Chapter VIII: Jack Carter, “the Lancashire Hero”—1812–1832.29

The reputation of Jack Carter as a pugilist suffered unduly from two causes. First, from ridiculously exaggerated press flourishes about his prowess, skill, and formidable qualities by partizan scribes; and, secondly, by a factious band of provincial supporters and adherents, who spoilt their man by their indiscriminate support and attempts, by clamour and intimidation, to carry their _protégé_ to the topmost position, in despite of the interposition of better men. Poor Carter, too, an unstable, self-conceited, and, when excited, an offensive and bullying rough, was spoilt for his calling as well as for decent society, by his injudicious “following.” Pierce Egan, who prematurely dubs him in his first volume “the Lancashire hero(?)” furnishes us with the only account of the early life of Bob Gregson’s _protégé_, which, its magniloquence notwithstanding, reveals the secret that Jack Carter was a mere “Lancashire rough,” and not a whit too courageous; nor, for that matter, commonly honest; though Shakespeare says, “to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.” In his second and third volumes (for Carter figures in each) stubborn facts reduce Carter’s dimensions and character as “a champion(?);” and in the last Pierce prefaces his jeremiad over this perverted “navvy” by misusing the Miltonic motto, “How are the mighty fallen!” though when or how Carter was “mighty” is a puzzler. This he follows with an array of gasconading advertisements, challenges, and thrasonical handbills. Here, with some pruning of redundances, is the story of Jack’s early days as detailed in “Boxiana”:—

“Carter was born at Manchester, September 13, 1789, of respectable parents, who apprenticed him to a shoemaker, but being a strong, healthy lad, and not liking the confinement of the trade, left it to give a lending hand towards the improvement of his country, by commencing navigator, and working upon the canals in that neighbourhood. It was among those rough-hewn, hardy sons of the creation, that Carter began to exhibit his feats of strength by milling several of the best considered men in their whole phalanx. Jack was in height about five feet ten inches and a half, and weighed about thirteen stone; and it was the following droll and singular circumstance that brought him into notice, both as a pedestrian and a pugilist. The navigators, in one of their moments of hilarity, proposed a jackass race, and entered into subscriptions for that purpose; the stakes were held by a Mr. Merryman, belonging to a mountebank, who was then gammoning the flats in that part of the country. Mr. Merryman was a good tumbler, full of fun, and could fight a bit, and had rendered himself an attractive personage to the numerous Johnny Raws by whom he was surrounded. Upon the day arriving for the race to take place, no neddy was entered to run for the stakes, except one belonging to Mr. Merryman. This circumstance created surprise; in fact, much disappointment. Jack Carter instantly entered himself as a jackass. At first, some little argument took place as to the oddness of the attempt, but at length it was logically determined that Carter was a jackass, and that he should be entered as such, upon which they started. Away went neddy with all the fleetness of a prime donkey, kicking and snorting over the ground; and the jackass set out in fine style, amidst the shouts and laughs of the multitude, who now began to bet in all manner of shapes—Christian against donkey, and neddy against jackass. The distance was four miles, producing considerable wagers and much diversion among the spectators. The jackass possessing rather more knowledge than the neddy, made the best of his way, leaving the donkey behind him, came in first and claimed the stakes. No jackass was ever so much caressed before for winning a race. But Mr. Merryman now treated it as only a joke, observing that he only let Carter run to increase the sport, and disputed his claim as a jackass. It was certain that all the words in Johnson’s Dictionary would not have satisfactorily explained this knotty point; and there not being logicians enough present to place the question in a proper point of view, a nearer road was taken to settle the matter. Carter gave Mr. Merryman to understand that, if he did not instantly hand over the stakes, that it should be milled out of his carcass. Merryman received this threat with a smile of contempt, entertaining an idea that as this jackass had been running four miles, his wind could not be good for much, and agreed that the fist should decide it. A ring being formed, Merryman was soon made to laugh on the wrong side of his mouth; and he who had hitherto tumbled for the pleasure of the crowd, was now, in spite of his antics, knocked down often, and punished so severely that he was compelled, not only to give in, but to give up the money.”

Carter’s fame as a boxer and racer was soon spread abroad, and he entered the lists in a short time afterwards with a heavy strong man, a navigator, at Preston, who had gained some good battles in his time. It was a truly severe conflict, and occasioned considerable conversation in Lancashire. He was matched in several races, in one of which he beat the celebrated Abraham Wood, though, from Pierce Egan’s own showing, in another page, this seems to have been not only after his coming to London, but subsequently to his first fight with Boone, the soldier.

It was while working at the Highgate Tunnel that Bob Gregson first met Carter. He was a Lancashire man, and that was enough to recommend him to Bob, who we have proof sufficient was neither a good fighter himself nor much of a judge of what constitutes one, like his modern double, Ben Caunt. “Upon inquiry,” adds “Boxiana,” “it was found that Carter had proved himself a trump!” and says, “all that he wanted was _experience_, _science_(!), and introduction.” “He shall have that,” cried Bob, and instantly, at his own expense, took care of Carter, and placed him under the “Rolands” (whose distinguished skill in fencing and as pugilistic teachers was then in its zenith). Pierce continues, “It is but justice to Carter to observe that, under such tuition, he soon made considerable progress in the art, and when it was judged a proper time to give publicity to his attempt, Bob introduced him at the Fives Court.” Carter’s appearance is thus flatteringly described in the _Morning Advertiser_ of Wednesday, July 29, 1812:—

“SPARRING.—The last sparring exhibition took place yesterday at the Fives Court, for the benefit of Power, a pugilist, who, as a professor of the science, is inferior to none on the boxing list, but his exhibitions have been rare. The greatest novelty on this occasion was an exhibition between a trial-man of Gregson’s, named Carter, from Lancashire, a candidate of first-rate weight for fighting fame, and Fuller, a scientific pupil of Richmond’s. A ruffianing match took place, and, not to give superiority to either, it was a match which afforded much diversion, and it will cause a considerable sensation in the sporting world. Gregson’s man, who is under the best tuition, will prove a tremendous teazer, if he be gifted with the best of pugilistic favours—game—which remains to be tried. He is a fine weighty left-handed hitter, and, _if_ game be in him, he can beat anything now on the list.”

