A PEACEFUL MEDITATION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 859, 4 July 1910, Page 5

A PEACEFUL MEDITATION.

THE "BRUISERS OF ENGLAND." AND OLDER PUGILISTS. [Bx "Nox."] Although I am a peaceful man by disposition 1 havo derived much quiet entertainment from reading the daily reports of the preparations and prognostications in regard to the approaching boxing match for tho world's championship, of which, such is the curious infirmity of my nature, 1 could possibly not endure to see the second round. What pleases me beyond anything is the peculiar chivalry of the American people, which causes them to view this contest in the exalted aspect of an inter-racial arbitrament, and leaves them free to warn t'ho "nigger" of a short shrift and a painful if ho dares to prove Die better man. ' What L like next is the pleased familiarity of Johnson with tho fact that he is an object of contempt and hatred to tho loftyminded people who will como to seo him fight, and the rich, smiling joy which lie will feel, unil recklessly exhibit, at every proof of virtue ivhich is likely to increase their detestation. I know that I should be incapable, myself, of such a cheerful superiority to—possibly armedopinion. Proparations x and Omens. Wc havo heard abnnt the match beforehand in abounding and delightful detail. Wo know for what enormous euni

tho moving-picturo rights havo been sold, and that should ensure a spectaclo of at least a dozen rounds. We are even told that tho result has been pre-arranged, and, although I cannot believe it for my own part—l have more faith in Johnson as a hater—no one in America seems to havo expressed surprise at such a statement. Certainly wo havo been told, again and again, that this fight which is being fought to-day will bo tho greatest fight in history, and some say it will bo the last. All "that one hears of the preparations and of the feelings and behaviour of tho rival factions goes to bear out tho impression of the extraordinary significance of this conflict. We are told by all tho champions who ever were in tho past—now present on tho spot—that Jeffries (or Johnson) cannot fail to win, because of qualities never before united in one man. We are told Ivy the man in tho street that Johnson (or Jeffries) has an invincible punch, and his right arm (or left) is put in the balance or under the "X" rays to leave no doubt about tho fact. Wo are shown every bone and sinew of Johnson's body, placed side, by side with the corresponding bone_ and sinew of Jeffries; we know more about their rival anatomies than we shall ever know about our own. If tho man in tho street took one quarter as much interest in politics, how tlva Government would tremble!

Camps and Prayers. But we are most impressed by the tales we hear of the contrasting almospheres of the rival camps, recalling cherished legends of tho eves of Hastings, Bannoekburn, and Agincourt. About .Trffries's camp there is a severe air of great determination, while Johnson's quarters havo a light opera atmosphere—banjos twanging all the time, roulette tables busy, and the negro's gold teeth flashing in one continuous smile. In many of the African Methodist churches in the States prayers have been offered "for the success of our coloured brother." Prayers for the strengthening of Johnson's punch muy appear irreverent and rather ludicrous, but wc do not smile when Kipling pray* "Lord of 'our' far-Hung battleline.' And yet, why "ours"? It is curious lo think, moreover, that Johnson is the coloured David of those overawed, despised .black people—David waiting to meet Ihe strong and hateful Philistines' Goliath, this time with his own weapons—and the block folks' prayers. Prayers aro an assistance, even in the worst of causes, in proportion as they give confidence. It was the army (hat had prayed all night which won at Agincourt, although the French, it seems to me, had all tho merits of that quarrel. Tho praying army won at Hastings and at Bannoekburn, and if battles have occurred in which the prayerful side was worsted they have been so few that history has not troubled to record Humii.

Tho Oldest Boxing Match. Probably tho oldest description of a boxing match is given by Homer. It is interesting to note how such affairs were managed in his day. Provision was made, as now, for' a division of stakes. When Atrides organised a match of "buffets, that rough game," as part of the funeral games for falroclus, he ordained " a mule, patient of toil," as the victor's prize, and a "round cup" lor the vanquished. The challenger, Epeus, had a good many of the characteristics of Johnson. "A tall, hugo man, that to tho nail knew that rude sport of hand," he is called in Chapman's version. Witness, also his braggadocio beforo the event:— •

"This I say And will perform this: who stands forth, I'll burst him, I will bray His bones as in a mortar. Fetch surgeons enow to take His corse from under me.-This speech did all men silent make. And for thoso who draw omens from boasting it is of interest to note that Epeus was equal to his word. Old Homer gives us a most detailed account of the and he tells us that Tydides was Epeus's second, who "prepared" him, "heartened him and taught him tricks." Eurynlus was the rival champion, and he was "knocked out" in tho first round, but wo are not told how long the round lasted. Thero was undoubtedly what the sporting writers now call "a ding-dong go." Fists against fists rose, and they joined, rattling of jaws was there, Gnashing of tenth, and heavy blowß dashed blood over everywhere. At length Epeus spied clear way, rushed in, and such a blow Dravo underneath the other's ear that his neat limbs did strow The knocked earth— And, in fact, his friends had to carry him from tho ring. But the sportin* writer of to-day wonld find his occupation gono if ho should bridge excitin" gaps with an "at length." A Trojan Combat." Virgil describes a similar sot-to with leaded gloves, the gauntlets of one cham-pion-Eryx-bcing so heavily weighted that the other—bullying Dares-refused to hglit on such conditions. Eryx tells him that these gloves-'ponderous engines tho translator calls them—aro a mero trifle to what used to be seen in the ring, but changes them for lighter ones. Did not Burns and Johnson havo a similar dispute? Tho mild Virgil has described this fight with a good deal of spirit. Before, behind, the blows aro dealt- _ around Their hollow sides tho rattling thumps resound. A storm of strokes, well meant, with fury flies, And errs about their temples, cars, and eyes. Nor always errs; for oft the gauntlet draws A sweeping stroke along, tho crackling jaws. The referee has to stop this fight to prevent the bully being killed. As it is: His mouth and nostrils poured a purple flood, And pounded teeth came rushing with his blood. In fact, he was scarcely able to walk off. He had not even the consolation of a portion of the stake, for "with his foe tho palm and ox remain." It pleases me to think that these quotations will probably havo the effect of sending many of our youth and also older peoplo to the classics. "The Bruisers of England." We are not told of any bolting in connection with these fights, and thero is not a hint of "pulling." Boxing was then a clean sport, and while it can bo kept so, and racial and other feuds do not exacerbate a rivalry, which should be only pure and manly, I havo no quarrel witli it, so long as I may stay away. I remember the admiration which Borrow, described by his friend Watts-Dunton as a good man, and a most winsome and most charming companion, had for tho old prize-fighters. "Let no one sneer at the bruisers of England," ho declares. "What were the gladiators of Eonic, or tho bullfighters of Spain, in its palmiest days, compared to England's bruisers? Pity that ever corruption should havo crept iii amongst thorn, but of that I wish not to talk; let us still hope that a spark of tlm old religion, of which they were tho priests, still fingers in tho breasts of Englishmen." Ho recalls Cribb, tho i.hampion of England, "with his hugo, massive figure, and face wonderfully like that of a lion"; Teucer Belcher, "the most scientific pugilist that over entered n. ring, only wanting srYength to be, I won't say what"; " grim, snva,<ro She!ton, who has a civil w,ord for nobody, and a hard blow for anybody— hard! ono blow, given with tho proper play of his athletic arm, will unsenso a giant''; refers to "the terrible Randall," Ned Turner, and "dozens moro, all tremendous in their way." They have all gone into the night. It was "follows with dark sallow faces and sharp, shining eyes," who, according to Borrow, "planted rottenness in tho core of pugilism"—the "bookmakers" of that sport and of that day.