Chapter V (1)

NED NEALE (“THE STREATHAM YOUTH”)—1822–1831.

In the memoir of the redoubtable Tom Sayers, in our third volume, will be found a few remarks on the persistency with which Hibernian reporters and newspaper scribes, old and new, claim an Irish origin for fighting heroes, naval, military, and pugilistic. Ned Neale furnishes another instance of this assuming proclivity. Indeed, at the time of Neale’s appearance, the talented editor of _Bell’s Life in London_, Vincent George Dowling (himself of Irish descent), and Pierce Egan, were the recognised reporters of every important ring encounter—the clever but eccentric George Kent, who for twenty years had been its most active chronicler, having previously gone to his rest in the churchyard of Saint Paul’s, Covent Garden. The _Bell’s Life_ and _Dispatch_ accordingly prefixed a “big O” to the name of our hero, and plentifully larded their reports of Neale’s doings with Hibernian humour, misspelling his name “O’Neil,” until, in a letter to _Bell’s Life_, signing himself “Ned Neale, the Streatham Youth,” the young aspirant disclosed his parentage and place of birth, depriving “ould” Pierce’s rhodomontade of its applicability and point.

Ned Neale first saw the light in the pleasant village of Streatham, in Surrey, on the 22nd of March, 1805, of humble but respectable parents. His youth, it may be remarked, was passed in a period when the ring had for its patrons noblemen, gentlemen, and sportsmen, and among its professors Gully, the Belchers, Randall, Cribb, and Spring. At an early age he was in the employ of Mr. Sant, an eminent brewer near Wandsworth, and a staunch patron of the ring. Neale often stated that the first battle he witnessed was the second fight between Martin and Turner, at Crawley, on the 5th of June, 1821, and from that moment felt convinced that he “could do something in that way” himself. That he was not mistaken, his career, as here recorded, will bear witness.

Neale now placed himself under Harry Holt, and by glove practice with that accomplished tactician soon became a proficient in the use of both hands.

His patron, Mr. Sant, gratified his desire to figure in the “24–foot” by backing him for £20 a-side against Deaf Davis, a well-known veteran, a game man, and a hard hitter. The battle came off at the Barge House, Essex, opposite Woolwich Warren, on the 21st of May, 1822, Neale being then in his eighteenth year. The odds were seven to four against “the youth,” as he was booked to lose the battle by the knowing ones. Neale was seconded by Harry Holt and Paddington Jones, while Davis had the skilful seconding of Ned Turner and Dick Curtis. The contemporary report, which is brief, remarks of this battle, that it was “a rattling mill for the first forty minutes,” prolonged for another hour by Davis’s “manœuvring and going down,” without even getting a turn in his favour. In the “remarks” we are told “Neale proved himself a good hitter, a steady boxer, and one who can take without flinching; we shall no doubt hear more of him by-and-by. His youth and good condition carried him through triumphantly.” We may here note that in “Fistiana,” by a typographical error, the battle is set down as for “£100” and lasting “20 minutes.” It should read “100 minutes and £20 a-side.”

The ordeal passed, Ned did not long stand idle. After Brighton Races, on the 21st July, 1822, a purse was subscribed, and the announcement being made to the London pugilists, some of whom were exhibiting their skill in the booths on Lewes Downs, Peter Crawley proposed that Neale should offer himself to “any countryman on the ground.” One Bill Cribb, a brick-maker, who held among his companions the title of the Brighton champion, and known as an exhibitor at the Fives Court, accepted the challenge. Neale was seconded by Peter Crawley and Peter Warren, Cribb by Belasco and Massa Kendrick (the man of colour). No time was lost, and the men at once began.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—The Brighton man looked hard and muscular. He at once went
to work right and left, but was short, from his opponent’s activity.
Neale nobbed his man prettily, but Cribb returned in a rally, with a
sounding body blow. “Well done, Brighton.” Neale stopped prettily,
and in closing sent his man to grass.

2.—Neale, after a feint or two, stopped a right-hander and sent in
one, two, cleverly, got away, and repeated the pepper. Cribb stood
it gamely, like his namesake, but he could not get home well. In the
close Cribb got Neale under.

3.—Cribb’s dial much battered, but he took it cheerfully and tried
to lead off. Neale again gave him a postman’s double knock on the
middle of the head that sent him back into his corner. He, however
fought his way out, but slipped down.

4, 5, 6, 7.—Similar to the third round, except that in the last
Neale hit Cribb clean off his legs. Two to one offered.

8.—Cribb could not keep Neale’s fist from his face, yet he fought
game till his strength failed, and he got down anyhow.

9.—Neale set aside the efforts of his opponent with ease and
coolness. Cribb could not keep him out, and was again down.

10.—The Brighton man, still game, was up determinedly, and showed
fight, getting in a slovenly crack or two in a rally until punished
down.

11, and last.—Cribb, without a shadow of a chance, bored in; Neale
caught his head under his left arm and fibbed him severely, until he
broke away quite groggy. Neale sent him down, and he was deaf to
“time.” Over in fifteen minutes.

REMARKS.—Neale out-fought his man at all points. It is clear no
yokel must meddle with the Streatham youth. Hickman, the Gasman,
held the watch, the ring was well kept, and the subscribers declared
themselves well pleased with the short but sharp battle. Neale was
without a mark on the face.

