1820:]
Boriand.

611
join full cry, with all their pack of of Broughton, and of Big Ben. We
contributors, in pursuit; and no won- are now about to make them acquaint-
der that the game is run down and ed with a new school-that of Men-
-hausted at last, though often not doza-a school whose fame is in some
v orth the bagging, so wofully torn measure gone by, but a school that
and mangled. It is a puzzling matter will ever continue to be admired by
to know how to act at present; one every lover of correct taste, sound
request we have to make of our fa- judgment, elegant execution, and good
cetious friends, Bon-mots, and Janus bottom. This was, indeed, the Au-
Weathercock, that they do not seduce gustan age of pugilism, though for-
Mr P. Egan from our service, and that tunately it did not precede the decline
th“ leave us in possession of the and fall of the art. There was indu-
i g. The truth is, that the world is bitably a finished and perfect beauty
not wide enough for all the present in the finest performances of Men-
magazines, and

some of them must be doza, for which we may now look in blown up. Our own private opinion vain. He was the Virgilor, perhaps, is, (though it might be dangerous to the Addison of his time. His battle express it) that three magazines are with Humphries was perhaps superior sufficient for Great Britain and Ire- to any thing in the Æneid.

It was a - land-Baldwin, Blackwood, and Col. most elaborate performance; yet art bourn.*

was so blended with nature, that its To return to Boxiana. It is a book striking merits were visible to the eyes that we never tire of-take it up when even of the unscientific, and the name we will it puts us into immediate spi- of Mendoza now rises up in our merits. It is a sufficient justification of mory when we think of all that was pugilism to say, that Mr Egan is its most graceful in attitude, and correct historian--for a better natured, more in distance. He was indeed the great gentlemanly person, never wore a glove. founder of the Jewish school, -nor On a former occasion we ventured to has either Dutch Sam, Belasco, or suggest a resemblance between Mr Iky Pig, eclipsed the fame of their P. Egan and Mr Thomas Campbell, master. as the historians of pugilism and Dan has fought upwards of thirty poetry. But, in truth, highly as we pitched battles, but of these eight only admire the abilities of the author of are on record-one with Martin, the the Pleasures of Hope and the Speci- celebrated Bath Butcher, three with mens, we cannot affirm, that he has Humphries, two with Ward, one with yet produced any such work as Boxe Jackson, and one with Lee. In his iana. Mr Egan combines within him- first contest with Humphries, he was self, as the historian of British pugi- beaten; but in his two others his sulism, all the qualifications possessed periority was immeasureable. The by all the historians of British poetry. first fight is thus described by Mr He has all the elegance and feeling of Egan :a Percy-all the classical grace and in- Humphries, upon ascending the stage, ventive ingenuity of a Warton-all was received with

loud and repeated cheers, the enthusiasm and zeal of a Headley which he gratefully acknowledged by his -all the acuteness and vigour of a Rita genteel deportment, when Tom Johnson son—all the learning and wit of an

appeared as his second, the athletic Tring

as his bottle-holder, and Mr Allen as um. Ellis-all the delicacy and discern- pire. Mendoza, almost instantly following, ment of a Campbell ; and at the same

was greeted with the most flattering marks time, his style is perfectly his own, of attention and respect from the surroundand likely to remain so, for it is as ing spectators ; a Mr Moravia acted as his inimitable as it is excellent. The man umpire, David Benjamin was his second, who has not read “ Boxiana" is igno- and Jacobs his bottle-holder, and the whole rant of the power of the English lan- of them were Jews. Humphries' appear

ance, when stripped for the fight, was pecuguage.

Our readers have already studied liarly attractive, and his tine manly form with us the history of two Eras of Bri- of fine flannel drawers, white silk stockings,

was seen to great advantage; he had on a pair tish pugilism. They have been ini. the clocks of which were spangled with gold, tiated into the mysteries of the schools and pumps tied with ribbon. The dress of

• We have bracketted the three senior wranglers this year, and also adopted an alphabetical arrangement.

