Chapter I: Tom Spring (champion)—1814–1824 (1)

A new era in boxing arose about the period of Spring’s appearance and Tom Cribb’s later battles, of which Thomas Winter (Spring) was the exponent, and of which school Jem Ward (in the next Period), Peter Crawley, Ned Neale, Jem Burn, Baldwin, Young Dutch Sam, and others, with numerous light weights, carried out the exemplification and practice. This we shall have ample occasion to notice in the coming chapters; for the present we will address ourselves to the milling career of Thomas Spring.

Thomas Winter, who adopted the name of Spring on his appearance in the ring as a professor, was born at Fownhope, Herefordshire, February 22nd, 1795. His fighting-weight thirteen stone two pounds; later, thirteen stone four pounds; height, five feet eleven and a-half inches.

The relations and connexions of Thomas Winter, at Hereford and in the neighbourhood, were respectable; and when he tried his “’prentice han’,” at the age of seventeen, in battle with Hollands, a big countryman of some provincial repute, he won by science and steadiness. He thus gained a name is the immediate neighbourhood of Mordeford, where he was in service with a butcher, who was in after life a firm friend and an admirer of Tom’s prowess.

Two years afterwards (in 1814), one Henley, a local celebrity, challenged Tom for three sovereigns a-side. This also came off at Mordeford, when in eleven rounds Henley was satisfied that he had found his master in the youth whom he had challenged to the fray.

Spring two years afterwards made his way to the metropolis. Here he met one Stringer, a Yorkshireman, from Rawcliffe, renowned for its “paddocks.” Stringer was under the wing of Richmond, and was proposed as a “trial horse” for the young aspirant Spring. The battle took place at Moulsey, September, 9, 1817. We take the contemporary report as giving the first impressions produced on those who did not foresee the brilliant career of the youthful débutant.

The appearance of Stringer was athletic and big, but by no means fresh, and his cut of countenance was rough and weatherbeaten. He was an ugly looking customer in more than one sense. Spring looked boyish, not more than 21 years of age, and in some points he was thought to resemble the late Jem Belcher, but on a larger scale. The men, it appears, were about equal in weight—Stringer thirteen stone seven pounds, Spring thirteen stone two pounds. Both men were about six feet in height, and formidable fellows. The stakes were forty guineas and a purse given by the P. C. (Pugilistic Club). Stringer was waited upon by Richmond and Shelton; Spring was seconded by Tom Owen and Parish, the Waterman. Two to one was asked upon Spring; but seven to four was the current betting against Stringer.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Stringer, on setting-to, placed himself in a better
attitude than was expected. He also made two feints. Some blows were
exchanged; in closing, both down.

2.—In this round the superiority of science was evident on the part
of Spring. In closing he fibbed his opponent severely, and in
struggling for the throw, both went down, Stringer uppermost.

3.—This round was courageously fought. It was curious to observe the
left hand of Stringer pushing, as it were, against his opponent,
with his right close upon it. Yorky did not appear wholly without
judgment, though many of his blows were made at random. Both were
down. The odds had now risen rapidly upon Spring.

4.—Stringer rushed in with all the impetuosity of a bull, seized
hold of his adversary improperly, and sent him down. Loud cries of
“foul,” “fair,” etc. occurred. But the fight was suffered to
proceed, it being attributed more to want of knowledge than to
absolute design.

5.—Strength, activity, and science were now pre-eminent on the part
of Spring, and, at this early stage of the fight, it was almost
certain how it must end. Spring kept hitting his opponent completely
away, but still he returned desperately, till he was at length hit
down.

6.—This was also a desperate round. The men stood up to each other,
and hammered away like a couple of blacksmiths, but Spring had the
best of it. The latter nobly disdained taking an advantage when
Stringer was on the ropes, and let him go down without extra
punishment. Great applause from all parts of the ring.

7.—The determination of Stringer was truly astonishing; he bored in
regardless of the consequences. In passing Spring he got a
tremendous nobber, and was ultimately sent down.

8.—Nothing but milling, till they closed, and both down.

9.—On setting-to Yorky received a facer, which nearly turned him
round, but he recovered himself, and planted a good hit. In closing,
Stringer got his arms round his opponent’s body, but he could not
prevent Spring from administering some heavy punishment. The
Yorkshireman, however, obtained the throw, and fell with all his
weight upon Spring.

10.—Stringer fought with so much desperation that he almost laid
himself down, he appeared so exhausted.

11.—The Yorkshireman could not protect his head from the repeated
shots of his opponent. In closing, both down, but Spring uppermost.

12.—Both men exhibited severe marks of the other’s handy-work. The
claret was flowing copiously. Both down. A quarter of an hour had
elapsed.

13.—A short but sharp round, till both on the ground.

14.—Stringer was rather conspicuous in this round. He bored Spring
to the ropes, where much struggling took place before they went
down.

15.—Stringer was hit down at the ropes. Great applause.

16.—This was as terrible a round as any in the fight. One minute
passed in hard milling, without intermission, till Spring got the
best of it, when Stringer went down and fell upon his hands.

17.—The conduct of Spring was again truly brave. He had Stringer in
a situation that he might have punished him till he was tired, but
he let him down amidst the loudest shouts of approbation. Bravo,
Spring!

18.—Stringer kept fighting till he fell.

19.—The game displayed by the Yorkshireman was equal to anything
ever seen; notwithstanding the severe milling he received, he came
laughing up to the scratch. But his head was never out of chancery
in this round. Both down.

20.—The men upon setting-to went as eagerly to work as if the fight
had just commenced. Hit for hit were reciprocally given, till, in
closing, both had enough of it, and went down.

