The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-02 00:00:00

at his hotel, and, with mai-mac co,?siderably softened,

said he was ready 'to pay to Byrne the fifty potinds
already aided to. Sp►ing'said that Byrne was not
yet arrived; upon which, at the suggestion of a
gentleman present, it was agreed that the money-
should be paid to Spring, on Byrne's account, on the
understanding that if Byrne persisted in his claim to
forfeit, and d d not fight, that it should be returned.

The money ling -then been placed in Spring's
hands, the Captain and his friends retired.

In a short time afterwards, a post-chaise arrived
from Birmingham, bringing Byrne and Reynolds,
who were joyously received. It seems they had

walked the greater part of the way from Daventry
to Birmingham, which they reached at eleven o'clock

at night, and slept at the Black Horse, from whence
they took their departure for Wolverhampton at an
early hour.

A short explanation was then given of what had
taken place, when Reynolds persisted that Byrne's

. -
claim of forfeit was well grounded ; but added, that
his man should fight, provided his claim should be
taken into consideration, if he lost the fight, before
the stakes were given up. Both he and Byrne were
anxious that the public should not be disappointed;
hut still they thought they were fairly entitled to
the honourable consideration of the objection which

they bad made. It was now clear that a tight was
inevitable, and Byrne cheerfully commenced prepa-
. _ _ . . .

rations, by having his hair cut, and preparing 'his
shoes and drawers. For his own part, he said,
he had much rather get the money by a fair
fight than any blunder of his antagonist. This sen-
timent was warmly applauded, and the simultaneous_
bustle of departure among the still doubting cs,wd,
which had been collected from all quarters of the
country, evinced the strong interest which-had beeß
_ .

felt on the subject. Coaches, post-chaises, flys, cars;

and every description of vehicle, were in univer_sal
requisition, and the roads leading to Bishop's Wood,
presented the customary scene of confusion; eques,
trians, pedestrians, and charioteers, all vied with

each other to reach the appointed spot with the ut-
most speed. The throng, notwithstanding the doubts
which kept so many at a distance, was immense;
and the warmth of the day and the wretched state
of the roads, rendered the journey doubly harrassing.
There was yet, however, much of mortification, la-
bour, and vexation, to endure. On reaching Bishop's
Wood, where the stage was completed, and the ring
formed, it was discovered, that the Magistrate, Mr.
Monckton, was pertinacious in his opposition to the
amusements of the Fancy in his jurisdiction. The
necessity of a move, in consequence, became indis-
pensable; and directions for conveying the stage
forthwith to the field of a gentleman named Jones,
in the parish of Tong, in the adjoining county of
Shropshire, were forthwith given. This was a
distance of about three miles, and the celerity
with which the work was performed was cer-
tainly highly creditable to the parties engaged.
The stage in fact had been judiciously framed,
so as to be screwed together aid taken down at
pleasure, each portion being regularly numbered,
and the rails covered with canvass and stuffed
with straw, so as to prevent accident from collision.
Before one o'clock the new ground had been
occupied, the stage again completed, and all in
readiness for action ; the outer ring, formed of an
immense number of carriages and waggons, and the
assemblage of pedestrians almost countless. All
were now on the tip-toe of expectation for the ar-
rival of the men. The weather was favourable, and
although rain had fallen heavily elsewhere, the sun
was oppressively hot.
While the carpenters were giving the finishing
touch to their labours, a new cause of inquietude
arose. 'I he Rev. Mr. Bridgeman, the Clergyman
of Tong, hearing of the compliment intended for
his parish, set out in search of it Magistrate to
prevent it, and at the important hour of one arrived
with a Mr. Cameron on horseback. These gentle-
men having entered the outer ring, were soon re•
cognized, and met with no welcome reception.
They were bent, however, on their object, and
after some difficulty reached the stage, which
with equal difficulty they mounted. Shouts of

