CHAPTERIX.HARRY BROOME (CHAMPION).1843–1856.Harry Broome, a younger brother of the renowned Johnny, was born in the “hardware town,” which has given so many of its best pugilists to the modern Ring, that Birmingham early rivalled, and afterwards eclipsed, the fame of Bristol as the birthplace of boxers. The subject of this memoir, who first saw the light in 1826, was a mere boy at the time when his elder brother had fought his way to “the topmost round of fortune’s ladder”—Broome’s ultimate victory, that over Bungaree, the Australian, being achieved in April, 1842, when Harry had not yet counted sixteen summers. At that time Johnny had already married, and settled as host of a well-accustomed tavern—to wit, “The Rising Sun,” in Air Street, Piccadilly, where his shrewdness, activity, and enterprise had transformed the short avenue from Piccadilly to Regent Street into a “high change” of sporting; a very Rialto of the Ring, where patrons and practitioners of the Noble Art “most did congregate.” The sparring saloon at “The Rising Sun,” at this period, was the arena for the display of the best fistic talent of the Metropolis; and here, at the age of sixteen, we first saw the aspiring youngster—a lithe, smooth-skinned, active stripling, very boyish in look, standing 5 feet 8 inches, and weighing 9 st. 7 lbs.—put on the mittens, and make a most creditable “private trial” with the well-known Byng Stocks, of Westminster. Stocks, despite his 11 stone and experience, by no means had the best of the mimic mill, though once or twice urged by the delighted “Johnny” “Not to spare the young ’un because he was his brother.” This promisingdébutwas followed by several favourable public displays; and within a few months not a few of the best judges were of opinion that, barring all question of breed and blood, a new and formidable aspirant for the middle-weight Championship would be found in Young Broome, when a year or two should have hardened the gristle into bone, and manhoodhad consolidated the muscle and set the frame of the future gladiator. And so some months rolled on; a glove-fight, in which Harry disposed of Mitchell, a 10-stone outsider, for a £5 note, being a merecoup d’essai, got up by a few aristocratic visitors of “The Rising Sun,” of which Harry was the rising star.Harry BroomeHARRY BROOME (Champion).From a Print byMoore.As we have already said, Johnny Broome at this time filled a large space in the eye of the sporting world, and young Harry, emulous of the fistic fame of his elder brother, with a strong family instinct for fighting, was most importunate with Johnny to let him try his “prentice han’” in combat with some suitable antagonist. Johnny, however, did not choose to lower the dignity of the name of Broome by allowing Harry to strip for “a purse” with any novice; nor would he hear of a match with any “commoner” or “outsider,” for a five, ten, or twenty-five pound stake. He would back Harry for £50, or not at all.At this time there was a strong jealousy, not to say envy, of the position earned by Johnny in Ring affairs, and more than once did we hear a wish expressed by East-enders and others, that “somebody” would “take the shine out of these upstart Brums.” Accordingly, when it was made known, in September, 1843, that “Young Harry” was ready for a “customer” for £50, they put on their considering caps, and Fred Mason (the Bulldog), standing idle in the market-place, was asked what he thought of the young “ten-stunner?”Mason, who had, among others, twice beaten Bill Jones, after desperate battles, in which he earned his formidable nickname, received a sort of certificate from Johnny Walker (by whom he had been beaten) that he was just the man to achieve the desired object, if he could raise the half-hundred. At a council held at “The Grapes,” in Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, it was decided that the “needful” should be posted, and the cartel accepted. The articles proposed Tuesday, the 10th of October 1843, but subsequently Broome objected to this, as on that day the Cesarewitch would be run, at Newmarket, and several of Harry’s best friends, who were anxious to see his “first appearance,” would be unable to be present. It was accordingly postponed to Wednesday, the 11th. By mutual agreement “The Nymph” steamer was engaged by the two Johnnies (Broome and Walker) for the mutual advantage of the men, and to disburse their training and other expenses. All went smoothly. “The Nymph,” at the appointed hour of eight, got under weigh from Hungerford Market, with a goodly freight of West-enders; then she took in a largecompany at Old Swan Stairs, London Bridge, while the “Sages of the East” came on board at Brunswick Pier, Blackwall, in increased numbers. Thence she steamed down stream with pleasant speed (with the unwelcome convoy of a trio of crowded tugs), until she came to Long Reach, where, between Dartford and Northfleet, in a meadow distant from all human habitation, it was determined to land. This operation was performed amidst an aqueous downpour, which drenched all the row-boats and their occupants, except those who were clad in waterproof garments. The Commissary lost no time in forming the lists, immediately within the sea wall, upon an excellent piece of turf, and, despite the rattling shower, which increased rather than diminished, accomplished his task in a workmanlike manner. The stools and benches of the steamer were, as usual, transferred to the shore for the accommodation of the “Corinthians,” of whom there were many present, and a most acceptable save-all they proved; nevertheless the great majority had to grin the storm out of countenance; and amidst a perfect deluge, at twelve o’clock the combatants and their seconds made theirsalaams—the Bulldog under the care of Jem Turner and Jemmy Shaw; Broome waited upon by Levi Eckersley and Tom Maley.Little time was lost in encircling the stakes with their fogles—white and blue spot for the Bulldog, and blue and white spot for Broome. Both were as cheerful as if pirouetting in the Lowther Rooms. Happily, before business commenced the storm somewhat abated, and the weather became comparatively fine, although occasional slantindicular visitations from the upper regions proved that the only thing settled was the unsettled state of the weather. Young Harry’s “first appearance” was prepossessing. He entered the ring, after dropping in his cap, with a modest bow, and a smile or nod of recognition to several acquaintances, and at once steadily proceeded to divest himself of his upper clothing. “He is a fine young fellow,” says a contemporary report, “only eighteen years of age, standing 5 feet 9 inches, and weighing 10st.2lbs.(he was limited by virtue of the articles to 9st.3lbs.), and evidently in first-rate condition, not an ounce of superfluous flesh being visible, and his form as active, alert, and springy as a greyhound.” Of his milling qualifications of course no one had as yet any opportunity of judging, so that he was scanned with all the curiosity with which men examine a “dark horse.” The “Bulldog” also looked in robust health, but he struck us as being too fleshy; and, added to this, it could not but be felt that he was rather stale, not only from thefree life he had led, but from his repeated battles, in which he sustained no small quantum of punishment, and especially in his fight with Johnny Walker, who, however, expressed the greatest confidence in his powers. His weight, we should say, was at least 9st.10lbs., and in length he was full two inches shorter than Broome. His rushing and fearless character of fighting gained for him the sobriquet of “Bulldog,” and his courage further entitled him to this canine distinction.The officials being nominated, offers were made to take 7 to 4, 6 to 4, and ultimately 5 to 4; but the Broomites were cautious, although, taking youth, length, and weight into consideration, he was certainly entitled to be backed at odds. Doubts as to his qualities were, however, still to be satisfied, and the speculators were shy of investing.THE FIGHT.Round 1.—Precisely at twelve minutes to twelve the men were delivered at the scratch, neither displaying the slightest nervousness, and both looking jolly and determined on mischief. No time was lost; Broome led off with his left, but the Bulldog stopped and got away quickly. Bulldog now advanced to the charge left and right, and got home on Broome’s nose and left eyebrow. Broome, not idle, returned prettily, when the Bull rushed in, closed, and, after slight fibbing, finding Broome too strong, got down, amidst the vociferous cheers of his friends.2.—Broome, nothing daunted, was quick to the scratch, and led off left and right, the Bulldog hitting with him; a sharp rally, and heavy hits exchanged, in which Broome had it on the smeller, and his cork was drawn. (First blood for “Bully.”) A close at the ropes, in which Broome tried for the fall, but Mason held his legs too wide apart, and the crook could not be got. Broome forced him on the ropes, and there held him as if in a vice—his own nose dropping the crimson fluid. Bully struggled to get loose, but Broome grappled him closer. Mutual attempts at fibbing—when, after an ineffectual trial on the part of Broome for the fall, Mason got down besmeared with his opponent’s claret, and pinked on his left cheek. Broome showed a slight cut on the left eyebrow as well as the tap on the snout.3.—Broome opened the ball without hesitation, and caught Bully on the mouth, lifting the bark from his nether lip. A short pause, when Broome again went to work left and right, but Mason got away; Mason hit out of distance. A rally, in which Broome followed his man to the ropes, hitting left and right; while at the ropes Broome let go his right, and catching Bully on the temple he dropped, but looked up smiling.4.—Broome popped in his left slightly on Bully’s cheek; tried it again, but the blow passed over his shoulder. Mason rushed in left and right, closed, and tried to fib; Broome, however, proved the stronger man, grappled him against the stake, and, after some in-fighting, in which Mason got a crack over the larboard cheek, he contrived to pull Broome down.5.—Mason displayed a mouse under each eye, and came slow to the scratch. Broome hit short with the left, and Bully did ditto. Exchanges left and right, and a close at the ropes. Broome hung on the neck of Mason, which lay across the ropes, but was unable to get the look for the fall; at last both were down, Broome having had the best of the round.6.—Broome, as lively as a kitten, let fly his left, and caught Bully on the mug, repeating a smack on the body with the same hand. Mason tried his right, only tapping Broome’s shoulder. Counter-hits with the left, both napping it on the muzzle. A short rally, followed by a close, in which Broome slipped down.7.—Broome tried his left and right, but was stopped; he was not, however to be denied; he again rattled in in the same style, nailed Mason with both hands, and gave him the upper-cut with the right. Heavy exchanges, Mason fighting rather wild. In the close Bully down, having all the worst of the milling.8.—Broome led off quickly with his left, and nailed his man on the cheek. A pause for wind, when Broome again commenced operations. Heavy counter-hitting left and right, and a spirited rally, in which the exchanges were severe. Broome closed for the fall, but Mason dropped on his knees.9.—Hits left and right attempted, but both short. Bully’s left neatly stopped, when Broome delivered a rattler with hisright on the body, and on the cheek with his left. Good counter-hitting with the left; a close at the ropes, and Mason caught Broome round the neck over the ropes, but the latter slipped down.10.—Mason, short with his left, retreated, and sparred for wind. Slow fighting on both sides. They at length got to work left and right, and heavy muggers were exchanged. A close for the throw, but Mason got down, Broome on him.11.—The Young’un popped in his left prettily on Bully’s muzzle. Mason fought wildly and hit short. Broome rushed to him and closed, but Bully was not to be had at that game, and fell.12.—Good outfighting on both sides, left and right, and heavy exchanges. Broome popped in his right heavily, and as Mason was staggering hit him beautifully down with his right. In the counter-hits Broome had received a nasty crack on his smeller, which bled profusely. (First knock-down for Broome.)13.—Harry, as usual, led off left and right; Mason rushed to a close, and they reached the ropes, where Broome, with his arm round Mason’s neck, hung on him, till at last Mason got back and fell, Broome over him.14.—Broome popped in left and right in splendid style, repeating the dose with the left on the head, and the right on the body. Mason closed, but, finding Broome too strong for him, dropped on one knee with both hands up. Broome, although entitled to hit, left him. (Applause.)15.—Broome again led off with his left. Mason short and wild in his returns. Broome steady, and again delivered his left, drawing additional claret. A close at the ropes; more squeezing on the part of Broome, and Mason got down, apparently fagged.16.—The Bulldog slow to the scratch; counter-hitting with the left, ditto with the right. In the close Mason down again on one knee, but Broome once more retired without taking advantage of the opportunity offered.17.—A good weaving rally, in which the hitting was tremendous, and, after mutual compliments, in the close Mason dropped on his knees. (Mason’s seconds now called for brandy.)18.—Mason slow in going to the scratch. Broome rattled to him left and right, catching him a severe nozzler. Bully made a desperate rush, and heavy counter-hits were exchanged. A lively rally followed, in which mutual compliments were paid, and the dripping claret proved that both had been heavily hit. In the close, after a severe struggle on the part of Broome to obtain the fall, Mason dropped on one knee, and Broome walked away, exhibiting heavy marks of punishment. Mason was likewise severely mauled, and his left eye was fast closing.19.—Each regarded the other with mutual good will. Broome bleeding at the mouth and nose, but still steady and self-possessed. He led off with the left, but was prettily stopped. Counter-hits on each side missed, when Broome closed, caught Mason round the neck, and hung on him at the ropes till he got down, amidst loud shouts of disapprobation from Bully’s friends.20.—Broome led off with his left, and again nailed Mason on the left eye. Mason closed, when the Young’un suddenly disentangled himself, stepped back, gave Mason the upper cut with his right, followed by a neat slap with his left, when Master Fred slipped down.21.—Broome led off left and right; closed, again caught Mason round the neck, hanging upon him across the ropes until he fell.22.—Mason somewhat slow to the scratch, across which Broome stepped, and led off left and right. Bully let fly wildly left and right, when Broome once more closed, flung him across the ropes, and squeezed him as if his neck were in a vice, amidst repeated shouts of disapprobation. Jack Sheppard, urged by the impatience of some of Mason’s friends, ran with a knife to cut the ropes, but luckily his man slipped down, and thereby prevented an act which would have been highly imprudent, inasmuch as the ring would have thereby been destroyed; and however unseemly such a style of fighting might appear, it was not inconsistent with any fixed rule of the Ring.23.—Broome delivered a heavy hit with his left on Mason’s body; Mason short in the return, and, after some wild exchanges, Bully dropped on his knees.24.—Counter-hitting with the left; a close, and, after some slight fibbing, Mason again dropped on his knees.25.—Mason stopped Broome’s left, rushed to in-fighting left and right, then, missing his upper cut, got down.26.—Mason’s left eye all but gone, and Broome’s mug showing sundry marks of severe deliveries. A desperate rally, both having made up their minds to mischief. Heavy exchanges left and right, followed by a close at the ropes, at which Mason once more dropped on one knee, but Broome still refrained from hitting.27.—Counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it heavily on the nose. A slashing rally, in which heavy right-handed hits were exchanged till Mason fell on his knees, both bleeding profusely.28.—Both men cautious. Broome in with his left, and Mason short in his return. Heavy counter-hitting. Bully receiving a finishing smack from the right on his left eye, which was completely closed. Broome grappled for the fall, seized Mason by the neck, and hung upon him until he brought him down upon his nose.29.—Counter-hits with the left, followed by a close, in which Mason attempted to get down, but Broome held him by the neckunder his arm, and tried to lift him from the ropes, until he fell, amidst shouts of disapprobation.30.—Mason led off short, when Broome steadied himself and popped in a terrific hit with his left on the cheek. Counter-hits left and right followed, Mason fighting wildly. In the close Broome again hung on his man till he extricated himself from his painful position, and in getting away Broome fell heavily upon him.31.—Mason getting slower. Counter-hitting with the left and exchanges with the right, in which Bully delivered heavily. In the close Mason dropped on his knees.32.—A rattling exchange of hits; a close at the ropes, and Mason got down, amidst the cheers of his friends. Broome rather groggy from the heavy deliveries in the last round, and the brandy-bottle on his side in requisition.33 and 34.—Short and merry rallies, in both of which compliments were exchanged, and Mason got down on his knees.35.—Broome delivered two heavy lunging hits with his left at the body; a rally and heavy exchanges, when Broome caught his man in the corner and again grappled him round the neck with his arm as if in the folds of a boa constrictor. Here he held him for a considerable time, till Mason got each leg in succession over the ropes, and snatched his pimple out of chancery, as he rose making a desperate upper cut with his right, which he luckily missed, for had he struck his man when outside of the ropes, he would have lost the fight on the ground of foul play.36.—Broome, although fatigued, came up with unshrinking spirit. Heavy counter-hits with the left, when Mason overreached himself, missed, and fell.37.