's Street, Leicester Square,
next became the fashionable place of
amusement, and is high in repute with the
Fancy at the present day.---The comba-
tants here used formerly to set-to upon the
ground, tillRICHMONDSuggested the advan-
tage ofa stage to CRIB, which was adopted,
RICHMOND was also the first pugilist who
sparred at the Fives Court, without his
clothes, in order that the spectators might
derive a more competent idea upon the
art ofBoxing.
 THE
ART
OF
BOXING.

THE first requisites necessary to be

T known are the postures or attitudes in
advancing, attacking, closely engaging,
and retreating, in order to preserve the
honours ofthe art, viz.
Upon seeing the object at the distance
of about twenty yards, if in pursuit, or ad-
vancing, the pupil is to poize, by setting
his hips as wide as he can, and shrinking
the shoulders ; then suppress the cavity of
the lungs by a confined breathing, so as to
preserve a long wind in respiration : added
to those preparations, the neck is to be
sunk, and the arm raised as high as the
mouth, but then extended about three
quarters of their length, in a direct line
from the mouth, without raising one hand
higher than the other, as has been prac
tised by some, to the disadvantage of the
pugilist; forthe idea of the left hand being
placed to secure the heart, lungs, and sto-
mach by a low bending of the elbow and
the clinching of the fist, is by no means to
be recommended : nor is the right hand to
secure the head only, by rising it to a
height nearly to the eyes, as has been for.
merly taught in some of the schools. On
the contrary, the two hands and arms are
 ( 29 )
to be directed as has been observed, and
the elbows gently bent outwards ; then the
hands shut with all the scope imaginable,
so as to brace the arms by raising the mus-
cular vessels, and consequently strength-
ening the wrist, and helping to brace the
nerves, which will necessarily be ruffled
by the agitation of the spirits. But it is
to be observed, that the fists are by no
means to be closely shut, or the fingers
pressed into the palm; but, on the con-
trary, ballooned, by admitting the air to
pass in from the fist to the fourth finger,
the little finger only laid close to the ball
ofthe thumb, and is to be covered by the
extension of the thumb over it, so as to
place the tip of the thumb upon the first
joint ofit. •
When thus prepared in an orderly ad-
vance, the steps of poizing are next to be
attended to.
In order to this attitude in position, sink
upon the left leg, and bend the knee at the
same time about two inches lower than
your usual height, so as to incline the right
side towards your antagonist---the right
foot turning out so as to be in a direction
with the elbow of the right hand---the
right leg, knee, and thigh as forcibly
made strong by muscular exertion as you
can possibly, which is to be done by bear-
ing on your heel, and drawing the toes
under with a degree of fervour ; whereby
you will readily perceive the muscles of
the thigh to rise in their proper place, and
your joints properly secured from giving
way to slipping or stumbling.---Then you
advance thus:
 ( 30 )
The body and limbs are to be particu-
larly carried as before directed, and by
the direction from the left to the right---
three steps are to be taken at each move-
ment.
POSITIONS.
1. The Brace, (or 1st.)
2. The Throw, (or 2d.)
3. The Square, (or 3d. )
The Brace, or 1st. is the advance of the
right foot by a direct line towards the ob-
ject of attack ; which is to be done by a
heavy tread and a manliness of increase in
the stamp of the foot, so as to brace the
knee by a firmness of gait, to be prepared
for any sudden attack.
The Throw, or 2d. is done by the ad,
vance ofthe left leg, about half a yard, so
as to place the foot in the same direction
as the position from which it was removed,
and thereby gain upon the opponent in a
right direction to the advantage of ground
or situation, which is to be performed by a
quick motion, as the next step is to be
gained instantly, therefore must be atten-
ded to with all possible dispatch.
The Square, or 3d. is a quick step ofthe
right foot, to precede the left, from the
second position, or the throw-in, so as to
bring the right foot about two-and-twenty
inches distant fromtheleft, in such a direc
tion, as to presentthe heel ofthe right foot
to be in aline withthe middle ofthe inside
part ofthe left. Yet under such a balance,
or poize of body, that the right foot is not
 ( 31 )
more than eleven inches before the left,
in proximity to the object of attack---as
this exactness in poize will always ensure
asteady bar-point.
It is to be observed, that in the first set-
ting positions, or attitude of advance, that
the right foot should be but four or five
inches in a direction to the object ofpursuit
or attack.
These steps, which are in the technical
terms of this art, called the bar move-
ments, are essential points never to be
omitted, and are to be first practised with
exactness, before the pupil attempts to the
manœuvres ofthe ambidexter.
The beating of time, in one---two--~
three, will help the student very much to
his bar-points. But above all, his inclin-
ing hisjoints in , bending, as herein before
directed, as what has been said on that
head mustnot in any particular be omitted.
Next thing we come to speak of, is the
active business of attack, which is to be
performed by a regular standard of or-
der, divided into three general maxims,
each of which is subdivided into three
standing rules.

POSTURES.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MANŒUVRES.

