order ; and, with a frame as hard as iron, his
person seemed almost insensible to the at-
tacks of common opponents. George was
likewise an adept in the fistic art, a great
lover of the science, a sort of oracle amongst
the milling coves, aod a sparrer above me-



diocrity. In the metropolis, his fame for a
spree was perfectly established at the Police
Offices; and he very often proved himself a
troublesome customer at the theatres. His
foibles out of the question, the late George
Kent was far from an ill-natured man, and
often expressed his sorrow for what had oc-
curred on the preceding evening when he had
given any offence ; he said it was not his
fault, and the disturbance he created ought to
be attributed to the right cause too intimate
an acquaintance with the Lushington family.
He commenced three or four sporting publica-
tions, connected with the boxers, but he never
completed any one of them. His slang was
well applied in his pugilistic articles ex-
tremely witty and full of point. Several of
the most learned writers of the age have
stepped aside from their studies to peruse the
milling articles of Kent with pleasure and
amusement. At one period of his life he was
a sort of oracle to Bob Gregson ; in fact, he
was such an attractive feature at the Castle
Tavern, that the word and opinions of Mr.
Kent were, in the eyes of the Lancashire
hero, completely orthodox.

The late Captain D , connected with

one of the most noble families in the kingdom,
and denominated one of the highest fanciers
in the Sporting World, in consequence of
being six feet four inches and-a-half in height,
was likewise a great frequenter of the " Re-
pository of CHOICE SPIRITS." The Captain
was a remarkably well-proportioned man ; a
finished scholar ; a great musician ; a man of
sense and talent ; a strong supporter of the
Fancy a real gentleman, and a most delight-
ful companion. He was also a man of pro-
digious strength ; and few of the boxers could
stand before him with only the 'gloves' on;
his blows were so powerful. One anecdote
of the Captain is worthy of recital : during
the run of Bartholomew Fair, just after he
had left Harry Harmer's in the evening,
where he had been with a few friends, taking
a glass or two of wine, he was accosted in his
walk through the fair by two dandies, who
had a very dashing lady between them " My
eyes," observed the biggest of the two, "only
look here the Giant is out for an airing?"
The Captain made no reply, but, with the
utmost sang froid, caught hold of him by the
collar of his coat, and held him up in the air,
with as much ease as he would have held a red
herring, where hekept him dangling for a short
period, to the no small laughter and shouts of
the crowd. The lady interfered, and begged
for mercy ; and the other dandy also ottered
to make any atonement, in his power for the
improper conduct of his friend. " Well."
said the Captain, " let the gentleman get
down if he can." "That is totally impos-
sible," answered the lady," who appeared to
be a woman of mind ; " but, my clear Sir, I
am sure you are a gentleman, and I only beg
to call to your recollection, that it is

Excellent to possess a plant's strength ;
But it is tyrannous to use iv like it giant-



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



M Enough, my dear young lady," replied the
Captain, who was a man of gallantry, " I am
subdued ; the lion is turned to a lamb !" at the
game time letting the dandy feel the ground
once more, whose nerves were rather agitated
from the iron-like grasp of the Captain. " Let
this foolish young man keep his tongue within
his teeth, and never give an unprovoked
insult in future, for fear of the consequences.
Therefore, Sir, I let you off this time ; but
immediately place yourself under the pro-
tection of that lady and you will be safe; attend
to her instructions for a short time, when,
perhaps, ' you may be trusted ALONE.' The
Captain then made his bow to the lady, and
retired from the fair amidst the loud applause
of the spectators.

Numerous other " Choice Spirits" might
have been introduced, full of character as the
preceding ones ; but the above three gentlemen
will be quite sufficient to give an outline of
the company to be met with in B'jb Gregson's
snuggery where there was wit at will; the
parties sought out each other to please and be
pleased, where 'Dull Care' could never ob-
tain a seat and fun to be had at all times.
Sporting the general theme amongst the par-
ties, but not to the exclusion of the topics uf
the day. Very heavy matches have been
made in the snuggery: and most certainly the
period alluded to might have been termed the
" Corinthian Times of the Fancy." It is
true, perhaps, that STERNE might not have
been pleased with many of the Sentiments
made use of at the Castle Tavern ; and ROUS-
SEAU have altogether disliked the tenor of the
arguments of the orators; but for ///^-,
practical feeling, on any distressed subject in-
troduced to their notice, the Fancy have
proved themselves, without the aid of one
word of sentiment, generous to a fault ;
" Charitable upon most occasions, and never
yisiting the sins of the fathers upon the
children ;" and always ready with their
mites to help a fellow-creature out of his
troubles. Such circumstances have occurred,
times and oft, at the Castle Tavern, in spite of
all the calumnies* which have been heaped
upon the members of the Sporting AVorid.

