DEEDS OF ARMS. 61 



son gout; they have theirs ; they have a right to have 

 it : in fact, the cruelty would be in preventing their 

 enjoying it. If two men, earning (which many of 

 them can and some do) a comfortable living by other 

 occupations, choose to quit them for two months 

 while in training to fight, it is natural to conclude 

 they prefer making money by this to their regular 

 business. Wliy balk their inclinations ? I do not 

 see that they hurt any one but each other. I only 

 wish, as Paddy would say, " they may both win," and 

 as they so often " wisit the witling office in the ring," 

 I hope when they do so at home they will find it well 

 stored for themselves and their friends. I really 

 hope my feelings are not more callous than those of 

 my neighbours ; but I confess in witnessing a prize 

 fight, I admire the attitudes and tactics of the men, 

 though, so far as they are concerned, I feel no more 

 for them than I should for two crocodiles fio-htino; on 

 the banks of the Nile. If some unfortunate fellow, 

 who had no other means of getting food for himself 

 and family, was induced to enter the prize ring to 

 obtain those means, he would be an object of admira- 

 tion and interest. I should feel every blow he got, 

 and warmly wish him success : but if such men as 

 Hammer Lane or Johnny Broome (two very respect- 

 able men in their way) chose to quit, the one his 

 trade, the other his home, to fight, I can only say, if 

 they both got a sound drubbing, they would get no 

 pity from me ; and, to do them both justice, they 

 would neither care about the drubbing one farthing, 

 provided they won the fight for themselves and friends ; 

 and this they certainly would do, if they could under 

 any circumstances. In short, speaking of prize fights 

 in a general way, if two fools by choice stand up to 