1. The upper view.
2. The lower view.
3. (The casual protection.
 ( 32 )
In the first general maxim, the rules are
as follow:
1. The direction of sight.
2. The inclination ofthe head.
3. The disposition of the guards.
When you attack, give your antagonist
as little time as possible to direct his aim,
before you give your onset, which you
must endeavour to accomplish over his
guards by a sudden inclination of your
head downwards, and a long guard fixed,
to deceive his ward, whereby you will be
certain to give him the upper mark, which
is generally understood by the temple, the
eyes, or either ear, as you shall be able to
use the left or right hand.
Upon his receiving your salute, he will
soon no doubt assail you by a retaliating
blow, which is very often a fatal stroke to
your success in the contest, unless it is
carefully managed by your defence. In
order to this, sink into your brace (1st.) or
throw (2nd.) so as to advance either upon
short or long guards before your antago-
nist can possibly be ready ; but if in case
he is hasty, then he will in all probability
fall short of any of your guards, and be
baulked, through the art of your ma-
nœuvres: but in either of those cases you
can direct your square of array, or third
position, and be long or short, as you shall
judge necessary. >
Particular observation is to be made
of the direction of your opponent's eye,
asyou canprepare your guard accordingly ;
for as in fencing, a good boxer will direct
 ( 33 )
his blows by aim, which are always accord-
ing to his best judgement, where your
guards lay open ; therefore be as wary as
possible to mar his attempts, by instantane
ously raising your guard, so as to meet his
eye, and fall it with his direction, or vary
it agreeablyto his purpose.
In this general maxim, the second rule
immediately follows the first; namely, to
observe the inclination of the head, which
is for the most part productive of the aim
of the arm, under the direction ofthe eye,
which necessarily brings in the third rule
of this maxim, namely, the disposition of
the guards; for from the two former rules
that are passive, do the subjects of this
rule become active, in directing their
force ; for as soon as the head inclines to
any direction particularly, the eyes are
fixed upon the mark, and consequently
the arm raised to act as the inclination
prompts.
Here it will be necessary to observe the
second general maxim of this art, in order
to direct the pupil in the scenes of action,
as also to facilitate the retension of its
parts under their proper heads, as in this
digest is intended to be illustrated.
The second maxim consists of the lower
view, which contains these rules, viz.
1. The bar movements.
2. The close-in.
3. The cross-buttockgrapple.
Already we have observed the advan-
tages of the proper use of this stand of
 ( 34 )
figures in commanding the length of the .
guards ; so that a good boxer must con-
stantly keep an eye on the right knee of
his antagonist, and whenever he finds him
on the throw, (2d.) to attack him in that
posture, as his guards must of course be
disarranged, and liable to a foil-clash, or
full charge, either of which imply a full
scope above or below his guards.
The next rule is to guard against his
closing in, if he is too powerful for your
grapple, as oft times a fall will disable a
good boxer, and what is worse, strain the
loins so much, that you presently become
weak and languid, and totally discomfit
you, that a breathing time is absolutely
necessary, and particularly so, if your re-
gimen in diet has not been carefully at-
tended to.
In this manner your best way is, if you
wish to avoid a close-in, vary your ground
or position on the stag but be careful
that you never rest on the throw (2d. posi-
tion), for there your antagonist takes you
in open front; however, your legs will suf-
ficiently direct you, as the right must
always precede the left, to secure your
situation in attack or regular engagement.
The last observation or rule of this maxim
is, that avoid the cross-buttock grapple,
unless you are entirely master ofthe art ;
for ifyour opponent once raises your body
to grapple you over, the fall will very pro-
bably disable you from a further attempt
in subduing him, forasmuch as the shoul-
ders and back are liable to be materially
injured by such a cant of the body, which
your antagonist can only accomplish when
 ( 35 )
be closes you in onthe th
throw (2d. posture) ;
for otherwise you are never liable to such
a dangerous hoist as this manœuvre will
subject you to.
The Cross-buttock grapple is performed
when you andyour antagonist close in with
your right sides in contact, or along side.
each other, and is gained by a low hold of
the waistband of the breeches with the
right hand, and of the right shoulder with
the left hand, by which you capsize your
opponent, by throwing him nead foremost
over your right hip, and a part of your
buttock, and is of all falls the worst, as all
the upper forms are subject to injury
by it.
We come now to treat of the third and
last maxim of this art, which is the casual
projection; which in its parts contain the
three following rules, viz.
1. The part of access.
2. The prowess of your opponent.
3. The advantages of ground or motion.
To accelerate your conquest, it will be
requisite to be so far observant in the at-
tacks of your adversary, as to learn where
your direction should be pointed.
In this particular, you will readily see
where your adversary's favourite blow
lies ; and your only way to gain your point
here will be to work upon long and short
postures, and to never rise your arm in
vain, nor yet hasten the repetition of
blows ; for one blow paid home, will tell
for six improperly directed.
Let your left arm be your shield, and
 ( 36 )
spare the right as much as you can, unless
your opponent is left handed ; in that case
ply your right side marks in every open
you can with afull square, or back-handed
mallet, by which you will soon disable his
guard: for the right hand (although
stronger in muscles) cannot bear the tan-
ning ofthe left.
If the guards of your adversary are very
high, baulk him by two or three feints at
his belly, but never strike home so low
unless you come to his quarter, that is to
say under the short rib of the left side ;
for here, as well as at the pit of the sto-
mach, you may unwind him, and by fol-
lowing your blow, sow up his talents ;
however, this manœuvre will lower his
guard, and put you into a field ofnew ac-
quisition; for one blow well told to the
upper tire, (the head) tells better than
three below, for here lays the best seat of
work, and will undoubtedly serve your
purpose ; for a lug, à temple, a jaw, an
eye, or mouth-piece, often gives the word
Enough! when two dozen lower baits
would have proved ineffectual to accom-
plish it.
By the second rule of this maxim, you'
are to form an opinion of your adversary's
skill and strength, in order to ascertain
what movements are necessary to stem the
torrent ofhis ardour; and in so doing, if
you find him above or below the par of
