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

THE 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. Stephen'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, proceedinks
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
blows 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 sous.
" The Nation" stakeholder, and JACK DENISON,
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, agailist great disadvantages, against all
corners. His principal antagonist is "Exchequer
BILL," Or, as he is sometimes affectionately called,
" The People's W ILLIA11." Several fights came off last
year, in which the superior strength an I locg reach
of the latter proved no match for the skill and
science of the 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 iu
the annals of the P. P. R. BEN, however, al Hays
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 sent
poor BILL staggering into the arms of his discouv
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 ho 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 Itooni•
Since then the party have got their money on, anci
it is reported that no less than twenty fighting well
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 tile
other hand, is somewhat stale, the result of over-
training, and not so firm on his pins as last year'
Ilis friends still hold on to him, though the exuber-
ant confidence which hailed each telling bloW
last year's fight has given way to a feeling tha;
while strength without science may be rernedient
science without strength must lose iu the long run ;
in other words, that 265 from 330 leave 65. It
was under these conditions that last week was rc-
newed

The Great Fight for the Championship.
As is usual on these occasions, not only the
knowing ones, but the whole public, had the 97'
and long before the appointed hour St. Stephell'l
was crowded with supporters of the P.P.R. MuliJ
Peers were present incog., and at least one Biall°1"9
whilst the hedges were crowded with such an 39-1
semblage of the fair sex as a presentiment of rc°
fighting and bloodtobe drawn never fails to attract;
After the preliminaries had been disposed of, tba
Champion threw down his hat and steppe 0
forth amid the cheers of his backers, and fig
fight began. "Crafty BEN" at once placed 111 T,
self in an attitude of self-defence, sparring live
for a long time, and going continually over
the same ground, but without " opening.'' to
spectators, who have been lately accustomed.
quick give-and-take fighting, with much fouling;
began to weary of the position of defence so 1°35
maintained by BEN. One or two feints produce,'
some nasty left-handers from "Exchequer 1311'1a
who presently breaking in on his g°.
A
went at his man with much spirit•
co,
rapid succession of counters then took Pl.3ll't,
" The People's WILLIAM" hitting hard and stralieo,
and the Champion looking fatigued and crest-Nwoo
They finally closed—both down. Here there
rea
some interference, and the next round was defer.oto
till Thursday, when "Exchequer BILL" steppedfrip—
the ring with some resolution. Some SPaFirst
followed, in which the Champion got worsted. of
blood for BILL. During the interval between tvli,ili
the rounds some merry mills took place among 13.1.0,0
friends, in which " The Brummagem I't of
JEMMY FERGUSON, and a host of the minor lig" 00,
the P.P.R., took part. Au unlucky parson 110,
ing to pass by was then fallen foul of awl ro
coot.
and a violent scrimmage took place over the b bop
One SINCLAIR AY foUN, a Scotch pug, hail got 110
of some of it, and, in spite of the "
endeavo.arst then
friends, refused to give it up. A free figh_se 1).0
ensued, and the Champion was appealed to io
influence to stop the row and restore ordecr•
tilt id
he naturally refused to do, urging that the
with the backers of his opponent, :who,"ds pa
right to rob the parson ; that he and his frL.I'L otoP
urged them not to do so, and that they nnguto socat
the row themselves. This irritatedtbe 13.13.4 .0.10
a fury, that, after considering for a hello
foul blow he could most safely deliver, he TtleScPeipia,
BEN and kicked him violently on the. shin. fotlea,
in return such a "
necessa, y to give, and, amidst the great;
fusion, tho king was broken up.—Owis
stinger" as it is selcle.T., con