Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-22

not without its merits and although we regret ana oe
test these brutal exhbitions-when as exhblt'onea
merely-our duty as chroniclers OF passing eve
compss us to make public, what otherwise we snsud
bury in oblivion Among the ancents, these specta-
cles were FREQUENT and cherished by the government
of the people ndulgng in tem and II is yet doubtful
whether they do not in some degree tend TO dement,
the community at large There is feeling OF coar-
age-of proud manly self-dependence, accompanying
the champions of the ring, that otherwise would not
be elected The manly stand-up fight IS surely lar
preferable to the insdious knlte-the rufiiany gang
system-or the cowardly and brutal practice OIL ltng
kicking or gougng, so prevalent. The ancient
Romans conquered and civilized halfthe world and 1t
is TO them is owing the gadiaoral speclaces OF the
prize ring-modifcd by modern CIVILIZATION, out YET
retaining sufficient of its origin to pouruay the man
ners and habits Of the people among whom II has Ia
ken root.
The British people are particularly fond OF TINS
exhibition, and there some good consequences at
tending it, The street bro hasty quarrel is de-
prved of half its erocity Three or four or more DO
not fall xpon and beat a single individual. None but
gangs of ruffians can commit such deeds. The SIN
Gle man when struck down by his opponent is per-
mitted rise and put himself as were IN something
like equilibrium with his opponent Stamping upon
man when down-biting kicking and other such cou-
eous displays are entirely exploded, and when the
party combating cries hold, enough" no bowie
knife enters his vas or proves the superior courage
of his opponent, by depriving him of existence.
With all its disadv antages, therefore, and demo-
Raising tendency as contended and perhaps truly,
so il may be doubted whether the spirit emanadng
from it, among the lower classes, may not be produc-
tive of benefit. The knockdown blow is surely pre-
tn Tho opan
taking of human life. Quitting these loose refec-
tons let us give account of the fight ITSELF
At9 o'clock the steamboat left the ferry, (Catha-
rne street, with about three hundred passengers, and
those of very select kind owing principally perhaps
to the high price demanded for tickets-$3, which
speedily rose to four and five dollars and even at that
price could not be procured. The destination was
Harris Island where the passengers were landed and
the preliminary measures to the set-to adopted.
twenty -four feet ring according TO the articles of
agreement was formed and an out one to preserve
any interruption to the pugstic efforts of the comba-
tants. The ring being completed and the seconds
proclamlng call ready" the two champions made
their appearance o. Cornell as the challenger threw
his hat first in the ring, which was quickly answered
bv Burke; the men then peeled for the battle.
On stripping, the great disparity hetweeA the two
men was apparent. Burke presented an iron frame,
in which all superhuous flesh seemed excluded. His
broad and extended chest his outward turned knees,
that take eff from beauty to add so much to muscu
lar oc yer his muscular and well knit lower limbs
left no doubt on the minds of the spectators that
common skill OF bodily strength would be sufficient
| TO overpower or vanqush the possessor. OConnell
stripped to greater advantage than expected. His
upper frame large and muscular, but it wants
pactness and tension. His snews.hang loose, and
his frame is far from being we'll banded together. In
| his lower conformation this defect is still more
striking; tins is his weak point and must ever inca
| pactate him from becoming redoubtable compe,-
tor in the prize ring.
All ready, being proclaimed by the respective Sc
conds, (Abm. vanderzec and Alexander Hamilton
officiating for OConnell and Hatfield and Summer
dyke for Deaf Burke the opponents previously shak
ing hands, put themselves in attitude for the Onset
Round l. The men came up, each equally conf
1 dent. Some sparrlng took place which only tend
| ed to show in a more striking point the disparity
of the pueiliss. The quick eye of Burke Immediately
discovered that he had the game in his hands, and he
accordingly forbore any active exernon, threw his
| body Open which o Council Immediately caught at
and implanted two heavy blows,-one Immediately
beneath the ribs and the second the IONS Of his
adversary Burke received this infection without the
slightest variation Of muscle or feature-and IN re.
4 turn put forth feeler, cleft handy which dropped
| O'Connell at his full length.
Some of Burke's friends cheered-this was instant
ly stopped by the umpres, who requested that let the
fight terminate how might ebullition OF the feel
ngs Of either party Should be suffered AXE place.
AL upon this appeal, were Immediately silent
Round 2.-Boih men were equally confident
O'Connell smiled, much 10 say-I stoop 10 con-
quer. Burke made pay-O' Council struck well
meant left handed compliment TO Burke's knowledge
box which was pretiily stopped Burke returned
with his right, in part outstanding his strength the
blow told slightly on OConnell's bread baskets
wrcstle-O Cennell down.
First blood was here claimed by each party. Ths
umpres decided that both spoued the claret stimuli.
taneously-thus deciding all wsgers on this mat.
ter.
! Ronnd 3. Burke appeared broodng mischief
OConncll struck random blow and lost his guard
when Burke Immediately put in his tremendous righ
handed blow which, taxing effect under the ear Of
O'Connell, floored him as II struck by lightning.
Round A. Time being called, OConnel courage
ousy rose to the scratch but had scarcely left his
second knee, when he fell through weakness.
The fight was here claimed by the friends Of Burkt
the umpires, however, decided no, lost" and tn,
fifth round commenced.
Round s. OConnell tried a new mode, and wen
boldly into his man. He succeeded in planting
pretty severe body blow on Burke closed for thu
Yrese but was thrown-siphtlv however.