UC-NRLF 

OF THE 
UNIVERSITY 

CF 

OR, AN 

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 
OF 

ANCIENT AND MODERN WRESTLING. 

BY WJLITT. 

WHITEHAVEN: 
Printed by R. Gibson, 26, King-street 

AND SOLD 1Y ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE 
NOKTHEUN COUNTIES, 

A 

PROSPECTUS, 

IN all Diversions, of whatever character, some 
acknowledged law for proceeding and acting- upon is absolutely necessary, not only to enable 
Umpires to give a speedy and determinate judgment, but to convince a majority of unbiased 
spectators of its propriety. Accordingly, in 
England where such a variety of amusements 
prevail, we find 8om« directly sanctioned by 
the lef/islalttre itself and others, though governed by regulations principally devised by the original institutors of them, so sufficiently recognized by their duration, and unircrsal adoption, as 
to render them effective. The high estimation 
in which SCIENTIFIC WRESTLING is at present 
held in some of the northern Counties, is fully 
evinced by the sums subscribed, and the immense 
assemblage of all ranks who attend at Carlisle, 
Keswick, and numerous other places to witness 
it. The want of some standard regulations for 
conducting this amusement has often been felt by 
those concerned in its immediate direction to 
remedy this, — the popularity of the exercise,— 
and full authority which the Author has for 
assuring the public, that the DIRECTIONS here 
laid down are precisely those which will bo acted upon at Carlisle Races, and probably throughout the North of England, have induced the publication of this Treatise. The extensive Patronage pr«>rn ise d to the Work, and the great curiosity aiid interest which will naturally be ex- 

v PROSPECTUS. 

cited by a Treatise (not only an original, but 
the very first) on so popular a subject, leave the 
Author in no doubt respecting his ultimate indemnification. 

To render it as entertaining as possible to the 
generality of readers, besides containing the Basis, and Comments upon it, indispensably necessary, not only for Wrestlers themselves, but 
to all Spectators who wish to understand what 
so highly interests them this Work will contain 
progressive Anecdotes of Wrestling from the remotest era to which it can be traced, to the time 
of its publication a Philosophical Dissertation 
on Wrestling as compared with many other amusements of the present day and a complete 
Review of the various competitions which have 
taken place at Carlisle, Keswick, Ambleside, and 
many other celebrated places of meeting occasionally interspersed with Memoirs of, and Critiques upon, the Wrestling of most of the celebrated Men in Cumberland and Westmorland 
within the last Forty Years. — Of the Author's 
particular capability for the undertaking few observations are necessary. Practically, his name 
alone is sufficient ! In a literary view, the work 
must, as in all other cases, speak for itself: in its 
pages we hope the Novice will acquire instruction!— the experienced Wrestler find some 
thing worthy his attention ! — the Reader whose 
object is curiosity, some amusement! and those 
who have hitherto censured Wrestling as degrading, and brutal, discover, that when they venture to condemn what they do not understand, 
they only betray the infirmities of human nature. 

PREFACES, aud DEDICATIONS, are such common appendages to a publication, that original 
in many things, we had it in contemplation to be 
so in this likewise more particularly, as we had 
determined to prefix what served us for a PROS- 
PECTUS, to the Work itself; conceiving* it might 
suffice for both purposes. But our old acquaintance, Tim Twistwell, a knowing kind of chap, 
and something of a Wrestler, looking in upon 
us and observing we were busy writing over the 
first sheet for the press, de.-ired to look at the 
Preface. Preface ! truly I mean to write 
none." "What! write no Preface ! the? fellow's 
daft!" Why so, Tim? of what advantage 
will either Preface or Dedication be to me ? the 
first could be of no use; and the odds are, I 
would lose by the other. Mine, as the Prospectus declares, is an original work, and I promise 
thee it is all my own; good or bad., to no man 
am I indebted for a single sentence." Worse 
and worse," quoth Tim, for I myself can tell 
thee of many things which require explanation, 
if not apology. First of all, hast thou strictly 
adhered to the plan specified in the Prospectus ?" 
 Why, not exactly; I mean to give some account of Wrestling from the era of the Patriarch 
Jacob, and the Dissertation upon it before the 
Basis, which precedes them in the Prospectus, 
but I think neither thee, or the public, will stickle at that. What next ?" There is not a 
single picture in the whole book !" Neither is 
there in many volumes of sermons; or even Bi-bles themselves. Plates are expensive and I 
hope my explanations will elucidate the only 
point where they could be at all useful, better 
than a thousand. Go on ?" Thou hast not 
taken sufficient pains to acquire information." 
 Too much pudding will choak a dog,' Tim. 
I know enough without it to illustrate my own 
opinion of the subject and except in the historical department, where quotations are both amusin£ and instructive, my own knowledge will 
be sufficient. Proceed." The Wrestlers 
whose names are introduced will be angry !" 
 That frightens not .pie — let those who are 
dead, find fault if they'can ! and as for the living, 
they have no reason. I will be the chronicler 
of their fame, and they shall thank me for none 
but distinguished heroes answer my purpose 
even the name of Tim Twistwell will not ornament my pages, because thou art not a first rater! 
any thing else ?" Yes. At least apologize for 
thy bad language, and bad grammar. For 
though thou art, or wert, a goodish Wrestler 
and I believe knows a good deal about it where 

the d 1 couldst thou learn to write even 

decently !" Not from thee, or the Personage 
thou hast appealed to, certainly. But answer 
me two questions in thy turn. Does not the subject require a PRACTICAL man ?" Yes." 
 Thinkest thou there is one man in the kingdom who has won as many prizes as I have and 
can write better ?" No !" Then be content good Tim, and in lieu of a Preface, I will 
publish our Conversation." 

CKrottttana* 

Historical Anecdotes of Wrestling^ from the 
remotest era to which it can be traced* to the 

JlN commencing with this part of our subject, 
we feel ourselves standing1 upon high ground. 
The first account we have of Wrestling, places it 
in point of antiquity and respectability, not only 
the first, but infinitely superior to any other amusement at present prevalent in the whole 
world. For the truth of this assertion, we quote 
no anonymous author, whose authenticity might 
well be disputed ! no heathen writer, whose idolatrous fancy might give birth to imaginary chimeras ! No ! the precedent we will quote was 
even anterior to such writers as we have described. It is one which no Christian can, or will, 
dispute: — it is to be found in that BOOK which 
treats of the creation of man, and the beginning 
of the world authenticated by divine command, 
and written by that sacred and inspired historian, 
— even Moses himself! 

We find in the 32d chapter of Genesis, that 
Jacob having passed his family over the brook 
Jabbok was left alone. In its history of events 
at this early period of the world, with a brevity 
commensurate with its high importance, the Bible minutely relates only those particular occur- 

rences which refer to some covenant, or promise, 
then made, renewed, or fulfilled. It narrates 
facts, without commenting- upon them. Therefore, although Jacob's wrestling with the Angel 
was too remarkable an incident to be omitted, 
yet we are not told in what manner he came, nor 
of any preliminary conversation, or agreement 
between them. It however appears very evident, that until the Angel manifested his miraculous power, Jacob believed his opponent was a 
mere mortal like himself; and on whichever side 
the proposal originated, it was acceded to by the 
other, either as a circumstance not unusual, or as 
an amicable amusement, which might be practised without the least infringement on cordiality. 
If it was not unusual, we are warranted in supposing it a common diversion antecedent to that 
period, and that Jacob was himself a scientific 
practiser of the art when he was the father of a 
large family. Nay, we might even /*w/, his celestial opponent was himself no stranger to that 
athletic amusement. If it 1hen had its origin, no 
admirer of this athletic science can wish for one 
more ancient, or more honourable. That the 
Patriarch's antagonist was a being of a superior 
order, and sent by Divine authority, no Christian 
has ever yet disputed. That it was a corporeal 
struggle, or buna Jide, a wrestling match between them, is universally admitted. It cannot 
therefore be denied, that it is either of divine origin, or that a Being more than mortal has participated in it. It is true, many of the commentators dwell upon it as a spiritual, as well as a 
corporeal struggle this we are very ready to 
admit but we will at the same time contend, 
that instead of diminishing, it adds considerably 
"to its splendour. An amusement from which so 

many inferences and conclusions have been 
drawn to promote the welfare of Christianity 
cannot be either degrading-, or confined in its nature but on the contrary, noble and scientific. 

It is a common and received proverb, that A 
Man is known by his works, and a Tree by its 
fruits.'* Here then is an amusement peculiarly 
chosen not only by one of the best of Men, but 
by one better, and greater than any man — and 
if to give strength and firmness, combined with 
quick&ets and elasticity to the Limbs discrimination and vigour to the Body coolness to 
the Head, and perception to the Mind — the 
whole forming: aii energetic combination of the 
whole power given to Man ! no exercise could 
have been selected, tending more to exalt his 
character, and from which such typical illustrations could have been deduced for his spiritual 
advantage. — Here then we take our stand. — Advocates for any other diversion, be it whatever it 
may ! can you produce an origin, either so 
ancient, or so honorable ? Men of common 
sense what can you object to it? Poets and 
Lovers, ye who deal in heroics, and invoke ideal 
heathen Divinities ! or ascribe to a mere Mortal 
like yourselves, the epithet, angelic ! or even 
Angel itself! while any proof you could bring 
forward in support of your imaginary Divinities 
(or even the propriety of using such expressions) 
would be disputed nay condemned ! by thousands of well-disposed Christians — in all that 
we have advanced respecting Wrestling none 
but Heathens or Atheists will attempt to 
confute. 

Having proved the existence of this amusement at so remote an era it would be neither 
necessary nor important to trace the practise of 

this art through that period of time which intervenes from the time of Jacob, to -the formation 
of the Grecian Republics. The blindness and 
wilful transgressions of the Jews, and the barbarous ignorance of those Nations whom God 
permitted to chastise them render their exercises a matter of neither curiosity or utility. — 
But 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 
to improve their bodily strength was too apparent to be neglected. Accordingly we find 
these athletic exercises, not only practised and 
encouraged in each particular State but the 
highest honours and rewards bestowed on the 
victors at the Olympic, Nemean, and other 
Games, where prizes were awarded, and contended for before the whole Nation. It would 
be foreign to our purpose to quote the wrestling 
match of Hercules and Anteus, or any thing bordering either on the fabulous or miraculous 
stories incidental to the times in which it is 
placed but we may be allowed to observe that 
these prizes were contended for, and often won, 
by Men distinguished as much by their Birth, 
Patriotism, and Valour as by their skill in those 
exercises in which it was their pride to excel. 

The influence of these sports in advancing 
Greece from a few petty states not equal in extent of territory to one half of England alone 
into the most powerful Kingdom at that time in 
the World is universally acknowledged by all 
historians and commentators who have ever 
treated of the subject. And it is singular tQ re- 

mark, that while the fact is admitted by all 
modern legislators few, or none, have recommended an imitation of them. 

It is strange' that Homer who was perhaps the 
greatest Poet that ever lived and who himself 
had often witnessed the celebration of these 
Games, has given us so confused, and even incomprehensible an account of the Wrestling at 
the funeral of Patroclus, (though many years 
antecedent to his time ;) between Telamon Ajax» 
the strongest, and Ulysses, the wisest man, in the 
Grecian army. Its translation by Pope is as 
follows — 

 The third bold game Achilles next demands, 
And calls the wrestlers to the level sands 
A massy tripod for the victor lies, 
Of twice six oxen its reputed price 
And next, the loser's spirits to restore, 
A female captive, valued but at four. 
Scarce did the chief the vigourous strife propose, 
"When tower-like Ajax and Ulysses rose. 
Amid the ring each nervous rival stands, 
Embracing rigid with implicit hands 
Close lock 'd above, their heads and arms are mixt; 
Below, their planted feet, at distance fixt 
Like two strong rafters which the builder forms 
Proof to the wintry winds and howling storms, 
Their tops connected, but at wider space 
Fixt on the centre stands their solid base. 
Now to the grasp each manly body bends 
The humid sweat from every pore descends 
Their bones resound with blows sides, shoulders, thighs, 
Swell to each gripe, and bloody tumours rise. 
Nor could Ulysses, for his art renown'd, 
O'erturn the strength of Ajax on the ground 
Nor could the strength of Ajax overthrow 
The watchful caution of his artful foe. 
"While the long strife e'en tir'd the lookers-on, 
Thus to Ulysses spoke great Telamon 
Or let me lift thee, chief, or lift thou me 
Prove we our force, and Jove the rest decree. 

11 He said; and, straining, heav'd him oft' the ground 
With matchless strength that time Ulysses found 
The strength t* evade, and where the nerves combine 
His ankle struck the giant fell supine 
Ulysses following, on his bosom lies 
Shouts of applause run rattling through the skies. 
Ajax to lift, Ulysses next essays 
He barely stirr'd him, but he could not raise 
His knee lock'd fast, the foe's attempt deny'd 
And grappling close, they tumble side by side." 

This account seems as ridiculous ! as it is incomprehensible to a modern Wrestler — ridiculous ! 
in regard to the duration of the contest, and the 
strange proposition of Ajax — and incomprehensible, as it appears, Ulysses was the winner of 
the first fall; and the second was a disputed, or 
what is vulgarly termed, a Dog-fall. One thing 
however seems clear enough to us — that it was a 
bad Wrestle and though we imagine neither 
gained much honour by the struggle both were 
sufficiently rewarded for it. 

Although we could select from History a multitude of extracts to prove the estimation in 
which this, and other athletic exercises were 
held from the time of Homer to the birth of 
Christ; and many hundred years posterior to 
that event but as the bare establishment of the 
fact, is not worth the recital we shall therefore 
advert at once to instances of a more modern, 
yet still far distant period in the history of our 
own Country, and the literature connected 
with it. 

It appears that in the celebrated interview between Henry the Eighth of England, and the 
French King Francis, which exceeded in magnificence and splendour any spectacle of modern times; Wrestling was deemed the most 
manly and entertaining amusement then ex- 

hibited in the presence of these two mighty 
Monarchy and their Courts. A grand national 
and scientific display of this athletic art 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 than those who accompanied him ! 
and by way of redeeming the defeat of his 
Countrymen, asserts that Francis himself was a 
most excellent wrestler, and in a contest between 
the two rival Monarchs, threw Henry with great 
violence. — We will agree with the author in 
question, that the amusement wras a princely one! 
but would either gladly believe there is some 
French gasconade as to the event of the contest; 
or wish our King had had practice and science 
enough to have introduced Francis to the same 
acquaintance with his mother earth, as his 
subjects. 

Antecedently to this period wrestling was a 
favorite amusement, as well among the Nobility, 
as the Yeomanry and inferior classes the prize 
varying according to the rank of the Combatants. At some particular times and places there 
appears to have been some acknowledged, and 
customary prize. This was usually a Ram, and 
a Ring. Thus in Coke's tale of Gamelyn, ascribed to Chaucer: — 

There happed to be there beside 

Tryed a wrestling 
And therefore there was y-setten 

A ram and als a ring. 

And likewise at a still earlier period we see in 
Ritson's Robin Hood :— 

>—— — By a bridge was a wrastling, 

And there taryed was he. 
And there was all the best yeraen 

Of all the west countrey. 
A full fayregame there was set up, 

A white bull up y-pight, 
A great courser with saddle and brydle, 

With gold burnished full bryght 
A payre of gloves, a red golde ringe, 

A pipe of wyne good fay 
What man bereth him best I wis, 

The prize shall bear away. 

In which the prize was still greater; being a 
white Courser, well accoutred a pair of Gloves, 
a Gold Ring-, and a Pipe of Wine. 

It is rather a remarkable coincidence that our 
modern Homer should have given nearly as lame 
an account of wrestling matches as his mighty 
predecessor. Thus we see in the fifth canto of 
the Lady of the Lake, the following account of 
one :— 

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

In the first couplet, the method, viz. hand to 
hand," seems introduced solely for the purpos-e 
of getting on and certainly is not calculated to 
produce the dreadful consequences that ensue. 
In the second, all order is violated by the two last 
standers, instead of contesting the last fall, call 
out for fresh men ! nor are the remaining couplets less faulty, in regard to Douglas's treatment 

WHESTLTANA. 15 

of his opponents, in the immense superiority of 
strength ascribed to him. — The match between 
Bothwell and Burley, in the Scottish Novels, is 
likewise one of the worst thing's in the whole 
series. It would have much gratified us, if a writer whom we so highly value, had given us some 
better account of such contests, however cursorily introduced. But alas! the Baronet is probably 
no Wrestler and truly we are sorry for it. 

We are likewise equally mortified to remark 
that the immortal Bard of Avon, in his comedy 
of As You Like It," although he has combined in Orlando rank, character, and wrestling, 
tells us a truly pitiful, but dreadful and improbable story, concerning it. The justly celebrated 
James Hogg, the Etterick Shepherd, has, in his 
Tales, occasionally introduced Wrestling. And 
although we confess we do not exacf ly comprehend the fatality of Geordie Cociirane's heelchip, yet we certainly think the wrestling between Polmood and Carmichael, by far the best 
illustration of the art, either of ancient or modern date we have met with we will offer no 
apology for extracting it for the gratification of 
such of our readers as are not in the habit of 
perusing books of that description. 

 Sixteen then stripped themselves to try their 
skill in wrestling, arid it having been enacted as 
a law, that he who won his any one contest, was 
obliged to begin the next, Polmood was of course 
one of the number. They all engaged at once, 
by two and two, and eight of them having been 
consequently overthrown, the other eight next 
engaged by two and two, and four of these being 
cast, two couples only remained. 

 Some of the nobles engaged were so expert 
at the exercise, and opposed to others so equal in 

16 WKESTLIANA- 

strength and agility, that the contests were exceedingly equal and amusing. Some of them 
could not be cast until completely out of breath. 
It had always been observed, however, that Polmood and Carmichaei threw their opponents 
with so much ease, that it appeared doubtful 
whether these opponents were serious in their 
exertions, or only making? a sham wrestle but 
when it turned out that they two stood the last, 
all were convinced that they were superior to the 
rest either in strength or skill. This was the 
last prize on the field, and on the last throw for 
that prize the victory of the day depended, which 
each of the two champions was alike vehemently 
bent to reave from the grasp of the other. They 
eyed each other with looks askance, and with 
visible tokens of jealousy rested for a minute or 
two, wiped their brows, and then closed. Carmichaei was extremely hard to please of his hold, 
and caused his antagonist to lose his grip three 
or four times, and change his position. Polrnood was however highly complaisant, although 
it appeared to every one beside, that Carmichaei 
meant to take him at a disadvantage. At length 
they fell quiet; set their joints steadily, and began to move in a circular direction, watching 
each other's motions with great care. Carmichaei ventured the first trip, and struck Polmood on the left heel with considerable dexterity. It never moved him but in returning it, he 
forced in CarmichaeFs back with such a squeeze, 
that the by-standers affirmed they heard his ribs 
crash whipped him lightly up in his arms, and 
threw him upon the ground with great violence, 
but seemingly with as much ease as if he had 
been a boy. The ladies screamed, and even the 
rest of the nobles doubted if the knight would 

rise again. He however jumped lightly up, and 
pretended to smile bat the words he uttered 
were scarcely articulate his feelings at that moment may be better conceived than expressed. 
A squire who waited the king's commands then 
proclaimed Norman Hunter of Polmood the 
victor of the day, and consequently entitled, in 
all sporting parties, to take his place next to 
the king, until by other competitors deprived of 
that prerogative." 

Although this account may not have much fact 
to recommend it; yet it is nevertheless apparent 
Mr. Hogg was conscious the practice was not uncommon among the Scottish nobility at that period and that this was the case, might easily be 
proved by indisputable authority. At this period it is worthy of remark few discoveries of 
distant countries had taken place and consequently the great landed proprietors spent 
much more of their time in their own countries; 
and on their own estates. But no sooner had 
that ceased to be the case, than degeneracy and 
effeminacy crept in apace and those exercises 
in which it had been the pride of their ancestors 
to excel, ceased and from that time, few above 
the rank of yeoman chose to exhibit in a ring, 
either for their own pleasure, or that of others. 

But we are now arrived at that period when 
the attention of most of the European nations, 
and particularly England, began to be as much 
directed to new discoveries, and consequent settlements abroad as to the internal prosperity of 
the Mother Countries. This no doubt had its 
due effect upon the manners, customs, and 
amusements of the people. Our immense acquisitions in America, and in Eastern and Western India added to the great improvements in 

B3 

the art of gunnery, which rendered nugatory all 
previous modes of warfare alike contributed to 
hasten the downfall of all athletic exercises 
among the higher ranks. The art of war became a more complicated science — gunnery, 
engineering, fortification, and all the minutia 
of tactics attendant on these studies, became of 
proportionally more importance to men of rank, 
either in the civil, or military departments, than 
those exercises calculated to promote the display 
of personal strength, valour, or activity,— as a 
well-aimed bullet made no distinction between 
Shaw, perhaps the bravest, and most formidable 
warrior that fought at Waterloo ! and the most 
effeminate dandy in any of the contending armies, Nay, those vile guns" which the fop in 
Shakspeare alleges prevented him from becoming a soldier !" materially change the signification of the word brave itself which formerly 
denoted the performance of great personal exploits, for which strength and activity were 
nearly as necessary as a cool head, and intrepid 
heart: — but now? a regiment which preserves 
its station amidst a shower of bullets, till half of 
its number becomes food for powder" is considered equally brave if composed of half grown 
lads, as if every man in it was a perfect Hercules.— Indeed the word still seems provincially to 
retain something of its former signification, when 
misapplied to what is generally termed the most 
ignorant of living things, or even to inanimate* 
objects as when we hear many a good old 
liousewife say — this is a brave goose ! or a brave 
pudding! — meaning something excellent of its 
particular kind. In the proudest days of chivalry no exercise was so well adapted to enable 
Kang, Lx>rd, or Knight, to excel in tilt or tour~ 

namentr as Wrestling As in it were combined, 
dexterity in personally coping with an antagonist, and the power of acquiring bodily vigour 
and stamina, so requisite for enabling the combatant to endure a protracted contest without 
detriment. Indeed a quick and steady eye, for 
judging directions and distances in managing 
the lance, might be better acquired by practising 
fencing, or boxing but we presume no highborn cavalier, even in these heroic days, deemed 
 a dislocation of ivory," or a measure for a 
suit of mourning/' any recommendation to 
 courtly dame" or lady fair and as the smile 
of approving beauty has ever been deemed one 
of the proudest rewards for great achievements 
we think the juvenile Knights who endangered 
themselves for such recompense, would take es~ 
pecial care no transformation of that kind, 
should diminish the genuine brilliancy of that 
smile on which they were to subsist for a week ! 
and dream for a whole year ! — But the days of 
chivalry are gone — tilt or tournament is no more 
— the listed ring no longer boasts of patriciai* 
exhibitions ! but still within it we view all the 
remains of that chivalric spirit, which has distinguished the most celebrated conquerors in all 
ages — foraccording to one of our justly esteemed writers, had' he been placed by Providence ia 
a different station 

 He that the vrorld subdued, had been 
But the best Wrestler on the green." 

J\nd we will venture to mention, that it is tc* 
that generous spirit of emulation which animates 
the Wrestler to acquire celebrity in the ring 
that we are indebted for the glorious victories 

of Agincourt, Trafalgar, Waterloo, &c. — There 
are many who will argue that athletic sports have 
no direct tendency to inspire additional confidence and courage in the breast of the soldier, 
on the day of battle but we confidently aver, 
that all who assert this, speak without due consideration— for that such exercises will have their 
due effect even in the present mode of warfare, 
let us suppose the following case — Let one individual, or any certain number of the most courageous men, be selected from the bravest regiment in Great Britain let them all possess hearts 
that never knew fear, — and bring them to the 
charge against the same number of men, equally 
disciplined, and all expert Wrestlers, and what 
would be the unavoidable result ? Might not 
one party say — I have only to parry the first onset of my antagonist, and close with him, and 
then victory is certain ! I can in a moment dash 
him to the ground, and either kill or take him 
prisoner at my pleasure. — Would not the other 
naturally observe— This is not a fair contest, 
there are fearful odds against me ! I meet a man 
whose sinews have gained additional strength by 
practising athletic exercises. If I charge him 
freely, a parry will enable him to close with me, 
and then I am inevitably gone. — When men 
fight under these impressions the result cannot be 
doubtful. Again, are not the English superior 
to any other nation in the junction of active and 
passive courage ? and is it not a fact that the 
French during the late war frequently charged 
the troops of all the continental nations with 
whom they were engaged, with the bayonet 
while they scarcely ever ventured to cross one 
with ours ? will any man imagine this had not 
some influence in regulating the tactics of the 

contending armies ! In even a distant engagement under a heavy fire the British soldier might 
exclaim — Notwithstanding they gall us now, 
they dare not stand our bayonets !" Supposing 
the case had been exactly vice versa, and they 
had had to observe — We must endure this or 
run away, for we dare not come in close contact with them." Whether of these considerations let me ask, are better calculated to imfuse courage, and inspire with hopes of victory, 
the boldest men on earth ? — The answer is too 
obvious to any man of common sense to require 
insertion. In the battle of Waterloo, the success 
of our cavalry when opposed to the French curassiers, a body of men confident in themselves, 
and of invincible courage, was principally occasioned by their superiority in the science of 
the sword, arising from the universal adoption 
of learning th« proper use, or science of the 
stick. This practise owed its introduction to the 
circumstance of an Irish peasant thrashing with 
that weapon some of the best men in a celebrated 
regiment of horse, then quartered in the north 
of Ireland; and it would be absurd to suppose 
that superiority will not have its due effect in 
all future cavalry engagements. 

Proceeding to a mo re modern date, let us now 
consider what effect Religion has had upon athletic amusements, in Ireland, England, and 
Scotland. Of Ireland, we cannot from personal knowledge state any thing positive. In England, particularly in the north, a great change 
has taken place within the last thirty years. Annual, and weekly exhibitions of Wrestling, and 
foot-ball, usually took place on the Sunday afternoon, in the vicinity of every village in many parts 
of Cumberland. These practices are now very 

properly discontinued partly by the inclosure 
of the commons and waste lands on which they 
were held, and partly by the interference of the 
clergy and magistrates. By the suppression of 
these meeting's, and by the more strict attendance required of servants at this time, than was 
previously, opportunities for practising Wrestling are become too confined to permit any number of that hardy class of men to excel in it. In 
Scotland the change has been great indeed. 
Before the Reformation, almost every town and 
village had its great annual meeting for Wrestling, pitching the bar, &c. but that great event, 
and the consequent troubles it occasioned, nearly obliterated every thing in the shape of amusement and nothing has yet revived except some 
little horseracing and archery :— the latter of 
which seems calculated to promote nothing beneficial in the present times, either to themselves, 
their country, or posterity. The Roman Catholic religion is always accounted the most superstitious of any professed by Christians in the 
whole world. It is therefore natural to suppose 
that where that religion is most prevalent, less 
toleration will be allowed for amusements, particularly on the Sabbath. Yet strange to observe ! the very reverse is the case. Thus in Ireland, Sunday afternoon is, in many places, generally devoted to cards, dancing, and visiting, 
and many other diversions. And in England, 
where we retain more of the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Rome, than they do in 
Scotland, amusements of all descriptions are 
much more prevalent and greater relaxation in. 
the rigid observance of the Sabbath, if not tolerated, is at least more customary than in that 
kingdom, where scarcely any are allowed 

VFRESTLIANA. 23 

As a proof that the practice of athletic exercises are not confined to this kingdom, or even to 
Europe, we quote the following account of an 
entertainment given in the Island of Tongataboo, to Captain Cook in his third voyage to the 
Pacific Ocean :— 

 While the natives were in expectation of this 
evening exhibition, they engaged, for the greatest 
part of the afternoon, in wrestling- and boxing. 
When a person is desirous of wrestling, he gives a 
challenge by crossing the ground in a kind of 
measured pace, and clapping smartly on the elbow joint of one arm, which is bent and sends 
forth a hollow sound. If no opponent steps 
forth he returns and sits down but if an antagonist appears, they meet with marks of the greatest 
goodnature, generally smiling, and deliberately 
adjusting the piece of cloth that is fastened round 
the waist. They then lay hold of each other by 
this cloth, and he who succeeds in drawing his 
opponent to him, instantly endeavours to lift him 
on liis breast, and throw him on his back and if 
he can turn round with him in that position two or 
three times before he throws him, he meets with 
great applause for his dexterity. If they are more 
equally matched, they quickly close, and attempt 
to throw each other by entwining their legs, or 
raising each other from the ground in which 
struggles they display an extraordinary exertion 
of strength. When one of them is thrown he 
immediately retires while the conqueror sits 
down for a minute, then rises, and goes to the 
side from which he came, where the victory is 
proclaimed aloud. After sitting for a short time, 
he rises again and challenges and if several antagonists appear he has the privilege of choosing 
which of them he pleases to engage with he 

may also, if he should throw his competitor, 
challenge again, till he himself is vanquished 
and then the people on the opposite side chant 
the song of victory in favour of their champion. 
It frequently happens, that five or six rise from 
each side, and give challenges together so that it 
is not unusual to see several sets engaged on the 
field at the same time. They preserve great temper in this exercise, and leave the spot without 
the least displeasure in their countenances. When 
they find that they are too equally matched, they 
desist by mutual consent and if it does not 
clearly appear which of them has had the advantage, both sides proclaim the victory, and then 
they engage again. But no one, who has been 
vanquished, is permitted to engage a second time 
with the conqueror. 

