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WALTER ARMSTRONG. 
THE CUMBERLAND HOLD. 

WALTER ARMSTRONG, 

(" CROSS-BUTTOCKER ") 

LATE HONORARY SECRETARY TO THE CUMBERLAND AND 

WESTMORLAND WRESTLING SOCIETY IN LONDON, 

AUTHOR OF WRESTLIANA," ETC. 

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. 

NEW YORK: 
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY. 

MDCCCXC. 
CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER PAGE 

V. Scottish Wrestling 43 

VII. German Wrestling 48 

VIII. Japanese Wrestling 49 

The larger illustrations have been reproduced by Messrs, Waterlow, from 
photographs taken from Messrs, Jack Wannop and T, Thompson, 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND. 

The Cumberland Hold 

Frontispiece 

The Hold 
The Hank 
The Inside Click 

 ii 

The Hipe 
CORNWALL AND DEVON. 

Dress 
Position 
The Hold 

The Fore-hand Play 
The Outside Lock 
The Inside Lock Forward 
The Inside Lock Backward 
The Double Lock 
The Heave 
The Cross Lock 
The Cross Heave 
catch-as-catch-can. 

The Flying Mare 
The Half-nelson on the Ground 
The Half-nelson 
Making the "Bridge" 

Wrestling, though generally described by its exponents 
and admirers as an ancient English exercise, has claims far 
beyond this on history. So far as we can ascertain, it was the 
first form of athletic pastime, man's chief desire having been, 
from the beginning of the world, to get his fellow down— and 
too often to keep him there. Not only is a wrestling match 
to be found recorded in Holy Writ, but many of the earliest 
painters and sculptors with a taste for scriptural subject have 
made the combat between Michael and Lucifer a match at 
"fair holds" the latter coming to grief, generally by the 
 back-heel," the click," or the hipe," as the fancy or 
taste of the artist dictated. 

When Greece, emerging from obscurity and ignorance, 
began to take the lead in civilization, in military knowledge, 
and in the cultivation of learning and sciences, the utility 
of public games, not only to infuse a generous and martial 
spirit into the minds of the young men, but also to increase 
their bodily strength, was too apparent to be neglected. 
Accordingly, we find that wrestling and other athletic exercises were not only practised in each particular state, but 
that the highest honours and rewards were bestowed on the 
victors at the Olympic, Nemean, and other games, where 
prizes were awarded and contended for before the whole 
nation. Without doubt, wrestling, beyond almost any other 

exercise, gives strength and firmness, combined with quickness and pliability to the limbs, vigour to the body, coolness 
and discrimination to the head, and elasticity to the temper, 
the whole forming an energetic combination of the greatest 
power to be found in man. 

The influence of athletic sports in advancing Greece 
from a few petty states into the most powerful kingdom at 
that time in the world is universally acknowledged by all 
historians and commentators who have ever dealt with the 
subject. It is singular, however, to remark that while the 
fact is admitted by all modern legislators, few, or none, have 
recommended an imitation of the manly games referred to. 
Extracts could be selected from ancient history to prove 
the estimation in which this and other athletic exercises 
were held from the earliest period but in this brief commentary it will be sufficient if we confine ourselves to a 
more recent date. 

We are told that in the celebrated interview between 
Henry the Eighth of England and the French King 
Francis, which almost vied in magnificence and splendour 
with any spectacle of modern times, wrestling was deemed 
the most manly and entertaining amusement then exhibited 
in the presence of those two mighty monarchs and their 
courts. A great, and what would at the present day be 
called an international, display took place between a number 
of champions selected from both nations, in which our 
countrymen were victorious. However, one mortified French 
historian pretends their king left better wrestlers at home, 
and asserts that Francis himself was a most excellent 
wrestler, and in a contest between the two rival monarchs 
threw Henry with great violence. There is a certain amount 
of French gasconade as to the issue of the contest easily 
observable. If Henry was silly enough, out of courtesy to 
INTRODUCTION itf 

Francis, to compete according to French rules, his defeat is 
easily understood, as the Gallic style of wrestling is the most 
absurd of all known systems. 

Sir Walter Scott, in the fifth canto of "The Lady of the 
Lake," gives the following account of a wrestling match in 
the presence of the romantic King James, of Flodden 
memory — 

 Now clear the ring, for hand to hand 
The manly wrestlers take their stand. 
Two o'er the rest superior rose, 
And proud demanded mightier foes 
Nor called in vain for Douglas came 
For life is Hugh of Lambert lame 
Scarce better John of Alloa's fare, 
Whom senseless home his comrades bare. 
Prize of the wrestling match, the King 
To Douglas gave the golden ring." 

This encounter was evidently on the catch-hold principle, 
as the words hand to hand give ample testimony that such 
was the system under which the champions competed. 
Again, in "The Antiquary, Sir Walter gives but a lame 
account of the encounter between Bothwell and Burley — 
"In the first struggle, the trooper seemed to have some 
advantage, and also in the second, though neither could be 
considered as decisive. In the third close, the countryman 
lifted his opponent fairly from the floor, and hurled him to 
the ground with such violence, that he lay for an instant 
stunned and motionless. 

The celebrated James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, has 
also introduced wrestling into his tales but, as Hogg himself, when he stripped for the fray, was in the habit of 
wrestling in top-boots, he scarcely can be quoted as an 
authority on this ancient and intricate pastime. Professor 
Wilson, again, was passionately fond of wrestling, and while 
he resided at Elleray, in Westmorland, gave a prize to be 

wrestled for annually at Ambleside, in the shape of five 
guineas and a silver-mounted belt to be given to the victor. 
Previous to the period alluded to, the usual prize in Cumberland and Westmorland had dwindled down to a leather 
strap, commonly called a belt, scarcely ever exceeding two 
shillings in value. Wilson was a proficient in athletic 
exercises, particularly in boxing, leaping, and walking but 
he never entered the wrestling arena to compete for a prize, 
probably because his antagonists were not of equal rank. 
The grand old professor, however, at the close of the sports, 
which he frequently attended in various parts of Cumberland and Westmorland, would often try a fall with the 
winner, occasionally having the best of the encounters. 

Without entering into any lengthened details, it should be 
observed that, ever since its institution, the modes of wrestling have been as various as they are at this time in England, 
America, and the Colonies. Back-hold wrestling still holds 
its own in Cumberland and Westmorland, and remains as 
popular as it was over a century ago. In Lancashire and 
the north of Ireland, the catch-hold or catch-as-catch-can 
system still finds favour and in Devon and Cornwall, wrestling in canvas jackets continues to be the popular style, with 
certain modifications relative to kicking, formerly practised 
more especially by the Devonian exponents of the art In 
the United States and Australia, the catch-hold system, which 
often includes ground wrestling, is the most fashionable 
while in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan, a sort of 
catch-hold style has been adopted, subject to certain restrictions, to be hereafter commented upon. Of all known 
methods, however, the arms round the body, as practised in 
Cumberland and Westmorland and the Border counties, is, 
we consider, the best calculated to produce a display of 
dexterity and science. 

Of course, many persons who understand little of the art 
generally, especially those blindly prejudiced in favour of 
that particular system which they are most familiar with, will 
cavil at this assertion. It may, however, be mentioned that 
those north-country wrestlers who took to catch-hold wrestling, for instance, George Steadman, the champion, John 
Wannop, John Graham, and others, threw all comers at 
their own game. In 1870, after Jameson and Wright had 
been completely foiled by the French champions, Le Bceuf 
and Dubois, at the Agricultural Hall, Steadman met the 
Gallic heroes at the Alexandra Palace and other places, and 
completely turned the tables on the burly and unwieldly 
giants. Steadman was especially bitter against Dubois, and 
on several occasions threw him and held the great hillock of 
flesh down the required time, in spite of all the resistance the 
infuriated Frenchman could make. 

Ground wrestling, however, which means, if it means 
anything, simply a kind of dog-fight on the ground, is 
utterly opposed to our notions of sport, and can never 
find favour in this country indeed, Lancashire is the only 
county in England where it is practised. The two shoulders 
on the ground and one hip, or two hips and one shoulder, 
generally described as three points," which is the Devon 
and Cornwall definition of a fall, is somewhat more reasonable; yet the dissatisfaction these conditions frequently 
give rise to when a decision has to be given in a close fall 
is sometimes vexatious in the extreme, the result in many 
cases culminating in a wrangle whereas, in the Cumberland and Westmorland fashion, if a wrestler touches the 
ground with any part of his body, his feet of course excepted, 
or when a man is thrown to the ground and his opponent 
falls plump on top of him, the merest tyro can then decide 
as to whom the verdict should go. 

In the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, Northumberland, and Durham, the sport still retains its prestige, and 
amounts in prizes are now given which would astonish our 
forefathers. 

A thorough knowledge of any wrestling can be gained 
by practice alone, and that too should be commenced in 
early boyhood. It is very rare that a wrestler rises to eminence in the art whose start was made after getting well 
through his teens. In the north, it is part of almost every 
youth's education; and frequently a youngster's wrestling 
celebrity at school clings to him through life, and often 
enables him more sturdily to fight the world's battle. None 
but those who have attended such wrestling rings as Carlisle 
or Grasmere can realize with what enthusiasm the sport is 
regarded in the Border counties, and although at most of 
the northern meetings horse-racing forms part of the amusements, the principal body of the spectators are present to 
see the wrestling, and that alone. 