21.—Equally desperate with any of the preceding rounds. Richmond now
loudly observed to Stringer “to fight his own way.” The Yorkshireman
went down covered with claret.

22.—Spring took the lead in this round in an eminent degree. He
fibbed Stringer terribly, till he slipped through his hands.

23.—The courage of the Yorkshireman was truly fine, and had he
possessed science equal to his opponent the termination of the
battle would have been doubtful. The men fought like lions, till
they both fell out of the ropes. Loud shouting.

24.—Spring again behaved handsomely to Stringer. Many of the
spectators called out to “take the Yorkshireman away.” (Three to one
on Spring.)

25.—A more determined round was never fought. In a rally, both men
were hit to a stand still; they at length got away from each other,
when Stringer rushed in and got his arms round his opponent’s body,
but, ultimately, he was so severely fibbed that he went down
exhausted.

26.—On setting-to, Stringer merely exchanged a blow and went down.

27.—Stringer in endeavouring to bore in upon his adversary ran
himself down.

28.—Stringer now made a last and desperate effort. His seconds kept
as it were urging him forward, telling him “to hold up his head.” He
continued to fight till he was sent down.

29th and last.—This round was, in point of execution, the severest
ever seen. Stringer received so tremendous a hit in his body, from
the right hand of his opponent, that he was only prevented in the
act of falling on his face by a quick repetition of it, which caught
Yorky’s nob, and instantly floored him on his back! He was carried
out of the ring by his seconds in a state of stupor. The battle
lasted thirty-nine minutes.

REMARKS.—A more determined man was never witnessed than Stringer
proved himself. He put in some desperate blows, and his confidence
never forsook him; indeed he laughed several times. On being asked
how he felt himself within the last two rounds, he observed, “he was
as hearty as a buck!” As a “Receiver-General” he stands almost
without an equal. It was a truly desperate fight, and might stand
comparison with the battle between Symonds and George Maddox.
Stringer was most ably seconded by Richmond and Shelton. His nob was
completely metamorphosed. Stringer looks like a man of forty, and,
it would seem, he has commenced pugilist too late in the day to
attain any celebrity. He is able to beat any rough commoner. From
the exhibition of Spring in this battle, he bids fair to put all the
“big ones” upon the alert. It is true, he wants improvement in his
mode of fighting; nevertheless, he displayed those sound requisites,
which, when united with experience, must ultimately constitute him a
first-rate boxer. His strength is unquestionable; his game by no
means doubtful; and he possesses a tolerably good knowledge of the
science. Spring was not once distressed throughout the above battle.
He never bobbed his head aside to avoid the coming blow, but stood
firm as a rock, and stopped or parried. His generous behaviour also
to Stringer, in four or five instances, when he might have
administered additional punishment, was so manly and humane that it
cannot be passed over, nor ought it to be forgotten. Spring has a
prepossessing appearance, is well made, and weighs more than
fourteen stone.[1] Both of the above boxers have stood at the Royal
Academy, as “studies” for the artists. The frame of Stringer is
considered to possess great anatomical beauty.

Spring, anxious to obtain a high situation on the milling list, and to lose his time no longer with rough commoners, without hesitation challenged Ned Painter for 100 guineas a-side, which was as unhesitatingly accepted. It was thought a bold attempt on the part of Spring, and to show more of ambition than sound judgment. This match occasioned much conversation in the milling circles; but Painter was decidedly the favourite. Some difficulty occurred in making the stakes good on the part of Spring, many of his promised backers being found absent at the appointed time. A gentleman, however, stepped forward and made up the deficiency, to prevent disappointment.

The sun had scarcely shed his beams over the metropolis, on Wednesday morning, the 1st of April, 1818, when the roads leading to Mickleham Downs, near Leatherhead, in Surrey, were thronged with vehicles of every description, full of amateurs hastening to the appointed spot to enjoy scientific pugilism, it being the first “big fight” in the season. The Bonifaces along the road were rather taken by surprise, it being April Fool-day, but as soon as they got hold of the right scent, the “dashing system” was put into requisition, and the “cooling article” was most liberally added, in order to prevent the amateurs from getting the fever, or over-heating their frames from too copious draughts of ardent spirits. The “knowing ones” were perfectly satisfied that Painter must win, and seven to four were the odds sported; but the admirers of youth, supported by science, strength, and pluck, added to the chance of long odds, proved eager takers.

The situation of the ring was truly picturesque and delightful, commanding an uninterrupted view of diversified scenery for sixty miles. Some fir trees contiguous to it had an animated appearance from the numerous spectators mounted upon their boughs. At a little after one, Painter and Spring appeared in the outer ring, and, upon meeting, shook hands in a cordial and true Englishman-like manner. Spring threw his hat first in the ring; Painter immediately followed the same line of conduct. At half-past one the men set-to; Painter was seconded by Tom Belcher and Harry Harmer; Spring by Cribb and Byrne. Seven to four current, and two to one against Spring. Gully kept the time.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—The attitude of Spring was firm—his body far back, and his
length of arm rendered him difficult to be got at. They sparred for
three minutes without a hit being exchanged; Spring appeared tired
and put down his hands. He then, in planting a blow, hit short; more
long sparring occurred, when some hits were exchanged, and Painter
received a blow on the side of his throat that sent him staggering,
and, in falling, the back of his head and part of his shoulder came
in violent contact with one of the stakes. The shock was heard by
all the spectators. This round occupied six minutes—Spring received
great applause.