With such a character, though the “if” in respect to his “game” looks very like a misgiving, Carter was matched against Boone, the soldier, for an unknown stake. Boone (made Bone in “Boxiana”) has not a single fight to his credit in “Fistiana,” except that with Crockey, a wretched affair, four years after this exhibition. The battle came off on Friday, September 18, 1812, near Ealing, Middlesex, when, after twelve rounds, in seventeen minutes, Boone gave in. Egan says it was “a severe contest,” and adds, “In this battle Carter’s patrons thought he had made good his pretensions to milling, and looked forward anxiously to place him nearly, if not quite, at the top of the boxing list.” They accordingly matched him against Jack Power. (See POWER, in Appendix.) The stake was the handsome sum of 200 guineas, subscribed by Gregson’s friends, and on the 16th of November, 1812, the fight came off at Rickmansworth, Herts. The battle will be found in the Life of POWER, who, despite the recent rupture of a blood-vessel, and incapacity for severe training, thrashed Carter in thirty-nine rounds, occupying one hour and five minutes. “Boxiana” says, with edifying _naïvete_, “Carter attributed the loss of this battle to his second (Isaac Bittoon) placing a Belcher handkerchief over his mouth, which tended rather to deprive him of his wind (query, courage) than to do anything to increase that necessary _quality_ in a boxer.” He adds, “If Carter in his battle with Power did not exhibit those traits of finished elegance which characterise the skilful pugilist, he nevertheless portrayed that he was not ignorant of the principles of boxing, and his patrons were perfectly satisfied with the bottom which he manifested upon the occasion,” which shows they were thankful for very small mercies, as Carter brought youth, weight, length, and strength to the losing side.

After much cavilling a match was made between Carter and Molineaux. Poor Molineaux, having been twice beaten by Cribb, was now on his downward course (see vol. i., pp. 282–285, _ante_), yet, in this contest, which took place at Remington, Gloucestershire, on Friday, the 2nd of April, 1813, Carter was disgracefully beaten by the once formidable nigger. Of this affair, on which we have commented in the life of Molineaux, a contemporary writes:—“It was the opinion of the most experienced pugilists that such a set-to was never before witnessed; one ‘was afraid, and the other dared not.’ Carter was the best man after the battle began, and continued so throughout the fight. Molineaux was wretched in the extreme, and at one time positively bolted from his second. But to the great astonishment of all the spectators, when Molineaux was dead beat, Carter fainted and dropped his head as he sat on the knee of his second. All the exertions of Richmond could not arouse Carter from his lethargic state, and he thus lost the battle.”

In the next paragraph we find “Boxiana” stating, “as a boxer, and even as a scientific pugilist, Carter was entitled to considerable prominency (whatever that may mean); and, if viewed as a fibber (was the historian unconsciously writing autobiography?), it would be difficult to find a better one. In point of hitting and getting away, he is little inferior, if not equal, to Richmond, and very good and active upon his legs. With his left hand he dealt out severe punishment; and although in his former contests his right hand appeared but of little service to him, yet he seemed to have rather improved in the use of it. One objection which had been warmly argued against Carter by many of the fancy was, that he was soft about the head, afraid of the coming blow, and shrank from punishment; while, on the contrary, it was roundly asserted by the other part that, if he behaved correctly, his game was unimpeachable.”

After his defeat by Molineaux, Carter exhibited the art of self-defence in Ireland, Scotland, and most of the provincial towns in England, with great success; and from his continual practice in those trials of skill, aided by considerable intuitive knowledge upon the subject of boxing, he returned to the metropolis an active and improved fighter. Upon his arrival in London, Carter, without hesitation, declared himself ready to enter the lists with any man in the kingdom; and this public challenge, as might be supposed, was not suffered to remain long unanswered, and Richmond, in consequence, catered a fine, strong, healthy black, of the name of Joseph Stephenson, weighing upwards of fourteen stone, from Havre de Grace, Maryland, in America, as a likely opponent.

The Pugilistic Club gave a purse of twenty-five guineas, and the combatants put down twenty-five also a-side. On Tuesday, February 6, 1816, the above heroes(!) met at Coombe Warren. This battle excited considerable interest throughout the pugilistic circles; and, notwithstanding the torrents of rain that deluged the roads, from seven in the morning till seven at night without intermission, thousands of spectators braved the elements with the utmost _nonchalance_. The men entered the ring about one o’clock; Cribb and Shelton acting as seconds to Carter, and Richmond and Oliver for Stephenson. Two to one in many instances upon Carter.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On setting-to, Carter had scarcely placed himself in a
fighting position when, with much dexterity, he gave Stephenson a
desperate nobber. The man of colour seemed rather surprised at this
sudden attack, but he bored his way into a sharp rally. The pink
first appeared on Carter’s face. The latter, in closing, fibbed
Stephenson, but he was undermost when down. (Seven to four against
the Black.)

2.—Carter again commenced offensive operations with his left hand,
and the Black’s head was completely open to him. Some blows were
exchanged, and, in closing, Carter found his way to the ground.