Even at Carlisle, which is now a considerable race meeting, the wrestling is the principal source of attraction, and 
commands the largest following. On the morning of the 
meeting, the many thousands who are seen flocking to the 
scene of action sufficiently testify to the interest excited, 
without any other inducement, and wherever a few canny 
country farmers are found conversing, such a remark as the 
following may be overheard. "O, aw care nowt aboot t' 
racing, aw's here to see t' rustling and nowt else." Probably 
the speaker has a strapping son who intends making his 
bow for the first time to a Cumbrian gathering. When such 
is the case, the interest is of course tenfold. 

In Cumberland, wrestling most unmistakably runs in 
families, frequently through several generations, yet, strange 
to say, in only one case have a father and son won the 

heavy-weight prize in the Carlisle ring, viz. John Blair, of 
Solport Mill, in 1835, and William Blair, in 1883. It may 
therefore be argued that the taste for wrestling is inherited 
from the mothers side, as also the ability to achieve renown 
in the arena. Indeed, the Carlisle ring especially, is always 
favoured by a large contingent of the fair sex, who display 
a knowledge of the business in hand and an amount of 
enthusiasm simply incomprehensible to the uninitiated 
spectator, who, if he be a southerner, is perfectly bewildered 
by the strange dialect which greets his astonished ear. 

While speaking of Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, it is much to be regretted that the old society, which 
was established over a century ago, and was the oldest athletic 
club in London, should have suddenly collapsed without any 
apparent cause. It is a subject of congratulation, however, 
that under the auspices of a number of north-countrymen, 
headed by Professor Atkinson, F.R.C.V.S., of the Animal's 
Institute, the eminent bone-setter, a new society should so 
spontaneously have sprung up like a phoenix from the ashes 
of its predecessor, the ever-memorable Cumberland and 
Westmorland Society in London. 

Years ago, an amateur wrestling society was suggested 
in the columns of two daily sporting journals by a gentlemen well-known in wrestling circles, but the idea was 
unsupported, and the proposition was abandoned. But 
when the new association became an accomplished fact, it 
seemed astonishing to many that the movement had not been 
set afoot long before. Through the equivocal conduct of 
many of the professional wrestlers, the old institution had 
at last to be bolstered up by running matches, as the public 
had begun to wake up to the knowledge that the wrestling 
contests by the brawny heroes of the north, as they were 
called, were often the hollowest of shams. Finally, when the 

old society ceased to exist, most of the balance in hand was 
given to the Cumberland Benevolent Institution and the 
Westmorland Society's Schools. Under the new order of 
things, north-country wrestling may now be witnessed annually 
in London in all its native purity, and as the young club 
includes nearly one hundred effective wrestling members, it 
may be fairly assumed that the sport will flourish in the 
metropolis and hold its own with the numerous athletic 
bodies now in existence. 

In 187 1, the late Mr. J. G. Chambers, of aquatic and 
pedestrian celebrity, and some time editor of Land and 
Water endeavoured to introduce and promote a new 
system of wrestling at the Lillie Bridge Grounds, West 
Brompton, which he denominated, "The Catch-as-catchcan Style; first down to lose. Unfortunately, the new 
idea met with little support at the time, and a few years 
afterwards Mr. Chambers was induced to adopt the objectionable fashion of allowing the competitors to wrestle on 
all-fours on the ground. This new departure was the forerunner of the total abolition of the sport at that athletic 
resort, and within a short period the wrestling, as an item 
in the programme there, was entirely wiped out. 

Various other promoters of this exercise, notably Mr. J. 
Wannop, of New Cross, have attempted to bring the new 
system prominently before the public, with the view of 
amalgamating the three English styles, viz. the Cumberland 
and Westmorland, Cornwall and Devon, and Lancashire. 
Very little success, however, has attended their efforts, and 
it was thought by many well-wishers and patrons of the 
sport that the catch-hold idea would have to be abandoned. 
The sudden development, however, of the Cumberland and 
Westmorland Amateur Wrestling Society, brought the new 
style again prominently to the front, and special prizes were 

 given for competition in that class at the Society's first 

annual midsummer gathering at the Paddington Recreation 
 Grounds, which was attended by Lord Mayor Whitehead 

j and sheriffs in state. 

 Wrestling on the first down to lose principle was new 

j to many of the spectators, but it was generally approved of 

 as a great step in advance of the loose-hold system, which 

j includes struggling on the ground and sundry objectionable 

! tactics, such as catching hold of the legs, twisting arms, 

h dislocating fingers, and other items of attack and defence 

j peculiar to Lancashire wrestling. 

Certainly all impartial lovers of the sport must admit that 
it possesses a great advantage over those modes of wrestling 
which permit a man to throw himself on the ground, when 
he feels himself in danger of coming to grief by being placed 
on his back. Should this system come into universal 
practice, there is no reason why it should not become as 
popular as the Cumberland and Westmorland fashion, 
which has won its way to a front position among athletic 
exercises by the simplicity of its rules and its manly surroundings. 

The northern school is, in our opinion, the proper one 
to graduate in, as it is evident, if two men are able to 
keep their equilibrium with their arms confined in the 
manner demanded by the hold in this style, they necessarily secure a great advantage with that restriction removed, 
 if they were allowed to unclasp their hands at will. 
It is an acknowledged fact that wrestlers who are proficient 
in the Cumberland and Westmorland style can readily adopt 
and rapidly become experts in any other, while the converse 
of this cannot be maintained. 

The wrestlers are usually dressed in welkfitting and becoming costumes, and any lady may witness 'their competitions without her sense of delicacy being wounded in 
the least degree. Beyond all this, the northern style is 
freer from danger than any other known system; indeed, 
during the writer's forty years' experience, he cannot call to 
mind a single instance where a competitor has been hurt 
in a contest. 

The Rules. 

On taking hold, the wrestlers stand up chest to chest, each 
placing his chin on his opponent's right shoulder, and grasping him round the body, each placing his left arm above the 
right of his antagonist. 

When both men have got hold, and are fairly on their 
guard, the play commences, and, with the exception of kicking, they are allowed to use every legitimate means to throw^ 
each other. 

If either party breaks his hold, that is, loses his grip, 
though not on the ground, and the other still retains his 
hold, the one so leaving loose shall be the loser. 

If either man touches the ground with one knee only, or 
any other part of his body, though he may still retain his 
hold, he shall not be allowed to recover himself, but shall 
be deemed the loser. 

If both fall to the ground, the man who is first down or 
falls under the other shall be the loser but if they fall side 
by side, or otherwise, so that the umpires cannot decide 
which was first on the ground, it shall be what is technically termed a dog fall," and shall be wrestled over again. 

The Hold. 

Opinions respecting the best methods of taking hold are 
various. Every wrestler, however, knows that the subject is 
a most difficult one, and a frequent source of dispute in the 
wrestling arena. On taking hold, the men stand chest to 
chest, as stated in the rules but if a wrestler is bent on 
securing an unfair grip, he will, as a rule, lean to the left 
side, and by pinning his opponent's right arm close to the 
elbow cause him endless trouble, unless the umpires step 

in to the rescue and compel the offending party to stand 
squarely in front of his antagonist Many wrestlers are fond 
of leaning to the left side 
when taking hold; but 
although such an awkward mode of standing 
will sometimes harass 
an adversary, it is frequently the cause of the 
other's downfall, as it is 
evident that leaning to 
either side must lay the 
wrestler open to attack, 
as he will necessarily 
be somewhat off his 
balance, whereas, by 
standing squarely, a man's position is bound to be much 
firmer and better adapted both for attack and defence. 

Some wrestlers lean to the left so much that they lay themselves open to the cross-buttock in a remarkable degree, and 
when in the grip of an expert, frequently come to grief by 
that formidable chip. An advantageous hold to begin with 
is often half the battle in a contest, and considerable practice will render a man very dexterous in securing a telling 
grip at the proper time, i.e. when his opponent is standing 
in an insecure position. Many first-rate wrestlers differ as 
much in their notions of taking hold as in their methods 
of attack and defence. Thus, Edward Norman, the fourteen-stone Carlisle champion, is easily satisfied, and stands 
almost erect; while his rival, Hexham Clarke, of Seaton, 
in Cumberland, prefers a low hold; and the accomplished 
Thomas Kennedy, of Egremont, especially when he is aiming for the buttock, takes a slack hold. Other wrestlers, 

too, have a method of taking an easy grip, and mending it 
in a smart jerk after they clutch. This move very often 
throws an opponent off his guard and results in his defeat, 
because it will often occur that he soon finds himself with 
the worst hold of the pair. 

Having secured a good grasp, it is always well to make 
play at once while the grip is retained, as a sudden move 
on the part of an opponent will often reverse the positions 
of the men but a skilful wrestler will be always very careful 
to keep his right arm well up, so as to prevent his opponent 
getting a low hold of him. If, however, he does not succeed 
in this, one equally skilled will inevitably gain an advantage, 
and thus the victory often rests with the party who possesses 
the best grip. 

With regard to clasping the hands round the back of an 
opponent, the best way is to make the hands a couple of 
hooks, by placing all the fingers of one hand into the other 
hand held in the same way, so that the back of the right 
hand shall press on the small of the antagonist's back. Some 
men take hold with the right hand the other way, which 
does not give anything like such a good grip, as the right 
arm being under the left lends more purchase to it when 
the knuckles are pressed against the ribs. Laying hold of 
one wrist with the other hand, and clasping hands, are now 
out of fashion. The former method shortens the arms, and 
the latter gives an insecure grip. 