 Those who intend to box advance side-ways, 
changing the side at every pace, having one arm 
stretched out before, the other behind and holding in one hand a piece of cord, which they 
wrap closely about it, when they meet with an 
opponent. This is probably intended to prevent 
a- dislocation of the hand or fingers. Their blowrs 
are dealt out with great quickness and activity, 
and are aimed principally at the head. They 
box equally well with either hand. One of their 
most dexterous blows is, to turn round on the 
heel, just after they have struck their adversary, 
and to give him another pretty violent blow 
with the other hand backwards. In boxing 
matches, unless a person strikes his antagonist 
to the ground, they never sing the song of victory which shows that this diversion is less approved among them than wrestling. Not only 
boys engage in both these amusements; but it 
not unfrequently happens, that little girls box 

\VRESTLIANA. 25 

with great obstinacy. On all these occasions, 
they do not consider it as any disgrace to be overcome and the vanquished person sits down 
with as much indifference as if he had never been 
engaged. Some of our people contended with 
them in both exercises, but were generally worsted." 

It does not seem reasonable that Capt. Cook's 
men should have proved equal to these Islanders 
in exercises which require practice to become 
expert in and probably not one of his crew was 
either a scientific wrestler or boxer. Had that 
been the case, notwithstanding their different 
mode of procuring hold, we have no doubt the 
result would have been in this instance, what it 
always has been, when British prowess has fairly 
and equally been brought into action: — nor 
would the superiority of a Belcher or a Cribb 
have been more conspicuous over these good 
natured Islanders, in the use of their fists, than 
the science of a Nicholson or a Richardson in 
vanquishing, even in their own manner of wrestling, the whole of their heroes in rotation. From 
the preference given to Wrestling, it is evident 
the natives of Tongataboo considered it as the 
less hurtful and dangerous to the combatants 
and affording equal, if not superior scope for the 
display of personal address, activity, and quickness. 

We now come to a date so modern, that we 
will only observe, that previous to the year 
1807, the best display of Wrestling in this 
part of the kingdom was at Melmerby and 
Longwathby two villages in Cumberland, 
but contiguous to Westmorland where a silver cup was sometimes the reward of the victor. In that year a more considerable prize was 

given at Ambleside than had been previously 
known for a length of time. Throughout Cumberland and Westmorland the usual prize had 
dwindled to a leather strap, commonly called a 
Belt scarcely ever exceeding two or three 
shillings in value. But in that year an advertisement containing the offer of five guineas and 
a silver-mounted belt, to the victor, could not 
fail to excite an additional interest in the neighbourhood. This Wrestling at Ambleside was 
chiefly patronized by J. Wilson, Esquire, of Elleray, a gentleman well known in the literary 
world, and we believe connected with a certain 
celebrated monthly publication. This gentleman 
was himself a proficient in athletic exercises, 
particularly leaping but never sported his figure in the ring, we suppose for the same reason 
Alexander the Great assigned which was, because his antagonists were not of equal rank. 
Be that as it will, the Ambleside Wrestling, at 
least the Five Pounds Five, rose and declined 
with him, After four years residence at Elleray 
Mr. Wilson went to reside in Edinburgh and 
however liberal the gentlemen in the vicinity 
might be when influenced by his example, not 
one of them chose to succeed him in the superintendence of the business; and it consequently 
dropped. However as Mr. Wilson has again returned to Elleray, our good friends about Ambleside anticipate the pleasure of witnessing the 
revival of this favorite amusement. 

But whatever interest the Ambleside Wrestling might create, it was nothing in comparison 
to what was excited by an advertisement announcing that twenty guineas would be given to wrestle for at Carlisle Races the same year. This was 
effected solely by the interest and exertion of 

Henry Pearson, Esq. of Carlisle, a steady and 
invariable friend to that amusement who by 
every possible means endeavoured to render it 
as gratifying" and beneficial to the competitors, 
as attractive to the spectators: — and who has 
proved himself on all occasions, as warm and 
disinterested a friend to the Carlisle Wrestling, 
as Mr. Jackson is to Pugilism in the Metropolis. 
Under his patronage the Wrestling became so attractive, that even the horses were deemed a secondary object. The higher classes who attended the Races, including the Earl of Lonsdale, 
and many other distinguished characters, cheerfully, and liberally subscribed towards it. Eight 
guineas were given to the victor, and one guinea 
to the last loser. The victor was then debarred, 
and one chosen in his place to the fifteen last 
standers, and eleven guineas divided amongst 
them, the winner receiving five. In this manner 
the Wrestling continued with great eclat till the 
year 1815, when the last Wrestle was not fairly 
contested. The dissatisfaction occasioned by 
this conduct, was further increased on wrestling 
over for the second prize, when the last men 
could not agree about the hold. In the year 
1816, such universal disapprobation was expressed at the conduct of two or three of the last 
men, owing to some previous agreement amongst 
them, that Mr. Pearson did not think it right to 
give them the money. Owing to this, no contest 
took place for the second prize but a silver cup 
was wrestled for in the Circus, every spectator 
paying sixpence for admittance — but this was 
merely a speculation by the proprietor of the 
Circus, and few gentlemen attended it. In the 
year 1817 no Wrestling took place on the Swifts 
but the proprietor of the Circus gave prizes for 

two successive days. The Wrestling- now lay 
dormant for three years, and the Races were in 
consequence so thinly attended, that it was 
deemed necessary to revive it. The estimation 
hi which it was held was soon manifested by 
more than a double attendance compared with 
those years in which it was discontinued. Mr. 
Pearson was again the principal means of its renewal, and the patronage it has received in 1821 
and 1822, is equal, or rather superior to what it 
ever experienced before. Its attraction now is 
universal. Ladies of distinguished rank, whose 
characters in every respect, are such as the 
breath of calumny has never dared to taint have 
not only become spectators, but expressed their 
approbation of it and the Carlisle Wrestling is 
at this time in possession of higher patronage, 
and more general estimation, than any provincial amusement within the last two hundred 
years. 

The only drawback upon the gratification the 
Carlisle Wrestling has so generally afforded is, 
the confusion attending it, owing to the want of 
some regular and acknowledged mode of proceeding, which should be promptly and invariably acted upon. By this Publication it is hoped 
these difficulties will in future be obviated. The 
Author may without egotism observe, he ought 
to know as much about the subject as any man 
whatever and the method recommended in a 
subsequent part of this Work is, in his opinion, 
the best calculated to give general satisfaction. 
He is well aware, that in a Basis of this kind, it 
is impossible to please all but he fully expects, 
the reasons he has given for adopting every particular rule, will induce all judicious and impartial men to prefer it to all others. 

WRESTLIANA. 2$ 

The circumstance of giving money at Ambleside and Carlisle had a considerable, and what 
seems rather strange, an injurious effect upon 
Wrestling in general. Before that time a Belt 
alone was the envied prize, and there wanted 
no stimulus but the honour of bearing it away to 
attract all the Wrestlers in the vicinity but 
then, money was the cry! and it became so much 
the custom to subscribe for the wrestling, that a 
Belt lost all its consequence and attraction, and 
of course, fewer meetings was the unavoidable 
result for unless five or six, and in some places 
twenty or thirty times the value of a Belt was 
subscribed, it was hooted at by the Wrestlers ! — 
Nor was tiiis the only evil. Money, in this, as in 
many other things, had the effect of causing dissention between those who gave and those who 
received it. The Wrestlers began to fee each other, and a man's price was according- to the 
estimation in which he was held as a Wrestler 
and it has frequently happened that several 
of the best Wrestlers have divided the amount 
amongst them previous to the commencement 
of the sports, and refused to contend with each 
other. 

A considerable prize to wrestle for was given 
at Penrith Races the same year the Carlisle 
Meeting commenced. This was principally owing to Dr. Pearson, who in his youth had himself excelled in that exercise. After the first 
year it began to decrease, and finally died away. 
The Inglewood Hunt and some other causes 
which might be assigned, prevented its flourishing as at Carlisle and Keswick — however last 
year some good wrestling was displayed there, 
and it may probably in a short time revive, and 
even exceed its original splendour. 

30 WRRSTLIANA. 

In the Metropolis, Wrestling- has become a 
source of much attraction. A very elegant Belt 
was formerly annually given to be contended for 
by natives of Cumberland and Westmorland. The 
prize is now increased by the addition of valuable trinkets of different descriptions. — In the vicinity of Whitehaven, the best Wrestling was at 
Arlocdon Moor but the inclosure of that common has now put a stop to it and latterly, it 
has been more encouraged at Distington than 
any other place. 

In the year 1818 the Stewards of Keswick Races gave three guineas to Wrestle for its attraction was beyond all estimation — and the 
sum is now increased to fifteen and report says 
it will at no distant period amount to twenty. 
That truly celebrated Wrestler, Thomas Nicholson, has acted as umpire and owing to his acknowledged judgment and impartiality, the Keswick Wrestling has become second only in numbers and celebrity to that of Carlisle and even 
superior to it, in the gratification it has afforded 
as no disputes have hitherto arisen, of consequence enough to cast any shade upon its popularity. 

Having- brought down this concise History of 
Wrestling to the present time, 1823, a few observations on the different modes of practising it 
will be expected by the generality of our readers. Without entering into any lengthy details, 
we must observe that ever since its institution 
the modes of Wrestling have been as various as 
they are at this time in England and Ireland, 
In Greece, the back hold, as is the general practice in Cumberland and Westmorland — in Lancashire, and in the north of Ireland, collar and 
elbow, or waistband and elbow — in Devonshire* 

both collars — in Cornwall, where the combatants put on canvass jackets, enter the ring, and 
catch where they can and in many places, hold 
of gloves, or the naked hand were all in estimation. In some places we must observe, that the 
fall was not considered fair, unless one combatant threw the other fairly on his back without 
falling- himself. Of all these modes, we must 
contend the arms round the body or shoulders, 
as practiced in Cumberland and Westmorland, is 
the best calculated, not only for preserving the 
combatants from accidents, but for affording 
greater, and more equal scope for that display 
of dexterity and science which constitute the 
highest gratification of the spectators. 

We know there are many, very many, who do 
not understand this noble art, differ widely from 
u.s, particularly as far as regards our second assertion, and characterize our mode as a mere 
trial of brutal strength but as we will advance 
nothing but what we are fully prepared to defend, \ve will, with that candour and impartiality 
which ought to distinguish all writers on any 
science, state the reasons on which we ground 
our opinion, and leave our readers to judge for 
themselves. 

It cannot we think be denied that it is the most 
noble and manly, and we will venture to say, 
the most Englishman-like manner of coping 
with an antagonist, to meet him breast to breast, 
and brave at once his united powers and science. 
It is comparatively like the courageous bull-dog 
which goes at once to the head of the bull and 
the cowardly cur which nibbles at his heels. 
Besides, the closer you stand to your opponent, 
the sinews will be firmer braced, the whole frame 
more compact, and the limbs less liable to sus- 

tain any injury, when in the act of falling and 
indeed that this is the case, is sufficiently proved 
from the paucity of accidents in this county, 
compared with what frequently happens in the 
south, where the looser holds are generally practiced. 

We come now to the point where the strongest 
prejudices militate against us but we trust a due 
consideration will materially reduce the strength 
of the objections so warmly urged against our 
Cumberland mode of Wrestling. It never can be 
supposed by any rational man, that strength and 
weight, are not great advantages in any mode 
of Wrestling or Boxing and consequently, 
that these united with equal science and action, 
will generally produce victory. Now the ways 
of throwing at loose holds, are very limited compared with the other and of course the chances 
of the weaker man are fewer. A good striker, 
chipper, or hooker with the legs or feet, stands 
on no more than equal grounds with a more 
powerful antagonist, when contending with a 
loose, than a close hold. And in hipeing, crossbuttocking, striking with the knee, slipping from 
the breast, and even in throwing an opponent 
quite over the head, modes regularly practised 
in close wrestling, the loose wrestler has no 
chance whatever. The reason of this is evident 
to any reflecting man — in one, the power and 
use of the breast, which is the very centre of 
strength and stamina in man, cannot be brought 
into action; and in the other, is in universal use. 
When a very powerful man grasps a light one, 
if he holds him at a distance, and does not make 
play, he may render him powerless, and never 
give him the shadow of a chance. But with his 
arms round his body or shoulders, the lighter 

man, by feeling, or sustaining1 his weight upon 
his breast, may, with nearly an equal chance of 
success assail him in some direction, for this 
great and decisive reason — the weight of a man 
is no comparative counterpoise to his strength, 
and consequently if the stronger man does not 
choose to exert his powers, his mere weight is 
no material drawback upon an antagonist who is 
at liberty to exert his own. Again, a man of 
tremendous power may by mere strength of arm 
dash a little man to the ground, as we will suppose Douglas did his antagonists but it is a 
well-known fact, that a powerful unscientific 
man taking his opponent from the ground in 
close holds, is the readiest way to lose the fall. 
For his opponent will, by hampering his knees 
or thighs, prevent his throwing him meanwhile 
the close junction of their breasts, not only prevents the effectual use of superior strength, but 
even informs the defendant of every meditated 
arrangement, which his science will enable him 
to render futile thus while the stronger is losing his wind (and wind is strength), his grasp 
will decline this the other will proportionally 
gain till at length obliged to set his adversary 
down, he is generally thrown in a moment. The 
fact of Cass, the victor at the last Carlisle Races, 
a man weighing sixteen stone, having been 
thrown by Rogerson, a little taylor, scarcely 
nine Richard Abbott, about eleven-, winning 
the Purse at Keswick Races in 1821 and Watson, of Torpenhow, having twice thrown the 
powerful and celebrated Weightman, sufficiently establish the truth of the above remark. 

It is true we sometimes witness a more powerful man force in the back of a weaker, but 
this is as much effected by art as strength and 

rarely occurs even when strength is assisted by 
considerable science. The situation in which 
the parties are placed when they take an equal 
hold of each other, is a sufficient bar to strength 
effecting any such purpose when opposed to superior science thus Weightman, assisted by seven inches in height, three stone of weight, and 
considerable science, could not force in the back 
of Watson and such is the effect of science over 
strength, Rogerson has often been known to 
force men of thirteen stone weight on their 
knees ! 

We will likewise illustrate the advantages of 
close wrestling by the following fact — In the 
height of our celebrity we were acquainted with 
an Irishman, who in his own country had carried every thing before him at collar and elbow. 
He was five feet eleven inches high, more than 
fourteen stone weight, and one of the best made 
men in the kingdom. We must acknowledge he 
was so much our master at collar and elbow, as 
generally to gain two falls out of three, and 
sometimes four out of six but with the superiority of strength and weight, with close holds, 
which he was as much accustomed to as we were 
to the other, he was a mere play-thing nor 
could he ever rise superior to defeat in contending with a second-rate Wrestler of ten stone 
yet this man laughed at the idea of any twelve 
stone man in existence vanquishing him in his 
own mode of Wrestling and to corroborate 
this, we will venture a beef-steak and a bottle of 
porter, that if a dozen of the best loose-hold 
Wrestlers in the kingdom be brought to the next 
Carlisle Races, they will be thrown too easily to 
excite any interest; and if the trial be made, many 
of the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestlers 
will find them sufficient work in their own way. 

In Sparta, three thousand years ago, we read 
that young women wrestled naked before assemblies of the people, and it was the general practice long after that time to besmear the bodies of 
the competitors with oil. In the early history of 
our own country we likewise find it was customary to engage in athletic exercises with a very 
slight — and sometimes without any covering 
Wrestling therefore seems to be one of the few 
amusements in which we trace the gradual progress of science and civilization, without any 
diminution of gallant bearing or heroism in its 
performance. In preparing themselves for the 
contest, our modern Wrestlers never encroach 
upon decorum so much, but that any lady may 
witness it without feeling her delicacy in the 
least danger of being wounded by it and notwithstanding the Munchausen stories of its brutality and terrific consequences to those engaged, 
it is fifty to one against any accident of consequence occurring and in fact this amusement will 
be found by all who are willing to receive proofs 
for prejudices, much less injurious, and more free 
from danger of bodily harm, than any other exercise whatever but as this point will receive 
due consideration in its proper place, we will 
close this part of our subject, and proceed to 
compare Wrestling with other amusements of 
the present day. 

A Philosophical Dissertation on Wrestling, 
compared with other Amusements of the present day. 

As we will always contend that those exercises 
in which Man alone is implicated, must be the 
most truly noble and scientific in their nature, 
we will commence this part of our subject with 
comparing Wrestling- and Pugilism a sport 
which has for some time acquired the name 
of a science, and which all those who have 
read Boxiana, will not doubt has acquired most 
distinguished patronage amongst even Nobility 
itself. But truly, in what manner it can be 
deemed to rival Wrestling as an amusement, we 
are totally at a loss to imagine. It is true, its attraction is evinced by the immense crouds which 
collect to witness it, but its interest to many is 
the sum they are to gain or lose by the event: the 
fear of an interruption, the distance to, and difficulty of ascertaining the spot where the contest will actually take place, and the illegality of 
the thing itself, must all operate as drawbacks on 
the gratification derived from witnessing it. But 
these difficulties overcome, what follows ? One 
single contest, or if you please, trial of skill a 
short, or probably a protracted one, is generally the whole inducement. If the former, an 
overpowering superiority, want of game in ogie 
of the combatants, or a blow, if not fatal, so 
dreadful in its effects as to deprive the receiver 
of his recollection, and prevent his coming to 
time all things in themselves incapable of exciting any sensation of pleasure in the spectators^ 

are all that can be witnessed; if the latter, a 
succession of knock-down blows, and the bloody 
and disfigured appearance of the performers, 
must considerably alloy the gratification arising 
from their science and skill, and excite in every 
generous and humane breast, the strongest emotions of commiseration and pity for the Pugilists. 
That this both is, and will be the case, we may 
confidently appeal to Boxiana itself, in all reports of what are termed sporting fights. To 
this source only can be traced what is called the 
humanity and consideration of Mr. Jackson, in 
collecting money to compensate the efforts, and 
reward the bravery, or to speak more correctly, 
the sufferings of the combatants. Again while 
we admire the courageous spirit of the Pugilist 
which leads him to acts of what may even in 
one sense be called heroism, we must admit 
that he is at the same time the hireling of gambling opinion the being who by undergoing a 
course of training to enable him to exhibit himself more to the advantage of his — we had almost said owners — but backers is the term usually, appropriated by the sporting world to his 
employers, degrades himself to the condition of 
the game-cock, the race-horse, or many other 
animals of the brute creation. 

In fact, whatever attraction Boxing may possess the immense sums depending on any capital match between celebrated men, will fully 
warrant us in asserting gambling to be one of 
the principal. And however friendly we may 
be to an exhibition with the gloves, acquiring 
the means of defence when attacked, or additional power of repelling an unprovoked insult, 
we cannot, although a strenuous admirer of the 
eloquence of Mr. Egan, coalesce with him in 

D 

his conclusions that professed Pugilism has any 
tendency to prevent assassination, or to be in its 
nature a more equal, or manly manner, than 
sword or pistol of settling1 those disputes in 
which neither party can, without making the 
cure worse than the disease, appeal to the law. 
Assassination can never obtain any advocates 
for its support in a country renowned for the 
bravery of its inhabitants; and when we consider the great difference that may probably be in 
the age, make, and size of the parties who quarrol, we cannot hesitate to pronounce Boxing 
inferior. A scientific man, or one so much superior to another in age, strength, or other advantages, as to put science out of the question, 
might insult him, and ridicule the idea of giving 
him satisfaction, if there were no alternative but 
Boxing for it. But if the rank of the parties, 
and the spirit of the weaker, rendered such a 
result probable a man however strong, or gifted with boxing requisites, might pause as much, 
or more so, before he insulted any fellow-creature however diminutive in person, as if he were 
his equal in every particular as a bullet would 
make no distinction between them. We are no 
advocate for duelling, we even think the practice cannot be vindicated in a Christian country 
by any provocation but if a man's feelings be 
so wounded that he will have satisfaction, we 
would advise him to prefer it either to assassination, or boxing a man who is morally certain to 
#;ive him a severe thrashing. 

We acknowledge we do not object to boxing 
when the parties consider themselves on a level, 
and which is the better man in that respect, is 
the cause of quarrel and if a little science be 
displayed in bringing the matter to a conclusion, 

we own we like it the better, and fully coincide 
with Mr. Egan, that it is a much better way of 
settling such disputes, than having recourse to 
knives, sticks, or any other weapon whatever. 

But professed Pugilism is gambling. The men 
are brought to the ring, comparatively like oxen 
to the slaughter but with this material difference — one are brought to gratify the curiosity, 
or gambling propensities of the public; the other 
for a more substantial and necessary motive— -to 
fill their bellies ! 

It is asserted there are many praise-worthy 
characters, not only among the admirers of Pugilism, but among the Pugilists themselves. Admitting it to be the case, is it not a strange inconsistency in human nature, that men entitled 
to that character can find any amusement in 
witnessing wrhat is supposed to be a good fight ? 
We saw the battle between Carter and Oliver at 
Gretna Green, and we will extract from Boxiana 
a few particulars of it. As early as the fourth 
round we are informed, the head of Oliver 
was terrifically hideous, the blood pouring down 
in torrents — his body and back completely scored with the ropes, occasioned by his struggles 
to resist the iron grasp of Carter, and to get 
away from that desperate fibbing punishment 
which had been so liberally administered to him 
by the superior strength of his opponent." 

After fighting twenty more rounds in this situation, we are told Oliver's head was so hideously disfigured that all former traces of it were 
gone and Carter's nob a little altered from its 
originality." After these sublime specimens of 
attractive eloquence, eight more rounds are 
fought, and then comes the climax — which is 
word for word as follows — Nature had been 

40 WllESTLIANA. 

pushed to the farthest extremity the human, 
frame could bear, the vital powers were nearly 
extinct — defeat seemed to operate-so much upon 
his mind that he fought till his pulse was hardly 
found to vibrate — and in the last six rounds, during; which he had not the least shadow of a 
chance, he persevered till all recollection of the 
scene in which he had been so actively engaged 
had totally left him. In the thirty-second round 
he was taken out of the ring in a state of stupor, 
and completely deprived of vision— -his body and 
back were shockingly lacerated all over, from his 
struggling so much upon the ropes; and, in point 
of fact, much as righting men may have suffered 
in former battles, the situation to which Oliver 
was reduced, it appears, exceeded them all. The 
battle lasted forty-six minutes. He was taken 
and put to bed at Longtown, four miles from the 
ring, and in consequence of the vast quantity of 
blood he had lost in the contest, added to his exhausted state, the surgeons who were called in to 
attend upon him, deemed it highly dangerous he 
should be bled." 

After these extracts the generality of our readers will be at a loss to imagine what constitutes 
the amusement at a prize fight. If Carter and 
Oliver relished it, the latter surely could not fail 
to be delighted in this instance, as he got perfectly satisfied. Carter likewise could not find 
any fault, yet he was supposed to have no great 
taste for altered nobs" and such little particularities. 

As for the spectators, those who won called it 
a (jood fight, and those who lost a bad one. The 
former therefore were well amused, and the latter found no amusement in it. The account of 
liie fight is with the exception of one particular, 

very correct: — it was as early as the eleventh', 
and not in the twentieth round, that Oliver put 
in the tremendous body-blow which occasioned 
for two or three minutes the only delightful sensation his friends experienced during the whole 
contest. Previous to the act of closing, in many 
rounds there certainly was much science displayed by the combatants and we do not hesitate to say, that Carter's quickness gave him a 
manifest superiority in that respect over his opponent who, while he endeavoured to give 
greater effect to his blows, was too slow in delivering them — but when closed, it was the 
strength only of Carter which gave him the advantage. In point of throwing, nothing which 
could be called a cross-buttock occurred between 
them. Carter, indeed, did sometimes succeed in 
getting his left leg across both Oliver's, and dragging him over it but to apply the term science 
to that part of the contest would be ridiculous. 

But putting loss and gain out of the question, 
what great satisfaction could the impartial spectators derive from witnessing such spectacles as 
these quotations allude to ? The fight we quote 
from, greatly resembles in its prominent features 
all those which are termed good fights. One of 
the men, and sometimes both, are obliged to be 
carried, or at least supported out of the ring, — 
and the next question that naturally occurs is, 
what cause induced them to come there ? The 
fact is, there was no previous quarrel between 
the individuals in question but Carter thought 
he could get two hundred Guineas, and considerably advance his future prospects by beating Oliver and Oliver entertained' the same sentiments respecting Carter. The monied men 
differed in opinion what would be the result of 
D3 

42 "WRESTLIANA 

such a meeting1, and «ach party supposed they 
could afford that price out of the money they felt 
inclined to risk on the issue. Accordingly we 
are informed by Boxiana, that the backers of 
Carter presented him with fifty guineas in addition to the battle-money, which was two hundred more. These sums, and the expense of 
training would probably amount to three hundred Pounds ! 

As for Oliver, Boxiana remarks That Mr. 
Jackson was not at Carlisle, and it was observed, 
that the losing man was not the better for his absence which is tantamount to saying, Mr. 
Jackson was not present to have begged more 
money for him than his disappointed backers 
could probably afford. The attraction of modern 
Pugilism therefore is, either gambling, or the 
pleasure of witnessing two men beat »?ach other 
till one of them can no longer meet him at the 
scratch. — This is the true philosophical view of 
the subject, when fairly examined, and divested 
of the superficial adornments in which it is enveloped by its admirers. 

Let us now revert to Wrestling and carefully 
scrutinizing it in the same manner we have done 
Boxing, compare the two exercises together 
and freely stating our own opinion, leave our 
readers at full liberty to form their own judgment. In witnessing a prize Wrestled for, instead of one contest only, there are generally 
from thirty to forty, or sixty to eighty. Those, 
who by better fortune, or superior dexterity, 
throw their opponent the first time over, meet in 
the second, a partial victor like themselves and 
then Greek meets Greek" in succession, till at 
length, all his competitors vanquished, either by 
himself or in rotation by those he has thrown, 

the conqueror (like Alexander the Great) has 
no more to vanquish. 

Our literary readers will immediately recognize in this amusement what is always allowed 
by critics and connoiseurs to constitute the highest gratification a spectator can experience. 
That piece only is considered perfect which progressively advances in interest till it arrives at 
the denouement which evincing the same masterly genius, the satisfaction of the audience is 
complete. In this point of view, Wrestling as 
an amusement stands unrivalled and alone. The 
spectator who knows no more of his own language when written or printed, than he does of 
Hebrew, fully demonstrates the truth of this assertion by the increased interest he feels in every 
succeeding round till arrived at the last, that 
one fall interests him much more than any of the 
preceding. In this respect Pugilism is so far 
from admitting of any comparison with Wrestling, that even the single contest it dwindles to 
is very defective. The greatest interest it excites is at the commencement, when the men are 
in full vigour, and exerting all their science and 
action to obtain the first advantage. As the 
combat advances these become less obvious, 
blows and blood are more conspicious and as 
they are fully expected as a matter of course, — 
commiseration (a very singular kind of pleasure 
to court as an amusement) begins to supersede 
gratification and when the fight terminates, that 
feeling is absorbed by pity for the loser in the 
breast of every spectator but those whose loss or 
gain make them callous to every feeling of humanity. Wrestling has never yet (at least in 
this country) become a subject of gambling speculation. The trifles sported by the spectators 

are never an object of much consideration and 
neither commiseration nor pity, are at all likely 
to be excited by witnessing- it. The Wrestlers 
walk out of the ring as free from injury as when 
they entered it — and let us now make the same 
inquiry we did respecting- the Pugilists what 
brings them there ? We answer — a desire to rival the renown of former heroes ! That generous and irresistible spirit of emulation which 
led Knights to the princely tournament, and 
from thence to signalize themselves in the service of their country ! The Wrestlers come like 
Orlando, to prove the strength of their youth," 
and to convince the spectators that their science, 
spirit, and activity correspond with it. 

If the Wrestler meets an equal opponent, 
 chance may place the laurel on his head, or 
tear it from his brow if the/ormer, his fame is 
advanced— the desire of further conquests inspires him with additional courage, and when 
he falls, he falls like some of Ossian's heroes, 
 with his fame around him :"— -if the latter, uninjured in person, pocket, or character what 
has a brave mind to regret ? He has done his 
best fortune," said the Prussian hero, is a 
slippery jade, another time I shall do better." 
He came there the hireling of no one he came 
like a free-born Englishman, to what characterizes a real English amusement— for his own gratification, and to contribute to that of others 
as he probably never flattered himself with the 
hope of being ultimately victorious where so many contended he may indeed have been foiled 
sooner than he expected, but defeat is certainly 
a strong expression for one so circumstanced. 
If he meet with an antagonist superior in strength 
or science, he is generally thrown if that be 

the case, it is no more than he expected, and no 
stigma whatever is attached to the circumstance; 
on the contrary, he will often observe with much 
complacency, I plagued him more than he expected," or, it is an honour to be thrown by 
him." Should he chance to win the fall, so 
much the better. If thrown by an inferior antagonist, he is laughed at by his friends, and 
vows he will take better care another time," 
and that is the worst. In short, his observations 
may be as various as the situations which occasion them,-— and these equally so as the contests that must take place before a prize is won. 
To entertain a company, variety is always an auxiliary, often requisite, and sometimes indispensable. To constitute an amusement, uncertainty 
and expectation are two essential requisites and 
these, unalloyed by any painful feeling, can 
alone produce gratification. In all these qualifications, Wrestling is eminently superior to any 
other amusement. The contests are many, and 
varied in their mode of termination. In single 
trials by men in full vigour, the result is sufficiently uncertain. Men distinguished by superior strength, or science, are certainly expected 
to win as the victor will invariably be possessed 
of one or both of these qualifications and any 
accidents likely to interrupt the satisfaction of the 
spectators will very rarely occur. In all these 
parallels, we presume few will be found to dispute the superiority of Wrestling over Boxing. 
If Wrestling be called the mere act of one man 
throwing another down the science displayed, 
and the manner of doing it, may reasonably be 
supposed to excite the interest, and gratify the 
curiosity of the spectators and this we have always supposed constituted an amusement. But 

if on the same ground we call Boxing the mere 
act of one man beating another till he is disfigured with blood, and unable to stand, although 
science may be displayed in the performance, 
yet we are compelled to acknowledge it is a barbarous act, and we envy not the feelings of those 
who find any amusement in it. 

