Written circa 1792.

BROUGHTON.
We cannot avoid giving the character of Broughton, as a pugilist : who, notwithstanding the gross partiality of Captain Godfrey, stands the first of the old school. His height did not exceed five feet eleven inches, and his weight was sometimes above, sometimes under fourteen stone. He was remarkably well formed, but more calculated for strength than action : He had a good eye, and his arm was not, as has been ridiculously reported, longer than the symmetry of the body demanded. The history of almost every pugilist sufficiently proves, that the mind, whatever opinion may be hazarded to the contrary, is very much interested in all contests of this nature. It is the origin of motion, and the body is its slave. Broughton was superior to all others in mental powers ; his sagacity in discovering the weakness of an adversary, and ability in covering himself from the most dangerous blows, enabled him to overcome many, to whom he was inferior in bodily force. His favourite blows were straight, and one directly planted in the mark or pit of the stomach generally proved decisive. Few battles are now decided in this manner, as from the guard, and the forward bent of the body, this dangerous place is nearly secure. He used round blows, particularly when he wished to strike his antagonist under the left ear. His attitude was somewhat like that of Ryan, in his first battle with Johnson ; thought his arms were not so much extended, they were, however, more so than those of his contemporaries. When a blow was directed at his body, he beat it down ; when his head was aimed at, he caught his opponent's fist in his open hand. The cross buttock was known long before his days; but he considerably improved it, and brought it into notice. Whatever state the science was in at that period, Broughton, it must be admitted, exceeded all other fighters in a knowledge of the principles ; for his great talents soon led him to discover much of the theory that was before unknown. Many were his superiors in strength and activity, but none in science and courage. He is deservedly placed at the head of the boxers of his own time, and his amiableness of manners went hand in hand with his public estimation.

SLACK.
Next to Broughton, Slack demands our notice : he measured five feet eight inches and a half, and his weight was between thirteen and fourteen stone. He was remarkably compact in his make, superior to most men in strength, and of wonderful bottom. Suited to the prevailing mode of fighting in his time, few were able to contend with him, when he was resolved on victory. He had not much method in his striking, and seldom fought a battle on a previously concerted plan. He exceeded all others in the force of his blows, whence a Slack was a term commonly used to signify a blow given with grat force.

His attitude was upright, the legs very little separated, his right hand on or near the pit of the stomach, and his left placed at a small distance from his body before his mouth. In this position we cannot discern much art ; and, had he possessed bottom only in common with other pugilists, he never could have been victorious ; but his clay seemed to be formed of a different mould, and resisted the strongest impressions.

He resolutely disputed every inch of ground, and so much did he despise shifting, that he has aptionally received a knock-down blow, rather than relinquish his original situation. Though Mendoza claims the honour of inventing the chopper, (a blow struck on the face with the back of the hand), Slack frequently used it in his time, and frequently with success in giving the return : brining his fist to his breast, and projecting his elbow, he threw off a blow, and instantly describing part of a circle, the centre of which was the elbow, he unexpectedly struck his antagonist in the face with the back of his hand. This mode was completely his own, but has since been adopted by many. Mendoza, it must be confessed, revived and improved it. Slack's victory over Broughton was the greatest honour he acquired, and we should be as blind as Fortune proved herself in the decision of that combat, were we on that account to yield him the palm. Broughton's science and repeated trials, in which he overcame the bravest and most powerful champions of his time, even those who had vanquished Slack, must give him the first situation, and it cannot be thought an act of injustice to the celebrated boxer, whose memoirs we are now giving, to place him after so grat a man.

HUNT.
Though a small man, Hunt possessed more reputation than any pugilist of the three different periods. Not exceeding nine stone, and only five feet four inches and a half in height, he has frequently fought with men of twice his weight. When he boxed, it was generally a trial of skill with strength. He made more difficulties to surmount than any other, for he was constantly overmatched. Of the few instances of shifting,* that occured in his time, he is the most singular, for he conquered the strongest men by his admirable art, and even stood up to some in a manly way.
* Shifting is running from your adversary, whenever he attempts to strike you, or to come near you, or when you have struck him, and is done with a view of tiring him out. It is rarely practised by good boxers, unless they are fighting with a man so much superior to them in strength, that they find it necessary to fatigue him and exhaust his patience, in order that they may reduce his chance of success to a level with their own.