When one wrestler gets a leg behind his opponent's heel 
on the outside, it is called back-heeling. This is one of 
the most useful throws in the whole series, and probably 
oftener used, and altogether a safer mode of flooring, an 

opponent than any other of the numerous methods with which 
wrestlers are conversant. It is also a saving measure, and 
when a wrestler is in 
danger of being lifted 
from the ground or 
swung, the insertion 
of the back-heel frequently brings about 
the downfall of an antagonist, especially if it 
be plied as near the 
ankle and as quickly 
as possible. 

Directly a wrestler 
feels he is being backheeled, he should 

slacken his hold and lean forward; if once he allows 
himself to be pushed back, over he must go. A slow and 
inexpert back-heeler can be hiped (see p. 13) with the 
back-heel in. This is frequently done by good hipers, who 
sometimes give the right leg, to invite, a click, when a 
splendid fall is often the result. A long-legged man is 
always a dangerous customer with the back-heel. The best 
way to foil an opponent of this kind is to employ the hank 
(see p. 7), that is, if a wrestler feels himself going backwards, by keeping the back-heel in and turning in his side 
he may frequently twist his opponent under before reaching 
the ground. 

There was, about the beginning of this century, an oldfashioned style of t>ack-heel, called hamming. It consisted 
of the heel of the assailant being rapidly placed behind his 
opponent's knee. It was, however, a very clumsy move, and 
is never used at the present day, since so many new methods 

have cropped up undreamt of when the century was young. 
Those learning wrestling in the Cumberland and Westmorland style should commence their study of the art by getting 
proficient in the back-heel before attempting anything else. 
It is by far the easiest and safest method of going to work, 
and will be of more service to the young beginner than such 
unreliable chips as the buttock, cross-buttock, or hipe, all of 
which, however, are very useful when practised by a pro* 
ficient in the art Always back-heel your opponent's right 
leg with your left; it is much safer than back-heeling his 
left leg with your right, as he cannot put in the hank so 
readily with the right leg. 

The Hank. 

This is one of the most dangerous throws of all, and very 
difficult to stop when once firmly inserted besides, it is one 
of the most artful and insidious chips in the whole calendar, 
and has made more men unexpectedly bite the dust than 
any other known method. When a cunning wrestler intends 
playing the hank, it is usual to see him stand in a rather sidelong position to begin with, when, immediately the hold is 
obtained, quick as thought, he whirls his left side to his 
opponent, clicks his right leg with his left on the inside, and 
pulls him backward, generally falling on him with all his 
weight. The only way to stop the hank is to lean forward, 
obtain a better hold, and hitch the aggressor over. Should 
the defendant allow himself to be pulled backward, scarcely 
anything can save him from being very heavily thrown. In 
the case of a novice, until he reaches the ground with an 
unpleasant thud, he is, as a rule, under the impression that he 
is having the best of the struggle. The Druid" tell us, in 
"Saddle and Sirloin," that this somewhat unscientific chip was 

invented by the Fellside champion, James Elliot, of Cumrew, 
in Cumberland, about the year 1835, but it never found favour 
with the talent "In fact," says this celebrated sporting 
writer, "a man is generally beaten when he puts it in, and, 

THE HANK. 

when it comes to a hug, he loses four falls out of five through 
it." Now we beg leave to differ from the Druid in the 
most emphatic manner. A lengthened experience in the 
wrestling arenas of the north proves the exact contrary, as 

in all the first-class rings in Cumberland and Westmorland 
during the last forty years, an expert hanker has rarely 
been known to get the worst of the throw, especially if he 
made up his mind to use the chip at the commencement of 
the struggle. 

The Outside Click. 

This click is neither more nor less than a back-heel the 
latter, however, being an aggressive move, while the outside 
click is only used when the wrestler is on the defensive, 
it requires some mention. Without its aid, many of our 
light-weight wrestlers would never have been heard of, 
especially when pitted against their heavier rivals. Of 
course, every one knows that a tall, heavy man ought to be 
able to lift a lighter one, four or five inches less in stature, 
clean off his legs with such a purchase as the north-country 
hold supplies; but how often has it happened that the smaller 
wrestler, in order to prevent his being lifted from the ground, 
has clicked his gigantic adversary on to his head or flat on 
his back, and thus immortalized himself? The most expert 
light-weight would have no earthly chance with a moderate 
heavy-weight were it not for the outside click, which should 
be plied directly he feels himself leaving his mother soil. 
Again, many a big man in swinging a lighter opponent has 
found himself on his head, while all the time he was under 
the impression that he was burying the laal 'un." Lightweight men cannot attach too much importance to this invaluable, chip, as it occasionally happens that the click on 
the outside is the only defence they can make against 
superior weight and strength. In the suddenness of the 
action consists its efficacy when the assailant is busy with 
some move by which he intends to finish the contest right 
off the reel." 

The Inside Click. 

To become a proficient at the inside click requires an 
enormous amount of practice; 
but when the exponent obtains 
a thorough mastery over its 
intricacies he is a dangerous 
customer. It is carried out in 
the same manner as the hank, 
with this exception, that when 
the assailant inside clicks his 
man with the right or left leg, 
he does not turn his side, but 
keeps facing him squarely. 

The best way to insert the 
inside click is to jerk your 
opponent forward, when he 
is almost compelled to make 
at least one step. He then 
naturally attempts to steady 
himself, and hangs back this of course assists the adroit 
inside clicker, who dashes in the chip, adding to it all the 
weight at his command. To carry out the inside click successfully, a tight hold is absolutely necessary. 

Hard falls often result when the chip is effectually applied 
in the course of a struggle, as the unfortunate party who 
knocks under seldom expects such a sudden downfall. 
A false move on the part of the wrestler who places either 
his right or left leg too near his opponent's supplies the 
opportunity for an adept at the inside click, who, quick as 
a flash of electricity, has his man firmly and squarely on 
his back, and not unfrequently on his head as a preliminary. 
The cross click is not by any means such a formidable 
io WRESTLING. 

stroke as the other, as in standing in front of an opponent, 
his right leg has to be clicked with your right and his left 
with your left. Both are exceedingly dangerous to the defendant but in the inside click the man who plies the chip 
runs little risk, because, even if he fails, he secures a better 
hold and gets into a good position for using either the right 
or left leg hipe or the cross-buttock. It is unlike the backheel, a failure in which generally results in defeat, as the 
antagonist obtains a better hold, and has his man at his 
mercy* The back-heel once inserted should be determinedly 
persevered in,, unless the buttock or hipe can be brought into 
operation, which seldom happens when the unfortunate backheeler has got into difficulties. 

For this throw, you turn your left side to your opponent, 
get your hip partially underneath him, then, quick as lightning, cross both his legs by your left and lift him from the 
ground. Both will come down,' but your assailant will be 
undermost. 

A man skilled in this method of wrestling usually strives for 
a loose hold, as such gives him more room to make play and 
get under his opponent. The left cross-buttock is the best, 
as it is easier plied than the right. Great rapidity of action is 
necessary, as if the least hitch or delay occurs, the assailant's 
position is fraught with danger. 

The arms, when the attack is made, should be kept tightly 
round the opponent's neck or shoulders, as, unless the 
effort is seconded by the arms and upper part of the body, 
the act of throwing the leg across would be a fatal movement 
on the part of the assailant. It sometimes happens that by 
turning in the left side quickly, with very slack holds, you 
CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND STYLES, n 

get into a position exactly in front of your opponent. In 
that case, it is necessary to keep the hands fast and strike 
across both legs as quickly as possible, while at the same 
time your adversary should be twisted forwards with all the 

power at your command. If properly done, the result 
will be satisfactory but the slightest bungle in the movement places the aggressor completely in the hands of his 
ii WRESTUttC. 

adversary, as all he has to do in most cases is to lift his 
man up and throw him over his right knee on to his back, or 
he may, by getting fairly behind him and putting one leg or 
foot across both of the defendant's,! treat the unfortunate 
cross-buttocker to what is in some places called "grandystepping." The cross-buttock is a very fancy-looking move 
it is not at all dangerous, and easy falls nearly always result 
therefrom, although to the uninitiated they look extremely 
perilous. 

This differs from the previous fall, in that you get your 
hip further under the adversary and throw him right over 
your back. Beyond all question, the buttock, when successfully performed, takes the palm as the spiciest of all 
wrestling chips but it is a more unsafe move even than the 
cross-buttock, and requires also greater strength and art than 
the other manoeuvre. To turn your back quickly round to 
your opponent and shoot him up in the air over your head is 
a feat of no ordinary difficulty (see p. 13). The number of 
famous buttockers in the present day could be counted on 
the fingers of one hand. It looks very well in exhibition 
wrestling, but is seldom now resorted to in arenas where 
fair contests are insisted upon. When the assailant, by 
turning in quickly with very loose holds, gets exactly before 
and with his back to his opponent, by keeping his hands 
fast, does not throw his opponent over his head, his position 
is almost a hopeless one, as the defendant will secure a 
telling hold and throw him in the same way as a miss would 
lose him the fall in the cross-buttock. Buttocking is little 
known beyond the confines of Cumberland and Westmorland, as no other style of wrestling is so suitable for its 
display. 

