Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-03-29
a Vlsit % Eeennn,. Trnining Gronnd.


The London Field of February 10, contains an ar.
tcle under the head of IAN Evening with HEENAN' .
After detailing the circumstances under which the
writer and the American met, the narrative pro-
ceeds:
Perceiving that l very nearly knew where to
draw for him. he invited me to visit his castle'
did so next day. and found it to correspond exactly
with his description viz: "A fortified farm within
high wall of flint and clay, like the squares on
| chess board" No bell was the gate, nor was it
needful to blow horn did Jack the Giant Killer
/ to gain admission "Once upon time" My giants
gate was not fastened. l pushed it aside and on
walking across what was once a lawn, the house
door was thrown open to me by one Of his friends,
a well-edueated and welEspoken New Yorker. The
party consisted Of three, the gentleman aforesaid
the Benecia BOy (abOut four feet across the ehest)
and his trainer, a small man, who walked though
he could never tire. / was curious, but hope not
Extensively so, asked many questions and was an
/ swered most cOurteOusly. They had found the
place by accident, and chose it for its loneliness.
The house itself is worth seeing the Old porch,
with a massive stone seat on each side, the four
steps to the keepng-rOOm, and the various descents
to its enormous cellars bespoke it Of ancient date,
and accustomed to good cheer. 1t was built before
the days of strikes > and documents" for the
walls are of immense thickness, and have doubtless
heard many funny story from the glorious race OF
monks of old. 1t stands within hearing of peal of
cathedral bells, and is supposed to be cOeval with
the sacred edifice. The aFChROlOgists have found
amusement in the neighborhoOd and many an Old
buck has raised antiquities almost within gunshot Of
Heenan's isolated home. Collins and spears OF an
cient date, and unknown fabrics, have there been
lifted from their beds of flint, and flint abOunds at
the foot of the breezy DOWNS on which the athletic
States man delIghteth him to walk. From the win
dows of his refuge, which l fancy was in former
days the dairy farm of the jolly inmates of the
neghbOring cOisters, this well-conducted gladiator
pointed out to me the range Of hills on which he
takes his early mornings walk From the other
side of the hoHse he showed me the gentle flowing
river wherefrom the speckled trout were taken to
deck the tables of the refectOry. On either side
Of the stream, and far as the eye could reach,
stretched meadows, on which many herd of kline,
aye, and perhaps the abbots mule had g-azed.
All these the open hearted fellow seemed fond Of
dwelling on; and he finished his lecture by saying:
Yours is fine country, but do you ever have any
fine weather." He next initiated me in few of |
the arts and sciences connected with athletic eXer
cises q" Now" quoth he You have seen the play |
ground, allow me to show you the school," Not |
learned in pugilistc lore the sight Of his gymnasium
was to me an interesting novelty. A large barn. re-
pete with every luxury appropriated to the art of
sedefense-hat Is the term used by It's professors TO
soften down the more rough word boxing was l
the shool TO which he conducted me. The articles |
of furniture bore but little resemblance to anything
had seen at GilOw's or DOwnbigglns but they |
were such as being constantly used, would strength
the frame, expand the lungs, give liberty to the
man so active and healthy that he could endure
ceSsive exertOn without showing fatigue. One bay
of the barn was full OF agricultural implements,
the other was the " Boys play-rOOm wet day"
There he had weights and pulleys to get him into |
wind he had no boat to pull to get him into water
although he sat at his work do the gentlemen |
who start from Putney there he had swinging |
sack to practice at. and fancy he was engaging the
renowned Tom Sayers; there he had some very
pretty clubs, which he called his dumb-beIs, Of |
about the same size one imagines that Of Hercules
to have been when he tanned the NemRan hon. With
these toys he played as would a small boy with
battledOre.
Welded to his kind invitation to handle his play
things; but after a very few circumyOlutOns my
feeble arm dit not seem to care about it, pied non
outlines to a knowledge of the ways and means Of
training a human being; but should imagine that
few weeks practice with the sort Of tool have at
tempted todelineate would give a man such pre-
paration that Observer would describe him as be
ing fit to run for a mans life My afternoons
lounge did not terminate with the lesson on the
dumb-bes: for | was invited to take u second peep
at his parlOr aud test the quality of his Bohea.
A fair white cloth bedecked his massive oak table
even that item bore no trace of being tOwn-made;
and in the absence of a bison, grGssted fed sup
piled a dish most palatable to with appe
tite The meal was soon discussed, and we had
chat about things the water, or what he called
home This aspirant to fstic hOnOrs is no litter
ate visitor; and, if may be allowed to venture
opinion after seeing his quiet and decent demeanOr,
must Weld to the notion thatif he be not too much
of a gentleman for the work he has set himself he
will achieve it. His age is 25 ho therefore, has
decided advantage in point Of youth, He has also
length Of arms to serve him and only requires that
to render him most formidable