Though he might have been allowed to drop, when strength so much beyond his own opposed him, he seldom fell without a blow. He never confined himself to one attitude, for he found he could more effectually confuse his adversary by changing his guard, which he continually did.

Some peculiarities which he used with success deserve our notice ; he appeared patiently to wait the approach of a blow, which, if aimed at his body, he avoided by stepping aside, and then took an opportunity of winding his man, who was driven forward by his own force; if directed at his head, the stooped, and letting his opponent's arms pass over him, rushed within his guard, and generally planted a successful blow in the body. He was so famous for these practices, that his antagonists usually fought on the defensive : this was a great advantage to Hunt, because by this means he became the assailant, and was not pressed by superior power.

PUGILISTS OF THE SECOND PERIOD.
The last three pugilists, whose memoirs we have concisely given, were remarkable in very different lines : the first was famous for science, the second for bottom, and the third for activity. The history of Taylor, Stevenson, and many others, equally eminent in the same class, might have been given ; but as accounts of this nature cannot admit of much variety, such only have been noticed as most materially differed from each other. We now come to the second or middle state of boxing, in which we propose to adopt a similar plan.

CORCORAN.
This pugilist stands first as a fair fighter. His blows were all straight, and planted with astonishing force. He never shifted nor fell, unless accidentally, without being struck. His guard was somewhat injudicious, his arms not being sufficiently extended, and his body too upright.

He exceeded most men in the power of using both hands, and though he has been blamed as a slow fighter, he had the merit of striking with certainty, for he always reserved himself to take advantage of his adversary's opens.

Unfortunate in the event of his contests, he had not much reason to triump, even when victorious ; for engaging with powerful pugilists, and meeting them in a manly way, he seldom escaped a very severe drubbing.

SELLERS.
Though Sellers was stronger and had more art than Corcoran, he did not strike with equal vigour. He was celebrated for rallying, or recovering himself, when closely pressed. This he effected by a strategem practised long before, but not frequently used till he revived it. When he found it impossible any longer to stand an assault, he fell on one of his knees, and thus evaded the disgrace of a knock-down blow. He was the more censurable for this practice, as he rarely encountered his superior in strength. He was very successful in striking his adversary as he himself dropped, and this has more than once terminated a battle in his favour.

The following anecdote is related of Sellers, by some of the fighting men of his time: The neglect of his friends in not backing him against Johnson, when this celebrated pugilist first came into notice, so affected him with grief, that it absolutely occasioned his death. We will not, however, be answerable for the truth of this report.

OLIVER,
COMMONLY CALLED DEATH.
Though the real name of this boxer is Oliver, he is more generally known by that of Death. He was once a favourite with Broughton, and formerly won many battles. He was well made, but light (we speak of him when in the full possession of his powers, for he is still living.) His utmost weight was between eleven and twelve stone ; but his activity amply compensated for any deficiency in strength. He has fought more battles than any man in England, and won a great number of them.

Death had at one time as much reputation in London as any pugilist could desire, and not one of his own weight would dare to meet him. But he imprudently engaged with his superiors in force, and the utmost activity and skill united, could hardly bring him through.

He is the first instance, at the period we now allude to, of a small boxer boldly facing an enemy much larger than himself ; and though he has been frequently over - matched, he has often conquered. One of Johnson's first battles was with him ; but Death unable to sustain so unequal a contest, was soon compelled to give in, for Johnson even at that time, went far beyond him in displaying the requisites of a pugilist.

The sparring of this pugilist, which was thought excellent some years ago, is now equalled by that of almost any pupil of either Humphreys or Mendoza ; which tends to prove that the old was not equal to the modern school.

PUGILISTS OF THE THIRD PERIOD.

JOHNSON.
Among the moderns, Johnson is the most celebrated as a pugilist. His strength, science and bottom, give him a rank superior to all others ; but his uncommon judgement is his greatest excellence. He has never yet engaged, without previously studying not only the powers and manner of fighting, but also the constitution and disposition of his adversary. This knowledge he always converts to his advantage; not by any unfair manoeuvres or abusive conduct, but by an almost unerring sagacity. If his opponent be cool, he himself is cooler : if warm, he makes him still more so by taking every justifiable measure to irritate him. It is worth the care of a sagacious amateur, to trace one by one the various battles that Johnson has won. From the first to his memorable victory over Perrins, each furnishes us with new improvements, not acquired by scholastic attention or a servile imitation of others, but by his own originality of invention.