2.—The time-keeper, it appears, from this circumstance, thought his
occupation was at an end; and Mr. Jackson also deemed it next to an
impossibility for the fight to proceed. Painter seemed completely
stupefied from the effects of this accident, and Belcher lifted him
up with the heaviness of a log of wood; nevertheless he came to his
time. In fact it appeared more from instinct than meeting his man
under the influence of intellect. A swelling, the bigness of an egg,
had now risen on his head, and the skin on his shoulder was cut.
Spring again hit short, when Painter planted a sharp facer with his
left hand. More long sparring occurred—some blows were
exchanged—when Painter received a hit and slipped down. Shouting and
applause. The long odds at this early stage of the fight were on the
totter.

3.—The idea of a smashing fight was now at an end, and the Randall
and Belasco system seemed to be the order of the day. It was more a
display of science than of milling. Spring planted a blow and got
away. Painter made a hit, but Spring followed him over the ring. Two
sharp counter hits occurred in the body. Spring laughed, and gave
Painter a nobber, and got away dexterously. Painter made play and
put in a severe facer; some blows were exchanged—and in closing, the
latter endeavoured to “weave” his antagonist, but, in struggling,
the strength of Spring prevailed. He not only held Painter’s hands,
but extricated himself in gallant style, and planted a hit on him as
he was going down. Great applause, and the long odds completely
floored; in many parts of the ring it was now even betting.
Twenty-one minutes had elapsed. Painter, while sitting upon his
second’s knee, confusedly inquired, “what is it?” just coming to his
recollection; having fought the last two rounds in total ignorance.
Harmer then informed him of the accident he had experienced, when
Painter complained of his shoulder.

4.—Long sparring again occurred. Some hits were exchanged. In
closing, Spring held his opponent’s hand (called Tom Owen’s stop,
and first introduced by that boxer). Both down, but Spring
uppermost.

5.—The forte of Painter seemed to have materially changed. There was
more of science exhibited than work performed. The claret scorned to
make its appearance. In closing, Spring threw Painter.

6.—For “Big Ones,” there was nothing like going to work, and a long
fight was contemplated by all the spectators. Two severe
counter-hits occurred. Painter hit short, when Spring returned a
sharp blow on his mouth. In closing Spring got Painter down.
Applause. (The first six rounds occupied half an hour.)

7.—Painter commenced this round by planting a blow on the head, and
one on the body of his opponent. But in closing Spring fell heavily
upon him.

8.—This was also a good round. Painter put in three facers, and got
away. In closing, both hung on the ropes, and went down.

9.—This round was the best display by Painter throughout the fight.
He planted several facers with success, and one was so severe, that,
had it not been for the ropes, Spring must have gone down. In
closing, both down.

10.—Spring hit short several times, and Painter planted a good
nobber, but, in return, he received some sharp hits, so that he
turned round and went down. Great applause for Spring.

11.—The manliness of conduct exhibited in this round by Spring
received thunders of applause. Painter endeavoured to punish Spring
in the act of closing; but the latter, instead of holding him up, as
he might have done, let his man down, and put up both his hands.
“Bravo, Spring!” and he now became, in a great measure, the
favourite. The knowing ones began to look queer.

12.—The same manly conduct again exhibited on the part of Spring.

13.—Painter hit down.

14.—Blow for blow, but Painter down.

15.—Spring slipped, but hit Painter again to grass.

16.—Spring hit down by a complete body blow. “Well done, Painter,”
from his friends.

17.—Painter got a blow on the mouth, when he went down, but appeared
to slip.

18.—The left hand of Spring was used with success; and his science
and length gave him great advantages. Painter down.

19 to 24.—Painter was evidently much distressed, and went down in
all these rounds. He frequently hit himself down.

25.—Spring, although he occasionally hit short, planted some heavy
chopping blows on the arms and shoulders of Painter, which, added to
the accident, tended, in a great measure, to disable his efforts.
The latter, on going in, was hit down, Caleb Baldwin now loudly
offered five guineas to one on Spring.

26.—Painter was so weak that he hit himself down.

27.—Spring’s left hand caught Painter as he was coming in, and the
latter fell on his face.

28 to 31, and last.—Description is not necessary for these rounds.
Painter was completely exhausted, and he resigned the contest in one
hour and twenty-nine minutes; nothing but the highest state of
condition could have enabled him to last such a length of time.

REMARKS.—Spring turned out a much better man than he was previously
rated; though it was still urged that he was not a hard hitter.
Painter did not complain of the punishment he received, but of the
excruciating pain of his head, and the impracticability he
experienced of using his shoulder to any advantage. The gameness of
Painter was too well known to need comment. Spring used his left
hand well, and got away with ease and dexterity; he also displayed
coolness and command of temper. Spring’s body was rather marked; his
peepers somewhat damaged; he was also distressed a little at one
period of the fight, but soon recovered, and kept the lead. On being
declared the victor, Cribb took him up in his arms and carried him
round the ring, amidst loud huzzas.

So anxious were the friends of Painter for a second trial of skill with Spring, that they put down a deposit the same week, and on the 14th of April increased it to £40, to fight on August 7th, 1818, for 100 guineas a-side, it being specially named in the articles that the ring should have only _eight_ stakes.

Spring was now doomed to receive a slight check to his ambition in his second contest with Painter, on the 7th of August, 1818, at Russia Farm, when our hero lost the battle. This unexpected defeat weighed severely on Spring’s mind. (See the life of NED PAINTER, _post_.)