Mendoza was plain and neat. About his ancle, and was reluctantly compelled te
twenty minutes after one, every thing be. acknowledge the superiority of the Christian.
ing ready, the usual salutations took place, Mendoza almost immediately afterwards
when the display of the science was infinite fainted, and was taken from the stage. Thus
ly fine-much was expected from two such ended this truly celebrated contest, in twen-
skilful artists, and the feints made by each ty-eight minutes, fifty-four seconds, in
party were elegant and scientific-Men. which, perhaps, there never was so much
doza felt no terrors from the proud fame of skill and dexterity ever witnessed ; nor more
his antagonist, and Humphries viewed the money depending upon its termination.
admirable skill displayed by his opponent The Jews were severe sufferers and al-
with firmness and composure--the parry. though Mendoza was defeated, his fame
ings were long and various, and the ama. and character as a pugilist were consider-
teur experienced one of the richest treats ably increased_his style of fighting was
ever exhibited in this noble and manly art highly spoken of by the scientific amateur ;
- at length, Mendoza put in the first blow, and that in close fighting, and as a quick
and recoiling from its effects slipped and fell hitter, he was evidently superior to his
upon his back, in consequence of the stage antagonist. The advantage was also upon
being slippery from the rain which had fell the side of Mendoza in point of strength of
previous to the battle, yet was of no mate. arm, and when struggling to obtain the
rial effect against Humphries, as he warded throw, he punished his adversary consider-
it off and retreated. In the second round ably by keeping down his head. His guard
Mendoza, full of vigour, went into his anta- was excellent, and displayed a thorough
gonist and knocked him down ; and in clos- knowledge of the art, by keeping it closer
ing in the next, the Jew threw Humphries. to his body than that of his adversary, by
The odds which had been much in favour which means his blows were given with
of Humphries, were now changing rapidly more force when he struck out his arms,
upon Mendoza. The Jew, Aushed with and with respect to stopping, he was not
his success, found his game all alive, and deficient to Humphries but for elegance
showed himself off to the best advantage of position-cool and prompt judgment-
with all the heroism of a most experienced fortitude of manner and force of blow, he
pugilist. Humphries appeared to make no was materially inferior. He wanted also
way against Mendoza, who had now knock that personal courage, which was so ap-
ed Dick down six times in succession. The parent in Humphries, and whose confidence
Jews sported their cash freely, as the Chris. rendered him so indifferent of himself-bus
tian, it was supposed, must soon be van- in point of throwing, Mendoza, though
quished ; but the friends of Humphries not expected, had the complete advantage,
were not to be dismayed, and took the odds and the activity he displayed throughout
greedily. At one time the contest was near the fight was considerable. Mendoza con
ly coming to a premature termination, from tended for victory with all the style and
the cry of foul, foul !” by the friends of valour of a true Hero.
Mendoza, who, in the early part of the
fight, had drove Humphries upon the rail

THE TABLES TURNED.
of the stage, and while the latter was upon Humphries, attended by Tom Johnson
the balance, aimed a blow at his ribs which as his second, entered between one and two
must have finished the battle, but Johnson o'clock, followed by Butcher, as his bottle-
caught it. The umpires considered it a holder, and Harvey Christian Coombe, Esq.
knock-down blow, and that Johnson was as his umpire; and Mendoza immediately
correct. The stage was so slippery that afterwards made his appearance, attended
Humphries could scarcely stand upon his by Captain Brown and Michael Ryan, as
legs, and soon discharged the finery from his second and bottle-holder, having for his
his legs, for the more substantial service of umpire, Sir Thomas Appreece. The se-
worsted hose--Dick now felt his feet, went conds, according to an agreement, retired to
in with his usual confidence, and the bets separate corners on the setting-to of the
became even. Humphries was now him- combatants :—The moment became inter-
self, and fast recovering in wind and esting, and anxiety was upon the utmost
strength, the

amateurs were delighted with stretch-the opinions of the amateurs had his undaunted courage and neatness of exe- undergone various changes since the last cution. Mendoza was thrown, and in fall. combat; and the issue of the contest was ing pitched upon his face, his forehead was extremely doubtful-Mendoza was considreadfully cut just above the right eye, dered a formidable rival, and he had rather and his nose assumed a different shape; rose into estimation than otherwise since the but the Jew's pluck was good, and in the first battle, and the betting had no stability next round gave Humphries a prime facer, about it. Humphries appeared strong and ! that the bets were still alive. Humphries was elegant in his position, and endeavoured to gaining ground fast, and soon put in a put in a facer ; but Dan, on the alert, stopdoubler upon the loins of Mendoza, one of ped it with great neatness, and returned a the Jewsmost vulnerable'parts; which was fol- sharp blow, that levelled his opponent. lowed up by one in the neck, the Jew reel- Mendoza, elated with the attempt, con: ing fell with his leg under him, sprained cluded the second and third rounds in the

blow: upon

1920.3.