Three days after, on the 3rd of August, 1822, Neale being at Lewes Races, and a purse being declared, Miller, a London pugilist, known by the odd sobriquet of “The Pea-soup Gardener,” offered himself. Young Ned, “to keep his hand in,” accepted the challenge. Neale on this occasion was waited on by his late opponent, the Brighton champion, and Peter Warren—Miller by young Belasco and a friend. The fight was a fiasco. Pierce Egan says, “The _pea-soup_ cove was made _broth_ of in the first round.” The affair went on for six more rounds, when Miller gave up the battle, saying “he would fight any man of his weight.” Over in seven minutes.

This little provincial practice brought Neale forward, and his next appearance was on the London stage, with Hall, of Birmingham, as his opponent. Hall had just distinguished himself by defeating the once-famous Phil Sampson, of whom more anon. The affair came off at Wimbledon, on Tuesday, November 26th, 1822, Hall being the favourite at six to four, and much money was laid out by backers of Hall from the “Hardware Village.”

The road exhibited a good sprinkling of the fancy, particularly the milling coves. Martin, Randall, Shelton, Spring, Oliver, Abbot, Lenney, Brown, Hickman, Stockman, Carter, A. Belasco, Ned Turner, Scroggins, Barlow, Dolly Smith, Spencer, &c., assisted in keeping a good ring. This fight was announced to be on the square, and “lots of blunt dropped on it.”

At one o’clock Hall, accompanied by Josh Hudson and Jack Carter, attempted to throw his nob-cover into the ring, but the wind prevented it reaching the ropes. Neale soon followed, attended by Harry Holt and Paddington Jones. Hall was favourite, at six to four.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Hall displayed a fine frame, and his features reminded some
spectators of Tom Reynolds, while others declared his figure to
resemble the formidable “Gasman” (Tom Hickman). Neale also looked
well, but was by no means in as good condition. Hall began, breaking
ground and working round, but by no means cleverly. Neale faced him,
armed at all points. Hall went in with a half-arm hit, and Neale,
stepping back, caught him a flush left-hander on the nose. Hall
staggered, and as Neale went in, slipped down. The Streathamites
uproarious. “Take him back to Brummagem! he can’t stop, except with
his head!”

2.—Hall tried to shake off the last facer. He sparred, shifted
ground, and stopped one or two blows neatly. Neale forced the
fighting and the men closed. Hall got hold of Neale to fib, but the
Streatham Youth extricated himself, not, however, before Hall had
damaged his nose and mouth by a round hit or two. Neale went down.

3.—Neale planted a heavy blow on Hall’s ear. Hall bored in and got
hold of Neale, hugging him on the ropes, and trying to fib, but not
effectively. Neale got down. Hall was evidently the stronger man,
but the worse fighter.

4.—Hall rushed in, got a nobber, but closed and threw Neale heavily.
Cheers from the hardware lads.

5.—The Streatham Youth met his man boldly and coolly, hit him twice
on the head, avoiding the return, and after a sharp rally sent Hall
down. The odds changed, Neale for choice, 5 to 4.

6.—Hall fought rather wild—Neale steady, and active in defence.
Again Neale visited Hall’s right eye heavily, raising a large mouse.
A severe struggle. Hall fell through the ropes. 6 to 4 on Neale.

7.—Hall was piping. He did not like to commence milling, for fear of
consequences. “You have been a soldier,” said Josh. “Fighting is
their business; why don’t you fight?” A good round was the result,
and Neale was thrown.

8.—It was “bellows to mend” with Hall; and Neale was none the better
for the throws. A long pause, both combatants sparring for breath.
“How is your wind?” said Josh. “Like a horse,” was the reply from
Hall. “Then go to work, instead of standing as independent as a
gemman,” Hudson said. Neale thrown in a struggle.

9, 10, 11, 12.—More struggling at the ropes than effective blows,
although lots of fibbing took place.

13.—Neale took the lead in this round, nobbed Hall over the ring,
till he went down. A Babel shout of applause.

14.—Neale showed weakness; in closing he went down.

15.—The Streatham Youth went to work in this round, put in three
facers without any return, and got Hall down.

16, 17, 18.—Hall showed plenty of game, but he could not fight; in
close quarters he had generally the best of it.

19.—Neale, on setting-to, floored Hall; but the latter instantly
jumped up, put up his hands, and said, “Oh, that’s nothing at all.”

20.—Hall came to the scratch in a shaky state, when Neale planted
some sharp hits, till he went down.

21.—Hall ran Neale off his legs furiously.

22, 23.—Struggling at the ropes, till both down.

24.—Hall was so distressed that on setting-to he caught hold of
Neale’s hands, when both went down in a struggle; not a blow passed
between them.

25.—It was evident a round or two more must finish the fight. Much
execution had been done on both sides; Neale was severely peppered
about the body; he slipped down.

26, and last.—The Birmingham man getting bad in struggling at the
ropes to obtain the throw he received so severe a fall on his head,
that his seconds had great difficulty in lifting him from the
ground. When time was called, Hall was insensible, and remained in a
state of stupor for more than five minutes.

REMARKS.—It was a manly fight, and the heavy hits of Neale did
considerable execution. Had he been well, it was thought that Neale
could have won the battle in twenty instead of thirty minutes. Hall
knows little about scientific fighting; he is a random hitter, a
strong wrestler, can pull and haul a man about, and does not want
for game. Opposed to science and straight hitting he is lost.