The Hipe. 
The hipe may be made with either leg. The left-leg 
hipe, which is here figured, has been much practised during 

recent years; but in our opinion it is inferior as an 
aggressive move to the right leg. It may be thus described. Lift your opponent andj carry him to the right, 
at the same time striking the inside of his right thigh with 

your left knee, then, by lifting your left leg as high as 
you can, you will be enabled to place your man on his 
back without allowing him to touch the ground with his 
feet. In the right hipe, as the right arm is under your 

opponent's left, he can be 
lifted much higher than 
in the left, where, the 
left arm being over the 
opponent's right, he cannot be lifted with the 
same purchase. The leftleg hipe has, however, 
several points to recommend it, as, should it fail, 
the man operating is in a 
fair position for the inside click and the crossbuttock. m The best way 
to stop the hipe is either to apply the click very low down, 
or close the knees, and by turning sideways the assailant 
will be completely foiled, and must set you down again. 
If possible, however, endeavour to keep on the ground 
in the first instance, and your position will be safe enough, 
as both the inside and outside clicks come in quite naturally 
after an unsuccessful attempt at hipeing. 

A tall wrestler who is an expert hiper is always a terror 
to. a man of smaller stature. Edward Norman, of Carlisle, 
who stands close on six feet, is at present the best hiper in 
England. He hfpes with either leg, and if he misses with 
the one, the other is soon plied with fatal effect. When 
hipeing was introduced to the north, some three-quarters of 
a century ago, it was little noticed- at first; but when it was 
tried by Thomas Richardson, of Hesket, about the year 1814, 

and the celebrated William Wilson, of Ambleside, those two 
worthies soon found what a formidable weapon they had 
got hold of. Up to the present day it is probably the most 
prominent of all the north-country methods comprised in the 
science of fair felling." 

The Swinging Hipe. 

The swinging hipe differs in no material degree from 
the hipe pure and simple, except that it is necessary for the 
wrestler to swing his antagonist after lifting him, and previous 
to applying the hipe. It is a very clever chip, and difficult 
to stop, as, when a man is swung off his legs, with no 
possible chance of clicking his opponent, he must naturally 
come to the ground, unless he possesses the agility of a cat. 
Occasionally a very able wrestler will land on his feet, and 
with the impetus given him will swing his adversary on to 
his back but this rarely happens. The best swinging hiper 
within living memory was William Jackson, of Kennie-side, 
in Cumberland, who for a number of years was champion of 
England. Jackson, who was celebrated for his fairness in 
taking hold, frequently swung his man round a complete 
circle, and rarely fell on his opponent — a very remarkable 
feat, as it seldom happens that a wrestler can throw another 
without falling on him. 

There are few surer methods of grassing an opponent 
in the Cumberland and Westmorland fashion than the outside stroke with the left leg. The best way to use this chip 
is to twist the defendant round to the left, and by striking 
him with the left foot against the outside of his right leg or 
ankle, with the assistance of the arms, he is very easily turned 

over on to his back by an expert performer. Another style, 
now completely abandoned, was termed in and out," owing 
to striking out with the leg, so that the knee of the assailant 

js nntsirfo his nnnnn^nf's anH thp fnnf- insiHf* his nnklp nf 

small of the leg, placing a kind of lock upon the knee and 
leg. At the present day, it would be absolutely impossible 
for any first-class wrestler to be thrown by this antiquated 
move, although fifty years ago it was a fashionable chip. 

Another way is effected by feinting at the opponent's right 
leg with your left leg, and crossing it with your right. This 
stroke requires great quickness and dexterity, and is, when 
well executed, one of the surest and best methods of wrestling 
practised. Few men, are, however, proficient in it. The 
right outside stroke is now seldom used, as it is well known 
among wrestlers that, in the case of failure" in plying it, the 
antagonist at once secures a rasping hold, and generally 
becomes master of the situation, unless the cross-buttock 
can be used instanter. Norman, of Carlisle, is now the best 
outside striker in England, and uses both legs with equal 
facility, The Carlisle champion is almost without a rival as 
a scientific exponent of the art in which he excels. 

The Breast Stroke. 

This stroke was brought into notice about half a century 
ago by Mossop, of Egremont, who floored all the champions 
of the day with it on its first introduction. There is nothing 
particularly clever about the manoeuvre; the assailant has 
merely to grasp his man firmly, twist him suddenly to one 
side and as suddenly to the other but it requires great development of the chest in order to accomplish it successfully. 
It is very difficult to meet, and time after time has foiled 
the best men in England. In later years, the celebrated 
Richard Wright, of Longtown, was the best exponent of the 
chip, and often did great execution with it When Wright, 
who was a burly, thick-set man, got the proper hold, it was 
all over with his opponent, who, as a rule, could not make 
out what he had been thrown by, as the legs are not brought 
into play, the whole performance being executed by the arms 
and chest. 

The foregoing are the principal falls used by the best 
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers of the day in such 
arenas as Carlisle, Grasmere, Morpeth, Pooley Bridge, and, 
indeed, wherever wrestlers meet in friendly rivalry in the 
north of England and south of Scotland, where the ancient 
pastime is becoming more popular year after year. 

Unlike the friendly rivalry which animates the genial race 
of giants who hail from Cumberland and Westmorland, a 
deadly feud has from time immemorial existed between the 
counties of Cornwall and Devon. In the former county, 
where this antagonistic feeling runs particularly high, a 
north-country wrestler has been known to be welcomed with 
open arms; whereas, among the rural population in the 
wrestling districts, a Devonian has often been received with 
a shower of brickbats. 

Whether their kicking propensities have or have not 
influenced and inflamed this hostility has never been thoroughly established. As kicking, however, was never fashionable in Cornwall, the fact of a Cornishman in an encounter 
with a Devonian occasionally having a considerable area of 
skin sliced from his shins by a pair of formidable shoes, 
made of hard baked leather, supplemented by a piece of 
sheet iron, may have something to do with the inveterate 
quarrel between the wrestlers of the two counties. 

The principal difference in their methods of wrestling 
was that, in former times, kicking was practised in Devon, 
but not in Cornwall. The Cornishmen, however, when they 
ventured into the enemy's territory, were found to be not 
much behind their rivals in the use of the boot, while 
their science has been considered superior to that of the 
Devonians. The two styles have now, however, been 
amalgamated, and the only dissimilarity that exists consists in 
the different system of going to work observable in wrestlers 
hailing from the different counties. Hugging and heaving 
were always the Cornishmen's characteristics whereas, the 
men of Devon, as has been observed before, relied more on 
their expertness in kicking and a dexterous use of the jacket, 
which is worn only for the purpose of wrestling. 

The Costume. 

The west-country wrestlers, as they are called, do not 
adorn themselves in such picturesque costumes as the 
northern men, who are distinguished for their handsomefitting tights. Certainly, at the present 
day, they take their 
shoes off, but rarely 
their trousers, which 
they tuck up, and, 
after stripping to the 
shirt, the jacket is 
donned. This is made 
of strong linen, and 
hangs on the wearer 
very loosely, as far 
down as his hips, and 
is tied at the front 
by two strings. The 
sleeves are also made loose, for the convenience of both 
parties in catching hold. There is a regulation length for 

the strings, which are the same in all jackets, and in order 
to secure the garments being as open as possible, the strings 
are tied at the extreme ends, as this prevents the opponent 
taking that firm hold which he would inevitably obtain if the 
jacket were tighter. 

Instead of writing down the names and drawing them 
together, as in Cumberland and Westmorland, the men who 
intend to compete challenge each other by throwing a hat 
into the ring, which is atiswered in the same manner. 

Position. 

The position before taking hold is not a very graceful 
one. With the feet wide apart, the knees slightly bent, the 
hands are held in front, and a 
sharp look-out is kept on the adversary, so as to find an opening 
for a hold. 

Soon the men, however, assume 
a stooping attitude, and endeavour 
to grasp each other by the jackets. 
This is often a very tiresome 
business but when they once get 
into hold the throw is soon over. 
As two shoulders and one hip on 
the ground constitute a fall, or 
two hips and one shoulder, or 
in a "four point" match two shoulders and two hips, 
it frequently happens that a "no fall" is the verdict. 
A man must be thrown fairly on his back on all the 
required "points" before any other portion of his body 
touches the ground ere the fall is gained. Ground wrestling, as in Lancashire, is forbidden, consequently a man 
must be thrown very decisively for the verdict to go against 
him, and an expert wrestler, when he feels himself going, 
adroitly makes for the ground face downwards, so that his 
opponent shall have no opportunity of landing him on his 
back. 

The wrestlers are at liberty to alter their hold as often as 
they please but the hold is subject to certain restrictions. 
No competitor is allowed to take hold of an opponent's 
drawers, handkerchief,, or belt, or to take the two collars 
of his opponent's jacket in one hand for the purpose of 
strangling him; but he may grasp the bottom corners of 
his jacket, or he may slip his hand under the jacket behind 
his antagonist's back, and, by bringing it over the shoulder, 
grasp the opposite collar, 
and thus secure a telling 
hold. This hold is allowed in Cornwall, but 
not permitted in Devonshire; although the 
latter's ruling is usually 
adopted in contests by 
the best representatives 
of the two counties but 
the same strictness in 
conducting wrestling 
gatherings and giving 
decisions in the case of 
suspicious-looking back-falls which is the rule in Devonshire 
is not observable in Cornwall. 

