Chapter VIII (1)

SAMUEL EVANS (“YOUNG DUTCH SAM”)—1825–1834.

Among the town celebrities of the second quarter of the nineteenth century the subject of this memoir held a prominent place. His immediate and personal intimacy as boon companion or “pal” of a certain notorious marquis, and an earl whose career, while “sowing their wild oats,” savoured rather of the early days of the Regency than those of Queen Victoria, brought him too often before the public. Indeed, the nature of the associations into which he was thus unfortunately thrown, acting upon a volatile and reckless disposition, led him into excesses which destroyed a fine constitution, prevented his availing himself of more than one opportunity of achieving competence and a fair social position, and finally consigned him to a premature grave. In the ensuing pages, however, we shall chiefly deal with Young Dutch Sam as a public demonstrator of the art of self-defence, and as one whose biography furnishes an illustrative chapter in the history of the Ring.

Samuel Evans, deservedly distinguished as “the Phenomenon,” was born in Wells Street, Ratcliff Highway, on the 30th of January, 1808. He was descended from a sire whose fame as a professional boxer the son did no discredit. The battles of Samuel Elias, in his day also dubbed “the Phenomenon,” will be found in our first volume. Sam’s earlier years, from all that we have gathered from his own lips and his intimates, were spent in the same “university” which another famous “Samuel” (not Johnson, but Weller) declares to be the “best for sharpening the intellect” of the youth who may chance to be subjected to its rough discipline. The traditions of Rosemary Lane, now itself swept into what Thomas Carlyle calls “the dustbin of the past,” were once rife with reminiscences of the intuitive fistic skill and the marvellous mastery of milling manœuvres displayed by “Young Sam,” in many an encounter with the pugnacious progeny of the “peoplesh,” who once populated that inodorous but sweetly named thoroughfare, renowned for the “ancient and (fried) fish-like smell” of its edibles, and the yet more fusty emanations of its clobbered and thrice-renovated garments.

Thus Sam fought his way upwards in the rude “battle of life” until his sire “shuffled off this mortal coil” in the month of July, 1816, when Sam appears to have been thrown upon his own resources. Sam was evidently a precocious youth, for in his fifteenth year, if we take Pierce Egan’s account, he was following the employment of a baker, when his associate in dough, one Bill Dean, a chap with some milling pretensions, threatened to serve out Young Sam for some trifling fault. This brought forth the father’s blood in his veins, and in emulation of his warlike sire, he challenged Dean out to fight early the next morning; but old Burntcrust, his master, locked Sam up in his bedroom to prevent the mill. Sam, however, in defiance of bolts and bars, got out of the garret window, scrambled over the tiles of several houses, found his way into a strange house, ran down the stairs, ultimately into the street, and met Bill Dean at the appointed place, Kennington Common, when the battle commenced without delay. In the course of four rounds Young Sam played his part so well that Dean would not fight any longer, gammoning it, as was supposed, that his thumb was out of joint.

Dean was not exactly satisfied with this first battle, and, after several quarrels, a second match was agreed upon, Sam fighting Dean for three half-crowns to two. This mill was also decided upon Kennington Common, Tom Cooper and Spencer acting as seconds for Young Sam, a fact which shows that “the Young Dutchman” was already an associate, if not a member, of the P.R. Dean “screwed his courage to the sticking-place,” and fought well for three-quarters of an hour; but finding the chance was against him, he declared his knee was injured, and he would fight no more. Sam was loudly applauded by the spectators for the pluck and science he had displayed throughout the battle.

SAMUEL EVANS (“YOUNG DUTCH SAM”).
]

Soon after this affair our hero migrated westward, leaving the “dead men” of the east, and becoming an apprentice at case in the office of Mr. Charles Baldwin, in the Crescent, Blackfriars, on the very spot now occupied by the Ludgate Terminus of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. Sam had scarcely taken his initiatory lessons in the mystery of a typo when he got into a fracas with the peripatetic potman of the neighbouring public, which supplied the printing-office with beer and other alcoholic stimulants. The purveyor of heavy wet had with him a pair of gloves, and he and the youthful Sam (we had this from his own lips) at first began to spar “in fun,” for the entertainment of such of the compositors as were taking their midday meal beneath their “frames” and on the “stone” from pressure of business. The publican and sinner was short-tempered as well as conceited, and Sam having “pinked him” more than once on his prominent proboscis, the gin-spinner’s deputy threw off the mufflers, let go right and left viciously, and “went in” in earnest. He was a strong fellow, a stone, or perhaps two, heavier than the youthful Sam, but the Young ’Un retreated milling, and popping in “teazers” all along the passage and out into the short street, when, after half an hour’s fighting, from Apothecaries Hall to Bridewell, Mr. Gin-and-Bitters cried, “Hold, enough!” In the opinion of Mr. Charles Baldwin’s overseer, however, Sam’s skill in “setting-to” did not seem to compensate for his deficiencies in skill in “setting up,” and our hero was soon after a “gentleman at large.”

Released from the confinement of a printing-office, Sam turned his attention to selling newspapers instead of setting them up. In this vocation he became known to Pierce Egan, and with his natural predilection for sporting, Sam took up the supply of his sporting paper to sporting houses. It must be remembered that newspapers were then costly articles—the _Dispatch_, _Bell’s Life_, and _Pierce Egan’s Life in London_ being 7d. to 8½d. per copy, and the trade profit proportionate.

