0N SPORTS AND EXERCISES. 319 



unemployed. In short, they tear* each other like wild 

 beasts, and never desist from the conflict till their strength 

 is completely exhausted; and thus regardless of any 

 established laws of honour which teach forbearance to a 

 prostrate foe, their cruelty is only terminated by their 

 inability to inflict more mischief. And yet superficial 

 observers, and especially all foreigners who have written 

 concerning our customs and manners, loudly brand the 

 English character with savage rudeness and brutality, 

 because they have s6en men terminate their quarrels by 

 an appeal to boxing; in which the parties are not per- jn boxing no 

 mitted to take an unfair advantage of each other, but unfair advan- 

 when one is disposed to yield, the combat immediately ^^fo^gj^*^*^ 

 closes, and the conqueror and the vanquished are often 

 seen to give and receive a hearty shake of the hand, in 

 token of mutual good will and forgiveness. In no in- 

 stance does the manly, spirited, and generous character 

 of Britons, rise to a higher pitch, than in this alacrity 

 almost universally shewn by the most ignorant and lowest 

 order of the people, to terminate their personal contests 

 in a kindly and honourable manner. The mind indeed is 

 thus relieved at once from the brooding mischief of ma- 

 lice and revenge. For, when the idea of self-conse- 

 quence has been maintained, in courageously supporting 

 the contest, man is better satisfied with himself and 

 others, and consequently more likely to dismiss his ill- 

 will and resentments. In order to foster manly fortitude 

 and vigour, and to prevent the mischiefs arising from the 

 irregular and brutal exertions of strength and ferocify — 

 would it not be advisable to encourage the art of boxing 

 with mufflers, as a subordinate branch of the gymnastic 

 exercises ? All stage exhibitions of prize-Jighting ought 



* In Virginia and the other southern states of America, the most 

 savage acts of barbarity are committed, in the quarrels of the peo- 

 ple. Gouching— or thrusting out the eye from the socket, is one of 

 the means resorted to upon almost every personal dispute. An in- 

 telligent traveller, Mr. Weld, declares, that at Richmond in Vir- 

 ginia, it was nothing uncommon to meet with pei"5ons deprived of 

 one or both eyes from this horrid practice. He mentions another 

 mode to disable an antagonist, so detestably barbarous, as to excite 

 incredulity, if the account had not been corroborated by other 

 yvriters. 