The "fair back-fall" difficulty has always been a most 
serious drawback to this style of wrestling, as no judge, 
however competent and firm, can give satisfaction to the 
partisans of the men when the conditions are such that an 

THE HOLD. 

artful performer, although thrown, can often wriggle on to 
his side, if not absolutely held down, and claim to wrestle 
over again, and carry on the manoeuvre till the time for 
adjournment arrives, or darkness sets in, when he can claim 
a draw, although having the worst of the encounter, simply 
because his opponent had failed to satisfy the judges that 
he had thrown his man ou.the requisite number of points, 
whereas, had the conditions been different — for instance, 
"first down to lose" — he would probably have stood no 
chance whatever. 

Many an inferior west-country wrestler has become famous 
on account of his getting-down tactics who would never 
have been heard of under other rules, where the wreath of 
victory was given only to the man who stood on his legs, 
and not to the one who artfully foiled his adversary after 
reaching the ground. The catch-hold style of wrestling is 
easier learned than the northern back-hold fashion, and 
is a more natural system of going to work in an unexpected 
rough-and-tumble encounter; but the western style has 
this drawback — its exponents are almost helpless without 
the regulation jacket, whereas a man who can wrestle in 
the Cumberland and Westmorland mode can acquit himself 
fairly well in any other, as the very fact of having liberty to 
quit his hold and renew it without being disqualified gives 
him advantages he does not possess in his own style; besides, whenever a northern wrestler gets the Cumbrian grip 
on a west-country performer, the latter is almost certain to 
get a fair back-fall, as the hands being locked together, 
small chance exists of being able to avoid being thrown 
on three points, or probably four. 

The two best holds are the fore-hand play and the 
 after-play." In the first you are almost in front of your 
opponent, whereas in the latter you are behind him. 
The Fore-hand Play. 

This is considered the best by experts in the exercise. 
To secure the hold for the fore-hand play, catch your 
antagonist by the right elbow or wrist, and hold fast by the 
jacket, at the same time seize him with the right hand by 
the bottom of his jacket, close above the hip-bone. 

Directly these movements are executed, a firm hold must 
be kept, throw your weight forward, turn yourself round to the 
left, so as almost to get your back 
to your antagonist, thus you will 
have the fore-hand play, and he 
will have the after-play. Your 
adversary, if he is an expert, will 
possibly attempt to take the forehand play, by laying hold of your 
elbow and side at the same time 
that you take hold of his, and 
each will be attempting to turn 
his back at the same moment 
In such a position, quickness, 
and a knowledge of the art, combined with weight and 
strength, will decide the issue. 

The After-play. 

To get into position for the after-play, seize your opponent's 
left collar with your right hand, and grasp him round the 
back as firmly as possible. 

The best movements for the fore-hand play are the outside lock, the inside lock, the cross lock, the cross-heave, 
and the cross-buttock, and those for the after-play are the 
double lock, the heave, the cross-heave, the home tang, 
the outside-clamp, and the pull-under. 

The Outside Lock. 

After having turned your back to your adversary, throw 
your right leg over the outside of his right, and twist your 
foot round it so that your toe comes to the inside of his 
ankle, twist yourself to the left, keeping a tight hold the 
while, and, as you nearly lift him from the ground, he is 
almost certain to fall on his back, especially if you retain 
your grasp and keep the outside lock or 
click in the position in which it was first 
placed. If you fail to throw your opponent 
and keep on your own legs, it is unsafe 
to remove the lock, and often results in 
defeat. 

In order to stop the outside lock, should 
the adversary's head be under your arm, 
he will resort to the inside clamp, by 
striking the inside of your left leg with the 
outside of his left foot, and, by pushing 
yours forward and twisting you round, may probably make 
you fall on your back. Should his head, however, be free, 
he will most likely ply the outside clamp, by throwing his 
left leg over your left thigh. If you are thrown backward, 
and both are coming to the ground, he will endeavour to 
turn himself so as to fall on his left side, in order that he 
may turn you on your back and shoulders. If the throw be 
forward, he may, by using the half-nelson (see p. 41), or by 
pressing the back of your neck with his left hand, throw 
you on your face. 

The Inside Lock Forward. 

This is both a forward and backward movement After 
getting into holds for the inside lock, twist your right leg 
round the inside of your adversary's left, by inserting it 
between his legs after the style of the outside lock, and 
proceed on the same system, and if vou find vou cannot 
throw your antagonist, unship the lock, and play 
the cross-buttock, as you 
have your man in a grand 
position for the operation. 

To stop the inside lock, 
the defendant will most 
probably pull all his might 
with his left arm round 
your waist, or press with 
his left hand against the 
back of your head, which 
manoeuvre may bring you 
down. 

The inside lock backward resembles the Cumberland 
and Westmorland hank. If you have a good grip, after 
twisting your right leg round your adversary's left, you may 
safely fall backward, and make sure of throwing your 
opponent, as the leverage supplied by the lock inside is 
certain to bring him on his back, very unpleasantly too, 
as the fact of the two wrestlers being glued together, as 
it were, causes them to fall as solidly as a single plank. 
The best method of stopping this formidable move is to 
play the double lock, which is brought about by the defendant throwing his right heel inside your left and pressing 
backward, or with the cross-heave, which is a capital 
defence against both the inside lock forward and the outside 
lock. 

The Inside Lock Backward. 
This is merely another illustration of the Cumbrian hank. 

After twisting your right leg round the inside of your opponent's left, turn quickly and forcibly 
to the right, when both will, as a rule, 
fall backward, and by keeping a firm 
grip your antagonist is almost bound 
to fall underneath, unless he presses 
your head forward with his hand as 
in the diagram. In that case, the 
best way is either to aim for the crossbuttock or a fresh grip, as so long as 
he keeps his hand on your head and 
retains a firm grasp by the collar of 
your jacket, you stand a poor chance 

of throwing him backward. 

The Double Lock. 
This is used as a defensive measure, and is found particularly useful when a wrestler is in 
danger of being lifted bodily from the 
ground It is a very effective method, 
too, of stopping the outside lock and 
the inside lock forward. Directly you 
feel you are going to be lifted off your 
feet, twist your right heel round your 
opponent's left on the inside, at the 
same time throw your left leg over his 
right and make a back-heel of it; 
then, if you press your antagonist 
backward, you may possibly give him 
the cross-heave. 
The Heave. 

In this fall, both parties are in the same position, and 
a considerable amount of science is often displayed in consequence. On facing your opponent, place your right arm 
round his right shoulder, and reach over to his left loin, 
so that you have him under your 
right arm, then slip the left hand 
under him, so as to get hold of his 
left elbow. This often makes a capital 
fall, the unfortunate one being frequently thrown a complete somersault. 
The greatest promptitude is necessary 
to stop the heave, and the crossbuttock is frequently brought into 
play as a defensive measure, or the u^ 
cross lock, which is executed by 
putting the right heel inside the adversary's right heel as 
sharply as possible, at the same 
time sending him backward 
with a sudden jerk. It is performed after the manner of the 
Cumbrian inside cross click, 
and ought to be of more frequent use, as it is one of the 
best chips on the board. The 
only difference between the 
cross-buttock and the hip is 
this the quick action of the 
legs is the principal, factor in 

the former, whereas the hip is more nearly allied to the 
northern buttock. 

The cross-heave from the after-play is accomplished by 

passing your left hand round your opponent's back to his 
left loin, taking care that your elbow is not in his grasp. 

Hold firmly with both 
hands, and lift your antagonist off the ground 
as high as you can, and, 
as you both come down 
together, turn yourself 
round to the left, and if 
you have retained your 
grip, he must of necessity fall on both his 
shoulders. 

The Home-tang is 
effected by getting both 
hands round the chest 
to the left side. It is seldom, however, brought into play, 
and is easily stopped by the hip or buttock. 

The Inside Clamp and the Outside Clamp, although 
defensive chips properly speaking, are often used as throws 
when a chance arises, and have been found useful in stopping the outside lock and other formidable manoeuvres. 
The former is merely an inside click or lock under another 
name while the latter is simply an outside lock, or backheel, used as a means of defence under difficulties. 

The Pull-under is performed thus — Pass your left 
hand under your opponent's chest to his left loin, and, by 
making him play the inside lock, you have him fixed to all 
intents and purposes. 

It may be well to mention here, for the benefit of the 
uninitiated, that the Cumberland and Westmorland buttock 
and hank are precisely the same respectively as the Cornish 
and Devon fore-hip and back lock the Cumbrian buttock is 

the collar and elbow hip-lock; and the Cumbrian hank 
stands good for the collar and elbow grape-vine, the 
favourite chip of the famous American strangler," Evan 
Lewis. 

The principal objection that can be urged against the 
west-country style of wrestling is in regard to their definition of a fall. If ever the promoters could see their way to 
adopt the principle of first down to lose," as the climax of a 
struggle, the system would be more popular all over the 
country but the sport is surrounded and fettered by a host 
of unintelligible rules, which are simply intolerable, and seem 
to have been deliberately framed for the purpose of causing 
endless disputes. If such was the intention of the original 
 authors, they have succeeded admirably, as the frequent 
bickerings at their gatherings have at last almost abolished 
the exercise in every part of the country except in the two 
counties from which it sprung. Such olden champions as 
Abraham Cann, Polkinhorne, Tom Cooper, W. Pollard, 
Chappell, Sam Rundle, and Jos Menear were a credit to 
their native districts. Certainly, many good wrestlers are to 
be found in both the counties at the present day, who 
without doubt are deserving of more patronage than thev 
receive. 

