Chapter IV: John Gully—1805‒1808

When Hen. Pearce, compelled by severe bodily illness to retire from the fistic arena, seceded from the position of champion, John Gully was looked to by common consent as his successor. He was one of those who achieve a high fame by defeat, and we have Pearce’s own recorded opinion that he was the best man he had ever fought with. Gully’s ambition was of a high order; like Jackson, second and third-rate pugilists were beneath his aim, and spurning the better and safer mode of acquiring greatness step by step, his daring spirit made the essay of

“Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself,
And falls o’ the other side.”

Yet here he showed an exception to the approved rule, for, by at once attacking the justly renowned Game Chicken, though he fell, he rose indisputably a greater man, from the excellent qualities he displayed on this bold but unsuccessful attempt. Gully convinced the sporting world that he was able to contend with honour, and even with a considerable chance of success, with the supposed invincibility of that eminent pugilist, whose generosity of disposition would not permit him to quit his vanquished adversary without complimenting him upon his uncommon bravery and fortitude.

In these two years (1805, 1806), Gully does not seem to have publicly desired the title of champion, which was rather conceded to him. In September, 1807, by an incidental passage in the daily papers, it would seem he was so considered. On the 5th of that month (September), Horton beat George Cribb (brother of Tom the after champion) and offered to fight either Gully “for the championship,” or Tom Cribb for fifty guineas, but both declined.

JOHN GULLY, ESQ., M.R.

_From a Miniature by_ HUDSON, 1815.
]

Gully, by the science and game he displayed, had become a distinguished favourite with the Fancy in general. His knowledge of the art of boxing was considered complete, and his courage an able second to his judgment. His supporters were numerous, and his fame stood so high, that upwards of two years elapsed, from the time of his battle with the Chicken, October 8, 1805, before any one had the temerity to call on him to defend his title to the championship. At length he entered the lists with the formidable and burly Bob Gregson, a boxer, who had been picked out by some of his friends in Lancashire, as likely to lower the crest of the champion. Gregson’s size was considerably in his favour, he being nearly six feet two inches high, of prodigious strength, and had signalised himself in several pugilistic contests in that part of the country; but, notwithstanding such striking advantages, his pretensions were considered on the score of strength rather than of science. Gregson’s game was unquestionable, and the amateurs wishing to see him enter the lists with so distinguished a boxer as Gully, a subscription was immediately entered into for that purpose.

On the 14th October, 1807, the contest took place in a valley, called Six Mile Bottom, on the Newmarket Road, on the spot where, in later days, the writer witnessed the defeat of Jemmy Massey, of Manchester, and Edwards, of Cheltenham. For miles round this part of the country the bustle commenced at an early hour, groups of people thronging from every direction, to witness the battle. Between nine and ten Gully and Gregson entered the ring, both in excellent spirits and good condition. The former was seconded by Cribb, Cropley acting as bottle holder. Richmond was Gregson’s mentor, and Harry Lee was his bottle holder. Bill Warr and John Jackson were also in the ring; “lest,” says the report, “occasion might demand their services.” On setting-to the odds were six to four in favour of Gully.

The combatants shook hands and bowed to the spectators, as if at a sparring benefit; and at a few minutes after ten o’clock, threw themselves into position for

THE FIGHT.[98]

Round 1.—The combatants fixed each other with a
steady eye; a pause; some excellent sparring.
Gully put in a well-aimed blow in his opponent’s
face. Gregson returned on the side of the head.
They closed and both fell.

2.—Gully now appeared conscious of his
opponent’s strength, was very careful, and
showed some excellent science; he put in another
severe hit in Gregson’s face, blood ran
profusely, and Gregson fell. (Odds rose 100 to
20 on Gully.)

6.—In every round some excellent hits were
exchanged, and no advantage could be claimed.