About this time, also, Young Sam obtained an introduction to Mr. John Jackson, Captain Dudley, and other amateurs of distinction, whose judgment of the pretensions of the young aspirant for fistic fame was decidedly favourable. London then teemed with “professors” of the noble art, and among them one known as Jack Poulton, of the Mint, opened a school in that classic locality “to teach the young idea how to shoot” straight from the shoulder. Sam was “planted” on the-rough-and-ready Southwark bruiser as a lad who wanted improving. The result was comical to all but the “professor.” Sam stopped him, got away, nobbed him as he came in, and so completely bothered the _soi-disant_ “professor” that he threw down the gloves, and never again showed as the principal of an academy. At this period, Pierce Egan says of him: “On comparing likenesses, it is the general opinion that the Young ’Un’s countenance does not possess the fine-spirited animation of the late renowned Dutch Sam’s face, yet the resemblance was admitted to be genuine, allowing for the difference between youth and age, and the want of large whiskers. The sparklers of the Young ’Un, if not partaking (? possessing) the penetrating look of the once Phenomenon of the P.R., nevertheless gave Young Sam’s nob a lively appearance throughout the battle. Our hero is in height five feet eight inches and three-quarters, weighing ten stone and a half, and generally considered a fine-grown young man.”

Soon after Sam’s introduction to the sporting world, his friends were so satisfied with his abilities as a sparrer that they matched him, as a trial, against Jack Lenney (the Cowboy), a boxer who had won three ring fights, but had surrendered to the “Pet of the Fancy,” Dick Curtis. Monday, the 28th of March, 1825, was named as the day, and the Old Barge House, opposite Woolwich, as the battle-field. Young Sam showed at the scratch, his “soul in arms, and eager for the fray,” but no Cowboy came in sight. It was reported he was locked up in town, so the Young ’Un claimed and pocketed the stakes (£25), without a struggle for the prize. About this time Sam, while in training at Tom Shelton’s house at Walton, in Surrey, made the acquaintance of the scientific Dick Curtis, an acquaintance that soon ripened into a warm friendship. Dick’s report to Hughes Ball, Esq. of Sam’s capabilities led to a glove exhibition before that gentleman and his friends at Combe Park (when Dick gave his opinion that the “novice” _must_ beat Lenney), and the subsequent patronage of “The Golden Ball,” one of the notabilities of the Fourth George’s reign.

Sam declared himself much disappointed, and possessing the utmost confidence in his powers, he soon found an opening for a public _début_.

On Tuesday, July 5th, 1825, after White-headed Bob (see Life of BALDWIN, _ante_, p. 342) had defeated the game George Cooper at Knowle Hill, Berks, Young Sam made his first bow in the Prize Ring, as the opponent of Ned Stockman, for a purse of twenty pounds. Stockman was well known to the Fancy as “the Lively Kid,” and, in addition to several victories, had beaten Harry Jones (the Sailor Boy, 10st.) three times, and lately defeated Raines. The general idea was that Sam was too much of a novice and too boyish to defeat so experienced and crafty a boxer as Stockman, who was therefore backed freely at six to four, and at setting-to at two to one. On this occasion Sam was waited upon by two East-End friends, Dick Curtis and Josh Hudson, the John Bull Fighter. Stockman had the attentions of Harry Holt and Dick Acton. The colours, a canary-yellow for Sam and a blue bird’s-eye for Stockman, being tied to the stakes, the men shook hands and stood up for

THE FIGHT

Round 1.—Sam was not only in excellent condition, but appeared the
better man of the two, as he had length and weight over his
opponent. Stockman soon perceived he had reach against him, and did
all he could to get between the guard of Sam, but in vain. Stockman,
determined on mischief, let fly, but Sam stopped him with perfect
ease, and returned with advantage. In a sharp rally Sam hit his
opponent so neatly as to call forth the admiration of the ring; be
also adopted Cribb’s favourite mode of milling on the retreat, and
jobbed Stockman’s nose repeatedly, till he went down. (Immense
applause. “This,” said Josh, patting Sam on his back, “is not a chip
of the old block, it’s Old Sam himself. He’ll win, for £100.”)

2.—Stockman, full of gaiety, came to the scratch, and in a resolute
manner tried to find out a soft place on Sam’s head, but it was “no
go.” Sam sent down his opponent by a rattling hit with the left in
the neck. (Thunders of approbation; and “Here’s a Shiloh for Duke’s
Place! Here’s the pink of Petticoat Lane!”)

3.—This round, at this early stage of the battle, decided victory in
favour of Young Sam. He jobbed Stockman all over the ring; in fact,
the nob of Stockman was a mere drum to the hands of Sam. The latter
finally floored his opponent. The Sheenies, who always claimed the
Dutchman, were uproarious in the praise of Sam. (“Vat a nishe boy!
Vat a shweet hitter! Isn’t he like ish fader!”)

4.—Stockman positively had not a shadow of chance, and if he planted
one blow he got five in return. The jobbing system was resorted to
by Sam, and in closing at the ropes he held Stockman in his left
arm, and with his right hand he nobbed him in the Randall style,
ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto, and ditto, till Stockman went down quite
bothered, amidst the loudest applause ever heard in the Prize Ring.

5.—The length of Sam, his steady guard, and his confidence,
prevented Stockman from placing any hits with effect. Stockman,
after the receipt of several blows, went down on his knees; but Sam
held up his hands, smiled, and walked away. “That’s right Sam; he
only wants a foul blow.”

6.—We never saw Stockman so much at a loss before; he was nobbed
with the utmost ease by his opponent, and fibbed tremendously till
he went down.

7.—Sam stopped the rush of Stockman, hit him as he liked, till
Stockman dropped. Two to one, but no takers.

8.—Stockman might have resigned the contest—every round was against
him. The left hand of Sam was continually in his face, when with a
heavy blow Stockman was floored. Three to one.

9.—Stockman countered well, but Sam got out of the way of punishment
with the skill of an old general. Stockman received a staggering
hit, and a repeated blow sent him down.