* In spite of the cant and humbug which exist in the
\orld, and the "fluttering unction" which many pcr-
oiis take to themselves, that they arc better than other
folks, and not like those wicked tvllows who frequent
horse-raws, hunting, and pri/e-fights ; it must, how-
ever, be pleasant to the feelings of those men who mix
with all sorts of society, and who endeavour to conduct
themselves as well as they can, that they have the
opinion of one of the greatest Law Lords who ever s;tt
on the Bench to administer justice in this kingdom,
that acccn-ding to the Scriptures, " He did not like
people righteous over m:iclu" The Lord Chancellor
Thurlow, on being told that " Mr. Mellish was a great
favorite of the populace," observed, "They like him
as a brother blackguard: I am of their opinion : I dis-
like your pious heroes : I prefer Achilles to Hector
and Turnns to ^Ineas." When at Cambridge his Lord-
ship was considered to read remarkably well, and
Satan's speeches were nis especial favorites ; and on
i.is finishing or.e of them he was frequently heard to
<ty, " He wa a fine fellow! I wish he had won !"



The Sun for a long time shone brilliantly over
the " Temple of the Fancy ;" but poor Bob,
like too many of his class, did not make hay
while it was it in his power ; when the scene
changed, the clouds of misfortune overwhelmed
him ; and the once sprightly, gay Lancashire
hero was compelled to take a voyage on board
his Majesty's Fleet, not only for the recovery
of his health, but to obtain a certificate against
all future attacks of the enemy. Thus ended
the reign of Bob Gregson, at the Castle Ta-
vern, Holborn.



For a few months, a sort of inter-regnum
occurred at the Castle ; the Sporting World
were missing ; and little else but dreary
silence rei.'ned throughout the house: when
the sprightly, stylish, well-conducted TOM
BELCHER, in the summer of 1814 (under the
auspices of his sincere friend, and almost
father, Mr. John Shelton) appeared in the
character of landlord at the above tavern.
The house had undergone some repairs ; the
rooms were all retouched by the painter ; ele-
gance and cleanliness, backed by civility,
became the order of the day ; a prime stock
of liquors and wines were also laid in to
command the attention of the public. Tom's
opening dinner was completely successful, and
the Fancy immediately rallied round him
rallied round a hero who had nobly contended
for victory in thirteen prize battles. Tom
was also considered the most accomplished
boxer and sparrer of the day ; and the remem-
brance, likewise, that he was the brother of
the renowned Jem Belcher, were points in
themselves of great attraction in the Sporting
AVorid ; and the above Tavern again became
one of the most favorite resorts of the Fancy
in general.

" The CASTLE TAVERN, as a sporting House,
is conducted upon those principles of honor
and rectitude that must ensure its success.
Propriety is the order of the day ; and no
man appears more anxious or eager to ac-
commodate his visitors, and at the same time
none more scrupulously exact in asserting his
rii;ht as a landlord to prevent the introduction
of improper company, and to do the thing that
is right, than TOM BELCHER. In this respect
the management of the house is entitled ta
universal praise ; and the inquiring stranger,
whom curiosity might have tempted to take a
peep at the scientific pugilists, feels not the
least restraint in visiting the CASTLE TAVERN ;
but from the spirit, life, and entertainment,
which the company affords him, repetition is
generally the result. The long room is neatly
fitted up. and lighted with g-as ; and the nu-
merous sporting subjects, elegantly framed
and glazed, have rather an imposing effect
upon the entrance of the visitor, and among
which may be recognised animated likenesses
of the principal pugilistic heroes in the Fancy,
with a variety of other subjects connected
with the Sporting World.