7.—After some neat sparring, Gregson broke
through his adversary’s guard, and put in a
straight forward blow on his right eye. This
drew blood; the eye swelled and nearly closed;
Gully fell and lay quite stunned for three
seconds. Among Gully’s friends the greatest
anxiety remained for some moments, and the odds
fell five to one.

8.—Gregson stood up, seemingly inspired with
his success in the last round, summoned all
his strength, and exerted all his science. Gully
rallied; some good sparring, and afterwards
both put in some excellent blows, and great
skill was displayed in stopping; at last
Gregson, by a sudden effort of power, caught
up Gully in his arms, and flung him with
astonishing force upon the ground; every one
expected he would have fallen on him, but this,
with the greatest generosity, he declined, for
which he was cheered by every spectator. By the
amateurs present this was thought to be the
finest round that was ever fought, and now all
felt convinced that it was only Gully’s superior
science that could enable him to stand against
so formidable an opponent. (Odds changed in
favour of Gregson.)

9.—Gully put in another hit in the face, and
Gregson very deliberately laid himself down on
his hands and knees. This was thought to be
something of the cur, but his conduct afterwards
did away with such unfavourable impressions.

11.—Gully struck; Gregson closed, and threw his
opponent.

12.—Gully in this round evinced great weakness,
and the odds continued in Gregson’s favour;
after some feeble hits from Gully, Gregson
knocked him down by a most tremendous blow on
the forehead.

13.—Gully’s science gave him a superiority again
in this round. But he was very weak, and his
deliveries devoid of force.

14.—Gregson struck Gully in the face, right and
left; they rallied severely, and Gregson fell on
his knees, apparently very weak.

15.—After exchanging a few hits, Gregson knocked
Gully down.

16.—Gully carried the most marks in the face,
and his eye was quite closed; they rallied, and
Gully struck his adversary off his legs.

19.—At the end of the last round Gully had a
severe fall, but the advantage throughout the
whole.

20.—Gregson endeavoured to repeat his successful
straight-forward blow, but missed, and while
falling Gully struck him. “Foul!” and “Fair!”
were vociferated, but the latter was correct, as
Gregson was not down.

23.—Gully began to appear more gay, and both
combatants rallied desperately; both appeared
very weak, but Gully’s bottom was known, and
odds were now eight to one in his favour.

25.—Here it was anybody’s battle; the combatants
both appeared beaten and exhausted. They were
dreadfully disfigured, and neither hardly
capable of getting off his second’s knee.

Notwithstanding each from the great loss of
blood had the utmost difficulty in making
fight, the battle lasted eleven more rounds,
each alternately having the advantage, and
betting became even. At length they met like
two inebriated men, helpless, and almost
incapable of holding up their hands either to
stop or hit, and every round finished by both
rolling down together. Still Gully was the
favourite, and by an astonishing effort of
nature, in the thirty-sixth round he put in a
blow, which, although feeble, was sufficiently
strong to prevent Gregson’s rising again in
time. Gregson laid for some minutes, incapable
of either moving or speaking, but Gully, even
now, elated with victory, leaped with joy.

REMARKS.—It would be difficult to say which was
the most beaten, such spectacles were never
before witnessed. The battle was allowed to
excel everything, in point of game and slashing
exchanges, that ever had been displayed. Even
those who had seen Johnson, Big Ben, Jackson,
and Symonds contend, allowed this to exceed all.
Captain Barclay took Gully off the ground in his
carriage, and the next day both combatants
appeared on the race-course, but Gregson could
not remain long, and on returning home was
forced to call in medical aid. Gully in this
contest showed he had become much more expert
than when he contended with the Game Chicken.
He, however, certainly fought at great
disadvantage against a man of such superior
strength and length as Gregson. He could never
make a hit until his opponent chose to begin, as
Gregson sparred with his left arm fully
extended, which was much longer and stronger
than Gully’s. Gregson’s favourite hit is a
desperate lunge with his right hand, which
nothing can resist, and by that means Gully
became so much beaten. Gregson was mostly
abroad, and Gully generally returned with great
adroitness and advantage. His left arm was
severely hurt in the commencement of the battle,
in endeavouring to parry the right-handed hits
of his adversary.