Ned was now the conqueror in four succeeding battles, when Dav Hudson[48] (brother to the John Bull fighter) was matched against him for £40 a-side. The fight took place on Tuesday, September 23rd, 1823, on Blindlow Heath, in Sussex, twenty-four miles from London. Early in the morning the fancy were in motion, the amateurs grumbling at the long distance they were compelled to go to witness a minor fight, when Wimbledon Common would have answered the purpose. Hudson came on the ground in first-rate style—a barouche and four—accompanied by a mob of East-Enders. At one o’clock Dav threw his hat into the ring, followed by his seconds, Tom Owen and Josh Hudson. Neale, a few minutes afterwards, waited upon by Harry Holt and Jem Ward, repeated the token of defiance. Six to four on Neale.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Hudson appeared too fat, while Neale looked as fine as a
star. David hit short; Neale also got away from a second blow. In
fact, it was a long scientific round, displaying considerable boxing
skill on both sides, but no work; ultimately a few blows were
exchanged, yet no mischief done. In struggling for the throw, Hudson
was undermost.

2.—This was a similar round. Neale would not fight first, and showed
great agility in getting away. It was evident in this early stage of
the fight that Hudson was too short for his opponent; the loss of
his eye was also a great drawback. Hudson often missed his
adversary, hitting at random, owing to the above defect. In closing,
both down.

3, 4, 5, 6.—Neale received two severe cross-buttocks, but he did not
appear to be injured by them.

7, 8, 9, 10.—Tedious to the spectator and of no interest to the
reader.

11.—This round reminded the amateurs what Davy was in his prime. He
went to work boldly, when a sharp rally commenced, but the length of
Neale gave him the best of it. Hudson received a tremendous hit on
the left ear; the claret flowed profusely.

12.—This was a similar round, but Neale went down. Great shouting
from the East Enders. “Go it, my little Davy!”

13.—Neale received another cross-buttock. David was the better
wrestler.

14, 15, 16.—Hudson was terribly distressed. He was too puffy. Neale
was piping a little. Neale was thrown by Hudson, alighting, like a
tumbler, on his hands. Seven to four on the Streatham Youth.

17, 18, 19, 20.—The truth must be told. Stale cocks must give way to
younger birds. Davy had been a publican, and the ill effects of the
waste-butt here began to peep. Davy thought himself now as good a
man as when he beat Harry Holt, disposed of West Country Dick, and
defeated Scroggins. That his courage was equally good cannot be
denied. But nature will not be played tricks with; and training
cannot make a young man, though it may help an old one. In all the
above rounds Hudson could not reduce the strength of his adversary.

21, 22.—Hudson’s face had received pepper, and Neale’s mug was
rather flushed. Each seemed to be anxious to throw the other, and
closed quickly.

23.—Neale received a severe hit between his eyes, that made him wink
again. He, however, recovered, and made the best of a rally, till,
in closing, both went down. Two to one on Neale.

24.—Hudson fought like a Hudson. For high, if not the highest,
courage in the Prize Ring, no boxers stand better than Dav and Josh.
But a man cannot have his cake who has eaten it. This was another
sharp rally, but terribly to the disadvantage of Hudson, who was
nearly finished.

25, and last.—Neale, as the term goes, had “got” David, and by a
very severe hit on the latter’s throat, floored him. On Josh picking
up his brother he said he should not fight any more—a proper and
humane decision. It was over in fifty-three minutes. Josh carried
David in his arms out of the ring. A collection to the amount of six
pounds was made for Hudson.

REMARKS.—It was by no means the smashing fight which had been
previously anticipated. If Neale had gone to work, instead of being
over-cautious, he must have won it off-hand.

Neale, by his repeated conquests, now became an interesting object to the fancy, and was matched by his friends against the scientific Aby Belasco for £50 a-side.

To render the battle more interesting to the sporting world, the day was fixed by mutual consent for the 7th of January, 1824, to fight in the same ring with Langan and Spring. Both the combatants were in attendance on the ground ready to fight at Worcester; but owing to the lateness of the hour when the championship battle was decided, the fight unavoidably was postponed. This untoward circumstance was a great mortification both to Belasco and Neale.

A short time after this disappointment Ned accepted a challenge from Tom Gaynor, at the Fives Court, at the benefit of Tom Reynolds, for £50 a-side. This battle was decided at Shepperton Range, on Thursday, the 24th of May, 1824.

The ring was soon made, and at one o’clock Gaynor appeared, and attempted to throw his hat into the ring, but the wind prevented its arrival; one of his seconds, Callas, picked it up and threw it into the ropes, Gaynor’s other second being Ben Burn. Neale soon followed, and dropped his castor gently into the ring, under the protection of Josh. Hudson and Harry Holt. The colours were tied to the stakes—dark blue for Neale, and blue mixed with yellow for Tom Gaynor. Two to one on Neale, but numerous bets that the latter did not win in an hour.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Neale was quite up to the mark in point of condition and
confidence, and really looked a formidable man. Gaynor was well
enough, but by comparison the greatest novice must have taken Neale
for choice. Gaynor, who was a carpenter by trade, had been
represented as a tremendous hitter, which accounts for the caution
observed by Neale. Five minutes passed without a blow being struck,
Neale being prepared at all points. Neale made several good stops,
and at length put in a rum one on the body of his opponent. (“That’s
the way, Ned!”) Feints, offers, retreating, occurred till nine
minutes were past, when Neale gave Gaynor a sharp left-hander on the
side of his nob. An exchange took place, and in closing, both down,
Gaynor undermost.

2.—Gaynor’s left eye was touched a little, and after a number of
movements, similar to the first round, Gaynor rushed in and threw
Neale.

3.—Twenty minutes had elapsed and no claret seen, so great was the
caution on both sides. This round was concluded by Neale putting in
two or three clumsy thumps, Gaynor falling forward and Neale upon
him.

4–10.—Neale had not a mark about him, but Gaynor had napped
punishment, and went down tired.

11.—Gaynor, it was said, went down without a blow; but the umpire
was appealed to, when he gave it as his opinion that blows having
been struck in the round it was not foul.