70



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



"During the time Tom Belcher was the
landlord of the Castle Tavern, the Daffy
Club* was staited by Mr. James Scares. The
above Club is a complete antidote to the Blue
Devils, and has to boast of greater ad vantages
than any other Society in the Metropolis, from
its members being always in Spirits ! For-
mality does not belong to this Institution ; it
has no written rules to bind its members ; no
specified time of meeting ; no fines for non-
attendance ; but the corner-stone is, " TO DO
WHAT is RIGHT !" The Sporting World is its
hobby, and respecting ORIGINAL ANECDOTES
of the Turf; the incidents of the Prize Ring ;
the merits of the swift Pedestrians of the day ;
a knowledge of the first rate Trotters ; an
acquaintance with the befit Shots ; good
Cockers ; great Cricketers ; distinguished
Anglers; and thorough- bred Cattle, Dogs, &c.,
most of the Club can prove themselves not
deficient RIDERS, whenever necessity requires
them to mount. One of the antidotes of the
DAFFY CLUB is starch; the members having
" lived" all the days of their life, and are
therefore not to be slighted by the self-import-
ance of a soi-disant SWELL, nor be broke in
upon by the rudeness of a Blackguard.

This hig}i- spirited Society is also character-
ized by a FEATURE totally unknown, and not
acknowledged by any other Institution,
namely, its ACCOMMODATION. The
Munchausen traveller can relate all his mar-
vellous adventures without the fear of con-



* Notwithstanding the writer of this article most
anxiously wishes his KEY should fit well, and that
every person who is in possession of it should be able
with the utmost ease to unlock the door that affords a
peep into the movements of the Sporting World ; yet
rather than attempt to gammon any of his reader*
etymology being out of the question the only defini-
tion he can give to the term " DAFFY" is, that the
phrase was coined at the Mint of the Fancy, and has
since passed current without ever being overhauled
as queer. The Colossus of Literature, after all his
nous and acute researches to explain the synonyms of
the English Language, does not appear to have been
down to the interpretation of " DAFFY ;" nor indeed
does BAYLEY or SHERIDAN seem at ally/y to it;
and even slang GROSE has no touch of its extensive
signification. The squeamish Fair One who takes it
on the sly merely to cure the vapour*, politely names
it to her friends as " White Wine." The Swell chaff
it as " Blue Ruin" to elevate his notions. The Laun-
dress loves dearly a drain of " Quid Tom," from its
strength to comfort her inside. The drag Fiddler
can toss off a quartern of " Max" without making a
wry mug. The Coster Monger illumines his ideas
with "a fiash of lightning !'' The hoarse Cyprian
owes her "existence to copious draughts of " Jacky."
The Link boy and Mud Larks, in joining their browns
together, are for some " Stark Naked." And the
Out and Outers, from the addition of bitters to it, in
order to sharpen up a dissipated aud damaged Vic-
tualling Office, cannot take any thing but " Fuller's
Earth." Much it should seem, therefore, depends
npon a name ; and as a soft sound is at all times pleasing
to the listener to have denominated this Sporting
Society the " GIN CLUB," would not only have
proved barbarous to the ear, but the vulgarity of the
chaunt might have deprived it of many of its elegant
friends. It is a subject, however, which must be
admitted has a pood deal of Taste belonging to it and
as a ^porting Man would be nothing if he was not
flash, the DAFFY CLUB meet under the above
title. - Pictute of the Road to the Fight.



tradiction ; the good-breeding of the Club" is
so game in this peculiar respect ! And should
the relator of any event happen to do it rather
too brown, (for instance, such as stating, with
a face of clan, what he terms a fact, that in
the country he ran a mile in three minutes
and a half) so as almost to spoil the steadi-
ness of the mugs of the Club, and to endange*
its general rules, the PRESIDENT gently re-
minds them, as being staunch Members, " that
of course they will accommodate the gentleman
in his story." The chaffing of the Club, one
to another, is then generally, " You believe
it?" If the CATOLLA* can stand the grin
well, this sort of playful satire affords much
laughter ; frequently good punning, and ex-
cellent amusement.

Although every member of the Dajfy Club
is expected to be in spirits, yet Mr. Lushington
is always viewed as an unwelcome visitor.
HARMONY is the basis of the Daffies ; and
between the different heats of BETTING, some
good characteristic chaunt ing often adds an
interest to the scene at the Castle, The fol-
lowing song is so connected with this Tavern,
and has repeatedly received the approbation
of the Club, and throughout all the sporting-
circles, that no apology is necessary for ik.
insertion :



TUNE" The Land of Street Erin. 11

You LADS OF THE FANCY, who wish to impart
The tokens of Friendship and soundness of heart,
To BELCHER'S repair at the Castle so strong,
Where he'll serve you all well and you'll hear a good

song :

The company cheerful, and SPORTING'S the go-
Though milling's the theme, you'll not meet with a

foe ;

But each, in good humour, enjoying his pipe,
"With tales of the FANCY and knowledge of life.
Then let us be merry
While drinking our Sherry,
For friendship and harmony can't last too long-
Be still our endeavour
That nothing shall sever
The LADS OF THE FANCY at the Castle so strong I

First, my muse I'll invoke the brave sires of the fist,
Those heroes of old, who stand high on the list -
To FIGG, father BROUGHTON, and veteran SLACK,
Tom Johnson, Mich. Ryan, that brave Paddy wha
To do them all justice 1 cannot now stay,
Nor half their brave actions or feats here display,
But country or colour to us are the same,
Only anxious are we in preserving the GAME.
Then let us, &c.