November, 1807. Notwithstanding Gregson was so severely beaten by Gully in the last month, he still felt some confidence, that in the event of another battle he should prove victorious. His friends gave him all encouragement, and he sent Gully the following challenge, which was forwarded to Norwich, where he was then staying:—

“Mr. GULLY,—It is the wish of myself and friends that I should try
my fortune with you in another battle, for £200 a-side. If you are
inclined to give me the opportunity, I will thank you to say so, and
also to name the time when it will be convenient to meet, to put
down stakes, and arrange particulars.

“R. GREGSON.”

To this Gully immediately returned the following answer:—

“Mr. GREGSON,—I accept your challenge, but wish you would make the
match for £250 instead of £200 a-side. I shall not delay a moment in
returning to town to make the necessary arrangements as to time,
place, etc.

“JOHN GULLY.”

As soon as Gully came to town, the heroes met, and the following agreement was entered into, which we give as a specimen of how they managed these matters some “sixty years since:”—

“LONDON, _December 22, 1807_.

“Major Morgan, on the part of Gregson, and Mr. Jackson, on the part
of Gully, agree to deposit 50 guineas each this day, and a further
deposit of 50 guineas on the 1st of March, 1808, or forfeit the
first 50 guineas; and on the Monday following the Craven meeting,
the remainder of the stakes to be made good by the contracting
parties, or the 100 guineas to be also forfeited; and that the Hon.
Berkeley Craven be requested to hold the stakes on the day of
battle.

“CONDITIONS OF THE BATTLE.

“1st.—The battle to take place on the Tuesday following the first
Spring Meeting, between the hours of ten and twelve, a.m.

“2nd.—To fight in a roped square of forty feet.

“3rd.—Neither to fall without a knock-down blow, subject to the
decision of the umpires.

“4th.—Three umpires to be chosen upon the ground, viz., two, and one
in reference.

“Signed “CHARLES MORGAN,
“JOHN JACKSON.”

Gregson went immediately into training under Mendoza, at the Load of Hay, on the Hampstead Road.

Wednesday, May 10th, 1808, was soon known to be the day fixed for the “big fight for the championship.” On the previous Saturday it was understood in the privileged circle that those who repaired to the confines of the counties of Bedford and Bucks., about a couple of miles from Woburn, would be handy to the spot. This “tip” it would seem reached others than those for whom it was intended for. The Marquis of Buckingham publicly gave notice of his determination to frustrate the sport, by publishing the following notice in the _County Chronicle_:—

“BUCKINGHAM HOUSE, LONDON, _May 8, 1808_.

“Information having been transmitted to me, His Majesty’s Custos
Rotulorum in and for the county of Bucks., of an intended riotous
assembly, aiding and assisting in a breach of the peace, by a boxing
match, within that part of the county of Bucks which touches or
joins on the counties of Bedford and Herts, near the town of
Dunstable; and that the said illegal and riotous assembly will take
place on Tuesday, the 10th instant, notice is hereby given that
proper steps have been taken for the detection and punishment of all
persons acting as aforesaid, in breach of the peace, by the
attendance of the magistrates, high constables, petty constables,
and other peace officers, entrusted with the execution of the law
within the said county.

“NUGENT BUCKINGHAM,
“Custos Rotulorum of Bucks.”