10.—This was a good round. Fine science was exhibited on both sides,
till Sam sent Stockman down on his knees. Sam raised his hand. (“Be
careful,” said Josh, “we won’t have it that way at all, Sam; mind,
don’t be caught for a foul blow!”)

11.—“Move your feet in and out,” said Curtis; “but it is all your
own.” Stockman made a good stop, and also put in a heavy blow on
Sam’s throat. In closing both down. Any odds against Stockman, but
shy of taking.

12.—Stockman went down on his knees from a hit, but Sam held up his
hands, and walked away. Applause.

13.—Stockman put down his hands, and appeared to wish the battle was
at an end. Sam planted a tremendous blow bang in the middle of his
opponent’s head; Stockman’s eyes flashed fire, he was quite abroad,
and went down completely exhausted. Ten to one laid and taken.

14.—The battle nearly over; by way of a finish, Sam caught hold of
Stockman and fibbed him down. The Jews in rapture on beholding the
talents of Dutch Sam the second.

15.—It was all U P.; Stockman, groggy as a Jack Tar three sheets in
the wind, was sent down before he was scarcely at the scratch.

16.—Stockman still showed fight, but he was met by Sam on going in,
when he fell on his knees, but he instantly got up, and with much
fury rushed in to mill Sam. The latter, however, floored him like a
shot.

17. and last.—Sam had it completely his own way, till Stockman went
down. While sitting on his second’s knee he hinted that he had
enough—if not too much. Sam was hailed the winner in thirty-six
minutes and a half.

REMARKS.—The “Downy Ones” were completely thrown out, as the
non-favourite proved victorious. Stockman did all he knew to win;
but he could not get at his opponent. Sam was completely his master
in every point of view; in fact, he felt so surprised on being
declared the conqueror that he exclaimed: “Is it all over? Why, I’m
not hurt in the least; I could fight an hour longer.” Stockman, on
being taken out of the ring, was quite exhausted, and insensible for
a short period. Young Sam was positively without a visible scratch.

Young Sam was now welcomed as the true son of the Phenomenon of the Prize Ring, entering eagerly on a life of gaiety which must impair the stamina of an athlete. Dick Curtis, too, selected him as his partner in public sparring exhibitions. At this period it was the fashion to illustrate the art of self-defence at the theatres, and more especially upon the stages of the transpontine houses. Dick Curtis and Young Dutch Sam figure frequently in the playbills of this period, and he showed off his graceful and effective style with much _éclat_ behind the footlights of the Surrey, Coburg (now Victoria), and Royalty Theatres, and at the Sanspareil, in Catherine Street, Strand.

Sam was not long allowed to be idle. Harry Jones, the Sailor Boy, offered himself to his notice, and a match was made for £25 a-side.

This battle was decided at Shere Mere, on the borders of Bedfordshire, on Tuesday, the 18th of October, 1825. Jones was backed for this event in consequence of his being said to have had the best of Sam in a sparring match at the Jacob’s Well, Barbican. The odds, nevertheless, were against Jones, six to four, and in several instances two to one, and some persons even ventured to lay three to one on the ground. Sam was attended by Dick and George Curtis, and Jones by Goodman and Reid. The Young One had the length of his opponent, but Jones showed most muscle and strength, and also the best condition. Two to one on setting-to in favour of Sam.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Caution was the order of the day on both sides—Sam on the
look-out, and the Sailor Boy equally leary to guard against squalls.
Sam tried all the manœuvres he was master of to do summat, but
Jones, who had a good knowledge of milling, was not to be had. Some
minutes elapsed and nothing was done, until the Sailor Boy rushed in
to work. He made a hit with his left hand on Sam’s cheek, and
closed. The weaving system was now adopted; Sam was thrown; and the
Sailor Boy fell on the young Israelite. (“Well done, Jones!”)

2.—Jones cleverly stopped Sam’s left hand; sparring for advantages;
and Sam hit short. The Sailor Boy, eager for work, went boldly up to
his adversary, and planted a right-handed hit on Sam’s nob. A sharp
rally of give and take occurred. In closing, the Young One received
a cross-buttock, and Jones fell heavily on his opponent.—(“Bravo,
Jones! that’s the way to win.”)

3.—Jones hit short, being too eager to make play; however, he soon
made up for it, by planting a heavy blow on Sam’s cheek. In closing,
the pepper-box was handed from one to the other, the Sailor Boy
fighting at the nob, while his opponent was hammering at the body.
The round was finished by Jones getting down as well as he could,
Sam keeping on his pins.

4.—The Young One did not show anything like the superiority he
exhibited in the fight with Stockman. The claret was running down
from Sam’s mouth, while, on the contrary, the Sailor Boy looked none
the worse for his engagement. Sam’s mouth was open, rather piping.
Jones, with excellent skill, stopped a heavy left-handed blow of
Sam’s. In fact, considerable science was displayed by both
combatants, till Jones rushed in to mill; sharp counter-hitting; in
closing, the pepper-box was in full use until they separated.
Another sharp rally took place, when the Sailor Boy went down.

5.—This was a prime round; and the fighting was excellent on both
sides. Sam’s peeper napped a rum one from Jones—the Sailor Boy
repeated the dose. (Great applause; and “He’ll win it!”) Sam was
also bored down at one corner of the ring.

6.—The Sailor Boy appeared as fresh as when he commenced the battle.
Sam’s condition was not satisfactory. He sparred, and looked
anxious. The Sailor Boy appeared quite up to the movements of Sam,
and would not be decoyed from his mode of fighting by the stratagems
of the young Israelite. Severe counter-hits, which told on both
sides. Jones, however, received a heavy one on his listener as he
was going down.

