The New York herald., 1868-07-28
TIE OVATION TO JEM WARD.

1t may, perchance, have been that the god that sat
on Mount olympus snd looked down with gratifying
eyes on the games of prowess, feats of wrestling and
great courage that caused the wondrous shouts OF
the multitude below, around the arena,
ON that day when such scenes made up
a national sport, gazed upon more brilliant
scenes than this age OF degenerated stamina,
pluck and science could has developed.
But could the gods that did honor in those classic days
have looked down upon the assemoa ge that gathered
in thousands within the classic limits OF the Old
Bowery theatre last evening to do honor to Jem
Ward, celebrity OF the palmy days of the prize
ring, when men of muscle and courage could only
he heroes mayhap the mantes that graced the shoul
ders of victors in those days might have been de-
posted OH some then present.
''Going to see the old man to-nichtS" "Ain't you
going to the BoweryS' These and similar nerro-
gatories were heard by the passer by from the
lips OF many besides the throng that usually ex-
perience the luxury Of witnessing exhibitions in
the many art of seIrdcfenccn in many parts OF the
city: they went and all went with many fair ladies'
and never were the old goers TO that tempe of The
drama subjected to such squeezing" process, and
the only wonder IL that those there ever succeeded
in passing through the ordeal with constitutions un-
impaired. From pit TO gallery. from boxes TO par
Quet pleasant rallyng cries were heard as the ap-
pang lam became more appalling, and now and
n ycr rnere ne ~ and thousands strained ewes
and dis ended necks only TO he disappointed In not
then seeing the ex-gadiator OF England.
The "bl Of farer was immense. Dancing,
1.-The light drama gymDastic feats. negro minstresy
and variety enter ,ainment greater than more pre-
tentious performances sometimes boast Of, each and
al delighting the apprecative audience until nearly
ten O'Clock, when the ''Crib scene" In "TOm and
jerry introduced the occasion when the man TO
whom the mass desired to do honor appeared. But
there were sturdy men OF muscle sent on the stage
as forerunners. and such men OF iron AZ Luke Welsh
ana John Dwyer. Patsey Sheppard and Mike Coburn
stirred up the enthusiasm that such scientific indi-
yiduas evoke. The stage was astrange sight. From
the smallest representative Of the lighting ele,
ment in the city up through the victors OF
many "mills,r together with the worn out
dghdng men of years ago, on crutches,
ali were there. The proprietor OF rat pit In the
First ward held high social carnival with the sporting
gentleman Of an upper district. Men seen on
'Change In counting rooms and dealing In millions
sat contenfedly In neighborng boxes, looking anx-
iously to the sets to, wondering why good sized
holes not bored through each other by the fire.
moment arrived and Ward appeared In company
with manager Clark. He looked what has
ever held the Championship OF England until
he voluntarily withdrew from the ring.o AZ
he he OF
twenty-five battles and the victor OF twenty In ap
pearance Mr.. Ward would never be taken for O re.
tired prize fighter, that is, by the standard Of to-day
He stands five feet, nine and threcfourths inches
high, and weighs IT'S pounts He Ia well formed,
as Young man. His head y well shaped; his eyes,
which are blue are very expressive and sparkle
battles he has gone through with, and apparently
never was struck. One would stake his existence
that he was bland and suave In his manners--a
gentleman Of the olden s1l,ool. He is well proper
toned, having a deep, vide chest, massive sh0ul-
ders good. strong loina, long and wen developed
arms and surdy built underpinnings, upon which
he moves, for one OF his age, amazingly spry.
The cheers subsidized. and the ripping waves sf
applause like music 1.-THE old mans. heart and the
old mans ears, were lost In the great demand and
the desire to Cobrrn, who had kindly volunteered
TO be Wards oppopsnt I'm the settO. n was Co.
burns first appearance since his western tour
and hts quiet attitude was esDecialy marked. .
whisper might have been heard throughout the
messured their arms and sciencs. b., % TWO rounds
were INDUCED In, and those 90 short duration and
although neither sent their "lefts"' home to the
cheeks Of the other Co5urn found that the skin OF
the best master q his Day hls really perception and
| quckness, with muscle in toe right place. was toe
much, and TO Lat hi with effe ct was the touQhes
| lob he had ever undertaken Amerry rattle few
retired, but TIE crabtng the JcrambIing the jump
inQ the eho1dng and the Cheering as they retired
were almoss enough to elevate the roof from tht
M. Ward handles the gloves ss we'll Al he does m,
brush ana his great science win live as long aud per
haps lonqer than some Ut the landscapes and frui
| pieces ne has brilliaa1y executed, and here and
elsewhere he VIII IN these manly contests, Of which
Inst night was the nr3t Of series, have the oppor
| tunity Of teaching how men az old as NO can b,
younger and statlieY In appearance than the majority
| Of The dlssolute scomps who, calling themselvc
ngnter a 10 y sannns between twenty and thirty
As night sent Ia her lamps, a. the stars twinkle'
less and less ana the gray OF morning could be de
tected the few 4ast the 'ingerers about the Bower
could have heard the strange medley from the lips
coterie vending their way up town.
Jem Ward . Jolly old soul
! He has FOUGHT twenty-five times. say.
! And nsysr got licked did he,
| AMI Laat yaa tue cad yf Mr. Ward testmuu,aL