The morning times., 1895-09-18
Loeb & HirSh,
The CIothicrs. shirtmakcrs. Outfittsrs
9IO-9I2 Est. N. w.
THE FATHER OE PUGILIsM.
John Broughton Was the Originatoro o
the Manly Art of Self-Defense.

! John Broughton Was the Original or o Z
the Manly Art of Self-Defense.
John Broughton, who stood 5feet / inches
and who weighed fourteen stone, has been
termed the Father OF the Truly English Art
of self-DefeDse." He was champion from
| 1740 to 1850, and he was the first to draw
up any definite rules for the regulation
OF the prize fight. His most distinguished
| patron was the distinguished Duke OF
| Cumberland, OF the blood royal, who is said
to have gone direct from Broughton's boxing
booth to CullodeD and to have gone directly
to Broughton's on his return from his own
| great butcheriDg expedition.
1t is recorded that the duke once took
the pygiIist TO the Continent and asked
his opinion of the Grenadier Guards at Ber-
lin; and that the champion expressed his
readiness to fight the whole regiment, one by
| one, IL he were allowed to eat brea kfast
| before each battle. Broughton seems TO
have been a man OF a good deal of common
sense, and to have fought with his brains
as well as with his fists He was unfortu-
nate, because too sanguine, in an encounter
with one Jack Slack, however, and he lost
his popularity and his prestige at one fen
swoop between the eyes. The noble and
right royal duke was his financial hacker
on this occasion. and he is reported TO
have jeered at the fallen champion, whose
defeat cost his royal highness 10000
gUineas.
At BroUghton's amphitheater for boxing,
otherwise called the ''Tuttenham Court
Nursery" the pugilistic encounters took
place upon an uncovered platform in
yard open To the public street. An adyer-
tisement OF this establishment given in
full in old and New London is worth
quoting here in part:
"A lecture on manhood or gymnastic
physiology, wherein the whole theory and
practice of the art of boxing will be fully
explained by various operations on the
animal economy and the principles of
championism, illustrated by proper expert
ments on the solids and fluids of the body,
together with the true method of inyesti-
eating the nature OF the blows, stops, cross
buttOcks, etc, incident Ia conIbatants.
Tie whole leading tn the most successful
method of beating a man deaf, dumb,
lame and blind a fout-note states that
1.-The syllabus or compendium, for the use
of students in athletics, n.an be had of
Professor Broughton in Market lane, where
proper instructions in the art and practice
OF boxing are delivered, without the loss
of eye or limb to the STUDENT
Peter Cunningham preserves the following
extract from the London Daily Advertiser of
December II, 1745:. AT ProughtoD'
amphitheater this day will be tremendous
decison OF manhood between the ce lebrated
champions, James and Smallwood. Note
as this contest is likely to be rendered hor-
rible with blood and bruises all Frenchmen
are desired TO come fortified with a proper
guam tity OF hartshorn.' The price of
general admissions not given, but noblemen
and gentlemen were told that they could
obtain tickets for five shillings, (which
would admit them into part OF the house
appropriated for their better accommoda-
tioD."
Broughton died in 1889, 'eminently re-
spected," and in his eighty fifth year.