The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-10 00:00:00

THE TOM SAYERS' ANNUITY FUND.

The subscriptions forwarded to us for the ex-
champion, in token of the estimation in which he is
held by the public generally for the indomitable
courage displayed in his last pugilistic encounter,
were on Tuesday last handed over to us by the
gentlemen who have kindly consented to act as
trustees for Tom in the matter, and lay out the
money to the best advantage for Sayers during his
lifetime, and his children after him. The money,
which amounts to the extraordinary sum of £2,814,
will be so secured that it cannot be touched by Tom's
creditors, should he be so imprudent as to get him-
self involved, neither will Tom himself be able to
assign away or anticipate his income. It is, more-
over, expressly provided that in the event of his
again entering the ring the trustees shall at once
devote the whole amount to the interests of his
children, so that it will be seen all future challenges
will be utterly useless, hud at this no one will
rejoice more than we do ourselves. Tom Sayers,
by his exploits in the P.R., even had the " Great
International Prize Fight," so called, been omitted, ,
had already done quite enough for glory without
seeking further honours in a field better left to
younger and fresher men than himself. Such a
collection raised and forwarded to one journal for
such an object, is without parallel in the history
of the press. The Times, during the Crimean war,
received upwards of £20,000 for our brave but suf-
fering soldiers ; and not two years ago the same
journal, after its appeal for the Field-lane and other
refuges, raised something like £B,OOO. One of these
subscriptions was for a neglected and decimated
army, the other for the succou r of the most wretchedly
destitute of our fellow-creatures in this metropolis.
The present case, however, is widely different. The
£2,814 represents the voluntary offerings of all
classes of society—from the peer to the journey-
man baker, and even the costermonger—to one
individual, and he a member of the Prize Ring !
No stronger proof we think could have been
exhibited by our countrymen at home and abroad,
for scarcely one of our widedly-scattered colonies
has not sent its contribution—of their appreciation
of all that is manly and enduring, than the above
munificent subscription; and as this is probably the
last time that we shall have to allude to what was

termed the international mill, some slight recapitu-
lation of the points which earned for Sayers this
testimonial may not be out of place. Here was a
man past the prime of life, not less than five inches
shorter, and a stone and a half lighter than his
gigantic opponent that opponent having won
the toss, took, as he was doubtless entitled to do,
the higher ground, and for more than half the time
the contest lasted maintained the defensive in his
own corner, so that Tom had to go to him and
fight up-hill, thereby giving away at least another
two inches. Tom lost the use of his right arm
almost at the commencement of the battle, and yet
continued to face his man with most unflinching
bravery for upwards of two hours ; and, moreover,
with his one hand, to inflict such punishment as
none but the very gamest of the game would have
taken without crying " a go." As to what the
result might have been had not the ring been
broken in when the police arrived, and when the
American was endeavouriug to strangle Tom on
the ropes, it is useless now to speculate. Our
own opinion has been freely given more than
once, and that it may go forth to the world once
again, and for the last time, we here beg to repeat
it ; it is that, had the ring not been broken in at
the time it was, and the referee forced from his
position, he must have awarded the battle to Tom,
as in the very round when the disturbance occurred
Sayers twice reached the ground with his kneesn
while held by the neck, and was on eaeh occasolo,,
deliberately lifted off again and held by his opPon 'II
most
the
seen
place, .
referee. Had this strangling ntoettl
mind of
the
haveeach obfewenhicsho acts was dehlaibderiattebleyenfoul,
nandby
there is not the most remote doubt
or three liter
rounds toe
nutatenry
any just and impartial man that
the subject we have
darkness. In taking leaveofnceand pluck displayed
only to say that the science
not only gratified
by Tom Sayers on this o t
rounds must have
treidnuctehde therig
men but would have
the vanity of his countrymen,
fallen fortunes of the
done more to restore
less
Ring, had Tom's . fortunate compeers chosen to
htYawn
avail themselves of
eventtimes.
of modern Unfortunately, however,
this has not been the case, and occurrences have
taken place since which, if the members of the
p.R. do not stick together, will cause the Ring to
be numbered amongst the customs of the past, and
render such an exhibition of pluck, endurance, and
science as the fight at Farnborough an impossibility.
This mill was freely discussed, not only in all the
circles of this country, but all over the Continent of
Europe, and it was obvious, from remarks that have
come to our ears, that it was everywhere felt that
so long as such proofs of iron will, endurance, and
coolness were exhibited by British boxers there
was little chance of the decadence of those quali-
ties which have for centuries rendered us the envy
and the admiration of other nations Bell's Lffe.

---
The Treasury have decided, says the Army and
Navy Gazt tie, to issue the Delhi and Lucknow prize-money
according to the Crimean scale, instead of on the Indian
scale, as was expected. The decision create dis-
content.