3.—It was evident the man of colour was the strongest, and that
Carter might have come into the ring better prepared for action.
Stephenson endeavoured to put in some heavy blows, but the science
of Carter was too much for him. The latter hit and got away in good
style; but, in a sharp rally, the Black showed tolerable resolution.
In struggling to obtain the throw, both went down.

4.—Carter showed bad condition, and was much in want of wind; but
Stephenson did not appear to avail himself of this opportunity of
turning it to account. Carter, with great dexterity, not only nobbed
his opponent successfully with his left hand, without experiencing
any return, but made use of his right better than usual. The Black,
however, in closing, endeavoured to fib his adversary; but Carter
extricated himself with much adroitness, and went down. (Two to one
was now offered on Carter with great confidence.)

5.—Stephenson did not appear eager to commence the attack, and some
little sparring was also necessary, that Carter might recover his
wind. The Black knew more about receiving than any other part of the
science, and Carter milled him on the retreat with great _sang
froid_. Stephenson, rather passionate from this sort of treatment,
endeavoured to bore in upon his adversary, but Carter stopped short
upon him, and, measuring his distance well, the man of colour
measured his length on the grass in a twinkling.

6.—The strength of the Black at times gave him rather the advantage,
and, in finishing this round, Carter was thrown. (Seven to two on
the latter, but no takers.)

7.—Stephenson seemed almost tired of the battle, and got down in the
best manner he was able. (Any odds upon Carter.)

8.—Stephenson readied the scratch greatly distressed, and Carter
sent him down from a slight touch.

9.—The left hand of Carter was again in motion, but Stephenson
caught hold of it, and the word “stop,” it was understood, had
escaped from his lips. Carter instantly made his exit from the ring,
and upon his seconds preparing to follow him, Stephenson insisted it
was a mistake, and that he was determined to continue the contest.
Nearly half an hour had now elapsed, and Carter immediately resumed
offensive operations.

10.—Carter, somewhat angry at this disappointment, went to work in
sharp style, and the Black again felt the severity of his left hand.
In closing, both went down.

It would be superfluous to detail the succeeding rounds of this
battle. It was perfectly ridiculous on the part of Stephenson to
resume the fight, as not the slightest chance appeared to turn it to
his account. At the expiration of forty-four minutes, victory was
declared in favour of Carter. From the well-known science of the
latter, it was expected that he would have been able to dispose of
Stephenson in much less time; but Carter, it seemed, looked upon the
event so certain as to be indifferent respecting his appearance in
the ring in good condition. Stephenson had merely to boast of
strength; in other respects he was little better than a novice.

Three months had scarcely elapsed, when a formidable man of colour, of the name of Robinson, who had acquired some celebrity from the execution he had performed among second-rate boxers, and ambitiously eager to achieve conquests of greater importance, agreed to enter the lists with Carter, at Moulsey Hurst, on Wednesday, April 24, 1816, for a stake of fifty guineas, and also a purse of twenty-five, given by the P. C., in a twenty-feet roped ring. Vehicles of all descriptions were in requisition at an early hour to reach the destined spot; and the curiosity of the fancy was so strongly excited to witness this mill that, by twelve o’clock, it might be fairly stated the Hurst contained little short of 20,000 people. Robinson was a fancied article, declared capable of performing pugilistic wonders. He had beaten Crockey in prime twig,[30] and Butcher he had also vanquished in decent style; and when the match was first made between Robinson and Carter, the Black was rather the favourite with those characters who are always eager for novelty, and considerable bets were laid in his favour; and even some of the knowing ones were doubtful on the subject. It cannot be denied that Carter never stood A1 in the esteem of the fancy. They knew he did not want for science; they knew he did not want for strength and activity; and they also were acquainted that he could run and jump well, and that he was a boxer above mediocrity. Still there was an inexpressible something that seemed to pervade their opinions, which kept many from going that length upon Carter they might otherwise have done; added to which, Robinson talked confidently of his capabilities of sarving-out, which blinded the too credulous as to the real state of things. But the flash side, upon looking into the chances and comparing notes upon the subject, soon became awake as to the issue likely to ensue, and previously to the fight, six to four first came forward, five to three, and lastly seven to four upon Carter. A few minutes before one the Black showed in the ring, and tossed up his hat. Carter soon followed and did the same, and immediately came up to Robinson and shook hands with him. Soon after their seconds appeared—Paddington Jones and Dick Whale for Robinson, and Painter and Harry Harmer for Carter—when they stripped and commenced

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Carter had scarcely set-to, when he gave Blacky a severe
facer with his left hand, and quick as lightning put in two more
tremendous hits upon the same cheek, and got away with much
dexterity before the man of colour was able to return. The Black, in
closing, got somewhat fibbed, and went down. (Seven to four
generally was offered, but no takers appeared. Two to one in many
places.)

2.—The Black’s nob was completely at Carter’s service, and the
latter put in five tremendous facers again with his left hand. The
Black, notwithstanding, bored in and got Carter against the ropes,
but did no execution, when, after an awkward struggle in a close,
Carter went down. (It was now ten to two against the man of colour.)

3.—The Black, at this early stage of the fight, seemed not only
damaged, but rather shy, and he sparred cautiously to recover his
wind. Carter again made the same successful use of his left hand, by
planting three more hits upon the old place. A short rally took
place, in which Blacky endeavoured to make a change in the
appearance of things, but without effect, and he ultimately went
down. The superiority of Carter appeared manifest in every round. In
fact, the Black was dead beat, and when on his second’s knee called
out for “brandy.”

4.—Carter hit short, but the Black gained nothing by it. In closing,
the punishment which Carter served out to his opponent was
tremendous in the extreme; he held the Black up with one arm, and
with the other fibbed him so severely that he went down quite
exhausted. The Black’s consequence as a first-rate miller was all
gone. His fanciers now began to look rather blue, and found, too
late, that their judgment had proved erroneous.

