166 SELF-DEFENCE. 



Gully and Gregson Jem Belcher and the 

 Chicken Tom Belcher and Dutch Sam 

 ever on my lips. Indeed, I had ventured 

 to take lessons of the latter in the noble 

 art of self-defence, as it was then called, 

 which, upon one or two occasions, I must 

 confess stood me in good service. But, 

 while I admired the science I abhorred 

 the association, so that my knowledge of 

 the men or of their profession was very 

 limited. 



My attention was often recalled to the 

 feats of the ring by the public papers, and 

 by their being a frequent topic of con- 

 versation on the coach as well as in most 

 public companies. 



The stables where my horses stood were 

 situated on a point of the road, near to 

 which the three counties of Essex, Hert- 

 ford, and Cambridge joined; and, at the 

 distance of a mile, in a newly-erected, mo- 

 dest mansion, on a pretty spot commanding 

 an extensive view over the surrounding 