* This phrase is a recently coined one, and may be
termed a new reading for the old fash terms of " a
precious sam a spooney a muff a flat a go-alonger,
&c. or in plain English, a fool. The original CATOL-
LA (the name of a man who was in the habit of
using the Castle) was distinguished for his mar-plot
qualities, and stupid bets. Also in offering wagers, that
when called upon to cover, it generally turned out
he had no blunt to stake. Catolla, from proving too
annoying, was ultimately laughed out ; but unfortu-
nately his family are very numerous, and still con-
tinue to furnish amusement for the Daffies and other
frequenters of the Castle Tavern, very few evenings
passing over without some Catolla or other
his appearanrp



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



71



%Vell stor'd is our Castle, a long siege to stand,

To parley or fight we can all take a hand

Like trumps stick together, afraid of no plot,

But beware of being floored by TOMMY'S grape-

shot !

To banish dull care, or to roar out a catch,
Fake part in a glee, or in making a MATCH ;
Chaunt the pleasures of Sporting the charms of a

race.

And ne'er be at fault at a mill or the chase*
Then let us, &c.

Now, IADS OF THE FANCY, assist me to sing,
That nothing unmanly takes place in the ring,
May no fear nor revenge e'er embitter your lives,
And be fond of your sweethearts, and true to your

wives.

Then give no offence, but with courage take part,
And show the right trait of an Englishman's heart,
To resent or fur give, to him 'tis the same
And may LADS OF THE FANCY still never want

GAME,

Then let us, &c.

During the principal time of Tow's residence
at the above tavern, the members of the Sport-
ing World were in ' fine feather,' and milling,
* glorious milling j was the order of the day.
Patrons 'came out' in mobs to give it support,
necessary to make it a striking feature with
the bloods, the bucks, the men of ton, and the
t cetera, which make up the sporting circles.
Tom always kept his weather eye up towards
the main chance; and no man on tho list knew
T>ftter how to get up a purse ; make a match ;
or back a man, than the late hero of the
Castle Tavern. Tom was quite a Swell in his
way- he was always well dressed, and as
smart and as nice as a new made pin ; when-
ever he made his appearance in the ring, or
upon a race course ; indeed, in any situation
before the public. Belcher was a keen observer
of society he measured his way through life;
and every step he took he turned it to good
account. The proverb was not lost upon Torn
<c To make hay while the sun shines." He
had lots of sporting dinners ; numerous gay
little suppers ; and always plenty of matches
on the board to excite the attention of the
fancy. The Daffy Club, a prime hit,* also
became very popular in the Sporting World ;
and for a long time crowded to excess almost
every night : indeed,

Fortune seem'd buckled to his back !
Every thing went right: Tom stuck to the
Castle, he was always to be found at his post
and the Castle, in turn, proved a rich Castle
to him : it fortified him at all points ; and
although Tom was spirited at times, to win a
good heavy bet, yet nevertheless prudence
was generally at his elbow to prevent him
from getting out of his depth. Tom was far
from a gambler ; the hazard table had no
charms for Belcher ; and he scarcely ever
sported a shilling except upon a horse race, or



* To add to the notoriety of the Daffy Club, a fac
simile of the interior of the Coffee Room was painted
by the celebrated Tom Greenwood, Esq., and repre-
sented in the drama of " Life Jn London," written by
Pierce Egan, for Sadler's Wells and the Olympic
theatres, where it was. performed for 200 nights without
intermission.



a Mill. His principal style of betting was
to use his own words, " Blow my dickey, I'll
bet a guinea and a goose ?" and if he did not
like to make a bet, he would observe, " I'll
leave it all to the Cook ?"