In consequence of the friends of Shelton forfeiting to Spring, a match was proposed between Oliver and Spring; but the bad state of Oliver’s hand prevented it. The backers of Spring, it appears, were determined to give him an opportunity of reinstating himself, and he was matched against Carter, who had, for two years, challenged all England as champion. The stakes were £50 a-side, and a £50 purse to be given by the Pugilistic Club. The odds were high in favour of Carter, and the backers of Spring asked two to one. The above battle was decided on the 4th of May, 1819, at Crawley Down, immediately after Randall and Martin had left the ring. Carter was seconded by Oliver and Donnelly; and Spring was attended by Cribb and Shelton. Generally speaking, it was thought a hollow thing; and Carter was estimated so extravagantly that three to one was betted upon the combatants setting-to.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Carter entered the ring with great self-importance, smiling
contemptuously upon his opponent, and indicating by his gestures
that he had a mere nothing to contend with. Both the combatants
appeared in good condition, particularly Spring. Upon shaking hands,
Carter did not, as heretofore, let fly with his left hand, and both
men sparred for an opening. Spring, at length, planted a hit on
Carter’s right shoulder. All eyes were fixed upon the _soi-disant_
Champion, to see him go to work, almost expecting him to annihilate
his opponent. A long pause occurred, and the men appeared more like
statues than living pugilists in actual combat. Spring broke from
his position, and planted another hit upon Carter’s shoulder. The
latter endeavoured to make a blow with his left, which was well
stopped by Spring, who also fought his way into a close; Carter got
him on the ropes, where a terrible struggle occurred for the throw,
and, amidst much hissing and hooting, Carter got Spring down.

2.—Long sparring, when Spring put in a facer. The intent of Carter
seemed upon hugging more than hitting, and at the ropes, he
endeavoured to throw Spring. The latter, however, proved the
stronger, and Carter was undermost. Loud shouting, and “Well done,
Spring!”

3.—Spring made a hit, when Carter got away. The former followed to
the ropes, and felt for his nob, till the hugging system commenced,
and both went down. (Hissing.)

4.—The amateurs were astonished at the bad fighting of Carter, who
seemed to have no relish for anything but hugging his opponent on
the ropes till both were down.

5.—Spring put in several hits; in struggling Carter was undermost.

6.—Both down; but Spring decidedly the better man; he gave the
Lancashire hero some sharp hits.

7.—Spring took the lead in good style, when Carter in a manner
turned away from the blows, and fell down. Spring pointed at him
with contempt; the “Champion” was loudly hissed.

8.—Disgust and murmuring were expressed all round the ring at the
conduct of Carter. Manliness and courage were displayed by Spring,
and he hit Carter out of the ring, but fell on one knee.

9 to 11.—The finish of all these rounds consisted in struggling at
the ropes, and the backs of the men were scored.

12.—Spring put in a good nobber without any return, and also threw
Carter.

13 to 15.—These rounds were principally hugging; Spring made several
hits, yet went down weak.

16.—This was rather a sharp round, and Carter made some return.
Spring hit his opponent to the ropes, and also broke away from a
close. He renewed the attack sharply, till both went down.

17.—Carter made a good hit with the left, and threw Spring.

18.—It was evident to all the spectators that Spring had rapidly
improved; he stopped the left hand of Carter with the greatest ease.
This being the peculiar forte of the Carlisle Champion he could do
nothing with his right hand, and was foiled. Spring fought manfully,
planted three good hits, and sent Carter down.

19 and 20.—Spring took the lead; but in struggling, both down.

21.—Spring put in a heavy hit on Carter’s nose, with his left hand,
and also threw him. “Well done, Spring!” and ten to eight offered
upon the latter.

22.—Spring hit Carter on the side of the nob, punished him at the
ropes, and broke away from a close. Spring hit Carter down, who
instantly got up, but Spring fell from caution or weakness.

23.—Spring slipped in making a blow.

24.—The conduct of Carter in this round created great
disapprobation. It seemed as if he was fighting a bear instead of a
man. He ran sharply in with his head lowered into Spring’s body,
when the latter paid him well over the nob for it. But in closing
the hissing was very loud, and a distinguished amateur called out to
several persons, that Carter was “going.”

25.—Spring planted some hits and got away. In struggling at the
ropes, when Carter was receiving punishment, he exclaimed, “What are
you at?”

26.—It was plain that Carter meant to tire his opponent, or win the
contest by hugging. A terrible struggle occurred, when the ropes
were broken, and both went down.[2]

27 and 28—Both down. Spring hit Carter down at the ropes.

29.—This was a good round on the part of Spring. He planted two
facers sharply. The claret was now seen issuing from Carter’s mouth,
and his mug damaged.

30.—Spring hit Carter on the nob, but in struggling both went over
the ropes. (Thirteen to five on Spring.)

31.—The right eye of Carter was rather damaged. Spring hit and broke
away. He, however, punished Carter down, and fell.

32.—Carter sat cross-legged upon his second’s knee. Spring hit, and
followed him over the ring. In struggling at the ropes, Carter
exclaimed, “Let go.” Both down.

33 to 35.—Spring worked hard in all these rounds; took the lead from
his hitting; but went down from his exertions.

36.—This was a severe round, and Carter was hit out of the ropes.
Loud shouting; and “Bravo, Spring! Where’s the Champion now?”

37.—Spring made a good hit, but went down from weakness.

38.—Carter hit down at the ropes.

39.—Spring shewed good science; he hit and broke away, and planted a
blow on Carter’s nose. Both down.

40.—After some exchanges, Spring was hit sharply, and fell upon his
head. He was extremely weak, and his friends felt alarmed that he
was falling-off; the odds got down upon him.

41.—Spring, in a struggle, fell upon Carter, which appeared to shake
him to pieces.