—Mason evidently less confident. He was slow to the call of time, while Broome rushed to his work, hit out left and right, bored his man to the ropes, and again clasped him in his vice till he fell.38.—Broome, apparently regaining fresh energy, the moment time was called rushed to his man, led off left and right, closed at the ropes, and, after some in-fighting, Mason got down, Broome falling over him, evidently with the intention of avoiding falling on him.39.—Broome, becoming still gayer, got to work without delay, popped in a stinger at the body with his right, and after an exchange of facers, closed at the ropes. Mason struggled and fell back, Broome hitting with his right, and falling on him. It was now seen that Mason was satisfied, and after a short consultation with his friends, he declined proceeding with the contest, declaring that he felt he had no chance, for he could not get at his man, and his power of hitting was exhausted. At this time his left eye was completely bunged up, and his face, mouth, and nose were seriously contused; added to which he complained that both his hands were injured. Under these circumstances Johnny Walker saw it was in vain to protract the combat, and gave in on the part of Mason, who immediately stood up and shook hands with his opponent, who was proclaimed the conqueror, after fightingone hour and twenty-one minutes, greatly to the disappointment and vexation of many of Mason’s friends, who considered that he was still able to continue the mill, and probably make a turn in his favour. None, however, know so well where the shoe pinches as he who wears it, and Mason was sufficiently satisfied with the dressing he had received, without adding to its severity. On quitting the ring after being dressed, Broome was so elated with his success, that he threw three successive somersaults, thus proving that his strength and activity, at least, were unimpaired, although the disfigurement of his “dial” afforded pretty strong evidence of the severity of Mason’s hitting.Remarks.—The issue of this battle has placed Young Harry in a very creditable position, and proved him to possess the first of the requisites for a professor of pugilism—courage, combined with perfect self-possession and a fair share of science. He is quick on his legs, and possesses the happy knack of using both hands with vigour and effect. He never once lost the control over his own actions, and between the rounds nursed and husbanded his strength with the cunning and calmness of a veteran. He was always first on his legs on the call of time, and almost invariably led off with his left with precision and success. It is clear that he knows the use of his legs; and had not Bully known how to foil his intentions he would no doubt have shown him a quick way to his mother earth. If there was any fault to be found with his style of fighting, it was in his repeated hanging on his man at the ropes. It ought not to be forgotten, however, that Mason in the closes endeavoured to grapple him with no friendly intention, and to resist this he had recourse to an expedient which is anything but pleasant to the spectators. There is no law, however, against it, and he cannot, therefore, be blamed for following an example afforded him, not only by his own brother but by many men of long experience in the Ring. Taking him “all in all” hisdébuthas been highly creditable, and we have no doubt, if not overmatched or overworked, he will become an ornament to theP.R.The Bulldog fought, we think, even better than on former occasions on which we have seen him engaged. He used his left more handily than it has been our good fortune to witness in his former contests, and his counter-hitting with that hand was extremely severe, while his slogging right told with stunning effect on young Harry’s mug. Of throwing he has but little knowledge, although he possesses sufficient tact to evade the exercise of thattalent on the part of his antagonist. Like all old ones who have felt the sting of repeated punishment, he could not resist the influence of hard knocks; and the body and the mind concurring in the opinion that “enough was as good as a feast,” and deeming discretion the better part of valour, he left off while he yet possessed sufficient self-possession to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that he might have been worse beaten without being better off.All now sought the ark, there to obtain the “creature comforts” which had hitherto been withheld. To the men every possible attention was paid, and a liberal subscription was collected for the loser. The battle-money was given up to Young Broome, at his brother’s house, in Air Street, Piccadilly, on the Wednesday of the following week.The “breed” of young Harry being thus satisfactorily proved, his more experienced brother determined that he should turn gristle into bone before he again “sported buff” in the 24-foot, and more than a twelve-month elapsed ere he made an appearance within the ropes. This was on December 10, 1845, when he was matched for £50 a side against Joe Rowe, a well known East-ender, of 10½st., whose victory over Cullen, in 1844, had raised him to a high position among the middle weights.Mixed up with this encounter was a contemptible and ridiculous feud, provoked and maintained by certain East-enders, who, taking umbrage at what they considered the upstart assumption of Johnny Broome, and also prompted by bitter jealousy at his success with the better order of Ring patrons, sought by fair or by foul means to disparage the name of Broome, and to defeat the pretensions of his younger brother. We quote the contemporary report:—“The unfortunate issue of the meeting is to be attributed to the gross irregularities and unjustifiable outrages of the parties assembled to witness the affray, who, regardless of all attempts to preserve an outer or even an inner ring, rushed close to the ropes and stakes, which were broken and levelled with the ground, and were at length reduced to such a state by the intrusion of the multitude that it was utterly impossible for the men to continue their contest; and the referee having withdrawn, both retired from a scene which, we regret to say, is but a repetition of similar misconduct in all parts of the country. This species of misconduct has more to do with the downfall of the Prize Ring than any other cause to which we can refer. We shall endeavour to describe the proceedings of the day, and must leave it to the members of the Ring itself who mean to preserve their ‘order’ to adopt some plan hereafter by which similar evils may be prevented.”It must be borne in mind that by the articles neither of the men was toexceed 10st.5lbs., and that they were to meet at Peter Crawley’s on the Monday for the purpose of going to scale. At Peter’s they did meet, and were each 1lb.within the stipulated figure, both looking remarkably well and equally confident. Rowe returned to his training-quarters, at Mitchell’s Green, about three miles from Greenhithe, Kent, and Harry Broome remained in London, to be prepared for his embarkation in the morning. The “Nymph,” Woolwich steamer, was patronised upon this occasion, as upon many former expeditions of a similar sort, and received on board a goodly muster of the friends of the men on Tuesday morning, at Hungerford, London Bridge, and Blackwall. She was not, however, without her opponents, and another large steamer named the “Nelson,” as well as the “William Gunston” tug-boat, by the cheapness of their fares, succeeded in obtaining a very extensive patronage from the “rough-and-ready” customers both from the East and the West, but more especially from the former, the great nursery of Rowe’s early pretensions.Harry Broome embarked at Blackwall, and it was considerably after ten o’clock before the “Nymph” led the way to the field of battle, tardily followed by her two rivals, the “Nelson” having got aground under London Bridge, to the infinite terror of her passengers, who began to apprehend that they had invested their three “bobs” each without the chance of obtaining a view of the mill for their money. Luckily, however, they ultimately got off; and from the delay which took place in arranging the preliminaries for the battle, they arrived in time not only to reach the field, but to increase, and perhaps create, the confusion which subsequently prevailed. The marshes below Greenhithe were selected for the encounter, and here the Commissary executed his operations with his customary despatch. By twenty minutes after one the lists were prepared, but upwards of half an hour elapsed before the combatants made their appearance, and by this time more than 1,000 persons had assembled, including not only the crews of the flotilla, but a large accession from the inhabitants of the surrounding district, who, from Rowe’s training in the neighbourhood, and from the frequent visits of Peter Crawley and his friends, became fully apprised of the treat which was in store: a species of foreknowledge which likewise reached a magistrate in the neighbourhood, who, before the fight was half over, arrived on the ground accompanied by some dozen policemen. The impolicy of the men approaching the intended locality of their fight previous to the mill is manifest, and the present instance confirmed the justice of our remark. In this case, however, from the terrificconfusion which prevailed, neither magistrate nor policemen ventured to get within the vortex, the chance of a broken head being infinitely more apparent than the probability of a respectful reception. His beakship, consequently, contented himself with directing his aides-de-camp to take down the names of as many active members of theP.R.as they could obtain.We will now endeavour to describe, as well as the buffetings to which we were exposed will permit, “the mill,” its progress, and final interruption. Shortly before two o’clock Harry Broome and Rowe arrived at the ring; the former accompanied by his brother, Jack Hannan, and Sam Simmonds; the latter by Peter Crawley, Jem Turner, and Young Sambo. The ground was hard and the weather cold, but the breeze was somewhat tempered to the “shorn lambs,” and not quite so piercing as it had been the day before. The prospect of the commencement of business produced a great deal of bustle among the ring-keepers, who endeavoured to beat out those who had not paid for the privilege of the posts of honour; but this was found to be a task of no common difficulty; in fact, it was soon seen, from the conduct of the majority, that they were not persons disposed to be governed by the rules of courtesy or fair play. Among the betting fraternity Harry Broome had become the favourite, and was backed at 6 to 4, at which price he backed himself on board the boat on his passage down. As in the match between Maley and Merryman, Tom Spring was again persuaded to take upon him the office of referee—a kindness which he had much reason to regret, as the issue will show. All being in readiness, at the given signal the men were stripped of their upper crusts, and amidst the cheering exclamations of their respective partisans, shook hands and threw themselves into attitude. Their colours were, blue bird’s-eye for Rowe, and blue with a divided white spot, and the initials “H. B.” in the centre, for Broome.THE FIGHT.Round 1.—We have already described the condition of the men, and certainly on their stripping there was nothing to induce us to recall our judgment. Broome had a little the advantage in height and length, but whatever advantage he possessed in this respect was counterbalanced by the superior muscular development of his opponent. Broome smiled cheerfully, while Rowe displayed the steady phiz of “a sage from the East.” After a few dodges by way of feelers, Rowe tried his left twice in succession, but was stopped. Harry then led off with his left, catching Rowe slightly on the mouth. This brought them to a sharp rally, in which blows were exchanged. Broome popped in his left at the body, immediately closed, and succeeded in throwing his man.2.—On coming up Broome rushed to his man, put in a slight blow on his mouth with the left, closed, and after a short struggle both were down.3.—Harry led off with his left, which got home on Rowe’s whistler; slight exchanges to a close, when both were again down. (On Rowe reaching his corner, we fancied we discovered a tinge of blood on his lips.)4.—Rowe, on going to the scratch after one or two feints, sent his left well home on Broome’s conk from which the purple fluidinstantly flowed in profusion. Rowe again made his left, this time under Harry’s eye, from which the claret also spurted. They then rattled to a close, when some sharp in-fighting took place, Broome catching Rowe on the skull with his right, in a sort of round hit, which evidently injured the thumb-joint, as he shook it as a dog would his sore paw, and they fell together.5.—On leaving his second’s knee Broome showed a slight mouse on his left eye, the effect of Rowe’s visitation in the last round. Both hit slightly together with the left, and came immediately to a rally, when some heavy exchanges left and right took place. They closed, struggled for the fall, and at length fell together, Broome under.6.—The men instantly rushed to a close, and Broome got his man to the ropes, where they hung until they went down, Broome again under.7.—Broome napped another crack on the left eye; ditto repeated; a close, a breakaway, hit for hit exchanged left and right, Broome making both fists tell on Joe’s body. They then closed, and both were down, Broome under.8.—Broome jumped up with alacrity, rushed to his man, and attempted to plant his left, but was neatly stopped. This led to a rally, in which heavy hits were exchanged, Rowe catching it on the muzzle and Harry on the old spot under his left eye. They then closed, hung on the ropes, and both were again down. (The confusion outside the ring now became greater and greater. In vain did Cullen, Alec Reed, Young Reed, and others, use their sticks and whips on the nobs of the “roughs” who were pressing forward; they were not to be driven back. It was with the greatest difficulty the stakes and inner ring were preserved entire.)9.—After a few dodges, Broome put in his left slightly on Joe’s body below the waistband. A claim of “foul” was instantly raised by Rowe’s partisans, who alleged that the blow had fallen below the waist. On Spring being appealed to he immediately decided “fair,” and the fight proceeded. The men went to work, counter-hits right and left were exchanged to a close, and Rowe got down.10.—Broome again home on Rowe’s ’tato-trap, which increased in protuberance; counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it on the nose; body blows exchanged; counters left and right on the dial—a close, in which both were down. Broome on being picked up showed a cut over his left brow, from which the claret was coursing down in profusion.11.—Heavy exchanges; Broome again caught a nasty one over his eye. He returned the compliment on Joe’s mouth. Body blows exchanged. A close, and both down, Broome under. The punishment in this round increased the flow of claret from the wounds of both, but they took it coolly, and came up smiling for the next round.12.—This was a punishing round on the part of Broome, who had no sooner risen from his corner than he rushed to his man, put in two or three body blows, and then made his left and right on Rowe’s frontispiece. The latter made some slight returns, and Broome rushed in, caught Rowe in his arms, and hung upon him at the ropes until the latter went down—a game he pursued throughout the fight.13.—The cheering and chaffing of the East-enders were deafening, and it was with difficulty the timekeepers made themselves heard. On reaching the scratch heavy counter-hits were exchanged left and right, Broome again experiencing the effect of Rowe’s left on his eye. They soon closed, struggled for the fall, and went down together.14.—This round was similar to the last.15.—Heavy in-fighting blows exchanged left and right, both on the mug and on the body, the hitting rather in favour of Broome. In the close both down.16 and 17.—In these rounds the men rushed to in-fighting at once, and some stinging hits were made by each on the sore spots of the other. Broome’s left eye was observed to be fast closing. In the closes which terminated the rounds they fell together.18.—Slight exchanges to a close, when Rowe was down, Broome alongside of him. Rowe’s mouth began to exhibit unmistakable evidence of Harry’s power of hitting, although, with the exception of the cuts on his lip, there was nothing particular the matter with his face. Indeed, the hitting on both sides seemed to have been directed almost entirely to particular spots—viz., Broome on Joe’s mouth, and the latter on Harry’s left eye and cheek.19.—Rowe made his left slightly on Broome’s forehead. The latter then attempted his left, but was prettily stopped. In two other attempts he was more successful, as he put in his left twice, first on Joe’s mouth, and then on his smeller, from which, as well as his mouth, the claret began to exude. In the close Joe was down, Harry on him.20.—The combatants quickly rushed to a close, and after a short struggle at the ropes, both went down together. (The noise and confusion were now becoming terrific. The spectators in the rear made a rush, the stake in Rowe’s corner was nearly forced from the ground, several other stakes were broken, and the bottom rope of the inner ring was completely trodden under foot. The pressure was so great in the corner where we sat that we were obliged to enter the inner ring, in order to be able to get a note of what was going on. There seemed among some of the lowest order of spectators to be a strong party feeling against Johnny Broome, for what cause it was impossible to tell, but they repeatedly called upon him to come in and fight himself, and charged himwith acting foully, although we saw nothing of the kind in his conduct up to this, beyond his assisting the seconds in wiping his brother—an example which Crawley followed with Rowe.)21 and 22.—Broome home with his left on Joe’s nose and mouth several times. Rowe’s returns were slight. In the latter round, however, Rowe succeeded in the close in forcing Broome over the ropes, and falling on him.23.