New Britain herald., 1915-04-10
OF THE
 CIRCLE"
l V3QabOndS" Never Achieved ITD llOa to Be a Boxer.


 d come, some in magnificent bs bearing the trademark of ility; thousands or others in
 and conveyances of all sorts pwn, thousands more on horse d on foot. The taverns and were packed solidly with per-
 shouting, gesticulating
 and the supply or liquid re- nts was consumed early in the vng North Walsham as arid Sahara.
 day advanced the crowd de- be village streets and gathered, nense concourse of 10000
 about a. ring pitched in an Id. Tn this arena, under the sun. two of the greatest gladi-
 England were to do battle for of succession to the title soon i'd down by old Tom Cribb, the sere and yellow leaf, and onger to defend the honors he ieved in many pitched battle
 naked fists.
 $ Oliver, the great battler of hamshire, who had abandoned eeful occupation of a gardener lis fortunes as Druiser, and inter, the Boniface of Anchor Lobster Lane, Norwich, were batants. Painter, after hav- lated Tom Spring and thus mself the real champion of had married a Quaker and settled down as a tavern
 He had promised his father never to fight again, but an
 challenge from Oliver'S
 so aroused his ire that now him again pulling off his shirt Ing his old enemy.
 but fierce was that contest n the open field. beneath the
 sun. Hammering away at her with fists like fails. now v the other, gained the advan- #hile the great crowd roared. was apparent, however, that
 
 fifth round he landed a blow nrcE that sent Olivers down, to arise. Wild cheers greeted victory, and his friends # him away on their shoulders. bliver recovered he became the of taunts and jeers. and some
 loudly that he had sold the Tt was not rue, for poor had wagered every cent he d on the result, lost his public #Knd was forced to take a $ job as keeper of skittle #Painter returned to his Nor vern. and this time he kept his # to his Quaker bride, and never # again. Poor Oliver took part ral battles after that, but was defeated. . r' vanted to Be a Bruiser.
 e crowd of spectators at that not one was more enthusias- interested than a lad of seven- ao had contrived to gain a
 place near the ring, where he Observe every move and every # the gladiators. The bout was hature of birthday celebration
 youngster, for he was seven n the very day that Painter %hed over Oliver. George Henry was the name of this lad, and then a. student at Norwich lar school. Hg Borrow's parents proposed to
 solicitor of him. and after 3rticled him for a firm of legal ries, but from tha tday George
 nursed the ambition to be-
 bruiser. He did become an blished amateur boxer, and al- he never realized his desire to
 professional pugilist, he was Belong friend and companion srs.
 $ae course of years Borrow ed the title of King of the Naga-
 He wandered gypsy wise over #d, Spain and Portugal, often <with the gypsies, and never
 a chance to see prize fight.
 died in 1881, leaving behind \ a, heritage some of the greatest # dealing with travel, romance ziventure ever written. "Laven- #'The Romany Rye" and "The now rank as classics and N is classed with Cervantes, land LeSage. Rough he witnessed many battles # prize ring, Borrow never forgot contest between Painter and \ and his description of that in "Lavengro' is the classic of ize ring. Tn his latter years the of the Vagabonds' lamented 2bssing of the old heroes of Brn and the coming of the com &tl era of the ring in language eserves to be repeated:
 lave known the time" wrote this eh defender of British bruisers, a pugilistic encounter between #pted champions was almost con- d in the light of a national affair, tens of thousands Of individuals $hnd low. meditated and brooded 5 it, the first thing in the morning he last thing at night, until the event was decided.
 Corruption Creeps in. ilgilism was then at it's height Aonsequently near it's decline, fol 9ption had ycrept, into the ring how many things, states. sects g the rest, owe their decline tc pause? But1what bold ant bus aspect pugilism wore at tha