7.—A long fighting round, and Harry as good as Sam. A sharp rally,
and mischief in it. The Sailor Boy broke ground, but soon returned
to his adversary, laid hold of him by the body, and sent him down in
an ugly manner. (“Well done, Jones—you can’t lose it!”)

8.—Sam’s left hand was stopped by Jones; still the former persevered
till he made a good hit. Sharp counter-hitting; rather too hot for
Jones, so he retreated; nevertheless he returned to the charge in a
passion, and planted a flush hit on the young Israelite’s face.
Jones ultimately went down.

9.—The upper works of Sam napped a little one; and Jones got away
laughing. A severe rally; give and take without flinching. Sam tried
milling on the retreat, was successful, and the Sailor Boy slipped
down.

10.—This round was decidedly in favour of the Sailor Boy. The latter
began his work without delay; and Sam slipped down by accident,
receiving a heavy hit on his conk; but, like a trump, he jumped up
and slashed away without ceremony. The Sailor Boy drove him to the
ropes. Sam adopted the weaving system, but not with effect; the
Sailor Boy hung upon his neck, till both went down.

11.—The Sailor Boy was a dangerous customer. He planted a heavy blow
with his left hand—then boldly went up to his opponent, and caught
him round his neck—it was then blow for hit, till Sam was thrown.
(Lots of applause for the Sailor Boy.)

12.—The chaffing-box of Sam received rather an ugly thump from
Jones; but Sam was determined to be with him, cutting the skin of
his eyebrow like a knife, the claret following. Good milling, till
Jones seemed a little abroad, and pulled Sam down.

13.—Jones parried well; and in a sharp rally the Sailor Boy was
extremely active. Sam was cautious, but kept milling with his
opponent. Ultimately Jones went down.

14.—The young Israelite appeared distressed, and also exhibited
marks of punishment. The blows of Sam, at this period, seemed to
have but little effect on Jones. The Sailor Boy again parried the
hitting of his opponent with much skill; but he bored in, and caught
hold of his adversary round his neck. Sam, in order to extricate
himself, fibbed his opponent, and at length got away. Jones went
down.

15.—Severe counter-hitting, after which, Jones bored Sam to the
ropes. It was expected the Sailor Boy would have done some mischief,
but after a little struggling he went down.

16.—Jones planted a sharp facer with his left, but the young
Israelite, in return, jobbed him with his right. A rally, of no long
duration; and in closing Sam was thrown.

17.—The Sailor Boy planted several hits, after which he bored in
with his head down, in order to escape milling. A struggle for the
throw, when Jones got down anyhow. (“I don’t like that,” observed an
Old Ringgoer; “he’s going to cut it.”)

18, and last.—Sam came up to the scratch quite gay; and the Sailor
Boy was lively to all appearance. After some sparring, Sam planted a
blow on the right side of his opponent’s nob, and he fell on his
back. It did not appear by any means a finishing blow, and the
amateurs did not like it. When time was called, the Sailor Boy was
deaf to it; and Young Sam was declared the conqueror. The battle was
over in fifty-three minutes.

REMARKS.—There is nothing new in the Sailor Boy’s cutting it: in
several of his battles he has done the same thing, when the amateurs
have been perfectly satisfied that he had the best of it. It was
exactly the same sort of thing in his last battle with Stockman. He
showed himself decidedly the best fighter, and was also the
strongest man. In truth, when he had got his clothes on, he was very
little the worse for milling! The blows of Sam were more showy than
effective, and his hits were trifling on the nob of Jones, compared
to the style with which he finished off Stockman. To sum up the
matter, it was the opinion of the majority of persons present that
Jones, although a good fighter, a strong chap, and capable of doing
severe execution, by the manner of his giving in, showed the “white
feather” most unmistakably.

Sam’s defeat of Harry Jones did not add much to his reputation; but he was soon matched with Tom Cooper, the Gipsy, for £30 a-side. This battle was decided on Tuesday, the 25th of April, 1826, at Grays, in Essex, nearly opposite Gravesend, twenty miles from London by road.

It would be wrong to state that the road was covered with amateurs on the appointed Tuesday; nevertheless, the “Old Ring-goers” were in motion at an early hour, and a good muster of the Fancy, in gigs and other vehicles, were trotting over the ground, to arrive in time at the scene of action. Tom Cooper, by his manly behaviour in a turn-up with Bishop Sharpe, which continued for twenty minutes and upwards, was viewed as an opponent likely to test the “staying capabilities” of the Young ’Un. Nevertheless, the betting was decidedly in favour of Sam, six and seven to four. The ring was formed in a field near the Thames, in a most delightful spot; the ships in the river added to the picturesque effect. The ride from London was truly charming. At one o’clock the combatants entered the ring, Dutch Sam attended by Dick Curtis and Harry Holt, and Cooper waited upon by Jem Ward and his brother Jack Cooper. After the hands were crossed together in friendship, the men made their toilets, and in a few minutes set to.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Sam looked well, and the advantages of careful training
were perceived in the improvement of his frame. The “Hero of the
Bush” was also in good trim; in fact, Cooper is naturally a hardy,
wiry sort of chap. Both on the alert, but cautious; and a short time
occurred in manœuvring to obtain an opening. At length the Gipsy let
fly, and touched Sam’s canister slightly, but the son of the
Phenomenon returned a sounder on the body of his opponent with his
right. In a rally, counter-hits took place. Sam, however, got away
in style; but the Gipsy, anxious to do mischief, again made use of
his right hand, when Young Dutchy, with great celerity, planted a
second body blow. Sam also, by his skill, bored the Gipsy into a
corner, and exhibited his superiority, to the delight of his
backers, by using his left and right hands on the index of Cooper,
producing the claret, until he went down. (Uproarious shouts of
applause for Sam, and two to one offered without the slightest
hesitation. “Sam will win in a canter.”)