There are some wiseacres, who, as if they had 
studied the means of furnishing other men with 
reasons for denominating them — Pshaw ! the 
word is an ugly one, and we will leave our readers to suppose what it is — will gravely inform 
you, that Wrestling injures a man more than 
fighting ! Should we ask these geniuses for 
reasons, we would probably receive such an 
answer as Falstaff gave when pressed for them 
 What, upon compulsion! no; if reasons were 
as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man 
a reason on compulsion !" In many prizes, the 
victor generally vanquishes five or six opponents and probably wrestles some hundred falls 
within the year. In fighting, one opponent is 
generally sufficient for two or three months and 
we would suppose one hundred a tolerable supply for life for any ordinary man. In Wrestling, 
the man who is thrown is ready for another trial 
the next minute in fighting, the beaten man 
has often more occasion for a chaise to convey 
him home, a Doctor to prescribe for him, and a 
nurse for a week. 

In science only, will Boxing and Wrestling 
admit of any comparison — and were we to 
substitute five or seven throws, for one, which is 
all that is allowed in contending for a prize, we 
believe it would be difficult to assign the superiority to either. But the limited duration of a single fall renders a momentary advantage often 

decisive, which in a number, or in boxing, is in 
future guarded against and strength and size 
regain a certain preponderance, according as 
they are united with, or opposed to, science and 
action. Thus Richard Abbot, weighing little 
more than eleven stone, who won the prize at 
Keswick in 1821, undoubtedly threw two or 
three men upwards of thirteen, with whom he 
would stand no manner of chance three falls out 
of five but who ever dreamt that Dutch Sam, 
or Tom Belcher, though phenomena, could have 
beaten Jem Belcher, or the Game Chicken ! or 
that the Nonpareil Randall, could beat Neat ! 

It maybe urged that Dutch Sam beat several 
Pugilists two stone above his own weight and 
that Jem Belcher, under thirteen, beat Gamble, 
and was for some time the unrivalled Champion 
of England. These instances, though convincing proofs of science and good manhood in 
Boxing, do not entitle that exercise to claim any 
superiority over Wrestling, in which such instances are by no means uncommon. If asked to 
produce them, we need only refer to Thomas Nicholson (about the weight of Jem Belcher) winning at Carlisle for three successive years James 
Fawcett, about eleven, winning at Melmerby for 
seven years or to the circumstance of Thomas 
Todd, about twelve stone, throwing last year at 
Carlisle John Fearon, of Gilcrux, weighing1 seventeen, who possessed science enough to throw 
the celebrated Weightman and likewise John 
Liddle, fourteen stone, an acknowledged firstrate Wrestler. Nor is there any doubt, but any 
of these men, and numerous others we could 
mention, would vanquish in any number of trials, 
men as far above their weight, and rating as 
high in point of science, as those beat by Sam, 
Belcher, or any other Pugilist whatever. 

The means of acquiring perfection in boxing 
and wrestling- are equal. We often find light 
weights comparatively the best in either exercise and men about thirteen, or between that 
and fourteen stone, the acknowledged champions ! because these latter acquire science 
enough to throw, or beat lighter men and are 
so much superior in that respect to very heavy 
men, as to render a few stones of no great importance. It is true there may be some few exceptions but James Belcher, Henry Pearce, 
John Gully, and many others are undeniable 
evidences of the truth of the remark on one side; 
and Thomas Nicholson, William Richardson, and 
with these celebrated names we might without 
egotism quote our own, on the other all of 
whom no twelve stone man in the world was 
able to vanquish, except by mere accident. We 
could with propriety quote many other names, 
both boxers and wrestlers to strengthen the remark, but the above are sufficient. The principle upon which this fact is grounded, is sufficiently clear and natural 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 science, and varied and 
effective action are indispensably necessary; and 
neither of these requisites can possibly be acquired without practice of every description. What 
we mean by practice of every description is, 
practice with superiors, equals, and inferiors, 
both in respect of science and weight and to 
form a complete master, such practice is absolutely necessary. It is easy for light weights, 
and not difficult for men of from thirteen to fourteen stone, to find opponents of all these des- 

criptions but very rare for those above that 
weight to find equals or superiors willing- to engage with them and hence their deficiency in 
science and action for in those critical moments 
either of attack or defence, when nice distinctions are not only necessary, but often decisive 
of a contest that less than momentary recollection and scientific rapidity of action which has 
frequently been the means of winning and 
losing, and consequently with which one party 
is perfectly at home is totally wanting in the 
other. Thus it is almost impossible a very heavy 
man can acquire the science and action of one above the middle size; but the insuperable bar is 
removed between the latter and the light 
weights. 

Having thus at considerable length defined 
the difference between Wrestling and Boxing1, 
it will not be necessary to dwell much upon the 
former, in future comparisons. But before we 
entirely take leave of this part of the subject, 
we cannot help observing the great difficulty we 
unavoidably labour under, in adapting our language to the comprehension of one class of our 
readers, and the satisfaction of others: — and, 
possibly, like the old man and his ass, by endeavouring to please every body, we may please 
nobody, and give our labour into the bargain. 
There is likewise another difficulty which we 
have been compelled to submit to that is, in 
speaking of W7restlers and Wrestling^ we have 
often, to avoid repetition, been obliged to adopt 
the boxing phrases such as combatants, vanquished, antagonists, &c. which, although generally used, are strictly applicable to those contests only, in which two men oppose each other 
to extremity and therefore seem harsh when 
E 

Applied to an exercise like Wrestling, in which 
men oppose each other for amusement. 

Leaping and Running are both exercises 
which admit of few comparisons. We do not 
wish to depreciate either but to compare them 
as interesting amusements to Wrestling, would 
be ridiculous. It is certainly a desirable thing 
to outstrip our competitors in any exercise and 
therefore to excel in leaping has been an object 
of ambition to many but the interest it excites 
is comparatively small, as it is entirely destitute 
of any appendage to recommend it to the patronage of the public. It is also generally allowed 
to be more injurious to the frame than Wrestling, 
owing to the great stress the act of springing necessarily imposes on the belly and intestines. 
As it is never classed among those which are 
deemed manly exercises, to dwell much upon it 
would be superfluous. 

Running is an exercise, which, like Leaping, 
has been for some years gradually declining in 
Cumberland and Westmorland a convincing 
proof of the little interest they are calculated to 
excite. In these counties they were formerly 
in considerable repute and till within these few 
years, (and sometimes yet) a pair of gloves to 
leap for, and a hat to run for, were usually given at all petty races, cellar-openings, public 
bridals, fiddler wakes (commonly called hakes), 
annual sports, <fec. where a belt to wrestle for 
was the principal attraction. Those who wished to attain any celebrity in Running devoted 
much more time to prepare themselves for that 
performance, than is required to leap or wrestle as it was usual to undergo a course of training to prepare themselves for it. Running is, 
in itself, a thing perhaps more essentially useful 

to those who excel in it than Leaping, or even 
Wrestling- itself; but as an amusement, either to 
those who practise it, or to spectators, vastly inferior to Wrestling. It has, however, in all ages, 
and in many countries, been held in great repute yet, notwithstanding, speed has latterly, 
in some places, been made a subject of gambling 
speculation it is perhaps less practised at this 
present time, than at any other period. In all 
exercises there is an object of competition. In 
Running, that object is superior speed. Viewing Leaping or Running philosophically, tlu 
true state of the matter is simply this — the man 
who wins, and those who lose, perform exactly 
the same thing but the victors leap a few inches farther, or run a certain distance, one, or perhaps a few moments sooner than those who lose. 
Neither exercise admits of much variety a jump 
(the common substitute for leap in Cumberland) 
is a jump, and a race is a race this the spectators know they must witness and the sameness 
that pervades the whole is only varied by the uncertainty of winning. As we remarked before, 
those who do wrin perform nothing but the same 
thing the losers do, excepting what we before 
observed. In Wrestling the case is quite reversed; the action is varied; and the winner 
stands — the loser falls. To sum up the diiference of the three exercises at once, and to scrutinize Leaping and Running, as we have before 
done in regard to Wrestling and Boxing, we 
shall only observe, that horses ande?o</s can leap 
or run but men only can wrestle. 

Football is an exercise which has dwindled 

down to nothing, compared to the estimation in 

which it was formerly held. The Sabbath, 

though confessedly an improper one, wras the 

E2 

day on which it was generally practised. Villages, parishes, and frequently three or four united, 
opposed others annually on some particular Sunday afternoon to carry away the ball from the 
scene of action to their own side of the county 
was the avowed object of their ambition. The 
contest was often extremely violent, and seldom 
decided till some individual, and frequently several, had received severe bodily harm. These 
meetings which were common all over this county thirty years ago, are now very rare. For many miles round Whitehaven, all traces of them 
are obliterated but in some parts of the north 
of Ireland, they still flourish in their pristine vigour. When a select number of good players 
are chosen from either side, no contest whatever 
requires more dexterity, action, and vigour. It 
then may be termed a combination of loose 
wrestling, kicking, and running. It is usual in 
some parts of Ireland in a contest between twro 
counties, to make choice of the twelve best men 
in each, to decide (like the Horatii and Curiatii) 
the fate of the whole district. The champions 
are drawn up opposite to each other, and every 
man grasps the hand of his particular opponent. 
The ball is then thrown up so as to preserve the 
equality of the parties, and an instantaneous 
struggle to throw each other and reach the ball 
first, immediately takes place :— as that party 
which gains the most falls will outnumber the 
other at the first onset, the greater prospect of 
ultimate success is thus determined by the previous wrestling. Contested in this manner, football would prove an attractive amusement in any 
part of the kingdom. — One of the most extraordinary exhibitions of football which can possibly 
be witnessed, annually takes place on Easter 

^Tuesday at Workington. The contest is between 
j he high and the low part of the town and so 
jnuch interest does it excite, that there are few 
'nhabitants of the town who do not express some 
inxiety for the event. The great concourse of 
spectators, amongst whom are many strangers 
and residents of the adjacent neighbourhood, 
who come purposely to witness the sport and the 
number who take an active part in the play, render any attempt to kick the ball out of the question. Throwing it therefore is the only method 
that can be practised and it is a work both of 
danger and difficulty to get possession of the 
ball, and regain a position from which it can be 
thrown, as the person attempting it is generally 
grasped and assailed by three or four antagonists, who are by no means dilatory or sparing 
in saluting him with a few friendly kicks or cuffs' 
before he can achieve it. The eager and incessant cries of up with her," and down with 
her," as well from the players, as spectators of 
both sexes, during a struggle to get possession of 
the ball the huzzas which the sight of it always 
occasions; and the multitudes of all descriptions 
of people who crowd the immediate eminences 
which command a view of the place of action, — 
form altogether, a scene highly amusing and picturesque. It not unfrequently happens that the 
ball is thrown into the river Derwent (a favorite 
object with the down players); at such times, neither the depth nor rapidity of the water appear 
any obstacle to those who are thorough-bred 
and many a complete ducking is the inevitable 
consequence before the up party can transfer the 
object of contention to terra firma. It has sometimes happened that the content has been so 
equal and obstinate, that the ball has been divi- 

E3 

ded on the ground and consequently neither 
party acknowledged defeat. When the contest 
terminates, the scene of action is deserted for 
some time after which numbers readjourn to the 
ground, when wrestling closes the sports of the 
day. The superiority of wrestling over footballplaying as an amusement, is evident in the following particulars: — fewer accidents occur in it; 
and victory, which in wrestling is the enviable 
distinction due to one individual only in football is equally claimed by one half of the wrhole 
competitors. The great difference this occasions 
may be illustrated by supposing two individuals, 
one a celebrated wrestler, and the other a distinguished football-player, present at any place of 
amusement where there is a large collection of 
people the wrestler will be noticed and gazed at 
by almost every person present while the other 
will be regarded with comparative indifference. 
We do not say the wrestler regards this as an enviable distinction but such is the preponderance 
over human nature, of the maxim aut Caesar, 
aut nihil. The wrestler copes singly with one 
opponent; the football-player may be assailed 
by three or four antagonists at one time. Wrestling, as a rotative amusement, is calculated for 
exhibition in assemblies however large. Football, 
where all the players are engaged at once, requires a more large and open space of ground 
than can possibly be kept clear of interruption 
when a large crowd is assembled. 

Most of the observations we have applied to 
football-playing, will equally affect the athletic 
diversion of cricket, and all other games where a 
great number of players are engaged at once. 
Whatever dexterity they require, the numbers 
engaged prevent in a great measure their public 

exhibition, and involve the fortune of the best and 
most scientific player engaged, with the blunders 
and incapability of the most ignorant. It is true, 
men are opposed to men but certainly not exactly in the same manly manner as when opposed 
to each other in wrestling. The very names 
which distinguish these diversions, likewise inform us that the dexterity displayed in the kicking, striking, or hurling a ball, is the criterion of 
excellence in them. In the northern counties of 
England they are seldom practised. Those persons who would relish such amusements, cannot 
possibly find time, place, or opportunity to practise them and those who possess all these have 
no inclination to avail themselves of them. 

The gallant and scientific game of Single Stick, 
so much practised in many parts of Ireland, and 
some of the southern counties in England, is totally unknown in Cumberland and Westmorland. 
This game may certainly be termed as scientific, 
and calculated for placing the combatants on 
terms of equality, as much, or perhaps more so, 
than any other. In it, as in wrestling, every individual stands for himself only and if he prove 
victorious, the merit is exclusively his own. The 
performers when a prize is played for, will seldom 
be numerous, as very few, excepting those who 
flatter themselves with the hope of ultimate victory, will enter the lists. A broken head, and a 
few remembrancers elsewhere, are things not 
generally relished. But the principal things we 
can with propriety urge in favor of wrestling 
over this gallant and hardy exercise, are, first, 
that one may be termed the science, or knowledge of one particular artificial weapon and 
the other, the science of manhood only, without 
the aid of any artificial instrument whatever 

56 \VRESTLIANA. 

and secondly, the national propensity of Englishmen to grapple with their antagonists. Thus 
however much we may admire the manoeuvres of 
a Wellington in choosing his ground, — stationing 
his men, — and evincing during an action his 
thorough knowledge of the whole art of war 
and however we may exult in the steadiness of 
the men themselves, the precision of their fire, 
and their expertness in those tactics which are 
often a means of insuring victory we always 
dwell with enthusiasm on those particular parts 
where our countrymen have been engaged with 
the bayonet — it is then only that we feel that 
proud and extatic feeling which makes us firmly 
believe the national and characteristic proverb — 
 that one Englishman can beat three Frenchmen." 

We come now to the consideration of amusements of quite another description to those we 
have hereto fore commented upon. We mean those 
sports in which animals, and not men, are the 
principal performers; consequently, although 
they may prove as entertaining to many, as those 
before treated of; yet they must certainly be 
accounted by all, less noble and manly, both in 
their nature and tendency. As we cannot however class them under one head, we shall therefore offer a few observations on some of the most 
distinguished separately. 

Horse-racing, in which this nation still continues to excel the whole world, and which was 
for a long time considered almost exclusively 
our own, is a favourite amusement with all who 
can spare time and money to witness it in any 
degree of perfection. The beauty and speed of 
that noble animal, and the alternate advantages 
which sometimes occur in a well-contested race, 

are no doubt very powerful motives of attraction 
to all ranks of people. It is difficult to imagine 
how any number of men calling themselves the 
representatives of a free and powerful nation, 
could arrogate to themselves, and to those of 
equal rank, an exclusive right to enjoy any diversion from which the majority of their constituents were debarred. Yet, however partial to 
the amusement, without a man can afford to run 
a horse or fight a main of cocks, for fifty pounds, 
he must do it either in contempt, or open defiance of a law, so arbitrary as to give to the rich 
only, a legal right to partake of these two amusements. However, those of the poorer class who 
are addicted to these sports, contrive to amuse 
themselves in a way more adapted to their circumstances. They advertise their meetings for 
matches of fifty pounds, and a purse, which it is 
sufficiently understood constitutes the real sum 
and by way of striking even with their superiors, 
debar any horse which has started for fifty 
pounds, matches and sweepstakes excepted. 
Horse-racing however is, independent of any 
drawback upon it, a very precarious and uncertain diversion. In races of any celebrity, 
even the knowing ones are seldom certain what 
horses will actually start and more uncertain 
whether they will all equally try to win. This 
depends altogether on the betting speculations, 
or caprice of the owners of every horse entitled 
to run. Thus the favorite horse is often kept 
back, and his rider ordered to lose the first heat. 
It is therefore manifestly the interest of his owner, and those initiated into the secret, to conceal the circumstance from the great majority, 
and make the most of their superior means of 
information. When this is the case we cannot 

call it better than pocket picking and that ignorance which prevails amongst the majority 
of the spectators as to the expected issue, and 
even the supposed expectation of the more knowing, must greatly detract from the gratification 
the diversion would otherwise afford. 

At petty races where the contending horses 
are termed leather-platers, an honest and wellcontested race is seldom witnessed. The great majority of the spectators when conversing about 
them, will frequently observe, they expected 
nothing better, but came to see the Wrestling/' 
When what are termed very considerable subscriptions are run for in this county, the attendance is not proportioned by the expected races: 
— thus at Keswick, the Wrestling is the acknowledged grand source of attraction — and even at 
Carlisle, where the King's Hundred is given, independent of large subscriptions there was not 
last year, except in one solitary instance, any 
amusement expected, as many of the knowing 
ones were certain of every other result. With 
such a drawback upon the ostensible cause of 
the meeting, a very circumscribed attendance 
might have been anticipated. But on the morning of the Wrestling, the many thousands flocking to the scene of action, sufficiently testified 
the interest that amusement excited, without any 
other inducement whatever and so far will 
those, who will without making any invidious 
distinction, fairly compare these amusements, 
and the feelings they may naturally excite be 
from wondering at this decided preference, 
that they will rejoice at it. After what we have 
already advanced respecting Wrestling in different parts of this treatise, there is no occasion 
at present to enlarge upon its tendency to pro- 

mote a generous spirit of emulation, which must 
in all its consequences, prove highly advantageous in a national point of view. 

It is far, very far from our purpose, to depreciate any amusement on the contrary, it is our 
wish to give every one of them, every iota of 
merit to which they can possibly be entitled. 
But at the same time, we have pledged ourselves 
to view them philosophically that is, to strip 
them of every superficial ornament, and consider 
them as they really are in themselves. Consistent with this principle, we hesitate not to pronounce the horse a very useful — and what many 
have called him — a noble animal — we readily 
acknowledge it is important to preserve, and if 
possible, improve our, own distinguished breed, 
which is universally allowed to be the best in the 
world — willingly subscribe to the doctrine that 
Horse-racing is one of the most efficient means 
of doing so; — and even from our own experience, testify the delight a well-contested race is 
capable of producing. But allowing all this, we 
are obliged to ask, what hath delighted us ? That 
which is the characteristic meed of the winning 
horse ! One irrational animal, goaded by wrhip 
and spurs, has run three or four miles in perhaps 
less than a moment's space of time, sooner than 
another ! Possibly a substantial gratification to 
his owner, and perhaps a few other interested individuals, who may have won some hundreds of 
pounds by the circumstance but consequently 
a source of mortification, disappointment, and 
regret, to those who have lost it. 

But again what great achievement hath been 
performed, to inspire in the breasts of the spectators any laudable desire of emulation ? Truly, 

gine himself in the situation of a horse ! his owner is another matter. Many of equal rank, or 
fortune, may wish to possess such an animal, and 
strive to acquire others which may at some future opportunity excel it but amongst the majority such a wish is vain it is no other than 
that of possessing equal means of procuring 
one. 

We proceed now to the consideration of an 
amusement essentially different from Horse-racing and perhaps the most popular in all ages 
of any upon record — we need scarcely say we 
mean Hunting. In different countries, there are 
different objects of pursuit and various motives 
for pursuing them. In some countries they 
hunt for subsistence, — in some for safety, — and 
in others for pleasure only. In the United 
Kingdom, the last is the only motive and generally speaking, the objects are three— the stag, 
the fox, and the hare. Of these, the hare is 
the most general and therefore we will make 
that animal the more immediate object of our 
consideration in the observations we will make 
respecting hunting. Hunting is equally esteemed 
as an exercise as well as an amusement, combining two of the greatest earthly blessings, — 
health and pleasure and we will not detract 
from the pleasure it affords, by stingily urging 
the consequences which may result from the pursuit of it such as overheating, catching cold, 
breaking a limb, or possibly a neck, &c. What 
spectacle can be more animated and alluring 
than a well-attended chase ? The sight and music of the dogs, eagerly followed, directed, and 
encouraged by horse and footmen, form such an 
overpowering combination of incidents as supersedes by its irresistible impulse almost every other 

WRESTLIANA. 1 

consideration ! The traveller and the labourer, 
the gentleman and the beggar, will all equally 
gaze on the enchanting scene, and often tempted by its magic influence, deviate from their immediate avocation for the pleasure of witnessing 
it a few moments longer. But does the sight 
instil into the breast of any generous and reflecting man one praise-worthy sentiment, or furnish 
him with any example of noble or manly emulation ? Alas! no. We fear when duly considered, it is a striking proof of the frailty of 
man, and his deplorable proneness to be led 
away by sensual propensities. The fear of one 
animal, and the ferocity of others, are the sole 
cause of the pleasure he experiences. The 
hare, the most timid of quadrupeds, aided by 
speed and very circumscribed natural sagacity, 
endeavours to elude its pursuers, and preserve 
itself from a death the most terrific and horrible 
even a reasonable mind can possibly suggest. 
The dogs, guided by instinct and natural ferocity, and capable of enduring much greater fatigue, preserve the same tract, and mutually 
fuide and encourage each other in the work of 
estruction The little animal, instructed by 
self-preservation, retraces, or traces ever again, 
nearly the same ground^ and would often baffle 
its ferocious pursuers; — and what hinders it? 
Man, endowed with reason and reflection ! Man ! 
the boasted lord of the earth interposes ! For 
what motive ? To preserve the weak from the 
strong? No! Quite the contrary! To guide 
and impel the latter to the work of blood and 
murder ! Thus not only encouraging, but joining on terms of equality with dogs and homes 
in the deed. But surely it is some powerful motive which thus induces him to derogate from his 
F 

natural dignity ? Some means of acquiring honour, profit, — or benefiting the community at 
large ? No ! We are again reluctantly obliged 
to answer in the negative. No honour can be 
acquired either in the pursuit or the death of so 
weak and timid an animal, except that false notion of the term which arises from the circumstance of tempting Providence more than his 
companions, by some dangerous leap, or other 
similar cause which even then he must share 
with his horse and between profit, — the desire 
of benefiting others,— and hunting, we need 
scarcely observe there is an insuperable bar. — 
Aided by man, the final result is generally as 
follows — The poor helpless animal, quite exhausted with terror and fatigue, is no longer capable of active effort. It lays itself down in the 
vague expectation of concealment, and there 
awaits its fate or rises only to meet a death replete with terrors. A few terrific squeals nearly 
drowned by the exulting cries of its pursuers, 
announce the termination of its cruel fate. The 
note of triumph is sounded by its generous and 
pitying enemies, who congratulate each other on 
the sports of the day, and point out the respective 
merits of their meek and gentle assistants, which 
are often distinguished by the names of Charmer, 
Lovely, Comely, &c. and sometimes enlighten 
and edify each other, by seriously asserting that 
the hare hearkens with pleasure to the pursuit ! 
and that the moment she is caught her terrors 
greatly subside ! We will subscribe that they 
are not long in doing so, as they will vanish with 
life — but we cannot say we ever heard any of 
those instructive, and very knowing gentlemen 
contend, that the dying shrieks of the wretched 

animal, were notes of satisfaction and pleasure ! 

Many lovers of the chase, we doubt not, will 
be ready to assert, that we colour the picture 
too strongly, and that no other person will view 
the subject in the manner we have represented it. 
We answer, we believe our arguments too true to 
be easily disproved and that the subject has 
been regarded in nearly a similar manner by 
one, whose capability of judging will not be disputed, when we name the yet unrivalled Poet of 
the Seasons, who in his Autumn, thus speaks of 
the subject: — 

 'Tisnotjoy to her, 

This falsely chearful barbarous game of death 
This rage of pleasure, which the restless youth 
Awakes, impatient, with the gleaming morn 
When beasts of prey retire, that all night long, 
Urg'd by necessity, had rang'd the dark, 
As if their conscious ravage shun'd the light, 
Asham'd. Not so the steady tyrant Man, 
Who with the thoughtless insolence of power 
Inflam'd, beyond the most infuriate wrath 
Of the worst monster that e'er roam'd the waste, 
For sport alone pursues the cruel chase, 
Amid the beamings of the gentle days. 
Upbraid, ye rarening tribes, our wanton rage, 
For hunger kindles you, and lawless want; 
But lavish fed, in Nature's bounty roll'd, 
To joy at anguish, and delight in blood, 
Is what your horrid bosoms never knew. 
 Poor is the triumph o'er the timid hare ! 

With every breeze she hears the coming storm. 
But nearer, and more frequent, as it loads 
The sighing gale, she springs amaz'd, and all 
The savage soul of game is up at once 
The pack full-opening, various; the shrill horn 
Hesounded from the hills the neighing steed, 
Wild for the chase; and the lould hunter 's shout 
O'er a weak, harmless, flying creature, all 
Hix'd in mad tumult, and discordant joy." 

6'i WRESTLIANA. 

To dwell upon any comparison between 
Wrestling, an amusement, exercise, and content 
of men only and those wherein men are leagued 
with different animals, would be ridiculous; for 
whatever attractions they possess, eventually recede when philosophically considered, as those 
peculiar to this country furnish no model from 
which any noble, manly, or laudable motive can 
be derived. The same observations which we have 
applied to hare hunting: will preserve nearly their 
full force with regard to coursing, or shooting. 
Fishing, of which some are remarkably fond, is a 
thing too solitary of itself to afford matter of comparison with Wrestling, which preserves its importance through every parallel of consideration. 
We shall therefore, after offering a few words 
en cockfighting, proceed to the next part of 
cur subject. 

Cockfighting, as a diversion, is under the same 
restrictions as horseracing — requiring a large 
stake to render it legal. Notwithstanding this 
kind of monopoly, and the fate of a bill brought 
into the House of Commons to abolish it entirely, 
which was rejected by a large majority, it is in 
the licences of all publicans, &c. strictly prohibited, and stigmatized as a barbarous diversion. In defiance of this arbitrary distinction between rich and poor, it is practised by the latter 
class all over the kingdom. It is perhaps the 
only diversion in which men are not the principal actors, which has regular and professed enemies to encounter those who have no predilection for hunting, shooting, &e. content themselves with abstaining from them, and never 
think of censuring others for acting differently, 
—nay, many professedly attached to these sports, 
would feel indignant to be termed a cockfighter ! 

Yet however much a few of the superior and 
middle class may condemn the lower orders of 
people for practising it in this immediate neighbourhood, we cannot find that the characters of 
Lord Derby, and numerous noblemen and gentlemen who openly profess, and practise this 
diversion in a legal manner, were ever called in 
question for doing so. For our own part we 
have never been able to find any reason why 
they should! and if none exist, it is surely a very 
invidious distinction that what is legal and harmless in one man, should be so very heinous in 
another. The enemies of this diversion characterise it as a cruel, barbarous, and wicked mode of 
gambling while those who profess it are at no 
loss to produce arguments in its support. — The 
Rev. George Crabbe, in his justly admired poem, 
 The Parish Register," thus treats of it:— 

 See the poor bird th' inhuman cocker brings, 
Arms his hard heel, and clips his golden wings j 
With spicy food th' impatient spirit feeds, 
And shouts and curses as the battle bleeds. 
Struck thro' the brain, depriv'd of both his eyes, 
The vanquished bird must combat till he dies 
Must faintly peck at his victorious foe, 
And reel and stagger at each feeble blow 
When fall'n, the savage grasps his dabbled plumes,. 
His blood-stain'd arms for other deaths assumes 
And damns the Craven -fowl that lost his stake, 
And only bled and perish'd for his sake !" 

For ourselves — 

 Who own we prize the joy such battle brings, 
And love the whistling of the shorten'd wings," 

And therefore cannot be supposed exactly to 
coincide with the Reverend Gentleman in such 
sweeping conclusions yet we will admit that 
cases may possibly occur in which such a descrip- 

66 \VRESTLIA\A. 

iion may not be far from the truth. As we before professed, we have no wish, or intention, to 
add to, or detract from, the merits of any diversion, further than what we conceive to be a reasonable view of the question we will therefore 
concisely offer a few remarks on the different 
opinions respecting f/iis. As to the cruelty, or 
barbarity of the practice; we are at a loss to 
conceive how such a charge can be urged consistently by those who do not equally censure 
hunting, shooting, &c. Surely no man in his 
senses, unless totally blinded by prejudice, can 
pretend to argue, that an equal combat between 
two birds which need no incitement but their 
mutual and natural animosity, can possibly be 
either cruel or barbarous, compared with leagueing, and combining with twenty, thirty, or forty 
ferocious animals, to worry a defenceless one ! 
Or to a man who uses artificial means to destroy, 
or deceive a bird or a fish, which would never 
willingly come, either in his way, or his sight ! 
And pursue the subject through every head it embraces, either in respect to right, property, or 
any other parallel, and the comparison will invariably be found in favor of cockfighting. 

