Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-10-25
To give our readers some idea Of

To give our readers some idea of
the "Sports Of the Ring" praeiised
amongst the rough, hardy British ISL
anders, we publish the following de-
scription of the champions at the great
prize fight lately fought in Oxford Co.,
England. Such contests would seem
more BETTING the days oft the Heptar-
chy than the present refined age. Eng
lish character is something like Wig
orous old crab-apple tree-cultivate
and engraft il as you will, the root and
trunk is still crab-apple. The bowie
knife sometimes glimmers in the mines;
but for deliberate, systematic ferocity,
we have nothing to match an English
prize-6gnt. If row occurs once in
while in the west, at an election, or a
horse race, and few eyes and noses
get torn from their proprietors, there is
anger, at least, to excuse such devilish
ferocities. Men here do not maui each
other blind in cold blood.
"At twenty minutes after three the
men entered the ring; Caunt was the
first to make his appearance, attended
by Molyneux (the Black and Jem
Turner, as his seconds; Ben Butler
(Caunt's uncle) having charge Of the
bottles. He was loudly cheered, and
was in high spirits. Bendigo, attend
ed by Nick Ward and Jack Hannah,
Jem Ward and Jem Burn, next arri-
we'd, and the most deafening shouts
proved the extent of his popularity,
while the Nottingham 'roughs, flourish
ing their sticks, and surrounding the
ropes and stakes, evinced a spirit Of
partisanship very unusual.
On stripping, the contrast between
the men was extraordinary. Caunt, as
compared with Bcndigo, presented a
gigantic aspect, while his huge limbs,
divcstcd Of their customary covering Of
flesh, had most singular appearance.
His ribs were as palpable as those Of a
greyhound, and his long arms, thighs,
and legs, covered only with well pro-
portioned muscles and sinews, gave
him the appearance of perfect condi-
ton. His face, too, had a most extra
ordinary expression, as he said himself,
offering plenty of bony substance for
Bendigo TO crack his knuckles on
His hair was cut remarkably short, and
his ambient scars standing forth unds-
guised. gave character to his mug far
removed from the poets description
of Adonis. Still his eyes were bright,
and there was an expression Of good
humor in his lank and pale phiz, that
showed perfect self-possession and in
ternal confidence. His weight but lit.
tie exceeded Ia stone, and his height
rendered more striking from the dimi-
mutton of his bulk, was exactly six feet
two inches aud a halt. Bendigo offer.
81 AN aspect much more agreeable; his
complication was clear and fresh-color.
ed. while his frame generally showed
perfect health; his weight, we were
informed, was l stone 10 pounds. His
grey eyes were bright and sparkling
and his manner eccentric, but conf
dent. There is n natural restlessness
about him, which was by no means di-
minished on the occasion, and he had
evidently made up his mind, by every
dodge of which that he was master, tc
steal upon his opponent, and TO escape
from the effects of his feariu! ply sica
superiority. lie saw that he was nu'
merously supported by his friends, and
il was clear that he was by no mean:
dismayed at the fearful odds in height
and length to which he was about to bt
opposed. On his side were ranged
Jem Waid and Jem Burn. while Tom
Spring stood alone the counsel OF Caunt
a duty which he performed with mod
est firmness. although his objections
were overuled, and his head more thar
once in danger of a collision with tn,
nottingham twigs.
Revolutionary .2necdofe.-A ven