The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-14 00:00:00

711 E POLITICAL PRIZE RING.

We congratulate the friends and patrons of the
noble art on the progress which has lately taken
place in the weekly performances at St. Stethen's•
Since the commencement of the Season we have
noticed with satisfaction that when any eminent
leader of the P.P.R. takes a benefit, proccedino
are no longer confined to a little harmless sparring;
on the contrary, gloves have been, by universal
consent, thrown away, and real hard knock-down
b]ows are now the order of the day.
The latest and most interesting fight which we
have to record was for the Championship of St.
Stephen's, with the Belt and a Purse of 5,000 Boys.
" The Nation" stakeholder, and JACK D ENISOI49
better known as " The SPEAKER," referee. The
Belt, as our readers are aware, has been for nearly
two years in the possession of a noted " pug," known
by the sobriquet of " Crafty BEN," who has held it
bravely, against great disadvantages, against all
comers. his principal antagonist is "Exchequer
BILL," or, as he is sometimes affectionately called,
" The People's W ILLIAM." Several fights came off last
year, in which the superior
.strength an l long reach
of the latter proved no match for the skill and
science of th Champion. In these encounters
"Exchequer BILL" would go in at his antagonist,
who usually stood in a careless attitude and kept
his hands down, with one of those tremendous
rushes which has made his name so celebrated in
the annals of the P. P. R. BEN, however, al ffaye
came again to the scratch, and though, per-
haps, not hitting quite straight from the shoulder,
and with less strength than his opponent, he rarely
failed to plant his blow in the right place, and seat
poor BILL staggering into the arms of his discom-
fited backers. It must be confessed these last did
not do their duty, but whether he failed to inspire
his seconds with confidence, or whether they were
jealous or too intent upon taking care of their own
interest in the large sums which were at stake, Is
doubtful. The result however was that at one moment
when victory seemed sure if he could only rally,
and when support was urgently needed, his friends
spoilt all the hopes of their party by pouring down
his throat a mixture concocted in the Tea Roonaci
Since then the party have got their money on, an
it is reported that no less than twenty fighting men
have a real personal interest in the success of their
brother pug, who, it is said, is in the highest spirits,
and feels sure of winning. " Crafty BEN," on the)
other hand, is somewhat stale, the result of over-
training, and not so firm on his pins as last year'
His friends still hold on to him, though the exuber-
ant confidence which hailed each telling blow itit
last year's fight has given way to a feeling 03,
while strength without science may be remedied'
science without strength must lose in the long rug
i.it
in other words, that 265 from 330 leave 65. 1.
was under these conditions that last week was re"
newed

The Great Fight for the Championship.
As is usual on these occasions, not only 41"
knowing ones, but the whole public, had the till'
and long before the appointed hour St. Stephed6
was crowded with supporters of the P.P.R. 3,13111
Peers were present incog., and at least one Bishco
whilst the hedges were crowded with such an 35‘1
semblage of the fair sex as a presentiment of real
fighting and blood tobe drawn never fails to attract;
After the preliminaries had been disposed of,
Champion threw down his hat and stepPche
forth amid the cheers of his backers, and t°
fight began. " Crafty BEN" at once placed 111;
self in an attitude of self-defence, sparring Wil:r
for a long time, and going continually °76
the same ground, but without " opening." To
spectators, who have been lately accustomed
quick give-and-take fighting, with much fon;
began to weary of the position of defence so lc%
maintained by BEN. One or two feints prodtl°o
some nasty left-handers from "Exchequer 1311'1"a
who presently breaking in on his gu3rA
went at his man with much spirit•
ce
rapid succession of counters then took 1:1!3ilt:
" 'The People's WILLIAM" hitting hard and stroto,
and the Champion looking fatigued and crest-0,100
They finally closed—both down. Here there red
some interference, and the next round was defer.oto
till Thursday, when "Exchequer BILL" step Pea 1. d
the ring with some resolution. Some sParr i
blood for BILL. During the interval between t
1 ot
i of
followed, in which the Champion got worsted. vo
1,1:5
the rounds some merry mills took place among 13
,"
friends, in which " The Brummagem nshts of
JEMMY FERGUSON, and a host of the minor lir,
the P.P.R., took part. An unlucky parson ilbej,
ing to pass by was then fallen foul of an ,t 9.
and a violent scrimmage took place over the bt o
om
One SINCLAIR AITOUN, a Scotch pug, had go _f
fi
of some of it, and, in spite of the endeavoar.s.utv
friends, refusA to give it up. A free gl%o Dis
ensued, and the Champion was appealed to Lo1 his
influence to stop the row and restore orde!...it
lay
he naturally refused to do, urging that the
with the backers of his opponent, who u_d,oa
right to rob the parson ; that lie and his free
urged thew. not to do so, and that they 'Logi/to sneli
the row themselves. This irritated the .13.13z.t what
a fury, that, after considering for a mom asked
foul blow he could most safely deliver, herreceivil
BEN and kicked him violently on the shin, foooir
to
in return such a " stinger" as it is s
greateldee "
~
necessary to give, and, amidst the
fusion, the Ring was broken up.—Otd•