—Broome’s left again in collision with Rowe’s mouth. Counter-hits with the left. A close at the ropes, and Broome succeeded in throwing his man.24 to 29.—In these rounds the same style of fighting was pursued, hitting left and right being the order of the day. Very few attempts were made at stopping, and these few were on the part of Rowe, who parried Harry’s left on several occasions. The rounds ended with a close at the ropes, in which Broome generally had the advantage, and got his man down by hanging on him.30.—Joe stopped a nasty one from Harry’s left. Heavy hits were then exchanged on the old spots, and both were down, Rowe under. (The disorderly conduct of the spectators got worse and worse. The ring-keepers were obliged to get inside the ring, and used their whips and sticks very freely; but as fast as they drove the intruders back from the ropes they again came forward, returning hits for compliments paid them.)31 to 36.—Heavy exchanges, and no flinching or attempts to stop. Previous to these rounds we thought Rowe was weak and on the wane, but he now rallied, and was firmer on his pins. He was, however, generally forced to the ropes, where Broome hung upon him until he fell.37.—Broome received a stinger on his snout, which renewed the rivulet of claret. He returned slightly on Rowe’s cheek and closed. Rowe was, after a short struggle, forced down, Broome on him.38.—Broome made his left again on Joe’s mouth. He then retreated to his corner, as if to get wind. Rowe was following, but Harry rushed to him, repeated his dose on the mouth, and fought to a close at the ropes, where, after a somewhat lengthened struggle, amidst great confusion in and out of the ring (Johnny Broome holding the rope), both got down together.39.—Hitting right and left, and a close, in which some slight fibbing took place, Broome again receiving over his damaged eye, which was now almost “used up.” At length, after a break away, and a few harmless exchanges, Rowe got down.40.—Heavy counters with the left, Broome receiving a snorter, which re-opened the springs from which the by-no-means-limpid stream had previously trickled. A close at the ropes, Broome still pursuing his tactics of endeavouring to hang upon his man. Rowe at length got down, pulling Broome along with him.41.—Rowe had now evidently obtained fresh vigour, and his bellows seemed to have undergone a thorough repair. On coming up, he immediately went to his adversary, led off with his left, which was returned by Broome on the nose. Rowe attempted to obtain the fall, but in so doing slipped down.42 and 43.—Slight exchanges, no mischief done; both down at the ropes.44.—Harry hit out left and right on Joe’s mug, closed, and threw him heavily, falling on him.45.—Broome again touched up Rowe’s “blow pipe.” Joe immediately insinuated a tremendous counter-crack on Broome’s head with his right, which dropped him, and he fell on his hands and knees and fell forward on his face. (First knock-down blow for Rowe.)46 and 47.—Counter-hitting left and right, Rowe occasionally stopping Broome’s left, but the latter would not be denied, and hit away until he brought his man to a close, and they both went down together, Rowe under. On reaching their seconds’ knees, their punishment appeared to be about equal, neither showing many marks beyond those on Broome’s left eye and cheek on the one hand, and Rowe’s mouth and nose on the other. (About this time a cry was raised that the police had arrived, but we could see nothing of them, as we were so hemmed in by the mob, and, as we stated above, it was impossible for them to get at the combatants, or any one in the ring.)48.—Stinging hits exchanged with the left to a rally and a close at the ropes, where Rowe got down to avoid Harry’s friendly hug.49.—Broome’s left eye was now completely closed, and the surrounding flesh was considerably swollen; his nose, also, looked very blue. He went to his man, caught him round the neck with his left, and fibbed him severely with the other hand. Rowe at length caught the offending mawley, and forced Harry’s head back. After a little struggling, Rowe slipped down.50.—Joe stopped a well-intended smack from Broome’s left. The latter then made his “one, two” on Rowe’s mouth and body. Joe slipped, and Broome was making an upper cut at him as he went down, but just succeeded in stopping the delivery in time to prevent grounds for a claim of “foul.”51 and 52.—Some good countering took place in these rounds with equal advantage, for what Broome gave on Joe’s mouth and cheek he received in return on his damaged ogle and sneezer.53.—The men quickly rushed to a close, and after a short struggle Joe succeeded in giving Broome a clean somersault over the ropes, amidst the joyous shouts of his partisans.54 to 57.—Still the same hit-away style of fighting, no stopping or flinching, Broomeoccasionally getting his man’s head in chancery and fibbing. In the 56th round Harry put in a smasher on the body of Rowe, from the effects of which he was going down, when Broome sent in another, which did not reach him until he was on his knees. Another claim of “foul” was made by Jem Turner and Sambo, but the blow was evidently accidental, and Spring decided “fair.” Had it been otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for Spring to see, he was so beset by the mob who were creating the disturbance and overwhelming the ring. Spring at length was compelled to come within the arena to watch the proceedings. In the 57th round Rowe went down weak. Both Johnny Broome and Peter Crawley had now been in the ring during some rounds, Broome assisting his brother, and Crawley performing the same kind office for Rowe. Broome led the way, and his presence excited a good deal of angry feeling, but it was “six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.”58 and 59.—Rowe was getting weaker, and Broome was piping. In the latter round heavy counter-hits were exchanged in Broome’s corner. The latter then put in a heavy body blow, from the effects of which Rowe staggered and went down.60.—In-fighting in favour of Rowe, who made several good hits on Broome’s dial. Broome retaliated, but not so severely. They closed at the ropes, and both fell together. (The ring was now half full of people, and sticks and whips were being plied without avail on all sides.)61 to 70.—On coming up for the 61st round, Broome’s face, principally on the left side, was terribly disfigured, while Rowe’s right jaw, cheek, and upper lip were so much cut and swollen as to produce the appearance of dislocation of the jaw. The hitting in these rounds was severe, although Rowe occasionally hit open-handed. In the close they generally fibbed each other severely, and fell together. The space in which they were fighting became gradually more and more circumscribed, and almost invariably in the close the ring-keepers were obliged to surround the combatants, and literally beat the crowd away, to give room for them to struggle for the fall, and to prevent their being injured by the mob.71.—Tom Spring now, finding that there was not the slightest probability of a clear ring being again obtained, and satisfied that it would be impossible to obtain fair play, resigned his office as referee. The seconds and backers ought then to have each withdrawn his man; instead of this, however, the fight was continued amidst the most dreadful confusion, and in a space about two yards square, until the 81st round, when the men were taken away and conveyed on board the Nymph, after fighting for 2 hours and 21 minutes. All chance of concluding the contest had at this time vanished, and, of course, universal dissatisfaction prevailed. A cowardly attack was made on Johnny Broome by some of the disappointed Eastenders, but Peter Crawley manfully threw his shield over him, and prevented mischief.Remarks.—We have thus, to the best of our ability, amidst the shameful confusion which prevailed, endeavoured to give as accurate a description of this battle as our opportunities would admit. We can only repeat that at a very early period of the battle the crowd completely overwhelmed the efforts of those who were certainly anxious and creditably active in their endeavours to preserve order. The jealousy of those, however, who could not pay towards those who had paid was so forcibly evinced as to prevent all resistance; and this, combined with a large majority of Rowe’s friends and partisans, who indulged in a very unseemly expression of ill-feeling towards Johnny Broome and his brother, produced the very unsatisfactory conclusion at which the affair arrived, and of course led to the necessity of another meeting before it could be decided which was the better man. We confess we do not feel ourselves justified, from all we have yet seen, in assigning the palm of decided superiority to either. They both fought manfully and bravely, and exhibited all those sterling qualities which are calculated to reflect credit upon the characters of British boxers. There was no flinching, no cowardly attempts to fall to avoid punishment, nor were any of those subterfuges adopted on either side calculated to create the disapprobation of the spectators. On the contrary, when permitted by the disgraceful intrusion of strangers in the ring, they promptly and fearlessly obeyed the call of time, and hit away left and right each with a courageous determination to turn the scale in his favour. In the last few rounds—or, rather, scrambles—which took place, we are inclined to believe that Broome had a little the advantage; but it would be by no means just on our parts to give this as a decided opinion, and the less so as we saw Rowe run vigorously from the ring to the place of embarkation, followed by Broome. We were glad to make our escape from such a scene, and made our retreat along the banks of the river to Greenhithe, from whence we subsequently obtained a passage, not in the “Nymph,” but in a Gravesend boat, on its way to Blackwall, and thus did not obtain a close view of the men. Many heavy blows were exchanged in the course of the turmoil, and some one, with a wantonness perfectly indefensible, flung up a quart bottle in the air, which, alighting on Johnny Broome’s head, might have been fatal, and, as it was, proved anything but agreeable to his feelings. We cannot too strongly impress upon the parties concerned in this disgraceful exhibition that, as in the fable of the goose and the golden egg, they are sacrificing the chances of their own future gratification. Aclear ring and no favour is the battle-cry of all fair boxing; and if the spirit of this cry be once abandoned, it is in vain to hope for the continuance of those manly demonstrations of courage and fair play which render prize-fighting defensible. It seems also to be forgotten that, by keeping a wide and extended ring throughout a combat, all have a fair opportunity of witnessing its progress; while, by thus closing in, the greater portion must be debarred from a view of the combatants, and thus disorder becomes inevitable. Added to this, the prejudices of the opponents of the good old sport become trebly fortified, and the interference of the magistrates and the police will find not only apologists, but eulogists, even among those who heretofore would have been the first to decry their interference. Aquatic excursions, by limiting the number of spectators, were, in the first instance, adopted as a prudent and judicious move, and so long as they were confined, by a fair charge, to the men and their real supporters, this object was gained; but the unfair system of starting opposition boats, at low prices, by enabling the worst class of Ring-goers to obtrude upon the scene of action, has superseded this intention, and it now only remains to adopt some new expedient by which fair play and good order can be maintained. Nothing but a determined coalition upon the part of the milling fraternity themselves will prevent the repetition of evils which must altogether extinguish their popularity as a class.Great complaints were made of Broome having gone into the ring to assist his brother, which was decidedly contrary to the rules of the Ring, and led to Crawley following so bad an example. It was undoubtedly wrong; but some allowances must be made for the horrible confusion which prevailed, and the utter impossibility of the referee calling for a stringent attention to the rule referred to; although in two instances when Broome had intruded he peremptorily ordered him out, and was obeyed. It must be distinctly understood that any man, save the seconds, thus interfering with his man loses the fight.Broome soon recovered from the contusions on his face, although when we saw him on the Friday the marks were sufficiently apparent. The forebone of the thumb on his right hand was, however, fractured. This occurred in the fourth round, and the repeated use of the hand afterwards rendered the consequences more serious. Rowe’s physiognomy was still far from symmetrical. His face on the right side was dreadfully swollen, and the cut on his lip severe and deep. The left side of his countenance also showed obvious symptoms of unpleasant visitations. In other respects the men were little damaged; but Rowe had clearly got the larger share of the punishment. His left hand was also much puffed. It was stated that for the present it would be impossible for Broome to use his right hand, and Crawley readily agreed that the day for the renewal of the battle should not be fixed till a surgeon had pronounced when the damaged feeler was likely to be fit for service. Johnny Broome proposed to give £5 towards Rowe’s training expenses, provided the match were made for £100, and to come off in four months. To this Crawley could make no response, as he had his apprehensions of being able to get any addition to the stakes down.The final agreement was that the renewal of the combat should take place on the 6th of May; Peter Crawley and Johnny Broome to name the locality. At a subsequent meeting at Spring’s, it being mentioned that the 6th of May was the day of running the Chester Cup, the date was altered to the 13th by mutual agreement, and the place of rendezvous was settled for Ensham, Oxfordshire, six miles from the University city. On the overnight the men and their mentors set off for that locality. The “London Particulars,” however, contented themselves with the half-past seven morning train, and the quarter to ten fast ditto, as their method of reaching the trysting-place. Soon after eleven all was alive in Ensham, and the cavalcade moved off for the battle-field, many of the drags being of the style and pattern that bespoke the Corinthian quality of their owners or occupants. At twelve the Commissary and assistants had made a model ring and enclosure in an emerald-green meadow near Ensham, and soon after Harry Broome, his brother Johnny, his seconds and friends, came on the ground on a four-in-hand; while Rowe, under the broad shadow of Peter Crawley, escorted by a numerous cavalcade of equestrians and charioteers, with a long queue of pedestrians was also “thar.” Harry Broome was waited on in the ring by his brother and Sam Simmonds, of Birmingham; Rowe by Jack Macdonald and Bill Hayes. Broome’s colours were blue with a large white spot, Rowe’s the old blue birdseye.After some little delay in the choice of a referee, “time” was called, and the men, in fighting costume, advanced from their corners and shook hands. Young Harry, in point of condition, was all that his best friends could desire; he was indeed a model of youthful health and activity. He stood slightly over his opponent, and had evidently the advantage in length of reach. Rowe looked far more solid and burly at his weight (10st.5lbs.), and was much less graceful in his movements; indeed, his look lacked the animation and confidence which beamed on the features of his youthful antagonist. The friends of Rowe were, nevertheless, sanguine of his success, and took the 5 and 6 to 4 readily which some of Broome’s patrons offered.At a few minutes before one the men and their seconds crossed hands, the latter retired to their corners, and the twain stood up for
Harry Broome, a younger brother of the renowned Johnny, was born in the “hardware town,” which has given so many of its best pugilists to the modern Ring, that Birmingham early rivalled, and afterwards eclipsed, the fame of Bristol as the birthplace of boxers. The subject of this memoir, who first saw the light in 1826, was a mere boy at the time when his elder brother had fought his way to “the topmost round of fortune’s ladder”—Broome’s ultimate victory, that over Bungaree, the Australian, being achieved in April, 1842, when Harry had not yet counted sixteen summers. At that time Johnny had already married, and settled as host of a well-accustomed tavern—to wit, “The Rising Sun,” in Air Street, Piccadilly, where his shrewdness, activity, and enterprise had transformed the short avenue from Piccadilly to Regent Street into a “high change” of sporting; a very Rialto of the Ring, where patrons and practitioners of the Noble Art “most did congregate.” The sparring saloon at “The Rising Sun,” at this period, was the arena for the display of the best fistic talent of the Metropolis; and here, at the age of sixteen, we first saw the aspiring youngster—a lithe, smooth-skinned, active stripling, very boyish in look, standing 5 feet 8 inches, and weighing 9 st. 7 lbs.—put on the mittens, and make a most creditable “private trial” with the well-known Byng Stocks, of Westminster. Stocks, despite his 11 stone and experience, by no means had the best of the mimic mill, though once or twice urged by the delighted “Johnny” “Not to spare the young ’un because he was his brother.” This promisingdébutwas followed by several favourable public displays; and within a few months not a few of the best judges were of opinion that, barring all question of breed and blood, a new and formidable aspirant for the middle-weight Championship would be found in Young Broome, when a year or two should have hardened the gristle into bone, and manhoodhad consolidated the muscle and set the frame of the future gladiator. And so some months rolled on; a glove-fight, in which Harry disposed of Mitchell, a 10-stone outsider, for a £5 note, being a merecoup d’essai, got up by a few aristocratic visitors of “The Rising Sun,” of which Harry was the rising star.