5.—The distressed state of the Black was conspicuous to all parties,
and he left his second’s knee in a tottering state. He, however,
endeavoured to make the best of it, and attacked Carter rather
furiously, but the latter soon spoiled his intention, and again
fibbed him down. (Five pounds to five shillings.)

6.—Carter, full of gaiety, smiled at the impotent efforts of his
opponent, and punished him with the utmost _sang froid_. Blacky put
in a body blow, but received such a staggerer in return that he was
quite abroad, and at length went down.

7.—The left hand of Carter was again busy with the mug of his
antagonist. However, the Black endeavoured to make something like a
rally, but he displayed more of desperation than judgment, and paid
dearly for his temerity by again going down. This was the best round
in the fight.

8.—The nob of the Black, from the severe punishment he had received,
now assumed a terrific aspect, and in his endeavour to plant a hit,
Carter stopped it dexterously, and returned so severe a facer that
Blacky’s pimple appeared to go round upon his shoulders, like the
movement of a harlequin; he went reeling away like a drunken man,
and fell.

9.—The Black reluctantly appeared at the mark, when Carter, as fresh
as a daisy, added more dreadful left-handed hits to his already
disfigured nob. In closing, both down, but Blacky undermost.

10.—It was almost up with the man of colour; he made a running hit
and fell. Some disapprobation now manifested itself.

11.—The game of the Black, if he ever had any, was now all
exhausted, and he went down from a mere push. It was thought rather
currish.

12 and last.—The Black, in a state bordering on frenzy, endeavoured
to follow Carter, but the latter punished him at every step, fibbed
him terribly, and, in closing, both down, but Blacky undermost. So
complete a finish in seventeen minutes and a half was scarcely to be
expected, from the high milling qualities the Black was said to
possess; and even the most knowing upon the subject offered to bet,
previous to the fight, that it continued upwards of forty minutes.

REMARKS.—Blacky, from the above display, lost ground in the opinion
of the amateurs; his strength was more prominent than any other
pugilistic quality. He left the ring apparently much distressed in
body and mind from the punishment he had experienced. Carter was in
good condition and in high spirits, and disposed of his opponent in
first-rate style, and positively retired from the contest without a
scratch, excepting upon his back, which, it is said, occurred either
from a bite or a pinch given him by the man of colour. Carter showed
himself evidently improved as a scientific pugilist: there was
nothing hurried in his manner of attack; he viewed his antagonist
with much fortitude, and scarcely made a hit without doing material
execution. He adopted the milling on the retreat system, and hit and
got away with all the celerity of Richmond. Two Blacks he has thus
completely vanquished; and it is generally considered to the above
might be added a third(?). It must certainly be admitted that Carter
gained a step or two on the pugilistic roll of fame from the above
contest, and perhaps removed many doubts that hitherto existed
respecting his pretensions as a first-rate boxer. An opinion was now
entertained that he had only to look well to himself, and something
higher was still within his reach.

Gregson now made a rather odd and suspicious match on behalf of Carter, which “Boxiana” calls a “NOUVELLE feature in the Prize Ring, namely, A MATCH AGAINST TIME!” This was, that Carter should beat Robinson within half an hour.

Carter, who had vanquished this sombre hero in seventeen minutes, laughed at this new experiment of his capabilities, and accepted the challenge without the slightest reflection. On Wednesday, June 26, 1816, at Coombe Warren, the above boxers met to decide this match, for twenty guineas a-side; and, notwithstanding the badness of the weather, the patrons of pugilism mustered strongly. Much sporting speculation occurred, and they both entered the ring in good spirits. Six to four on Carter. The latter was attended by Cribb and Harmer; Robinson had for his seconds Oliver and Richmond.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Carter, as in the last fight, immediately upon setting-to
went quickly to work with his left hand and nobbed the Black in
style. Robinson was not able to make any return, and he received
four severe successive facers. Carter did as he pleased, hit and got
away with much dexterity. Two minutes elapsed before the round was
finished, when the man of colour went down.

2.—It seemed not to be the intention of Robinson to make any hits,
but merely to prolong the fight. He sparred with the utmost caution,
but he was not able to prevent Carter from nobbing him at almost
every step. The man of colour, however, was induced to make a sort
of rally, but he was at length hit down. This round lasted three
minutes.

3.—Carter, with the utmost activity, put in six severe blows on the
cheek of Robinson, and got cleanly away, without the least return. A
close took place, when Carter got the Black’s head under his arm,
and fibbed him so severely that he fell out of the ring, and Carter
upon him.

4.—The fighting was all on the side of Carter: he planted hits with
the utmost dexterity, and, had he not been fighting against time,
any odds must have been laid upon him as to proving the conqueror.
He again held Robinson up, and fibbed him till he went down.

5.—Carter kept hitting and getting away, till at length they closed,
when he got Robinson’s head under his arm, and the man of colour, to
prevent being fibbed, grasped tight hold of Carter’s hand; but the
round was finished by Blacky’s going down.

6.—The left hand of Carter was again three times in succession in
the Black’s face, without any return. Robinson kept cautiously
sparring and drawing himself back; and those blows he attempted to
make were out of all distance and lost their effect. Robinson was
again sent down.

7.—It was astonishing to see with what ease and facility Carter made
use of his left hand. He now put in with the utmost rapidity nine
severe facers, making Robinson’s head dance again, and experiencing
not the least return. In closing, they both went down, but the Black
undermost.

8.—The superiority of Carter over his opponent was visible in every
movement; he not only gave six more facers with the utmost
dexterity, and put in a body blow, but most severely fibbed Robinson
down. The Lancashire hero was much distressed.

