The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-08
PRIZE FIGHTING.

This brutal amusement, it seems, (says the
~ " Com. Advertser) is still enjoyed in En-
gland, and has its host of admirers among the
'higher circles" Severe laws have been enacted
to prevent but fashion is stronger than law.
Prize fights still take place, and their disgusting
details are infinitely recorded in the newspapers.
For example the following, from one Of the most
respectable London Journals.
''On Tuesday morning last there was numer-
Gus meeting OF persons at place called the Six
Mile Bottom, within seven or eight miles OF
Cambridge and six Of Newmarket, 10 witness a
prize fight which took place between the ceiebra-
ted Cornish giant Caunt, and another powerful
pugalist, who goes by the nomme de guere of
Brassy. As il was understood by the people in
the neighborhood that the contest was either for
the championship, or that the conqueror was
open afterwards to try for it, the affair assumed
superior interest 1.-THE giant" stands about six
feet three inches, and is nearly Is stones weight.
The Norwich man is about six feet high, and
weighs about IL l2 stone. Both the men show
ed extraordinary courage and wonderful power
Of endurance. The punishment was terrific on
both sides but especially that which the Cornish
hero received about his head and face. The great
majority of the rounds went off in the slipping
down of the Norwich man, who was by far the
more cunning fighter of the two, and he mana
ged to hit up at his adversary's face almost on
every occasion as he went down, putting up his
knees TO prevent the wrestler from falling on him.
First blood was drawn from Caunt's right eye in
the third round The first knock down blow was
given by Caunt in the fifth, when he hit his man
on the ear and dropped him like shot" On
one occasion, towards the middle of the fight,
when the hopes of the Norwichers were in the
ascendant, their champion sent his gigantic oppo-
nent clean out of the ring by well planted left
handler under his right ear. Shortly after this,
however, fortune deserted him, and until the end
he fought courageous but unavailable battle
The superior weight and condition Of Caunt
told in the long run, and Brassys seconds gave
in for him, after a contest which lasted nearly
two hours and about a hundred rounds AL
though the morning was constantly and severely
wet, there could not have deem less than between
one and two thousand persons on the ground.
The great majority were either mounted, or in
carriages postchaises, and gigs. There were
some fashionable drags from London via New
market--this being race week-and some half
dozen cantab four-in hands, and tandems 1t
was expected that the magistrates OF the neigh
borhood would have interfered but it seems that
not only the place of rendezvous but all notice Of
the fight itself was kept profound secret from
all who were likely TO give the authorities inor-
nation. Spring, Oliver, Ward, and most OF
the remaining heroes Of the old p. c. were pre-
sent, as well as some of their noble patrons in
cog. Russian Count of distinction seemed
highly delighted with the exhibition, and il is
said, has won some thousands by the MATCH
The combatants themselves had some hundreds
al stake.