A panegyric on the mental faculties of a boxer may appear ridiculous to the inconsiderate, but the natural powers of Johnson's mind, uncultivated by education, are very great, and were they polished and enlarged by study, might be directed with success to the attainment of any difficulties. Unlike most other boxers, who seldom attend to rules for their guidance in a combat, till they find themselves on the stage, he regularly forms, long before, a system of conduct most adapted to himself, and contrary to the interest of his enemy ; and to effect this, he calmly balances the respective abilities and tempers of each--a strong proof of judgement, and which his own reflection first suggested to him.

His height is about five feet eight inches and a half, and his weight about thirteen stone six pounds; he has little shew in his cloaths, but strips very large. He is round about the shoulders and breast, and his chief force is centered in the loins, which are remarkably strong. His position seems more calculated for defence than assault : but when the body is strong enough for its support, it is equally capable of both. The face appears to be peculiarly his mark, and his great object is the blinding his adversary, in which he frequently suceeds. He desists a long time in a battle from acting offensively, with this design, that he may be more intimately acquainted with his enemy's manner, and fatigue him.

He avoids the fiercest attacks by the safety of his guard, which protects the body in an uncommon degree, while the arms thrown before cover the head.

His guard consists of his legs placed square, and his arms held in almost a semi-circular direction before his head. His motion is very judicious, he never retreats, but dances round his man with a rapidity, which generally confuses him. He gives the return quicker than any other pugilist, Mendoza excepted, and has confounded many by advancing his open hand immediately before the face of his antagonist : this practice dazzles the fight, and gives an opportunity of planting a blow in the body.

Johnson's grand principle in fighting, is never idly to expose himself to danger, nor hazard any thing which can be obtained with certainty. Acting always upon this principle, he has, at the conclusion of several battles, been in nearly as good condition as at the beginning ; for though assured of conquest when first setting-to, his prudence leads him to protract an engagement, which he perhaps could not speedily terminate, unless he engangered himself : he therefore usually acts on the defensive, and never strikes, but when confident of success. Till his contest with Ryan, he never met a man who had even a chance of beating him. One pugilist may be superior in strength, another in science, and a third may possess more bottom than Johnson, but in him are more fully combined the various requisites that form a complete boxer.

The following anecdote is well known : During the whole time of the battle of Odiham, when Johnson seconded Humphreys, he was abusing Mendoza, and looking him in the face, in order to take away his attention from his adversary ; and even at one critical period of the combat, when Humphreys's loins were exposed, and Mendoza was about striking into his kidneys, a stroke which must have terminated the battle, he stepped in between them and stopped the blow : an action, for which Broughton said, he would, in his time, have been kicked off the stage.--Johnson's character, in private life, is respectable.

PERRINS.
Perrins, only victorious in the part of the country where he lived, for he was never matched in London, the residence of most fighting men, little can be said of him, prior to his contest with Johnson. He won many battles with ease, and thought himself superior to every man in England. This was evident from his advertisment in the public papers, which challenged any boxer to meet him for five hundred guineas.

Perrins is nearly gigantic in height and weight, with force adapted to his form, and admirable activity. An account of the battle between him and Johnson will convey a perfect idea of him. In this engagement strength was opposed to skill, and all the admirers of manhood and science were warmly interested in the decision. When stripped, the difference in nerve between them was wonderful; and Johnson's friends, who, but a short time before, assured themselves of success, trembled for the event.

We may safely declare, there was never so great a disparity in size between the two pugilists matched against each other, and yet the smaller was a large man.

In setting-to, great caution was shewn on both sides, and four minutes elapsed before a blow was even attempted.--Johnson, after baffling his adversary's attack, gave the first blow, and Perrins fell. The three next rounds terminated also in Johnson's favour, who confused his antagonist by dancing round him, and occasionally planting an unexpected blow. Perrins, irritated by this conduct, threw off the caution he shewed in the beginning; followed him with vast resolution, appeared to hold his manoeuvres in contempt, and at last put in a successful blow, that turned the contest in his favour. One of Johnson's eyes was quite closed, and his ribs very much beaten. Johnson therefore fought with more cunning, and, after skilfully parrying a violent attack of Perrins, suddenly darted forward, and struck him a severe blow in the face, which laid his nose entirely open. This was immediately followed by a second, under the left eye, and Perrins was at length so perplexed by rapid movements and unexpected assaults, that he had evidently the worst of the battle in every future round, and the odds, which were once with him, turned at least ten to one on Johnson.