42.—Spring made a hit upon Carter’s nose, but was too weak to follow
up this advantage. In closing, on the ropes, both down.

43.—Both down.

44.—The right eye of Carter was nearly closed; but Spring was still
weak, and went down from a slight hit.

45 to 49.—Both down in all these rounds. Hugging was the leading
feature; but whenever Spring could extricate himself he did, and
administered punishment to his opponent.

50.—Spring hit Carter out of the ropes but, to the astonishment of
the spectators, he got up with the utmost sang froid.

51.—Carter tried to make a hit with his right hand, but it was
stopped. After a few exchanges, Spring went down very weak. One hour
and twenty-five minutes had passed, and severity of punishment was
not visible, to any extent, on either side.

52.—Spring now went in, hitting and following Carter closely, till
he punished him down. (“Bravo, Spring! the Champion’s not in
Carlisle now.”)

53.—Hugging again till both down. (Murmuring in all parts of the
ring; and three and four to one betters lamenting their want of
discrimination in backing a man who seemed to have no fight left in
him.)

54.—Carter nearly received his quietus in this round. Spring hit him
on the head so strongly that he went down like a shot. [Thunders of
applause; and a guinea to a shilling offered.]

55.—Carter came in a tottering state to the scratch, but was hit
down. Ten to one.

56.—This was the most interesting part of the combat; Carter, to the
astonishment of the ring, commenced fighting with his left hand, and
made two hits, but was sent down. (“Go it, Spring, you have not a
minute to lose. Give such a Champion a finisher!”)

57.—Carter again floored.

58.—Carter struggling at the ropes, where he positively hung by both
his hands, Spring punishing him on the ribs till he went down.
Carter never returned a blow in this round.

59.—Spring went in, and planted a nobber that sent Carter down like
a log. His seconds pulled him up, and held his head. A hundred to
five. The burst of applause beggars description.

60.—It astonished the ring to see Carter come again, and, from his
recovery, fears were still entertained for Spring.—Carter seemed
anxious to win, and commenced hitting. He also made a desperate
struggle at the ropes till he went down.

61.—Prejudice was aroused against Carter from all parts of the ring,
owing to the overbearing consequence which he had assumed since his
“hugging” victory at Carlisle.—Carter commenced fighting, but went
down from a slight hit; in fact, he almost laid himself down.

62.—In this round Spring was quite the hero. He nobbed and bodied
Carter so severely, that the latter could not lift his arms. (Any
odds.)

63.—Carter was sent down, with striking marks of punishment about
his head and body.

64.—Carter appeared to get round, made a hit, but was sent down.

65.—Carter put in two left-handed hits, but Spring went in manfully,
and got him down.

66.—In closing, both down.

67.—Carter now tried his left hand; but in closing he received a
heavy fall. Spring fell on him. “It is all up;” was the cry.

68.—Carter hit first with his left hand. Both down.

69.—Spring was now very weak, but he went in and punished Carter in
all directions, till both went down.

70.—The fight was now drawing fast to an end. Carter was so confused
and weak that he was hit to the ropes, where he stood still to
receive, till he made a trifling struggle, when both went down.

71.—This was a strange and severe round; Carter endeavoured to make
some hits; but, in closing, he received such a fall, with Spring
upon him, that when time was called, he could not come again. One
hour and fifty-five minutes had elapsed.

REMARKS.—If Spring had been a _punishing_ hitter, he _must_ have won
it in half the time. He, however, displayed not only consummate
tactics in the offensive, but his defensive movements elicited
general applause. Although never rash, he never shrunk from his
work, and this triumphant defeat of the braggadocio north-countryman
placed him on a pinnacle of fame.

Spring, in company with Cribb, now set out on a sparring tour in the west, in which a friendship was cemented which lasted for life, to the credit of both parties. Bill Neat (who had beaten the game Tom Oliver in the previous year, July 10, 1818) was picked out by the Bristolians for a match with “Young Spring” for 100 guineas a-side, and half-way between Bristol and London was named as the ground, articles signed, and £50 made good on September 6th, for a fight on the 6th of October following. But a certificate from Bristol, dated September 19th, 1819, states that “Neat, from a fall, having broken his right arm, twelve months must elapse before he will be well.” Spring complained, and justly, of not receiving forfeit in this case, as he had been put to considerable expenses, and Neat’s accident (generally supposed not to be a fracture at all) was occasioned by his imprudently running, for a wager, down a steep hill, known as King’s Weston.

The friends of Oliver now made a deposit of five sovereigns, but in the same month of October Spring received that as a forfeit.

On the 20th December, 1819, Spring being at Belcher’s, and Ben Burn in a depreciatory humour, “my uncle” offered to post £20 and meet Spring at Wimbledon Common next morning at one o’clock. Both men were there to time. Eales and an amateur seconded Spring; Richmond and Scroggins Uncle Ben. The affair was a burlesque, though Ben fought in a most manly style. Spring was certainly out of condition, and remarkably cautious. He hit heavily, but seldom, and never gave away a chance. Poor Ben, with the exception of one slight success in a scramble, when he caught Spring over the right eye (the same optic that suffered in his fight with Painter), never got on to his man. On the contrary, Spring hit him when and where he pleased for eighteen minutes, when, at the end of the eleventh round, the second big Yorkshireman whom Tom had manipulated, was thoroughly finished off. Not more than 200 persons were present; but the Commissary and the stakes, with many of the P. C., were there, and formed the ring.

A third match with Painter ended in a forfeit on the part of Painter’s friends, who preferred a match with Oliver for the same amount as a safer investment.