your own abilities, deal with him according
to your skill in manoeuvring him in various
positions ; for in removing an Hercules,
you make him vulnerable by a new state-
ment ofassault.
 ( 37 )
Here it becomes proper to enlarge on
the last rule of this maxim, to take in a
complete idea of your adversary's turn,
whether in guards, attitudes, or general
mark; for in any length of time to hold
out, the odd measure ofa single delve may
decide the contest ; therefore it is worthy
your attention, for your stage walk will
always enable you to advance or retreat at
pleasure, and afford you a superiority over
those that may be double your strength,
who have not the method of boxing here
treated of. Hence it will appear to every
one who has any idea of defence, that
discipline, reduced to general maxims and
standing rules, render the art so easy and
intelligent, that the adventitious comba-
tant has but a poor stake against the initi-
ated adept; therefore sleight in this science
will accomplished what strength and reso-
lution cannot.
In close engagement or retreat,the fore-
going standing rules will always bear the
test ofaction, andonly admit of one obser-
vation, which is, that in retreat, the given
steps one, two, three, are always to be
observed, in going backwards as well as
forwards.
The sinking of the spirits often betrays
the champion into actions unworthy ofhim-
self, and creates fear, shame , and disgrace,
where success and honour might have been
depended upon. Hence it may be judged,
how necessary it is to keep up the animal
spirits ; and in order to this, we shall begin
with a regular process for a champion who
wishes to qualify himselffor a pitched bat-
tle, whereby all who would wish to be
 ( 38 )
eminent in the profession may adopt as
much ofthe method ofpreparation as they
may judge necessary.
SPARRING*
Is absolutely necessary to form a com
plete pugilist. It is, certainly, a mock
encounter ; but at the same time, a repre-
sentation, and, in most cases, an exact
one, ofreal fighting. It is the only proper
introduction to boxing, and a just mode of
realizing whatever principles of the scho-
lar may have imbibed, or trying the success
of any new plan he may have invented.
By this method, he can also judge of the
propriety of his master's lessons, and exer-
cise his reasoning faculties, an advantage
of which he is often deprived in battle.
Some are of opinion that Sparring is of no
great use, and that it takes from the na-
tural powers of manhood, while it only
teaches finesses, that cannot prove hurtful
to a courageous adversary. This, how-
ever, is merely reviving an opinion main-
tained by the pupils of the Old School, in
which strength generally prevailed over
skill. Is it not evident that preparationis
necessary for every exercise, but more
particularly for that in which hostilities
take place ; and what is Sparring but a
preparation, and ofthe nearest affinity, to
boxing? The advocates for this opinion
might, with equal propriety, assert that
shooting at a mark was of no service in
forming an expert gunner,etag
*See Boxiana, vol. 2.p. 16.
 ( 39 )
It should be generally understood that'
the practice ofSparring is recommended,
as if in real action. No manœuvres, no
attitudes ought to be adopted, unless ex-
perimentally, but what would be intro-
duced in actual fight. For instance, let
any one suppose a Sparring-room the
scene of battle, and exert himself upon
that principle. he will easy habituate him-
selfto the exercise of all his powers, and
act by the same rules in the hour of dan-
ger. There may be a great difference
between Sparring and Fighting ; one may
be very courageous in play, whose heart
would be intimidated in real action. But
this want of valouris by no means an argu-,
ment against the doctrine that is laid down
here, since Cowardice is not produced by
Sparring; for, he must have been in the
same degree dastardly, if he had never
seen it, and, perhaps, more so. What is
mentioned here only goes to prove that,
where two persons possess equal courage,
strength, and activity, the man who makes
Sparring his practice must be superior to
him who does not ; as one who considers
a thing before its performance must,
unless Chance interferes, have an advan-
tage over him who thinks consideration
unnecessary.
Activity, or milling on the retreat, is, at
the present period, a greater requisite
toward victory than it was formerly con-
sidered. Some have censured Shifting as
an unmanly custom, but without reason.
If, indeed, mere brutal force were to
decide a combat, it might be deemed im.
proper ; but, where the mind has consider-
 ( 40 )'
able share in the decision, as the case at
present, getting away cannot be thought
unmanly. The same censure might be
passed on fencing, or an accidental ren-
contre in a field of battle ; but, would it
not be absurd to say to a man, whose only
care is the preservation of his life,---You
must not avoid your enemy's sword by
changing your ground ; youmust not make
use of that activity of which you are ca-
pable, because it is unmanly." Richmond
has, in all his battles, practically decided
the advantages of milling on the retreat,
towards victory.
Whatever rules are laid down in spar-
ring should be followed in fighting. They
are both considered in the same view, and
what is mentioned concerning the one is
applicable to the other. Every student
should endeavour to unite grace with
power, and this may be easily accom-
plished, since nature delights in the grace-
ful. To point out any attitude as the best
in all cases would be ridiculous ; a phy-
sician might as well prescribe one medi-
cine for all constitutions. Every one should
adopt his mode of defence to his own
powers ; of which, after some practice, he
must be the bestjudge. This only is neces-
sary to remark, when a person after
mature deliberation and some experience,
has adopted a particular guard, he should
not easily relinquish it. His only plan
should be its improvement ; for, ifhe con-
tinually seeks for new positions, he cannot
act by rule, and must often leave the de-
cision of a combat to fortune. The triumph
of Humphreys over Mendoza, at Odibam,
 ( 41 )
is a strong proof of the propriety of this
advice. Though the latter changed his
manner of fighting as often as Proteus
did shapes, yet he was as often vanquished .
A systematic conduct will prevail over
irregularity, which chance can only render
victorious.
In concluding this subject, it is thus Sir
John Sinclair, in his code of Health and
Longevity, observes, with respect to Fen-
cing; and which applies with equal force
towards the improvement the constitution
has derived from the exercise of Sparring,
many instances of which the author of this
work has been well assured of, from the
teachers of Pugilism, that induced him to
make the following exstract :--- " There is
no exercise," says Sir John, " with a view
to health, better entitled to the attention
ofthose who are placed among the higher
classes of Society than that of fencing.
The positions of the body, in fencing, have,