Harry BroomeHARRY BROOME (Champion).From a Print byMoore.
HARRY BROOME (Champion).
From a Print byMoore.
As we have already said, Johnny Broome at this time filled a large space in the eye of the sporting world, and young Harry, emulous of the fistic fame of his elder brother, with a strong family instinct for fighting, was most importunate with Johnny to let him try his “prentice han’” in combat with some suitable antagonist. Johnny, however, did not choose to lower the dignity of the name of Broome by allowing Harry to strip for “a purse” with any novice; nor would he hear of a match with any “commoner” or “outsider,” for a five, ten, or twenty-five pound stake. He would back Harry for £50, or not at all.
At this time there was a strong jealousy, not to say envy, of the position earned by Johnny in Ring affairs, and more than once did we hear a wish expressed by East-enders and others, that “somebody” would “take the shine out of these upstart Brums.” Accordingly, when it was made known, in September, 1843, that “Young Harry” was ready for a “customer” for £50, they put on their considering caps, and Fred Mason (the Bulldog), standing idle in the market-place, was asked what he thought of the young “ten-stunner?”
Mason, who had, among others, twice beaten Bill Jones, after desperate battles, in which he earned his formidable nickname, received a sort of certificate from Johnny Walker (by whom he had been beaten) that he was just the man to achieve the desired object, if he could raise the half-hundred. At a council held at “The Grapes,” in Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, it was decided that the “needful” should be posted, and the cartel accepted. The articles proposed Tuesday, the 10th of October 1843, but subsequently Broome objected to this, as on that day the Cesarewitch would be run, at Newmarket, and several of Harry’s best friends, who were anxious to see his “first appearance,” would be unable to be present. It was accordingly postponed to Wednesday, the 11th. By mutual agreement “The Nymph” steamer was engaged by the two Johnnies (Broome and Walker) for the mutual advantage of the men, and to disburse their training and other expenses. All went smoothly. “The Nymph,” at the appointed hour of eight, got under weigh from Hungerford Market, with a goodly freight of West-enders; then she took in a largecompany at Old Swan Stairs, London Bridge, while the “Sages of the East” came on board at Brunswick Pier, Blackwall, in increased numbers. Thence she steamed down stream with pleasant speed (with the unwelcome convoy of a trio of crowded tugs), until she came to Long Reach, where, between Dartford and Northfleet, in a meadow distant from all human habitation, it was determined to land. This operation was performed amidst an aqueous downpour, which drenched all the row-boats and their occupants, except those who were clad in waterproof garments. The Commissary lost no time in forming the lists, immediately within the sea wall, upon an excellent piece of turf, and, despite the rattling shower, which increased rather than diminished, accomplished his task in a workmanlike manner. The stools and benches of the steamer were, as usual, transferred to the shore for the accommodation of the “Corinthians,” of whom there were many present, and a most acceptable save-all they proved; nevertheless the great majority had to grin the storm out of countenance; and amidst a perfect deluge, at twelve o’clock the combatants and their seconds made theirsalaams—the Bulldog under the care of Jem Turner and Jemmy Shaw; Broome waited upon by Levi Eckersley and Tom Maley.
Little time was lost in encircling the stakes with their fogles—white and blue spot for the Bulldog, and blue and white spot for Broome. Both were as cheerful as if pirouetting in the Lowther Rooms. Happily, before business commenced the storm somewhat abated, and the weather became comparatively fine, although occasional slantindicular visitations from the upper regions proved that the only thing settled was the unsettled state of the weather. Young Harry’s “first appearance” was prepossessing. He entered the ring, after dropping in his cap, with a modest bow, and a smile or nod of recognition to several acquaintances, and at once steadily proceeded to divest himself of his upper clothing. “He is a fine young fellow,” says a contemporary report, “only eighteen years of age, standing 5 feet 9 inches, and weighing 10st.2lbs.(he was limited by virtue of the articles to 9st.3lbs.), and evidently in first-rate condition, not an ounce of superfluous flesh being visible, and his form as active, alert, and springy as a greyhound.” Of his milling qualifications of course no one had as yet any opportunity of judging, so that he was scanned with all the curiosity with which men examine a “dark horse.” The “Bulldog” also looked in robust health, but he struck us as being too fleshy; and, added to this, it could not but be felt that he was rather stale, not only from thefree life he had led, but from his repeated battles, in which he sustained no small quantum of punishment, and especially in his fight with Johnny Walker, who, however, expressed the greatest confidence in his powers. His weight, we should say, was at least 9st.10lbs., and in length he was full two inches shorter than Broome. His rushing and fearless character of fighting gained for him the sobriquet of “Bulldog,” and his courage further entitled him to this canine distinction.
The officials being nominated, offers were made to take 7 to 4, 6 to 4, and ultimately 5 to 4; but the Broomites were cautious, although, taking youth, length, and weight into consideration, he was certainly entitled to be backed at odds. Doubts as to his qualities were, however, still to be satisfied, and the speculators were shy of investing.
THE FIGHT.Round 1.—Precisely at twelve minutes to twelve the men were delivered at the scratch, neither displaying the slightest nervousness, and both looking jolly and determined on mischief. No time was lost; Broome led off with his left, but the Bulldog stopped and got away quickly. Bulldog now advanced to the charge left and right, and got home on Broome’s nose and left eyebrow. Broome, not idle, returned prettily, when the Bull rushed in, closed, and, after slight fibbing, finding Broome too strong, got down, amidst the vociferous cheers of his friends.2.—Broome, nothing daunted, was quick to the scratch, and led off left and right, the Bulldog hitting with him; a sharp rally, and heavy hits exchanged, in which Broome had it on the smeller, and his cork was drawn. (First blood for “Bully.”) A close at the ropes, in which Broome tried for the fall, but Mason held his legs too wide apart, and the crook could not be got. Broome forced him on the ropes, and there held him as if in a vice—his own nose dropping the crimson fluid. Bully struggled to get loose, but Broome grappled him closer. Mutual attempts at fibbing—when, after an ineffectual trial on the part of Broome for the fall, Mason got down besmeared with his opponent’s claret, and pinked on his left cheek. Broome showed a slight cut on the left eyebrow as well as the tap on the snout.3.—Broome opened the ball without hesitation, and caught Bully on the mouth, lifting the bark from his nether lip. A short pause, when Broome again went to work left and right, but Mason got away; Mason hit out of distance. A rally, in which Broome followed his man to the ropes, hitting left and right; while at the ropes Broome let go his right, and catching Bully on the temple he dropped, but looked up smiling.4.—Broome popped in his left slightly on Bully’s cheek; tried it again, but the blow passed over his shoulder. Mason rushed in left and right, closed, and tried to fib; Broome, however, proved the stronger man, grappled him against the stake, and, after some in-fighting, in which Mason got a crack over the larboard cheek, he contrived to pull Broome down.5.—Mason displayed a mouse under each eye, and came slow to the scratch. Broome hit short with the left, and Bully did ditto. Exchanges left and right, and a close at the ropes. Broome hung on the neck of Mason, which lay across the ropes, but was unable to get the look for the fall; at last both were down, Broome having had the best of the round.6.—Broome, as lively as a kitten, let fly his left, and caught Bully on the mug, repeating a smack on the body with the same hand. Mason tried his right, only tapping Broome’s shoulder. Counter-hits with the left, both napping it on the muzzle. A short rally, followed by a close, in which Broome slipped down.7.—Broome tried his left and right, but was stopped; he was not, however to be denied; he again rattled in in the same style, nailed Mason with both hands, and gave him the upper-cut with the right. Heavy exchanges, Mason fighting rather wild. In the close Bully down, having all the worst of the milling.8.—Broome led off quickly with his left, and nailed his man on the cheek. A pause for wind, when Broome again commenced operations. Heavy counter-hitting left and right, and a spirited rally, in which the exchanges were severe. Broome closed for the fall, but Mason dropped on his knees.9.—Hits left and right attempted, but both short. Bully’s left neatly stopped, when Broome delivered a rattler with hisright on the body, and on the cheek with his left. Good counter-hitting with the left; a close at the ropes, and Mason caught Broome round the neck over the ropes, but the latter slipped down.10.—Mason, short with his left, retreated, and sparred for wind. Slow fighting on both sides. They at length got to work left and right, and heavy muggers were exchanged. A close for the throw, but Mason got down, Broome on him.11.—The Young’un popped in his left prettily on Bully’s muzzle. Mason fought wildly and hit short. Broome rushed to him and closed, but Bully was not to be had at that game, and fell.12.—Good outfighting on both sides, left and right, and heavy exchanges. Broome popped in his right heavily, and as Mason was staggering hit him beautifully down with his right. In the counter-hits Broome had received a nasty crack on his smeller, which bled profusely. (First knock-down for Broome.)13.—Harry, as usual, led off left and right; Mason rushed to a close, and they reached the ropes, where Broome, with his arm round Mason’s neck, hung on him, till at last Mason got back and fell, Broome over him.14.—Broome popped in left and right in splendid style, repeating the dose with the left on the head, and the right on the body. Mason closed, but, finding Broome too strong for him, dropped on one knee with both hands up. Broome, although entitled to hit, left him. (Applause.)15.—Broome again led off with his left. Mason short and wild in his returns. Broome steady, and again delivered his left, drawing additional claret. A close at the ropes; more squeezing on the part of Broome, and Mason got down, apparently fagged.16.—The Bulldog slow to the scratch; counter-hitting with the left, ditto with the right. In the close Mason down again on one knee, but Broome once more retired without taking advantage of the opportunity offered.17.—A good weaving rally, in which the hitting was tremendous, and, after mutual compliments, in the close Mason dropped on his knees. (Mason’s seconds now called for brandy.)18.—Mason slow in going to the scratch. Broome rattled to him left and right, catching him a severe nozzler. Bully made a desperate rush, and heavy counter-hits were exchanged. A lively rally followed, in which mutual compliments were paid, and the dripping claret proved that both had been heavily hit. In the close, after a severe struggle on the part of Broome to obtain the fall, Mason dropped on one knee, and Broome walked away, exhibiting heavy marks of punishment. Mason was likewise severely mauled, and his left eye was fast closing.19.—Each regarded the other with mutual good will. Broome bleeding at the mouth and nose, but still steady and self-possessed. He led off with the left, but was prettily stopped. Counter-hits on each side missed, when Broome closed, caught Mason round the neck, and hung on him at the ropes till he got down, amidst loud shouts of disapprobation from Bully’s friends.20.—Broome led off with his left, and again nailed Mason on the left eye. Mason closed, when the Young’un suddenly disentangled himself, stepped back, gave Mason the upper cut with his right, followed by a neat slap with his left, when Master Fred slipped down.21.—Broome led off left and right; closed, again caught Mason round the neck, hanging upon him across the ropes until he fell.22.—Mason somewhat slow to the scratch, across which Broome stepped, and led off left and right. Bully let fly wildly left and right, when Broome once more closed, flung him across the ropes, and squeezed him as if his neck were in a vice, amidst repeated shouts of disapprobation. Jack Sheppard, urged by the impatience of some of Mason’s friends, ran with a knife to cut the ropes, but luckily his man slipped down, and thereby prevented an act which would have been highly imprudent, inasmuch as the ring would have thereby been destroyed; and however unseemly such a style of fighting might appear, it was not inconsistent with any fixed rule of the Ring.23.—Broome delivered a heavy hit with his left on Mason’s body; Mason short in the return, and, after some wild exchanges, Bully dropped on his knees.24.—Counter-hitting with the left; a close, and, after some slight fibbing, Mason again dropped on his knees.25.—Mason stopped Broome’s left, rushed to in-fighting left and right, then, missing his upper cut, got down.26.—Mason’s left eye all but gone, and Broome’s mug showing sundry marks of severe deliveries. A desperate rally, both having made up their minds to mischief. Heavy exchanges left and right, followed by a close at the ropes, at which Mason once more dropped on one knee, but Broome still refrained from hitting.27.—Counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it heavily on the nose. A slashing rally, in which heavy right-handed hits were exchanged till Mason fell on his knees, both bleeding profusely.28.—Both men cautious. Broome in with his left, and Mason short in his return. Heavy counter-hitting. Bully receiving a finishing smack from the right on his left eye, which was completely closed. Broome grappled for the fall, seized Mason by the neck, and hung upon him until he brought him down upon his nose.29.—Counter-hits with the left, followed by a close, in which Mason attempted to get down, but Broome held him by the neckunder his arm, and tried to lift him from the ropes, until he fell, amidst shouts of disapprobation.30.—Mason led off short, when Broome steadied himself and popped in a terrific hit with his left on the cheek. Counter-hits left and right followed, Mason fighting wildly. In the close Broome again hung on his man till he extricated himself from his painful position, and in getting away Broome fell heavily upon him.31.—Mason getting slower. Counter-hitting with the left and exchanges with the right, in which Bully delivered heavily. In the close Mason dropped on his knees.32.—A rattling exchange of hits; a close at the ropes, and Mason got down, amidst the cheers of his friends. Broome rather groggy from the heavy deliveries in the last round, and the brandy-bottle on his side in requisition.33 and 34.—Short and merry rallies, in both of which compliments were exchanged, and Mason got down on his knees.35.