In consequence of this forfeit “Uncle Ben,” who didn’t at all stomach his thrashing by a man who, according to some of the connoisseurs of the old ding-dong school, “couldn’t hit a dent in a pound of butter,” now determined, for the greater glory of the house of Burn, to match Bob Burn against his conqueror for £100 a-side. This ended for a time curiously. Spring was out of health, and, not to give a chance away, his backers forfeited the £100 rather than risk a contest. A second match was soon made, and on the 16th of May, 1820, the men met on Epsom Downs.

The morning was stormy, yet the string of vehicles emulated a Derby Day. The ring was delightfully situated, having the hill on the northern side of it, from which hundreds viewed the battle without the inconvenience of a crowd.

Burn had risen in the esteem of the amateurs from a slashing set-to with Larkin, and some Fives Court displays. Spring also was notoriously unwell, and a strong prejudice existed against his “finishing” or “punishing” abilities. These circumstances induced most of the sporting men to hedge their bets, and take the odds upon Burn. Indeed, in a few instances, the odds were now laid upon the latter; five to four on the ground was thinly sported on Spring, the takers snapping at it instantly.

Burn appeared first, and threw his hat into the ring, attended by his seconds, Larkin and Randall, and kept walking up and down for some minutes before his adversary entered the ropes. Spring at length showed, followed by Cribb and Shelton; when the latter observed to Spring, “Mind, Tom, that you throw your hat into the ring so that it does not blow out,” the incident having an evil augury, as several pugilists had been defeated when their hats had taken flight. Spring took the hint, and his castor remained firm in the ring. Randall (for Burn) then tied his colours (green) to the stakes, and the blue kerchief of Spring was immediately added to them. Upon the Commander-in-Chief ordering the sports to commence, the two umpires and the referee (an honourable baronet) wished to impress upon the minds of the seconds and bottle-holders, “That the watch would be held by them only on the following consideration:—That upon the men setting-to, the seconds were to retire to the corners of the ring, and if any one of them spoke to the combatants, that moment the watch would be thrown down. Much irritation had been occasioned by such conduct on both sides at previous fights. It was highly improper, unfair and unmanly; and also in direct opposition to the rules of Broughton, who was looked up to as the father of the Prize Ring.” These remarks were emphatically repeated, and throughout the fight were strictly attended to.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On stripping, we were told that Burn was a stone less in
weight than when he fought Shelton; his condition was nevertheless
as fine as art and nature could exhibit. In fact, his proper pitch
had been ascertained, and Burn flattered himself that he was man
enough for anything on the fighting list. Spring did not appear on
the ground till the last minute; and it was thought by many that he
would forfeit a second time, owing to his not being well. On
stripping, though he appeared better than was expected from the
rumours which had gone forth, it was evident that he was not in
fighting trim. After some little sparring Burn endeavoured to put in
two hits, right and left, somewhat confidently, which Spring
scientifically stopped. A pause. Spring very neatly put in a facer,
and got away. Burn gave two blows without effect. More sparring.
Spring again gave a nobber, and got away. Some little fighting now
occurred, and several good hits were exchanged, from one of which, a
right-handed blow, Burn went off his balance, and fell on his hands.
(A roar of approbation. “Burn can’t win it!” Seven to four; several
were bold enough to offer two to one.)

2.—This round was short, but decisive, and the takers of the odds
looked blue. Burn thrust out his left hand, pawing, as it were, when
he was returned upon by Spring right and left. The latter, however,
got a small taste over his left ogle, and a bump soon rose. In an
exchange of blows, Burn again went down from a hit on the side of
his head. (Tumultuous applause, and “The big one can’t fight,” was
the cry. Two to one nearly current.)

3.—This round quite satisfied the judges that if Spring had been
well he must have won the battle in a canter. He hit Burn staggering
all over the ring, followed him up, and gave the big one pepper at
the ropes, till he went down. (Another Babel shout, and four to one
was offered.)

4.—The claret was plain enough now on the mug of Burn. Spring put in
a heavy claim on his opponent’s victualling office, and got away
cleverly. Some sharp exchanges occurred, in which Spring received a
nobber or two, and not light ones; but Burn was sent staggering and
staggering, till he ultimately went down. (More betters than
takers.)

5.—Spring showed great weakness; but he also showed that he knew the
advantages of science, and from science alone he could win, and
reduce the strength of his opponent. Burn planted a most desperate
hit on the side of Spring’s head; and so keenly did it operate, as a
sort of scalping touch, that the hair instantly flew off, and the
place was bare. Spring, however, conked his opponent, when they
closed, and, in a severe struggle for the throw, Spring broke away
and hit Burn down. (“Bravo! well done, Spring; it’s all your own.”)

6.—Burn had been hit or went down in all the preceding rounds; and
in this Spring fell upon his adversary heavily; after an exchange of
several blows it was here again asserted that, notwithstanding the
punishment Spring had administered to his opponent, it might be seen
he was not a hard hitter, from the little effects visible. Perhaps
this may be more of a theoretical than a practical prejudice against
Spring.

7.—The latter put in a sharp bodier with his left hand, and got
away; but in an exchange of blows afterwards, Burn gave Spring a
heavy one on his ear. In struggling for the throw, Burn appeared
much distressed, but both men fell out of the ropes.