12–17.—Neale had got his man to a certainty, and Gaynor was all the
worse for the fighting. The nob of the carpenter was damaged, and
his upper lip cut through. In one of the above rounds a singular
circumstance occurred. The men struggled at the ropes, got through
them, and fought a good round outside in the open. One hour and
three minutes.

18–21 and last.—Gaynor had not a shadow of chance in any of these
rounds, and at the conclusion of the last, in which Gaynor was
thrown heavily, Cribb stepped into the middle of the ring and said,
“I will give in for Gaynor.”

REMARKS.—It is impossible to please all parties—in fact, a man
cannot at all times please himself. Many persons called the above
battle a bad fight, others said it was not half a good one, while,
on the contrary, several excellent judges insisted that Neale had
won it “cleverly.” It is true Neale obtained the victory without a
scratch, and that alone is saying something for a man, after
fighting one hour and ten minutes with a boxer who had been called
“a tremendous hitter.” Neale was determined not to give a chance
away—he meant winning and nothing else; his backers we are sure will
not find fault with him on that account. We never saw the Streatham
Youth so cautious before. At all events Neale has won all his
battles, and it will take a good man indeed to make him say, “No;”
indeed, the Streatham Youth asserts the word “no” is not to be found
in his spelling-book.[49]

Neale had now risen so high in the estimation of the patrons of boxing that he was backed without hesitation by his friends for £100 a-side against Edward Baldwin (White-headed Bob). The battle was fixed for Monday, July 26th, 1824. The bill of fare at Shepperton [three fights] was rather inviting to the fancy, or, as the professionals belonging to another stage phrase it, “a good draw.” There was accordingly an immense attendance of all classes at Shepperton. At the appointed hour Neale was there, and threw his hat into the ring. Baldwin soon after arrived in the carriage of his backer (Mr. Hayne). But, alas! it was but the shadow of the stalwart White-headed Bob of a few months previous. His complexion, as old Caleb Baldwin facetiously remarked, might have earned him the name of “White-faced Bob.” Imprudent indulgence, late hours, loose associates, women, and wine had prostrated him; and his “Pea-green” backer, alighting from his drag, said, “Bob’s health is such he can’t fight with anything like a chance; so, as I don’t want to creep out, or to expose a brave fellow to defeat, I now declare Neale entitled to the stakes as a forfeit.” And thus ended round the first, by the transference of a cool hundred to the pocket of the Streatham Youth, without even holding up his hands.

In a few weeks, the medicos having doctored the White-headed one sound in wind and limb, a new match was made for £100 a-side; the day fixed was the 19th of October, 1824, and a field contiguous to Virginia Water selected as the _champ clos_. A goodly muster of the Corinthian order, as “the Upper Ten” were then designated, surrounded the lists. Baldwin endeavoured to throw his hat into the ring, but the wind prevented its falling within the ropes. He was seconded by no meaner men than the champions, Tom Cribb and Tom Spring. The castor of Neale arrived at its proper destination, and both men were loudly greeted. Harry Holt and Jem Ward attended upon the Streatham Youth. The colours were tied to the stakes—blue bird’s-eye for Neale, and crimson for Baldwin. Five to four had been previously betted upon Neale; even betting, however, was about the thing—the Streatham Youth for choice.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—So eager were the men to begin that they were both in
attitude before the umpires were chosen. This deficiency was soon
remedied, and both on the look-out for an opening. The frame of
Baldwin was muscular and fine: Neale also had a robust appearance.
Both shy, cautious, and nothing like work. Feints on both sides,
shifts, stops, and no go. “Are you afraid, Bob?” from a voice in the
crowd. Baldwin made a good stop with his left. Counter-hitting; a
slight shade of the claret appeared on the right side of Neale’s
nose. A long pause; both ready, but no opening; at length an
exchange of blows took place, Baldwin retreating to the ropes; Neale
in the struggle for the throw showed most strength, and the
White-headed one was thrown. This round occupied nearly seven
minutes.

2.—The ear of Neale looked red; Bob attempted to do “summat,” but
missed. Neale planted a clean facer, but he napped one in turn. Both
were now busy, but Baldwin was again undermost.

3.—Neale took the lead in this round in gay style; he gave a facer
so hard and sharp that Bob’s pimple shook again; indeed, he was upon
the stagger from its severity. Ned repeated the dose twice with
success; and over Bob’s left eye appeared a cut. Neale ran in to do
execution, but Bob put up his left hand, and bobbed his head away to
avoid punishment. In the struggle both down, Neale undermost. (A
shout for Baldwin.)

4.—This was a gallant round. Baldwin planted a severe hit on the
middle of the Streatham lad’s face; the claret ran down in streams.
Counter-hits and good work. Neale was thrown.

5.—Bob was now advised to fight first, but he did not take the hint.
Caution again the order of the day. (Here Cribb mimicked the
attitudes of Harry Holt, who was eloquently advising his man.) Bob
retreated, and Neale hit him on the back as he was going down.

6.—Nothing; of no use to either side.

7, 8.—Not effective; Bob was a difficult man to be got at. Both
down.

9–12.—Bob napped a rum one on his body which made him twist. In the
eleventh cries of “foul” occurred; Neale was in the act of hitting
as his opponent was going down. It was not intentional. Bob went
down in a close at the last round covered with claret.

13.—The superiority of Neale was evident; he nobbed Bob
successfully; and at the ropes the White-nobbed one went down
exhausted.