for their objects, erectness, firmness, and
balance ; and, in practising that art, the
chest, the neck, and the shoulders, are
placed in positions the most beneficial to
health. The various motions of the arms
and limbs , whilst the body maintains its
erect position, enables the muscles, in
general, to acquire vigorous strength; and,
in young people, the bones of the chest
and thorax, necessarily become more en-
larged, by means of which a consumptive
tendency may be prevented. Various in-
stances may be adduced where fencing
has prevented consumption and other dis-
orders. It has been remarked, also, that
those who practice this art are, in general
 ( 42 )
remarkable for long life , and the good
health they have enjoyed. These consi-
derations, combined with the graceful
movements which it establishes, and the
elegant means ofself-defence which it fur-
nishes, certainly render the art an object
of considerable importance." Sparring
equally produces the above beneficial
effects, in every point ofview.
THE BLOW.
Let us now examine the most hurtful
blows, and such as contribute most to the
battle, though very few ofthose who fight,
know why a blow on such a part, has such
an effect, yet by experience they know
it has ; and by these evident effects, they
are directed to the proper parts ; as for
instance, hitting under the ear, between
the eye-brows, across the nose, and about
the stomach.
The blow under the ear is esteemed to
be as dangerous, as any that can be given
about the head, and particularly if it lights
between the angle of the lower jaw and
the neck ; because in this place there are
two kinds of blood-vessels, ' considerably
large, the one brings the blood immedi-
ately from the heart to the head, whilst
the other carries it directly back.
Thus it happens, when a man receives a
blow on these vessels, the blood proceed-
ing from the heart to the head, is partly
forcedback, whilst the other part is pushed
forward vehemenently to the head. The
same effect is produced from the blood
returning from the head to the heart, for
 ( 43 )
part ofit is precipitately forced into the
latter, whilst the other part tumultuously
rushes to the head; whereby the blood-
vessels are immediately overcharged, and
the sinews of the brain become so over-
charged and compressed, that the man at
once loses all sensation, and the blood often
runs from his ears, mouth and nose, alto-
gether owing to its quantity forced with
such impetuosity into the smaller vessels,
the texture ofwhose coats being too tender
to resist so great a charge, instantlybreak,
and cause the effusion of blood through
these different parts.
But this is not the only consequence, for
the heart, being overcharged with a re-
gurgitation ofblood, (for such is the effect
of that forced back on the succeeding
blood proceeding from its left ventricle,)
stops its pregress, whilst that part ofthe
blood, coming from the head, is violently
pushed into its right auricle ; so that as
the heart lays under a violent surcharge
ofblood, there soon follows a suffocation,
but which goes off as the parts recover
themselves, and conduct the blood for-
ward.
EYE BROWS.
The blows given between the eye-brows
contribute greatly to the victory ; for this
part being contused between two hard
bodies, vix. the fist and the Os Frontale,
or bone of the fore-head, there ensues a
violent extravasation of blood, which falls
immediately into the eye-lids ; and these
being ofalax texture, incapable of resist
 ( 44 )
ing this influx of blood, swells almost in-
stantaneously: which violent intumescence
soon obstructs the sight, and the man thus
Dished and artfully hood-winked, is soon
over-come and beat at discretion.
STOMACH.
The blows on the stomach are also very
hurtful, as the diaphragm and the lungs
share in the injury. Thisis called winding.
The vomits produced by these blows are
seldom unaccompanied with blood, the
cause of which being obvious, shall be
passed over here without any further.
notice.
Most men hit harder with one arm than
another, which, when observed and known,
should be guarded against; thus, with your
left fist, if you strike now and then upon
or under the right arm of your antagonist,
just between the elbow and the shoulder,
you greatly weaken his principal fort, and
have a great advantage over him ; for the
effects produced upon his nerves by this
blow, remain some time, and if repeated
render that arm considerably of less use
and strength, and you have still your own
right arm to use about him, which if you
can get to lay it into him, as they term it,
about his loins, will give you a great
chance for the battle.
DIAPHRAGM.
The injury the diaphragm is subject to
from blows, which light just under the
breast-bone,isvery considerable ; because
 ( 45 )
the diaphragm is brought into a strong
convulsive state, which produces great
pain, and lessens the cavity of the thorax,
whereby the lungs are compressed , and
deprived in a great measure of their
liberty, and the quantity of air retained
in them, from the contraction ofthe thorax
through the convulsive state of the dia-
phragm, is so forcibly projected forwards,
that it causes a great difficulty of respi-
ration, which cannot be overcome till
the convulsive motion of the diaphragm
ceases.
The artful Boxer may, in some degree,
render the blows less hurtful on this part,
by drawingin the belly, holding his breath
and bending his thorax over his navel,
when he sees the stroke is coming.
Strength and art were mentioned at
first, as the two principal ingredients
necessaryto form a goodboxer ; but there
is another qualification, which is very
necessary, and that is what is called a
Bottom. There are two things required
to constitute this bottom, and that is wind
and spirit, or heart, or whatever name
you may call it, or wherever you may fix
the residence or seat of courage. The
spirit is the first thing required, and wind
may be greatly prolonged by exercise and
diet. Some men cannot fight well till they
feel acutely their adversary's blows, and
in this they are like some native bull-dogs,
who cannot fight till they are well licked .
In fact, courage is the most substantial
thing, for without this, either art or
strength will avail a man but little, as will
be seenhereafter, in our observations upon
 ( 46 )
the manner and character ofthe principal
boxers.
It is not the design of the writer of this
pamphlet, to form a boxer out of a man
quite ignorant of the manner of the art ;
it is only offered as an assistant to the
memory of those who are judges ; these
leaves are not therefore designed as for-
mal methodical rules to learn by, or such
as a teacher is obliged to advance to his
pupils ; but only an expatiation upon the
art itself in theory, with a view to the
correcting offormal or habitual mistakes,
and supplying young unexperienced prac-
titioners with such practises, as will hold
good, and are likely to succeed upon all
trials.
The power of bearing blows, or what is
generally called bottom, quickness of eye,
and wind, are requisites of great impor