satne style.' st soon began to appear, that the fight, to have the advantage. After the Jew possessed considerable confidence thirty minutes had elapsed, Humphries, in his own powers ; and, although the suc- either from accident or design, committed cars was alternate in the various rounds, for the same error, in falling without a blowupwards of half an hour, the advantages Mendoza had put in some tremendous hits,

were upon the side of Mendoza ; the science and, in following them up, Humphries re. i of the latter made a strong impression up. treated and fell; when Dan, without the

on the spectators, by the neat manner of slightest murmur, was deemed the con

stopping the blows on his arm, and giving queror. is the return so instantaneously, as to bring Mendoza was now the champion

his adversary down ; and even in point of and Bill Ward, a Bristol trump, who e throwing, Dan possessed the superiority. In had been originally brought up to iu che twenty-second round it appeared that town to fight Johnson, was now match.

the articles were violated, (which specified
particularly, that if either of the combatants ed against the Israelite. He was a

fell without a blow, he should lose the stronger and taller man than Men di battle) by Humphries falling without a doza-of great activity-full of pluck,

which circumstance a complete and fine scienced. The odds were on i uproar ensued, and nothing was to be heard Ward on setting to. The following is but the cries of " foul, foul!" and Mena spirited sketch of the battle:

i doza's friends insisted that he had won the

At the commencement of the fight, the il battle. Upon the other side, it was obsti; odds were considerably upon Ward ; and

nately contended, that the blow was “ fair," much was expected from his well-known inasmuch that Humphries had stopped it acquirements, and it is but fair to state, before he fel. Tom Sohnson was particu. that Bill endeavoured to prove the conlarly positive as to the fact; but Mendoza's queror, and used every exertion that he was umpire declared it to be foul : an appeal master of to obtain so desirable an end; was then made to Mr Coombe, who would and, for the first eight rounds of the battle, not decide upon the case. The row was now was an object of attraction; and dealt out beyond all description, blows had subsided,

some tremendous blows $ particularly in the and tongues were in full and violent mo

fourteenth, he gave Mendoza a dreadful hit tion, and respect to persons seemed out of upon the jaw, that knocked him off his the question. A warm altercation took legs like a shuttlecock, and Dan came down place between the seconds, each supporting, with uncommon violence. Ward's friends their interested side, when Captain Brown, were now in high spirits, and the betting full of pluck, called the veteran, Tom John.

went forwards, as it was thought that Dan son a blackguard, and that he would kick had received rather a sickener ; but Men. a certain place, if he gave him any more of doza's game soon brought him about, and his impertinence these were words Tom he went in with the most determined resowas not in the habit of swallowing,) the lution, and gave Ward a knock-down blow. seat of honour to be disgraced) and intimat. The superiority of Mendoza now became ed to the Captain, that they would try as to manifest; Wand perceived he was in the the capability of his assertion, and put him. hands of his master ; and the spectators beself in a posture of self-defence, the quarrel gan to change their opinions. Mendoza had now grown important, and a battle was levelled his antagonist every round; though, expected ; but Captain Brown talked of notwithstanding, Ward put in some good fighting him at some more convenient pe: hits. In the twenty-third round the comriod, for one thousand guineas; which batants closed_Ward was completely exoperated only as the flourish of the moment, hausted, and, upon Mendoza falling on in never being mentioned afterwards ! him, reluctantly gave in. The above conHumphries insisted on the fight being re- test established Dan's fame; and his scien. newed, and taunted Mendoza to set-to tific excellence was generally acknowledged. again ; but the friends of the latter would