14.—The left peeper of the Streathamite was considerably damaged;
and his friends were alarmed lest it should soon be dark. Neale
obtained a point towards victory in this round; he threw Baldwin
heavily, and fell upon him.

15.—This was a hotly contested round, and both men did their best.
Bob proved himself a much better man than Neale had anticipated;
giving and taking were prominent, but the round finished in favour
of Neale, who threw Bob on his head.

16.—A good rally, but Bob appeared to be at a loss in sharp attacks;
out-fighting should have been his game. The faces of the combatants
exhibited severe punishment. Both down. Serious faces all round the
ring and great doubts who had the best of it. The truth was, at this
period of the fight, it was almost anybody’s battle, though Neale
hit swiftest and straightest.

17, 18, 19, 20, 21.—All these rounds were fought manfully; and Neale
satisfied all his backers that he was nothing else but a game man.
He was severely punished, but his courage was so high that he never
flinched. The friends of Bob still thought he might win it. The
Streatham Youth gave Bob such a severe cross-buttock that the latter
showed visible symptoms of bellows to mend; yet a tolerably good
judge cried out, “Bob will win this battle!”

22.—Six to four was offered freely at the conclusion of this round.
The nob of Bob was at the service of his opponent, and in getting
him down Neale rolled over his man.

23.—Severe counter-hitting, Neale undermost in the fall. The
Streatham lad appeared rather weak, yet his eye was full of fire.

24.—“It is a capital fight,” was the general cry; and the hard
hitting and gaiety displayed by Neale gave his friends confidence
that he would last too long for Bob. Neale went down on his
opponent.

25.—This was a severe round, and considerable execution was done on
both sides. More than an hour had elapsed, yet bettors were shy as
to the event. Neale went down rather exhausted.

26.—Spring whispered to Baldwin to fight first—to lead off with his
left hand, and it would be “all right.” Bob tried it, but Neale got
away, hit him in retreating; in closing Bob was thrown.

27.—Counter-hits effective, but nothing to anybody but the
combatants; “lookers on” will find fault at times. Neale slipped
down by the force of his blow, which missed the object intended.

28.—In this round Bob seemed to be recovering his wind a little, and
endeavoured to take the lead. A rally; but Bob did not appear to
advantage in close fighting. Neale down, and Bob with him.

29.—The right hand of the Streatham Youth felt for the face of his
antagonist three times in succession. Bob went down weak.

30.—Neale napped a smart one on his nose, which produced the claret;
he was anxious to return the compliment, and in attacking Bob, the
latter attempted to retreat, but fell.

31.—Ward, who was the bottle-holder, thought it prudent to give
Neale a small taste of brandy, which had the desired effect. This
was a milling round on both sides, until both measured their lengths
upon the turf.

32.—Neale put in a sharp body blow, which almost doubled up poor
Bob. The latter, at times, appeared a little abroad, and Neale took
advantage of every opening that offered itself. The Streathamite had
the worst of the throw, and Bob fell upon him.

33.—Neale now proved himself to be the more effective boxer; he hit
and followed Bob till he went down at the ropes. Neale could not
stop himself in the act of delivering, and cries of “foul” were
repeated.

34.—Bob was getting very weak, and went down from a slight hit.

35.—The story was nearly told; without an accident, it was almost a
certainty Bob must lose it. The latter fell on his face.

36.—Neale planted three successive facers, and by way of a climax,
threw White-headed Bob. Three to one.

37.—Baldwin was so weak that he almost laid down. “Take him away!”

38.—Short but sweet to Neale; the stakes nearly in his hands; he hit
Baldwin down cleverly.

39.—It was almost useless to show at the scratch, but Baldwin did
not like to resign the contest. Bob down.

40, and last.—Bob was no sooner up than he was down. Cribb said he
should not fight any more. Neale jumped several times off the
ground, so much was he elated by his conquest. It was over in one
hour and thirteen minutes.

REMARKS.—Some would-be critics declared that Neale did not fight
well; we think he won the battle with great credit to himself. He
has clearly manifested to the sporting world that he possesses two
good points towards victory—Neale can take as well as give. It
should be remembered Neale had not yet numbered twenty years, yet he
had attained, step by step, the high situation he held upon the
milling list. Bob asserts he was not well. He might have been ill,
but still he might have made use of his left with more effect, and
not bobbed his head back so often. At all events, it was a capital
mill.

Neale, gaining higher ground in the fancy, was matched against Jem Burn, for £200 a-side. On Tuesday, December 19th, 1824, this battle was decided at Moulsey Hurst. Neale was decidedly the favourite.

At one o’clock Jem Burn, attended by his uncle Ben, and Tom Oliver, threw his hat into the ring; and almost at the same instant Neale, waited upon by Harry Holt and Sam Tibbutt, repeated the token of defiance. The colours, blue for Neale and a dark grey for Burn, were tied to the stakes; hands were shaken in token of friendship, and the fight commenced.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Jem, on peeling, obtained the approbation of all the
spectators, and “He is a fine young man,” was the general opinion
round the ring. Neale was cool and steady, and seemed quite aware of
the height and length of his opponent. Jem, in a hurry, went to
work, and with his right hand touched an old place, damaged in the
fight with White-headed Bob. Neale got away from two or three more
attempts of Jem; but the young one, at length, succeeded in planting
another sharp blow over Neale’s eye, which produced the claret.
(“First blood!” exclaimed Uncle Ben.) Neale still on the defensive,
till they got close together at the ropes, when Ned put in one or
two good ones. In closing, Neale got his man down, and fell upon
him.