—Broome delivered two heavy lunging hits with his left at the body; a rally and heavy exchanges, when Broome caught his man in the corner and again grappled him round the neck with his arm as if in the folds of a boa constrictor. Here he held him for a considerable time, till Mason got each leg in succession over the ropes, and snatched his pimple out of chancery, as he rose making a desperate upper cut with his right, which he luckily missed, for had he struck his man when outside of the ropes, he would have lost the fight on the ground of foul play.36.—Broome, although fatigued, came up with unshrinking spirit. Heavy counter-hits with the left, when Mason overreached himself, missed, and fell.37.—Mason evidently less confident. He was slow to the call of time, while Broome rushed to his work, hit out left and right, bored his man to the ropes, and again clasped him in his vice till he fell.38.—Broome, apparently regaining fresh energy, the moment time was called rushed to his man, led off left and right, closed at the ropes, and, after some in-fighting, Mason got down, Broome falling over him, evidently with the intention of avoiding falling on him.39.—Broome, becoming still gayer, got to work without delay, popped in a stinger at the body with his right, and after an exchange of facers, closed at the ropes. Mason struggled and fell back, Broome hitting with his right, and falling on him. It was now seen that Mason was satisfied, and after a short consultation with his friends, he declined proceeding with the contest, declaring that he felt he had no chance, for he could not get at his man, and his power of hitting was exhausted. At this time his left eye was completely bunged up, and his face, mouth, and nose were seriously contused; added to which he complained that both his hands were injured. Under these circumstances Johnny Walker saw it was in vain to protract the combat, and gave in on the part of Mason, who immediately stood up and shook hands with his opponent, who was proclaimed the conqueror, after fightingone hour and twenty-one minutes, greatly to the disappointment and vexation of many of Mason’s friends, who considered that he was still able to continue the mill, and probably make a turn in his favour. None, however, know so well where the shoe pinches as he who wears it, and Mason was sufficiently satisfied with the dressing he had received, without adding to its severity. On quitting the ring after being dressed, Broome was so elated with his success, that he threw three successive somersaults, thus proving that his strength and activity, at least, were unimpaired, although the disfigurement of his “dial” afforded pretty strong evidence of the severity of Mason’s hitting.Remarks.—The issue of this battle has placed Young Harry in a very creditable position, and proved him to possess the first of the requisites for a professor of pugilism—courage, combined with perfect self-possession and a fair share of science. He is quick on his legs, and possesses the happy knack of using both hands with vigour and effect. He never once lost the control over his own actions, and between the rounds nursed and husbanded his strength with the cunning and calmness of a veteran. He was always first on his legs on the call of time, and almost invariably led off with his left with precision and success. It is clear that he knows the use of his legs; and had not Bully known how to foil his intentions he would no doubt have shown him a quick way to his mother earth. If there was any fault to be found with his style of fighting, it was in his repeated hanging on his man at the ropes. It ought not to be forgotten, however, that Mason in the closes endeavoured to grapple him with no friendly intention, and to resist this he had recourse to an expedient which is anything but pleasant to the spectators. There is no law, however, against it, and he cannot, therefore, be blamed for following an example afforded him, not only by his own brother but by many men of long experience in the Ring. Taking him “all in all” hisdébuthas been highly creditable, and we have no doubt, if not overmatched or overworked, he will become an ornament to theP.R.The Bulldog fought, we think, even better than on former occasions on which we have seen him engaged. He used his left more handily than it has been our good fortune to witness in his former contests, and his counter-hitting with that hand was extremely severe, while his slogging right told with stunning effect on young Harry’s mug. Of throwing he has but little knowledge, although he possesses sufficient tact to evade the exercise of thattalent on the part of his antagonist. Like all old ones who have felt the sting of repeated punishment, he could not resist the influence of hard knocks; and the body and the mind concurring in the opinion that “enough was as good as a feast,” and deeming discretion the better part of valour, he left off while he yet possessed sufficient self-possession to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that he might have been worse beaten without being better off.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Precisely at twelve minutes to twelve the men were delivered at the scratch, neither displaying the slightest nervousness, and both looking jolly and determined on mischief. No time was lost; Broome led off with his left, but the Bulldog stopped and got away quickly. Bulldog now advanced to the charge left and right, and got home on Broome’s nose and left eyebrow. Broome, not idle, returned prettily, when the Bull rushed in, closed, and, after slight fibbing, finding Broome too strong, got down, amidst the vociferous cheers of his friends.
2.—Broome, nothing daunted, was quick to the scratch, and led off left and right, the Bulldog hitting with him; a sharp rally, and heavy hits exchanged, in which Broome had it on the smeller, and his cork was drawn. (First blood for “Bully.”) A close at the ropes, in which Broome tried for the fall, but Mason held his legs too wide apart, and the crook could not be got. Broome forced him on the ropes, and there held him as if in a vice—his own nose dropping the crimson fluid. Bully struggled to get loose, but Broome grappled him closer. Mutual attempts at fibbing—when, after an ineffectual trial on the part of Broome for the fall, Mason got down besmeared with his opponent’s claret, and pinked on his left cheek. Broome showed a slight cut on the left eyebrow as well as the tap on the snout.
3.—Broome opened the ball without hesitation, and caught Bully on the mouth, lifting the bark from his nether lip. A short pause, when Broome again went to work left and right, but Mason got away; Mason hit out of distance. A rally, in which Broome followed his man to the ropes, hitting left and right; while at the ropes Broome let go his right, and catching Bully on the temple he dropped, but looked up smiling.
4.—Broome popped in his left slightly on Bully’s cheek; tried it again, but the blow passed over his shoulder. Mason rushed in left and right, closed, and tried to fib; Broome, however, proved the stronger man, grappled him against the stake, and, after some in-fighting, in which Mason got a crack over the larboard cheek, he contrived to pull Broome down.
5.—Mason displayed a mouse under each eye, and came slow to the scratch. Broome hit short with the left, and Bully did ditto. Exchanges left and right, and a close at the ropes. Broome hung on the neck of Mason, which lay across the ropes, but was unable to get the look for the fall; at last both were down, Broome having had the best of the round.
6.—Broome, as lively as a kitten, let fly his left, and caught Bully on the mug, repeating a smack on the body with the same hand. Mason tried his right, only tapping Broome’s shoulder. Counter-hits with the left, both napping it on the muzzle. A short rally, followed by a close, in which Broome slipped down.
7.—Broome tried his left and right, but was stopped; he was not, however to be denied; he again rattled in in the same style, nailed Mason with both hands, and gave him the upper-cut with the right. Heavy exchanges, Mason fighting rather wild. In the close Bully down, having all the worst of the milling.
8.—Broome led off quickly with his left, and nailed his man on the cheek. A pause for wind, when Broome again commenced operations. Heavy counter-hitting left and right, and a spirited rally, in which the exchanges were severe. Broome closed for the fall, but Mason dropped on his knees.
9.—Hits left and right attempted, but both short. Bully’s left neatly stopped, when Broome delivered a rattler with hisright on the body, and on the cheek with his left. Good counter-hitting with the left; a close at the ropes, and Mason caught Broome round the neck over the ropes, but the latter slipped down.
10.—Mason, short with his left, retreated, and sparred for wind. Slow fighting on both sides. They at length got to work left and right, and heavy muggers were exchanged. A close for the throw, but Mason got down, Broome on him.
11.—The Young’un popped in his left prettily on Bully’s muzzle. Mason fought wildly and hit short. Broome rushed to him and closed, but Bully was not to be had at that game, and fell.
12.—Good outfighting on both sides, left and right, and heavy exchanges. Broome popped in his right heavily, and as Mason was staggering hit him beautifully down with his right. In the counter-hits Broome had received a nasty crack on his smeller, which bled profusely. (First knock-down for Broome.)
13.—Harry, as usual, led off left and right; Mason rushed to a close, and they reached the ropes, where Broome, with his arm round Mason’s neck, hung on him, till at last Mason got back and fell, Broome over him.
14.—Broome popped in left and right in splendid style, repeating the dose with the left on the head, and the right on the body. Mason closed, but, finding Broome too strong for him, dropped on one knee with both hands up. Broome, although entitled to hit, left him. (Applause.)
15.—Broome again led off with his left. Mason short and wild in his returns. Broome steady, and again delivered his left, drawing additional claret. A close at the ropes; more squeezing on the part of Broome, and Mason got down, apparently fagged.
16.—The Bulldog slow to the scratch; counter-hitting with the left, ditto with the right. In the close Mason down again on one knee, but Broome once more retired without taking advantage of the opportunity offered.
17.—A good weaving rally, in which the hitting was tremendous, and, after mutual compliments, in the close Mason dropped on his knees. (Mason’s seconds now called for brandy.)
18.—Mason slow in going to the scratch. Broome rattled to him left and right, catching him a severe nozzler. Bully made a desperate rush, and heavy counter-hits were exchanged. A lively rally followed, in which mutual compliments were paid, and the dripping claret proved that both had been heavily hit. In the close, after a severe struggle on the part of Broome to obtain the fall, Mason dropped on one knee, and Broome walked away, exhibiting heavy marks of punishment. Mason was likewise severely mauled, and his left eye was fast closing.
19.—Each regarded the other with mutual good will. Broome bleeding at the mouth and nose, but still steady and self-possessed. He led off with the left, but was prettily stopped. Counter-hits on each side missed, when Broome closed, caught Mason round the neck, and hung on him at the ropes till he got down, amidst loud shouts of disapprobation from Bully’s friends.
20.—Broome led off with his left, and again nailed Mason on the left eye. Mason closed, when the Young’un suddenly disentangled himself, stepped back, gave Mason the upper cut with his right, followed by a neat slap with his left, when Master Fred slipped down.
21.—Broome led off left and right; closed, again caught Mason round the neck, hanging upon him across the ropes until he fell.
22.—Mason somewhat slow to the scratch, across which Broome stepped, and led off left and right. Bully let fly wildly left and right, when Broome once more closed, flung him across the ropes, and squeezed him as if his neck were in a vice, amidst repeated shouts of disapprobation. Jack Sheppard, urged by the impatience of some of Mason’s friends, ran with a knife to cut the ropes, but luckily his man slipped down, and thereby prevented an act which would have been highly imprudent, inasmuch as the ring would have thereby been destroyed; and however unseemly such a style of fighting might appear, it was not inconsistent with any fixed rule of the Ring.
23.—Broome delivered a heavy hit with his left on Mason’s body; Mason short in the return, and, after some wild exchanges, Bully dropped on his knees.
24.—Counter-hitting with the left; a close, and, after some slight fibbing, Mason again dropped on his knees.
25.—Mason stopped Broome’s left, rushed to in-fighting left and right, then, missing his upper cut, got down.
26.—Mason’s left eye all but gone, and Broome’s mug showing sundry marks of severe deliveries. A desperate rally, both having made up their minds to mischief. Heavy exchanges left and right, followed by a close at the ropes, at which Mason once more dropped on one knee, but Broome still refrained from hitting.
27.—Counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it heavily on the nose. A slashing rally, in which heavy right-handed hits were exchanged till Mason fell on his knees, both bleeding profusely.
28.—Both men cautious. Broome in with his left, and Mason short in his return. Heavy counter-hitting. Bully receiving a finishing smack from the right on his left eye, which was completely closed. Broome grappled for the fall, seized Mason by the neck, and hung upon him until he brought him down upon his nose.
29.—Counter-hits with the left, followed by a close, in which Mason attempted to get down, but Broome held him by the neckunder his arm, and tried to lift him from the ropes, until he fell, amidst shouts of disapprobation.
30.—Mason led off short, when Broome steadied himself and popped in a terrific hit with his left on the cheek. Counter-hits left and right followed, Mason fighting wildly. In the close Broome again hung on his man till he extricated himself from his painful position, and in getting away Broome fell heavily upon him.
31.—Mason getting slower. Counter-hitting with the left and exchanges with the right, in which Bully delivered heavily. In the close Mason dropped on his knees.
32.—A rattling exchange of hits; a close at the ropes, and Mason got down, amidst the cheers of his friends. Broome rather groggy from the heavy deliveries in the last round, and the brandy-bottle on his side in requisition.
33 and 34.—Short and merry rallies, in both of which compliments were exchanged, and Mason got down on his knees.
35.—Broome delivered two heavy lunging hits with his left at the body; a rally and heavy exchanges, when Broome caught his man in the corner and again grappled him round the neck with his arm as if in the folds of a boa constrictor. Here he held him for a considerable time, till Mason got each leg in succession over the ropes, and snatched his pimple out of chancery, as he rose making a desperate upper cut with his right, which he luckily missed, for had he struck his man when outside of the ropes, he would have lost the fight on the ground of foul play.
36.—Broome, although fatigued, came up with unshrinking spirit. Heavy counter-hits with the left, when Mason overreached himself, missed, and fell.
37.—Mason evidently less confident. He was slow to the call of time, while Broome rushed to his work, hit out left and right, bored his man to the ropes, and again clasped him in his vice till he fell.
38.—Broome, apparently regaining fresh energy, the moment time was called rushed to his man, led off left and right, closed at the ropes, and, after some in-fighting, Mason got down, Broome falling over him, evidently with the intention of avoiding falling on him.