tance, and may be all improved by con-
stantpractise, There are men who seemed
Fecularly formed for bottom. The severest
blows make little impression on the ribs
of some, and the heads of others. The
Old School furnishes a surprising instance
of bottom. The noted Buckhorse, it is said,
made a practise of standing without a
guard, andpermitted himselfto be knocked
down by the hardest hitter, for a trifling
sum of mouey. The modern school also
furnishes numerous instances of bottom,
exhibited by Crib, Painter. Oliver, the
unfortunate Curtis, &c. The advantage
of a good eye is evident it is necessary
to discern the approach of a stroke, as
well as to perceive the vulnerable parts
of an opponent. A resolute look is useful
 ( 47 )
in awing an opponent, and often discon-
certs the boldest. The eye should never
be closed in the time of action. Wind,
though naturally good, may be improved
by the exercise of Sparring.
The pupil's first object of knowledge
should be to acquire a proper mode of
striking. A decisive blow may be made
by a person unacquainted with the other
parts ofpugilism ; and, though a man be
well versed in the guards, he hazards much
in parrying his adversary, ifhe himself is
ignorant of the principles of striking;
because he knows not the comman direc
tion ofthe arms against which he is to de-
fend himself. Thus, whether we consider
striking in an offensive or defensive view,
either to assault an adversary or receive
his attack, is the most elementary part of
boxing, and should be the first studied.
The large knuckles of the hand should be
only used; they are rarely disabled ; but
the knuckles in the middle of the fingers
f equently give way.
Straight blows are preferable to all
others ; they are stronger, because they
Come directlyfrom the centre ofthe power,
and quicker, because they describe less
space in the attainment of the object, it
therefore follows, that it is more difficult
to parry them than any others. Round
hitting is now universally exploded ; it is
condemned by the same reasons which
recommendstraightblows, for it is directly
contrary to them.
In the zenith of Mendoza, it was the
custom to extol chopping, as the best mode
ofhitting. It is a blow struck on the face
 ( 48 )
with the back of the hand. Mendoza
claims the honour of its invention, but un-
justly; he certainly revived and consider-
ably improved it. It was practised long
before our time ; Broughton occasionally
used it ; and Slack, it also appears,
struck the chopper in giving the return in
many of his battles. The advocates for
chopping, at the present period, are very
few, if any. Experience proves that it
can be ofno great service, since, ofall the
pitched battles which have been lately
fought, it has not contributed to gain one,
In the contest between Tyne and Crabb,
chopping suffered a shameful disgrace :
Crabb was thought next to Mendoza,
the most successful in the use of it, yet he
never hit Tyne. Indeed, reason con-
vinces us, that it canbe of no great utility ;
it partakes ofthe nature of a round blow,
for it is given downwards or sideways, and
must, therefore, deviate from the centre.
It also exposes the arm to danger; every
chopper should take its force from the play
of the arm, between the elbow and wrist ;
but if, inthe eagerness ofaction, the elbow
should be thrown too forward, the small of
the arm may be broken Some pugilists
are for not entirely laying it aside, and
think it may be happily used in giving the
return, considering, if a boxer engages
with a person ignorant of the science, it
will certainly prove successful. But when
two skilful boxers, no reliance is to be
placed upon it ; and such is the opinion of
the most experienced professors of the
present day.
Perhaps it may be necessary to notice,
 ( 49 )
Best it should be adopted by others who
might think it proper merely from seeing
it often used. The arms are crossed to
form the guard. Two disadvantages result
to any person who practices this. In the
first instance, one of his adversary's hands
placed upon the upper arm, will force
them both down, and expose the superior
part ofthe body. Secondly, a blow given
by one in this position cannot be in a di-
rect line, and must, therefore, lose much
of its force. Though we cannot be always
guarded, particularly in attacking an
enemy, yet we should, as much as possible
preserve our guard. Upon this principle,
the arm should be drawn but very little
back to strike, for the guard is lost in pro-
portion to the retrograde motion. An
adversary also gets notice of his danger,
and is, of course, prepared to receive the
assault. A blow should be struck without
any previous alteration of attitude, for,
even should it fail, the attempt is produc-
tive of little mischief, and leaves no
opening, if the guard be immediately
recovered; but this cannot be done when
the weight and strength of the body are
thrown in with the blow, a measure which
never ought to take place, unless it is
absolutely certain that an opponent cannot
defend it. A skilful boxer will never
hazard a blow without the prospect of put
ting in a second to more advantage.
FEINTS.
Feints, though extremely useful and the
effects ofscience, are not so much attended
 ( 50 )
to as they merit. If, in fencing,they prove
sodecisive, why should they notbe adopted,
with equal success, in pugilism. It is urged,
by some, that a boxer should always keep
his arms in motion to and fro. The reason
given in its defence , that the action of the
fifts prevents the approach of a blow from
being perceived, is, perhaps not strictly
just; for, is not the violent increase of
motion as easily discerned as its beginning ?
If this be true, it will follow, that it is
better to keep the arms steady, because
motion will cause an antagonist to be more
carfully on his guard, since he must, every
moment, expect an assault : where their
firmness may betray him into fancied secu-
rity.
CLOSING.
Closing has been for some time explo
ded; and this alone may serve as an argu
ment to shew that boxing is greatly
improved, since what was formerly of much
utility is now esteemed unnecessary or of
little value. Yetpugilists shouldfamiliarise
themselves to closing, that, whenever it
occurs, they ought to by prepared for the
worst.
TRAINING.
The advantages of Training..---Without
any disparagement to the pugilistic
prowess of TOM CRIB, it will appear from
the following statement, extracted from a
work recently published on Pedestrianism ,
and revised under the immediate eye of
Capt. BARCLAY, that the result might not
have proved so favourable to the Cham-
 ( 51 )
pion, on the 29th of Septembers 1811, had
he not been taken such care of by a scien
tific person during his Training. It is well
worthy the perusal of all sporting men ;
and pugilists will do well to observe it
with attention.
The Campion arrived at Ury on the 7th
ofJuly of that year. He weighed sixteen
stone ; and from his mode of living in
London, and the confienment ofa crowded
city, he bad become corpulent, big-bellied,
full of gross humours, and short breathed ;