8.—This was rather a dangerous round to Spring, and he might have
lost the battle from it, although it was in his favour. Some severe
blows passed on both sides, when the combatants fought their way to
the ropes, and got entangled in so curious a manner that it appeared
so difficult to the spectators that “Go down, Spring,” was the cry.
The struggle to get the best of the throw was severe indeed; they
grappled at each other’s hand, and if Shelton had not held up the
rope, they were so entangled that the men must have been parted;
however, by a strong effort they got away from this dilemma into the
middle of the ring, when Spring hit Burn well as he was falling, but
Spring also fell upon his head. (Loud shouting for Spring.)

9.—The preceding struggle had distressed Spring so much, that in
setting-to he put down his hands quite exhausted; nevertheless, it
turned out a severe round, and Spring jobbed his opponent so
severely that, in closing, Burn was so confused that he caught hold
of Spring’s nose. (Great disapprobation.) In going down Burn was
undermost.

10.—The left eye of Burn was rather damaged, and Spring made play in
good style. Burn scarcely ever went to work till he was nobbed into
it; and then he made some good counter-hits. This was rather a sharp
round; but in going down Spring was undermost.

11.—After some exchanges, Spring’s left ear showed marks of
punishment. Sparring for wind, when Spring got a facer. The latter
again showed bad condition, and stood still for a short period; but
Burn did not turn it to account. However, after a hit or two, Spring
fell down, his head upon his arm. Some slight fears were here
entertained that the strength of Burn might tire out Spring.

12 to 14.—In all these rounds the fighting was on the part of
Spring. Most certainly the latter never fought so well in any of his
battles as in the present. He put in several hits, and got away with
great agility.

15.—In this round Spring did as he pleased with his opponent; Burn’s
body and head were quite at his service, and it was evident the
battle must soon end. In going down Burn was also undermost. Any
odds; but it was all up. Here Burn informed his second that Spring
was too strong for him.

16.—In this round Burn was hit sharply; and in going down his left
leg fell under him, and great fears were entertained it was broken.
(“Spring for ever,” and twenty to one; indeed it was thought Burn
would not come again.)

17.—Burn endeavoured to show fight, but he was again sent down at
the ropes, and £10 to a crown was offered.

18 and last.—Burn was soon down, and Spring proclaimed the
conqueror. Tom walked out of the ring with apparent ease, and with
very few marks.

REMARKS.—Although this was pronounced a bad fight, Spring is justly
entitled to much praise, from his good style of fighting, and the
skill he displayed in not going “to work” too rashly, from his bad
condition. Had Spring been as well as he ought, the battle must have
been over in half the time. It, however, was the general opinion of
the fancy, that Burn, previous to the contest, could not be disposed
of in half an hour, and numerous bets were made to that effect. The
judges too insisted that Spring was not a hard hitter, and they did
so at the conclusion of this battle; but he repeated his blows so
often on the nob of his opponent that they ultimately proved
effectual. Burn, after the first round, appeared to have lost
confidence. Gameness alone will not reach the top of the tree.
Spring behaved bravely to his opponent, and was much applauded. He
had Burn at the ropes in a defenceless state, but he saw the battle
was his own, and he lifted up his hands and walked away. If it be
admitted that Spring was not a hard hitter, it cannot be denied that
he possessed a superior knowledge of fighting, and was too difficult
a man for Burn to get at.

A match was on the _tapis_ between Spring and Sutton, the Black, but it went off.

In consequence of some dispute about impropriety of conduct, between Spring and Josh. Hudson, after the battle of Cooper and Shelton, at Moulsey Hurst, on Tuesday, June 27, 1820, a purse of £20 was immediately subscribed by the amateurs for Spring and Hudson to fight. Both men accepted the offer without the least hesitation; more especially as an amateur offered £5 to Hudson, if he would only fight one round with Spring. Five or six rounds, however, were sharply contested, in which Joshua drew the cork of his antagonist, but on his getting the worst of it, Hudson pocketed the £5, and Turner judiciously took him out of the ring. This was the fourth battle on that day. Spring looked upon this £20 as a sweetener for his recent losses on Shelton, whom he had backed. The dispute in question, it seems, was owing to Spring refusing to admit Hudson into the room where Shelton had been put to bed.

During the time Spring was at Norwich, when Painter fought with Oliver, five guineas a-side were deposited for a match between the Gas-Light Man and our hero. The backers of Hickman, however, did not come forward at the appointed time, in London, to make the stakes good, when the £5 was forfeited to Spring.

The friends of Oliver, anxious to keep the game alive, made a match for £100 a-side with Spring.

Thus the game Tom Oliver was pitched upon to try to check the upward career of Spring, and the stakes, 200 sovereigns, were made good over a jolly dinner at Belcher’s, and the day fixed for February 20, 1821. Accordingly, as this was the first spring meeting of gymnastic sports for the year, at daybreak on the following morn the Western Road was all bustle. It was a prime turn-out of the swells; upwards of nine noblemen were present; but it was a “big fight,” and that is sure to bring them to the ring. Salt Hill was the place first named; but a hint from the beaks removed it early in the morning, and the ring was again formed at about two miles from Arlington Corner. Here the magistrates again interfered, it is said, at the request of a lady of rank, whose sons were great supporters of this British sport, and the “beaks” were not to be gammoned into good humour, although Oliver had made his appearance in the ring. The bustle and confusion created to be off instanter was truly laughable, and the “devil take the hindmost” was the order of the day. But in a few minutes the scene was truly delightful. It was a perfect steeple chase. The string of carriages for miles winding round the road, the horsemen galloping and leaping over the hedges, the pedestrians all on the trot, and the anxiety displayed on every countenance to arrive in time, all following the Commander-in-Chief and Bill Gibbons with the stakes. The surprise occasioned in the villages through which his motley group passed, the children out of doors at the farm houses shouting, the “Johnny Raws” staring, the country girls grinning, the ould folks wondering what was the matter, and asking if the French were coming, the swells laughing and bowing to the females, and all the fancy, from the pink on his “bit of blood,” down to the toddler, full of life and spirits, formed a most interesting picture. At length Hayes was reached, and the ring formed without delay. Oliver threw his hat into the ring about six minutes to three, followed by Tom Owen, in his white topper, and Richmond. Spring appeared shortly afterwards, repeating the token of defiance, attended by the Champion of England and Painter. The colours, yellow for Oliver, and blue for Spring, were tied to the stakes. On meeting in the ring, the combatants shook hands together in true British style, and Spring asked Oliver how he did? “Pretty bobbish,” said Oliver, smiling; “very well.”