The Lancashire style of wrestling is, without doubt, the 
roughest and most uncultivated of the three recognized English systems, as it includes catching hold of the legs, wrestling 
on the ground, and other objectionable methods of attack and 
defence. In Lancashire, wrestling displays are confined to 
3D WRESTLING. 

matches promoted by the proprietor of some popular pedestrian resort, and differ as much as it is possible to imagine 
from the immense gatherings in the arenas of Cumberland 
and Westmorland, where sometimes nearly two hundred 
wrestlers will assemble, varying in weight from nine stone up 
to twenty stone odd. 

The Lancashire system is closely allied to the French 
style. The only material difference is that the French 
forbid tripping and catching hold of legs, whereas both 
are allowed in the County Palatine, in addition to the use 
of any fair means of throwing an antagonist. Dressed 
in light, airy costumes, usually a pair of bathing drawers 
and a pair of stockings, to prevent the feet from slipping, 
the wrestlers confront each other in the arena ready for 
action, and after numerous feints, both catch hold by the 
wrists and fall struggling to the ground. Here the real tussle 
begins, the point aimed at being to bring the antagonist on 
hfe back with both shoulders touching the ground at once, 
as that constitutes a fair back-fall, if the fallen one can be 
held down a few seconds, or long enough to satisfy the 
referee, who usually has anything but a rosy time of it while 
the scrimmage lasts. 

A favourite trick is for one of the combatants to seize 
the other by the back of the head and send him heels over 
head, when it seems as if nothing could save him from 
falling on his back with a desperate wriggle round, however, and an acrobatic leap, he often cleverly lands on 
his chest, and at once commences either to play his 
adversary a similar trick or to make a sudden and fresh 
attack. Sometimes a wrestler will apparently make an unsuccessful attempt to wrench off the other's head, twist his 
arms from the sockets, or break his fingers, finally rolling him 
bodily over, all of which are eluded in a simply marvellous 
j LANCASHIRE STYLE. 3t 

manner. The elasticity of their movements is at times something remarkable, as they struggle, writhe, and twist for hours 
together before obtaining a fall. Sometimes one will throw 
j the other over on his back, and, suddenly getting uppermost, 
J try to force down the shoulders, which only the head and 
f heels support, the body forming a perfect arch. All in vain, 
the agile wrestler is sure to escape as if by magic, and come 
down on his chest, when a fearful struggle again ensues, 
until one or the other is tired out, and is finally compelled 
to allow his shoulders to be forced to the ground. 

The struggle between two heavy-weights possesses a touch 

of the terrible. Although they pursue the same tactics as 

i the light-weights, it is a source of amusement to the un- 

j initiated spectator to see an eighteen-stone man spin lightly 

j round on his head, come down like a feather on his chest, 

 and regain his feet as actively as a cat, prepared to renew 

 the struggle with redoubled energy. Stamina is a necessary 

factor in this class of wrestling, in conjunction with a perfect 

knowledge of the business. Frequently one man will lift 

the other up by the legs and keep him walking on his hands, 

and yet find it impossible to throw him and as this, and 

similar acrobatic movements are kept up often for hours 

before a match can be decided, the most rigid training is 

required for such an exhausting combat. 

A brief glance at the rules relating to Lancashire wrestling 
will now be sufficient for all practical purposes. As has been 
previously stated, the wrestlers compete in their stockingfeet, and are allowed to catch hold where they please, but 
they must not scratch, throttle, pull each other's ears, or 
attempt to maim each other by unfair practices. At the 
commencement of an encounter, the wrestlers face each 
other, and assume the same position as the Cornish and 
Devon men; but there the resemblance between the two 
3* WRESTLWG. 

styles ends, as the real struggle begins after the men are 
on the ground. 

In a Lancashire match, the office of referee is no sinecure, 
yet a firm judge can often quell the partisanship of the most 
turbulent votary of the sport by giving his decision without 
hesitation. Fifteen minutes are allowed between the falls, 
and the referee is invested with full power to decide any 
point not provided for in the articles of agreement, subject 
to no appeal in a court of law. When a match is not 
concluded on the day appointed, the referee orders the 
combatants to meet again and commence wrestling after 
being weighed, at the same time and place every day (except 
Sunday), until a decision is arrived at. The reweighing day 
by day is a very sensible clause, as it prevents the man who 
has had to reduce himself putting on flesh and thus securing 
an advantage over his opponent when the men have agreed 
to a certain weight While the contest is proceeding, if the 
wrestlers get beyond the boundary of the ring, the referee 
must separate them, and place them in the position where 
they left off. 

With regard to the referee, should he prove either incompetent or prejudiced, the manager of the grounds, or 
those interested, can disqualify him and agree upon 
another official. When a new referee has been appointed 
during a contest, the wrestlers must commence afresh. 
Throttling, although forbidden in the rules, is difficult to 
prevent, and is often resorted to when the men are on the 
ground. Although a distinct rule is laid down against 
throttling, wrestlers are allowed to break fingers or arms 
if they can satisfy the referee that such took place during a 
fairly-conducted struggle for the mastery, and not through 
any desire to deliberately act in an unfair manner. A strict 
referee can often keep the men within the rules laid down 

for their guidance, but a weak one has little power over thecompetitors when their blood is up, and some glaring 
enormities are often perpetrated. 

 Among all the fantastic tricks played by Lancashire 
wrestlers, the double nelson bears the palm, and is the 
most dangerous. It is brought about by getting behind the 
antagonist, and placing both arms under his the assailant 
then clasps his hands behind the neck of his opponent and 
bends his head downwards in such a manner that his breastbone will give way if he does not previously measure his 
length on the ground. The move is, however, difficult to 
play, and is not often attempted, as many wrestlers have been 
thrown over their adversary's head, when they have failed to 
bring it off with a heavily built man. 
 Lancashire wrestlers are not famous for their proficiency 
in the art of tripping or for leg-throws, although experts in 
the Lancashire style know most of the chips used by catchhold wrestlers generally. Their principal throws are catching hold of one leg with both hands, with the view of hoisting 
an opponent on to his head, the double nelson, the halfnelson, the heave, and the flying mare, the three last-named 
of which have been described elsewhere (see pp. 41, 27, 37). 
In a rough-and-tumble encounter, when "all is in," a knowledge of Lancashire wrestling might be of service but even 
in a street fight it is not the fashion for an Englishman to 
battle on the ground, but to allow his opponent to get up 
again. The Lancashire system teaches the very reverse, 
and its exponents seldom commence operations in earnest 
until they either get down on their knees or on all fours 
consequently the art of standing up has not been so much 
cultivated as the best method of getting down on the 
ground in a certain position. 

Every one must admit that the catch-hold fashion is a 
most rational style of wrestling, as the competitors are not 
restricted by any rules as to taking and retaining a particular 
hold, but are at liberty to catch each other as they please, 
as in a natural struggle, provided they do not hold by the 
legs or clothes in fact, catching hold lower than the waist 
is not allowed, and any portion of the body down constitutes 
a fall, as in the Cumberland and Westmorland style. 

Now a word to beginners, under catch-as-catch-can rules. 
It may safely be said that the means of acquiring perfection 
in wrestling and boxing are the same, and we often find light 
weights comparatively the best in either exercise, and men 
about thirteen, or between thirteen and fourteen stone the 
acknowledged champions, because they are, as a rule, so 
much superior in science to very heavy men as to render 
a few stones in weight of no great importance. The 
principle upon which this fact is founded will be sufficiently 
clear to those who, not content with a superficial knowledge, 
wish to examine the source it springs from. To arrive at 
the top of the tree in either wrestling or boxing, a complete 
knowledge of the art, and varied and effective action are 
necessary, and neither of these requisites can possibly be 
acquired without continued practice with superiors, equals, 
and inferiors, both in respect of science and weight and, in 
order to become a perfect master of the art, such practice 
is absolutely necessary. It is easy for light weights and not 
difficult for men of thirteen and fourteen stone to find 
opponents of their own build, but very rare for those above 

that weight to meet with equals or superiors willing to 
engage with them, and hence their deficiency in science 
and action. Thus it is almost impossible for a heavy man 
to acquire the science and action which often distinguish 
the middle and light weights in such an extraordinary 
degree. 

The Attitude. 

Before coming to close quarters, the wrestlers assume a 
similar position to that usually adopted "by the Cornwall 
ard Devon and Lancashire exponents of the art, excepting 
that they stand in a more upright attitude than the former, 
and generally aim either for a head-hold or a grip round the 
waist. The head-hold is considered the best by experts, as 
it supplies opportunities for the back-heel, the inside click, 
the outside stroke, the buttock, etc. The grasp round the 
waist, especially if the under-hold can be obtained by a 
wrestler who knows the Cumberland and Westmorland 
method, gives the fortunate possessor of the grip an immense 
advantage over his opponent, who can only clasp his man 
over the arms or round his neck consequently the latter is 
almost bound to go down with a man about his own weight. 
Many of the modes of attack and defence are so similar to 
those which distinguish the Cumberland and Westmorland 
method, that we feel sure a careful perusal of the various 
chips mentioned at an earlier portion of this work will be 
beneficial to the amateur catch-hold wrestling aspirant. 