9.—Carter again felt for the Black’s nob; but from the slippery
state of the grass, he got off his balance and went down from a
slight hit or trip, but he was up again in an instant.

10.—Notwithstanding the numerous severe facers Robinson had
received, there was no confusion about him, and he was always ready
to time. It appeared now that, if Carter won the battle, he must go
in and do considerable execution, as the half hour was rapidly
advancing, and the Black was not to be licked by merely nobbing him.
Robinson endeavoured to make a change in his favour, by attacking
Carter and following him up, but at length he was sent down.

11.—This was a tolerably good round, and the Black showed himself a
different man altogether from what he appeared in his late combat
with Carter. His mug seemed a little changed, and Carter kept
repeating upon the punished places. Robinson went down from a hit.

12.—The Black set-to with much resolution, and seemed very unlike an
almost finished man. His face was again severely milled, but it was
very doubtful whether Carter had the best of this round. The Black
was sent down.

13 and last.—Time was growing very short, and Carter to win must
almost perform wonders. He again put in two nobbers, and some other
hits, when Robinson fell down from a sort of slip, tumbling forwards
between Carter’s legs. Carter immediately threw up both his arms,
and declared the man of colour had dropped without a blow. The outer
ring was instantly broken, and some confusion took place. “Foul,
foul!” and “Fair, fair!” was loudly vociferated by both parties, and
on all sides. Twenty-eight minutes and a half had expired. It was
urged that Robinson had fell once before without a blow, which had
not been noticed. Upon this termination some demur occurred; but it
was decided by the umpires that Carter was entitled to the money,
and it was given up to him accordingly.

REMARKS.—In the eighth round Carter was evidently distressed, and
showed he was much out of condition. He had been living freely, and
his milling capabilities must have experienced a drawback, by his
having a very painful and inflamed leg. In fact, it was rather a
surprise match, and the money hastily deposited on the part of
Carter when he was not in the most temperate state of understanding.
It was a ridiculous wager altogether, and such a man as Robinson
appeared to be in this last fight with Carter, would require the
tremendous finishing hits of a Cribb to beat the man of colour with
anything like a certainty in thirty minutes. The face of Robinson,
never an Adonis, was a little spoilt as to its former character, but
the light was far from being taken out of him, and in the tenth,
eleventh, and twelfth rounds he changed his mode, with an appearance
of going to work in earnest. He is not to be vanquished by nobbing
hits alone. Could Carter use his right hand in any manner to second
his left, few men, it is urged, would be able to stand any length of
time before him. He appeared not the least hurt from the conflict in
which he had been so recently engaged; and Robinson also was in a
wagon viewing the fight between Curtis and Lazarus, with all the
indifference of a mere spectator.

The Lancashire and Carlisle friends of Carter now rallied round him, and he was at length matched with Oliver. In the metropolis Oliver was everything; and Carter, in opposition to him, only named with derision and contempt. But time, which proveth all things, thus narrates this milling event:—

This contest was decided on the estate of Sir James Maxwell, in an enclosed field of Mr. Johnson, inn-keeper (and within 150 yards of the blacksmith’s shop, so celebrated in the Lovers’ Cabinet for the dispatch of business), at Gretna Green, four miles from Longtown, and fourteen from Carlisle, on Friday, the 4th of October, 1816, for 100 guineas a-side, in a twenty-four feet roped ring, in the presence of 30,000 spectators. The sporting world was much interested, yet so confident as to the termination of the event, that three to one was considered as correct betting. Oliver had risen progressively into fame. Not so with his opponent: he was “anything but a good one.” During the day on which the fight took place the streets and houses of Carlisle and its vicinity were drained of the male population, and a horse, chaise, cart, or any sort of vehicle whatever, was not to be procured at any price. The fanciers of the metropolis, it seems, were not so numerous as usual upon great milling occasions, and a few of the “highest flight” only were recognized upon the ground. Mr. Jackson was not at Carlisle, and it was observed that the losing man was not the better for his absence. The concourse of people was so great that it was deemed necessary to form an outer rope ring, in order to prevent unpleasant consequences from the pressure of so vast a multitude. The fight had nearly been prevented, as officers, sent by George Blamire, Esq., the Mayor of Carlisle, and the Rev. Dr. Lowry and Dr. Heysham, two other magistrates, were on the look-out to bind the parties over to keep the peace.

Oliver arrived at the Bush Tavern, Carlisle, accompanied by Captain Barclay, on Wednesday morning, at eleven o’clock, and he had scarcely entered the room when the officers inquired for him. Some person, suspecting their errand, introduced them to the brother of Oliver, when Tom took the hint and quietly withdrew, not being known to them. At nineteen minutes before one the battle commenced. The umpires were the Marquis of Queensberry and Captain Barclay. Carter first entered the ring with his seconds, Painter and Harmer, and the usual defiance of the castor was exhibited by him. Oliver instantly followed with his assistants, Cribb and Cooper. On stripping, the condition of Oliver appeared equal to any one that ever entered the ring; but Carter, it was thought, might have been better. The ceremony of friendship was then performed, and ten to four was loudly vociferated upon Oliver.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—The odds being so decidedly against Carter, the greatest
anxiety was manifested by the spectators upon their setting-to, and
the combatants seemed equally alive to the importance of obtaining
the first advantage, by their deliberate mode of attack. Oliver
endeavoured to plant a tremendous blow with his right hand, which
Carter stopped in a scientific style, and returned a severe
left-handed hit on the right eye of Oliver, that produced the claret
in a twinkling. A good rally took place. Carter closed upon his
adversary, fibbed him terribly, and ultimately threw him. Oliver
bled profusely from his temple and his nose. It is impossible to
describe the shouts of the populace upon Carter’s obtaining this
superiority. It was like a salute of artillery. (The odds had
completely vanished, and even betting was now the true feature of
the ring.)