What follows may give a lively picture of an expedition to “see a fight” in the days of the “Third George.” We extract from the _Morning Chronicle_:—

“Some hundreds, whose leisure and disposition prompted them to be in action, started on the Saturday and Sunday, and secured beds and stabling in all the villages and hamlets contiguous to Woburn. The town of Woburn was on Monday in continual motion, all was uproar and confusion, people of all ranks continually arriving on foot, on horseback, and in carriages of all description, and all seeking accommodation which only a few comparatively could find. To add to the confusion, the Marquis of Buckingham did not fail to exert himself for the fulfilment of his threat; all the magistracy of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, at the head of their constables and _posse comitatus_, with a subsidiary force of volunteers from the surrounding districts, appeared determined to resist this unlicensed incursion into their territories, and to stand an insurmountable barrier to the amusement. The Dunstable volunteers were out very early on the Monday morning, with drums beating, colours flying, cartouch-boxes doubly provided, bayonets fixed, and all in awful military array. The peasantry were shaking with fear, supposing the French had landed, and those who had arrived began to think they were hoaxed, and that they should return without being gratified by the fight. Many who itched to be betting, began to sport on the question whether the fight was ‘to be or not to be,’ and ten to one was frequently betted, that no fight would take place.

“When Monday night arrived hundreds had flocked into the town, and all were eagerly enquiring for beds. Nothing could be obtained of this kind, for the night’s lodging, under 30_s._ a head, and to sit or lie on the chairs of the public rooms the usual price of a bed was extorted. In one room at Woburn fifteen gentlemen laid on the floor, and were happy to pay for this hard fare, and hundreds reposed in their carriages. The horses, notwithstanding the weather was severe, were obliged to stand without covering. Tuesday came, and these glorious comforts were yet to be endured; pay the price asked you must, as the landlord was generally sharp enough to secure the boots of every traveller, if he had nothing else to lay hold of for security.

“About five o’clock on the Wednesday morning all was again in commotion, and notwithstanding the endeavours of the magistrates, a ring was formed upon Ashley Common, raised with sods about twelve inches from the ground, and about forty feet in circumference. Between six and seven o’clock many of the amateurs came dashing direct from London, in their barouches and four, and in order to direct them to the proper spot, Bill Richmond was placed at the Magpie. The multitude soon got the hint, and followed the bang-up leaders. By nine o’clock a number of carriages had arrived, and were safely penned up. The amateurs viewed the ring, and were expressing their high approbation at its appearance, when a messenger arrived with fresh information that the magistrates had seen the ring in the morning, and were still determined to prevent the battle. Many of the knowing ones suspected that this was a hoax, and immediately sent off an express to Hogstale, a public-house about a mile distant, where Gregson held his head quarters. Before the answer, however, returned, Mendoza, dressed in green, and mounted in style, dashed up with two or three well-known amateurs, and gave positive assurances that the battle would not be fought there. Upon this solemn assurance every one started for Gregson’s lodgings, where they found the hero seated in Lord Barrymore’s barouche, with the horses’ heads turned towards Woburn, and escorted by about 150 noblemen and gentlemen on horseback, and an immense retinue of gigs, tandems, curricles, and every species of vehicle. Hundreds not apprised of the change in the seat of combat, were advancing from Woburn. Soon the two streams met, and forming one almost irresistible current, returned through Woburn with accumulated force, the knowing ones leading the way, having been before apprised, that in case of any unforeseen disappointment at the original spot, they were to rendezvous at several places in reversion; the first of which was Sir John Sebright’s, in Hertfordshire, about seventeen miles distant from Ashley Common, the whole extent of which was covered by one solid mass of passengers; and although many had sorely repented their expedition, and returned homewards, the multitude appeared not the least diminished. Broken down carriages obstructed the road; knocked up horses fell and could not be got any farther; a guinea a mile was offered for conveyance, and many hundreds of gentlemen were happy in being jolted in brick carts for a shilling a mile. By two o’clock they arrived at Sir John Sebright’s park; a flat spot immediately opposite the house, but about half-a-mile distant, was pitched upon for the battle, and upon the whole the uninvited guests behaved with tolerable decorum. A ring was formed, the exterior circle was nearly an acre, surrounded by a triple ring of horsemen, and a double row of pedestrians, who, notwithstanding the wetness of the ground, laid down with great pleasure, and the forty feet ring was soon completed.