39.—Broome, becoming still gayer, got to work without delay, popped in a stinger at the body with his right, and after an exchange of facers, closed at the ropes. Mason struggled and fell back, Broome hitting with his right, and falling on him. It was now seen that Mason was satisfied, and after a short consultation with his friends, he declined proceeding with the contest, declaring that he felt he had no chance, for he could not get at his man, and his power of hitting was exhausted. At this time his left eye was completely bunged up, and his face, mouth, and nose were seriously contused; added to which he complained that both his hands were injured. Under these circumstances Johnny Walker saw it was in vain to protract the combat, and gave in on the part of Mason, who immediately stood up and shook hands with his opponent, who was proclaimed the conqueror, after fightingone hour and twenty-one minutes, greatly to the disappointment and vexation of many of Mason’s friends, who considered that he was still able to continue the mill, and probably make a turn in his favour. None, however, know so well where the shoe pinches as he who wears it, and Mason was sufficiently satisfied with the dressing he had received, without adding to its severity. On quitting the ring after being dressed, Broome was so elated with his success, that he threw three successive somersaults, thus proving that his strength and activity, at least, were unimpaired, although the disfigurement of his “dial” afforded pretty strong evidence of the severity of Mason’s hitting.
Remarks.—The issue of this battle has placed Young Harry in a very creditable position, and proved him to possess the first of the requisites for a professor of pugilism—courage, combined with perfect self-possession and a fair share of science. He is quick on his legs, and possesses the happy knack of using both hands with vigour and effect. He never once lost the control over his own actions, and between the rounds nursed and husbanded his strength with the cunning and calmness of a veteran. He was always first on his legs on the call of time, and almost invariably led off with his left with precision and success. It is clear that he knows the use of his legs; and had not Bully known how to foil his intentions he would no doubt have shown him a quick way to his mother earth. If there was any fault to be found with his style of fighting, it was in his repeated hanging on his man at the ropes. It ought not to be forgotten, however, that Mason in the closes endeavoured to grapple him with no friendly intention, and to resist this he had recourse to an expedient which is anything but pleasant to the spectators. There is no law, however, against it, and he cannot, therefore, be blamed for following an example afforded him, not only by his own brother but by many men of long experience in the Ring. Taking him “all in all” hisdébuthas been highly creditable, and we have no doubt, if not overmatched or overworked, he will become an ornament to theP.R.The Bulldog fought, we think, even better than on former occasions on which we have seen him engaged. He used his left more handily than it has been our good fortune to witness in his former contests, and his counter-hitting with that hand was extremely severe, while his slogging right told with stunning effect on young Harry’s mug. Of throwing he has but little knowledge, although he possesses sufficient tact to evade the exercise of thattalent on the part of his antagonist. Like all old ones who have felt the sting of repeated punishment, he could not resist the influence of hard knocks; and the body and the mind concurring in the opinion that “enough was as good as a feast,” and deeming discretion the better part of valour, he left off while he yet possessed sufficient self-possession to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that he might have been worse beaten without being better off.
All now sought the ark, there to obtain the “creature comforts” which had hitherto been withheld. To the men every possible attention was paid, and a liberal subscription was collected for the loser. The battle-money was given up to Young Broome, at his brother’s house, in Air Street, Piccadilly, on the Wednesday of the following week.
The “breed” of young Harry being thus satisfactorily proved, his more experienced brother determined that he should turn gristle into bone before he again “sported buff” in the 24-foot, and more than a twelve-month elapsed ere he made an appearance within the ropes. This was on December 10, 1845, when he was matched for £50 a side against Joe Rowe, a well known East-ender, of 10½st., whose victory over Cullen, in 1844, had raised him to a high position among the middle weights.
Mixed up with this encounter was a contemptible and ridiculous feud, provoked and maintained by certain East-enders, who, taking umbrage at what they considered the upstart assumption of Johnny Broome, and also prompted by bitter jealousy at his success with the better order of Ring patrons, sought by fair or by foul means to disparage the name of Broome, and to defeat the pretensions of his younger brother. We quote the contemporary report:—
“The unfortunate issue of the meeting is to be attributed to the gross irregularities and unjustifiable outrages of the parties assembled to witness the affray, who, regardless of all attempts to preserve an outer or even an inner ring, rushed close to the ropes and stakes, which were broken and levelled with the ground, and were at length reduced to such a state by the intrusion of the multitude that it was utterly impossible for the men to continue their contest; and the referee having withdrawn, both retired from a scene which, we regret to say, is but a repetition of similar misconduct in all parts of the country. This species of misconduct has more to do with the downfall of the Prize Ring than any other cause to which we can refer. We shall endeavour to describe the proceedings of the day, and must leave it to the members of the Ring itself who mean to preserve their ‘order’ to adopt some plan hereafter by which similar evils may be prevented.”
It must be borne in mind that by the articles neither of the men was toexceed 10st.5lbs., and that they were to meet at Peter Crawley’s on the Monday for the purpose of going to scale. At Peter’s they did meet, and were each 1lb.within the stipulated figure, both looking remarkably well and equally confident. Rowe returned to his training-quarters, at Mitchell’s Green, about three miles from Greenhithe, Kent, and Harry Broome remained in London, to be prepared for his embarkation in the morning. The “Nymph,” Woolwich steamer, was patronised upon this occasion, as upon many former expeditions of a similar sort, and received on board a goodly muster of the friends of the men on Tuesday morning, at Hungerford, London Bridge, and Blackwall. She was not, however, without her opponents, and another large steamer named the “Nelson,” as well as the “William Gunston” tug-boat, by the cheapness of their fares, succeeded in obtaining a very extensive patronage from the “rough-and-ready” customers both from the East and the West, but more especially from the former, the great nursery of Rowe’s early pretensions.
Harry Broome embarked at Blackwall, and it was considerably after ten o’clock before the “Nymph” led the way to the field of battle, tardily followed by her two rivals, the “Nelson” having got aground under London Bridge, to the infinite terror of her passengers, who began to apprehend that they had invested their three “bobs” each without the chance of obtaining a view of the mill for their money. Luckily, however, they ultimately got off; and from the delay which took place in arranging the preliminaries for the battle, they arrived in time not only to reach the field, but to increase, and perhaps create, the confusion which subsequently prevailed. The marshes below Greenhithe were selected for the encounter, and here the Commissary executed his operations with his customary despatch. By twenty minutes after one the lists were prepared, but upwards of half an hour elapsed before the combatants made their appearance, and by this time more than 1,000 persons had assembled, including not only the crews of the flotilla, but a large accession from the inhabitants of the surrounding district, who, from Rowe’s training in the neighbourhood, and from the frequent visits of Peter Crawley and his friends, became fully apprised of the treat which was in store: a species of foreknowledge which likewise reached a magistrate in the neighbourhood, who, before the fight was half over, arrived on the ground accompanied by some dozen policemen. The impolicy of the men approaching the intended locality of their fight previous to the mill is manifest, and the present instance confirmed the justice of our remark. In this case, however, from the terrificconfusion which prevailed, neither magistrate nor policemen ventured to get within the vortex, the chance of a broken head being infinitely more apparent than the probability of a respectful reception. His beakship, consequently, contented himself with directing his aides-de-camp to take down the names of as many active members of theP.R.as they could obtain.
We will now endeavour to describe, as well as the buffetings to which we were exposed will permit, “the mill,” its progress, and final interruption. Shortly before two o’clock Harry Broome and Rowe arrived at the ring; the former accompanied by his brother, Jack Hannan, and Sam Simmonds; the latter by Peter Crawley, Jem Turner, and Young Sambo. The ground was hard and the weather cold, but the breeze was somewhat tempered to the “shorn lambs,” and not quite so piercing as it had been the day before. The prospect of the commencement of business produced a great deal of bustle among the ring-keepers, who endeavoured to beat out those who had not paid for the privilege of the posts of honour; but this was found to be a task of no common difficulty; in fact, it was soon seen, from the conduct of the majority, that they were not persons disposed to be governed by the rules of courtesy or fair play. Among the betting fraternity Harry Broome had become the favourite, and was backed at 6 to 4, at which price he backed himself on board the boat on his passage down. As in the match between Maley and Merryman, Tom Spring was again persuaded to take upon him the office of referee—a kindness which he had much reason to regret, as the issue will show. All being in readiness, at the given signal the men were stripped of their upper crusts, and amidst the cheering exclamations of their respective partisans, shook hands and threw themselves into attitude. Their colours were, blue bird’s-eye for Rowe, and blue with a divided white spot, and the initials “H. B.” in the centre, for Broome.
THE FIGHT.Round 1.—We have already described the condition of the men, and certainly on their stripping there was nothing to induce us to recall our judgment. Broome had a little the advantage in height and length, but whatever advantage he possessed in this respect was counterbalanced by the superior muscular development of his opponent. Broome smiled cheerfully, while Rowe displayed the steady phiz of “a sage from the East.” After a few dodges by way of feelers, Rowe tried his left twice in succession, but was stopped. Harry then led off with his left, catching Rowe slightly on the mouth. This brought them to a sharp rally, in which blows were exchanged. Broome popped in his left at the body, immediately closed, and succeeded in throwing his man.2.—On coming up Broome rushed to his man, put in a slight blow on his mouth with the left, closed, and after a short struggle both were down.3.—Harry led off with his left, which got home on Rowe’s whistler; slight exchanges to a close, when both were again down. (On Rowe reaching his corner, we fancied we discovered a tinge of blood on his lips.)4.—Rowe, on going to the scratch after one or two feints, sent his left well home on Broome’s conk from which the purple fluidinstantly flowed in profusion. Rowe again made his left, this time under Harry’s eye, from which the claret also spurted. They then rattled to a close, when some sharp in-fighting took place, Broome catching Rowe on the skull with his right, in a sort of round hit, which evidently injured the thumb-joint, as he shook it as a dog would his sore paw, and they fell together.5.—On leaving his second’s knee Broome showed a slight mouse on his left eye, the effect of Rowe’s visitation in the last round. Both hit slightly together with the left, and came immediately to a rally, when some heavy exchanges left and right took place. They closed, struggled for the fall, and at length fell together, Broome under.6.—The men instantly rushed to a close, and Broome got his man to the ropes, where they hung until they went down, Broome again under.7.—Broome napped another crack on the left eye; ditto repeated; a close, a breakaway, hit for hit exchanged left and right, Broome making both fists tell on Joe’s body. They then closed, and both were down, Broome under.8.—Broome jumped up with alacrity, rushed to his man, and attempted to plant his left, but was neatly stopped. This led to a rally, in which heavy hits were exchanged, Rowe catching it on the muzzle and Harry on the old spot under his left eye. They then closed, hung on the ropes, and both were again down. (The confusion outside the ring now became greater and greater. In vain did Cullen, Alec Reed, Young Reed, and others, use their sticks and whips on the nobs of the “roughs” who were pressing forward; they were not to be driven back. It was with the greatest difficulty the stakes and inner ring were preserved entire.)9.—After a few dodges, Broome put in his left slightly on Joe’s body below the waistband. A claim of “foul” was instantly raised by Rowe’s partisans, who alleged that the blow had fallen below the waist. On Spring being appealed to he immediately decided “fair,” and the fight proceeded. The men went to work, counter-hits right and left were exchanged to a close, and Rowe got down.10.—Broome again home on Rowe’s ’tato-trap, which increased in protuberance; counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it on the nose; body blows exchanged; counters left and right on the dial—a close, in which both were down. Broome on being picked up showed a cut over his left brow, from which the claret was coursing down in profusion.11.—Heavy exchanges; Broome again caught a nasty one over his eye. He returned the compliment on Joe’s mouth. Body blows exchanged. A close, and both down, Broome under. The punishment in this round increased the flow of claret from the wounds of both, but they took it coolly, and came up smiling for the next round.12.—This was a punishing round on the part of Broome, who had no sooner risen from his corner than he rushed to his man, put in two or three body blows, and then made his left and right on Rowe’s frontispiece. The latter made some slight returns, and Broome rushed in, caught Rowe in his arms, and hung upon him at the ropes until the latter went down—a game he pursued throughout the fight.13.—The cheering and chaffing of the East-enders were deafening, and it was with difficulty the timekeepers made themselves heard. On reaching the scratch heavy counter-hits were exchanged left and right, Broome again experiencing the effect of Rowe’s left on his eye. They soon closed, struggled for the fall, and went down together.14.—This round was similar to the last.15.—Heavy in-fighting blows exchanged left and right, both on the mug and on the body, the hitting rather in favour of Broome. In the close both down.16 and 17.—In these rounds the men rushed to in-fighting at once, and some stinging hits were made by each on the sore spots of the other. Broome’s left eye was observed to be fast closing. In the closes which terminated the rounds they fell together.18.—Slight exchanges to a close, when Rowe was down, Broome alongside of him. Rowe’s mouth began to exhibit unmistakable evidence of Harry’s power of hitting, although, with the exception of the cuts on his lip, there was nothing particular the matter with his face. Indeed, the hitting on both sides seemed to have been directed almost entirely to particular spots—viz., Broome on Joe’s mouth, and the latter on Harry’s left eye and cheek.19.—Rowe made his left slightly on Broome’s forehead. The latter then attempted his left, but was prettily stopped. In two other attempts he was more successful, as he put in his left twice, first on Joe’s mouth, and then on his smeller, from which, as well as his mouth, the claret began to exude. In the close Joe was down, Harry on him.20.—The combatants quickly rushed to a close, and after a short struggle at the ropes, both went down together. (The noise and confusion were now becoming terrific. The spectators in the rear made a rush, the stake in Rowe’s corner was nearly forced from the ground, several other stakes were broken, and the bottom rope of the inner ring was completely trodden under foot. The pressure was so great in the corner where we sat that we were obliged to enter the inner ring, in order to be able to get a note of what was going on. There seemed among some of the lowest order of spectators to be a strong party feeling against Johnny Broome, for what cause it was impossible to tell, but they repeatedly called upon him to come in and fight himself, and charged himwith acting foully, although we saw nothing of the kind in his conduct up to this, beyond his assisting the seconds in wiping his brother—an example which Crawley followed with Rowe.)21 and 22.