2.—The blows of the Gipsy were seen on the frame of Sam, but did not
appear mischievous. Caution again on both sides; but the Gipsy,
always fond of slashing, used his left hand with success on Sam’s
head. Dutchy, like a good one, and master of his art, took the lead,
went in, and punished the nob of his opponent like fun. The Gipsy
did not like it, but kept fighting as he was retreating from danger.
A sharp rally, and milling on both sides. Sam, perceiving that he
could go in without much danger, again drove his antagonist to the
ropes, where the Gipsy, rather tired, went down. (“It’s as right as
the day!” said the Pet of the Fancy; “we shall win without any
trouble.” “Sam for a hundred.”)

3.—The mug of the “Hero of the Bush” was now the worse for fighting,
but his pluck was as good as ever, and mischief seemed his object,
by his slashing away at his adversary. Random shots seldom tell, and
so it turned out for the Gipsy. Sam took advantage of this sort of
wildness, and put in a conker so sharp that Cooper was quite mad,
rushed in to work, helter-skelter, and planted a severe blow under
Sam’s right ogle, which produced the claret. (“Capital!” from the
friends of Cooper; “another like that, and summat will soon be the
matter!”) Young Dutchy, as gay as a lark, returned the compliment by
two severe hits, and as a sort of tie-up to the round, sent his
opponent headlong on the turf. (“Dat’s de vay!” from the Sheenies;
“Vat a peautiful hitter! Dat’s vat he ish, my dears! He’s an article
not to be shold for his vally!”)

4.—The coolness displayed by Sam, as well as his superiority as a
boxer, satisfied the judges he must win it, although he had napped a
severe one under his left eye, which bled rather copiously. His left
mauly was also a tiny bit damaged, and the friends of the Gipsy
announced the circumstance with delight and hopes that it was a good
chance for their man, who, they said, could last a long time. Sam
got away cleverly from a desperate blow, but went in to his
opponent, and by a flush hit on his mouth set Cooper’s ivories
dancing. The Gipsy, not dismayed, returned on the body. A sharp
rally followed, in which Cooper was floored; and Sam, rather weak,
reeled against the stake. (Five-and-twenty pounds to ten, but the
backers of the Gipsy did not fancy it.)

5.—This was a prime round; and the friends of the Gipsy observed, if
he had but commenced the battle as he now fought, the chance might
have been in his favour. The Gipsy wildly fought at the body, while
Sam (adopting the traits of his master, Curtis, who was at his
elbow) kept milling at the head, and doing considerable execution at
every hit. Sam also got away from numerous blows; and such was the
fine science he exhibited, uniting tremendous punishment, that he
nobbed the Gipsy five times, one after the other, and then, by way
of a quietus, floored him. (The Sheenies were now roaring in
ecstasy, offering any odds on their “peautiful Young Dutch Sam!”)

6.—The courage and resolution of the Gipsy were admired by every one
present, but his mode of fighting was wildness instead of science.
He trusted much to desperation, and slashed out without looking at
his opponent; in a word, he was no marksman. In the hands of a
scientific boxer like Young Dutchy he stood no chance. When once
kept out with a few nobbers such a fighter becomes an easy prey, and
is licked off-hand at the leisure of the cool miller. Thus was the
Gipsy disposed of in this round. He napped “divers blows in sundry
places,” and was ultimately floored. (Five to one, but no takers.)

7.—The appearance of the Gipsy was considerably altered, but his
friends insisted he was now fighting better, and thought they
perceived a small turn in his favour. Anxiety and friendship for a
man, in addition to backing, too often punishes the pocket of the
amateur—he does not view the contest in a proper light. The Gipsy
was still mischievous, and a chance blow might win the battle. (“Be
on your guard,” said the Pet. “Give nothing away. Be ready for him;
he’s coming, wild as an ox.”) Sam waited for his adversary, met him
in the head, and in the struggle for the throw both went down.

8.—In this early stage of the battle it was a guinea to a dump as to
the best fighter. Sam did as he pleased, as a superior tactician,
and finished this round in great style by a flooring hit. Any odds.

9.—The Gipsy was piping, all abroad, and of little use, with his
index out of shape. He was also fatigued, yet he went to work
desperately, in order to obtain something like a chance in his
favour. It, however, was “no go.” The wildness of the Gipsy was fast
leaving him; and the jobbers he received at every turn rendered him
nearly stupid. He was hit down distressed.

10.—It was “bellows to mend” with Cooper—in addition to which, Sam’s
fists were never out of his face until he was floored. (Thirty to
ten. “Take him away; he can’t win it.”)

11.—The Gipsy in this round endeavoured to hit up, which, if it had
told upon Sam’s nose, might have been dangerous. But he was punished
severely, and in endeavouring to make a return Cooper fell
exhausted.

12.—The Gipsy was nearly done over, but he was gay, fought like a
man, and contended till he went down. (“Take him away.”)

13.—Wildness and mischief was still the tactics of Cooper, but it
was all up with him as to victory. Sam planted his hits as safely as
if he had been attacking a dead mark. The Gipsy down.

14.—Cooper was now so distressed that all the champagne in Charley
Wright’s extensive cellars—successful as it is in most cases towards
recruiting drooping spirits—would have proved of no use towards
renovating the strength of the defeated Gipsy. He was severely
punished till he went down like a log of wood. (“Pray take the brave
fellow away!”)

15, and last.—All things have an end, and the Gipsy was compelled to
submit to defeat. Like a drowning man that catches at a straw,
Cooper made a desperate rush as his last effort. But Sam finished
his opponent by a tremendous blow on the nose as he was falling
forward, which deprived him of his senses. When time was called the
Gipsy was deaf to it, and Sam was declared the winner. The Young ’Un
left the ring little the worse for the combat, excepting his hands,
which were much swelled. The Gipsy did not open his eyes for several
minutes, when he was not only carried out of the ring, but also to
the nearest public-house. In fact, Cooper could not stand. The
battle was over in thirty-eight minutes.