aud it was with difficulty he could walk
ten miles. He first went through a course
of physic, which consisted of three doses ;
but for two weeks he walked about as he
pleased, and generally traversed the
woods and plantations with a fowling piece
in his hand; the reports of his musket
resounded every where through the groves
and the hollows of that delightful place, to
the great terror ofthe magpies and wood
pigeons.
" After amusing himself in this way for
about a fortnight, he then commenced his
regular walking exercise, which at first
was about ten or twelve miles a day. It
was soon after increased to eighteen or
twenty ; and he ran regularly, morning
and evening, a quarter of a mile at the
top of his speed. In consequence of his
physic and exercise, his weight was re-
duced, in the course of five weeks,
from sixteen stone to fourteen and nine
pounds. At this period he commenced his
sweats, and took three during the month
he remained at Ury afterwards ; and his
weight was gradually reduced to thirtees
 ( 52 )
stone and five pounds, which was ascer-
tained to be his pitch of condition, as he
would not reduce farther without weak-
ening.
" During the course of his training, the
Champion went twice to the Highlands,
and took strong exercise. He walked to
Mar-Lodge, which is about sixty miles dis-
tant from Ury, where he arrived to dinner
on the second day, being now able to go
thirty miles a day with ease, and probably
he could have walked twice as far ifit had
been necessary. He remained in the
Highlands about a week each time, and
amused himself with shooting. The prin-
cipal advantage which he derived from
these expeditions was the severe exercise
he was obliged to undergo in following
Capt. Barclay, He improved more in
strength and wind by his journies to the
Highlands than by any other part of the
training process.
" His diet and drink were the same as
used in the pedestrian regimen, and, in
other respects, the rules previously laid
down weregenerally applied to him. That
he was brought to his ultimate pitch of
condition, was evident from the high state
ofhealth and strengthin which he appeared
whenhe mounted the stage to contend with
Molineux, who has since confessed, that
when he saw his fine condition, he totally
despaired ofgaining the battle.
" Crib was altogether about eleven .
weeks under training , but he remained
only nine weeks at Ury. Besides his regu-
lar exercise, he was occasionally employed
iu sparring at Stonehaven , where he gave
 ( 58 )
lessons in the pugilistic art. He was not
allowed much rest, but was constantly oc-
cupied in some active employment. He
enjoyed good spirits, being at the time
fully convinced that he would beat his
antagonist. He was managed, however,
with great redress, and the result corres-
ponded with the wish of his friends."
A champion should have ten days or a
fortnight to prepare for a good battle, dur
ing which time the following regimen and
exercise should be observed. 6
To commence his preparation with an
evening's warm bath for the feet, legs,
and the small of the thighs ; and, after
wards, as soon as he is quite cool, to wash
the loins with cold spring or pump water,
not omitting the face, hands, and arms,
but to use no soap in any ofthose bathings
or washing; then to retire early to rest
upon a supper of runnet milk, or milk-
pottage, and to eatspariugly of Bread, but-
ter as salt.
The morning's beverage to be through-
out the whole time runnet, whey, and hard
white biscuit without seeds.
Dinner to be alternately stewed veal,
[with rice] and well-fed fowls, (with a
melt or two in the latter] boiled to a jelly,
and no tea in the afternoon, but instead
thereof a rusk and chocolate early in the
evening, with supper as before ; and as for
drink throughout the preparation, it should
be only red wine mingled with water---
and in nowise to use either porter, table-
beer, ales or spirituous liquors, and to drink
not more than a glass or two after dinner ;
but before dinner half a pint, or a pint
 ( 54 )
mulled will do no harm, provided you have
had a glass or two of strong jelly before
it ; but a rusk, or a crust well toasted , is
necessary to eat with it, then no danger
is to be feared. However, salts or acid
juices are to be avoided all the time so
devoted to dieting ; yet lump sugar is not
prohibited, but as the habit requires it,
half a pint of claret mulled at night, with
agood deal of lump sugar, is recommend-
ed; but neither blood letting or physic is
recommended, as the cooling of the body,
and strengthening the fluids, can in no-
wise be done if either of those coolers are
used, if the patient wishes to secure his
success ; for exclusive ofthe several things
prescribed as eatables, &c. particular
hours of rest and recreation are to be
observed, viz.
To go to bed exactly at nine at night,
and to rise at five in the morning ; to
breakfast at seven, rusk and wine at ele.
ven, dine at one, chocolate at four, sup at
seven, and from that hour until bed-time,
to be entertained with martial music [if
possible] as it will tend to enable hiin to
form an heroic state of spirits, and make
his dreams agrecable ; and finally, add to
his vivacity and serenity of thought; for
the mind must not be ruffled or agitated,
norno painful sensation suffered to invade
1 the conceptive faculties, but every thing
Couducted with harmony and liveliness.
The mornings should be spent in an early
walk, first breaking the fast with a single
gingerbread nut, [steeped in Hollands Ge.
neva], and the whole not to exceed a mile,
and then to return very slow, to avoid
 ( 55 )
heating the body,; and to preserve it sø,
lay cool at night.
The morning of engagement, to eat no
more than a single slice of bread, well
toasted without butter, or a hard white
biscuit toasted, and about a pint ofbest
red wine mulled, with a table spoonful of
brandy in it---This is to be taken an hour
preceding the time of dressing.
On the stage. to have your drink made
up as follows :---Hollands, bitters, and
fine China orange juice, with some lump
sugar dissolved, to a palatable strength as
you may be inclined to chuse it, when
with a proper knowledge ofthe rules laid
down in this book, we doubt not but you
will be a match for the first champion of
the age.
Having now fulfilled our promise to the
public on this head, we offer it with all due
respect, hoping they may reap fruits from
our labours, as our wish it to put into the
hands of every man a practical instructor,
to preserve him from those dangers that
his prudence mayjudge necessary to guard
against ; and in our opinion he will reap
profits to atone amply for his expence and
trouble in the purchase and reading of this
treatise.
The technical terms may seem rather
harsh and discordant, and in some respects
low, that are used in this art ; but except
we were to alter the known phrases that
are in use in the modern system, we could
not have given the instructions complete,
without making use of those terms which
we have taken care to explain as often as
they have occurred.
 ( 56 )

