The Helena independent., 1891-06-29

knockout blow into pugilism? Where did
he get that blow if he did not conceive it in
his big brain, just as Raphael conceived the
picture of the Madonna? Didn't he shape
that idea out of immaterial and unsubstan
tial thought and then use his big, substan-
would do the most good? l guess he did.
Mr. Mackaye, take little elixir and quick
en- your intellect. What'll ye have?''
The question was gaining in interest.
The walters were attracted and stood
around in listless attitudes. While Mr..
nectar to his lips MIR. Henry E: Dixey, who
had just returned from boston, said in his
lazy Mark Twain drawl:
''In my humble opinion the pugilist
ranks with the butcher or the surgeon. If
they are artists he is one. Certainly it
cannot be denied that the pugilist is a deco
rative artist. The man who comes out of a
fistic encounter with a bloody nose, two
black eyes and his skull punched into the
shape of Chinese pagoda must have a high
regard for the artistic ability of his antag-
onist. No; pugilism, in my opinion. is
about on par with suicide and murder. l
enjoy boxing for points, and l make de-
clded distinction between boxing and fight
ing. There isn't anything artistic to me
in the spectacle of man whose vitality has
been pounded out of him and who is in the
give-my chewing gum-to. my sister condi-
ton, and who is urged to go for him again,
Billy Considering pugilism as an art it is
interesting to see the English genus of the
species in his native land. He wears a tip
pet around his neck and his hat on one side.
He talks from his fifth rib. If big CUR
wants to witness little mill he sends for
MuRgins, and the big gun looks him over
like buyer would size up Berkshire hog.
Then he says, Mug, me boy; want you to
and get yourself in shape In America,
the human animal shakes the hands of
aldermen and senators and drinks over the
same bar with them on terms of perfect
equality. These men may be artists. but
can't see it. Do squint2'
MIR. Billy Edwards thinks that pugilist
ls an artist, and progressive one at that
He calls attention to the progress made in
the art, as he terms it, during the past thir-
tv years. There was time, he says, when
endurance was the only thing that counted
in the ring. Now it was a question of q
few blows delivered in the right place.
These places, ne said, were the point of the
chin, the carotid artery, the heart and the
stomach. Pugilism was an art, in Billy's
opinion. which consisted in hitting your op-
ponent as often as you could and avoiding
punishment yourself.
"What were your eyes and your hands
given you for" he continued. IF not TO
protect you in the manly art of self de-
fensel And where does the expression
manly art spring from If not in the popu-
lar appreciation of pugilism as an art?'
Frank Stevenson, who has acted as a ref
cree in more fights than any man in New
York city, expressed a strong affirmative
opinion. Mr.. Stevenson hns both expert
ence and judgment. He refereed the Jack
McAuliffs-Jem Carney dispute at Revere
Beach, near Boston. When the disputing
artists had arrived ut Il critical stage i'll the
performance Mr.. Stevenson dis osrning eve
saw several lovers of art Mt tho ring side
elevating bottles and lifting 44-calibres in
an artistic and threatening manner. He
very wisely decided that neither artist had
demonstrated his superiority over the other,
and rendered quick decision to that eff
feet. As he elegantly expresses it, II think
saved my topnot bv that decision" In
effect Mr.. Stevenson's opinion is that a
pu2ilist of the first order is an impression
ist of the highest ability. He produces col
ors OF tho brightest vermilion tint and scat
ters them around with the most reckless
profusion. One of Slavin's or suIlivan's
stuashes produces verv striking effect.
1T usually raises Jumps, swelled oars. and in
terferes seriously with nasal cartilage. His
canvas becomes cove e5ed with blacks, blues
and redB, bestowed with large and liberal
hands. There could be no question of the
proficiency of a pugilist aR an artist.
Mr.. Paddy Green, who acts as artistic
compounder of Bowery cocktails and Hester
street lemonades for Steve Brodic, said:
What Is artist, anywnyT'
Hes man rs paints pictures. you silly"
said u byatander.
WELL" said Paddy. II mover heard that
John l.. could paint pictures. ! know he
cnn break 'em. But III bet no can unjont
Slavin's nose wild his left while Pm swslly-
in u whisky sour"
Mr. Patsy Doody summed up the question