As to the wickedness of the diversion, by which 
is meant the wicked conduct, or language, of 
those who witness the sport, we greatly wonder 
at the ignorance and credulity of those who 
make the remark! In all public places of meeting, 
be they markets, fairs, theatres, churches, meetings, or any other place of resort whatever, there 
are generally found some of the most profligate 
and abandoned characters in the neighbourhood. In all gentleman pits, or where any considerable sum is fought for, the utmost order and 
regularity is preserved and any person using 

profane, or blackguard language would be turned out without ceremony. Even in this vicinity, 
where entrance money is required, we have 
often witnessed very quiet meetings; and we 
hesitate not to say, have observed amongst the 
spectators, men, if not entirely Corinthians; yet 
if independent circumstances, knowledge, manners, and general good character, entitle those 
who possess them to the appellation of Gentlemen, as much deserving of that estimable term 
as any in the neighbourhood where they reside. 
It is true there are cockfights of a very, very 
different description but surely it is unfair to 
stigmatize all those who are present, for the bad 
conduct of a few, who are generally themselves 
no cockfighters and if some of those who are, 
be not so decorous in the phrases elicited from 
them during a battle as might be wished without 
terming it "unsophisticated nature," (which is 
done by Boxiana) there are certainly more excuses for so doing, than those who censure them 
are willing to allow. Let it be recollected, it is 
all the diversion in their power to enjoy. A 
plebeian may keep a cock, but can he keep a 
horse? Is he allowed to shoot? He may, when 
it is the pleasure of a qualified man to sanction 
the sport by his presence, witness a hunt but 
can he be said to share in it ? And in every 
thing else that can be called an amusement, there 
are equal obstacles. To share in any diversion, 
a man must feel himself as fully independent as 
the rest of the company. Cockfighting is a diversion, in which the money sported, is sported 
as a matter of judgment consequently, widely 
different from cards, dice, or any wager of blind 
chance and never in such sums as are depending upon a pugilistic contest or horserace, and 

therefore is not equally deserving of the term — 
gambling. Surely men have as much right so to 
use a bird exclusively their own, as others have 
to pursue and destroy those to which they can 
have no possible claim ? What substitutes the 
mighty difference between a soldier and a cock? 
The man, though his feelings may revolt at the 
service he is ordered upon, has no alternative 
he must go without grumbling where he is commanded hazard his own life, and do his best to 
shed the blood of his fellow-man when required 
— On the other hand, the nature, and the feelings 
of the bird, impel it to the combat and its chance 
of life and remuneration are fully equal to the 
soldier's. In a cock- battle, the spectators are 
convinced that true courage, and alacrity in 
seizing every advantage that presents itself, are 
the surest means of preserving life, and acquiring 
honour and it may be an incentive to conduct 
themselves in the same manner if called upon by 
their country; — as we are not without examples 
in history, of celebrated generals making such a 
combat, the subject of an oration to their soldiers, 
and pointed out as a pattern of persevering courage highly worthy of imitation. 

It may likewise be observed that the bitterest 
enemies of this diversion are, in a great degree, 
ignorant of what they condemn in so unqualified 
a manner nay, would deem it an afl'ront to 
have it supposed that they had such a knowledge, 
or actual experience of the subject, as every 
candid man ought to possess before he gives so 
decided an opinion respecting its merits. Thus 
were we to ask the Reverend author we have 
quoted, if he had ever fought a cock, or attended 
a regular meeting, we have little doubt, an indignant negative would be the reply it should 

\VRESTLIANA. 69 

likewise be remarked his description is a very 
unfair one it is not the description of a battle, 
but of a losing bird only ! and even amongst 
losers, it is very seldom indeed the owner will 
attach any blame to his cock on the contrary, 
he is always anxious to prevent its being- overmatched and its fame is so dear to him, that it 
must prove itself unworthy as a game cock of the 
regard he has manifested for it, before he is willing to hear of its faults. Possibly a solitary instance to the contrary might occur and we hope 
the Reverend Gentleman alludes to such a one, 
as the first line we have quoted runs thus, 

41 See the poor bird the inhuman cocker brings 

We sincerely hope few cockers, or even men, 
worthy the epithet inhuman and we dare assert few cocks meriting the appellation of" poor 
birds" are brought to try their courage and 
prowess in a pit, as the game cock is generally 
stiled the noblest of the feathered tribe and it is 
universally known, he is kept, — trained, — and attended upon, so as to bring him to the combat in 
the supposed most advantageous situation to insure victory, — but no wonder even so admired 
and celebrated an author, should have adopted 
so lame an expression, when it would be deemed 
an affront to suppose he understood what he was 
writing about. 

But still in despite of all that can be urged in 
favour of cockfighting, (and many will think we 
have said quite enough) it has no claim whatever to what are the characteristics of an amusement. Those even and placid feelings which 
have a kind of oblivious effect upon the senses, 
and infuse a kind of tranquil pleasure into the 

mind can have no assimilation to the active, violent, and bloody struggles witnessed in a cockpit. It cannot properly be (although it usually is) 
termed a diversion. To be diverted, or in a certain degree, delighted, is a feeling very different 
from that eager expectation and anxiety of mind 
depicted in the countenances of the spectators. 
It is then a sport; or more properly, a way of 
sporting, or risking money according to an opinion and when it is considered that the issue 
implies the death of one of the birds which occasions the sport, and often severe injury to the 
other, it is certainly a cruel one. It is idle to 
suppose such crowds would assemble to witness 
the mere act of one bird killing another, if there 
were no other inducement. It is certainly the 
good opinion every man entertains of his own 
judgment, which makes him eagerly embrace 
such occasions of exercising it for his own supposed advantage and we need not say how fallacious such opinions frequently prove. The 
spectators in pay-pits are, in many places, generally betters, and consist of all descriptions of 
such men as are often witnessed in a large assemblage the rich and poor; the old and young; 
the strong and feeble and the active and cripple may all witness, and according to their 
means, be all equally interested in it. The courage of a cock may serve well enough as a subject of comparison for an harangue but is it not 
degrading to man to suppose a bird can be a proper object for his imitation ? He may be convinced that courage is a great means of acquiring victory but can the sight of it in a bird 
infuse it into his own breast? In Wrestling, 
when young and active men oppose each other, 
the sight is worthy of men to look at, and may 

well be supposed to inspire that emulation which 
despises danger and while it instructs men to 
cope with men, gives them both power and 
confidence to do so effectually but how can 
it be supposed the mere sight of any bird, or 
animal whatever, can produce the same consequences. 

BASIS. 

WE are now arrived at a part of our subject, 
which though the most important, and more immediate object of this Treatise, is nevertheless one 
fraught with difficulties — as we are well aware, 
it is not possible to lay down rules equally satisfactory to all. In such a case the course we will 
pursue is simply this — our reasons for every particular rule shall immediately follow it thus the 
reader will have ample means to form his own 
opinion, and if it do not coincide with our own, 
we trust his candour will acquit us of intentional 
error. 

Rule 1st. — The umpire, writer, and crier, appointed by a majority of those who give the 
prize, or by the person to whom it is entrusted, 
having taken their stations within the ring, every 
wrestler shall come forward to the writer, enter 
his own name, and immediately retire to some 
allotted station, where he will be expected to be 
found when called upon. The writer prepared 
with paper ready lined and ruled, shall set the 
names down as they are given in while his assistants shall take care he is not confused by the 
wrestlers pressing upon him faster than he can 
write down their names. 

Observations on Rule 1st. — Respecting this 
rule few observations are necessary, as we think 
very few can object to any part of it. We will 
however, in those parts where it is possible there 
maybe some difference of opinion, methodically 
consider the reasons on which it is grounded. 

It will appear clear and evident to all, that 
those who give the prize, if they do not themselves 
preside on the occasion, have certainly a right to 

name those who shall. A writer and crier may easily be found, as the most important part of their duty is care and attention; but very few are qualified 
to act as umpires. That station requires a competent knowledge of wrestling1 — equanimity of 
temper — decided judgment — arid strict impartiality. We have always observed that one 
umpire is preferable to two or tlwee: — it may be 
said, that spectators on one side of the ring, do 
not see a fall in exactly the same manner as those 
on some other. To this we answer, if one umpire think a fall disputable, and even three, or 
four more think otherwise, the fall must either be 
wrestled over again, or it will occasion far more 
dissension than if one single decisive determination had been given and if the fall be such, 
that one competent umpire cannot determine it 
immediately, it cannot be a very fair one. 

It is certainly much better for every man to 
enter his own name, and if required, his place of 
abode, lest there should be more of the same 
name. Every experienced person will often 
have observed, that much confusion has been occasioned by the same name having been entered 
twice over. And when a Wrestler's name is entered against his real, or pretended inclination, 
if he do not fancy his man, no contest takes 
place as he will observe, he knew nothing about it, he did not think of wrestling, &c. by 
every man entering his own name, all such 
whiffling will be avoided. If his name is then 
called, it is by his own desire, and such excuses 
are done away at once. 

It has always been found desirable, that the 
Wrestlers should be in some place where they 
can come forward immediately when their names 
are called. On this account, they are generally 

G 

permitted to lie down inside the ring which 
many of them are anxious to do, that they may 
witness the sport, and notice the methods of 
those with whom they may have to contend 
therefore if one side of the ring- be allotted for 
this purpose, those who do not choose to avail 
themselves of it, will have no excuse for not 
coming forward in time to answer to their 
names. 

Rule 2d. — All the names being entered, the 
writer shall mention the first and the last on the 
list to the crier, carefully placing at the same 
time the figure 1 before the names, to denote 
that they are the last called; and to instruct him 
to find, without danger of a mistake, the twro 
next in turn. The crier shall go to that part of 
the ring allotted to the Wrestlers, and repeat the 
said names loudly, and distinctly. The men 
shall immediately answrer, and come forward 
which, if they shall neglect to do in such a time 
as the umpire shall deem reasonable, the defaulter shall lose the fall. On their meeting, leaving 
them to the umpire, the crier, furnished with the 
names next in turn, shall call upon the owners 
of them to get ready, while those preceding 
them get hold and wrestle. On the termination 
of every fall, the umpire shall give in to the writer the names of the winner and loser, which he 
shall write down opposite to each other, placing 
the figure 2 before the winner's name, which 
will always be the first written. The writer taking the names next to those marked, marking 
them in a similar manner, and writing the names 
given in by the umpire, shall proceed till the 
whole are called. If there prove an odd name 
in the middle of the list, it shall be called to the 
first winner but if the odd man prove the con- 

WRESTLTANA. 75 

queror, his name, though of course wrote opposite to the man's he has thrown, shall retain 
the figure 1 to it, which will then become indicative of the falls he has won. The writer thus 
marking and calling the first and last winning 
names together in every round, which he must 
take care to distinguish and in like manner, 
still writing the names of those who contend 
opposite to each other it will appear the odd 
man has wrestled one fall fewer than those in 
the same list, as every other name will be marked with the figure 2 and if he win the next fall, 
his name advancing one every fall, will have tho 2 
perfixed to it, while the others on that list have 3, 
Thus his name being at the head of the list, he 
will meet the odd man in the previous round if 
he win, he will still remain one behind upon the 
next list and if he lose, his conqueror exchanges situations with him. By this method, when 
few are left, the umpire will have it in his power 
to place them on an equal footing. Thus when 
three are left, if the first has only thrown three 
men, and the other two four each, they may toss, 
draw cuts, or ticket, which is to wrestle him first; 
but if all three have wrestled equal, they may in 
like manner decide which two shall wrestle first. 
Observations on Rule 2d. — Respecting the 
subject of this Rule, as there have been various 
methods practised, there have, and probably 
will continue to be, various opinions. After remarking the defects of all others, we will make 
a few observations on the one we have substituted in their place. For a long time it was the 
practice to call the first and second, third and 
fourth, fifth and sixth, and so on, together. The 
deficiency of this mode is obvious. Those wishing to wrestle did not like to follow each other 

76 WRESTLIA\7A. 

into the ring, as it had the appearance of premeditated opposition. Consequently, the first time 
over, there was scarcely a fall wrestled and as 
every noted Wrestler had generally friends who 
contrived to go in so as to secure him the second, 
and sometimes the third round, the greatest part 
of the wrestling was a mere farce, and a stranger had by no means an equal chance. It then 
became the custom to call the first and last 
names together but as the names were not written over again, but the losing name merely 
scratched out, the writer frequently got wrong, 
particularly when an odd name occurred and 
if an even number were preserved, as it was generally pretty well ascertained what it would be, 
many went in to save their friends, without 
any intention of wrestling. It was, however, 
considered much less objectionable than the 
other. 

When the Carlisle Wrestling commenced, the 
men matched themselves the first time over and 
then thefirst and last were called together. This 
method did not long prevail, as it was evidently 
a bad one. It was obvious there were many 
sham wrestles the first time over and both the 
names were not only to procure, but to compare 
with the list, to see if they had regularly entered; 
which could not be done without looking the 
whole carefully over, and consequently losing 
time. The present mode of ticketing them then 
became general. It is, without doubt, evidently 
superior to any other now practised, but we conceive it liable to the following objections — In 
the iirst place, it is far too complicated a mode 
to be accurate. The tickets if scattered about, 
or the wrong one torn, are nothing but a means 
of confusion arid when four men are called into 

WRERSLIANA. 77 

the ring, there are no unexceptionable means of 
convincing them that all is as it should be. The 
Carlisle meeting last year was a strong proof of 
this nothing like an accurate list was to be had. 
Some names were found both in the winning, and 
losing column, the same round and on wrestling over again, there were instances of those 
entitled being objected, and those not entitled 
winning two falls. Secondly, it may happen, particularly where there are few competitors, that 
men coming from the same place, or who will 
not wrestle \vith each other, may be ticketed together the first round. This of course prevents 
sport, and should if possible be avoided. Thirdly, 
in ticketing, those who have the direction of 
drawing, may keep back a ticket, or call any 
two together they think proper and when instances where all the men are not satisfied there 
are no means left of convincing them all is perfectly fair. We do not think this right. All 
should be fair and open and even those who 
give the prize should not be allowed to use any 
sinister means of bringing men together. It may 
be said, a powerful man is a coward if he be 
afraid of an equal opponent." This is nothing 
to the purpose. The prize is declared, and supposed to be, equally free for all therefore, although the men may not be afraid of each other, 
they have certainly a right to find fault if their 
names be purposely drawn together. It is by 
the attendance of well-known men that the 
greatest interest is excited, and their chance of 
gaining a prize should by no means be lessened, 
which it evidently is in such cases for there 
may be others equally as good, who are running 
the chance of falling in with an inferior, while 
they are purposely called in against an equal. 

The superiority of the method we have recommended over all these cannot fail to be evident to 
an impartial observer. While men who do not 
wish to come together may prevent it by entering- their names immediately following each other 
at any time but in the exact centre they can 
have no possible guess who will be their opponent. For as the /ow and high numbers, are 
called together in the first round till they meet 
in the centre the centre names are consequently 
after that round thrown to the last, and will in 
the second round, meet a high, or a low number indiscriminately, which will cause them to be 
scattered in the head of the list in the third round. 
Thus supposing forty enter at first the numbers 
1, and 40, are called together, and so on, till 20 
and 21 meet in the centre then it is quite uncertain whether the centre victor 19 or 22, will 
meet the conquering number of 2 and 39, one 
of which must be the second victor in that 
round and so on progressively. By this means 
the principal objections to the three first methods 
are at once obviated, as is likewise one of the objections we have made to ticketing and if the 
umpire and writer are at all careful, no mistake 
can arise, as the writer will perceive at a 
single glance what names are next the marked 
ones which have been called and if any dispute 
arise, the list is still there to rectify it. Therefore, while this method preserves all the uncertainty of ticketing, the list will be ready for 
publication the moment the wrestling is over 
and on perusing it, every man may convince 
himself he has been fairly treated. As it is a very 
great chance a number dividing equal to the last, 
such as 32, C4,-or 128, will be the exact number 
entered it is desirable it should be one doing so 

till very few competitors remain. Thus, 96 will 
leave three, and 80, five, <fec. In such- cases, 
the umpire having the power of equalizing the 
chance, should then ticket them, as the small 
number, and the men having become conspicuous, would then prevent any confusion and 
we would recommend the umpire to call them 
forward to witness their own names drawn. 
Whenever an odd number occurs, the prizes 
should not be definitively settled till the last fall, 
as the Wrestlers cannot be on equal terms. For 
example last year at Carlisle, Eight Guineas 
were the first prize, and One Guinea only, the second making Seven Guineas the distinction for 
winning the last round. Now, Cass who won the 
first prize was wrestling his sixth fall, and Todd 
his seventh. It does not seem reasonable therefore, that Cass should have been entitled to the 
same sum for throwing six men, as Todd who had 
already thrown six men, and was hazarding a 
seventh contest. Such cases will we hope in 
future receive proper consideration. 

Finally, it may be necessary to remark, that 
after the first round, the numbers, except the 
marks 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, indicative of the rounds, 
and falls the names before them have won, may 
be laid aside their principal use being to ascertain the number entered, which as it occupies little time, and may be done before-hand, is well 
worth the trouble. 

Rule 3d. — When two men cannot soon agree 
in taking hold, the umpire shall place them at 
such a distance as the size of the men, may 
render proper for ulterior proceeding. He 
shall then cause them to square their shoulders, 
and the higher part of their breasts against 
each other, in such manner that the right and 

left shoulder blades of both are perfectly level, 
and the arms stretched out so that the hands 
are in a line with the pap of the breast. He 
shall then direct one of them to take hold 
without shrinking his right breast and shoulder underneath his opponent's and so as to preserve a perfect equality in the use of the right 
arm: — when this is the case, making proper allowance for contracting the arms by grasping the back of his opponent, the hold will be 
something below the level of the paps. If the 
umpire is satisfied the hold is fair, he shall cause 
the other to take hold likewise, without shrinking, 
or swerving to either side which being done, he 
shall immediately give the word. If the umpire 
perceives that either party is striving for an advantage, or will not take hold, he shall decide 
the fall against him and if neither party will implicitly obey his directions, he shall cross them 
both out without further loss of time; 

Observations on RuleSd. — This Rule embraces 
the disagreeable, and grand cause of contention 
in wrestling- and it is impossible to word, or 
limit it so, as to please every Wrestler. It is by 
far the most desirable for men to agree themselves as it is a very difficult matter for any but 
an experienced Wrestler, and not easy for him, 
to decide between them but if they will not agree, and infringe upon, or tire out the patience 
of the spectators, or those who give the prize for 
general amusement, some method of decision becomes absolutely necessary. The method we 
have laid down seems well adapted for placing 
the tight, and slack-hold Wrestlers, on an equal 
footing. It is such a one as the tight-hold 
Wrestler may gather with, or strike from and 

at the same time one which does not debar the 
slack-hold Wrestler from using his own peculiar 
mode. 

There is nothing more galling to a Wrestler, 
than an ignorant umpire putting the hands together, and asserting a man may get hold, when 
perhaps the other has his right shoulder against 
his breast, and his right arm pinned to his side 
close to the elbow. It is well known to every 
Wrestler, that a single inch, either in the arm, 
or breast, when the men are nearly equal, will 
almost invariably decide the contest. We have 
not mentioned any particular time to allow 
men to take hold in, as circumstances might arise to render a limited time injudicious, and the 
umpire intrusted with full power, ought to be a 
competent judge of the matter. Many very fair 
Wrestlers may wish to feel each others manoeuvres and regulate their actions accordingly, 
before they take hold. We think such a proceeding, when the parties are not long over it, 
perfectly fair, and by no means detracting from 
the satisfaction of the judicious spectator. 

Rule 4th. — If the man who takes the latter 
hold, makes play at the same time, and either 
throws his opponent immediately, or obtains 
such an advantage by it as in the judgment of 
the umpire occasions the ultimate termination of 
the fall or if the first taker hold, strike before it 
can be clearly ascertained the other has hold, and 
obtains a similar advantage by doing so, the fall 
shall be wrestled over again and if the same 
conduct be repeated, the offender shall lose the 
fall. It shall likewise be allowed fair for either 
party to quit their hold, if their opponent strikes, 
or makes play, in the above improper manner. 

Rule 5th. — If either party when endeavouring 
to take hold, shall throw, or attempt to throw 
his opponent down, when he is conscious they 
have not both hold, the fall shall instantly be decided in favour of the injured party. 

Observations on Rules 4th and 5th. — Neither 
of these Rules require many observations. The 
fourth is to prevent snapping, or one party gaining- a decided advantage by improper means. 
The punishment, while it seems adequate to the 
offence, is not over much so. The justice and 
necessity of the fifth is obvious for the preservation of peace and good order. If such an act be 
done in a passion, the offence richly merits the 
punishment. If not, any attempt to excite the 
laughter of a few partial, and unthinking spectators, at the expense of any Wrestler, must be 
considered not only an insult to him, but to every 
impartial observer. It must be evident to all, 
that any person entering the ring, although it is 
his own inclination that prompts him to it, is 
one of the contributors to that amusement they 
are assembled to witness for their own gratification, and cannot possibly be a proper object of 
ridicule therefore any other person attempting 
to make him one, should justly be debarred from 
doing so a second time. 

Rule 6'th. — If, when wrestling, the men get 
disengaged by their hands slipping over each 
others head, and they remain opposite each 
other on terms of perfect equality, it shall be in 
the option of either party to leave go, and take 
hold again, as at their first meeting but if one of 
the parties only lose his grasp, it shall be deemed 
perfectly fair for the other to continue the 
wrestle till he does so likewise, or the fall terminates. If both the parties during a struggle be- 

come disengaged, if one throw the other before 
they remain stationary or fronting each other, it 
shail be deemed a fair fall. 

Observations on Rule 6th. — We do not anticipate any objections to this Rule, as the determinations it contains are precisely the same as have 
uniformly governed the cases they allude to — 
a convincing proof of their equity. The rule 
embraces the only three situations which can possibly occur from the particular circumstance it 
treats of. In the first case, it has been usual for 
the men to consult each other, and both leave go 
at the same time, lest he that first quitted, should 
forfeit the fall by doing so should the Wrestlers 
themselves agree to continue the contest, provided they do not stand long, the spectators have 
no reason to complain but we never witnessed 
a case wherein either party objected to a fresh 
hold. The reason of the second is too obvious 
to dwell upon. It would occasion endless disputes if a man were entitled to another hold by 
slipping his own arms over his adversary's head 
whenever he was likely to get the worst of it 
and if such a circumstance be occasioned by exertion in making play, it is perfectly right he 
should abide the consequences of his own act. 
As for the third case, it can be but momentary; 
(for if the action which immediately follows the 
act of disengagement be not decisive, the men 
will instantly be in a state of perfect equality. 

Rule 7th. — After the men have both taken 
hold, if either of them quits it, either in endeavouring to save himself, by accident, or by attempting to throw his adversary, he shall lose the 
fall, provided his adversary retains his own 
hold, and does not go down by that effort, or 
manoeuvre, which is the immediate occasion, or 

object of quitting the hold but if his adversary, 
though retaining his hold, goes to the ground 
without recovering himself, if it be not immediately, yet in such a manner as is obviously the 
consequence resulting from such manoeuvre, he 
shall win the fall. If the effort occasions both 
parties to lose their hold, and both or neither go 
down, it shall be deemed a wrestle over again. 

Observations on Rule 7th. — Such of our readers as are at all acquainted with the subject 
cannot fail to perceive how tenacious we are in 
adhering to those determinations which have 
hitherto been considered decisive. Yet although 
this is the case, we must remind them, that 
having never appeared before in any tangible 
shape, they could only be regarded as matters of 
opinion only but by the publication of this Treatise, they now, when noticed as standard regulations, become proper authority to decide by. The 
present Rule treats of a subject which has often 
occasioned a difference of opinion among noted 
Wrestlers, and therefore it is our duty briefly to 
state the reasons which have always influenced 
our decision respecting it. As for the first part 
of it, i. e. any man's quitting his hold to prevent 
his going down, no shadow of doubt respecting 
its justice can possibly arise. The second, namely, quitting by accident, admits of no alternative. 
It is true there may be frequent instances of the 
hands slipping asunder without any obvious reason, and the party closing them again without 
any manifest advantage yet if such an act was 
not uniformly regarded as decisive of the fall, 
there would be no end to the disputes it might 
occasion this is so universally acknowledged, 
that whenever it has been ascertained the hands 
were clear of each other, it has always been re- 

garded a fall. A spirited attack, if it does not 
succeed, generally places the assailant in a disadvantageous situation and therefore, if he lose 
his hold at the same time, it is certainly just he 
should lose the fall but if the hold be quitted as 
an auxiliary to the attack, which, if scientifically 
done, is often effective there appears to be no 
well grounded reason why such united efforts, 
(which require additional dexterity) if they succeed in forcing the defendant to go down without any future display of action, should not be 
decisive. As to the act of retaining the hold, if 
a man goes down, it is evident it cottd not avail 
him in any situation, and therefore should not 
but if he does not, he has committed ILO act ojt 
forfeiture, and cannot be liable to any penalty 
his adversary has done so by quitting his hold, 
and therefore justly forfeits the fall :— and finally, if both have quitted, they can be considered 
no otherwise than on equal terms, and therefore 
must wrestle over again. 

Rule 8th. — If both the men go down in nich a 
manner that it cannot be clearly and distinctly 
Ascertained which of them was first on the 
ground, it shall be deemed a wrestle over, or as 
is provincially termed a dog/all, and the decision 
shall be given without any regard to the circumstance of making play. A man's knees or hands, 
or either of them, touching the ground, shall be 
considered conclusive of his being down in all 
cases, except he is fairly covering his man, and 
it is occasioned by the desire of making the fall 
easier to himself or his antagonist when such is 
the manifest intention, it shall not interfere with 
his claim to the fall. 

Observations on Rule 8th. — Justice, and fnirplay between man and man, should be the inva- 
H 

riable motlo of every Englishman and we can 
with truth say, that in regard to these Rules at 
least, it has uniformly been ours. In many places where loose holds are practised, no fall is 
considered fair, but when one party only goes 
to the ground, and not even then, except he is 
thrown upon his back. In close Wrestling, such 
a regulation would be endless and it has always been the custom, merely to decide who had 
the best of it. In this view of the question, the 
man who first touches the ground (unless it is in 
.such a case as we have excepted), may be said to 
be first foiled. As we look upon Wrestling to be 
the most chivalric, and manly exercise since the 
abolition of tournaments, we think a trifling advantage, if it clearly be one, is quite sufficient. 
So extremely tenacious were our ancestors in 
this respect, that in tournaments, if a Knight lost 
one of his stirrups in the encounter, it was considered he did not part from his adversary on 
equal terms, and therefore he wvas deemed as 
much worsted, as if he had been unhorsed altogether; and were it not so when a visible advantage is obtained, it would be impossible to 
define where the distinction should be drawn 
but, if the matter be dubious, it is clearly a wrestle over. A man may, sometimes, certainly go 
down upon one hand, or knee, and in thatsituation, bring his opponent down under him but 
such a circumstance ought not to influence a 
decision nor, unless it happen by accident, 
should it be allowed, as many falls would then 
become a mere scuffle, and quite unworthy Englishmen either to look at or practice. 

Rule 9th. — When the men are called into the 
ring, no agreement shall be allowed to take 
place between them relative to one of them 

yielding-the fall, without the sanction of the umpire but if they wrestle fairly, they shall have 
liberty to divide what the conqueror shall win, 
as they think proper. 

Rule 10th. — If it is apparent that there is a 
private agreement between two Wrestlers, and 
that the contest is not a fair one, the umpire, if 
it appears to him that the stander has promised 
any remuneration to the other for lying down, 
may call him against the odd man but if there 
be no odd man, or if there be two standers only, 
the umpire may regulate the distribution of the 
prize as he deems proper, or, in other words, so 
as to prevent any set of men making a mere property of the sum given to contend for. 