mour, and approaching the stage, he sat upon the
rail to prepate for action. Sampson first mounted
the stage ; his countenance looked anything but
pleasant, and formed a perfect contrast to the comic
character of that of his antagonist's. Having shaken
hands, both stripped, when the tine muscular, as
well as symmetrical, form of Byrne excited general
admiration. He stood about live feet nine inches in
height, and his weight about' 13st. 31b. Sampson
looked well in health, and was said never to have
been in better condition—he was, however, thin,
and weighed but twelve stone. His height was
five feet ten inches and a half, so that he had the
advantage in height, but his "pipe stopper shanks"
and puny arms were low in the scale of strength,
when compared with the substantial understanding
and well•fleshed shoulders of the Irishman. Indeed
Pat and his countrymen had reason to be proud of
the superiority of his manufacture, and must have
made the Brums blush, notwithstanding the well-
known celebrity of their handy-works. Byrne
sported, as usual, his emerald fogle, while
Sampson displayed the crimson. The seconds
and bottle-holders, for Sampson, were Harry
Holt and Young Dutch Sam ; and those for
Byrne, Tom Spring and Tom Reynolds.—
The umpires having been chosen, an Irish gentle-
man for Byrne, and an English gentleman for Samp-
son, they each named a referee, but neither agreeing
to the choice—a toss took place, which was won by
Byrne, who named a Mr. 'White, of Bridgnorth, no
relative to Sampson's backer. Every thing being
the►► adjusted, all retired from the stage, excepting
the men and their seconds and bottle-holders. The
umpires and referee took their station on a space
outside of the rails. The outer-ring at this time
. was admirable, and the multitude, notwithstanding
their numbers, preserved their stations with great
regularity—the front ranks kneeling and sitting.
IThe odds at this moment were six to four on Satnp-
son, ar,d.Byrne himself took two bets of 30 to 20
and .15 to 10, which were staked. A.t twenty-one
minutes and a half after seven o'clock hostilities
commenced.

THE FIGHT.
Round 1. On coming to the scratch Byrne had a pleas-
ant smile on his countenance, and looked all confidence.
Sampson looked serious ; and after shaking hands,
both threw themselves into position. The attitudes of
both good. Sampson's hands low, but ready for a spring.
Byrne made one or two feints with his left to draw his
man ; but Sampson was steady, and well on his guard.
A long pause—Byrne evidently waiting for Sampson
to commence; Sampson drew] himself up for the pur-
pose, but was cautious, and Byrne stepped back. At last
Byrne hit left and right, but was stopped. Sampson
now came in winding himself up for mischief—crept in
with his toe—Byrne steadily waited fur him, till he at
length broke ground to him. Byrne stopped him beauti-
fully, and, getting to in-fighting, gave him a nasty one on
the nose with his right, and then broke away.—(Shouts
of applause, and ci ies of " Well done, Byrne ;" and in a
second after the claret was seen trickling from Sampson's
nose—cries of " First blood ;" and the event was acknow-
ledged.)—Sanapson looked surprised, but returned to his
position, Byrne popped in his left slightly.—(Another
shout.)—Byrne then walked away, but again going to his
man, they stood as if both were ready to hit, but after some
time Byrne dropped his hands and walked away laughing.
This he did several times, while Sampson stood in tl:e
middle of the stage ; his intention was evidently to
annoy his antagonist, and Sampson's countenance
showed displeasure. Sampson again wound him-
self up for mischief, but just as he was about
to make play, Byrne again stepped back, laughed,
and exclaimed, " It's not so asy, my boy—wait till I'm
agreeable." This he repeated two or three times, and
walked round his man. Sampson became impatient, till
at last Byrne made his stand as firm as a rock—his person
well up, his eye fixed, and his arms ready for attack or
defence. At last Sampson let loose left and right, and was
beautifully stopped, and Byrne, as quick as lightning,
while in, delivered a terrific hit with his right under Samp-
son's eye, which laid his cheek open ; Sampson staggered
hack, when Byrne hit up with his left, but missed.
Sampson slipped down. On getting to his second's knee,
his left eye was nearly closed, and his cheek bled pro-
fusely. This round lasted fourteen minutes. The asto-
nishment which was produced by this round was immense,
and the odds instantly veered round on Byrne-5 to 4,
being offered, but mot taken.