“About three o’clock a torrent of rain poured down, and every one began to be anxious for the fight; very shortly after Gregson, Gully, Mendoza, Harry Lee, Joe Ward, Hen. Pearce, Cribb, Horton, Dutch Sam, Cropley, Gibbons, Richmond, and several other pugilists and amateurs, entered the ring. It is impossible to describe the pleasure that beamed in the eyes of every spectator at this moment, and the welkin echoed their repeated plaudits.

“Cribb and Horton, who, according to their articles, were to fight in the same ring as Gully and Gregson, directly stripped and set-to, both in excellent spirits. Odds four to five on Cribb who very easily gained the conquest.

“Immediately on the conclusion of this combat the champions stripped. Both fought in silk stockings without shoes, and white breeches. Harry Lee seconded Gregson, and Joe Word, Gully. Captain Barclay was appointed deciding umpire. After the usual etiquette they set-to.”

THE FIGHT.[99]

Round 1.—The combatants both sparred about a
minute; the utmost silence prevailing in every
part of the ring, and every one had his eye
fixed stedfastly on the contending champions.
Here Gully displayed one of the most signal
specimens of the art of boxing that perhaps ever
was witnessed, by putting in two most dexterous
hits through his opponent’s guard, at the same
moment, in the mouth and throat. Gregson fell
like a log, and was instantly covered with
blood. The greatest commotion was now excited,
and peal succeeded peal of applause. (The odds
rose six to four on Gully.)

2.—Gregson ineffectually aimed a hit at his
opponent’s head, who shifted, and pointed at
him. Gully now commenced a rally, and some blows
were exchanged to his advantage. Gregson turned
round and put in a back-handed blow in the
loins; both fell.

3.—Gregson successfully planted a right-handed
hit in Gully’s breast, and rallied; but Gully
had the advantage of putting in most blows,
although Gregson threw him. Gregson’s head had
now began to swell, and he continued to bleed
freely. (Odds two to one on Gully.)

4.—Gully made play, and after planting two good
hits on his adversary’s head, slipped up.

5.—Gregson made a determined hit, which Gully
scientifically parried, upon which he ran in,
grasped Gully by the thighs, held him in his
arms, and threw him down. Great disapprobation.

6.—Some good rallying, but in favour of Gully.
Gregson appeared incapable of stopping, and
Gully hit him as he pleased. At the close of the
round Gregson put in a tremendous blow on the
side of his adversary’s head, and both fell out
of the ring.

7.—Gully rallied; put in six successive hits on
Gregson’s head, and at length knocked him off
his legs, without the latter getting home one
blow.

8.—In this round Gregson slightly had the
advantage. They closed, and Gully received a
heavy fall; Gregson’s left eye was now almost
closed, his nose broken, the blood flowed
copiously, and his head was most hideously
disfigured.

9.—Gregson evinced distress, and Gully hit him
again severely in the face. Gregson fell on his
knees.

10.—As early as this round the result of the
battle was considered decided. Gregson fought
shy, both eyes being nearly closed. He struck
Gully, who was down, but it appeared to be with
his own choice.

11.—Gregson excited commiseration; he put his
hand to his left eye, and afterwards looked at
it; but instantly commenced a rally, which ended
again in his discomfiture. Gully knocked him
down, but while falling he put in a back-handed
hit.

12.—Gregson struck Gully on the breast, who
immediately knocked him off his legs by a flush
hit in the mouth.

13.—In making play Gully slipped.

14.—Gully again hit his opponent through his
guard, both right and left, which brought him
down.

15 and 16.—In both rounds Gregson ineffectually
attempted to hold his ground. He seemed
confused; however, he ran in, and completely
bored Gully down.

17.—In this round Gregson became intemperate,
and ran in upon his adversary, who continued
hitting and avoiding him in a most surprising
manner. Gregson twice turned his back upon his
opponent, and made towards the ropes, but Gully
followed him, changed his front, fibbed him, and
kept him from falling, until he had hit him into
an almost senseless state, and then dropped him
quietly between his arms.