REMARKS.—Sam not only proved himself worthy the confidence of his
backers, but he raised himself a step higher in the sporting world
by his victory over Tom Cooper. He won the battle like a master of
his art. His coolness was admirable. He was perfectly prepared at
all points, and he met his man with all the skill of an experienced
warrior. Cooper did not disgrace himself by this defeat, but he
ought to have paid more attention to science. His mode of fighting
may suddenly dispose of ugly commoners in a street row, but with a
skilful pugilist, when desperation is stopped, the chance is gone,
and it is a heart-broken attempt to retrieve the day.

At Ascot Races, on Thursday, June 8th, 1826, after His Majesty (Geo. IV.) had left the ground, a subscription purse of £50 was subscribed for a fight. Sam, determined not to let a chance pass him, entered the lists.

This mill was patronised by some swells of the first order, £50 being collected in the Royal Stand with little difficulty, and great interest was manifested by the spectators when Young Sam was announced as prepared to contend for the prize-money. It will be observed that only six weeks had elapsed since his last fight, and Sam’s hands were said to be somewhat damaged. His opponent, Bill Carroll, was a good man. He was seconded by M’Kenzie and Lenney; and Sam was handled by Dick Curtis and Barney Aaron. Sam took the lead, at two to one, till the tenth round, when he received a severe cross-buttock. This circumstance rather alarmed his friends; but he soon recovered from its effects, and finished off his man in a canter, in sixteen rounds, occupying thirty minutes. The Duke of Wellington was present during the fight, and subscribed £30 towards the stakes, and to a purse for the losing man.

From the great improvement exhibited by Sam, not only in his person, but his knowledge of milling, he was matched, without hesitation, against Jack Cooper, known as the Slashing Gipsy, for £50. This contest was decided upon a stage, on Tuesday, February 27th, 1827, at Andover, after Dick Curtis had defeated Barney Aaron. The Gipsy, attended by Jem Ward and Mr. Nathan, ascended the stage, and Dutch Sam was waited upon by his faithful friends Josh Hudson and Dick Curtis. The appearance of the latter hero as Sam’s second excited general surprise. Curtis said, “Gentlemen, a bet was laid me, ten pounds to one, that I did not win the fight and second Young Dutch Sam. I believe,” said he, laughing, “I shall win both events.” The combatants appeared in excellent condition; Sam seemed lively as a dancing-master, and full of confidence. The Gipsy’s mahogany mug bore a smile of triumph as, after shaking hands, the men set to.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Sam did not exhibit the determined character of his late
sire, who was considered the hardest hitter of his time. Young Sam
stepped in and out exactly after the lively manner of Curtis, and he
also held up his hands like that great master of the art of
self-defence. The Pet is a model for all boxers; and Uncle Ben
(Burn) publicly expressed his regret that his Nevvy Jem was not at
Andover, to have taken a lesson from the battle between Curtis and
Aaron. Sam endeavoured to make a hit, after long sparring; but the
Gipsy got away from mischief. A precious long pause, and both upon
the watching system; at length the Gipsy went in hand over head, and
planted a heavy blow on the left arm of Sam, which left its mark.
(“I say, governor,” observed an old ring-goer, “if that there hit
had knocked at the door of Sam’s victualling office, summat would
have been the matter.”) Sam, on the alert, got away from another
random shot. The Gipsy followed Sam all over the stage, but gained
nothing by his bustling system. The Young One planted a facer; an
exchange of blows was made, but Sam had the best of it. In closing,
the strength of the Gipsy prevailed, and Sam went down upon his
knees.

2.—This was a long round, Sam taking his time to punish his
opponent. After several pauses, feints, and other manœuvres, Sam
gave a facer which produced “first blood.” The Gipsy, rather wild,
rushed in and planted a body blow; but it was a chance hit. Sam,
upon the whole, was too leary for his opponent, and having Curtis at
his elbow might be considered three points in his favour. He nobbed
the Gipsy frequently, without any return. The long space of
twenty-five minutes elapsed before this round was finished. In
struggling for the throw, both down, the Gipsy undermost. Sam for
£100.

3.—The Gipsy, at times, stopped well; but in general he had little
discretion about his hitting; he, however, planted a body blow. Sam
kept out of mischief with considerable skill, every now and then
planting facers, which put the Gipsy out of temper—nay, made him so
wild that he rushed in like a bull, and by a sort of scrambling
pull, he got the Young One down; five and six to four on Sam.

4.—Had Sam been a punishing hitter, the numerous blows which the
Gipsy had received upon his mug must have reduced the fight at this
period to a complete certainty, and also short in its duration.
Cooper is always a dangerous customer, and his scrambling hits may
win a fight. Sam, aware of this feature belonging to the Gipsy, kept
out of harm’s way with considerable talent, nobbing the Bush Cove at
his leisure. The Gipsy’s mug was bleeding profusely, and in rushing
in to do mischief, he ran himself down weak.

5.—This was a long round, but the Gipsy, although desperate at
times, could not turn the fight in his favour. The face of Sam did
not exhibit punishment. It is but right to observe that Cooper
stopped several well-meant blows; but he fought open-handed, and
missed numerous hits. If he had measured his distance properly,
another account might, perhaps, have been given of the battle. The
face of the Gipsy was bleeding in every direction, and he did his
utmost to win. In struggling for the throw Sam undermost.