But the hour was at hand when the not suffer him, being satisfied, in their own opinion, that he had won the battle. The Jew was to succumb to the Gentile. spectators growing impatient for the deci- John Jackson entered the ring against sion, Humphries threw up his hat in defi. him, and in ten minutes and a half ance, and endeavoured to provoke the Jew Dan was done up and dished. to renew the combat-Mendoza, consider- “ Ist round. The spectators were more ing that an unfavourable impression might than commonly interested, from the celego abroad against him in refusing, or in its brity of the combatants. Judgment was not being decided as a drawn battle, consented wanting on either side, and a ine display of to finish the contest. Silence was once more the art was witnessed the amateur experirestored,''and the combatants again set-to. enced a rich treat in the developement of Dan showed off in good style, and went in the science in all its characteristic minutiæ with the most determined spirit, and finish- a minute had expired, and both waiting for ed the round by knocking down his oppo- the advantage, when Jackson put in a trenent. In the next, he repeated the doze, mendous hit, that laid Dan prostrate on the and continued, during the remainder of stage.

a

good hits.

1

son.

« 2d. In this round Mendoza shewed the Belcher. I wish you'd do it now. advantage of the science to perfection, by The parties becoming rather irritatstopping the blows of his antagonist with ed with each other, an immediate great neatness, and in returning several set-to was nearly the consequence, “ 3d-Both on the alert, and pelting away

but their friends stepped in and prewithout ceremony-Jackson put in several vented it. severe hits, and Mendoza was not behind Dan's last battle was with his false in returning the compliment ; but in the friend, Lee the butcher, who used him termination of the round Dan went down. extremely ill,--and Dan fought simply Notwithstanding the odds rose two to one to punish his perfidy. Lee had been on Mendoza.

long known as a skilful and quick “ 4th. This was the heat of the battlefear was out of the question, and the com- bloodless, and with the mufflers; and

sparrer-but his set-tos had been all batants lost to every thing but victory. it was not

thought he could have any Jackson, confident of his powers and knowledge, went in with great courage, treating chance against Mendoza, in real warthe science of Mendoza with indifference, fare. He had none-for though he and punishing him most terribly, when Dan protracted the fight upwards of an fell from a severe blow upon the right eye, hour, by shifting, and dropping-now which bled profusely. The odds rose upon and then touched Dan, and occasionalJackson.

ly threw him-we ourselves might as “ 5th. The scene was now considerably well have been pitted against the Israel changed, and some murmurings were exite, - who punished him severely

, pressed by the friends of Mendoza, on wit flooring him incessantly, and holding nessing Jackson take hold of his opponent all his operations, defensive and offenby the hair, and serving him out in that defenceless state, till he fell to the ground. sive, in contempt. Yet beautiful as was An appeal was made to the umpires upon this last display of Mendoza, and fithe propriety of the action, when it was nished as was his shewy, we had al. deemed perfectly consistent with the rules most said flowery style of boxing, it of fighting, and the battle proceeded. The was the decided opinion among the odds were now changed two to one on Jack- best judges, that it would have lost "6th-7th.—8th.-Mendoza was getting

both its efficacy and attraction before rather exhausted, and endeavoured to re

the rapid dexterity and irresistible cover his strength by acting on the defen- gaiety of Jem Belcher. Besides, Dan sive ; but he could make no way against was past his best, and Jem in his heçthe superiority of Jackson.

day—and we hate to see the laurels “9th-Mendoza stood no chance-Jack- torn off the brow of age by the hand son appeared in full vigour, and hit away of youth. The piety of the pugilist his man with great ease. Dan suffered con- 'revolts at the spectacle. siderably, and after falling completely exhausted, acknowledged he had done."

We feel that it is utterly impossible About seven years afterwards, an

for us to conclude this article, without epistolary correspondence of an angry adverting, in such terms as are becomkind took place between these for ing the melancholy occasion, to the midable heroes in the public news,

great, indeed irreparable, loss which papers. It led, however, to no second the boxing world has lately sustained combat—which was well—for the Jew in the death of Sir Daniel Donelly. had not strength to fight Jackson. Ireland, we understand, is inconsolable. Jem Belcher, after his overthrow of Since the heroic age of Corcoran and Gamble the Irishman, challenged Dan Ryan no such leveller had appeared. on the field; and the fight would Happy and contented with the faine have been an interesting one, between he had enjoyed under his native skies