2.—This burst of applause seemed to operate much upon the feelings
of Oliver, and he determined if possible to get the turn in his
favour by going furiously to work. Carter, partial to the left hand
mode, aimed at his opponent’s nob, which Oliver prevented, and
fought his way into a rally. Considerable hammering took place, and
Carter got his man on the ropes. Here the truth began to be told to
the sceptics: the superiority of strength most completely manifested
itself upon the side of Carter, who again threw his opponent. (Great
shouting. It was all up with any more offering of three to one.)

3.—Oliver gave Carter a severe blow on the head, but the latter
would not be stopped, and again bored his man to the ropes, punished
him dreadfully, and brought him down, Oliver bleeding copiously.

4.—Oliver was now convinced that he had formed an erroneous opinion
of the boxing powers of his antagonist. Carter turned out a better
man in every point of view than he had expected, and was not to be
disposed of in that easy manner which he had flattered himself must
be the case, and in which his friends had so fatally confirmed the
error. Several heavy blows passed between them, but to the advantage
of Carter. The latter received a severe facer; but, notwithstanding,
he drove his man to the ropes, and, in closing, both went down. The
head of Oliver was much punished, and his back excoriated by Carter
hugging him on the ropes. (Six to four upon Carter generally, and
more in many places. It was at the close of this round that Carter
first showed blood.)

5.—Oliver seemed at a loss how to cope, with any sort of success,
against his scientific antagonist, and resorted to his game
qualities of going in to smash this hitting and getting away boxer,
if possible. Oliver was no stranger that Carter always preferred
giving to taking punishment, and drew an inference that his opponent
had some fears in this respect, and that to insure victory the fight
must be taken out of him by close and determined attacks. Oliver, in
consequence, felt severely in this round for Carter’s body, but the
latter returned desperately on his opponent’s head. They were again
struggling at the ropes, and both went down.

6.—Some heavy blows were exchanged in a rally, and Carter was
floored at the ropes.

7.—Oliver was bleeding in all directions, and, in closing, went
down.

8 to 20.—The description of these rounds would be superfluous. The
gameness of Oliver, his manliness of boxing, and his determination
to succeed, if possible, perfectly satisfied the most sanguine of
his partizans, and at intervals he met with partial success; but, in
justice to Carter it must be stated, that the advantages were
decisively upon his side: he hit and got away with his usual _sang
froid_; his right hand was also conspicuously effective, and,
whenever it appeared expedient to finish the round, he closed at
pleasure upon his adversary with the most eminent superiority.
Oliver gained nothing in fighting for length; and when going in he
was opposed with the most determined opposition. In truth, the
spectators were convinced in the above rounds that the science, the
strength, and smiling confidence of victory were on the side of
Carter; and that his adversary had not only been most dreadfully
punished, but quite abroad as to his usual system of tactics,
throwing away a number of blows by repeatedly hitting short; while,
on the contrary, the Lancashire hero did not exhibit any very
prominent marks of severe milling, and was quite in possession of
himself.

21.—In this round Oliver showed himself off in a conspicuous manner,
and put in so tremendous a hit in the wind of Carter, that he
measured his length on the ground instantaneously. It appeared, from
its severity, a complete finisher. The friends of Oliver thought
Carter would not be able to come to time, if at all; and the
Lancastrians looked rather blue as to its ultimate effects. (The
betting, notwithstanding, varied but little.)

22.—The expected change did not take place; although Carter appeared
at the scratch very much distressed, and almost gaping for breath he
contrived to get himself down in the best manner he was able. No
blows passed in this round.

23.—Much the same as the preceding, but in struggling Oliver was
thrown.

24.—Carter was now “himself again:” his wind had returned, and he
resumed the contest in the most decisive style. Oliver, like a lion,
rushed forward in the most gallant manner. The hitting, in a rally,
was terrible; both the combatants seemed totally to disregard
punishment. The fine game of Oliver was opposed by the bottom of
Carter, and this essential quality toward victory in pugilists, so
much doubted to be possessed in the latter, was now found not to be
wanting in the Lancashire hero. Oliver’s head was disfigured, and
Carter’s nob was a little altered from its originality. It was the
most desperate round in the fight; the closing of it at the ropes
was to the disadvantage of Oliver, and his friends were now
satisfied he could not win.

25.—It was astonishing to witness the courage of Oliver; he appeared
determined to conquer or perish in the attempt. One eye was
completely in the dark, and the other was rapidly closing. His
strength was also fast leaving him; nevertheless, he contested this
round in the most manly manner. He was ultimately thrown, and Carter
fell heavily upon him. (Ten to one upon Carter.)

26 to 32 and last.—The die was cast, and the brave Oliver, like
heroes of old, could not control his fate. Nature had been pushed to
the farthest extremity that the human frame could bear. Defeat
seemed to operate so much upon his mind that he fought till his
pulse was scarcely found to vibrate; and in the last six rounds,
during which he had not the least shadow of a chance, he persevered
till all recollection of the scene in which he had been so actively
engaged had totally left him. In the thirty-second round he was
taken out of the ring in a state of stupor, and completely deprived
of vision. The swelled appearance of his head beggared all
description; his body and back were shockingly lacerated all over
from his struggling so much upon the ropes; and, in point of fact,
much as fighting men may have suffered in former battles, the
situation to which Oliver was reduced, it appears, exceeded them
all. The battle lasted forty-six minutes. He was taken and put to
bed at Longtown, four miles from the ring, and in consequence of the
vast quantity of blood he had lost in the contest, added to his
exhausted state, the surgeons who were called in to attend upon him
deemed it dangerous that he should be bled.