2.—Burn, full of spirit, made play on witnessing the claret
trickling from the forehead of his opponent, and obscuring his eye.
(“Go it, Jem! it’s all right!”) The length of Burn enabled him to
plant a facer; but Neale returned sharply. This round also finished
by Burn being undermost in the fall.

3.—Jem showed himself more troublesome than Neale expected, but it
was evident he wanted stamina. Small symptoms of piping betrayed
themselves; Burn had been getting on beyond his strength. Neale
planted two sharp hits with his right; some good fighting took
place, and Burn, by his stops, convinced the spectators he was not
destitute of science. Counter-hitting; but the blows of Burn, from
his length, were the most effective, and the claret flowed freely
from Neale’s damaged peeper. A rally, when they separated. A pause;
a little wind necessary for Jem. In closing, Uncle Ben’s “nevvy” met
with a heavy fall.

4.—The Streatham Youth cleared away the blood from his eye. This
round was decidedly in favour of Burn; and, after an exchange of
blows, Neale was knocked clean down by a blow on his chest. This
event decided two bets in favour of Burn—first blood and first
knock-down blow. (“We shall win it, for a thoosand!” cried Uncle
Ben. Loud shouting for the young ’un, and his friends, quite nutty
upon him, took the odds.)

5.—In point of punishment, the appearance of Neale was the worse,
but his confidence never forsook him, and he stood firm as a rock.
The men closed, but after an attempt at fibbing, separated. The
right hand of Neale did a little now and then, and Burn did not make
such good use of his left as he might have done. Burn again lost the
throw, and Neale went down heavily on him.

6.—In this round Neale gave his opponent pepper, met him right and
left, and threw him at the ropes. (“Well done, Ned!”)

7.—Jem showed weakness, when the Streatham Youth drove him to the
ropes, and in closing, Jem, with great activity, planted a facer;
but Neale laid hold of his adversary so tightly as to throw him over
the ropes.

8.—This round was “a chalk” for Neale; he took the lead, kept it,
and milled his opponent down. (“That’s the way, Ned—never leave
him!” Two to one on Neale.)

9.—Burn commenced the rounds in general well, but Neale finished
them. Jem again thrown.

10.—Jem got away well, but Neale was after him, and planted a body
blow with his right hand that nearly made an S of Burn; his game,
however, was so good that he shook it off. Neale met with a stopper
on his head, but nevertheless he threw Jem.

11.—The weakness of Jem could not be disguised, and he hit short.
Neale began a rally, and Jem was determined not to be behindhand
with him. In closing, Neale, with the utmost ease, gave his opponent
a complete cross-buttock.

12.—Nothing; Burn slipped down.

13.—Jem got away from several blows, and Neale did not do so much
execution as heretofore—in fact, the length of Burn rendered him
extremely difficult to be got at. In closing, Neale slipped on his
hands, but napped it on his ribs.

14.—Nothing the matter, and Jack as good as his master. Burn was
thrown.

15.—If the fight had not been taken out of Burn, it was clear to the
unbiassed spectators that he wanted stamina. Jem put up his hands to
defend himself, but he did not show any disposition to go to work.
Neale waited for him, when he went to mill, and poor Jem was not
only fibbed, but Neale fell upon him so hard as almost to force the
breath out of his body. (“It’s all your own, Ned!”)—three to one on
the Streatham Youth, by some desperate bettors.

16.—The fight was nearly over in this round, and if Jem had not
proved himself a game man, it would have been to a certainty. A
sharp rally took place, when Neale put in a slogger with his right
on Jem’s nob, that dropped him like a shot. (“He will not come
again!—Take him away!—He’s done for, poor fellow!”) However, a
little brandy revived him, and, when time was called, Jem appeared
at the scratch.

17.—This was short, and to add to the distress of Burn, Neale fell
upon him.

18.—Burn was down almost as soon as he appeared at the mark.

19.—After some futile attempts on the part of Burn to stop his
opponent, he was hit down.

20.—“It will soon be over,” said the friends of Neale. “Not for
three hours,” answered Uncle Ben. Jem was again sent down.

21.—Burn napped a facer, and was soon down, owing to weakness.

22.—Jem a little better; he appeared to be getting second wind, to
the great joy of his backers; he also made play, and planted a
couple of hits; but at the end of the round the finishing was on the
side of Neale, who got Jem down.

23.—This was a singular round. Neale bored his opponent to the
ropes; and in closing Jem struggled himself out of the ring. Burn
showed fight outside, but as Neale could not reach him, he returned
to the scratch, and sat himself down on his second’s knee. Burn then
entered the ropes, and followed his example, and so the round ended.

24–26.—In the last round, Jem dropped weak.

27.—The battle might now be said to be at an end; the event was
almost reduced to a certainty. Fighting, as to execution, was out of
the question on the side of Burn, and Neale was determined not to
give the slightest chance away. Burn went down.

28.—Jem now bobbed his head aside to avoid the coming blow, and was
hit down distressed.

29.—A severe cross-buttock nearly shook out the little wind left in
Jem’s body.

30.—After a trifling exchange of blows Jem went down.

31–54.—It would be a waste of time to detail these rounds; suffice
it to say that Burn fought like a brave man in all of them, and
never resigned the contest till Nature completely deserted him. We
repeat he is a brave young man, and ought to have been taken away
half an hour before the battle was over, which occupied one hour and
thirty-eight minutes.

