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cannot be taken from liim and used upon himself, and, as long as his 

 wind lasts, he never runs out of ammunition. They are always 

 ready at hand upon an emergency, no matter how sudden it be. Even 

 if in a man's pockets on a cold night the fists are out in a second, and, 

 like a flash of lightning, can be sent between the eyes of the intruder 

 or obstructionist, to be followed up as fast and etFectively as the skill 

 and condition of the owner can send them. As wrote someone : " The 

 fists are the formidable antagonists of the knife, the bludgeon, and the 

 heavy boot." 



Boys, from ten years old up, should be taught how to box scientifi- 

 cally. In the first place there can be no better exercise for the body and 

 limbs than a few rounds with the gloves, for if they be merry oneS) 

 every thew and sinew will be in use ; the wind is improved and the 

 chest enlarged, while the eye is made quick and sharp. 



Gloves should be small and hard. Large ones often stop a well- 

 directed blow, and to have them soft they must be large. 



In conjunction with boxing wrestling should also be taught. At 

 times to be able to use one's feet in tripping up, or one's arms in giving 

 a cross buttock, is highly advantageous. A man who can both box 

 and wrestle is indeed an awkward customer to tackle. 



They, like so many other accomplishments, cannot be taught on 

 paper. A good master and constant practice, with natural taste for the 

 art, are the only ways by which proficiency can be acquired. There is, 

 therefore, no use in my trying to give a lesson even if I were qualified, 

 which I am not ; I may, however, make a few remarks. 



Don't hit a man for insufficient cause, but when occasion or provoca- 

 tion requires you to hit another, let there be no half measures adopted. 

 Therefore, never hit till you mean to hurt ; so when you hit, hit hard, 

 and let him have it — quick as a flash, and straight from the shoulder — 

 right on to whatever portion of his head, face, or body you can land 

 with the most efi'ect and the greatest readiness. Such work generally 

 shortens the business", while half measures only prolong it, and what 

 is worth doing at all is worth doing well. A blow is a blow, and in law 

 a silly little tap constitutes an assault, and will count against a man 

 just as much as if he had sent his antagonist flying heels over head. 



Above all things, never lose your temper when boxing. 



If a man can get well home with a hot one on to the side of the chin 

 of his adversary, there is no better means oi instilling into his head the 

 illusion that he has two skulls, and that one is clattering inside the 

 other, while every tooth in his head chatters time thereto. It was Jem 

 Mace gave me that and the following tip, and both are worth taking. 



Practise to box equally well with either foot forward, which of 

 course necessitates the corresponding fist being forward. A man who 

 can box so has a decided advantage over the man who can box only in 

 the usual position of left foot and left fist foremost. 



The hands should be closed in the natural way with the end joints 

 of the fingers doubled in such a position that they won't get hurt from 