2. Sampson came up steady. Byrne smiled, and met
indignation now burst from all quarters.—
" Throw them over !" " Knock out their him on his guard. Sampson crept in, as if to hit with
his right, but Byrne seemed aware of his inter).
brains !" " Smother them !" were among
the gentle hints given by the incensed multitude, and don, and kept his left well up. They stood in this
way for some time, when Byrne, pursuing his tantaliz-
in an instant the stage was covered by hundreds,
in
sy stepd back and exclaimed, on't be
who seemed perfectly willing to make these worthy ing
a hurry !stem," Again pe
to the scratch—Sampson" closing on
individuals repent their temerity—in fact, violence
Byrne ;
e Byrnei retreatin to the corner of the stage. At
was committed ou their persons. The Rev. Mr.
List
eettlaitaitsolnvlaes.
Bridgeman, who is remarkable for a deficiency of thing
he teasing.despersttewouldplacedleadto conviction
be done , but when ex
nose, was deprived of his spectacles, the skirt of his at its highest, Byrne hit out with his 11:on
ft, Sampson
coat, aud, we heard, his watch, while he was re- stepped back, and Byrne got to the middle of the stage.—
peatedly struck, and at last escaped with no small Again did they approach for action, and after a long
difficulty from greater violence. Mr. Cameron was pause, Sampson afraid to commence, Byrne hit out des..
treated with equal roughness, and both having been perately right and left, but was beautifully stopped, and
unceremoniously tumbled off the stage, were glad to Sampson stepped back. Sampson approached to hit
escape with whole bones. They ultimately retired Byrne, but he gradually retreated to the corner, when
hitting out with his right, Sampson stopped the blow,
iii dismay, leaving a message for Mr. Jones, the owner
but Byrne got from the corner. In the next come-
of the field, that if he permitted the fight to take place together, Sampson hit out with his right, but found
on his premises, it would be at his own peril. his opponent ready, and was stopped. Byrne now
During this bustle, and amidst great exultations, walked round him, and laughed at him. After ma-
Sampson, in a carriage and six, under the auspices nceuvring for some time together, Sampson let go his
of Captain White ; and Byrne, in a chaise and pair, left, but was stopped prettily, and Byrne countered
accompanied by Spring and Reynolds, approached slightly. Sampson again tried to hit, but was stop.
the ground. The " office" was of course given of ped right and left. Byrne then stepped up to return,
what had occurred, and off they went at a spanking but Sampson jumped away; some pretty general-
pace to the borough of Allbrighton, about four miles ship followed, in which Sampson showed most anxiety to
distant, in the same county, where they came to a go to work, but Byrne stepped back when he liked, and
halt at the Harp Inn, each party being accommodated increased his aggravation, while the spectators became
more impatient for something decisive. At last Byrne, as
with separate apartments.
if inclined to show play, planted himself firmly on his
A consultation took place on what was to be done pins, and waited for his man. Sampson crept up as be-
when it being discovered that Allbrighton was an fore, gradually getting within reach ; Byrne did net flinch
independent borough, not subject to the jurisdiction a hair's-breadth, waiting steadily for the attack; it came
—Sampson let fly right and left; Byrne was prepared,
trate who had power was at Ludlow races, it was
of the County Magistrate, and that the only Magis-
stopped both hits, and returned with equal rapidity,
at once resolved that the stage should be removed catching Sampson another nasty one on the nose (more
thither. Notice to this effect was sent to the par-
blood). A rally followed, when Sampson had it on the
ties in charge of the stage at Tong, but it was not jßawrnfreohmadßYrnde's righit.; SamdpsosJetreated stopping, but
till three o'clock that it was distinctly understood. the. body' ma us
un,sasmin ge., cltewdn, anN vdhfiebnbeßds
rhnimefeinll
The scene of confusion which followed beggars de- hea,ilvon hiin.— (More shoutsmg
scription. All got on the move at once, -lid rushed one offered, but no takers. )—This round lasted thirteen
towards the road leading in the new direc- minutes.
tion. The hedges were borne down by 3. Byrne, on coining up, shewed a slight flush on his
horse arid foot, as well as by carriages, and cheek, as if it had been slightly bit ; but it soon disap-