All the throws already described, unless obviously opposed to the principles of the catch-hold style, apply equally 
to it with such modifications only as are necessitated by 
the differences in the holds. It will not be necessary therefore to describe them all again, but the following may be 
found useful i— 

In every system of wrestling the back-heel comes into 
play, and it is not too much to say that the back-heel of 
any one style bears a striking resemblance to all the others. 
No matter how much a man may be ignorant of wrestling 
generally, he has a kind of undefined notion that the best way 
to throw an antagonist is to back-heel him. Inthe main this 
doctrine is pretty correct at the same time, the back-heel 
is not without its risks to the aggressor if he does not know 
how to ply it In catch-hold wrestling, the best way to 

use the back-heel is to catch 
your opponent round the. head, 
jerk him forward, and as he will 
naturally step in with one leg, 
place your foot behind his on 
the outside and bend him over 
backwards; if you have weight 
and strength enough, he is certain to go. The back-heel can 
be foiled by clasping your antagonist round the waist, with 
the under-hold if possible, when 
the hipe (see p. 13) will come 
into play; or by suddenly turning round sideways with your 
arms round your adversary's neck, the hank (see p. 7) 
can be applied. In attempting these movements, however, it is of the utmost importance that a firm hold 
should be retained, as a good performer is sometimes easily 
pushed down in this style of wrestling should he accidentally 
lose his grip of his opponent whereas, under the Cumberland and Westmorland conditions, the fact of the hands being 

firmly clasped together frequently keeps both competitors 
on their legs, and often prolongs the contest. 

The Flying Mare. 
This is a very effective throw, but requires great rapidity 

THE FLYING MARE. 

of execution, as upon that entirely depends its success. 
Seize your opponent's left wrist with your right hand, then, 

quick as thought, turn your back upon him, at the same 
time grasp his left elbow with your left hand, and swing 
him over your back, as in the buttock, with a sudden jerk. 
The best method of preventing this is, directly your 
opponent gets in front of you, click him in front and clasp 
him round the body with your right arm. By this means 
you may get in the front position, when the half-buttock 
should come into operation, and your antagonist will, as a 
rule, be thrown on his face. The flying mare more properly 
belongs to the Cornish and Devon system, but it has been 
thought advisable to introduce it here. 

This is a very useful manoeuvre in catch-hold wrestling, 
providing you can induce your opponent to stand with one 

leg well advanced; for 
instance, the left one. 
Place your right hand 
on his left shoulder, at 
the same time strike, as 
in the northern style, 
close to the ground (not 
at the knee, as some 
authorities have recommended), and simultaneously seize him 
under his right arm-pit 
and twist him on to his 
back. Should your opponent, however, change 
legs, endeavour then to 
get a head hold (as in the diagram), and strike his right leg 
CATCH-AS'CATCH-CAN STYLE. 39 

in the same manner with your left. The safest way to 
elude either stroke is to stand square with both legs, and 
avoid giving your opponent any chance of throwing you off 
your guard. An expert outside striker sometimes only 
wants his opponent to stand with one leg well to the front, 
in order to be enabled to throw him on his back without 
either closing or falling himself. In casual encounters this 
stroke is invaluable. In such, always strike with the right 
foot at your antagonist's left, at the same time give his left 
wrist, if you can, a slight jerk forward. The movement is 
usually so totally unexpected that most men will be floored 
by it. While plying this chip, it should be done from the 
hip in a supple fashion, which is far more effective than by 
striking with the muscles firmly set. Half an hour's practice 
every day for a month would make any ordinary wrestler 
almost a proficient in the stroke. 

The cross-buttock and buttock have both been previously 
described. The only difference that exists between the 
Cumberland and Westmorland and the catch-hold buttocks" 
is in the hold. In the latter system, one of the best methods 
is to seize your opponent's left arm or wrist with your right 
hand, and while you place your left arm round his body, 
to cross his left leg vigorously with your left, twisting him 
down the while with a vigorous jerk. The cross-buttock 
is not difficult to elude, as, when you feel it coming, all you 
have to do is to secure a tight hold of your opponent's 
waist, and get in front of him before he accomplishes his 
object, and his downfall is almost certain, as yours will then 
be the best position. 

This is similar to the cross-buttock, but it is necessary in 
the case of the buttock to get your hip further under your 

THE HALF-NELSON ON THE GROUND. 

man, in order to throw him over your own back without 
using the legs, as in the cross-buttock. 
The Half-nelson. 

This is a favourite method with the catch-hold wrestlers of 
various countries, and a very difficult chip to avoid. As 
you face your opponent, grasp him by the right wrist with 
your left hand, then thrust 
your right hand quickly 
under his arm, while you 
firmly seize him by the 
neck and press his head 
forward. Your adversary 
is then completely in your 
power, as you can quit his 
right hand, and, by clasping 
him round the waist, give 
him the Cornish "heave" 
(page 27) on to his back. 
Where ground wrestling is 
allowed, it is a most effective weapon in the hands of an 
expert, as the illustration (see page 40) will amply testify. 
Frequently the wrestler operated upon is thrown a "fair 
back on all four points. However, should he happen not 
to receive a fair back," as it is called in Devonshire and 
Cornwall, although he may wriggle for a time, and make 
a "bridge" (see page 42), as it is termed in Lancashire, 
ultimately he is compelled to surrender, as nothing can 
possibly save him. 

The Double Nelson. 

This is very difficult to put in practice, and can only be 
performed upon a slender individual. To get behind an 
opponent, put both your arms under his, and clasp your 
42 WRESTLIttG. 

hands behind the back of his head, is not an easy matter 
in the case of a broad-shouldered man whereas a comparatively slight exertion on the part of a very big man will 
enable him to accomplish his object when he has a much 

MAKING THE BRIDGE. ,! 

smaller antagonist to deal with. However, as the double 
nelson is forbidden at most wrestling gatherings in this 
country, it would serve no useful purpose to make any 
further remarks on the subject. 
SCOTTISH WRESTLING. 43 

SCOTTISH WRESTLING. 

Before the Reformation, almost every town and village in 
Scotland had its great annual meeting for wrestling, tossing 
the caber, throwing the hammer, etc. but that great event 
nearly obliterated everything in the shape of amusement, 
and probably the whole of the ancient pastimes have not 
been revived up to the present day. In the Border 
counties of Scotland, the Cumberland and Westmorland 
style is practised but further north, in the neighbourhood 
of the Bridge of Allan and Stirling, ground wrestling, of a 
Lancashire style, is now often indulged in at numerous 
athletic gatherings "ayont the Tweed." Some quarter of 
a century ago, this system of wrestling was introduced into 
Scotland by the celebrated Donald Dinnie, who, although 
a good all-round athlete, was but a poor hand at wrestling 
on the first down to lose principle but, in his peregrinations round the world, the astute Dinnie no doubt discovered the fact that, owing to his immense strength, he 
could battle successfully with most men on the ground. 
Forty years ago, this mode of wrestling was unknown across 
the Border. Had it existed then, such men as William 
Jackson, of Kennie-side, Robert Atkinson, the Sleagill giant, 
Tom Longmire, of Troutbeck, and other champions would 
assuredly have been in the thick of the fray, as they were 
at that time the best men in Cumberland and Westmorland. 
Strictly speaking, Scotchmen do not excel in wrestling, this 
is probably through want of opportunities to practise the 
exercise. Only once has a Scotchman taken the all-weight 
prize at Carlisle, and that was in 1812, when James Scott, 

of Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, threw all comers in the Cumberland and Westmorland style. Year by year the pastime 
is becoming more popular, and a certain brawny Scot of 
the name of Davidson is at the present time holding his 
own in the catch-hold style, which includes ground wrestling, 
with the Cumbrian champions, Steadman and Lowden. 
No one can help thinking, however, that Donald Dinnie 
would have better served his native land had he introduced 
a different system. 

Without doubt, wrestling was practised on first down to 
lose conditions by the Scottish nobility at an early period, 
and very little research would prove the fact beyond all 
dispute. The Ettrick Shepherd, in his description of the 
contest between Carmichael and Norman Hunter, of Polmood, makes the two champions compete in the Cumber- land and Westmorland style. Carmichael was difficult to 
please in the hold, and caused his opponent to lose his 
grip three or four times. Finally, when the pair closed, 
Hunter whipped his opponent up in his arms and_ threw 
him like a child. The Shepherd had a great opinion 
of Geordie Cochrane's "heel chip," which he considered 
invincible when properly plied. Now, in ground wrestling, 
heel chips are not of much service to a competitor, as the 
struggle proper does not commence till the men are on all 
fours. 

The visit of the French wrestlers to the Agricultural Hall, 
in January, 1870, somewhat initiated the British public intc 
the mysterious surroundings of French wrestling. The 

contest between the French and English champions was 
distinguished by being universally spoken of as an international match. As the two styles of wrestling were so 
widely different and so utterly opposed to each other, opinions 
vary very much as to whether the display deserved to come 
under the category of an international contest. So-called 
international contests have been plentiful enough, but few 
have been deserving of that title, for in most cases it will be 
found that the so-called foreigners have not only descended 
from British progenitors, but most of them have actually 
spoken the same language. 

It is well known that foreigners have always been chary 
of meeting at close quarters the British Lion, and almost 
the only case recorded of the gauntlet having been thrown 
down by an alien wrestler was about thirty-five years ago in 
the ring at Newcastle-on-Tyne, when a renowned champion 
from France, named Henri, offered to take on all comers, 
and Richard Wright, of Longtown, John Palmer, of Bewcastle, and John Ivison, of Carlisle, responded. Twenty 
years later, it was Wright again, along with his famous rival, 
William Jameson, who promptly replied to the challenge of 
the French giants, Dubois and Le Bceuf, who were then 
appearing at the Agricultural Hall, Islington. 