, the founders of the old and new schools. it never had been the desire of Sir DsThere is something exceedingly chic niel to fight on this side of the Chanvalrous in the challenge--and Jem

nel. Accordingly, he past his prinse Belcher appears another Ivanhoe in

in and about Dublin, satisfied with

being held the most formidable BufBelcher. Dan Mendoza.

fer (so our good Irish friends de Mendoza. Well! what is't you want?

nominate Pugilists) among a potato Belcher. I say, these were the shoes fed population of upwards of five mil

. I bought to give you a thrashing in lion. No one who has been in Ireland Scotland.

will

suppose, that Sir Daniel Donelly Mendoza. Well--the time may of the championship, with his band

walked up to the “ good eininence

the ring

in his breeches-pockets. We are not beneath his feet, ' rejoicing in the in possession of the facts of his early blood that dyed its threefold beauty, career-we know not when he dropped more proudly than it ever rejoiced, the sprig of shillelah, and restricted when, sprinkled with the dews of himself to the unweaponed fist. It morning, it waved its verdant locks to must have been deeply interesting to the breezes that swept the level exhave marked the transition. We have panse of the Bog of Allen, or the heard it said, and are inclined to think rugged magnificenceof Macgillicuddy's the theory true, that Sir Daniel's style reeks. of boxing showed, perhaps too strik- The death of this illustrious man ingly, that he had excelled at the mis- has left unsolved a great problem, cellaneous fighting of Doneybrooke Was England or Ireland to have taken Fair. He was not a straight-nor yet precedence in the rank of nations ? a quick hitter. His education cer- Could Donelly have beat Crib ? Could tainly had not been neglected, but it Carter have beat Donelly? Alas! had been irregular. There were not vain interrogatories! The glory of only Iricisms in his style but even Ireland is eclipsed--and ages may provincialisms which were corrected in elapse before another sun shine in, the London ring, not without danger to what Mr Egan beautifully calls, her the success of his first prize essay. But pugilistic hemisphere. We have just the native vigour of the man prevailed received a vast number of Elegies on over the imperfect institutions of his his death - from Cork, Limerick, country—and with all the disadvan- Waterford, and Dublin—some of tages of an irregular, imperfect, and them eminently beautiful.

It was unfinished education, Sir Daniel Do not to be thought that such a man nelly not only triumphed over all his would be permitted to leave us, with compatriots, but sustained the honour out the meed of some melodious tear; of Ireland in a country, perhaps, too and we are happy to see among the much disposed to disparage her; and, “ Luctus," the names of Moore, Max in his last battle, with the renowned turin, Croly, and Anster. Of these Oliver, the shamrock sprang up

а

anon.

LETTERS OF TIMOTHY TICKLER, ESQ. TO EMINENT LITERARY CHARACTERS.

No VI.
To the Editor of the History of the Erskine Dinner.*
DEAR MOSES,

man of genius; which foolish idea, I I THANK you for sending me your fear, some of your new associates have pamphlet, containing an account of the been studiously cramming into your dinner to Lord Erskine, and in return head; nor yet, if some of your recent shall forward to you a copy of the doings provoke a slight suspicion that Southside Papers, as soon as the last your brain has suffered, am I inclined proof sheet comes to hand, which, I to attribute your misfortune to “overtrust, it will do in the course of next much learning.” But I have a real month at farthest. In that publica- regard for you, and, as a proof of this, tion I hope you will find much to would fain give you a little advice, amuse you; and I would even flatter which, if taken in good part, may, Í myself, something to improve you would hope, restore you in some meatoo, provided you read it with some sure to yourself, and, perhaps, preportion of that temper and calmness vent your relations from entertaining of judgment that always character- any farther rights of cognoscing youized you until of late, i. e. since you which, I assure you, is a scheme that has have assumed the place and manners frequently been discussed among them of a leading Edinburgh Whig. My of late, and all with the most frienddear friend, be assured, in spite of all ly intentions. Take up in time, and you hear, that I still entertain the don't allow yourself to be made a fool warmest affection for you. I do not for life, only for the pleasure (which indeed pretend to consider you as a with you is, after all, I fear, a verv

a

Account of the proceedings at the dinner given to Lord Erskine, in the Assembly-Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, 21st February 1820. Edinburgh, John Robertson, 8vo. Is. 6d.