Observations on Rules 9th and 10th. — We have 
chosen to class the observations on those two 
final Rules together, as any remarks upon one, 
will naturally have some allusion to the other. 
We are well aware, though we have no doubt of 
convincing any impartial man of their propriety, 
that many Wrestlers will consider them as unjust; and even observe that we ourselves have 
frequently violated them. We acknowledge the 
latter charge to be correct. Yet that circumstance does not by any means prevent us from 
judging of their propriety on the contrary, it 
enables us to be certain that such proceedings 
prevent contests, and occasion much dissatisfaction amongst the spectators but we defy any 
person to prove, that during the many years we 
wrestled for renown, we were ever either concerned in a sham Wrestle, or laid down to any 
acknowledged Wrestler whatever. No ! victory 
was our motto ! and if it had been equally so 
with our opponent, a contest would have been 
inevitable. As to the justice of every part of 
H2 

WRRSTLIANA. 

those Rules, we dare confidently appeal to any 
distinguished Wrestler who has retired from the 
ring- with honour bravely and hardly won 
although perhaps there is no such person but 
what has frequently violated them. Every prize 
however small, is given with the same intention 
as the sums subscribed at Keswick and Carlisle 
that is, to assemble numbers together, and entertain them when assembled therefore what is 
considered perfectly fair at those places, cannot 
be considered unfair when coroparitively small 
sums are contended for. Let us therefore ask 
the gentlemen who subscribe, or the impartial 
spectators for whose amusement such sums are 
subscribed, if they think it right that those who 
have come to contend for the prize should fee 
one another off, or by a sham Wrestle enable 
their friends to swindle the spectators ? When 
the Carlisle Wrestling was discontinued, it was 
owing to a private agreement between the two 
last standers refusing to wrestle. Mr. Pearson 
consequently refused to give them the money. 
So far we think he was perfectly right, but we 
do not think he was altogether so in withholding 
the second prizes from those who had contended 
fairly for the first, and were willing to do so for 
the second. We know there were some who had 
travelled fifty miles to wrestle, and might reasonably have expected to have shared in the 
second prize. We will in another and more 
proper place, prove that the system of bribery 
had been before practised there; and though it 
might be disapproved of, was yet partly allowed, 
as no money was withheld and if we may judge 
from the second prize last year, the system without some effectual check, is becoming more notorious than ever. What was the fact ? Weight- 

man who won, Wrestled two falls ! and Graham 
who came last, one only ! and the spectators 
were, as the warm-hearted natives of the land of 
potatoes would term it, humbugged for som^ minutes with a sham Wrestle between them. — B'll 
let us return to a methodical review of the Rules 
in question. 

As for the first part of the ninth Rule, those 
spectators that are well acquainted with wrestling, need not be told, that when the men called 
upon, get together, and whisper each other before they prepare themselves for a contest, there 
is no anxiety respecting the result of it; for if 
they should then happen to be in earnest, the 
spectators are never satisfied that they are so. 
But if the umpire be privy to their conversation, 
it is a very different matter, as it then becomes 
his duty to debar them from imposing upon the 
spectators by a sham Wrestle and if no contest 
takes place, he is then fully aware what is the 
reason of it, and whether any blame can be imputed to the stander for if one party will not 
wrestle, he certainly cannot be forced to it and 
in that case, as the stander has committed no 
fault, he is fully entitled to the fall. For if a 
distinguished hero fall in against an inferior opponent, who is fully aware that he has no chance 
of success, and therefore will not try, it is by no 
means reasonable the stander should hazard a 
second chance in that round. The umpire ought 
not on any account to suffer those who eventually stand, to make a direct proposition to the 
other to lay down but instances may occur in 
which he may in some degree be implicated, and 
the transaction may receive the sanction of the 
umpire for example, a man may get a sprain, or 
some other injury in the preceding round, which 

may incapacitate him from immediate active exertion and a proposal coming- from him, may 
be agreed to by the other, in case he should win 
a prize, without any reasonable exception beingmade to it. Or it may sometimes happen, a man 
may win two or three good falls, and then be so 
much over-matched in size and strength, that 
even a majority of the spectators would rather 
wish him to receive an acknowledgment, however small, than see him risk a fall with so unequal an opponent. For instance, last year at 
Carlisle, if we mistake not, Waters — a youngman not more than eighteen or nineteen years of 
age, and about eleven stone in weight, after 
wrestling uncommonly well, fell in against 
Weightman ! We are so far from thinking the 
spectators could have derived any gratification 
from witnessing so unequal a contest, that we 
believe a great majority of those acquainted 
with the circumstance, were much better pleased 
Waters did not attempt to wrestle him; and if 
Weightman had agreed to give him any thing 
for not wrestling him, so far from being offended, 
the spectators would have deemed it an honourable and manly act. Respecting the latter part of 
the ninth Rule, no agreement about the division 
of a prize between two Wrestlers, provided they 
both do their best, can possibly affect the spectators and therefore they undoubtedly ought to 
have full liberty to modulate it as they think 
most desirable and advantageous to themselves. 
As the ninth Rule specifies that no agreement 
ifhall be permitted without the sanction of the 
umpire, the tenth proceeds to state that if such 
an agreement be made, the offender shall be subjected to such an award, as the umpire (who 
'ought to be perfectly acquainted with the of- 

 

fence, and therefore a competent judge of the 
matter) shall deem most eligible, or equitable. 
This is a most important desideratum in these 
Rules as the circumstance of two Wrestlers entering into an agreement between themselves 
without any visible cause, though it has often 
been deprecated, both by those who gave the 
prize, and the spectators in general, yet except 
in a very few instances, no punishment has been 
awarded for it, (notwithstanding it has always 
been considered very unfair) for which reason 
the Wrestlers conceive they have a right to act 
just as they think proper. One bad precedent 
establishes another, and therefore no palpable 
deviation from what is just and reasonable ought 
to be allowed. A notice of any intended meeting, always particularizes what is the object of 
it. Thus in Wrestling, it is always mentioned 
that such a prize will be given to wrestle for. 
Provided the sum be given, no matter whether it 
be by one particular person or by a number, the 
object is always the same, — namely — to bring a 
number of people together, from whose attendance some advantage, — emolument, — or consequence is expected to be ultimately derived. 
Such an assemblage have an undoubted right to 
witness what was the object of their attendance 
therefore any proceeding tending to deprive 
them of that right, is an infringement upon the 
original notice of that meeting. Now can any 
person be stupid enough to argue, that when 
the greatest expectation is excited by the meeting of two good Wrestlers, it should be balked by 
an agreement to divide the prize without a contest! Such an agreement, while it thwarts the 
very object of the meeting, adds nothing, but 
rather detracts from the reputation of the men 

who do it. If renown were the inducement 
which occasioned either of them to become a 
Wrestler, it is not to be acquired by compromising every fall in which there is danger of coming 
off second best. Where there is no danger, there 
can be no honour. On the other hand, there 
can be no honour lost when a man does his best 
and an agreement without some sufficient motive, 
certainly implies something cowardly. If money 
be the object of a man's entering the ring, if he 
offer a part, to obtain a greater part, or the 
whole, it is but reasonable he should earn it: and 
when there is no odd man to defeat his mercenary motive, a power ought to exist somewhere 'to 
frustrate the intentions of a man whose interest 
leads him to disappoint those who gave the prize, 
and the many for whose amusement it was given; 
and such power can no where be vested so judiciously as with the umpire. 

Having now methodically laid down Rules 
which embrace every incident that can arise from 
the men's first entering the rin»', till the prize 
is won, we shall not tire our readers with many 
further comments upon them at this time. At a 
future period of this Work, some allusions will 
be made to nearly all of them. At present we 
shall only observe, that any deviation we have 
made from old-established custom bears somewhat harder upon the Wrestlers, and therefore 
may be supposed more conducive to the gratification of the spectators, and, consequently, to 
promote the object for which prizes are given. 
It is manifest to those who wish well to the exercise, that if the dividing system prevail to any 
great extent, it will eventually occasion the suspension of giving money to wrestle for al- 

together therefore we conceive it to be much 
belter to check the evil in its infancy, lest it destroy the celebrity of the amusement it was meant 
to promote. 

We shall now for the better information of 
those spectators, not conversant either in the 
practice, or theory, of wrestling-, as well as 
of those who wish to become so, devote a few 
pages to the explanation of those terms usually 
applied to the methods which are used in the 
art, or to speak more intelligibly to eur less 
knowing readers, the different methods of striking-, or assailing an opponent, so as to effect the 
desired object of bringing him down, generally 
termed throwing him by the spectators, but by 
some hardy and unrefined practisers of the exercise, broadly, and we must own, rather brutally 
called felling him. These methods are much 
more various and complicated in close-hold 
wrestling than in, any other mode which diversity we conceive to be a strong proof of the 
superiority of this exercise to any other, which 
indeed is evinced by the great interest it never 
has failed to excite — a diversity which must be 
regarded as characteristic of something noble 
and manly, as it can be occasioned only by a contest of men. The most general and usual methods are those which follow — 

Throwing men by lifting them from off the 
ground, and rapidly placing one of the knees 
between their thighs, is now become very common all over Cumberland and Westmorland. It 
was however very little known between the 
rivers Derwent and Duddon till within these last 
twenty years. It is generally called hipeing, we 
conceive from the supposed great use of the hip 
ia the execution of it. There is however too es- 

sential a difference in the modes of practising1 it, 
for any general agreement in the propriety of 
the term. An explanation of one or two of these 
modes may serve to elucidate the point, — give 
the reader some idea as to the propriety of the 
term, — and enable him to ascertain the accuracy 
of our definition of it. 

When immediately on lifting, the knee and 
thigh are thrown in, and forced upwards so, that 
quickly wheeling the whole frame to the contrary side, the assailant is enabled when turning 
his man with his arms, and delivering- him from 
his breast, to pitch him with his hip, (which will 
then be close against the lower part of his opponent's belly) in such a manner, that not being 
able to catch the ground with either foot, he is 
thrown upon his back an operation which requires a close hold, and great rapidity in the 
execution of it; we conceive it may with propriety, be provincially called hipeing. Thomas 
Richardson, of Hesket, commonly called the 
dyer, is allowed to be one, if not the very best 
hiper among the present list of Cumbrian Wrestlers. 

But when on lifting, the superior length of the 
assailant enables him to throw his leg so high 
that his opponent is turned by the action of the 
knee, against the inside of his thigh, and the 
simultaneous effort of the arms and breast, as was 
generally practised by the celebrated William 
Wilson, of Ambleside, we conceive the proper 
appellation to be, inside striking. That this is 
quite a different mode from what we have termed hipeing, is still more evident by some Wrestlers lifting their man, and waiting some time for 
an opportunity when this is the case, the fall is 
usually occasioned by the knee, aided by the dex- 

WRESTLIANA. 9£ 

terous management of the arms only, and does 
not require the men being so close to each other 
as hipeing. This method is now become very 
common, and if the term striking can be as properly, as it is commonly applied to Wrestling') 
we think it can admit of no definition but an inside stroke. 

It is an invariable maxim, that when a man is 
determined to make play, the sooner he does it, 
and the quicker he is in doing it, the greater will 
be his chance of succeeding. To guard against 
an inside stroke, or hipe, the defendant should if 
possible keep himself on the ground. To do this, 
he must either lift against his opponent, or slackening his own hold, endeavour by wrenching his 
body from his opponent's grasp to plant himself, 
as it were, to the ground striving at the same 
time to keep his opponent off with his breast, 
and if possible to shrink it underneath his assailant's. If he succeed in this latter mode, he should 
be on the alert to secure such a hold, when his 
opponent attacks him, (which he cannot do 
without in some measure giving his body within 
the compass of his grasp) as will ensure him of 
victory. It is true a skilful Wrestler will be very 
careful when he hazards an attack to keep his 
right arm well up, to prevent his opponent getting a low hold of him; but still if he does not 
succeed, one equally skilful will inevitably gain 
some advantage by it, such as catching his heel, 
— mending his hold, — or attacking him in turn 
before he can recover his balance. If the defondant cannot prevent his opponent from lifting 
him, he must endeavour, by shrinking his body, 
to give him the greatest weight upon his breast 
he possibly can, and instantaneously try to fix 
his knees and feet so as to prevent the assailant 

96 WRESTIJANA. 

from getting his knee between his thighs, and at 
the same time, so as fully to inform himself of 
every meditated movement the moment it is attempted. If he thus succeeds in checking the 
first assault, and be equal, or nearly so to the 
assailant, he ought to win the fall. As these observations will, with some trifling deviations, apply to lifting in general, we shall not have occasion to dwell much in future upon that particular subject. 

The methods of assailing a man on either side 
are various. They may however be reduced to 
the four principal ones, namely: — striking with 
the knee, — the leg, — the foot, and the leg and 
foot alternately. The first is done by striking 
with great pith and force with either of the 
knees, though generally the left, against the outside of an opponent's knee or thigh and by the 
force of the stroke, and the correspondent movement of the arms, first force him from, arid then 
turn him upon the ground. Slee, of Dacre, who 
won the prize at Penrith Races in the year 1813, 
was, in our judgment, the best at this stroke of 
any man we ever saw practise it. Sometimes it 
is made use of after lifting, by throwing the knee 
outside an opponent's thigh a method we have 
in propria persons often practised with great 
success. The second is generally termed in and 
out, owing to striking out with the leg, so that 
the knee of the assailant is outside his opponent's, 
and the foot inside his ancle, or small of the 
leg, — thus placing a kind of lock upon the knee 
and leg. This is a very common mode with many first-rate, as well as inferior Wrestlers. The 
third mode is usually called a chip, and is effected by trying to swing an opponent round, and 
strike the wrist of the foot against the outside of 

his leg or ancle, or as in the preceding mode, by 
doing so, and turning him with the assistance of 
the arms a method which Thomas Golightly 
(now no more) excelled in, and in which 
we have seen Nicholson himself evince much 
dexterity. It in general requires more dexterity 
than any of the preceding modes. The fourth is 
effected by striking an antagonist from the 
ground with the leg, either outside, or in and 
out, with the assistance of the arms and instantly planting that foot upon the ground, strike 
with the other across his farther shin before he 
reaches the ground. This stroke requires great 
quickness and activity, and is, when well executed, one of the surest and neatest methods of 
Wrestling practised. The best and cleanest 
practiser of this mode we ever knew, or heard 
of, was William Ponsonby, of Endside, near 
Egremont, who retired from the ring nearly 
twenty years ago. He displayed such uncommon dexterity in this stroke, that his feet might 
frequently have been heard at a considerable 
distance succeeding each other against his opponent's legs like two distinct claps of the 
hand — it is at the present time by no means 
unusual. 

Although we have classed outside striking under four principal heads, yet it is to be observed 
that the occasions on which they are resorted 
to are extremely various being often used as 
sufficient of themselves, sometimes as precursors 
to other meditated attacks, and not unfrequently, subsequent to other movements. As a clear 
explanation of their nature, and the different 
modes of using them, are a sufficient means of 
information to enable any practiser of Wrestling 
to judge what are the su,rest methods of guard- 

ing- against them, it is unnecessary to detain our 
readers any longer on this particular subject. 

When one party gets a leg behind an opponent's it is called haming, or catching his heel, 
according to the manner in which it is done. If 
1he legs are intertwined with each other, or if the 
keel of the assailant is above the small of the defendant's leg, it is usually termed haming for no 
other reason that we can divine, except from 
the strength required in the ham, either for accelerating, or defending the attack. Sometimes 
a ham is practised at the moment of taking hold, 
or when taken off the ground, by rapidly striking 
the heel behind the knee as the sinews of the 
person lifting are then at full stretch, if the party lifted do it forcibly, and can throw the full 
weight of his body along with it, it is often effective. Haming, as well as catching the heel, is indiscriminately practised, either as attacks of 
themselves, or as auxiliaries to other attacks. 
To guard against a ham, the defendant should 
feel his feet firm upon the ground, slack his 
hold, and bear forward with his breast against 
the assailant's. If he succeed in this, he should 
endeavour, if the ham be persevered in, to turn 
or twist his opponent over by wheeling him ofi? 
his breast to the opposite side, as he will have 
only one leg on the ground but should he quit 
the ham, no time should be lost in closing the 
hands lower down upon his back, and becoming 
the assailant in turn. 

Catching the heel is often quite a different 
operation — its object generally is to force the 
foot forward by rapidly striking the heel, against 
the heel, or ancle of the defendant. Should it 
not prove immediately effective, yet if the defendant staggers, and ultimately falls by not be- 

ing able to extricate himself from it, it is usually 
called hankering the heel. Catching the heel 
may be practised either on the outside, or inside 
and if done with force and quickness, it is a very 
difficult manoeuvre to guard against, and a 
Wrestler known to be expert in catching, or 
hankering, is generally as little fancied for an 
opponent, as one skilled in any other mode whatever. Thomas Nicholson, ofThrelkeld, who won 
at Carlisle for three successive years, was a forcible illustrator of this mode. He was certainly 
uncommonly good at it, and though by no means 
wanting in many other modes, yet he was more 
indebted to this method for victory than all the 
rest put together. There is another mode somewhat similar to these last mentioned, by which 
falls, particularly among new beginners, or novices, are often decided. This may be termed twining over the knee, as it is effected by 
getting the knee outside and twining an opponent 
over it. 

It is not our intention to dwell much upon 
what is often indiscriminately termed handling, 
henching, hipping buttock ing, or crossbuttocking, 
as they are ail effected in nearly the same manner and in fact, whatever they may be fancically 
called, the breast and side are oftentimes, though 
not always, as much used as the hip, or what is 
the most general appellation, the buttock. A man 
skilled in this method of wrestling generally 
strives for a loose hold, and it is the left side 
which is mostly used for effecting the desired 
object. By stepping partly in, and crossways 
with the left foot, twining the body in, and 
throwing the buttock underneath the belly; the 
defendant is by the assailant's arms being kept 
tight round his neck, or shoulders, hoisted on, 

and thrown off, or over fhe side, or buttock 
as the latter is by the act of stepping- thrown far 
thest in, it has acquired the name of buttocking 
and when the leg- or foot gets quite across the defendant's body, of crossbuttocking though even 
then, it is evident unless the effort was secondec 
by the arms and higher part of the body, the ac 
of throwing the leg across would be fatal to the 
aggressor. Sometimes when the assailant per 
ceives, or feels his man staggered, or balanced 
upon his side, or buttock, he is so circumstanced 
as to be able to strike with one of his feet across 
the shins when this is done the fall is often 
clean and effective. At other times the situation 
admits of getting the leg, or foot, behind both of 
the defendant's when this happens it is in some 
places called grands/stepping. It sometimes 
happens that the assailant, by turning in quickly 
with very loose holds, gets into a position exactly before, or with his back to his opponent; in 
that case, if he do not, by keeping his hands fast 
and stooping forward throw him over his head 
and shoulders, his situation is a dangerous one 
for losing the fall. In short the modes of assault and defence in this most manly of all exercises, are so diversified, that a volume might be 
filled by illustrating- that part of our subject only. 
The act of buttocking, slipping from the side, or 
breast, and in fact, of every thing that constitutes 
the science of wrestling, depends much upon the 
different situations which may occur in a contest; 
and the judgment formed by feeling with the 
chest, and breast, what kind of assault is most 
likely to prove effective; and generally speaking-, 
quickness in assault, and promptitude in judiciously availing- himself of any circumstance that 
may arise during the struggle, may be called the 

distinguishing characteristics of a good and 
scientific wrestler. 

Opinions respecting the best mode of standing 
when taking hold are no doubt various, and the 
particular method of wrestling usually adopted 
by the antagonist to be encountered, in order to 
counteract his intention as well as keeping in 
view the method he himself excels in, will always 
have some influence on every judicious Wrestler. 
In the Rule solely devoted to the purpose of obliging those to take hold who cannot themselves 
agree about it, we found it absolutely necessary 
to fix some standard for regulating the hold. 
Any Wrestler need not be told that the subject is 
the most difficult one that could arise and that 
one certain standard only was indispensable. 
Making proper allowance for any man's mode of 
wrestling, except it be in an extreme of tight (the 
usual epithet for a close or fast hold) or slack, 
we are fully prepared to maintain that the standard we have fixed on, is the best and most judicious that can be adopted. It is usual for men 
wishing to take more than a fair hold, to- shrink 
their own breast underneath their opponents', 
and pin his arm to his side, close to the elbow — 
the merest novice in the art will not permit this, 
and yet the shorter man will sometimes" argue 
they ought to stand straight up ! Knee to knee is 
sometimes with equal absurdity proposed for 
unless the men are of exactly the same dimensions upwards, it does not in the least alter the subject of dispute. A hat, or a stick, is often laid 
down, and the men are required to bring their toes 
up to the mark. The monstrous absurdity of the 
ridiculous position this will place men of different 
sizes in, with their feet close together, and what 
is sometimes jocosely termed the seat of honouc 

of the taller man hung back, needs no comment. 
No certain distance between the toes can be 
equally applicable to all and therefore the distance which will admit of both feeling themselves 
at ease, and firmly on the ground, may soon be 
settled between them with the assistance of the 
umpire, as breast to breast, is the only mode of 
placing them on an equal footing. Many Wrestlers are fond of leaning to the left side, a habit 
acquired while in their novitiate by the desire of 
seeing their opponent's feet, or at least his right 
foot. This latter circumstance is of no material 
advantage of itself as it is the feel and not the 
sight, which generally regulates the movements 
of a good Wrestler, especially at the commencement of a contest, as is sufficiently evident from 
the fact, that one man decidedly the master of another, will throw him blindfolded. This lean to 
the left, as with many it is a supposed advantage, 
and therefore often a considerable obstacle to 
their getting hold, is worthy of some consideration in regard to its utility, both in assaulting, 
and defending; and therefore, though a dry and 
complex subject to some of our readers, yet as 
many Wrestlers will deem it both important, and 
interesting, it is our duty to attempt some elucidation of the subject. 

It must be sufficiently evident to all, that leaning to either side is a deviation from the natural 
and true centre of balance and of course will 
lay some stress upon, or partly brace the muscles 
of the opposite side. Thus if the lean be to the 
left side, the muscles of the right, from the neck 
to the foot downwards will be proportionably 
braced, as those on the left are contracted in 
with the body and part of the weight of the 
body, by being thrown upon the right arm of the 

opponent, will detract in a corresponding degree from the weight upon, or firmness of, the 
feet upon the ground. Now it is certain that the 
easier and firmer any Wrestler feels himself upon 
the ground, the less stress there will be upon the 
arms aud breast and that when all the powers 
of the frame can at once be brought effectively 
into action, the more vigorous will be the attack. 
It is to be remarked, that these obstacles apply 
even to an attack with the left leg while the 
lean being from the right, must of course greatly 
detract from the force of any intended effort to 
throw an opponent to that side and the position itself totally precludes the idea of an effective buttock because, instead of facilitating the 
act of getting the foot partly across, or the breast 
underneath, it acts in the very reverse, by contributing to place the body on the outside, — an 
unavoidable consequence of the lean. As for 
buttocking with the right side, there are very few 
who ever attempt it, except it is after an outside 
stroke with the left leg because, in taking hold, 
the left arm is always above the right and consequently, when the hold is loose, there is no 
material obstacle to prevent that side from being 
thrown in whereas, the right arm being underneath the oxter, prevents that side from being 
brought into action with equal freedom and facility notwithstanding this, there are some few 
who contrive to throw in the right side with considerable effect; yet against a good Wrestler, it 
must always be considered a losing chance. 

It is observable that these remarks apply to the 
act of taking hold before the contest is begun. 
The lean to the left acquired after, or during a 
struggle, is quite a different thing. It is then a 
certain sign, either that the opponent has lost all 

command of the hold, or that both parties have 
their arms round each others neck. If the former be the case, it necessarily implies that the party who has the Jean, has broke his opponent's hold, 
— has himself got a commanding one, — is standing perfectly at ease, — and is nearly sure of the 
fall — while his adversary, scarcely able to preserve an upright position and without hold, is incapable of making any offensive effort which is 
likely to succeed. The only thing he can do, is 
to attempt to get his side in, and try to buttock 
but the other, perfectly aware of his movements, 
will probably catch him under the ribs, and often 
dispose of him with ease and safety. If both parties have lost hold of the back, he who has the 
lean is much more advantageously situated than 
his opponent he stands freer with his neck, and 
easier with his body and is consequently more 
at liberty to assault or defend with a much greater prospect of success. As the two most important objects in wrestling — namely, hold, — and 
feeling with the breast, are in that situation, of 
comparatively little consequence, a view of the 
right leg becomes an object of some consideration, as it implies the fact of the right arm being 
more up, and the left more down, than his antagonist's (if the men have any hold) can possibly 
be as the left buttock is then the only attack 
that his opponent can make, and which he cannot make without moving the right leg. On the 
other hand, the person possessing the lean is by 
no means in so confined a situation. By standing perfectly at ease, he can choose his time of assault, or is fully prepared to avail himself of any 
effort his antagonist can make and if he be a 
good striker with the left leg across the shin, he 
has every chance of doing so with success which 

he ought not to defer doing, lest his antagonist 
should wrench his head loose, and thus oblige him 
to forfeit his advantage by taking a fresh hold. 

Having thus proved that leaning to one side 
when the men are supposed to be on equal terms, 
and acquiring a commanding lean after the contest is begun, are two very different things, it remains for us to consider the advantage, or disadvantage, of the lean to the left side, as it regards the efficacy of repelling, or guarding an 
attack. As this lean, which implies laying an 
additional weight upon an opponent's right arm 
at the commencement of a contest, when the holds 
are, or ought to be, equally low round the arm 
and body, cannot be done without detracting 
from the firmness of the feet upon the ground, 
must apparently impede the act of guarding, 
either a judicious stroke, or buttock — for although it may be a preventative to his being turn ed to the right side by an outside stroke with the 
left leg yet it must proportionably facilitate his 
being turned to the left side, by the left leg inside, 
or by the right outside and hanging his weight to 
the left side, so far from the centre of balance, is 
certainly the very thing a good buttocker, or slipper from the breast, would desire. It likewise is 
not as some imagine, any obstacle to his being lifted from the ground; because by hanging his weight 
downwards, he has not an immediate command 
of his strength to counteract the lift of his opponent and instead of bearing him forward with 
his breast and arms, he has one hanging upon 
him, and the other closely locked round him. His 
antagonist so far from having an additional 
weight to lift, has only the same weight in a more 
favour able position for lifting it because, having the greater part already, he has only that 

part to raise higher, and the other comes by degrees upon him, and the weight he has to sustain 
is close to him whereas, were his antagonist 
lifting, or bearing against him, the weight would 
come upon him at once, and would be farther 
from him, Again, the weight of a man is so far 
from being equal to his strength, that if no impediment were thrown in the way by lifting against, or bearing forward with the arms and 
breast a man ten stone weight, would easily lift 
one of twenty. When lifted, the lean is an evident disadvantage, as it tends to throw him from 
the exact front of his opponent, it must of 
course be a considerable impediment to clapping 
the knees, or legs, close upon him to prevent 
his striking out, and feeling in what manner, and 
with what leg he intends to do it. 

Having discussed this point fully, and we hope 
satisfactorily to the experienced Wrestler, we 
will offer a few short remarks upon the hold recommended in the third Rule. It is surely a 
most important and desirable thing, that the 
same method of taking hold should prevail 
throughout this and the adjacent counties because by practising in some places with loose, 
and in others with tight holds, wrheii they meet 
for some considerable prize, no hold satisfactory 
to all parties can be obtained. This evidently 
compelled the author of any treatise on the subject to lay down some one particular manner 
to be resorted to as a standard, when any 
dispute occurred. The one which seemed to us 
best adapted to this difficult point, is as we have 
before remarked in our observations upon it, 
such a one as the tight-hold Wrestler may gather with, or strike from and at the same time, 
one which does not prevent the loose-hold Wres- 

tier from making use of his own peculiar mode. 
Such a medium between the two extremes, is 
the thing- evidently calculated to compromise 
the subject of dispute. As the parties are equally standing without inclining to either side, — exactly fronting each other, — at liberty to breathe 
freely, — and feeling each other by the junction 
of their breasts, all characteristics of a fair, and 
which cannot exist in an unfair hold they are 
at full, and equal liberty to attack with vigour, 
and every part of the frame may at once be 
promptly combined to repel, and on the alert to 
take any advantge which may present itself in 
consequence of, the attack. 

But still after all that can be said respecting 
the superiority of any particular method of taking 
hold, considerable practice, and attachment to 
almost any, will render a man very dexterous 
in it. Accordingly we see many acknowledged 
first-rate Wrestlers, differ as much in their 
notions of taking hold, as in their methods of assault and defence. Thus, Thomas Nicholson 
and Thomas Todd, two of the best Wrestlers of 
their weight in Cumberland, and saying this, we 
conceive \ve might safely add the united kingdom, or the world; are, or were, both upright 
standers; while William Richardson, of Caldbeck, (commonly called Ritson) the winner of 
more prizes than any other man in the kingdom, 
wras partial to the lean and John Louden, from 
the vicinity of Keswick, a first-rate, and a most 
dangerous customer, was never satisfied without 
it. As these men, and many others will, in our 
Review of Wrestling, again come under consideration, the further mention of them in this 
place would be superfluous. 

Finally, the circumstance of taking hold, 
while it is the most frequent cause of dissention 
among Wrestlers, it is at the same time, the most 
difficult for an impartial spectator, or umpire, to 
form a correct and decisive judgment upon. The 
biassed and interested spectator, and the wellwishers of either party, are often determined not 
to be convinced that the fault originates with 
their favourite. This being the case, those who 
give the prize, ought always promptly to enforce the judgment of the umpire whom they 
have chosen. The rule for deciding the hold, 
notwithstanding the difficulty of the subject, 
is, we hope, sufficiently intelligible to any man 
who is competent to fulfil the arduous situation of acting as umpire. Being fully conscious, that as harmony and unanimity ought 
to be the distinguished characteristics of an 
amusement, we could not be too explicit, or 
minute, on the point which tends most to interrupt them such a consideration could alone 
have induced us to treat every thing relative to 
the subject of taking hold, in so lengthy a manner but feeling as we do, that the frequency, and 
splendour of the prizes given to wrestle for, will 
be considerably influenced by the cordiality displayed by the Wrestlers towards each other, it 
appeared to us an indispensable duty to give 
this particular subject a full consideration as 
shrinking from it would have implied an inability 
to treat of it, — a stigma, we possess egotism 
enough to believe we by no means merit. 

Review of Northern Wrestling within the last 
forty-five years-, comprising some Memoirs of 
the most distinguished Wrestlers during that 
period. 