REMARKS.—Oliver felt confident that he should prove the conqueror,
and exerted every means in his power to insure victory. He came into
the ring in high condition, weighing about twelve stone eight
pounds; but the chance was completely against him, either at in or
off fighting, excepting the twenty-first round. Oliver tried to beat
Carter after the manner he had vanquished Painter, by determined
in-fighting; but the left hand of Carter always met the head of his
adversary before he got to his length, when Oliver, finding the
great danger of this mode of attack, endeavoured to render it
useless by throwing his head back to avoid the coming blow, at the
same time it gave Carter a full opportunity of striking down with
his right hand, which he never failed to do. It was always in the
power of Carter to close upon his adversary, and bore him to the
ropes whenever he thought proper. In short, there was no comparison
between the combatants respecting scientific fighting; and the
character of Oliver, as a good man, was more valued than his
capabilities as a boxer considered. The high patronage, too, of
Captain Barclay had dazzled the minds of the fancy—individual or
cool judgment was out of the question, and three to one was betted
without why or wherefore. Calculation was completely against such
betting, and it was a sort of overwhelming preference. Too much
prejudice had existed against Carter; and it was sneeringly observed
that he was without game, at best a mere flipper with his left hand,
and whenever he was placed against a good one he would soon be found
out. Comment upon that head is now rendered unnecessary, as facts
are stubborn things. A better or a braver man than his fallen
opponent is not to be found upon the list of boxers; and, although
defeated, he is entitled to the highest consideration of the
sporting world. Carter weighed about thirteen stone seven pounds,
smiled frequently during the fight, and treated the efforts of his
adversary with the most perfect indifference. There was some cry
about a foul blow, but the umpires did not notice it. Carter
returned to Carlisle in the evening, and was seen walking about the
streets with his friends. So much was Carter the object of
pugilistic admiration at this place that, at the White Hart Inn, a
subscription was proposed among several amateurs, that he should
fight the Champion of England for 500 guineas. It was also observed,
as Richmond was walking round the ring during the fight, that Carter
had beat all the blacks. “No; all but one,” was the reply; when
Richmond said he would fight Carter for 200 guineas. Great praise is
due to Painter for the care and attention he paid to Carter during
his training.

The backers of Carter presented him with fifty guineas in addition to the battle-money. Oliver and Carter, a few days after the fight, met at Hawick, and received each other in the style of true courage.

Carter’s pedestrian feats may here find a place. Pierce Egan says, “As a runner, the qualifications of Carter were far above mediocrity. He could run a mile in little more than five minutes; and out of fourteen races and walking matches, he won them all excepting two.

“In the spring of 1812 Carter ran a match against time, on Sunbury Common, when, to the astonishment of every one present, he performed two miles in a few seconds over eleven minutes without any training.

“Carter, from the celebrity he had gained through the performance of the above match, was backed for a considerable sum against Abraham Wood, of Lancashire, for two miles. The latter was to give Carter 100 yards; but his friends deemed it prudent to pay forfeit. However, a new match was made off-hand, condition not being considered. Wood was now to give 150 yards out of two miles. This race was decided on Saturday, the 26th of December, 1812, on the Lea Bridge Road, near London, Gregson acting as umpire for Carter, and Captain Hinton for Wood. They started at two o’clock, Carter having taken 150 yards in advance. Both of the racers seemed to fly, they got over the ground with such speed. When at the end of the first mile, Wood had gained upon Carter sixty yards, and in the next half mile Wood had made greater progress; but when within a quarter of a mile of the winning-post, he was within twenty yards of Carter. The latter had now recovered second wind, and ran the last quarter of a mile with speed at the rate of a mile in five minutes, and won by about six yards. It was even betting at starting, but Carter for choice.

“Carter had some other pretensions to public notice, independent of prize-fighting. He was a good dancer, and could perform the clog-hornpipe with considerable talent, and, after the manner of an expert clown, stand upon his head and drink off several glasses of ale in that position.”

The friends of the Lancashire hero, from the improved capabilities he had so recently displayed, were now anxious to produce a meeting between him and the champion. Much conversation in consequence took place, and even personal challenges passed between the above pugilists, but no deposit was put down to make a match. Cribb offered to fight any man in the kingdom for £1,000, and not less than £300; but Carter, it seems, could not be backed for either of those sums, therefore the match was off altogether. It ought, however, to be mentioned that the latter was ready to accommodate any man for £50; and, although no decision ever occurred respecting his claim to that enviable title, yet Carter assumed the appellation of champion from the following circumstance:—A bet of £200 a-side, £50 forfeit, was made between Sir William Maxwell and the Marquis of Queensberry, immediately after the defeat of Oliver by Carter, at Carlisle Races, October, 1816, challenging all England, the Marquis to produce a man to enter the lists against the latter at the above races in 1817. Twelve months having elapsed and no competitor making his appearance at the appointed place, the £50 was forfeited, and Carter received the same (it is said) at Dumfries.

In the newspapers our hero again publicly challenged anything alive in the shape of a man, adding that his friends were ready to back him, regardless of colour, observing “that blue, black, white, or yellow, would be equally acceptable to him.” In his printed handbills, at the Shrewsbury Races, 1817, he thus vain-gloriously described himself:—

“BOXING.—The art of self-defence will be scientifically displayed by
Mr. John Carter (the Champion of England), Mr. Gregson, and others,
at the Turf Inn, Shrewsbury, every race morning, precisely at eleven
o’clock, and in a spacious booth on the race ground between each
heat.

“⁂ Gregson, who is Carter’s trainer, is taking him down into the
north of England to contend with Donnelly, the Irishman, at the
ensuing Carlisle Races. Private lessons given.”