REMARKS.—Neale was opposed to superior length, height, and an
active, aspiring young man, and moreover was in nothing like such
good condition as when he fought White-headed Bob; his hands also
went a little, and he had too much flesh upon his frame; yet he
never had the slightest chance of losing; his firmness never forsook
him, and he always kept the lead. He left off nearly as strong as
when he commenced. Neale is not a showy fighter, but the truth is,
winning eight battles speaks a volume as to his milling character;
and any boxer who enters the P. R. with Ned will find a good deal of
work cut out before he says “No.” Ned is an honest man, and
deserving of support; he is a civil, quiet, inoffensive fellow,
which entitles him to the attention of the fancy, and a great enemy
to “Lushington,” which renders the Streatham Youth a safe man at all
times to back. Jem was put to bed at the “Red Lion,” Hampton, and
Neale started for London at the conclusion of the battle.

By the advice of his friends, Neale inserted the following letters in the sporting journals as to his future conduct in the P. R.:—

“_To the Editor_ of ‘PIERCE EGAN’S LIFE IN LONDON.’

“SIR,—In order that Baldwin’s (better known as White-headed Bob)
journey may not be delayed an hour on my account, I take the
earliest opportunity of acquainting him that it is not my intention
to appear again in the Prize Ring at present. As he has declared he
will fight no one but a winning man, he must excuse me if I am a
little particular upon that point, as I have never been beaten.

“My determination is adopted in deference to the wishes of those of
my friends by whom I consider it an honour to be guided, and who
possess the strongest claims to my grateful respect. When it is
recollected that I have fought and won three battles, besides
receiving forfeit, within seven months, I trust the liberal portion
of the sporting world will consider me entitled to a cessation from
labour for the present.

“I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
“EDWARD NEALE.”

“_Streatham, Jan. 15, 1825._”

“_To the Editor of_ ‘PIERCE EGAN’S LIFE IN LONDON.’

“SIR,—It was with much surprise I saw a paragraph in the _Dispatch_
of last Sunday stating that Cannon had declared, at Harry Holt’s,
his readiness to fight me for five hundred pounds. He probably was
not aware that in your paper of the 16th ult. I declared my
intention not to appear in the Prize Ring _at present_; he may,
therefore, save himself the trouble of again challenging me in my
absence. I believe I may with safety claim the merit of being cool
and steady in the ring, and I trust I shall always be firm and
consistent out of it; and if I could be induced to change my mind,
my late brave and manly antagonist, Baldwin, certainly claims the
preference.

“If, however, Cannon is particularly anxious to fight me, _and is
not in a hurry_, I am ready and willing to make a match with him for
three hundred pounds, to be decided the first week in the next year,
and shall be happy to meet him at any time or place, and put down a
deposit of fifty pounds. If I hesitate to meet his terms, it is
because I think five hundred pounds too great a sum to call upon my
backers for, to contend against a man so much my superior in weight
and height, and particularly one who aspires to the Championship of
England—a title which, I believe, is a considerable distance from
both of us. If, however, the chance of war should place the laurel
upon his brow this year, I will endeavour the next to remove it to
that of

“Your obedient, humble Servant,
“EDWARD NEALE.

“_Streatham, Feb. 12, 1825._”

Neale, in consequence of the above declaration, having plenty of time upon his hands, was induced to visit Ireland—not only as a tour of pleasure, but as a profitable spec., under the wing and mentorship of Pierce Egan. The _Dublin Morning Post_ thus notices him:—

“THE FANCY.—On Monday night there was a grand muster of the fancy at the Raquet Court, Winetavern Street, for the benefit of Neale and Larkin. They were patronised by an immense number of swells and tip-top Corinthians of this city. O’Neal, the big Irishman, displayed a ‘pretty considerable’ deal of science in a set-to with his trainer, Pat Halton. Larkin next put on the gloves, and gave a newly-arrived Corkonian a dose that may probably induce him to relinquish any relish he might have had for the pugilistic profession. Minor candidates then mounted the stage; they forgot, in their ardour for punishing, that a good boxer, like a good reader, always minds his stops. Just as the meeting was about dissolving, a sprig named Jackson, anxious to gather some ‘Olympic dust,’ challenged any man in the ring to a turn-up for fun. Neale, the Streatham Youth, who was standing near him, offered his services, merely for the pleasure of accommodating the young customer, whom he soon convinced of having been under a mistake with respect to his prowess. Five times did Ned treat the ‘aspiring youth’ to a smashing facer, and five times did the boasting would-be pugilist (Jackson) fall to his mother earth—

“‘——Like a full ear of corn,
Whose _blossom_ ’scaped, but wither’d in the _rip’ning_.’”

“TO THE SPORTING WORLD.—Ned Neale, the Streatham Youth, will have the honour, on Monday night (for the first time in this kingdom), of soliciting the patronage of his countrymen, at Fishamble Street Theatre. He begs leave to state—and he trusts it will not be considered egotism in him to mention it—that he has already contested the palm in eight battles, with eight different candidates belonging to the Prize Ring of London, and as yet he has not been the cause of a stigma on his country. On this occasion a correct representation of that famed spot Moulsey Hurst, with a view of a wood. In the foreground the ring, with umpires, seconds, bottle-holders, fighting men, &c., &c. He begs to state that Pat Halton, who is backed to fight the Chicken on the 4th of August, has, assisted by all the first-rates of this city, offered his services for this night only. A youth from Cork, named Donovan, will appear, who wishes it known that he will peel with any man in the world of his own weight. Ned begs leave to add that no exertion on his part shall be wanting to show as much and as good sport as possible to those friends who may honour him on Monday evening with their company. Boxes, 3s. 3d.; Pit, 2s. 2d.; Gallery, 1s. 1d. Doors open at seven, and sparring commences at half-past seven o’clock.”