IN commencing a Review of modern Wrestling, 
and corresponding Memoirs of the most celebrated Wrestlers, it is highly necessary to fix some 
particular date from which we can gradually 
descend to the present time. In doing so it wilt 
not be expected, that in so limited a Work as 
this, we should either fix upon a very remote 
era, or have been at the trouble and expense of 
collecting every minutiae of the subject we treat 
of. In fixing an era, it would be neither instructive nor amusing to go farther back than those 
transactions which are well remembered by many persons now living, who were themselves 
Wrestlers, and often actors in the scenes we 
have heard them describe. To go farther back 
would be mere hearsay, — and from such partial 
authority no certain information could be obtained further than that there was Wrestling, and 
consequently Wrestlers, in our grandfathers' 
time — this we already know, as we have in the 
first part of this Treatise proved there were both 
nearly from the creation of the world. We 
could indeed give names much antecedent to 
the date we shall fix upon, — but as we could add 
no further information than that they were very 
strongmen, and as far as we can collect, strength, 
and not science was in those days the great essential towards victory, our doing so would be 
merely nominal. As to the trouble and expense 
of collecting information, we frankly own we 
K 

have been at none. We speak from our own 
knowledge, and from such corresponding information as insure the correctness of every thing 
we shall state as matter of fact. During the 
many years we were attached to this hardy and 
athletic exercise, 

 The men who threw us, and the men we threw" 

Could not fail to perfect us in the practice of the 
ring and the number of veteran Wrestlers, and 
veteran amateurs we conversed with, who 

 Our memory stor'd with feats of valour done, 
 And youth recalling, told how belts were won," 

Gave us an equal claim to understand the theory of the business and consequently we scruple not to say, we believe ourselves as well acquainted with the various interesting particulars 
comprised in such a Review* as any one person 
whatever. 

About forty-five years ago, or about the year 
1778, back-hold Wrestling was more practised, 
and in higher estimation in that extent of country which comprises the borders of Cumberland, 
Westmorland, Yorkshire, and Northumberland, 
than in any other place in England or Scotland. 
Since those days of our fathers, great indeed is 
the change effected in the habits, customs, and 
manners, of all classes of people throughout 
England and in no part of it more than in the 
north. The festivities of Christmas, the hilarities of sheep-shearing, and other seasons of mirth 
and jollity, are now but the mere shadow of 
what they were, even at the short distance of 
time we treat of. Though some dainties, neither 
much known nor wanted in those days, are now 

in common use, yet home-brewed, that soul and 
cementer of good fellowship, so often spoken of 
in raptures by the aged, has nearly disappeared. 
At that time, if money was more scarce, ale was 
better and cheaper and pastimes were not only 
more frequent, but enjoyed with much less care 
for to-morrow. Accordingly, on the borders of 
these counties, prizes of different descriptions 
were frequently given to wrestle for. Although 
a belt was the most usual prize, yet silver cups, 
leather breeches, and other things of considerable value, accompanied by a belt, were by no 
means uncommon. Of all the excellent Wrestlers at that period, ADAM DODD was the most 
distinguished. He was by trade a miller, and 
was brought up, or at least resided for a number 
of years at Longwathby Mill. As this village on 
Christmas or New Year's Day, and Melmerby on 
Midsummer's Day, were the scenes of the two 
most distinguished annual contests, this hero lived in the centre of those places where the greatest number of prizes were given. It is considered by many who were acquainted with Adam, 
that he won more prizes than any other man, either remembered at that period, or who has since 
appeared in the ring. From the best, and most 
authentic accounts we have been able to collect 
concerning him, we think he yielded in that respect to William Richardson, of Caldbeck. Our 
reasons for this opinion are founded on the following facts — Richardson was a Wrestler, and 
a most distinguished one, for twice the number 
of years it was possible for Adam to enjoy much 
celebrity — Richardson wrestled throughout a 
more extensive range of country, and was more 
in the habit of frequenting sports, than we believe Adam was. And again, Richardson car- 

K2 

ried away many prizes from places where there 
were few opponents (and sometimes none) to encounter a Wrestler of his prowess; whereas, in 
Adam's time, almost every prize was keenly contested. But giving Richardson the preference 
in this respect, we give it as our candid opinion, 
that Dodd must have been the better Wrestler. 
Indeed from the concurrent testimony of all 
who knew him, it was universally admitted by 
the old men at that period, that no Wrestler in 
their remembrance had ever equalled him in 
what is now termed science and action nor are 
the men who were contemporaries with him, 
willing to admit that any of our modern Wrestlers would have stood on equal terms with him 
but this latter assertion ought to be received with 
caution. It is both usual and natural for age to 
be garrulous and eloquent concerning the days 
of lang syne." For our part we have known 
(and yet know) some whom we thought able to 
wrestle any thing of their height and weight but 
we confess, that so high was the renown of this 
distinguished champion, that we scarcely know 
how to make up our mind concerning the truth 
of this doctrine. Adam, though not termed a 
big one, was yet far above the middle-size of 
Wrestlers. He was between five feet ten and 
five feet eleven inches high, and weighed near 
fourteen stones — belonging to that class in 
which we have elsewhere stated the most distinguished Wrestlers and Pugilists were to be found. 
He has been described to us as a clean, and wellbuilt man but withal rather flattish bodied, 
and slender backed for such a distinguished 
Wrestler — this is said by some to have been the 
only thing that prevented him from being invincible. He was a straight stander, and easy to 

satisfy with a hold, — but the moment it was 
taken, eager to be at work, and seldom desisted from the attack till the fall was over. 
He seldom had recourse to the buttock 
— striking was his forte; and his dexterity 
and method of parting, or what is often 
provinciaily called livering (a contraction of 
delivering) his man, was such, that he seldom 
either missed his object, or went to the ground. 
His favourite method was the outside, and he 
was partial to feinting with one foot, and striking with the other however on striking out, he 
often seconded the attack with the foot he feinted with — and we have heard it asserted he 
struck uncommonly high. In this his trade as a 
miller might be advantageous to him. From 
frequent practice in lifting and removing loads 
with his arms, in which the knee and foot are 
sometimes used as auxiliaries, he might have acquired more strength in the leg when striking 
out, and felt less incommoded when balancing 
and turning his man, than if he had been brought 
up to almost any other trade. It would be impossible for us, or any other person at this period 
to enumerate the tithe of his victories — suffice 
it to observe, he was the hero of his day, and at 
the great annual meetings at Longwatliby, and 
Melme.rby, as well as at Alston, often threw, not 
only the most noted Wrestlers of the neighbourhood, and the borders of Cumberland and Westmorland, but all the dons from Yorkshire and 
Northumberland who came to try their prowess 
with him. It would be foolish to assert, or lead 
any person to suppose he was not occasionally 
thrown for that is a thing, which like time 
and tide happeueth to all men but we believe 
we shall not be contradicted, when we say he 
K3 

ranked the very first on the list. He was a remarkably civil, and peaceable man and his con 
duct and character through life, accorded with 
these two essential recommendations to respect 
and esteem, having never been called in question 
on any occasion. His death was occasioned by 
incautiously lying down to sleep upon the kiln 
when drying some oats, which brought on an 
illness that proved fatal a short time afterwards, whilst in the very prime of life. He died 
about the year 1782, leaving a widow then with 
child, — having entered into the connubial state 
not long before his decease. 

The next hero to Adam Dodd in point of renown at that period, and in that vicinity, was 
THOMAS JOHNSTON, who has for a great number 
of years been in the employ of J. C. Curwen, 
Esq. of Workington Hall, as a labourer and 
husbandman. It is a very dubious point whether 
Tom has not, from wrestling in a more extensive 
sphere, and labouring longer in the vocation, 
won as great a number of prizes as Adam did. 
When these two heroes met, there was nothing 
like certainty as to the event of the contest 
Tom having both thrown, and been thrown by 
Adam although we surmise the odds were in 
favour of the latter circumstance. However with 
that one exception, we are warranted from a 
multiplicity of accounts, in ranking Tom Johnston superior to any other man in a wide range 
of country, in which he long reigned the most 
distinguished champion. Amongst those whom 
he has vanquished, Tom, with considerable pride 
sometimes mentions the celebrated Abraham 
Brown, who was for many years curate of Egremont. Johnston was a fourteen stone man, and 
stood near six feet high, — was extremely well 

made, and consequently an equal opponent for 
any man whatever. He was we believe no buttocker and was most partial to the ham, and 
hankering the heel, in which modes he excelled 
all the heroes of his day. Johnston, like a true 
sportsman, still relishes the crack of the whip, 
and actually carried the belt from off the Cloffick, 
at Workington, at one of the great meetings 
on Easter Tuesday, when nearly sixty years of 
age. Tom Johnston is in himself a contradiction 
to the foolish, but commonly received opinion, 
that wrestling is so injurious to the frame, that 
it destroys the constitution in a very few years, 
and brings on so many aches, and rheumatic 
pains, that many believe a Wrestler when advanced in years, must necessarily be a cripple. So far are we from coinciding in this 
opinion, that as far as we are able to judge, we 
have reason to believe it to be a healthful, and 
strengthening exercise. We may be laughed at 
for such an opinion, but facts are stubborn things, 
and we challenge any man who differs from us 
in that opinion, to produce a younger and 
healthier-looking man of his age, than William 
Richardson, who has won more prizes we believe than any man in existence. In fact many 
of the idle stories respecting the terrific consequences, are mere chimeras ! originating with 
those who know nothing about it, and credited 
only by those who have had no opportunities of 
judging for themselves. 

Another celebrated hero at the same period, 
was THOMAS LEE, who we are informed is at 
this present time a publican in Alston. Lee, we 
have been told, was from the borders of Northumberland, and was the unrivalled cock of the 
walk fo«r many miles round him, both as a Wrest- 

ler and Pugilist. The fame of Adam Dodd continually ringing in his ears, inflamed him with an 
ardent desire to try conclusions with him. Accordingly, regarding minor conquests as beneath 
him, and believing himself nearly invincible, he 
set off in quest of Adam to a meeting of such celebrity as to insure the attendance of that hero. We 
have heard some assert that it was at Longwathby, but we have undoubted authority for saying 
it was at Great Salkeld that these heroes first 
met. However this may be it is certain that they 
both fought and wrestled. The issue of the former contest was not unfavourable to Adam, although there are many who maintain that it 
was the only pugilistic contest in which he 
was ever engaged and that it was only to prevent the imputation of being a coward that 
induced him to fight. In wrestling, Adam proved the master; and this we are told Lee is 
still willing to acknowledge, but entertains 
an opinion that he was the better man in the 
other respect. Be that as it may, there is no 
doubt that Lee was a very noted man, and superior to his opponent in strength and weight. 
JOHN HORSLEY, or OTLEY, yet living in Alston, 
was likewise a very powerful man and though 
not considered an equal match for Adam Dodd, 
threw him for a pair of new leather breeches 
given by J. Riccardson, Esq. on his coming to 
age. 

Bampton school, on the borders of Westmorland, was perhaps the most celebrated seminary 
in England for turning out good Wrestlers. It 
was usual at that period for those designed for 
the church, or any learned profession, to frequent school when grown up to manhood and 
if a young man was known to be a Bampton 

scholar, it was considered conclusive of his being 
a good Wrestler. Among those educated at this 
instructive seminary whose genius led them to 
acquire a competent knowledge of the bodily 
powers of man, before they were honoured with 
the charge of his more important requisites, was 
the Reverend and celebrated ABRAHAM BROWN, 
whom we have before alluded to. This gentleman was the first of whom we have any authentic 
records of excelling as a buttocker. Having lost 
no time in perfecting himself in this manly exercise when a scholar, he fully maintained the character of a very first rate, when acting in the 
more exalted situations of usher and school" 
master in different places and occasionally after 
he became a curate. When a very young man 
he acquired great renown in carrying away a 
silver cup of considerable value from Eamont 
Bridge, which divides the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, and which was consequently in the very centre of the most noted 
wrestling country in England. After his establishment at Egremont, Mr. Brown had no objection, in the spirit of good fellowship, to oblige 
any man who felt extremely anxious for a trial 
of skill with him, and in these casual turn ups it 
is said he was never vanquished. Abraham being a man of considerable humour, and good nature, palmed himself more than once, as a friend 
of Parson Brown's, on men, who hearing of his 
celebrity, expressed a strong desire to try a fall 
with him. On such occasions he pretended to 
be well acquainted with the Parson, and assured them that if they could throw him easily, 
they would prove a match for Brown, when they 
met with him. This of course caused a contest 
—and Master Abraham, after giving them full 

satisfaction, would advise them to go home, as 
he could assure them they were not able to vanquish the Parson. We have heard him assert 
that when nineteen years of age, he did not 
weigh more than twelve stones, but a stranger to 
him in his younger days would have judged of 
him very differently. He could not be less than 
six feet high, and when at a proper age for entering the church, must have weighed fifteen 
stones at least. This well known character died 
within the last twelve months, and it is but justice to his memory to observe, that though occasionally addicted to the bottle, he preserved 
through life, both in his public and private character, the regard and esteem, not only of his 
parishioners m general, but of nearly all who 
were acquainted with him. 

Quitting the borders of the county at present, 
we will revert to the borders of Holm Cultram. 
In that part of Cumberland, flourished at that 
time, the greatest hero in a diversity of athletic 
exercises, England ever produced. This was 
the well known JOHN TINIAN, who as a wrestler, boxer, runner, leaper,' cudgel, and football 
player, never met with an equal. It was no uncommon circumstance for Tinian to bear away 
all the three prizes, — viz, belt, hat, and gloves, 
from the neighbouring races which feat he once 
performed at Penrith where he was totally unknown, defeating in these different exercises, the 
very best of the border heroes. He was about 
six feet high, and fourteen stone weight an uncommonly powerful and muscular man, regarded as a desperado, and looked upon as the cock 
of the walk wherever he went. John Tinian 
is yet living, and some of his sons turned out 
promising chicks, though by no means equal to 

the old cock. — His brother JOB was equally well 
known. Job was no apology for a man, — standing about six feet six inches high, and weighing 
accordingly ! — was remarkably in-kneed, and 
had little of an Adonis about him at any time, but 
more especially when, as was frequently the case, 
he stripped off all his clothes, and exposed himself to his opponent in a state of nudity. Notwithstanding his size, and terrific appearance, he 
was not considered equal to his brother John in 
any respect and William Richardson, of Caldbeck, when a mere stripling, ventured to wrestle 
him the best of three falls. Richardson threw 
him cleanly the first fall, but was worsted in the 
second and third. Had Richardson been a few 
years older, there is little doubt but he would 
have gained an easy conquest and probably in 
wrestling have been more than a match for John 
himself, supposing they had both been in their 
prime. Job died some years ago. 

Taking leave for the present of the eastern 
side of Derwent, we must go westward as far as 
Gosforth before we find another Wrestler of 
such celebrity as to entitle him to notice in these 
Memoirs. In that place we find one of the most 
distinguished characters at that period between 
Derwent and Duddon, in the person of JOHN 
WOODALL, who was brought up as a husbandman, and succeeded his father as proprietor of a 
small estate in Gosforth. Woodall though not 
the tallest, was we believe the strongest man we 
have yet noticed. His person was symmetry itself; he stood about five feet eleven inches high, 
weighed upwards of sixteen stones, and all who 
knew him agree in considering that he was the 
strongest man in the west of Cumberland. As a 
Wrestler, Woodall was more indebted to 

strength, than science but he possessed the former requisite to such an uncommon degree, that 
he was considered no unequal opponent for the 
powerful and scientific curate of Egremont. At 
the King's Arms, in that place, Woodall exhibited a remarkable, and rather extraordinary specimen of his prodigious strength. Having been 
thrown for a prize by a shoemaker of the name 
of Carr, a well-known Wrestler, the latter, flushed with his victory, began to ridicule Woodall 
on the circumstance Woodall, though a very 
peaceable man, yet willing to turn the laugh against Carr, caught him up in his arms as if he 
had been an infant, and hung him by his breeches 
waistband upon one of the hooks in the ceiling ! 
This circumstance, while it illustrates the strvnylh 
of Woodall, displays in even a more prominent 
degree the advantages of science, which enabled 
Carr to throw an antagonist so very superior to 
him in strength. — His finances being exhausted, Woodall went to sea, and was drowned in 
the river Liffey, near Dublin, about the year 

Although wrestling still continued to be universally practised in these counties, yet the immediate successors of those heroes we have mentioned, do not appear to have attained equal 
celebrity, as fame is comparatively silent respecting their achievements. About the year 1790, a 
contest often spoken of took place at Cockermouth, between William Gunson, a cooper from 
Calderbridge, and Richard Wright, many years a 
gamekeeper at Brayton Hall. They were both 
very powerful men, and might be considered the 
champions of their respective neighbourhoods. 
If their science was not, what would now be 
considered of the first order, yet the vigorous 

exertions of two active fifteen stone men, either 
of them six feet high, could not fail to render 
the contest very attractive. The wager, which 
was only trifling-, was to be decided by the best 
of three falls. After a very manly and spirited 
contest, the hero from Calderbridge proved the 
conqueror. At a somewhat preceding period, 
a Cockermouth man of the name of Studdart, 
commonly called Leny (probably a contraction 
of Leonard) Studdart, was much noted for 
Wrestling but his notoriety was more occasioned by his prodigious strength, than by any proficiency in the science of the exercise. 

Advancing forward to a more modern date, 
we will proceed to notice some of the most celebrated heroes at the close of the seventeenth 
century, or preceding the year 1800. In doing 
so, we must travel back to Alston and its vicinity, and introduce to the notice of our readers 
the very best Wrestler of his weight Cumberland, or even the United Kingdom, ever produced, in the person of JAMES, alias JEMMY FAW- 
CETT. Anxious to do ample justice to the professional character of every Wrestler whose 
name is to be found in our pages, without detracting from the merited renown of others, we 
are compelled to acknowledge Jemmy must have 
been the most wonderful Wrestler, either of his 
own, or any other time of which we have any 
succinct, or authentic account. Jemmy, though 
yet living, is perfectly unknown to us, — therefore we cannot speak positively as to his weight, 
which we have heard some call fen, and others 
fen stone seven pounds but admitting he weighed eleven stones, the eleven-stone man who 
could bear away the prize for seven successive 
years from the most noted place of meeting, and 

from the acknowledged best Wrestlers in Cumberland and Westmorland, must have been a 
Nonpareil indeed ! Yet that Jemmy Fawcett 
was the victor at Longwathby, the most noted 
annual resort, not only for the most celebrated 
border Wrestlers, but from Alston and twenty 
miles round, on every Midsummer-day, does not 
admit of the least dispute. If Jack Randall, the 
pugilist, is entitled to the appellation of Nonpareil, by beating men of his own weight, and 
one or two a single stone heavier, what would 
he have been called if he could have added to 
the list of heroes he has vanquished the names 
of Cribb, Neate, and Spring ? Yet, granting he 
had done so, he would then scarcely have had 
as well-merited a claim to the appellation as 
Fawcett, w ho has thrown scores of heavier men 
than any of the three ! ! This single fact more 
establishes the superiority, as a science, of Wrestling, over Pugilism, than volumes filled with arguments on the subject could possibly do. It 
likewise equally exposes the folly of those who 
call back-hold* a mere trial of strength. Fawcett, as we have before said, weighed under, or 
about eleven stones, and was about five feet seven 
inches high, and continued wrestling occasionally till he was nearly fifty years of age — a sufficient proof that he, though a slender man, and 
open to all comers, did not consider Wrestling 
as a dangerous amusement. Among the list of 
the many powerful men he threw, several entitled to be classed as first raters might be produced. Nor was his superiority over such men 
to be attributed either to accident, or confined 
to the circumstance of one trial only. We contend that Fawcett must have been, and was able 
to throw many fourteen stone men entitled to 

rank as first raters or to come to the mark at 
once, — men ranking as high, professionally, as 
any of the three Pugilists alluded to — yet could 
Randall, although supposed to be the very best 
Pugilist ever remembered, beat any of them ? 
The circumstance of Fawcett being able to 
throw fourteen-stone men may be said to form 
one exception to our remark that the most superior Wrestlers and Pugilists will be found between thirteen and fourteen stone weight we 
answer, not exactly so. We do not think Fawcett could have thrown Adam Dodd, Thomas 
Nicholson, William Richardson, or some others 
we could select, in a number of trials on the 
contrary, we are sure the odds would have been 
against him for a single fall — but we contend 
these selected Wrestlers ranked higher in that 
exercise, than Cribb, Neate, or Spring ever did 
as Pugilists we would compare them to James 
Belcher, or the Game Chicken, when in their 
prime and we presume no pugilistic amateur 
will say the latter Pugilists were not considered 
superior to any of the present time, though some 
of them undoubtedly rank as first raters. We 
must therefore conclude, that there is either 
more science in back-hold Wrestling, than in 
Pugilism, or that Fawcett is much more entitled 
to the appellation of Nonpareil than Randall. 
Jemmy was partial to getting his left side into 
action and striking from that position. It is not 
consistent with the limited nature of this work 
to dwell longer on the merits of this truly celebrated Wrestler, any further than to remark, that Swaledale, in Yorkshire, was the 
scene of his latest exploits, and in which place 
we believe he is still living. 

The most renowned Wrestler in Westmorland 

L2 

124 WRKSTLIANA. 

at this period was JOHN BARROW, a carpenter, 
who we have been told was a Cumberland man. 
Barrow was often employed in the vicinity of 
Windermere Lake, and being- a very powerful 
man, and fully entitled to rank among the very 
first raters, was considered by many a match for 
any man in the kingdom and to him it is said 
Richardson of Caldbeck was indebted for his 
favourite method of striking inside. This champion at a considerably subsequent period to his 
celebrity as a Wrestler was unfortunately drowned by the upsetting of a boat on Windermere 
Lake. It was rather remarkable that Barrow, 
the only person lost by the accident, was an excellent swimmer, and the only person in the boat 
who could swim. The accident happening at a 
place of no considerable depth, his foot either 
stuck fast in the mud, or getting entangled in 
some excresence attached to the bottom, he 
never rose to the surface of the water, and consequently perished before he could be relieved. 

Among those who immediately succeeded Fawcett in the vicinity of Alston, the GOLIGHTLYS 
(Frank and Tom), were reckoned the best men 
of their weight. Frank was about the size, or 
rather less than Jemmy, and if not equally distinguished, was nevertheless considered a very 
extraordinary Wrestler, and gained a great 
number of prizes in different parts of Cumberland. Frank's usual method was a stroke or 
feint with the right foot, the object of which was 
to facilitate the means of getting his left side and 
buttock better in, and by so doing instantly to 
bring his antagonist over his head and without 
his opponent, however powerful, possessed a 
good knowledge of the art, and was well acquainted, and consequently aware of Frank's 

manner, he was generally gone before he had 
time to recollect what he was about. We must 
take our leave of Frank by observing he had a 
strong penchant for the amusement, — was a very 
good one, — and never met with an accident in 
his pursuit of it. Thomas Golightly was not 
quite five feet eight inches high, but was considerably heavier than his brother, or Jemmy 
Fawcett, being very near a twelve stone man. 
Tom was an excellent Wrestler when seventeen 
years of age, and was considered very near the 
head of the list in the neighbourhood of Alston. 
When in his prime, Tom defeated in a match the 
celebrated Robert Rowantree, who won the 
prize at Carlisle in the year 1813. He likewise 
distinguished himself at Melmerby, at which 
place he was victor one year, and came second 
the next Tom some years after he was married 
emigrated westward, and settling at Workington, wrought for a long time at that place as a 
coal miner in the employ of J. C. Curwen, Esq. 
during which time, though greatly declined from 
what he had been, he won many prizes, and 
maintained the character of an excellent Wrestler. Procuring employment under the Earl of 
Lonsdale, Tom left Workington, and settled at 
Whitehaven, where notwithstanding his advanced age, his predilection for wrestling still continuing, he even then augmented the great number of prizes he had before won. After working 
some time at Whitehaven, Tom was instantaneously killed in one of the Howgill pits by a tremendous fall of the roof while employed in assisting to remove a previous fall To those more 
conversant with Pugilism than Wrestling', we 
will observe that Tom might be compared as a 
Wrestler to Power, the first conqueror of Carter 
L3 

being; like that pugilist, a complete master of the 
science, and more diversified in his method of 
wrestling than any other man we ever knew. 
Tom .was a very fresh and good looking man of 
his age and his occupation considered, by no 
means addicted to idleness. In the ring, his 
conduct deserved, and obtained universal approbation — he always met his man with a smile, 
was a fair stander, and perfectly ready to accommodate his opponent, with either a tight, or 
a slack hold. Such was Thomas Golightly, 
whose untimely death was much regretted by all 
who were acquainted with him. 

In the vicinity of Holm Cultram wrestling at 
this period still preserved its consequence as an 
amusement. Although John Tinian was nearly 
told out, his sons, John and Joseph, (particularly the latter) were regarded as heroes of no 
ordinary stamp but two Alston men of the name 
of Hall, were considered the dons of Ellenborough, Gilcrux, and the adjacent country. They 
were both tall active men, weighing upwards of 
thirteen stone, and like the majority of their 
countrymen, partial to buttocking. Joseph, 
commonly called young Job Tinian, to distinguish him from his uncle, was a more powerful 
man than his father, weighing when in his 
prime upwards of fifteen stone, and possessing 
uncommon strength for a man even of that 
weight. Job was a good buttocker, and an excellent striker and if his capabilities as a guarder, and quick Wrestler, had corresponded with 
these great essentials, he would ha*e been a 
match for any man in the county. In the vicinity of Cockermouth, two brothers of the name 
of Allison, long ruled the roast and many persons in that neighbourhood are of opinion, that 

though lighter men than the generality of those 
we have noticed, very few in either county were 
able to throw them. Joseph Allison (or Allanson) the more noted of them, is not above five 
feet eight inches high, and might be something 
above twelve stones in weight. Joseph was partial to a tight hold, — was a good striker, and we 
believe brought up to husbandry his brother was 
by trade a blacksmith. We will close this short 
biographical paragraph with observing that the 
Rev. Osborn Littleton, of Buttermere, was previous to his entry into orders the best Wrestler 
within many miles of Whitehaven. 

We shall now proceed to notice a transaction 
which occasioned considerable interest among 
the admirers of this athletic exercise in this immediate vicinity — We mean the arrival of the 
Westmorland militia, which was stationed at 
Whitehaven towards the close of the seventeenth 
century. In this regiment were several celebrated Wrestlers, among whom we will particularize the two whose names became most familiar in men's mouths" during the time the regiment remained at Whitehaven. These were 
PHILIP STEPHENSON and THOMAS MADGE. Philip was a strong-built muscular man, about five 
feet nine inches high, and must have weighed up=wards of fourteen stones. His fame as a Wrestler ran before him, — his officers were ready to 
back him to any amount against any man in the 
kingdom, — and in fact, during his residence here 
as a soldier, he certainly was the most prominent 
hero on the list. Philip was a straight stander, 
and extremely difficult to move from his position and this more than any othex qualification 
constituted his excellence as a Wrestler. His 
great practice had rendered him nearly perfect 

in that point, and made him very quick in availing himself of any advantage that presented itself in consequence of the unsuccessful efforts 
made by his opponents. Madge on the contrary 
might be called a light weight, but was a most 
excellent outside striker. Among the neighbouring Wrestlers who endeavoured to dispute 
the palm of superiority with these military champions, the Egremothians were the most conspicuous. The most noted of these were William 
Eilbeck, a stone mason, William Ponsonby, a 
butcher, and the two Roberts, Joe and Peter. 
Few likelier men than Eilbeck for a Wrestler are 
to be found he possessed length, strength, and 
weight was confident of his own powers, and a 
good outside striker. Ponsonby was the best 
and cleanest outside striker ever known in the 
west of Cumberland, and was by no means a little one, being not far from five feet ten inches 
high, and weighing near fourteen stones. Ponsonby much resembled Adam Dodd as a Wrestler, 
and was unquestionably a very first rate, but at 
that time was considered something on the decline. The Roberts were something less than 
Ponsonby, but Joe was considered nearly as 
dangerous a customer to get rid of; being extremely ready, and as well up to every manoeuvre how to get the best of it, as any man in the 
kingdom. However after various trials, the red 
coats proved the masters. Intemperance had produced its usual effects upon Ponsonby, Eilbeck 
could not force Philip from his position, and the 
manoeeuvreing of Roberts failed when opposed 
to the superior weight and tactics of the soldier. 
The only reverse the military experienced, was 
at Saint Bees Moor during the annual races. 
Stephenson's officers were somewhat noisy re- 

specting his great capabilities, when a friendly 
wager was offered them to produce a man on the 
ground to wrestle him a single fall. The offer 
was immediately accepted, and Philip eager to 
be at work soon appeared in the ring fully prepared for action, and anxiously expecting his 
opponent. After waiting some time, Ponsonby, 
the man selected for the trial, entered to him, 
rather the worse, or probably the better, for the 
 water of life'' which had been plentifully administered to him; but no solicitations could 
prevail upon him to strip. Fully satisfied that if 
he won the fall it must be without loss of time, he 
chose to decide the business with his clothes on. 
The quickness and impetuosity of Ponsonby's attack carried all before it. Notwithstanding the 
boasted guard of the soldier, his neck and shoulders instantly exchanged situations with his feet. 
Philip was up in a moment and anxious for another trial, but Ponsonby was not to be had, his 
friends had carried him off in triumph, and Philip 
was obliged to wait for another opportunity of 
balancing accounts with him. The last meeting 
between the Westmorland militia and the Egremothians was at Bigrig Moor, a place nearly 
equidistant from Whitehaven and Egremont; 
and this we well remember, was the first prize we 
ever saw wrestled for. Philip had his revenge 
on Ponsonby, and finally threw Eilbeck, who in 
the course of the wrestling threw Madge. After 
the disbanding of the militia, Philip and Madge 
both returned to Whitehaven, where Madge still 
remains, being employed as a top-man about the 
collieries. Stephenson likewise remained in the 
neighbourhood many years, and wrought at his 
trade, which was a mason or waller. Philip often 
exhibited in the ring after his return, but the sol- 

dier Philip and the mason Philip seemed two very 
different persons. His most formidable traits were 
undoubtedly gone, and he was frequently 
thrown by men very far inferior to those he 
had before vanquished. He continued wrestling 
occasionally, till we who had regarded him with 
admiration when a mere lad, once or twice met 
him in the ring, when ranking higher on the list 
than any man he had previously encountered :-the result need not be told, for such are the 
changes of a few years ! 

