The Sun.
London, England, 1836-07-14 00:00:00

BRENTFORD PETTY SESSIONS

Tuesday, immediately on the magistrates taking their
seats they were informed by the Rev. Dr. Walmesley, Rec-
tor of Hanwell and one of the bench, that he had just re-
ceived information of one of those disgraceful exhibitions
called a prize fight being upon the point of taking place at
Greenford, between two men named Brown and Smith, but
better known as the " Sprig of Myrtle" and " The Chelsea
Doctor," for 251. aside, and he crlled upon them to use
their endeavours to prevent its taking place. After a short
consultation Mr. Pownall determined upon proceeding to
the spot, and requesting Inspector Marquard, of the T.
division, to accompany him, immediately ordered a post-
chaise, in which they in a few minutes started for Green-
ford. On arriving at that place, they found the parties
had assembled at the Hare and Hounds public-house at
Northolt, some distance further on, from whence they had
proceeded to a field belonging to a farmer named Simmonds
between that place and Harrow, in which the ring had been
formed ; when , Mr. Pownall and the inspector arrived just
at the finish of the first round. They immediately jumped
out of the chaise, but so intent were the assembled
multitude on the appearance of the men that
the worthy magistrate entered the inner-ring be-
was recognised, but upon his being so, the scene
which ensued beggars description. The combatants,
seconds, bottleholders, backers, &c., fled in all directions,
followed by the vehicles with which the ground was
crowded, the anxiety to escape being so great that several
gigs, &c., were driven through the hedge (the gate being
completely blocked up), by which several accidents were
occasioned. Having cleared the field, the worthy magis-
trate proceeded in pursuit of them to the Crown, at Northolt,
where the greater number of the vehicles had drawn
up, when he determined on stopping to watch their move-
ments. After the lapse of near an hour and a half, Mr.
Pownall received information that the head-quarters of the
party were at the White Hart Inn, West End, near
Ruislip, whither he immediately proceeded. On his arrival
there the principal promoters of the fight endeavoured to
persuade the worthy magistrate to allow it to proceed ; but
Mr. Pownall having expressed his determination, at every
risk, to prevent the disgraceful exhibition taking place
within his jurisdiction, Tom Oliver, " the Commissary,"
pledged himself immediately to remove the men out of the
county of Middlesex ; on which he desisted from following
them further.
The word was then given for Moulsey Hurst, whither
the assemblage accordingly proceeded, and where, not being
interrupted by the Surrey Magistrates, the fight took place.
It lasted one hour and fifty-two minutes, and when the palm
of victory was awarded to the Chelsea Doctor, both men
were so dreadfully beaten as to be unable to leave the ring.
Application was then made to the landlords of several
licensed houses in the neighbourhood to receive them ; but
we are happy to say, so great has the distaste for these
brutal exhibitions become that they refused doing so. They
were consequently placed in two carts, and conveyed, Brown
to the place where he had been in training, at Brentford
and Smith to the Caroline Arms, at Shepherd's Bush,
where they still remained (yesterday) in a very dreadfu
state, very little hopes being entertained of their surviving