Decline of Cumberland Wrestling. 231 



His next move was to Ireland, where, for 

 the first time, he encountered Groucock, the 

 traveller who had so greatly interfered with 

 Fisher's Irish business, He was a young 

 man, although some years older than Moore. 

 Before the latter's appearance in Ireland 

 Groucock had taken the lion's share of the 

 lace trade ; but now he had a foeman worthy 

 of his steel. The struggle between them was 

 so keen that Groucock's physical strength 

 was not equal to the tremendous strain. All 

 the time George Moore worked harder than 

 ever, and at last succeeded in getting back all 

 the best Irish customers for his employers. 

 Groucock soon found it necessary to come to 

 terms with his indefatigable competitor. 

 Through a mutual friend he made overtures 

 to George Moore, offering him ^500 a year 

 if he would travel for his house instead of for 

 Fisher's. It was, indeed, a tempting offer, 

 for Moore's salary was only ^150 a year, out 

 of which he could barely contrive to live. 

 Considering the enormous business that he 

 brought to their firm, it was selfish short- 

 sightedness on the part of Messrs. Fisher and 

 Co. not to have increased his salary. But 