6.—“You need not be in a hurry, Sam,” said Dick, “you are sure to
win it; he’s about cutting it now. It is £100 to a kick of the
rump.” Sam planted a facer that sent the Gipsy staggering, but he
returned to the charge, and fought desperately. In closing Sam
fibbed Cooper down. Six to one upon Sam, and “Take him away! He’s of
no use!”

7.—The Gipsy, quite abroad, ran at his opponent like a madman,
receiving facers at every step; nevertheless, he bustled Sam about,
who appeared a little distressed. In closing the Gipsy again napped
it severely, and went down, covered with claret. (“Take him away!”)

8.—Strange to say, the Gipsy answered the call of time with
alacrity. He also made two good stops. (“Bravo, Gipsy! you behave
like a brave fellow!”) Sam now had nothing to do but wait for the
rush of his opponent and nob him with ease and certainty. The Gipsy
was again punished severely till he went down. (“It is all up now!
ten pounds to a crown he does not toe the scratch again! Take him
away!”)

9, and last.—The Gipsy, however, showed fight, and proved himself a
much gamer man than his friends had anticipated. But he only stood
up to receive. Sam milled him down without ceremony. The Gipsy would
again have answered the call of time. He was game enough to have had
another round, but his backer humanely interfered, and said “he
should fight no more.” The battle continued for one hour three
minutes and a half. It is impossible to describe the joy felt by
Sam; he performed some regular dancing steps in the ring on being
declared the winner.

REMARKS.—Sam is an improving fighter; and if he can but add force to
his blows, bids fairly for the highest honours of the P.R. He left
the ring without a mark upon his face, and no casual observer could
have told that he had been engaged in a battle. The face of the
Gipsy exhibited severe punishment. Jack Cooper never took anything
like such a licking before. He did his best to win, and the bravest
could not have done more. Sam is anxious to get higher on the
pugilistic list; and if he can find friends to back him, expresses
no hesitation to fight Bishop Sharpe. We should say, upon this
point, to him, “Be bold, but not too bold!” But the Young One,
perhaps, knows best what he is about. He asserts that he fancies
“the Bishop” as a customer in preference to any other boxer in the
Ring.

In the days of old “the road to the fight” was one of the features of sporting life, nor was the “return from the fight” made without its vicissitudes. On this occasion the sudden alteration in the weather, and the overwhelming showers of rain, rendered the roads almost impassable between Andover and Basingstoke, and the men and horses were beaten to a stand-still. But “it is an ill wind that blows no one any good,” and the “Wheatsheaf Inn,” at Virginia Water, was not neglected either in the journey from or return to London. A good larder, excellent tipple, prime beds, and moderate charges are sure recommendations to the sporting world; and here many of the London division rested for the night. Curtis and Sam arrived in town on Wednesday night, with full pockets, and amidst hearty greetings. Before he left Andover for London, Sam called upon the Gipsy, and made him a present of two sovereigns.

On Thursday, March 1st, 1827, Young Dutch Sam took his benefit at the Tennis Court, and was well supported. The sets-to generally went good, the wind-up by Young Sam and Ned Stockman. Sam was as gay as a lark, fresh as a four-year-old, and quite ready for another mill. Stockman stood up well against his clever adversary; but Sam had decidedly the best of the bout. Curtis also appeared at the Court, and was congratulated by his numerous friends upon his recent conquest over Aaron. His face was considerably swollen, and the handiwork of Barney evident. The Star of the East also showed himself. Barney’s peepers were completely in mourning; his mouth also damaged, and he complained of soreness of his throat. He was quite cheerful, consoling himself that he had done his duty like a brave and honest man.

The Gipsy did not exhibit much punishment—his head was rather out of shape—a proof that Sam was not so hard a hitter as the Pet. Sam himself had no visible signs of recent fighting about his nob; his face was entirely free from marks. He returned thanks for the support he had received, and hoped he had given his friends satisfaction.

Dick Davis, the “Pet of Manchester,” stood so high in the provincial Fancy, from his repeated conquests, that the patrons of boxing in Manchester were determined Davis should have a shy in the London Ring. He was accordingly matched with Young Sam for £100 a-side. This battle was decided on Tuesday, June 19th, 1827, near Stony Stratford. The journey was rather too long for the cockneys, being nearly sixty miles from the sound of Bow bells; as it is also one hundred and twenty-nine miles from Manchester, it was also above a joke for the Manchester lads to leave their homes. Therefore the muster of the Fancy was but thin at Stony Stratford, although the battle between Sam and Davis excited considerable interest among the lovers of boxing, both in town and country. Davis was a native of Lancashire, and twenty-eight years of age. He was employed in Mr. Peel’s iron foundry, at Manchester, as a moulder—in height about five feet six inches and a quarter, weighing ten stone twelve pounds. Davis, by his numerous victories, stood high as a milling cove; and his friends at Manchester flattered themselves that he was invincible, as with his country opponents he was never particular as to weight and size. Davis defeated twice Jack Wilson, also Witman twice; with Tom Reynolds he made a capital battle, which was brought to a wrangle; and he likewise defeated Fidler Hall. Davis entertained an opinion that he could conquer any pugilist of his own weight with the greatest certainty. Sam had now proved victorious in five battles; Ned Stockman, Jack and Tom Cooper (Gipsy), Carroll, and Harry Jones (the Sailor Boy), all in succession had surrendered to his conquering arm.

Davis, with two of his backers, and Phil. Sampson, arrived at Stony Stratford on Saturday, making the “Cross Keys” their headquarters. Davis wore his working dress, consisting of a fustian jacket and wide thick trousers; he also wore a check shirt, and he looked as rough a customer as might be met with in a day’s walk, offering in these respects a striking contrast to the smart and natty London boxer, who was a decided swell in dress and deportment.