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On stripping, both men appeared in excellent condition, and
each asserted he was never better, if so well, in his life. Oliver
looked rather pale, and Spring had a small flush on his cheeks.
Oliver made an offer to hit, when Spring got away. Oliver made a
hit, which Spring stopped neatly. Spring endeavoured to put in a
blow, which Oliver parried. A pause, and great caution on both
sides. They smiled at each other’s attempts, as much as to say, “I
am prepared.” Some little time occurred in sparring, when the long
reach of Spring enabled him to make a hit. Oliver returned, when
some exchange of blows at the corner of the ropes produced a
struggle, and they both went down in a sort of scramble, Oliver on
his back, and Spring nearly by his side. (“Bravo!” from the
Westminster boys; “Oliver must win it.” Indeed, Oliver appeared to
have the good wishes of the old fanciers.)

2.—Spring missed a hit. A pause. Spring got away from a heavy blow;
in fact, the latter showed excellent science, and Oliver found his
opponent a most difficult man to get at. In a close, Oliver was
completely hit down, from a severe blow on the side of his head.
(Loud shouting for Spring, and “That’s the way to win.”)

3.—The mouth of Oliver was cut. Spring got away with great
dexterity; indeed, it was thought by the real judges of pugilism, at
this early stage of the battle, that it was likely to be a long
fight, but that Spring would win it. Oliver again down.

4.—In closing, a struggle took place, and Spring was undermost.
(Loud shouting from Oliver’s backers, and the Westminster lads in an
uproar.)

5.—Spring got away from every blow in the first part of the round.
Oliver planted a left-handed body hit. In a severe struggle for the
throw at the ropes, Oliver caught hold of the rope, but Spring got
him down heavily, and they rolled over each other.

6.—This round the fight had nearly been at an end. Spring not only
took the lead in first-rate style, but put in two heavy body blows,
and fell heavily upon Oliver. His head lolled upon his shoulder, and
when time was called, he could scarcely hear the vociferation of his
seconds, “Tom, Tom! be awake, my boy!” the spectators crying out,
“It’s all up.” Indeed it appeared so, and many of the anxious
betters, who had their money upon Spring, and not wishing to give
half a chance away, thought it a very long half-minute before “time”
was called.

7.—The sudden start of Oliver, on recovering his recollection, the
animated expression of his eyes, and putting himself in an attitude
to meet his opponent, was one of the finest specimens of true
courage ever witnessed; he, however, was soon sent down. (“He’s a
brave creature;” “he’s an extraordinary man;” “he’s the gamest
creature in the world;” were the general expressions all over the
ring.)

8.—Oliver very queer. Spring punished him about the head till he was
again undermost, and received another fall. (“It’s all over
now—Oliver cannot recover these falls,” was the general opinion; and
two to one, or, in fact, any odds.)

9.—Oliver floored from a severe nobber. Great shouting for Spring.
The game displayed by Oliver astonished all the ring.

10.—Oliver again thrown, and Spring fell heavily on him.

11 to 17.—Oliver recovered, it is true, in some degree, from the
severity of the fall which he received in the sixth round; but he
could make no change; in fact, the chance was decidedly against him.
In this round, Spring punished Oliver till he went down. The truth
was, Oliver could not get at Spring.

18.—This was a sharp round, and Oliver exerted himself to win, but
without effect. It was thought Spring had hit Oliver foul, but it
was a blow he put in as Oliver was going down. Spring, in finishing
this round, put in some tremendous body blows, after the quick
manner of Randall.

19.—Clark, the friend of Oliver, now thinking that Oliver could not
win, went into the ring and threw up his hat; but Oliver would
continue the fight till he was hit down. Oliver might be said to be
dragged up by his second, Tom Owen, who exerted himself to the
utmost degree to bring the old Westminster hero through the piece.
Richmond also paid every attention, but the fight was completely out
of him, and the persons at the outer ring left their places.

20.—Oliver went up resolutely to Spring, determined to make a change
in his favour; but it was only to receive punishment; he was again
down.

21.—When time was called, Oliver not coming up directly, Spring was
told that it was all over, and had got hold of his coat to put it
on, when Oliver again showed fight, and was terribly hit about the
head and body, till he measured his length. (“Take him away; he
can’t win it.”)

22 and 23.—These rounds were fought in the greatest confusion. The
ring being flogged out, the time-keeper taking refuge in the rope
ring, with two or three other swells, till the rounds were finished.
Oliver was now quite exhausted, but positively refused to give in.

24, 25, and last.—All these rounds were fought in the greatest
confusion, and when Spring had got Oliver at the ropes, and might
have fibbed him severely so as to put an end to the battle, some
person cut the ropes, which let Oliver down easy. Oliver contended
every inch of ground, although so much distressed: at length he was
so much punished that he could not leave the knee of his second when
time was called. It was over in fifty-five minutes.