Neale, on his return to England, made the happiest match of his life, in which the “Ring” was also concerned, and, singular to remark, the name of Baldwin was attached to the register as a witness. It was thus announced in the journals of the day: “Fancy Marriage.—Married, on Wednesday, June 29th, 1825, at St. Luke’s, Old Street Road, Mr. Edward Neale to Miss Mary Weston. The happy pair, after a sumptuous breakfast at Bob Watson’s, the ‘Castle,’ Finsbury, started for Margate to spend the honeymoon.”

Neale was now installed Boniface of the “Black Bull,” Cow Lane, Smithfield, one of the many old inns swept away by the modern Farringdon Road and Smithfield improvements.

Sampson, who was always a restless and quarrelsome fellow, was continually taunting Neale upon his “judicious retirement,” &c., and at length, after some quires of correspondence, Neale declared his readiness to accommodate him, to finally set at rest the question of “best man.” Articles were signed to meet in June, 1826, and at the signature Neale backed himself for an even £50.

The next week brought an afflicting event. In March, 1826, Mrs. Neale died in childbed, and on the night of the second deposit at Holt’s, Sampson, in a handsome and feeling manner, declared he should not claim forfeit, and that the third deposit should be made as the second, on that day month. The friends of Neale, however, declined the postponement, and forfeited the money down. Thus matters rested until the month of August, when Neale declared himself ready to meet Sampson for not less than £200 a-side. The articles, now before us, run literally thus:—

“_Articles of Agreement entered into this 11th of September, 1826,
between Edward Neale and Philip Sampson._

“The said Edward Neale agrees to fight the said Philip Sampson a
fair stand-up fight in a four-and-twenty foot ring, half-minute
time, for £200 a-side, on Tuesday, the 12th day of December, 1826.
In furtherance of this agreement £10 a-side are now deposited in the
hands of Mr. Pierce Egan. A further deposit of £40 a-side to be made
good on Wednesday, the 4th October, at Harry Holt’s, the ‘Cross,’ in
Cross Lane, Long Acre. A third deposit of £60 a-side to be made good
on Tuesday, the 7th of November, at Edward Neale’s, the ‘Black
Bull,’ Cow Lane, Smithfield. And the fourth and last deposit, of
£100 a-side, to be made good on Tuesday, the 5th of December, at
Josh. Hudson’s, the Half Moon Tap, Leadenhall Market. The fight to
take place within thirty miles of London, Mr. Egan to name the place
of fighting. The men to be in the ring between twelve and one
o’clock; and in the event of failure on either side to comply with
the terms of these articles, the party failing to forfeit the money
down. Two umpires and a referee to be chosen on the ground, and if
any dispute shall arise, the decision of the referee to be
conclusive, and the battle-money to be given up accordingly.

“EDW. NEALE.
“P. SAMPSON.

“Witness—JOHN ROOKE.”

On Tuesday, December 12th, 1826, at South Mimms Wash, Middlesex, fifteen miles from London, this interesting contest was decided. Sampson was thought by his friends to have improved considerably in frame and science since his second contest with Jem Ward—nay, so much so that he was placed as the “second best” on the list of pugilists; indeed, to make use of Sampson’s own words, he acknowledged Jem Ward as his master, but styled himself “foreman to the champion.” In calculating the advantages he possessed over the Streatham Youth, three points were considered in his favour—length, height, and weight; and another point was added by some—the best fighter. Sampson’s immediate friends therefore booked his winning as a certainty, urging, as a proof of their good opinion, that Neale had never beaten or stood before so capital a boxer as Sampson. The latter pugilist also supported this opinion by offering to take long odds that he won the fight in fifteen minutes, and without a black eye. Equally confident were the friends of Neale. They urged that Ned had always proved himself a conqueror, and acted upon the general rule adopted by sporting men—always to back a winning horse and a winning man to the end of the chapter. Five and six to four were betted in numerous instances upon the Streatham Youth.

As the time of fighting drew near the interest upon the battle increased, and large sums of money were sported on the event. At the John Bull Fighter’s dinner, when the whole of the four hundred sovereigns were made good, Sampson and Neale met, but not upon the most friendly terms. Sampson informed the company that he had heard Neale had spoken of him in a disrespectful manner, and he now gave him the opportunity of offering a contradiction to the aspersions he had made upon his character. Neale, with considerable warmth, replied: “You behaved unmanly to me in my own house, Sampson, while I was in a bad state of health, and I will never forgive you till you and I have decided our fight in the ring. Give me five pounds and I will bet you one hundred that I lick you.” To prevent an open row it was judged necessary by the backers of both of the men that they should separate as soon as possible.

Every precaution was used to select a secure place for fighting; and after an assurance that it was likely no interruption would take place, Dunstable Downs was the spot appointed. Sampson left the “Crown” at Holloway, his residence during the time of his training, on the Wednesday previous to the battle, and took up his quarters at the “Posting House,” in Market Street. Neale did not leave the house of his backer at Norwood until Monday morning, when he was placed, on his arrival in London, under the care of Mr. William Giles. Neale, in company with the gay little Boniface of the first market in the world, and Harry Holt, in a post-chaise, reached the Crown Inn at Dunstable about eight in the evening of the Monday.

It might have been anticipated that in consequence of Sampson having pitched his tent in the neighbourhood of the scene of action, a buzz would be created that a prize-fighter was on the spot, and the magistrates would become acquainted with the circumstance. It proved so, for on the Monday morning a notice was sent that he must not fight in the counties of Bedford and Buckingham. This information got wind early on the Monday afternoon, and the town of Dunstable, which otherwise would have been filled to an overflow, was completely spoilt, as the amateurs preferred halting at Redburn and Market Street to proceeding forward on a matter of doubt.