About the tenth round Johnson's strength seemed to decline, for he fell without a blow. Perrins therefore claimed the victory, but on appealing to the umpires, they decided it allowable to fall without a blow, as the articles were not specifically against that conduct.

Perrins, in his turn, lost much of his strength, and attempted to imitate his antagonist's mode of fighting, with which he was completely unacquainted. He fought low, and chopped at Johnson's face, but this effort weakened him still more, while it hurt his opponent but little, who appeared to gain new vigour. Perrins, in aiming several blows, at last fell from weakness, when his adversary dropping at the same time struck him in the face, and afterwards hit him whenever he tried, till a dreadful blow in the centre of his face, which was before very much cut, compelled Perrins to give in.

The battle lasted an hour and fourteen minutes : and fifty thousand pounds, it is thought, were won on the event of it.

RYAN.
This pugilist is manly in his person, and remarkable for his courage, and is thought to be the hardest hitter in England. He fights scientifically, and is well acquainted with the principles of pugilism, to which he has lately indefatigably applied himself. Thought left handed, he is very graceful in his attitudes. Ryan is famous for giving the first knock-down blow, and could he preserve a coolness of temper, might be matched against any boxer in the kingdom.

He spars somewhat in the Mendoza-style, hitting the chopper very frequently. In his disposition and manners, he has a considerable portion of that pleasantry and humour which so often characterise the lower order of the Irish.

In his last battle with Johnson a round took place, which, for game, skill, and vigour in rallying, excells all others in the memory of modern pugilists; it lasted near three minutes, and Johnson fell.

BIG BEN.
Though this pugilist is distinguished by the name of of Big, he has no particular claim to it, for he is not remarkably large, hardly exceeding the size of Johnson. He strikes very straight with both hands, but has not much art in his guard. He is wonderful game, and never permits his adversary to recover himself, but follows him with great valour, till the decision of the round. His blows are uncommonly powerful, and without any particular direction.

He has been unwarrantably represented as an impudent, abusive fellow ; but every person who knows him will acknowledge, that, though not qualified to shine in a drawing-room, he is a well-behaved, obliging man.

TRING.
This pugilist is said to be the best made man in England, and the talents of several artists have been employed in delineating his person. He has not been frequently matched, but his battle with Big Ben will long be remembered, for they both exhibited a bottom which has been rarely seen in any contest. They displayed little art, and fought with such spirit, that Tring was quite blinded, and his antagonist could see but very imperfectly. This however was a great advantage, and Tring was obliged to give in.

WARD.
This combatant has perhaps more claim than any other to public notice ; though he weighs but twelve stone, he has engaged the most powerful fighters with success, and could get backed for sums to a great amount against any pugilist, if permitted to drop. His contest with Johnson, to whom he is inferior in strength and weight, will not be soon forgot: they fought upwards of two hours and an half. The skill shewn by Ward in this battle has never been equalled ; his activity in shifting was astonishing, and he gave strong proofs of judgement in his manoeuvres. Ward is the quickest of all the boxers in hitting and changing ground; his blows are very strong, and cut exceedingly. He does not adhere to rules laid down by others, but invents for himself; and this he has done with such success that he has never been vanquished. Ward is able to beat any one of his own size, and if allowed to fall, would encounter the largest man in the world.

GEORGE THE BREWER.
This boxer, who is upwards of six feet high, fights slowly, but strikes very hard. He knows little of the theory of boxing, but meets his opponent in a manly way, never shifting, but resolutely bearing the severest blows. He generally stands in a low attitude, somewhat like Johnson, who first gave him instructions and brought him into notice. He has made great improvements since his first battle, and the fighting-men hold him in high estimation. His victory over Pickard, the Birmingham-man, gave a signal proof of his undaunted spirit; they stood up to each other, and disdained to practice the manoeuvres of boxing. Here was no falling back to avoid a blow, or running round the stage to wind one another; all was manly, and displayed uncommon courage. Two minutes often elapsed before either of them fell ; though, during that time, many hard blows were given on each side. When either of them did fall, it was by a real knock-down blow. After the most courageous contest ever seen, and which lasted thirty-four minutes, George conquered.