After the departure of the militia the heroes 
of Egremont were not long in finding others 
eager to contest the palm of superiority with 
them even upon their own ground. It is probable they were becoming rather stale, but however that might be it was soon evident that they 
were no match for their new rivals from the 
neighbourhood of Cleator. These were John 
Blackstock and J. Wilkinson, both millers, from 
the border of the Holm, and the celebrated John 
Stainton, just then rising into notice. Wilkinson was a more powerful man than Blackstock, 
but the latter was considered the better Wrestler. Blackstock was a well made active man, about five feet nine inches high, and about thirteen 
stones in weight, and was one of the very few 
who use the right buttock effectively. Stainton however soon became the star of the neighbourhood, and before he was twenty years of 
age had gained above that number of prizes ! 
and though in his novitiate had been very seldom 
thrown. His fame and conquests increasing, he 
soon became the unrivalled champion of this 
vicinity, and was matched to wrestle five falls 
with any man in Cumberland. The hero chosen 
to oppose him was Jacob Fletcher, from the 

neighbourhood of Mockerkin, and the place 
fixed upon for this display of science was Arlecdon Moor, about four miles east of Whitehaven. 
The first trial proved long, and was severely 
contested. Each lifting against the other, 
neither of them could make any thing like a 
stroke, and Fletcher frequently tried to ham 
without effect. After a desperate struggle, the 
holds getting looser, Fletcher succeeded in 
throwing his opponent over his buttock. Stainton won the second fall in good style, but 
Fletcher gained the remaining three falls successively, by buttocking him. This contest excited 
great interest at the time, and notwithstanding 
the result, much difference of opinion existed 
whether was the better man. It was urged by 
the friends of the loser, that owing to overworking himself while mowing, he had in a few days 
declined from upwards of fifteen stones to fourteen and that he had the misfortune to break 
one of his great toes the first contest. On the 
other hand the friends of Fletcher asserted he 
was the heavier and stronger man, except in the 
arms, and that he was able to throw Stainton at 
any time. Both of the men were about six feet 
hig^h, and the truth of the matter was, that 
strcnytti was the most distinguished characteristic of the contest, and that very little science ? 
good wrestling was displayed by either of the 
combatants. Stainton was a good lifter, and 
intent upon doing so, but never attempted 
an inside stroke, and knew nothing of buttocking accordingly, when he was unable 
to take Fletcher from the ground, it could 
not tail to turn the scale against him. Fletcher was the more powerful man, but by no 
means so fair a stander and we think, candidly 

speaking, it was to that circumstance as much as 
any other, the victory was to be attributed. His 
only stroke was inside with the right knee, which 
is certainly a very bad one to attempt when opposed to a man of equal power, but he was no 
contemptible hamer, and for so powerful a man, 
a good buttocker. After the wager was decided, 
there was some excellent Wrestling for a belt, 
which was won by Henry Dixon, from the immediate neighbourhood, throwing at the last Joseph Bushby, of Mockerkin, a companion of 
Fletcher's, taller, and nearly of equal celebrity 
with him — the above four dons of their day 
were all husbandmen. 

In pursuing the above progressive clue of 
Wrestling, we have got within the limits of the 
eighteenth century, and are consequently approaching the great era of the Carlisle Wrestling 
in 1809. Before commencing our account of 
these truly celebrated meetings, we will briefly 
notice a very few transactions which involve 
the names of some Wrestlers who never entered 
the Carlisle ring, and who were so well known 
as Wrestlers, as to render our account somewhat 
imperfect without some notice of them. 

For three or four successive years there were 
Public Bridals at Lorton, which occasioned the 
attendance of many celebrated Wrestlers from 
different parts of the county. The first of these 
we will notice was in the year 1806 the last fall 
was disputed between Jacob Fletcher of Mockerkin, and William Armstrong of Tallentire. The 
latter was an excellent Wrestler, but near three 
stones lighter than his opponent, and as many 
inches shorter. He was particularly good at 
striking inside with the left leg, and on this occasion was considered to have the best of the fall 

in question. Fletcher however refused to give 
it up, and in the course of the evening1 both parties agreed to decide the matter by another trial when, after a well-contested struggle, the 
three great advantages of length, weight, and 
strength prevailed, and Fletcher was declared 
the conqueror. Fletcher was a very quiet and 
well-behaved man, and if not diversified in action, was so well versed in the science that we 
have heard him assert he was never vanquished 
in a number of trials, and never wrestled a disputed fall over again without winning it. In 
wrestling through the ring on that day, he threw 
that truly formidable character, Thomas Bell, 
for some time a schoolmaster at Bassenthwaite, 
and afterwards at Keswick. Bell at that period 
ranked higher as a Wrestler, and we believe as 
Boxer, than any man in the two counties. In 
him were united all the qualifications which 
constitute a finished Wrestler, or Pugilist. He 
possessed youth, length, strength, courage, activity, and science, fully equal, if not superior, 
to any hero of that, or any other time of modern date, and there is no doubt, if he had remained in the county, he would have shone as 
a star of the first magnitude. In the situation he 
then filled, he was considered a very good scholar, but at times, unfortunately for himself, he 
deviated from that propriety of conduct always 
expected from those in his situation. We have 
the greatest reason to believe he was the master 
of Richardson of Caldbeck, then in his prime, 
and whom he resembled in his manner of wrestling, the inside being his favourite aim. Soon 
after the period alluded to, Bell emigrated to 
America, where we have been informed he has 
succeeded in establishing himself comfortably. 

In this contest with Fletcher, whom at a previous period he had thrown with ease, he went 
down when making play. Of one or two succeeding trials which Fletcher acceded to for 
 mutual accommodation, we cannot speak decisively, we have heard them very differently represented some affirming' Fletcher had not the 
least chance, and others, among whom may be 
enumerated Fletcher himself, maintain that he 
iiad none the worst of them. 

In the following year, namely, 1807, no less 
than one hundred and twenty Wrestlers from 
different parts of the county entered the ring to 
contend for a very handsome belt with plated 
buckles and sliders. The same William Armstrong who contested the last fall with Jacob 
Fletcher the preceding year, again distinguished himself on this occasion. He wrestled 
through the ring with much eclat, and though 
vanquished by us for the prize, he lost no laurels 
in that contest contending for victory to the 
last, and though the advantages might certainly 
be considered against him, he was not disposed 
of without difficulty. This was the only time 
we ever wrrestled or witnessed wrestling at Lorr 
ton, and the well-known John Brownrigg, 
of Patterdale, was the first man we threw. 
Brownrigg was acknowledged by all who knew 
him to be an excellent Wrestler, and was more 
particularly known for being the conqueror of 
George Stamper, of Newlands, a very powerful 
man, and the only Wrestler, we believe, who 
ever vanquished both Thomas Nicholson and 
William Richardson without being at some future time defeated by them. Brownrigg was 
about the size of William Armstrong, and consequently on encountering- us, the advantages 

of length and strength were against him — this 
well known Wrestler died some time ago. 

We will rrot dwell much upon the numerous 
meetings in this vicinity in which we ourselves 
played the first fiddle. We shall only observe, 
that in 1808, Blake Fell races, which had laid 
dormant for many years, were revived and the 
weather proving favourable, they were well attended. Having carried off the prize with much 
ease the first day, a most determined opposition, 
often spoken of, was contrived against the ensuing day. The writer, with considerable 
adroitness, managed to call in against us, successively, no less than seven of the best Wrestlers upon the ground, among whom were Jo* 
seph Bushby, of Mockerkin, and the two best of 
the younger Tinians, John and Joseph. Notwithstanding this deep-laid scheme, their opposition proved of no avail, as none of these selected champions appeared to have the least 
chance of arresting our career of victory. 
We have elsewhere observed that the best wrestling in the west of Cumberland was on Arlecdon Moor, where one, two, and sometimes 
three prizes were given every year; one of 
them, for a number of years, amounting to two 
guineas. On that Moor we wrere never thrown 
from the year 1805 to the year 1815; during 
which time we either won, or could have won, 
all the prizes, if we except one carried off 
by William Mackereth, of Cockermouth, in 
1814; for which we did not wrestle; therefore 
how that event might have terminated, can 
remain matter of opinion only. However, independent of that circumstance, the multiplicity of our victories there, sufficiently evince, 
that, although we were sometimes thrown in 
M2 

the west of Cumberland, our being so was more 
owing to carelessness, or accident, than to any 
superiority, or even equality, of those who 
threw us.— As the name of every other celebrated Wrestler within the eighteenth century 
will occur, either in our Review of the Wrestling 
at Ambleside, Carlisle, Penrith, or Keswick 
races, or in the Biographical Remarks on those 
who do, we will immediately proceed to the 
methodical consideration of them, with this 
preliminary observation, — that the short memoirs annexed to some of the most celebrated, will be found in that period of our Review, where every such Wrestler has last entered any of the rings in question for the purpose of wrestling. 

WRESTLE N A, 137 

Review of the Ambleside, Carlisle, Penrith, 
and Keswick Wrestling, from their commencement to the year 1823. 

PREVIOUS to the year 1809 the wrestling in the 
vicinity of Ambleside, and throughout the Lake 
circuit in general, was considered very inferior 
to that usually witnessed about Penrith, and the 
greatest part of Cumberland. It was, probably, 
through a laudable desire to remedy this deficiency, and to bring this manly exercise into 
more general estimation that J. Wilson, Esq. a 
gentleman then residing at Elleray, and who 
was extremely attached to many athletic amusements, through a conviction of their utility, by 
his own liberality and example promoted the 
donation of a larger sum of money to wrestle for 
at the annual sports near Ambleside in the year 
1809, than had ever been known at any preceding period in that part of Westmorland. Among 
the competitors collected to contend for this 
liberal prize, wras Thomas Nicholson of Threlkeld, in Cumberland, then in the height of his 
provincial reputation. We say provincial, because it was previous to what might be termed 
his attainment of the comparative metropolitan 
stamp by his repeated victories at Carlisle. 
Nicholson was the winner of this prize, throwing a distinguished Wrestler of the name of 
Dixon, and the two well known Wrestlers, Rowland and John Long. It is however due to that 
impartiality which ought to be the invariable 
maxim of every historical writer to observe, that 
there were, and yet are, many in the vicinity of 
Ambleside that witnessed the contest who positively affirm he had no right to it. Their opinion 

is that he was thrown by J. Dixon (a brother to 
the Dixon he threw) a Wrestler of no celebrity. 
It appears however that it had been the opinion 
of the stewards, that the fall in question was 
considered not fair, as they decided for another 
trial. This, Dixon conscious of his inferiority, 
declined, and consequently Nicholson was declared the stander, and was the ultimate victor. 
Notwithstanding- the magnitude of the prize, the 
competitors were not numerous, and the contests between Nicholson and the two Longs 
were considered the principal attraction of the 
day. 

Influenced by the same motives which occasioned the above display at Ambleside, a much 
more considerable sum was, by the zeal and example of Mr. Henry Pearson, Solicitor at Carlisle, collected to wrestle for during the races at 
that ancient city. Previous to this period, 
wrestling in the immediate vicinity of Carlisle 
was in no very great estimation — it was seldom 
witnessed, and consequently could not be duly 
appreciated and it was probably owing to this 
circumstance, that there was not any Wrestler 
of celebrity, either in the city itself, or within 
some miles of it therefore, notwithstanding the 
novelty of such an exhibition on the Swifts, and 
the very handsome sum subscribed, the competitors were not unusually numerous. Among 
these however, from what might be called west 
from Carlisle, were the celebrated Richardson 
of Caldbeck, and Thos. Nicholson of Threikeld 
and from the east, the equally distinguished 
Robert Rowantree, from Ihe neighbourhood of 
Bewcastle, and the Earls, of Cumwhinton. As 
some wagers were depending whether the prize 
would be carried east or west, it was deemed 

WRBSTLIANA. 139 

desirable that the best Wrestlers on either side, 
should not encounter each other till ths close of 
the contest. Accordingly in wrestling through 
the ring, Nicholson successively threw the eastern heroes above alluded to, and in consequence of some dispute arising respecting the 
fall between them, he threw Rowantree a second 
time with such ease as to convince the amateurs 
of his superiority over him. The same good 
fortune did not attend Richardson, he was thrown 
by a noted Wrestler of the name of Harrison 
and Harrison was the final opponent of Nicholson, who by throwing him for the prize, was entitled to rank higher as a Wrestler than any man 
in the county. 

The gentlemen of Penrith, well aware of the 
universal satisfaction the revival of this truly 
British amusement had given to all ranks at Carlisle, determined to adopt the same means of increasing the popularity of the ensuing races at 
that town and Dr. Pearson, brother to Mr. 
Pearson of Carlisle, exerting himself in the business, it was attended with corresponding success. As Penrith was deemed a kind of central 
situation between Carlisle and Ambleside, and 
situate in a much more noted country for wrestling than either of them, the competitors for 
that prize were more numerous than at the 
other places. From Nicholson's previous success,— the established character Richardson had 
long possessed, — and the celebrity Harrison had 
acquired by throwing him at Carlisle, these three 
heroes were considered by the amateurs to stand 
the best chance for the prize. But 'tis not in 
mortals to command success," for however much 
they might deserve it, they were all thrown at 
the close of the third round ! and the prize was 

HO WRESTLIANA. 

won by a lad of the name of Golding, said to be 
only eighteen years of age ! ! ! The man whom 
Golding last threw was Paul Gedlin, from Culgaith, who by all accounts, had at that time won 
as many prizes as Richardson himself, many 
more than Nicholson, and was as good a Wrestler as either of them. Some time previous to this 
he had been matched to wrestle Richardson five 
falls, for five guineas aside, though more than a 
stone below his weight. The parties met according to appointment, but the wager was 
never determined, owing to some disagreement 
about the holds. Our accounts respecting this 
meeting do not coincide some affirm that each 
man won a fall, and others that one fall only 
was wrestled, which was won by Richardson. 
However that might be, the fact was, that Gedlin was the better loose-hold Wrestler, and 
Richardson was anxious for a tighter hold than 
he would allow to be fair and on the other 
hand, Richardson did not choose to risk his reputation and his friend's money with a slack 
hold, against an adversary whom he knew he 
could throw with a tiyfttone. Gedlin was rather 
advanced in years when thrown by Golding, 
but was always considered a very superior 
Wrestler and had won a great many prizes. In 
the course of the wrestling alluded to, he threw 
John Nicholson, brother to Tom, who had previously thrown Richardson on that occasion. 
Harrison we believe visited Liverpool soon after, 
and making one ring a very ostensible reason for 
never entering another in quest of athletic renown, we must here take our final leave of him. 
As for Golding, the very young and unexpected winner of this prize, although no doubt a 
very promising youth, and at that time heavier 

WRESTLIANA. HI 

than Nicholson, yet it would be absurd to suppose he was an equal match for several of the 
competitors on that occasion. His most formidable point as a Wrestler, was a very vigorous 
assault outside with the left leg. A short time 
after this conquest at Penrith, he wrestled against T. Nicholson for a belt the result was 
what might naturally be expected from the 
celebrity of that hero. In the course of that, or 
the ensuing year, Golding removed to London, 
and distinguished himself for the annual prize 
given there during the Easter holidays, for the 
young men from Cumberland and Westmorland 
to wrestle for. 

In the year 1810, the patrons of the Ambleside wrestling disseminated hand bills all over 
the country to announce that a belt of considerable value and five guineas, would be given to 
wrestle for at their annual sports at the head 
of Windermere Lake. The competitors however did not exceed sixteen couple, one half of 
whom were merely nominal. At this meeting 
we were present, as were Thomas and John 
Nicholson, and Joseph Slack from Blencow 
all of course from Cumberland. The Westmorland competitors were the same Nicholson had 
vanquished the preceding year, with the accession of Henry Chapman, a Bampton man, and 
Miles Dixon, a brother to the two already noticed in the year 1809. John Nicholson was 
thrown by Rowland Long, but both he and his 
brother were again thrown by T. Nicholson. 
Chapman was defeated both for the prize and a 
subsequent wager by Slack, who laid down to T. 
Nicholson but on the other hand, Miles Dixon 
threw us, and finally Nicholson. The circumstance of Dixon throwing two of the very 

first Cumberland Wrestlers was certainly an unexpected one, although he was a stone heavier 
than either. Nicholson was no stranger to him, 
as they had had frequent trials together, and 
Dixon was consequently no stranger to his opponent's superiority; while Nicholson's knowledge of that fact, in this instance contributed to 
his defeat by rendering him careless respecting 
his hold, as through his negligence in that point, 
Dixon took him from the ground, and twisted 
him down without a single struggle. As for ourselves, we contend that Dixon derived no honour from the result of the contest between us, 
as he had a firm hold of the waistband of the 
breeches during the whole time of the wrestle. 
Notwithstanding this incalculable advantage the 
result was for some time extremely dubious. In 
short, we will aver that we had such manifest 
unfair play as reflected disgrace upon those who 
should have been the umpires on the occasion, 
as we several times desired him to quit his hold 
of our breeches, and do declare, that to the best 
of our belief, that circumstance alone prevented 
us from throwing him after the victory was 
decided, both Dixon and his friends refused to 
accept of two guineas to one for a single trial 
only. 

The great attraction of the Carlisle wrestling 
was this year fully manifested by a greater assemblage of people on the Swifts than was ever 
previously remembered. The Earl of Lonsdale 
gave five guineas to the eleven subscribed by the 
gentlemen of Carlisle. The first prize was again won by Nicholson, who likewise this year 
threw both Rowantree and John Earl. Richardson was thrown very unexpectedly by some per 
son of no previous celebrity, but he won the 

second prize which was contested for by the sixteen last standers in great style throwing at the 
last, Joseph Slack, who had likewise wrestled 
the last fall for the first prize. Being the last 
loser for both of these prizes, certainly was as 
creditable to Slack as a Wrestler, as if he had 
won one of them. Slack though only about five 
feet eight inches high, was a heavier man than 
Nicholson, but Tom's length gave him such advantages that Slack never could do any thing 
with him. He was however justly entitled to 
the appellation of a first rate Wrestler, and 
though not considered a match for Richardson, 
had thrown him more than once in the neighbourhood of Greystoke, at which place the late 
Duke of Norfolk frequently gave prizes, particularly buckskin breeches, to wrestle for. 
Slack was rather addicted to rambling, — had won 
many prizes in different parts of the county, and 
continued to wrestle occasionally for many years 
after the period alluded to but as we do not 
think he ever entered himself as a candidate for 
any capital prize afterwards, his name or exploits 
will not again occur in the subsequent part of 
this work. 

The Ambleside wrestling in 1811 was, we believe, better attended than on either of the two 
preceding years. Miles Dixon did not wrestle, 
and therefore Nicholson who was again present 
had no opportunity of settling the last year's 
accounts with him. Tom, however, as early as 
the second round had to encounter a much more 
formidable opponent than ever Miles Dixon was, 
in the person of John Lowden, from the neighbourhood of Keswick. Lowden, although at 
that time scarcely at his best, was not on good 
terms with Tom, and on that account purposely 

threw himself against him and it was not till 
after three successive and keenly contested trials 
had taken place that Nicholson got rid of this 
troublesome customer. Lowden was not satisfied with the different decisions. He indeed acknowledged that Tom won the last fall, but 
thought himself fully entitled to the first — the 
second being considered a dogfall. Tom in the 
next round threw Rowland Long, but was himself thrown by John Long in the fourth round. 
Long was now arrived near the end of his journey, but proved unable to reach it being thrown 
by William Mackereth, a Cockermouth lad, 
then working at his business (a mason) with 
Nicholson, and on that account had accompanied him to the field of honour. 

It is universally allowed that the ring at Carlisle this year could boast of a greater number of 
first-rate Wrestlers, than ever entered any other 
ring in the kingdom. Wrestling was now the 
acknowledged grand source of attraction at that 
place, and all ranks seemed to coincide in 
the opinion, that it was entitled, in a national 
point of view, to take the lead of every other 
amusement. Even the worthy and respectable 
proprietor and editor of the Cumberland Pacquet, who scarcely ever noticed any athletic 
achievement in the ring, began to think the subject worthy of honourable mention, and we accordingly select the following paragraphs from 
that paper of the 2d of October, 181 1 :— 

 Carlisle Wrestling. — On the first day of the 
races, 20 guineas were wrestled for on the 
Swifts, in a roped ring, sixty yards diameter. 
We never witnessed so fine an exhibition of agility and nerve, or a diversion that gave £uch 
universal satisfaction. The peaceable deport. 

ment of the different combatants cannot be too 
highly praised, as they submitted in all dubious 
falls, in the most implicit manner, to the decision of the umpire. — The wrestling was most 
severely contested, in the presence of nearly 
12,000 people, by some of the most sinewy and 
active youths, that we ever saw enter a ring. 
We observed amongst the spectators, the Marquis of Queensberry, the Earl ofLonsdale, Lord 
Lowther, Sir James Graham, (of Netherby) Sir 
James Graham, (of Kirkstone) Henry Fawcett, 
Esq. of Portland Place, together with a great 
.concourse of other Gentlemen. We understand 
.the Lord Lieutenant expressed his most unqualified approbation of the diversion and will annually give it his support, as long as there is not 
any riot or confusion, which we may venture to 
pledge ourselves, will never be the case, as the 
wrestlers are in general the sons of respectable 
.yeomen and farmers, in this and the adjoining 
counties, and not like prize fighters, collected 
from the dregs of the people. 

 Want of room prevents us giving the names 
of the different wrestlers but we understand the 
first prize was won by Thomas Nicholson, of 
.Threlkeld, near Keswick who is esteemed one 
of the best thirteen stone wrestlers in the kingdom.— John Richardson, of Staffield Hall, near 
Kirkoswald, gained the second prize, and is 
allowed by judges to be inferior to no man as 
a wrestler, (being the favourite at setting to), but 
he did not wrestle with such luck, through the 
ring, for the first prize, as the Champion. He 
was thrown by one Robert Rowantree, from 
Rewcastle, in one of the severest struggles ever 
witnessed both being fourteen stone wrestlers, 
.they shewed uncommon muscle when stripped, 

N 

 

and Richardson was thrown by a half jirk of 
the hip, followed up by a sweeping cross buttock. 
— Sir James Graham, of Netherby, and Humphrey Senhouse, jun. Esq. of Netherhall, subscribed 
five guineas, and Lord Lowtherand Henry Fawcett, Esq. each two guineas, towards this athletic diversion, so much excelled in by our forefathers." 

In respect to Nicholson's wrestling through 
the ring this third successive year of unequalled 
triumph, we must be allowed to observe, that 
though entitled to every credit, his progress was 
more smooth than he could possibly have anticipated. His first fall was gained under such circumstances as not to entitle it to the appellation 
of a wrestle. Watson who had thrown Rowland 
Long the first round, laid down to him in the 
second. In the third he threw Jordan, a well 
known Wrestler from the east of Penrith. In 
the fourth, W. Earl. In the fifth he accommodated matters with Douglas, a very likely man 
and just in his prime, from Caldbeck and in the 
sixth threw his old opponent John Earl. We will 
in this place briefly notice some of the most noted 
men who will not again come under our consideration. The William Richardson alluded to 
in the .above .quotation was certainly a very celebrated Wrestler, and we have heard, had once 
an intention of advertising himself to wrestle any 
man in the kingdom. Wrestling, it is to be observed, is extremely different from boxing in respect 
to such challenges. A Wrestler stakes a trifling 
sum of money on the qualifications he naturally 
possesses, and the science he has acquired, that 
he cannot be excelled in what he himself has pursued, and what the world in general regards as 
an amusement', on the other hand, pugilism is 

WRESTLUNA H7 

a profession, and on the good or bad success of 
a contest, depends the comfort, and sometimes 
the subsistance of the pugilist and his family. Being present we can vouch for the accuracy of 
this hero being the favourite for the first prize, 
and some were even so confident of his capabilities as to take him against the field ! this partiality 
we presume was more owing to his education 
and connexions being superior to those of Wrestlers in general, than to his individual merit as a 
Wrestler. We admit that his requisites entitled 
him to stand on equal grounds with any other 
competitor, but against such a field was indeed 
an overwhelming preference. With his celebrated namesake from Caldbeck we believe he had 
never contended, and with Nicholson only 
once. It is true on that occasion the fall was 
given in his favour, but he was not on fair 
grounds entitled to it — it was a complete snap 
in every sense of the word, but Kirkoswald being 
the scene of action, his friends were averse to his 
giving Nicholson another chance, otherwise we 
are informed, that he had no objections to 
wrestling over, and was very ready to admit that 
he did snap. He was in our opinion as likely a 
man for wrestling as we ever saw, being upwards 
of fourteen stone weight, and six feet three inches 
high he generally struck outside with his right 
foot, and followed it up if occasion required with 
his left side. He did not at Carlisle, though the 
winner of the second prize, fall in with any that 
could be considered an equal opponent except 
Rowantree but he wrestled an extra fall for 
two guineas with a man of the name of Armstrong, but better known by the appellation of 
Solid Oak, who was upwards of six feet high, and 
without appearing particularly fleshy, or cor- 

pulent, weighed eighteen stones. In this contest Richardson on making play, appeared to recoil and go down from, if we may so express it, 
the solidity of his opponent, who was, without 
exception considered the strongest man in the 
north of England. Richardson probably did 
not rightly consider this, and so became the victim of his own temerity, otherwise the result 
ought to have been different, as Oak had been 
thrown by Rowantree, and that hero, though the 
conqueror of Richardson on this occasion, did 
not rank so high in the estimation of those, who 
from an equal knowledge of both the men and 
the exercise, might be considered competent 
judges of their comparative merits. 

As this was the last year in which John and 
William Earl acted a distinguished part in the 
Carlisle wrestling, it is but justice to remark that 
they both, particularly the former, greatly contributed to render the exercise worthy of the 
patronage it received. They were about thirteen stone men, and had gained a great many 
prizes. When the Carlisle wrestling commenced, 
John had a family, and was past that time of 
life in which men in general get out of practice, 
and often decline wrestling. Notwithstanding 
this disadvantage, Nicholson was the only man 
of his weight who appeared equal to him as a 
Wrestler, for he this year threw Scott twice, 
who gained the prize the succeeding year, and 
who had previously thrown Richardson of Caldbeck. He was particularly noted for slipping 
from his side or breast, and consequently partial to loose holds. 

This was likewise the last year in which Nicholson himself ever entered a ring to contend 
for a prize. The circumstance of Tom carrying* 

away the prize for three successive years will 
best speak his merits as a Wrestler. He did not 
want half an inch of six feet, and generally 
weighed about twelve stone and eight pounds. 
Boxiana remarks, the great similarity of Jem 
Belcher's portrait to a most distinguished hero 
on the Continent (Bonaparte) is truly curious 
— the likeness however of the former distinguished pugilist to Tom Nicholson is much more 
so, as the former likeness must have been confined to the head and /ace, while in the latter it 
is preserved through the whole frame, as there 
was not one quarter of an inch difference between their height, nor as far as we can judge, 
a single pound in their weight both weighing 
from twelve stone six pounds, to thirteen stones. 
Nor was this resemblance in person, though certainly very remarkable, more so than the similarity visible in the different contests in which they 
were engaged. We have heard Nicholson assert that he was as good a man before he was 
twenty years of age, as at any succeeding period — this was exactly the case with Belcher, 
who was at the same age open to all England. 
If an amusement like Wrestling can entitle any 
of its professors to the appellation of Champion, 
the victor at Carlisle for three successive years 
had certainly a better claim to the title than any 
other man and it is well known Belcher was 
for some years considered the Champion of England. In the great essentials necessary for acquiring that enviable distinction, the similarity 
was equally striking. The same cool and undaunted courage, and the same varied and effective action were conspicuous in both — and if 
Jem's propriety when fighting might be deemed 
a model for pugilists in general," it is but justice 

N3 

150 WRESTUANA. 

to remark, that a fairer Wrestler than Torn never entered a ring — and sorry are we that Jem 
did not, like Tom, take his leave of the ring 
when in possession of the great renown he had 
acquired. 