—Broome home with his left on Joe’s nose and mouth several times. Rowe’s returns were slight. In the latter round, however, Rowe succeeded in the close in forcing Broome over the ropes, and falling on him.23.—Broome’s left again in collision with Rowe’s mouth. Counter-hits with the left. A close at the ropes, and Broome succeeded in throwing his man.24 to 29.—In these rounds the same style of fighting was pursued, hitting left and right being the order of the day. Very few attempts were made at stopping, and these few were on the part of Rowe, who parried Harry’s left on several occasions. The rounds ended with a close at the ropes, in which Broome generally had the advantage, and got his man down by hanging on him.30.—Joe stopped a nasty one from Harry’s left. Heavy hits were then exchanged on the old spots, and both were down, Rowe under. (The disorderly conduct of the spectators got worse and worse. The ring-keepers were obliged to get inside the ring, and used their whips and sticks very freely; but as fast as they drove the intruders back from the ropes they again came forward, returning hits for compliments paid them.)31 to 36.—Heavy exchanges, and no flinching or attempts to stop. Previous to these rounds we thought Rowe was weak and on the wane, but he now rallied, and was firmer on his pins. He was, however, generally forced to the ropes, where Broome hung upon him until he fell.37.—Broome received a stinger on his snout, which renewed the rivulet of claret. He returned slightly on Rowe’s cheek and closed. Rowe was, after a short struggle, forced down, Broome on him.38.—Broome made his left again on Joe’s mouth. He then retreated to his corner, as if to get wind. Rowe was following, but Harry rushed to him, repeated his dose on the mouth, and fought to a close at the ropes, where, after a somewhat lengthened struggle, amidst great confusion in and out of the ring (Johnny Broome holding the rope), both got down together.39.—Hitting right and left, and a close, in which some slight fibbing took place, Broome again receiving over his damaged eye, which was now almost “used up.” At length, after a break away, and a few harmless exchanges, Rowe got down.40.—Heavy counters with the left, Broome receiving a snorter, which re-opened the springs from which the by-no-means-limpid stream had previously trickled. A close at the ropes, Broome still pursuing his tactics of endeavouring to hang upon his man. Rowe at length got down, pulling Broome along with him.41.—Rowe had now evidently obtained fresh vigour, and his bellows seemed to have undergone a thorough repair. On coming up, he immediately went to his adversary, led off with his left, which was returned by Broome on the nose. Rowe attempted to obtain the fall, but in so doing slipped down.42 and 43.—Slight exchanges, no mischief done; both down at the ropes.44.—Harry hit out left and right on Joe’s mug, closed, and threw him heavily, falling on him.45.—Broome again touched up Rowe’s “blow pipe.” Joe immediately insinuated a tremendous counter-crack on Broome’s head with his right, which dropped him, and he fell on his hands and knees and fell forward on his face. (First knock-down blow for Rowe.)46 and 47.—Counter-hitting left and right, Rowe occasionally stopping Broome’s left, but the latter would not be denied, and hit away until he brought his man to a close, and they both went down together, Rowe under. On reaching their seconds’ knees, their punishment appeared to be about equal, neither showing many marks beyond those on Broome’s left eye and cheek on the one hand, and Rowe’s mouth and nose on the other. (About this time a cry was raised that the police had arrived, but we could see nothing of them, as we were so hemmed in by the mob, and, as we stated above, it was impossible for them to get at the combatants, or any one in the ring.)48.—Stinging hits exchanged with the left to a rally and a close at the ropes, where Rowe got down to avoid Harry’s friendly hug.49.—Broome’s left eye was now completely closed, and the surrounding flesh was considerably swollen; his nose, also, looked very blue. He went to his man, caught him round the neck with his left, and fibbed him severely with the other hand. Rowe at length caught the offending mawley, and forced Harry’s head back. After a little struggling, Rowe slipped down.50.—Joe stopped a well-intended smack from Broome’s left. The latter then made his “one, two” on Rowe’s mouth and body. Joe slipped, and Broome was making an upper cut at him as he went down, but just succeeded in stopping the delivery in time to prevent grounds for a claim of “foul.”51 and 52.—Some good countering took place in these rounds with equal advantage, for what Broome gave on Joe’s mouth and cheek he received in return on his damaged ogle and sneezer.53.—The men quickly rushed to a close, and after a short struggle Joe succeeded in giving Broome a clean somersault over the ropes, amidst the joyous shouts of his partisans.54 to 57.—Still the same hit-away style of fighting, no stopping or flinching, Broomeoccasionally getting his man’s head in chancery and fibbing. In the 56th round Harry put in a smasher on the body of Rowe, from the effects of which he was going down, when Broome sent in another, which did not reach him until he was on his knees. Another claim of “foul” was made by Jem Turner and Sambo, but the blow was evidently accidental, and Spring decided “fair.” Had it been otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for Spring to see, he was so beset by the mob who were creating the disturbance and overwhelming the ring. Spring at length was compelled to come within the arena to watch the proceedings. In the 57th round Rowe went down weak. Both Johnny Broome and Peter Crawley had now been in the ring during some rounds, Broome assisting his brother, and Crawley performing the same kind office for Rowe. Broome led the way, and his presence excited a good deal of angry feeling, but it was “six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.”58 and 59.—Rowe was getting weaker, and Broome was piping. In the latter round heavy counter-hits were exchanged in Broome’s corner. The latter then put in a heavy body blow, from the effects of which Rowe staggered and went down.60.—In-fighting in favour of Rowe, who made several good hits on Broome’s dial. Broome retaliated, but not so severely. They closed at the ropes, and both fell together. (The ring was now half full of people, and sticks and whips were being plied without avail on all sides.)61 to 70.—On coming up for the 61st round, Broome’s face, principally on the left side, was terribly disfigured, while Rowe’s right jaw, cheek, and upper lip were so much cut and swollen as to produce the appearance of dislocation of the jaw. The hitting in these rounds was severe, although Rowe occasionally hit open-handed. In the close they generally fibbed each other severely, and fell together. The space in which they were fighting became gradually more and more circumscribed, and almost invariably in the close the ring-keepers were obliged to surround the combatants, and literally beat the crowd away, to give room for them to struggle for the fall, and to prevent their being injured by the mob.71.—Tom Spring now, finding that there was not the slightest probability of a clear ring being again obtained, and satisfied that it would be impossible to obtain fair play, resigned his office as referee. The seconds and backers ought then to have each withdrawn his man; instead of this, however, the fight was continued amidst the most dreadful confusion, and in a space about two yards square, until the 81st round, when the men were taken away and conveyed on board the Nymph, after fighting for 2 hours and 21 minutes. All chance of concluding the contest had at this time vanished, and, of course, universal dissatisfaction prevailed. A cowardly attack was made on Johnny Broome by some of the disappointed Eastenders, but Peter Crawley manfully threw his shield over him, and prevented mischief.Remarks.—We have thus, to the best of our ability, amidst the shameful confusion which prevailed, endeavoured to give as accurate a description of this battle as our opportunities would admit. We can only repeat that at a very early period of the battle the crowd completely overwhelmed the efforts of those who were certainly anxious and creditably active in their endeavours to preserve order. The jealousy of those, however, who could not pay towards those who had paid was so forcibly evinced as to prevent all resistance; and this, combined with a large majority of Rowe’s friends and partisans, who indulged in a very unseemly expression of ill-feeling towards Johnny Broome and his brother, produced the very unsatisfactory conclusion at which the affair arrived, and of course led to the necessity of another meeting before it could be decided which was the better man. We confess we do not feel ourselves justified, from all we have yet seen, in assigning the palm of decided superiority to either. They both fought manfully and bravely, and exhibited all those sterling qualities which are calculated to reflect credit upon the characters of British boxers. There was no flinching, no cowardly attempts to fall to avoid punishment, nor were any of those subterfuges adopted on either side calculated to create the disapprobation of the spectators. On the contrary, when permitted by the disgraceful intrusion of strangers in the ring, they promptly and fearlessly obeyed the call of time, and hit away left and right each with a courageous determination to turn the scale in his favour. In the last few rounds—or, rather, scrambles—which took place, we are inclined to believe that Broome had a little the advantage; but it would be by no means just on our parts to give this as a decided opinion, and the less so as we saw Rowe run vigorously from the ring to the place of embarkation, followed by Broome. We were glad to make our escape from such a scene, and made our retreat along the banks of the river to Greenhithe, from whence we subsequently obtained a passage, not in the “Nymph,” but in a Gravesend boat, on its way to Blackwall, and thus did not obtain a close view of the men. Many heavy blows were exchanged in the course of the turmoil, and some one, with a wantonness perfectly indefensible, flung up a quart bottle in the air, which, alighting on Johnny Broome’s head, might have been fatal, and, as it was, proved anything but agreeable to his feelings. We cannot too strongly impress upon the parties concerned in this disgraceful exhibition that, as in the fable of the goose and the golden egg, they are sacrificing the chances of their own future gratification. Aclear ring and no favour is the battle-cry of all fair boxing; and if the spirit of this cry be once abandoned, it is in vain to hope for the continuance of those manly demonstrations of courage and fair play which render prize-fighting defensible. It seems also to be forgotten that, by keeping a wide and extended ring throughout a combat, all have a fair opportunity of witnessing its progress; while, by thus closing in, the greater portion must be debarred from a view of the combatants, and thus disorder becomes inevitable. Added to this, the prejudices of the opponents of the good old sport become trebly fortified, and the interference of the magistrates and the police will find not only apologists, but eulogists, even among those who heretofore would have been the first to decry their interference. Aquatic excursions, by limiting the number of spectators, were, in the first instance, adopted as a prudent and judicious move, and so long as they were confined, by a fair charge, to the men and their real supporters, this object was gained; but the unfair system of starting opposition boats, at low prices, by enabling the worst class of Ring-goers to obtrude upon the scene of action, has superseded this intention, and it now only remains to adopt some new expedient by which fair play and good order can be maintained. Nothing but a determined coalition upon the part of the milling fraternity themselves will prevent the repetition of evils which must altogether extinguish their popularity as a class.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—We have already described the condition of the men, and certainly on their stripping there was nothing to induce us to recall our judgment. Broome had a little the advantage in height and length, but whatever advantage he possessed in this respect was counterbalanced by the superior muscular development of his opponent. Broome smiled cheerfully, while Rowe displayed the steady phiz of “a sage from the East.” After a few dodges by way of feelers, Rowe tried his left twice in succession, but was stopped. Harry then led off with his left, catching Rowe slightly on the mouth. This brought them to a sharp rally, in which blows were exchanged. Broome popped in his left at the body, immediately closed, and succeeded in throwing his man.
2.—On coming up Broome rushed to his man, put in a slight blow on his mouth with the left, closed, and after a short struggle both were down.
3.—Harry led off with his left, which got home on Rowe’s whistler; slight exchanges to a close, when both were again down. (On Rowe reaching his corner, we fancied we discovered a tinge of blood on his lips.)
4.—Rowe, on going to the scratch after one or two feints, sent his left well home on Broome’s conk from which the purple fluidinstantly flowed in profusion. Rowe again made his left, this time under Harry’s eye, from which the claret also spurted. They then rattled to a close, when some sharp in-fighting took place, Broome catching Rowe on the skull with his right, in a sort of round hit, which evidently injured the thumb-joint, as he shook it as a dog would his sore paw, and they fell together.
5.—On leaving his second’s knee Broome showed a slight mouse on his left eye, the effect of Rowe’s visitation in the last round. Both hit slightly together with the left, and came immediately to a rally, when some heavy exchanges left and right took place. They closed, struggled for the fall, and at length fell together, Broome under.
6.—The men instantly rushed to a close, and Broome got his man to the ropes, where they hung until they went down, Broome again under.
7.—Broome napped another crack on the left eye; ditto repeated; a close, a breakaway, hit for hit exchanged left and right, Broome making both fists tell on Joe’s body. They then closed, and both were down, Broome under.
8.—Broome jumped up with alacrity, rushed to his man, and attempted to plant his left, but was neatly stopped. This led to a rally, in which heavy hits were exchanged, Rowe catching it on the muzzle and Harry on the old spot under his left eye. They then closed, hung on the ropes, and both were again down. (The confusion outside the ring now became greater and greater. In vain did Cullen, Alec Reed, Young Reed, and others, use their sticks and whips on the nobs of the “roughs” who were pressing forward; they were not to be driven back. It was with the greatest difficulty the stakes and inner ring were preserved entire.)
9.—After a few dodges, Broome put in his left slightly on Joe’s body below the waistband. A claim of “foul” was instantly raised by Rowe’s partisans, who alleged that the blow had fallen below the waist. On Spring being appealed to he immediately decided “fair,” and the fight proceeded. The men went to work, counter-hits right and left were exchanged to a close, and Rowe got down.
10.—Broome again home on Rowe’s ’tato-trap, which increased in protuberance; counter-hits with the left, Broome catching it on the nose; body blows exchanged; counters left and right on the dial—a close, in which both were down. Broome on being picked up showed a cut over his left brow, from which the claret was coursing down in profusion.
11.—Heavy exchanges; Broome again caught a nasty one over his eye. He returned the compliment on Joe’s mouth. Body blows exchanged. A close, and both down, Broome under. The punishment in this round increased the flow of claret from the wounds of both, but they took it coolly, and came up smiling for the next round.
12.—This was a punishing round on the part of Broome, who had no sooner risen from his corner than he rushed to his man, put in two or three body blows, and then made his left and right on Rowe’s frontispiece. The latter made some slight returns, and Broome rushed in, caught Rowe in his arms, and hung upon him at the ropes until the latter went down—a game he pursued throughout the fight.
13.—The cheering and chaffing of the East-enders were deafening, and it was with difficulty the timekeepers made themselves heard. On reaching the scratch heavy counter-hits were exchanged left and right, Broome again experiencing the effect of Rowe’s left on his eye. They soon closed, struggled for the fall, and went down together.
14.—This round was similar to the last.
15.—Heavy in-fighting blows exchanged left and right, both on the mug and on the body, the hitting rather in favour of Broome. In the close both down.
16 and 17.—In these rounds the men rushed to in-fighting at once, and some stinging hits were made by each on the sore spots of the other. Broome’s left eye was observed to be fast closing. In the closes which terminated the rounds they fell together.
18.—Slight exchanges to a close, when Rowe was down, Broome alongside of him. Rowe’s mouth began to exhibit unmistakable evidence of Harry’s power of hitting, although, with the exception of the cuts on his lip, there was nothing particular the matter with his face. Indeed, the hitting on both sides seemed to have been directed almost entirely to particular spots—viz., Broome on Joe’s mouth, and the latter on Harry’s left eye and cheek.