CHAUNTS .

In the year 1762, the following humour-

ous verses appeared in a periodical publi-
cation, and was sung about the streets at
the same time.
The BRUISER'S PROGRESS ,
Written in the Year 1762.
Link-boy once I stood the grin,
At Charing- Cross I plied ;
"Here, light your honour for a win,"
To every Cull, I cried
On Sundays oft I loung'd the gag,
And shul'd at the Church-door,
"Good people pray bestow a mag,
" I'm panumless and poor."
In Leis'ter-Fields, as most can tell,
" Come black your honour I ; "
But dirty-work, I lik'd not well,
And gaffling then did try.
At Tottenham-Court, I first set out,
With lusty Jumping Jack,
With Hunt and others had a bout,
And carried offthe wack.:
With Slack at Broughton's once I fought
And there gave him his fill;
His twenty guineas, vict'ry bought,
And I'm the same man still,
 ( 575)
But these professions all are bad,
They bring so little bit ;
So I'm turn'd Roadsman on the pad,
My eyes! a lucky hit.
Ye Jockeys rum, and blowings queer,
Of whatsoever fame,
Depend upon itneverfear,
Die when I will, I'm game.
And ifI should my exit make,
At Tyburn's fatal tree ;
Poor Field, my master did partake,
The self same destiny.