Tom Belcher, after fourteen years' residence
at the Castle Tavern, was enabled by his civil
conduct, attention to business, and good luck
(we must not leave " good luck" out of the
statement, as we feel assured that 'good luck'
is a great point towards realising a fortune)
to retire from the busy world. It is true, that
TOM had, tolerably well, skimmed the cream
off the Fancy before he made his bow to them ;
indeed, it might be said that milling had been
rather on the wane before Tom had any idea of
giving up the Castle Tavern. The times had
changed for the worse the blunt had got
rather taper ; and numerous patrons of the
P. R. were growing too old to give it their
usually animated support, and theyoung swells
were not rich enough in the ' cash account' to
prop up the ' decline ' and almost ' fall of the
ring.' However, at all events, Tom Belcher
had had not only a long but a rich innings ;
and if he did not exactly retire from the Castle
Tavern in a * shower of gold,' he nevertheless,
put by a good quantity of the * Sweeteners of
Life,' to render his retreat to the country safe
and pleasant, but he had also got * Bank
security' against a rainy day.

In the character of a Freeholder, the lucky
Tom Belcher now passes his days in a very
handsome cottage on Finchley Common, living
at his ease like a man of fortune, with his dog
and his gun, to traverse the fields when he
feels inclined for a day's shooting to bag the
game ;' and Tom is well known as a good
marksman. He has also got his prad and his
gig, to visit his old friends in the Metropolis
whenever it suits his inclination to quit his
fire side ; and the climax of all his hopes,
in the possession of a glass of good wine after
his dinner, when Tom never fails to drink as a
toast (we suppose by way of gratitude for
past favors) " Here's success to milling /" and
with a smile on his countenance says Tom,
" my friends may flatter me as much as they
please about my fine fighting, but, blow my
dickey, of all the hits I ever made in my life,
none of them were to be compared with the
hit I made at the Castle." Tom sensibly
feels quite satisfied with the result of his
exertions in life, and the burthen of his
song is

Contented I am, and contented I'll be
For what can this world more afford 1

Than a girl that will socially sit on my knee,
And a cellar that's plentifully stor'd,
My brave boys.

But the designation of TOM BELCHER will
never be erased from his escutcheon. Not a
longtime after Tom had taken up his residence
on Finchley Common, a Swell enquired of the
ostler at the Bald Face Stag if he could
direct him towards the house of Mr. Belcher ?
"Belcher? Belcher?" echoed the ostler,



72



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



scratching his head, and cudgelling his brains
for a minute or two for a reply. " No, no,"
said he, " we have no gentleman of that name
on the common, I be sure." "You are wrong,"
answered the Swell; " I know that Mr. BeJ-
cher's residence is somewhere about here, I
had it from his own mouth, and I must find it
out before I go, as I have some business to
settle with him." '' No/' said the ostler, " I
am certain there is no such a person about
these parts ; as I have lived here all the days
of my life, boy and man." The Swell drove
off rather angrily, muttering to himself, " what
a stupid set of fellows these country chaps
are ; there is no getting a decisive answer from
them !" But he had scarcely got the distance
of five hundred yards, when the ostler out of
breath running after him, exclaimed, just re-
collecting himself " Sir, sir ! Do you mean
Tom Belcher, the fighting man ?" " Yes to be
sure," replied the Swell. " He once was a
pugilist, but now he lives in another charac-
ter !" * O, then, you did mean him. I did'n't
understand. If you want Tom Belcher, he
lives at that handsome cottage," pointing to
it, " about half a mile off." The Swell gave
a nod, smiling; and in a very short time after-
wards he found himself in Tom's delightful
and elegantly furnished freehold. Non sum
quails erain.



True Hope ne'er tires !

Although it might have been urged by his
friends, as a kind of drawback against the at-
tempt, that the " show had gone by ;" yet
TOM (WINTER) SPRING,* who had not only
been losing his time amongst his countrymen
at the Booth-Hall, in the city of Hereford, but,
what was worse, his hard-earned money ; he
was determined when the opportunity offered
to have another ' shy* in London ; therefore,
after the setts-to had taken place between the
' two Toms/ the match made, and the blunt
posted TOM SPRING appeared in the cha-
racter of" mine Host," at the Castle Tavern,
Hoi orn.

T m Spring did not enter upon his new
capacity without possessing considerable
claims to the notice of the patrons of boxing ;
indeed, he was well known from his victorious
career, to the sporting world : and no man,
from his general conduct and deportment,
was considered so eligible in every point of
view to succeed Tom Belcher, as the present
landlord of the Castle Tavern. Tom Spring
was born at Fownhope, within six miles of
Hereford, on the 22d of February, 1795 : he

* To the best of our recollection, Old Paddington
J ones was Tom's godfather. On Winter's first appear-
ance at the Fives Court, and the spectators crying out