On the part of the Englishmen, the match was regarded 
almost in the light of a joke, and a walk-over was confidently anticipated. Indeed, so sanguine were the two 
northern champions of victory, that neither of them took 
the slightest trouble either to get fit for the encounter or to 
study the tactics of their opponents. Jameson and Wright 
were then at the head of their profession, and for years had 
had no rivals. How far they were out in their calculations 
was soon revealed to them when they had to face the gigantic 
Frenchmen in the Gallic fashion. Certainly, the Englishmen 

won in their own style with ease; but they were perfect 
babies in the hands of their opponents when it came to 
battling on the ground. 

The French rules given below will enable the reader to 
form some idea of what the Cumbrians had to learn and 
how much to unlearn before they could possess the remotest 
chance in coping with their formidable antagonists. 

i. The wrestlers are only allowed to take hold from the 
head, and not lower than the waist. 

2. Taking hold of the legs and tripping are strictly 
forbidden. 

3. The wrestling is with open hands, and the wrestlers 
are not allowed to strike, scratch, or to clasp hands. Clasping hands means that the wrestlers shall not clasp one of 
their hands within the other, nor interlace their fingers but 
they are allowed to grasp their own wrists to tighten their 
hold round their opponent's body or otherwise. 

4. The wrestlers must have their hair cut short, also their 
finger-nails, and they must wrestle either barefooted or with 
socks. 

5. If one of the wrestlers fall on his knee, shoulder, or 
side, they have to start again. 

6. If the wrestlers roll over each other, the one whose 
shoulders shall touch the carpet first is deemed conquered. 

7. To be conquered, it is necessary that both shoulders of 
the fallen shall touch the ground at the same time, so as to 
be fairly seen by the judges, and the public. 

 The match was decided in favour of the Frenchmen, 
who won the toss for the odd fall, and, naturally enough, 
chose their own style for the deciding throw. Had the 
Englishmen won the toss, the result would of course have 
been reversed. In competing in the French style for the 
first time, Jameson and Wright were hemmed in by a host 

of restrictions, and as they were forbidden to trip, they 
were almost helpless in the hands of their opponents, who 
in the aggregate weighed five stone odd more than the 
Englishmen. Yet, notwithstanding this disparity in weight, 
the Frenchmen did not gain one fall in the English style, 
in which they had been instructed by one of the most skilful 
English 'wrestlers, nor could they have succeeded in their 
own, had the test been which man could bring the other to 
the ground. A better proof of this could not have been 
given than in the final fall between Wright and Dubois. 
The weight of the latter exceeded that of Wright by five 
and a half stone. Yet the gallant Cumbrian champion 
hurled his burly antagonist to the ground, and only failed 
in turning him on his back by not following up his advantage quickly enough. He did the same in his previous 
encounter with Le Bceuf, whereas, out of the four falls in 
the Cumberland and Westmorland style, had either Frenchman made the Englishman touch the ground, even with 
one knee, he would have been entitled to the fall. 

A more absurd set of rules than ,those relating to French 
wrestling could not well be imagined. In fact, French 
wrestling, instead of being the art of standing up, is simply 
the art of getting down on the ground in a certain position. 
Apart from its roughness, and the danger which attends it, 
the Lancashire system is certainly superior, as unlimited 
action is allowed under certain conditions, both as to 
tripping and clasping the hands. A system that does not 
teach a man to keep on his legs and retain his perpendicular 
is of very little service either as an athletic exercise or a 
means of self-defence. In a hand-to-hand encounter, tripping is the very essence of the art of wrestling consequently, 
if that is prohibited, the stronger and heavier man must 
always have an extra commanding advantage over a lesser 

opponent, which in English wrestling he does not always 
possess, as the superior agility of a light-weight exponent of 
the exercise often makes up for what he is wanting in avoirdupois. As the French style of wrestling or any other form 
of ground wrestling can never become popular, this division 
of our subject may be summarily dismissed. 

GERMAN WRESTLING. 

The style of wrestling which finds favour in the land of the 
Teutons so much resembles the French system that it is 
scarcely necessary to enter into any detailed description of 
it further than to state that the numerous restrictions which 
surround it convey the idea that scarcely anything is allowed 
to be done while the wrestlers are on their feet. Indeed, a 
contest in the German fashion is, to all intents and purposes, a struggle on the ground, and a fierce one too, as both 
shoulders must be squarely held down before a decision is 
given. As in French wrestling, tripping, back-heeling, and 
clicking are forbidden, and as you must not turn your back 
to your opponent, neither the buttock nor cross-buttock can 
come into operation; consequently, nothing remains but 
strength and stamina to battle with. When the wrestlers 
come to close quarters, the principal object seems to be to 
get the under-hold, i.e., to get both arms round the waist 
and under the armpits, so as to lift the adversary off the 
ground and swing him on to his back. 

With men of equal size it is almost impossible to obtain 
a throw with one arm above and one underneath, as in the 
Cumberland and Westmorland fashion, without using the 
feet to hipe, cross-buttock, inside click, or strike on the out- 
JAPANESE WRESTLING. 49 

side. The wrestlers are forbidden to catch hold of the 
legs, or, indeed, to touch below the waist. To have first 
to throw your man down without tripping him, and afterwards battle with him on the ground on all fours, until one 
or the other is compelled to give in through sheer exhaustion, is a style of wrestling utterly opposed to our 
insular notions of fair-play, and although the system finds 
favour in Lancashire and in certain parts of Scotland, it 
will never take rank as the recognized style of wrestling in 
this country. 

JAPANESE WRESTLING. 

Wrestling holds a high position among athletic exercises 
in Japan, and in the encouragement of this ancient exercise 
by such an intelligent people, something more than mere 
pastime is kept in view. Probably, in imitation of the 
ancient Greeks and Romans, these exercises are considered 
a kind of preparation for the battle of life, or even the 
exigencies of war. Their wrestling contests are sometimes 
held in enclosed buildings, and frequently in booths, but 
generally speaking in the open air, in a ring surrounded by 
a railing about three feet high. The Japanese wrestlers are 
a most formidable class of men, being usually immensely 
stout, and when adorned in their war-paint, with a huge belt 
round the waist, and their enormous calves encased in stout 
leggings, their appearance is enough to strike terror even to 
the beholder, not to mention the opponent who gazes on the 
giants for the first time. A contest in Japan creates the 
greatest excitement among the spectators, who cheer their 
favourites after the recognized European fashion. At the 

conclusion of a public competition, each victor presents 
himself to the judge, who, as a rule, awards a silver or gold 
plate, bearing the imperial arms. In recent years, however, 
as the exercise has become extremely popular, more substantial rewards have been given. 

The most celebrated Japanese wrestler of the present day 
is named Matsada Sorakichi, who, when he was touring in 
America, offered ;£io to any athlete who could stand before 
him and remain unthrown for twenty minutes. It is said 
the Jap made money by these challenges but he was 
almost frightened out of his wits when he was introduced 
to Evan Lewis, alias "The Strangler." When Matsada 
ascertained who his opponent was, he promptly refused to 
meet Lewis, who is only a little over twelve stone in weight. 
 The Strangler is a wonderful wrestler, and throws his men 
with the grape-vine," a method closely resembling the 
Cumberland hank." 
ADDENDA, 

In conclusion, the following queries recently received may 
be replied to here without being out of place — 

Q. What are the duties of a referee ? 

A. The referee's duties are to get the wrestlers together 
and give his decision when the umpires disagree. His 
verdict is final as he is supposed to be a competent person, 
no one can interfere. 

Q. What constitutes a fall in the Grgeco-Roman style ? 

A. Two shoulders on the ground. The same applies to 
French wrestling, for which Graeco-Roman is merely another 
name. 

Q. What constitutes a fall in the Cornwall and Devon 
style? 

A. Two shoulders and one hip, or two hips and one 
shoulder it makes no difference which it is. But in a fourpoint match, a man must be thrown on both shoulders and 
both hips before any other portion of his body touches the 
ground ere a verdict is recorded against him. 

Q. What constitutes a fall in the Cumberland and 
Westmorland style ? 

A. Any portion of the body on the ground, hand or knee, 
or quitting hold before the throw is made. 

Q. What constitutes a fall in the Lancashire style ? 

A. Struggling on the ground is the principal feature in 
$? WRESTLING. 

Lancashire wrestling, and two shoulders down constitute a 
fall. 

Q. Should a man make a bridge in Lancashire 
wrestling, from head to heel, is it unfair to press him with 
the elbow or otherwise cause him pain ? 

A. It is unfair to injure an opponent in any tender part 
of the body, and throttling is not allowed, yet frequently 
indulged in. Although throttling is forbidden, a wrestler 
may put his arm tightly round his opponent's neck and 
cause him excessive pain. 

Q. Would you bar the double nelson ? 

A. Certainly the double nelson should be barred, as 
being both dangerous and brutal. 

Q. Should ground wrestling be abolished ? 

A. Ground wrestling, in the opinion of most people 
qualified to discuss the subject, ought never to have been 
introduced into this country, as it is decidedly un-English, 
and calculated to bring an ancient pastime into disrepute. 

There can be no objection to the catch-hold system, 
 first down to lose the fall, to catch hold above the waist 
without being restricted to any particular grip. In a first 
down to lose" contest, the referee has not the same difficulty 
in giving a decision which he must experience in all threepoint matches. 

Unquestionably, if an amalgamated style of wrestling 
were introduced throughout the country, the ancient science 
of wrestling would assume its proper position among the 
numerous athletic exercises for which this land of vigorous 
and manly outdoor sports is so justly famous. 
 V?