On the GRAND FIGHT, between

HUDSON AND SAMPSON ;
AND SCROGGINS AND PARISH,
March 1821.
The morn was foul and black,
And pelting storms descended,
And inany a covey's high boned hack,
With mud and clay was blended.
Peers, prigs, and costermongers shoved
Their curricles and buggy
Till like a mud-cart on they moved---
The blades were fresh and muggy :
For as the drops fell on their nobs,
Just like a shower of marbles,
With Deady's maxthey sluiced their gobs,
And loos'd their pattering garbles.
 ( 58 )
To Banstead Downs the Swells were bent,
Where two prime out and outers
A milling treat the Fancy lent,
Which quite surprised the Flouters.
Jos. HUDSON, tried and qualified
With MARTIN and BELASCO ;
And SAMPSON it cant be denied,
Could spoil a rum one's mash, Q.
The OULD ONE stak'd them twenty feet
Of prime good carcase green plat ;
The menpeet'd well---and turnedto ueat,
When Jos. threw in his game hat.
"Twas 6 to 4, in round the first,
On Josh's broad sledge hammer---
A little shy---"Twas like who durst
Tillfloor'd by SAMPSON's rammer.
A manly contest now ensued }
The claret Jos. was spilling,
Poor SAMPSON's day-lights tight were
glued,
Which spoilt his further milling.
For nine-and-twenty rounds he stood,
And punished Josн. severely :
And yet his lion's-heart was good
Altho his nob looked queerly.
JACK RANDALL led his game cock off,
While SPRINGsaid, “ mind my masters,"
You'd bold hold y'r gabs.from scoff,
At Brummagem's disasters,
What tho' the lad to-day is beat,
Remember this my hearties,
For months to come when Jos. shall eat,
"Twill spoil his dinner parties.
 ( 59 )
JACK SCROGGINS and PARISH were next in
the ring ,
All the Fancy admit that oldJack was a
Trump ;
And PARISH the knowing-ones said was the
thing,
And neverawhitefeather had inhis rump.
They fought long enough, but a knowing
cove said,
It was just like a putty-man hammering
lead.
Both fought
shewedto gamea stand-still, and PARISH
,
Till all his endeavours to mere cyphers
came.
JACKthrewuphis hat, and apologized round.
For keeping the swell cores all drench'd on
the ground.
RICHMOND'S BLACK and THE WATERMAN
finished the day---
That is---the
him away Black lugg'd him and drove
.
He lives bythe water, and some of e'm said,
They thought the poor Gill had a watery
head.
Bethatas itmay, three rounds sew'd him up,
And he mizzled away upongoosemeat to sup.
On the whole the sport was not so good as
expected,
And Prads, Coreys andA2 Tag-røgs returned
much dejected.
All the swells were engag'd upon parlia
ment duty,
And the weather prevented a display of
beauty. CORNELIUS CRABTRER.
 ( 60 )

DUTCH SAM ;
OR, THE TEARS OF DUKE'S PLACE !
Tothe tune ofthe " Race-Horse."

When MENDOZA's vast glory was losing

its blaze,
And time and disease were contracting its
rays : and BALDWIN,
AS JACKSON became all the
go :
Andthe credit ofIsrael was then,but so, so :
DUTCH SAM started up, like young hope
before care,
To recover those laurels fate lost to des-
pair.
His weight nine stone five---well knit but
yet slight,
He, courageo usly , challenged the chris-
tians to fight :
When they scowl'd, with contempt, as, by
Ezra, we're told,
When Goliah looked down, on poor Davy
of old :
At length the bold BALDWIN, a chief of the
crew,
Swore he'd take all the fight out of this
daring Jew!
The parties both met onthe potentous day,
And the Tothil-fields boys came, in gangs
to the fray :
All were sneering at SAM, and they quizzed
and they gazed ,
 ( 61 )
But SAM leathered his man, and the mob
were amazed :
As he milled the stout CALEB, and dark-
ened his lights :
All the Levys cried out, " Look! my cot
how he fights ! "
Now captains, and lordships, and the Lord
knows who,
Rushed, in myriads, to hail the victorious
Jew ;
They made banquets, and fetes, to feast
him, and his train,
While merit and virtue begged alms, but,
in vain !
Yet SAM's triumphs were brief, as, by
folly o'er-ruled,
His intemperance did, what his foes never
could !
A youngbaker, one KNOWLESWORTHY crusty
and stout,
The first in the lark,butthe last to give out,
Who regarded uead men as a matter of
course,
Threw his gauntlet at SAM, who grew
every year worse :
And though manhood suggested, his day
was gone by,
Yet as honour impelled , he would conquer
or die !
Though SAM planted his blows against the
frame of this youth,
They fell powerles as Fallacy's sophisms
'gainst truth.
No more,
near.three to one, echoed now far and
 ( 69 )
Though SAM's pluck was the same, yet his
prowess was queer,
Now the captains and lordships, left Sam
once their pride,
While each Jew scratched his head ; and
each knowing one sighed!
Lo! stretched on the sod, see poor SAM OÙ
his back,
Like St. Andrew fallen down, or a wretch
on the rack :
Wherethe Fancy surveyed him with dread
or disdain,
As the Greeks viewed the Python that
Phœbus had slain :
While SAMMY sob'd out, twixt a moan and
a whine,
" I am dished---I'm done up, and must
soon tip all nine."
Then a pidgeon from Moulsey was sent to
Duke's Place,
With a label that sigified all SAM's dis-
grace,
That the tribes might edge off, as, for old
clothes, they range,
Mid the Beaux of the west, or the flats
near the Change ;
While Israel's brown children, in sym-
pathy roar,
"Have you heard of DUTCH SAM ? "---No !
"My Cot he's done o'er."
 ( 63 )

THE MORAL.
Now, ye pugilists listen to what wit may
say,
And while the sun shines, boys, take care
to make hay;
For the hour will come, when your vigour
must fade,
And fortune, ye know, is a slippery jade :
The partitions but flimsy, 'twixt glory and
shame !
And, brave SAM like Napoleon, is now lost
to fame !

FINIS.
 CONTENTS .

page
Preface
Introduction V
History ofBoxing 8 *
Positions 36
Postures 31 +
Sparring 39
The Blow . 42
Feints · 49
50 #
Closing
Training • 50
Chaunts 56

Smeeton, Printer, St. Martin's Church Yard.

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