180 THE FANCY 



" Yes," he replied ; " and you are the geDtleman, I 

 presume, with whom and myself our friend here," press- 

 ing his hand on my shoulder, " has made a match." 



" The same. Are you going to Cheltenham ? " 



"Yes." 



'• Then we will talk further about it." 



The result of this was, a fair stand-up set-to with the 

 gloves, in which my friend came off victorious. 



I have recorded this occurrence merely to demonstrate 

 that science and manhood can be displayed without 

 having recourse to the prize-ring, and without that 

 resort to the modern tactics, of first hugging your 

 adversary, then throwing him, and last thrusting your 

 knees into his body — a system of fighting that never 

 would have been allowed by our fathers, and has been 

 sanctioned only for the better effecting of crosses, thereby 

 making it a profession fit only for ruffians. I have both 

 witnessed and experienced practical illustrations of the 

 benefits to be derived from a knowledge of this useful 

 art, and would glory in its display as one of our national 

 characteristics, when practised on an emergency and in 

 self-defence, as far more indicative of what becomes a 

 man, than the steel of the Italian, or the extravagant 

 demonstrations of vengeance in vogue with our American 

 brethren. 



A particular instance I remember in illustration of this 

 idea. 



Kiding one day with my friend before named in his 

 phaeton,^ in going round the churchyard at Ewel, a 

 very dangerous part of the road to Epsom, which has 

 ^ The late John Morris, of Northumberland Street, Strand. 