For three years Carter lived upon the fame of his victory over Oliver, travelling through the provinces, after the manner of more modern quack champions, exhibiting “the art,” and never ceasing to assert the falsehood that Cribb had refused to fight him, whereas Carter always limited his proposal, when pressed, to the stake of £50, a mere absurd subterfuge.

At length his career of boasting received an unexpected check. Cribb argued that his “boy,” Tom Spring (although beaten by Ned Painter in August, 1818), was good enough to lower the pretensions of “the Lancashire hero.” Carter’s friends made the match for £50 a-side, and a purse of £50 for the winner was added by the Pugilistic Club. Two to one was offered by the north countrymen. The battle was fought on Crawley Downs, May 4, 1819. The result will be found in the Life of SPRING, where the report does scant justice to the latter. The infatuation of Carter’s admirers found expression in the following letters addressed to _Bell’s Weekly Dispatch_:—

“_Carlisle, May 12, 1819._

“SIR,—

“You will oblige the Cumberland fancy by giving insertion to the
following paragraph in your next paper.

“Your obedient servant,

“H. P.

“The gentlemen of the Cumberland fancy have held a meeting after
reading an account of the battle between Spring and Carter contained
in your paper, and from other sources of information, and were
unanimously of opinion that Carter made a cross of the battle. They
have, therefore, come to the resolution of withdrawing all support
from him in future: they will not back him, even if he were matched
to fight an orange boy. All bets upon the battle have been declared
void in the North.”

This nonsense elicited the following reply:—

“SIR,—

“In reply to a letter, signed H. P., from the Cumberland fancy,
which appeared in your journal of May 16, I shall briefly observe
that the gentlemen who acted as umpires at the battle between Carter
and Spring are well known as men of honour and integrity, and had
they detected anything like a cross, would have immediately made
such a circumstance public. The battle-money was paid without
hesitation. The noble lord who backed Carter also discharged his
bets upon demand; and no refusal has been made in the sporting world
to pay, that has come within the writer’s knowledge.

“Respecting the fight, sir, it was most certainly a bad one—a
pully-hauly encounter; in fact, it was nearly the same as the battle
between Carter and Oliver, at Carlisle, but with this difference—the
left hand of Carter was foiled, and Spring also proved the stronger
man at the ropes. The Lancashire hero having thus lost the two only
points for which he was distinguished, led to his defeat. Spring
behaved like a man, and did not appear to have any hugging
pretensions about him, had he not been dragged to the ropes. Carter
was beaten against his will.

“In giving insertion to the above letter, to prevent any improper
allusions going abroad, you will much oblige

“AN OLD SPORTSMAN.

“_Tattersall’s, Hyde Park Corner, May 28, 1819._”

There is a volume contained in this. Carter beat Oliver—despite the flowing account in “Boxiana,” written up by a person _not present_ at the battle—by hugging and squeezing his man, who was less in weight and stature than himself, upon the ropes, after the fashion of a recent American champion. Foiled in this by Spring’s length, steadiness, and left-handed skill, he was abroad. That he was beaten against his will, no impartial spectator could doubt.

Carter made his appearance, on the Friday after his battle with Spring, at Mr. Jackson’s rooms in Bond Street. His crest was lowered, his former high tone quite subdued, and he acknowledged, with some touches of grief, that he could not tell how he lost the battle. Thirty pounds were collected on the ground for him, including the donation of ten from his backer.

On losing his popularity, he left London for Ireland, in which his stay was rather short, when he returned to England accompanied by the Irish champion. A quarrel, however, took place between Carter and Donnelly, when the former followed the Irish champion to Dublin, opened a public-house, and challenged Dan. See the memoir of Donnelly in Chapter VII.

Carter, who arrived from Ireland on Tuesday, February 1, 1820, being anxious to make a match with Sutton, for 100 guineas a-side, previous to his again returning thither, called in at a sporting house in Oxenden Street, for the purpose of making his intention known, and on being admitted into a room where a private party were assembled, insulted several, and ultimately threw a glass of wine in the face of one of those present, part of which alighted on Tom Cribb. This insult was not to be borne by the champion, who, although rather the worse for the juice of the grape at the time, immediately grappled with Carter. It was an up and down contest, but the champion made such good use of his time that his opponent received a severe thrashing in the space of one minute, and begged in a piteous manner that Cribb might be taken away from him, or he should be killed.

Carter once more left London, sparring his way to Dublin, in which he was assisted by Reynolds and Sutton.

On his return a few months afterwards, being in company with Shelton at a sporting dinner at the Brown Bear, Bow Street, July 10, 1821, he spoke disparagingly of Shelton’s capabilities, when, after some discussion, £20 were posted for a fight instanter, and the result was that Shelton beat him to a stand-still in three rounds only. Carter afterwards challenged Jem Ward to fight for £100 a-side, but when the time came for making the match, was unable to raise that sum. In this dilemma he proposed to back himself for £50 a-side, and trust to fortune to get the money. This was refused by Ward; but, being hard pressed by Carter, who entreated him as a favour to oblige him, at length consented, and it was agreed they should fight for £50 a-side, on May 17, 1828, within one hundred miles of London, which came off at Shepperton Range, when Carter was defeated in sixteen rounds, occupying thirty-two minutes. (See Memoir of WARD, Chapter I., Period VI.)

Carter was next matched with Deaf Burke for £100 a-side, by whom he was defeated, at the Barge House, Woolwich, on the 8th of May, 1832, in eleven rounds, occupying twenty-five minutes. (See DEAF BURKE, _post_.)

Although he survived this defeat twelve years, it was his last appearance in the prize ring. He died at Thames Street, Manchester, May 27, 1844.