This celebrated pugilist is referred to by Dr. Brysom in a poem he published :—

"Long live the great Figg, by the prize-fighting swains

Sole monarch acknowledged of Marylebone plains."

Indeed, Figg was denominated "The Champion of England," and Captain Godfrey, in his "Science of Defence," states him the greatest master of the art he had ever seen. He also called him the "Atlas of the Sword," and said that "he united strength, resolution, and unparalleled judgment." In his "Boarded House," Figg did not confine the amusements to his own person, though he frequently exhibited his prowess, but he made it the resort of all the most celebrated masters and mistresses of the art, for in those days the "noble art of self-defence" was not confined to the male sex, as in Guest's Journal of Nov. 20, 1725, we read the following:

"We hear that the gentlemen of Ireland have been long picking out an Hibernian heroine to match Mrs. Stokes, the bold and famous city championess. There is now one arrived in London, who by her make and stature seems likely enough to eat her up. However, Mrs. Stokes being true English blood (and remembering some of the late reflections that were cast upon her husband by some of the country folk) is resolved to see out 'vi et armis.' This being likely to prove a notable and diverting entertainment, it is not at all doubted but that there will be abundance of gentlemen crowding to Mr. Figg's ampitheatre to see this uncommon performance."

Bear-bating, tiger-bating, and bull-fights were also among the exciting exhibitions prepared by Figg for his patrons. Hogarth, in the second plate of his Rake's Progress, has introduced a portrait of this popular character.

On his death in 1734, Broughton occupied his place, and in announcing a trial of skill between two prizefighters, he adds as a tempting bait, “that the beauty of the sword shall be vigorously displayed, and that

there shall be no bandage nor any wound dressed till the battle is over." It was legal in those days to fight with swords as well as with fists. Rowland Best, who frequently fought at Broughton's, generally in his challenges made it his boast "that the ever-memorable Timothy Buck fell by his unfortunate hand." Broughton was at last defeated on his own stage. The announcement of the coming combat is thus advertised in the Daily Advertiser of Nov. 17, 1749.

"PRIZE FIGHTING.-The battle between Mr. John Broughton and Mr. John Slack will be decided at the Amphitheatre in the Oxford Road to-morrow, the 11th instant, exactly at 11 o'clock.

"Note. By desire of several noblemen and gentlemen, tickets for the erected galleries will be delivered out at Mr. Broughton's house in the Haymarket.

"As Mr. Broughton some time since took leave of the stage, it may not be improper to acquaint the public that nothing but an insult, which to prove unresented would highly impeach his manhood, would ever have provoked him again to enter the lists; but he flatters himself it will only furnish him with an opportunity to add one more wreath to that trophy which, during the space of twentyfour years, he has been raising by an uninterrupted course of victories; and he henceforth hopes he will meet with the indulgence of the old Roman Champion, and be at liberty with him to say, Hic victor cæstus artemque repono."

The battle was fought, and Broughton-the-Bruiser met his master. Slack, the butcher, was victor, and carried off £600. The betting was enormous, many of the amateur visitors being persons of high rank.

It was very usual for professional pugilists to give and receive challenges through the public press, as the two following advertisements from the Daily Advertiser will show

"PUGILISM.-At Broughton's New Amphitheatre, Oxford Road, the back of the late Mr. Figgs's, on Wednesday next, the 13th instant, will be exhibited an experimental lecture on Manhood by Hawkesley and Bonwell, professors of athletics.

"My behaviour in a late combat with Mr. Smallwood, notwithstanding my inexperience at the time in the art of Boxing, having given a favourable opinion of my prowess, and being ambitious to give a further demonstration of it, do now invite Mr. Benjamin Bonwell to a trial of his abilities, and doubt not, in spite of his jawbreaking talents, to give him so manly a reception as to convince the spectators that I do not despair of one day arriving at a Broughtonian excellence in this science; nay, perhaps of obliging that all-conquering hero himself to submit his laurels and resign the boasted Hic Victor in his motto to

"Nov. 6, 1745.