18.—Like the former, Gregson was again severely
punished.

25.—In this round Gully put in two tremendous
blows.

27.—Gregson was brought down by a heavy blow
under the ear; and the

28th round decided the contest, Gregson being
too much exhausted to be brought to the mark in
time. The battle lasted one hour and a quarter.

The superiority of Gully in this battle was
evident, and throughout the fight there was no
comparison between the quickness, hitting, and
confidence of the combatants. Several of the
fighting men, and many good judges of pugilism,
had great doubts as to the event, from the
determined manner in which the former battle had
been contested and several entertained a strong
opinion that Gregson, having added science to
his great strength, from the improvement he had
evinced in sparring, had much increased his
chances of success. Gully possessed so much
confidence in his own abilities, that, a few
minutes before he entered the ring, he offered
to back himself for £50 (in addition to what he
had already betted) that he was the winner.

Without offering further comments of our own on this most remarkable battle, as we do not find any worthy of preservation, in a pugilistic sense, in the published reports, we may take it as a significant fact of the excellence of Gully’s condition, that, _before putting on his outer clothes_, he advanced to the ropes and addressed the referee and leading patrons of the ring to the effect, that being now in business in a tavern in Carey Street, he was in hopes that he should have enjoyed peace unchallenged. That he had not intended to fight again, nor would he have done so in this instance, had he not considered himself bound in honour to accept Gregson’s challenge. That he had fought with a partially disabled left arm, and that Gregson surely would not urge him to another combat. “Gully then dressed himself, and was brought to town in Lord Barrymore’s barouche. The following morning he was facetiously answering questions respecting the fight, and serving his numerous customers at the Plough, in Carey Street.”[100]

The defeated Gregson was conveyed to the principal inn in Markyate Street, Herts., where he remained until the following Saturday, by which time he was well enough to return to Highgate, on the box of one of the Northampton coaches. Here he remained with a friend at the Bowling Green tavern for some time. Captain Barclay, the Marquis of Tweeddale, and other gentlemen and noblemen made a liberal subscription for him; and at his urgent request he was soon after matched with Tom Cribb, to fight for 500 guineas, in a thirty foot ring. (See CRIBB, Period IV.)

In the beginning of the following month (June, 1808), Gully and Cribb took a joint benefit at the Fives Court; Gully and Jem Belcher, Cribb and Tom Belcher, Tom Jones and Tom Blake, Cropley and Dogherty, George Cribb and Wood, were among the leading exhibitors. Gully repeated his declaration of retirement from the ring, and public opinion looked upon the coming fight of Tom Cribb and Gregson as a sort of test as to Gully’s successor.

In taking leave of so remarkable a man as the subject of the present memoir, a man who after many years of intercourse with the most eminent public men of his time, arrived at fortune, fame, and even senatorial honours, we may be suspected of panegyric from personal knowledge, and a desire to dilate on a theme so immediately connected with the history of British pugilism as the merits of its professors, while it yet had the name and standing which it has, much through the misconduct of its members, temporarily lost.

Gully, as a pugilist, has well earned a niche in the temple of pancratic fame; and if his battles were not so numerous as many other professors have been, they were contested with a decision of science and game, rarely equalled, perhaps never excelled, and justly entitle him to honourable mention in the records of boxing. His practice, it was well known, had been very confined, and his theoretical knowledge of the science could not have been very extensive, yet his natural courage and quickness surmounted these difficulties, and, with a fortitude equal to any man, he entered the ring a most consummate pugilist. Though his frame was never a model of symmetry, he had many points of the athletic build. His height was about six feet.

