1806. | 
revenge would be foftered and encouraged. 
But no ftate can, with any profpect of 
fuccefs, attempt fuch an abfolute domi- 
wien over the paffions of men. In other 
countries, where boxing is unknown, the 
modes of refenting injuries, reforted to 
by the common people, are full of danger 
and ferocity. In Italy, the (tiletto is not 
only the weapon of the hired affaffin, but 
is alfo kept ready in the bofom of the re- 
fpectable citizen, to be plunged into the 
heart of his friend or neighbour upon any 
fudden provocation from anger, or motive 
of revenge. In a note we are informed, 
that 1000 perfons fall viétims annually in 
Rome to the ftiletto, and not lefs than 
400 murders are committed in the fame 
fpace of time in Naples by the dagger. 
in Holland, the mode of fighting among 
the common pecple is by iharp kaives, 
and the parties frequently maim, and 
fometimes deftroy each other. ‘The go- 
vernment tolerates the favage praStice.— 
In Virginia, and the other fouthern fta‘es 
of America, the moft favage aéts of bar- 
barity are committed in the quarrels of 
the people. Gougeing—or thrufting out 
the eye from the focket—is one of the 
means reforted to upon almoft every per- 
fonal difpute. Mr. Weld fays it was no- 
thing uncommon to meet with perfons de- 
prived of one or both eyes from this hor- 
rid practice. When the paffions are un- 
der greater reftraint, from the influence of 
Jaws, of climate, and of cuftom, {uch 
dreadful confequences do not enfue from 
the quarrels of the populace. 
France, and many parts of Germany, the 
quarrels of the people are determined by 
a brutal appeal to force. Sticxs, ftones, 
and every dangerous kind of weapon are 
reforted tofor the gratification of paiffion 
or revenge. The moft common and fa- 
yvage method of fettling quarrels upon the 
Continent is the adoption of the Pancra- 
tium. ‘The parties clofe, and ftruggle to 
throw each other down, at the fame time 
the teeth and nails are not unemployed ; 
they tear each other like wild beafts, and 
never defift but through an inability of in- 
figting more mifehief, From the confi 
U 2 
Procecdings of Learned Societies. 
Yet in 
, 
151 
deration of thefe facts, Dr Bardfley , 
enters into an eulogium o, boxing, 
as practifed in this country. He ob- 
ferves, as a ftriking fact, that in thofe 
parts of the kingdom where pugilifm is 
leat praétifed, and where perfonal dif- 
putes are decided by the exertion of fa- 
vage ftrength and ferocity, a fondnefs for 
barbarous and bloody {ports prevail. In 
fome parts of Lancathire bull-bazting and 
man-flaying are common prattices. The 
knowledge of pugilifm as an art 1s, Im 
thefe places, neither underitood nor prac- 
tifed. Thereis no eftablifhed rule of ho- 
nour to fave the weak from the ftrong, but 
every man’s life is at the mercy of his 
fucce(sful antagonift. The objeét of each 
combatant in thefe difgraceful contefts is, 
to throw each other proitrate on the 
ground, and then with hands and feet, 
teeth and nails, to inflict at random every 
poffible degree of injury and torment. 
‘The county affizes at Lancafhire afford 
many proofs of the mifchiefs of thefe fae 
vage combats: the Judges have attempted 
to fupprefs them, but withous effect. On 
this account, Dr. Bardfley would have 
boxing encouraged, as a more manly and 
le(s dangerous mode of terminating the 
quarrels of the populace. He fuggelts, 
that in public fchools and large manufac- 
tories fome pains might be taken to intro- 
duce the fyfem of boxing and the laws 
of honour, by which it isregulated ; and 
he feels confident that it would render the 
life of man more refpected; barbarous 
propenfities would be fubdued, and the 
prefent character of the county refcued 
from the ftigma of favage rudenels. To 
abolifh.all traces of the favage mode of 
conte(lt already defcribed, it is afked if it 
- would not be advifable to hold forth prizes 
at wakes and public amufements, for the 
encouragement of thofe who excel in {par- 
ring with mufflers. This trial of fkill, 
force, and agility, would contribute, un- 
der due regulations, to invigorate the bo- 
dy, animate the courage, and effectually 
abolifh the prefent dangerous and inhu- 
man methed of deciding perfonal con- 
telts. 
CORRECT 