19.—Rowe made his left slightly on Broome’s forehead. The latter then attempted his left, but was prettily stopped. In two other attempts he was more successful, as he put in his left twice, first on Joe’s mouth, and then on his smeller, from which, as well as his mouth, the claret began to exude. In the close Joe was down, Harry on him.
20.—The combatants quickly rushed to a close, and after a short struggle at the ropes, both went down together. (The noise and confusion were now becoming terrific. The spectators in the rear made a rush, the stake in Rowe’s corner was nearly forced from the ground, several other stakes were broken, and the bottom rope of the inner ring was completely trodden under foot. The pressure was so great in the corner where we sat that we were obliged to enter the inner ring, in order to be able to get a note of what was going on. There seemed among some of the lowest order of spectators to be a strong party feeling against Johnny Broome, for what cause it was impossible to tell, but they repeatedly called upon him to come in and fight himself, and charged himwith acting foully, although we saw nothing of the kind in his conduct up to this, beyond his assisting the seconds in wiping his brother—an example which Crawley followed with Rowe.)
21 and 22.—Broome home with his left on Joe’s nose and mouth several times. Rowe’s returns were slight. In the latter round, however, Rowe succeeded in the close in forcing Broome over the ropes, and falling on him.
23.—Broome’s left again in collision with Rowe’s mouth. Counter-hits with the left. A close at the ropes, and Broome succeeded in throwing his man.
24 to 29.—In these rounds the same style of fighting was pursued, hitting left and right being the order of the day. Very few attempts were made at stopping, and these few were on the part of Rowe, who parried Harry’s left on several occasions. The rounds ended with a close at the ropes, in which Broome generally had the advantage, and got his man down by hanging on him.
30.—Joe stopped a nasty one from Harry’s left. Heavy hits were then exchanged on the old spots, and both were down, Rowe under. (The disorderly conduct of the spectators got worse and worse. The ring-keepers were obliged to get inside the ring, and used their whips and sticks very freely; but as fast as they drove the intruders back from the ropes they again came forward, returning hits for compliments paid them.)
31 to 36.—Heavy exchanges, and no flinching or attempts to stop. Previous to these rounds we thought Rowe was weak and on the wane, but he now rallied, and was firmer on his pins. He was, however, generally forced to the ropes, where Broome hung upon him until he fell.
37.—Broome received a stinger on his snout, which renewed the rivulet of claret. He returned slightly on Rowe’s cheek and closed. Rowe was, after a short struggle, forced down, Broome on him.
38.—Broome made his left again on Joe’s mouth. He then retreated to his corner, as if to get wind. Rowe was following, but Harry rushed to him, repeated his dose on the mouth, and fought to a close at the ropes, where, after a somewhat lengthened struggle, amidst great confusion in and out of the ring (Johnny Broome holding the rope), both got down together.
39.—Hitting right and left, and a close, in which some slight fibbing took place, Broome again receiving over his damaged eye, which was now almost “used up.” At length, after a break away, and a few harmless exchanges, Rowe got down.
40.—Heavy counters with the left, Broome receiving a snorter, which re-opened the springs from which the by-no-means-limpid stream had previously trickled. A close at the ropes, Broome still pursuing his tactics of endeavouring to hang upon his man. Rowe at length got down, pulling Broome along with him.
41.—Rowe had now evidently obtained fresh vigour, and his bellows seemed to have undergone a thorough repair. On coming up, he immediately went to his adversary, led off with his left, which was returned by Broome on the nose. Rowe attempted to obtain the fall, but in so doing slipped down.
42 and 43.—Slight exchanges, no mischief done; both down at the ropes.
44.—Harry hit out left and right on Joe’s mug, closed, and threw him heavily, falling on him.
45.—Broome again touched up Rowe’s “blow pipe.” Joe immediately insinuated a tremendous counter-crack on Broome’s head with his right, which dropped him, and he fell on his hands and knees and fell forward on his face. (First knock-down blow for Rowe.)
46 and 47.—Counter-hitting left and right, Rowe occasionally stopping Broome’s left, but the latter would not be denied, and hit away until he brought his man to a close, and they both went down together, Rowe under. On reaching their seconds’ knees, their punishment appeared to be about equal, neither showing many marks beyond those on Broome’s left eye and cheek on the one hand, and Rowe’s mouth and nose on the other. (About this time a cry was raised that the police had arrived, but we could see nothing of them, as we were so hemmed in by the mob, and, as we stated above, it was impossible for them to get at the combatants, or any one in the ring.)
48.—Stinging hits exchanged with the left to a rally and a close at the ropes, where Rowe got down to avoid Harry’s friendly hug.
49.—Broome’s left eye was now completely closed, and the surrounding flesh was considerably swollen; his nose, also, looked very blue. He went to his man, caught him round the neck with his left, and fibbed him severely with the other hand. Rowe at length caught the offending mawley, and forced Harry’s head back. After a little struggling, Rowe slipped down.
50.—Joe stopped a well-intended smack from Broome’s left. The latter then made his “one, two” on Rowe’s mouth and body. Joe slipped, and Broome was making an upper cut at him as he went down, but just succeeded in stopping the delivery in time to prevent grounds for a claim of “foul.”
51 and 52.—Some good countering took place in these rounds with equal advantage, for what Broome gave on Joe’s mouth and cheek he received in return on his damaged ogle and sneezer.
53.—The men quickly rushed to a close, and after a short struggle Joe succeeded in giving Broome a clean somersault over the ropes, amidst the joyous shouts of his partisans.
54 to 57.—Still the same hit-away style of fighting, no stopping or flinching, Broomeoccasionally getting his man’s head in chancery and fibbing. In the 56th round Harry put in a smasher on the body of Rowe, from the effects of which he was going down, when Broome sent in another, which did not reach him until he was on his knees. Another claim of “foul” was made by Jem Turner and Sambo, but the blow was evidently accidental, and Spring decided “fair.” Had it been otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for Spring to see, he was so beset by the mob who were creating the disturbance and overwhelming the ring. Spring at length was compelled to come within the arena to watch the proceedings. In the 57th round Rowe went down weak. Both Johnny Broome and Peter Crawley had now been in the ring during some rounds, Broome assisting his brother, and Crawley performing the same kind office for Rowe. Broome led the way, and his presence excited a good deal of angry feeling, but it was “six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.”
58 and 59.—Rowe was getting weaker, and Broome was piping. In the latter round heavy counter-hits were exchanged in Broome’s corner. The latter then put in a heavy body blow, from the effects of which Rowe staggered and went down.
60.—In-fighting in favour of Rowe, who made several good hits on Broome’s dial. Broome retaliated, but not so severely. They closed at the ropes, and both fell together. (The ring was now half full of people, and sticks and whips were being plied without avail on all sides.)
61 to 70.—On coming up for the 61st round, Broome’s face, principally on the left side, was terribly disfigured, while Rowe’s right jaw, cheek, and upper lip were so much cut and swollen as to produce the appearance of dislocation of the jaw. The hitting in these rounds was severe, although Rowe occasionally hit open-handed. In the close they generally fibbed each other severely, and fell together. The space in which they were fighting became gradually more and more circumscribed, and almost invariably in the close the ring-keepers were obliged to surround the combatants, and literally beat the crowd away, to give room for them to struggle for the fall, and to prevent their being injured by the mob.
71.—Tom Spring now, finding that there was not the slightest probability of a clear ring being again obtained, and satisfied that it would be impossible to obtain fair play, resigned his office as referee. The seconds and backers ought then to have each withdrawn his man; instead of this, however, the fight was continued amidst the most dreadful confusion, and in a space about two yards square, until the 81st round, when the men were taken away and conveyed on board the Nymph, after fighting for 2 hours and 21 minutes. All chance of concluding the contest had at this time vanished, and, of course, universal dissatisfaction prevailed. A cowardly attack was made on Johnny Broome by some of the disappointed Eastenders, but Peter Crawley manfully threw his shield over him, and prevented mischief.
Remarks.—We have thus, to the best of our ability, amidst the shameful confusion which prevailed, endeavoured to give as accurate a description of this battle as our opportunities would admit. We can only repeat that at a very early period of the battle the crowd completely overwhelmed the efforts of those who were certainly anxious and creditably active in their endeavours to preserve order. The jealousy of those, however, who could not pay towards those who had paid was so forcibly evinced as to prevent all resistance; and this, combined with a large majority of Rowe’s friends and partisans, who indulged in a very unseemly expression of ill-feeling towards Johnny Broome and his brother, produced the very unsatisfactory conclusion at which the affair arrived, and of course led to the necessity of another meeting before it could be decided which was the better man. We confess we do not feel ourselves justified, from all we have yet seen, in assigning the palm of decided superiority to either. They both fought manfully and bravely, and exhibited all those sterling qualities which are calculated to reflect credit upon the characters of British boxers. There was no flinching, no cowardly attempts to fall to avoid punishment, nor were any of those subterfuges adopted on either side calculated to create the disapprobation of the spectators. On the contrary, when permitted by the disgraceful intrusion of strangers in the ring, they promptly and fearlessly obeyed the call of time, and hit away left and right each with a courageous determination to turn the scale in his favour. In the last few rounds—or, rather, scrambles—which took place, we are inclined to believe that Broome had a little the advantage; but it would be by no means just on our parts to give this as a decided opinion, and the less so as we saw Rowe run vigorously from the ring to the place of embarkation, followed by Broome. We were glad to make our escape from such a scene, and made our retreat along the banks of the river to Greenhithe, from whence we subsequently obtained a passage, not in the “Nymph,” but in a Gravesend boat, on its way to Blackwall, and thus did not obtain a close view of the men. Many heavy blows were exchanged in the course of the turmoil, and some one, with a wantonness perfectly indefensible, flung up a quart bottle in the air, which, alighting on Johnny Broome’s head, might have been fatal, and, as it was, proved anything but agreeable to his feelings. We cannot too strongly impress upon the parties concerned in this disgraceful exhibition that, as in the fable of the goose and the golden egg, they are sacrificing the chances of their own future gratification. Aclear ring and no favour is the battle-cry of all fair boxing; and if the spirit of this cry be once abandoned, it is in vain to hope for the continuance of those manly demonstrations of courage and fair play which render prize-fighting defensible. It seems also to be forgotten that, by keeping a wide and extended ring throughout a combat, all have a fair opportunity of witnessing its progress; while, by thus closing in, the greater portion must be debarred from a view of the combatants, and thus disorder becomes inevitable. Added to this, the prejudices of the opponents of the good old sport become trebly fortified, and the interference of the magistrates and the police will find not only apologists, but eulogists, even among those who heretofore would have been the first to decry their interference. Aquatic excursions, by limiting the number of spectators, were, in the first instance, adopted as a prudent and judicious move, and so long as they were confined, by a fair charge, to the men and their real supporters, this object was gained; but the unfair system of starting opposition boats, at low prices, by enabling the worst class of Ring-goers to obtrude upon the scene of action, has superseded this intention, and it now only remains to adopt some new expedient by which fair play and good order can be maintained. Nothing but a determined coalition upon the part of the milling fraternity themselves will prevent the repetition of evils which must altogether extinguish their popularity as a class.
Great complaints were made of Broome having gone into the ring to assist his brother, which was decidedly contrary to the rules of the Ring, and led to Crawley following so bad an example. It was undoubtedly wrong; but some allowances must be made for the horrible confusion which prevailed, and the utter impossibility of the referee calling for a stringent attention to the rule referred to; although in two instances when Broome had intruded he peremptorily ordered him out, and was obeyed. It must be distinctly understood that any man, save the seconds, thus interfering with his man loses the fight.
Broome soon recovered from the contusions on his face, although when we saw him on the Friday the marks were sufficiently apparent. The forebone of the thumb on his right hand was, however, fractured. This occurred in the fourth round, and the repeated use of the hand afterwards rendered the consequences more serious. Rowe’s physiognomy was still far from symmetrical. His face on the right side was dreadfully swollen, and the cut on his lip severe and deep. The left side of his countenance also showed obvious symptoms of unpleasant visitations. In other respects the men were little damaged; but Rowe had clearly got the larger share of the punishment. His left hand was also much puffed. It was stated that for the present it would be impossible for Broome to use his right hand, and Crawley readily agreed that the day for the renewal of the battle should not be fixed till a surgeon had pronounced when the damaged feeler was likely to be fit for service. Johnny Broome proposed to give £5 towards Rowe’s training expenses, provided the match were made for £100, and to come off in four months. To this Crawley could make no response, as he had his apprehensions of being able to get any addition to the stakes down.
The final agreement was that the renewal of the combat should take place on the 6th of May; Peter Crawley and Johnny Broome to name the locality. At a subsequent meeting at Spring’s, it being mentioned that the 6th of May was the day of running the Chester Cup, the date was altered to the 13th by mutual agreement, and the place of rendezvous was settled for Ensham, Oxfordshire, six miles from the University city. On the overnight the men and their mentors set off for that locality. The “London Particulars,” however, contented themselves with the half-past seven morning train, and the quarter to ten fast ditto, as their method of reaching the trysting-place. Soon after eleven all was alive in Ensham, and the cavalcade moved off for the battle-field, many of the drags being of the style and pattern that bespoke the Corinthian quality of their owners or occupants. At twelve the Commissary and assistants had made a model ring and enclosure in an emerald-green meadow near Ensham, and soon after Harry Broome, his brother Johnny, his seconds and friends, came on the ground on a four-in-hand; while Rowe, under the broad shadow of Peter Crawley, escorted by a numerous cavalcade of equestrians and charioteers, with a long queue of pedestrians was also “thar.” Harry Broome was waited on in the ring by his brother and Sam Simmonds, of Birmingham; Rowe by Jack Macdonald and Bill Hayes. Broome’s colours were blue with a large white spot, Rowe’s the old blue birdseye.
After some little delay in the choice of a referee, “time” was called, and the men, in fighting costume, advanced from their corners and shook hands. Young Harry, in point of condition, was all that his best friends could desire; he was indeed a model of youthful health and activity. He stood slightly over his opponent, and had evidently the advantage in length of reach. Rowe looked far more solid and burly at his weight (10st.5lbs.), and was much less graceful in his movements; indeed, his look lacked the animation and confidence which beamed on the features of his youthful antagonist. The friends of Rowe were, nevertheless, sanguine of his success, and took the 5 and 6 to 4 readily which some of Broome’s patrons offered.
At a few minutes before one the men and their seconds crossed hands, the latter retired to their corners, and the twain stood up for