innumerable casualties occurred, although none, pearerl. The manoeuvres of the former round were re-
we believe, of a serious nature. The village .of All-
peated—Sampson making himself up for mischief, and
brighton was, of course, taken by storm—every pub- Byrne walking away, or drawing back just as he was go-
lie-house was crowded to excess, and we believe
ing to let loose. Sampson stopped a well-intended left-
handed hit. At length they again came to business.
there was not a morsel of food or a drop to drink,
which was not greedily purchrsed by the famishing Sampson crept up as usual—Byrne steady, and waiting for
stopped.
Byrne Sattnhptsnonf
Illeteeldlyright and left, and was
visitors. Horses and men alike shared in the hard- the
trim to the corner, pep-
ships of the day, and alike were exposed to painful poredspi right and left,. and threw' him, falling heavily upon
privations and fatigue. him. Sampson got up open-mouthed. This round lasted
The workmen, who had but just completed their ten minutes, and Byrne had not a mark.
task, were again for the second time forced to de- 4. Byrne, pursuing his aggravating'system of drawing and
stroy their labours, and with a promptness and acti- retreating—(" Don't be in a hurry, my boy !" he exclaim-
vity scarcely conceivable, transported the timber in ed.)—Sampson stopped his right in good style—(" Well
d waggons to the new scene of action—a meadow at done, Sampson.")--Byrne planted his right well
the back of Allbrighton. Here, from the admirable on the old cut on the cheek, and pepped his left en
manner in which they had made their arrangements, Sampson's right eye.—(Byrne laughing—Sampson
they arrived at five o'clQck. A new ring was anything but in a merry mood.)—Sampson kit over.
witht his left, and - caught it on the nob in the
formed, and by seven o'clock the structure once
sayingcoun eri.ie
would take
vkvalikiesd
iround
Sampsonhis man, laughing, and
more assumed its intended form. The platform,standingrneut
his
leftthe
four feet from the ground, was composed of three- middle of the st'agte' lookingt la'te.hint.
inch deals, arid was placed on a strong frame. Upon arm, after Ned Ne'al's fashion, and asked hint if haepre'rni em
this double rails, forming a square of twenty-four bered the barber's pole. Sampson made no reply, but
feet, were erected ; a space of nearly three feet looked sulky. The spectators were again impatient, and
being left without the rails—so as, in the event of cries of "go to work" were heard from all quarters, with
either of the men being thrown over, their fall to sundry hisses. On coaling to close quarters, Byrne planted
the ground might be prevented. The whole was I his right in' good style on the now-closed eye, and again
completed in the most masterly manner; and all
walked round his man. "Don't be in a hurry, my boy
~
(he exicflaimed), you kept me dancing about all day to place
being in readiness, the ring was beaten out, while
yourself, now you must wait to plase, me."—(Laughter.)
the waggons arid carriages around were covered
blond
acmin) a,ii-i,ree,clohis leftr o‘verThSeampson s right eye, drawing
with spectators. Upon a moderate computation, I from the now,,y.ou you're equal in the
there could not have been less than ten thousand eyes," said he; corner. "There
neglected Rreeynold s advice to rush in
persons present. 1 as Sampson's eye was full of blood, and he put up his
A messenger was then despatched to the men, to hand to wipe it away. A stream of blood now flowed
apprise them that the arena was ready to receive on both sides of Sampson's face. Byrne again played
them. They were soon brought to the ground in round him, and laughed. "Go to work, Sampson,"
their respective carriages—Sampson under the quid-
cried his partisans, who were now very noisy. "Be asy
now,' erred Byrne, " don't let us make a toil of a plea-
ance of Captain White, and Byrne accompanied by
sure." Byrne now put in a right-handed facer, but has!
Spring and Reynolds, and a few friends. it in the mouth in return from apretty count lit
Cr- 11 .—_
On entering the outer ring each was loudly Shouts C
( ,or Sam —and
right
tyarnned laughed—theleft,
aal blow "rviars
cheered ; Byrne wore the Scotch bonnet, by which slight.)_—Sam —ada
he was distinguished when he entered the ring to stopping and hittingope which followed on gototh away. The
were
fight Jem Ward, and which he also wore in both his good, but no mischief was done.—(Odds 10 to 2on
Scotch fights; he looked the picture of good hu- 13yrne.)—Goo1 counters beautifully stopped, and Sampson