We cannot conclude this sketch of Mr. Gully without remarking that, with the knowledge of the world, he united the manners of a well-bred man; intelligent and quick of observation, he united with those qualifications, when moving in a less elevated sphere, that proper sense of his own capabilities, which generally attends intelligence and merit. After a few years passed in the occupation of a tavern-keeper, in which he earned general respect, he was so fortunate in turf speculations, and so well served by sound judgment in racing matters, that he retired and became the purchaser of Ware Park, Hertfordshire. Here he associated with the first circles of the county; fortune still smiling on him, he became a spirited breeder and racehorse proprietor, an owner of collieries, and lastly, in 1832, attained the proud position of one of England’s senators; being returned to parliament as representative for Pontefract, in the first reformed parliament. We recently heard a blockhead object that Mr. Gully was originally a butcher: his father, whom he succeeded, was a master butcher of respectability—so was the father of Cardinal Wolsey. We have had among succeeding occupants of the woolsack, a Newcastle barber’s son, and the offspring of a grocer; one prime minister, the son of an actress; another the descendant of a cotton spinner; the greatest engineering genius of our age, the son of a pitman, himself a furnace-stoker, and, as we shall presently see, a pugilist; so that surely such sneers at self-made men by those who have certainly not made themselves are too snobbish and contemptible to affect any but their utterers. A paragraph from the pen of a sportsman must find a place here:

“It was the late Mr. Buckland who, when on a visit to Lord
Fitzwilliam, told me of the impression made upon him by the
appearance of a fine handsome gentleman coming up the staircase with
a beautiful girl in green velvet on either arm—the member for
Pontefract, with two of his daughters. Poor “Sylvanus” thus
portrayed Mr. Gully in the very zenith of his career:—‘He had
permanent lodgings at Newmarket, well and tastily furnished, and
dispensed his hospitality to his friends with no sparing hand. An
excellent cook, claret from Griffiths’, with an entertaining
gentleman-like host, left little to be desired at the dinner
awaiting us. Mr. Gully is justly esteemed, having raised himself
from the lowest paths of life to the position, not merely of wealth,
but to that of intimacy amongst gentlemen, on or off the turf, but
still gentlemen in taste, which nought but the undeviating good
manners, and entertaining, unpresuming deportment of Gully could for
a moment, or rather for any length of time beyond a moment, suffer
them to tolerate. No man ever possessed these qualifications, gained
through innate acuteness, great common sense, and a plastic
disposition to observe and benefit by the chance _rencontres_ with
the courtly patrons of his day to a greater degree, taking the early
disadvantages he had to contend with into consideration, than John
Gully. No man could be more above pretence, or less shy at any
allusions to his early and not very polished career, than himself.
When I dined with him at Newmarket, as well as upon subsequent
occasions, I was most gratified by his manly openness, and lack of
all sensitive false shame, on any occasional appeal being made to
the bygone. He, on the contrary, entered freely into many
entertaining portions of his history, answered all my questions _con
amore_, and with perfect good nature, as to the mode of training,
hitting so as not to injure the hand, wrestling, and other minutiæ
of the ring; passing the claret and slicing the pine, as if foaled
at Knowsley or Bretby. He had a quiet sly way of joking on any turf
affair, on which, bear in mind, he was as _au fait_ as Zamiel making
a book for the Derby. The turbot came from Billingsgate by express,
and the haunch from his own park. Moët purveyed the champagne,
Marjoribanks the port, and, as I have before said, Griffiths the
Lafitte. We had no skulking host be assured, but the most
entertaining and liberal one alive.’ There is a genial tone about
this sketch that tells at once for its truth, and it would be
difficult to give any man a better character. Gully’s position at
every turn and phase of fortune was still a trying one, but no man
more fairly earned the respect he gained. There is a very moral of
good manners in such a man’s history.”

Mr. Gully died at Durham, on Monday, the 9th of March, 1863, in the 80th year of his age, being born at Bristol, August 21, 1783. He was buried at Ackworth Hall, near that city, on Saturday, March 14, leaving a family of five sons and five daughters, moving in the best circles of society.