Sam arrived with Curtis during Monday, and made his headquarters at the “George.” In walking through the streets of Stratford, the men met each other for the first time, and shook hands like brave fellows. After this _rencontre_, Davis appeared yet more confident he should prove the winner, the opinion of the countryman being that “such a fine gentleman couldn’t stand to be spoilt.”

On Tuesday morning the knowing ones laid their nobs together as to a spot of ground, and a field at Haversham, about five miles from Stony Stratford, was named as the scene of action. Thither the travellers repaired, and a few minutes past twelve o’clock Sam, attended by Curtis and Oliver, threw in his tile. Sam sported silk stockings. Davis appeared immediately afterwards, followed by Sampson, and Johnny Cheetham, of Manchester. The colours, yellow for each of the combatants, were tied to the stakes. Sam was the favourite for choice; but his friends were not inclined to give above five to four. Sam won the toss.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Davis reminded us of Bishop Sharpe, but was even more
formidable in appearance. He had been well trained; in fact, he was
up to the mark, and his heart also in the right place. To win, and
nothing else but to win, he said, he left Manchester. Sam was gay as
a lark, but his friends did not think him so well as he might have
been, and one of his knuckles on the left hand was tender and
swelled. Sam had the advantage in height and length, but the
superiority in weight was with Davis. The latter hero looked every
inch a milling cove. On appearing at the scratch Davis was still
cautious, and watching the movements of Sam from his eyes down to
his toe. Sam also measured his opponent at all points, and felt
assured that he had a rum customer before him. Offers on both sides,
but no blows; at length Davis rushed in, and slightly planted a hit
on Sam’s arm. Sam, with great skill, crept, as it were, by degrees,
up to his adversary, and let fly on Davis’s sensitive plant. Davis’s
ogles winked again, (“Sam for £100!”) A trifling exchange occurred,
when Sam cried, out, “First blood!” the claret slightly appearing on
the mouth of Davis. Sam was not long before he planted another
snouter, but Davis received it very coolly. Davis put in a body hit.
Exchange of blows; when they separated, Sam waiting for another
turn. A long pause. Davis would not make play. Sam planted another
successful noser. Several minutes had elapsed; so much caution was
observed on both sides that it was certain that a long fight would
be the result. Sam retreated from some heavy work to a corner of the
ring, where he received a bodier; but he returned a heavy nobber,
which sent Davis staggering until he went down. This was considered
a knock-down blow; and the two events had been obtained upon the
part of Sam, as to first blood and the first knock-down blow. (The
Samites opened their mouths like good ones, saying, it was as right
as the day, and offering any money on the son of the Phenomenon.)

2.—Davis hit Sam on the ribs. Sam returned right and left. Davis
missed two heavy blows. A long pause. Sam again felt for the nose of
his opponent. Davis gave two body hits, but they were short, and not
effective. Counter-hits; but the length of Sam gave him the “best of
it.” Another tedious pause. Sam walked round his opponent to get an
opening. (“As you are a fine fighter,” said Sampson, “why don’t you
go to work?” Curtis observed to Sampson, “Do you recollect Ned
Neale?”) Davis stopped a left-handed blow cleverly; he also got away
from another. The men now went to work, and several blows were
exchanged. In closing Sam endeavoured to fib his adversary; but the
strength of Davis was too much for him, and in struggling for the
throw Sam got down well. “Well done, Sam!” from the London boys.

3.—The claret was now visible upon the mug of Davis, and the
nose-enders he had received put him on the winking system. This
round was a truly tedious one—five minutes at a time and no blows
passed. Sam was determined, like a skilful general, not to lose an
inch of ground, and only to hit when it was a certainty to get home.
Sam let fly, and the face of his adversary napped it. Some sharp
fighting occurred, Davis endeavouring to do mischief, and he
ultimately succeeded in planting a desperate left-handed hit on the
side of Sam’s head, which floored the Young One. The Lancashire lads
began to open their mouths—“That’s right, Dick!”—while the Samites
not only looked blue, but were silent as fish.

4.—Sam looked rather stupid; he was labouring under the effects of
the last blow. Davis did not follow up his success, but waited for
Sam to make play. The latter with great ease put in a rum one, and
Davis put up his hand to feel if his nose was in the right place.
Sam stopped a well-meant body blow. A short rally, but Sam broke
away. In closing some expressions of disapprobation saluted Davis
for his mode of throwing. But as it did not appear to be done
intentionally, the umpires did not notice it, and Sam was under.

5.—This was a short round, but the milling in it was better than in
any of the preceding rounds. The exchanges were at par. Davis
thrown.

6.—Several of the London Fancy began rather to be alarmed, and got
their money off by backing Davis. Excepting his nob he was none the
worse for the battle, although one hour and more had passed away.
The science displayed by Sam was the delight of the amateurs; he
jobbed Davis repeatedly; but the game of the latter was not to be
reduced by the left-handed blows of Sam. The right eye of Davis was
cut in the corner, and the claret was streaming from his nose. He
made some counter-hits, but had the worst of the round until he went
down.

7–9.—The fighting of Davis in all these rounds was the same; he
would not go in; and stood out to be nosed at the will of Sam. The
latter was thrown heavily in the last round.

10.—This was a long round. Sam was more than cautious; and under the
circumstance of his bad hand his fighting was entitled to praise.
The lip of Davis was cut severely. He received lots of smashers in
the face, and the claret running down his throat annoyed the
Lancashire man much. In closing Davis was under.

11–16.—The superiority of the style of Sam’s fighting in all these
rounds gave him the lead; yet the goodness and game of Davis
rendered him a troublesome customer. The latter could not get at Sam
with anything like certainty, and therefore his favourite hits were
at the body. Sam was thrown, and also received some heavy blows. In
the last round he received a severe cross-buttock.