It may not be thought improper in this short 
account of Thomas Nicholson, to make some allusion to the pugilistic contest in which he was 
engaged in the year 1814, during the races at 
Carlisle. We have the highest authority for saying, that when Tom left home for Carlisle, he 
knew nothing of the match in question and that 
the behaviour of Ridley, who was on the lookout for him, and the wishes expressed by some 
amateurs to witness a trial of skill between them, 
made Tom erroneously think his character was 
at stake, and that he could not decline the contest without incurring the charge of having a 
white feather in him. We say erroneously, because we think by his consenting to fight to oblige any man, or set of men whatever, he deviated from that manly independence of character he wished to preserve and sullied the renown he had acquired as a. free and first-rate 
Wrestler, by becoming so much the slave of others, as to subject himself to the certain degradation of being considered as a minor pugilist, by 
fighting such a blackguard as Ridley was universally known to be. In the battle itself, Tom 
likewise suffered the opinion of others to influence his own judgment till he had received more 
beating than would have satisfied a tolerably 
game man yet even then, notwithstanding the 
superior weiyht and practice of Ridley, the resources Tom possessed in his science as a wrestler> joined to his natural discrimination and fortitude when acting upon his accustomed man- 

ner of boxing1, enabled him to bring the contest 
to such a state as clearly evinced what would 
have been the result if he had adopted that line 
of conduct at the commencement of the battle. 
Respecting the termination of that contest, it is 
the opinion of many who witnessed it, and whose 
judgment we think cannot be questioned, that 
Tom was the fresher man when the combatants 
were separated, and that the severe falls Ridley 
constantly received, must soon have rendered 
him unable to meet his opponent at the scratch. 
Whatever different opinions might be entertained respecting the science displayed during the 
contest, it was unanimously admitted that the 
courage, and bottom exhibited by both, were never excelled by any pugilists in the kingdom. — 
Tom, we believe, is not yet thirty eight years of 
age. 

As this was the only time the celebrated Henry 
Graham, of Brigham, ever entered the Carlisle 
ring, we cannot notice his exploits in a more proper place, though he continued a most dis» 
tinguished Wrestler for many years after. Harry 
has wrestled more matches than any other man 
in the county, and several of his opponents have 
always been considered as first rate Wrestlers as 
ever peeled in a ring when we mention the 
names of Thomas Nicholson, William Richard* 
son, and inform the reader, that to these two he 
may add our own, the truth of that assertion will 
not be disputed. Previous to this visit to Carlisle Harry had won many prizes, and ranked 
very high as a Wrestler, but being then in his 
very prime (we suppose about twenty two years 
of age) it was his own opinion, as well as that of 
his friends, that he was a competent match for 
any Wrestler whatever. This opinion was by 

no means rashly grounded, when it is considered 
that though only about five feet nine inches 
high, he weighed between thirteen and fourteen 
stones, — possessed unrivalled activity, — had been 
a Wrestler from a boy, — and was then in full 
practice. At this meeting, having thrown a 
Wrestler of some celebrity in the first round, 
Harry, in the second, came against John Jordan 
a noted Wrestler from the Penrith side. On what 
account he was obliged to give Jordan a second 
chance, we cannot possibly determine, as Harry 
threw him so fair the first fall, that he himself 
never went to the ground. We believe the 
truth is, that sport, more than fair play, was the 
object of those assistant umpires who were within the ring; and such was the confusion, that J. 
Boadle, a good Wrestler who had accompanied 
Graham, after winning his first fall was never again called upon. However that may be, Jordan 
won the second fall, and Harry was crossed out. 
Feeling dissatisfied at the usage he had experienced, Harry expressed a wish on the following day 
to try a few falls with any Wrestler then at Carlisle. This being repeated to the Champion 
Nicholson, Tom offered to stake three to two on 
himself for the best of five falls, which offer was 
immediately accepted. It was then about eleven 
o'clock, and a meadow in Caldewgate at five, 
was the place and time appointed for determining 
the wager. Both parties were true to the appointment, and no time was lost in proceeding to 
action. The first and second falls were similarly 
contested, and terminated in the same manner. 
Harry, eager to be at work, instantly made 
play — the superior length of Tom, enabled him 
to defend himself by lifting against his opponent, 
and he lost no time in returning the assault by 

hankering his heel. Notwithstanding the activity of Harry, he could not in either of these instances, resist the consequences resulting from 
this favourite mode of Tom's, in which he certainly excelled all the Wrestlers we ever knew, and 
both the falls were immediately conceded to 
Nicholson. The third fall was contested in nearly a similar manner, but the termination was dif* 
ferent. Harry, on finding his heel again hooked, immediately turned his body round with such 
rapidity as to bring Tom all but underneath him 
in the fall. Tom insisted it was a dog fall, while 
Harry claimed it, in which he was supported by 
his friends, and in which opinion the spectators 
in general coincided. However being left to us, 
we decided it was not fair. In this place we 
will remark that it has been maintained by Tom's 
friends, that it was a drunken business altogether 
on his part: — this story is utterly false. Tom 
was apparently as sober when the wager was 
made as any man on the Swifts on meeting in 
Caldewgate, he remarked to us that a pint, or 
glass of ale, then before him, of which he had 
drank about one third, was the only one he had 
tasted since he had made the wager; — and on 
winning the two first falls he jocularly remarked that Graham, though a good Wrestler, was 
far too fond of making play but that if Harry 
gave him more time, he himself was no bad one 
in that respect;" besides, could any drunken 
man have thrown such a Wrestler as Graham 
was, twice successively ? In the fourth trial Tom 
made play, which Harry warded off with much 
skill, and gave Tom a convincing proof of his 
quality by striking him fairly down. The fifth 
fall was exactly similar to the third, and being 
so decided by us, the business was for some time 

suspended, as Harry's friends insisted that he had 
won however on Tom's offering to strike even-, 
and begin again> it was acceded to, and the contest was instantly renewed. It is unnecessary 
to dwell on the ensuing falls, — suffice it to observe, they were well contested, both displaying great action and science. Harry won the 
first, Tom the second, and Harry the third 
and fourth no dispute occurred, and Tom acknowledged defeat by paying his money cheerfully. 

We will now briefly give the reader our candid opinion of the foregoing contest in which 
Harry acquired so many laurels. Neither of 
them we believe spent the preceding evening in 
the most sober or prudential manner and probably Tom's more extensive acquaintance, joined to the circumstance of his winning the prize, 
might have rendered him the less fit for such a 
contest. Tom felt anxious for another trial, and 
how that would have terminated, can now only 
be guessed at. Admitting that we think the 
knowledge nine falls must have given them of 
each other, was not in Tom's favour, as Harry 
had become perfectly awake to his favourite method, and that Harry evidently gained ground as 
the contest advanced still we do think Tom 
was the better Wrestler, and would have thrown 
more men than Harry ever could. As our reasons for this would occupy a much greater portion of our remaining pages than we can possibly 
spare, we are compelled thus abruptly to take 
leave of the subject. 

The great fame Harry acquired by this con? 
quest, satisfied his friends that he was a match 
for any man in the kingdom and our refusal to 
acquiesce in that opinion, occasioned an agree-* 

ment to wrestle him within one month of his 
contest with Nicholson, for the greatest sum we 
ever knew wrestled for, either in Cumberland or 
Westmorland. At the time of making this wager, nothing was farther from our intention than 
wrestling Harry or any other person, as we had 
been unwell for some time, though we had been 
at Carlisle, where we were thrown after a smartish contest by Joseph Bird, of Holme Wrangle, a 
wrestler highly noted in that part of the county. 
The preceding year we had thrown Harry at 
Arlecdon with such ease, that we believe three or 
four to one would then have been offered against 
him for a single fall ! and a meeting between us 
for a number of falls, would have been thought 
highly ridiculous. But now the case was totally 
altered — through extreme illness we were obliged to solicit at least a respite of our engagement; this was not granted and, as six guineas 
were deposited, we chose to appear rather than 
forfeit. The sum contended for was sixty guineas, and the number of falls wrestled was eleven. No Wrestler ever entered a ring in higher 
condition, or with greater confidence than Harry, and his gaining the three first falls could not 
fail to increase the good opinion of his friends, as 
nothing but a most decisive victory could then 
be contemplated. But the loss of three falls, instead of depressing, only roused our energies, 
the listlessness which pervaded the whole frame 
at the commencement of the contest, now gave 
place to that animated feeling arising from exercise, and the situation in which we were then 
placed and instead of the expected victory, 
Harry was somewhat obligated to fortune for one 
fall out of the other eight ! Harry was some 
pounds the heavier man, but the advantages of 

length and strength were so much against him, 
that in the latter part of the contest, it is well 
known he had not the slightest chance whatever.— This contest took place .on Arlecdon 
Moor, on the 26th of October, 181 1 

The following year Harry was worsted at 
Cockermouth, by John Fidler of Wythop Hall, 
a stronger and heavier man than himself, and 
considered as a first rate Wrestler. Fidier had 
not much catch at Harry, whom he had accompanied to Arlecdon races in 1810, where we 
threw them both for the prize. Harry continued 
wrestling up to the year 1822, during which time 
he gained many prizes, and we believe was never 
afterwards defeated in a match however the 
following circumstance is all that we can notice 
in this work. 

William Richardson being at Cockermouth 
previous to his winning the prize at Carlisle in 
1821, accidentally fell in with Harry, and some 
wordspassing between them respecting wrestling, 
a challenge for a trifling wager, to be decided 
immediately, was the consequence. Harry at 
this time was so increased in flesh as to weigh 
nearly sixteen stones, but notwithstanding this 
disadvantage, he obtained an easy victory. It is 
alleged by some that Richardson was not in a 
proper state to wrestle at that time this is as 
strenuously denied by others — we cannot say 
how the matter really was, but we are correct 
in saying that Richardson acknowledged defeat 
in three trials, and that Harry could have been 
backed to wrestle him for any wager he thought 
proper, at that, or any other time. 

Very few (if any) Cumberland Wrestlers attended the Ambleside sports in 1812. Miles 
Dixon, and a butcher in Ambleside, were the 

two last slanders, and it being: agreed between 
them that the latter should be the ostensible winner of the prize, they agreed to wrestle two or 
three falls for the gratification of those gentlemen who had subscribed towards the Wrestling; 
and in this friendly trial Miles Dixon was victorious. This Champion, though we believe not 
an equal match for some of the Cumberland men 
of his day, seems to have been entitled to rank 
as the most renowned hero in that part of Westmorland. About this, and the succeeding time, 
John Long seems to have been considered superior to his brother Rowland. The latter visited Carlisle in 1811, but notwithstanding his uncommon powers, being both a very tall and 
heavy man, he was not so fortunate as to gain a 
single fall. Rowland is a Wrestler of nearly 30 
years standing, and must during that time have 
contended with a number of good men. It is 
said he is extremely anxious to make the prizes 
he has gained up to one hundred, as he is only 
two or three short of that number but from his 
increasing years, and corresponding numbness, 
it is a great chance whether he will ever succeed in doing so. This was the last year in 
which any considerable sum was given at Ambleside. The gentleman who so actively patronised it, returned to Edinburgh. The intention 
of making it a meeting of much notoriety seems 
to have completely failed, as the Wrestling there 
was never at all equal to that witnessed at Carlisle and Keswick. 

In 1812, the first prize at Carlisle was won by 
J. Scott, of Canobie, throwing at the last Wm. 
Richardson, of Caldbeck, whom he had thrown 
in the course of the Wrestling the preceding 
year. Scott though shorter by three inches than 

Nicholson, was we believe the heavier man. His 
being- the third stander in 181 1, and the conqueror in 1812, is sufficient to stamp him as a very excellent Wrestler, though he had not successive* 
ly vanquished such a hero as Richardson. This 
was the only year William Mackereth attended 
the Carlisle Wrestling. His being- considered a 
pupil of Nicholson's and the victor at Ambleside 
in 1811, much was expected from him. He was 
thrown very unexpectedly in the first round, but 
being chosen in for the second prize, he acquitted himself to the perfect satisfaction of the amateurs, being one of the three last standers, and 
the contest between him and William Richardson, who threw him, .is spoken of as one of the 
best ever witnessed on the Swifts. Mackereth, 
in person, greatly resembles Jack Carter the pugilist, but is a much stronger man than Carter, 
In addition to the above exploits, he won the 
prize at Arlecdon the succeeding year, throwing; 
at the last Robert Selkirk, for some time considered the leading Wrestler between that place 
and Duddon. — At Penrith, this year, where the 
Wrestling had, owing to various circumstances, 
dwindled so as to excite no comparative interest 
with that at Carlisle, the prize was won by John 
Slee, of Dacre, who, as an outside striker with 
the left knee, excelled any other Wrestler at that 
time. Among those whom he threw on this occasion, were James Robinson, and the person 
who threw Wm. Dickinson, the two men who alternately gained the prize at Carlisle the ensuing 
years. 

In 1813, Robert Rowantree,so often mentioned as a distinguished Wrestler in the course of 
this work, gained the first prize. It was singuiar that Richardson was again the last loser and 

the winner of the second prize. Rowantree was 
six feet high, and a very muscular man attached to loose holds, an excellent cross buttocker, 
and an extremely awkward customer to get at. 
He had as a Wrestler largely contributed to the 
celebrity of the Carlisle wrestling since its institution but now, fully satisfied with the laurels 
he had honourably acquired, he took his leave 
of that, and for any thing we know, of every other ring. 

The prize at Carlisle in 1814 was won by 
William Dickinson, from Alston Moor, who 
weighed from thirteen, to fourteen stones, and 
was about five feet ten inches high. Dickinson 
had wrestled both at Carlisle and Penrith the 
preceding year, and was much noticed. He was 
justly considered a first rate Wrestler, and his 
attendance was expected the ensuing year but 
Dickinson, it appears, had other prospects he 
married, and things not falling out according to 
his expectation, he emigrated to America. The 
last person he threw for the prize was George 
Dennison, the successor of that highly reputed 
bone setter, Benjamin Taylor. Dennison, in 
addition to coming last for the first prize, won 
the second, and his exploits in the ring on this 
occasion, afforded great satisfaction to the attendant gentlemen. The fall between him and 
Dickinson was rather a singular one. Dennison 
threw in his left side with much force, intending 
to buttock his opponent; — Dickinson left go, and 
Dennison, disappointed of his object, staggered 
forward a considerable distance but could not 
save himself from going down on his hands, 
otherwise he would have won the fall as he had 
preserved his hold. 

In 1815 the prize at Carlisle was borne away 

by James Robinson, one of the Earl of Lonsdale's 
game-keepers at Lowther Castle. The last 
standerwas William Slee, brother to John Slee, 
whom we have noticed as the victor at Penrith 
in 1813. Robinson was a fourteen stone man, 
and Slee not thirteen, and both coming- from the 
neighbourhood of Penrith, Slee, probably conscious that the chance was against him, agreed 
to lie down, and there is no doubt he was well 
paid for it. This mode of proceeding was highly censured by many sincere friends to the exercise, but in fact, it was only following up the 
precedent allowed to Nicholson and Douglas in 
1811. In wrestling over for the second prize, 
Slee was thrown the first round, and the last 
standers were Thomas Todd, of Alston, and the 
youngest of three brothers of the name of Foster, all of whom wrestled this year, and acquired great celebrity by throwing several good 
Wrestlers. Todd and Foster could not agree 
about the hold, and consequently never wrestled 
but on dividing the money, we have been informed that Todd received more than his opponent, 
it being the opinion of the umpire that he was 
the fairer stander. 

In 1816 Todd was one of the two last standers 
for the first prize, but who had a right to be theother, is somewhat difficult to determine. Being 
a spectator that.year, we do not hesitate to say 
that the conduct of the umpires was extremely 
blameable. In the course of the wrestling, afall 
between Thomas Richardson, of Hesket, and Joseph Graham, from Ravenglass, was given to the 
former. We assert that Graham was not allowed a fair hold, — that it was a manifest snap, — and 
that after all it was a complete dogfall. On 
wrestling when there were but four standers, 

WRESfLIANA. 161 

Richardson was indisputably thrown but such 
was the gross partiality shewn towards him, that 
he was allowed to compound with the person 
who threw him. Having thus become the other 
last stander, it appeared that he had agreed with 
Todd to divide the money between them, but 
the point of honour had not been settled whether 
was to be the ostensible victor; accordingly 
they would not make a wrestle of it, and notwithstanding the precedents before alluded to, 
Mr. Pearson very properly withheld the money. 
The proprietor of the circus, awake to his own 
interest, gave a silver cup to wrestle for the next 
day. The sum demanded for admittance was 
not great, but the receipts far overbalanced the 
value of the cup, which was won by John Lowden, from Keswick. The last loser was Andrew 
Armstrong, from Sowerby Hall, an excellent 
Wrestler, who weighed between twelve and thirteen stones, but not an equal match for Lowden, 
who was nearly a stone heavier. Lowden was 
a very cross stander, and as difficult to dispose 
of as any Wrestler within the last century. We 
have noticed the contest between him and 
Nicholson at Ambleside in another place. That 
contest took place before Lowden was at his 
best, and being the last year of Nicholson's 
wrestling, he never threw that heroin a ring, 
but in the list of those he afterwards threw, the 
names of Richardson, Mackereth, Graham, and 
many others, might be enumerated with us he 
was not so fortunate, as we threw him at Arlecdon in the year 1813, when in his prime. 

The disputes respecting the wrestling in 1816 
caused its suspension in 1817, but the proprietor 
of the circus again ventured to speculate on the 
celebrity of the exercise, by giving t\vo or three- 
162 WRESTLIANA. 

prizes. These were won by John M'Laughlen, 
(commonly called Clatten) and John Liddle, 
both from the vicinity of Dovenby. Laughlen 
threw Liddle at the last for the first prize, and 
laid down to him for the second — he likewise 
threw Toddanti Robinson, neither of them being 
able to do any thing with him, on account of his 
tremendous size. 

As the wrestling at Carlisle Races continued 
suspended till the year 1821, we must now revert 
to that at Keswiek, which in 1818 was patronized 
in a very liberal manner, and has continued augmenting to the present time. The prize that 
year was won by Thomas Richardson, of Hesket, 
throwing at the last the celebrated William Wilson, of Ambleside. In 1819 it was won by Andrew Armstrong, of Sowerby Hall. In 1820, it 
was won by William Wilson, of Ambleside, 
whose last opponent was William Richardson, 
of Caldbeck. In 1821, so rapidly had wrestling 
increased in the estimation of all ranks, that it 
was found the attendance at the Races, was in a 
great measure governed by it and the subscriptions proportionably increasing, it was extended 
to three days, — the winner on the first day, being debarred on the second. Notwithstanding a 
very numerous field of Wrestlers, the first prize 
was won by Richard Abbot, a schoolmaster from 
Whitehall, who weighed very little more than 
eleven stones. Neither could it be considered 
that Abbot fell fortunately in when wrestling 
through the ring, his four last opponents being 
A. Armstrong, J. Frears,T. Richardson, and T. 
Lock, all of them good Wrestlers, and averaging 
two stones above his weight. Two of these/ot*r 
it will be recollected had likewise been previously victors at Keswick, and had distinguished 

themselves at Carlisle. Frears and Lock were 
from the vicinity of Whitehaven, and both well 
known as Wrestlers the latter on this occasion 
greatly distinguished himself, throwing both Edward Hawel, a very noted Wrestler, and the 
truly celebrated J. Lowden, who, though married, took a fancy to enter the ring, and was the 
third stander. The second prize was won by 
James Graham, then residing in Bassenthwaite, 
a very likely man for excelling as a Wrestler 
standing above six feet, and weighing fourteen 
stones. We are very sorry our limits will not 
permit a more lengthy detail of this celebrated 
meeting. 

The great falling off in the attendance of all 
ranks at Carlisle races since the suspension of 
the wrestling occasioned its revival this year 
and it could boast among the numerous spectators assembled to witness it, many of the most 
distinguished characters in this and the adjacent 
counties — nay, such was its attraction, that the 
gentler sex, as in the days of auld lang syne, 
deigned to regard it as an exercise worthy of 
Englishmen to practise, and as an amusement 
which false delicacy, or predetermined prejudice 
only could discover any thing so indecorous as to 
prevent Englishwomen from sanctioning it with 
their presence. The first prize on this memorable day was won by William Richardson, of 
Caldbeck and the second by John Weightman, 
a hero who had during the two preceding years 
risen to the top of the tree in the vicinity of Carlisle. The last opponent of Weightman was 
Joseph Abbot, from the vicinity of Penrith, a 
very celebrated Wrestler, who likewise highly 
distinguished himself at Penrith Races this year, 
where there were evident symptoms of this ath- 

letic exercise again becoming- an object worthy 
of encouragement. Thomas Ford who acquired 
great celebrity at this meeting by throwing 
Weightman, and contesting the last fall with 
Richardson, has generally resided within a few 
miles of Egremont. He was thrown by Weightman for the second prize, but appeared to be no 
unequal competitor for him; being six feet two 
inches high, and weighing upwards of fourteen 
stones. To say the least of Ford, he was much 
noticed by the spectators for his manly exertions, 
and the alacrity and cheerfulness with which he 
always met his man. James Graham before alluded to, was likewise considered to stand on 
very high ground though thrown by Weightman for both prizes. 

As for the victor, W. Richardson, whom we 
have so often had occasion to allude to, this 
might very justly be considered an excellent tie 
up for him, as he was stated in the newspapers 
of the day, to be forty-five years of age ! and the 
winner of 240 Belts!! We cannot decisively 
contradict either statement, but as far as we can 
judge they are both rather exaggerated. We 
never met Richardson in a ring but once, and 
that was during our novitiate. Richardson was 
in his prime, and we well remember he then called himself about twenty-throe years of age we 
were turned of eighteen, therefore if he spoke 
correctly, he could not be more than forty-one 
at the time he won this prize. Richardson might 
be about five feet nine inches in height, and 
would weigh from thirteen to fourteen stones. 
Being a Wrestler of twenty-five years standing*, 
and for a long time open to any man, he has 
wrestled more, and gained a greater number of 
prizes, than any other man ever did. His favou- 

rite method was the inside, and he seems to have 
been (like Achilles) the most vulnerable in the 
heel. It was by catching his heel that Scott 
threw him two successive years, and by which 
J. Nicholson (brother to Tom) threw him at different times and yet neither of them, though 
excellent Wrestlers, ought to have stood any 
chance with him. We are likewise well informed, that in his casual trials with T. Nicholson, he 
not unfrequently barred that favour He finish off 
of that hero's, which was a kind of acknowledgment of his inferiority. We do not credit the 
assertions of his friends in regard to his being 
Tom's master, our opinion is, that he was not 
and notwithstanding Tom was a stone the lighter 
man, the fact of his repeatedly throwing the 
very men who have thrown Richardson, as Rowantree, Harrison, and Lowden, and the great 
reasons there are to believe, that such men as his 
brother John, and Scott, could never have 
thrown him, justify us in asserting Tom was the 
better Wrestler, and more capable of wrestling 
through rings than Will was, although the latter 
was always considered a more pains-taking 
Wrestler. Many of Richardson's friends assert, 
and among them are some well qualified to judge, 
that he was the fairest stander, and best Wrestler 
of his time while those rather hostile to him, contend, that he was a sulky (which is tantamount to 
an unfair) stander, and was as much indebted to 
that, and his tremendous strength of arm, as to 
his science. For our part we have no reason to 
applaud or condemn — we do not think any of 
our readers will deem us incapable of forming an 
opinion, and we assure them it is a free and unr 
prejudiced one. We have not the least doubt 
but that he was for a number, or even for one 

fall, a competent match for any man in the kingdom for very many years. For us to endeavour 
to particularize his conquests would be absurd 
and we have noticed his occasional defeats for 
the purpose of reflecting lustre on those who 
threw such a hero, and not by any means to detract from the great and well merited renown he 
universally possessed. 

We come now to the Keswick Wrestling in 
1822. The first prize was won by John Liddle, 
of Blind Bothel, throwing at the last William 
Cass, of Loweswater and the second by Jonathan Watson, of Torpenhow. Weightman, who 
was the favourite, was thrown by Cass for the 
first prize, and Watson threw him the last fall for 
the second. Watson likewise threw J. Richardson, T. Lock, J. Graham, and T. Tordiff. Watson had before thrown Weightman in the course 
of the year, at Micklethwaite, and W. Richardson, at, or near Caldbeck these conquests we 
think entitle him to rank very high as a Wrestler. 
He is about five feet eight inches high, and near 
thirteen stone weight; is considered an excellent 
ground Wrestler, and is by trade a shoemaker. 
Notwithstanding Watson gained the second 
prize, he was thrown in the first round for the 
first, by William Wilson, of Ambleside, undoubtedly the best Wrestler Westmorland ever produced and it is the confirmed opinion of very 
many whose judgment is entitled to every consideration, that at the time he won at Keswick, 
he was the master of any man in the kingdom. 
It is certain that upon that occasion Richardson 
had not the shadow of a chance with him, and 
the preceding year he gave a convincing proof 
of his powers by striking J. Laughlen down in 
such a manner as we are convinced no other man 

in the kingdom could hav« don«. When thrown 
by Weightman he was labouring under an asthmatic complaint, otherwise he ought to have been 
in his very prime. He stands near six feet four 
inches high, and weighed, when in good health, 
about fifteen stones. 

We come now to the consideration of the Carlisle Wrestling in 1822. The first prize was won 
by W. Cass, and the second by John Weightman. 
As those who wrestled may yet be considered in 
possession of the ring, that circumstance must 
of course circumscribe our account of them. Cass 
is not far from six feet high, and weighs sixteen 
stones. The action he displays is an outside 
stroke with his left foot, but its fatality consists in 
the swing, or twist, with which it is accompanied, 
and his method of parting with his men. He was 
not much noticed previous to his throwing 
Weightman but in our opinion he will, and is 
the only man who ought to throw him again. 
Cass is equally as strong, full as heavy, and 
Weightman will find it difficult to improve his 
hold, and command him as he does all his other 
opponents. Cass certainly won very cleverly, 
and though we must admit he wrestled fortunately through the ring, we think him the likeliest 
person to win again. — The redoubted Weightman is above six feet three inches high, and 
weighs upwards of fifteen stones. Weightman 
has certainly a very good natured, and indeed we 
might with truth say, a prepossessing appearance. 
The whole science he appears master of is the 
address he displays in the application of his tremendous strength in breaking his adversary's, and 
improving his own hold. He appears to be master 
of Liddle,and in the match bet ween him and Richardson, the latter certainly had no chance with 

him. Respecting his behaviour towards the spectators on that occasion, we will remark that there 
is a very material difference between wrestling 
a private match, and contending for a public 
prize. The latter is expressly for the amusement 
of the spectators-) and they have a right, as in a 
theatre, to express in a certain degree, their opinion of the conduct of the performers but with 
the former they have no right whatever, excepting to preserve fair-play between the men and 
when it is well known that this was neither the 
second nor third instance in which matches with 
Richardson never were decided, we have room 
to infer that the fault in taking hold might not 
be all Weightman's. The grand question now is 
— Is there one man in the present list who can 
throw him a main ? Our opinion is, if there be 
one, there are not two. John Laddie, the victor 
at Keswick, and from whom much was anticipated at Carlisle, is upwards of fourteen stones, 
and about five feet ten inches high. It is scarcely fair to make lengthy remarks upon those who 
may again appear in the ring, therefore we shall 
only observe, that with one exception, there is 
no wrestler of, or under his own weight at present that can throw him. James Graham had 
for some time been labouring under a bad state 
of health, and in appearance, as well as powers, had evidently declined. We likewise 
think that T. Richardson cannot be what he has 
been. As a hiper, he is certainly the quickest and best on the list. He is taller, but not so. 
heavy as Lid die and though we do not think 
him a T. Nicholson,1 yet very few at present are 
an equal match for him John Fearon, who 
threw Weightman at Carlisle, is about the same 
height, but heavier than that hero. The fame of 

Weightman was his principal inducement for 
entering that ring, and by throwing him he accomplished his object. Respecting the contest 
between them, it was a bad one, and Weightman 
lost the fall at a time when he ought to have been 
pertain of winning it. — John M'Laughlen, ike 
fourth stander on that occasion, is near six feet 
six inches high, and at present weighs about seventeen stones. Had he been in practice and taken more pains in procuring an equal hold, 
Weightman ought not to have thrown him as 
though not excelling in action, he is by no means 
deficient in science. Haying been some years 
married previous to his present settlement in 
Whitehaven as a publican, his practice must 
have been latterly very confined, otherwise 
he ought, and we think, would have been the 
present champion. — Weight and age considered, 
no Wrestler more distinguished himself at Carlisle than Robert Waters, the third stander. He 
appeared a little one, is a very young one, and 
gave most convincing proofs of his science 
and quickness — the two great essentials which 
constitute a finished Wrestler,— T. Todd, the 
last loser, is full five feet ten inches high, and 
weighs twelve stones and four pounds. Putting 
hearsay, out of the question, and giving our opinion of what we have personally witnessed., 
Todd is the best and most finished Wrestler we 
ever saw. He has not the power of Nicholson, 
but excepting him, we never saw a thirteen, nor 
is there at present any fourteen stone man, in 
our opinion, able to throw him the best of three, 
or five falls. — The prize given for Lads afforde4 
much amusement, and many of them displayed 
infinite science, and seemed quite at home in the 
The two last, though not the tallest, or 

170 WRESTUANA. 

we 

heaviest, among the competitors, were both 
were told, above the age specified in the advertisement. 

In concluding this Treatise, we will briefly remark there are, and were, some excellent Wrestlers in the eastern part of this county, with 
whose names and exploits we were too imperfectly acquainted in proper time for noticing 
them. As for the present heroes, our circumscribed limits, and the recollection that we have 
freely criticised the exploits of those only, who 
may be considered to have taken their leave of 
the rinfa will, we hope, prove a sufficient apology for our brief notice of them. Of the performance itself, we will only observe, that the disadvantages invariably connected with any original work must plead in extenuation of its most 
glaring defects. At any rate, it may serve as 
a kind of data, or landmark, to those who may 
feel disposed to sail in that tract, where its precedence must be allowed to have broken the ice. 

ERRATA. 

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achievements. 

Page 146, line 26, for William Richardson re&djohn Richardton. 

FINIS. 

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