"HAWKESLEY."

In reply to this challenge thus thrown out, the opponent named returns the following advertisement, as inscribed in the same paper :

“PUGILISM.—I shall do my endeavour to convince my antagonist that though ambition may excite him to the attempt, yet great abilities are necessary to ensure him success in his arduous undertaking, and I believe I shall stop the Progress of this aspiring upstart in his imaginary race of glory, and totally expel all thoughts of laurels, mottoes, &c., out of his head, by the strength of the arm of, Gentlemen, your old combatant,

"Nov. 7, 1745.

"BEN. BONWELL."

The result of the encounter is not made known, though no doubt it could be found in "Boxiana. We conclude our notice of the "Ring" with the following announcement, copied verbatim from the Daily Advertiser of December 7, 1745. The price for admission "to see the fight" was announced at 5s. each person :

66 AUT CESAR, AUT NULlus.

"At Broughton's Amphitheatre, this day, the 7th inst., there will be a tremendous decision of manhood between the celebrated champions JAMES and SMALLWOOD. The various proofs these heroes have given of their superior skill in manual combat having justly made them delicia pugnacis generis, and being too ambitious to admit of rivalship in the lists of fame, are determined by death or victory to decide their pretensions to the palm. As not only their whole fortunes, but what is far, far more dear to their hearts, their whole

glory is at stake, it is not doubted that the utmost efforts of art and nature will be exhibited in this encounter, and thereby the dignity of this heroic science be vindicated from the scandal it has suffered from some late unequal contests, occasioned by the unmanly attempts of vain pretenders who are totally unqualified for such arduous undertakings.

"N.B. As this contest is likely to be rendered horrible with blood and bruises, all Frenchmen are desired to come fortified with a proper supply of smelling salts; and it is to be hoped that the ladies of Hockley-in-the-Hole who should happen to be pregnant will absent themselves on this occasion, lest the terror of the spectacle should unhappily occasion the loss of some young champion to posterity.

"Noblemen and gentlemen are desired to send for tickets to Mr. Broughton's, the Haymarket, which will admit to the lower part of the house, set apart for their better accommodation.”

Shortly after this date the public exhibition of prize fighting was forbidden by Act of Parliament, and their booths were pulled down, houses and shops being erected on their sites.

CHATTERTON, THE POET.

"The late unfortunate Chatterton was amusing himself one day, in company with a friend, by reading the epitaphs in Pancras Churchyard. He was sunk so deep in thought as he walked on, that not perceiving an open grave in his way fresh dug, he tumbled into it. His companion, observing his situation, ran to his assistance, and as he helped him out, told him in a jocular maner, he was happy in assisting at the resurrection of genius. Poor Chatterton smiled, and taking his friend by the arm, replied, 'My dear friend, I feel the sting of a speedy dissolution. I have been at war with the grave some time, and find it not so easy to

vanquish as I imagined; we can find an asylum from every creditor but that.'

"In three days afterwards the neglected and disconsolate youth committed suicide by poison."-London Chronicle, October 9, 1787.

BALLOONS.

"Count Zambercari and Admiral Vernon made an aërial trip from the cheap bread warehouse in Tottenham Court Road to a ploughed field about three miles beyond Kingsfield, near Horsham, in Sussex, distant from London thirty-five miles, which they sailed in less than an hour. This seems to have been the most hazardous voyage made up to this time."—Gentleman's Magazine, March, 1785.

"PARACHUTE DESCENT.

"Mons. Garnerini, from North Audley Street, descended in a parachute in a field at the back of St. Pancras Church, September 21, 1802."

“NARRATIVE OF THE AERIAL VOYAGE OF MR. ROSSITER AND HIS COMPANION IN THE BALLOON OF THE LATE MR. HARRIS.

"At twenty minutes past five o'clock we took our seats in the car from the Bedford Arms. Having cleared the obstructions which at first retarded our ascent and threatened us with considerable danger, we rose rapidly but steadily, in a north-easterly direction.