began, both men went to work in a desperate
manner, with mutual success, until " bellows
to mend" caused them to pause a little for
breath. Again they grappled, and, in a
struggle, Olver seized Copp round the waist,
and was gathering him in a fine position for
the " home ting," but, having inadvertently
grasped the handkerchief bound round Copp's
body,hewascompelled,by the rulesof fair play,
to relinquish his hold, and was consequently
left open for an instant to his opponent, who
threw him a heavy side-fall. Alter this turn,
Olver seemed to show weakness, and although
he foiled all Copp's attempts, yet, when he
had two fine opportunities to make the heave,
he could not stir Copp from the ground, and
barely saved himself. Copp saw his advan-
tage, and tried to make the most of it ; he
went in sharply, got a good firm hold, obtained
the usual crook, and was trying it on strong,
when Olver's jacket slipped over his head,
and he was free. (Loud laughter.) Another
severe struggle followed this, until both came
down together, neither on their backs, but in
such a position that the partisans of each in-
sisted that their man had won the fall. A
scene of shocking confusion followed, in the
midst of which Copp left the ring ; but Olver
kept his ground, and, when silence could be
obtained, the Umpires distinctly asserted that
no fall had taken place. Copp was immedi-
ately informed of their decision, but he said
he had thrown his man, and refused to return
or wrestle any more. Olver remained several
minutes in the ring, but, finding his opponent
did not return, said he should of course claim
the stakes; and having also stated that he
was ready to make a match with Copp for 50
or 100, and play within a month, he also
retired. Olver had the stakes given to him.
At the Eagle Tavern, City Road, in April,
1829, a match took place for 20, between
PHILIP PYLE and WILLIAM ARCHER. In ap-
pearance Archer exhibited no superiority over
his veteran antagonist, except his youth ; but
when they grappled his strength was evidently
superior. Pyle, who has always been consi-
dered a heavy kicker, commenced with some
severe visitations to the padded shins of his an-
tagonist, who, nothing loath, repaid him in
his own coin, and apparently had the best of
it, as Pyle appeared to be the first to fight
shy. After playing twenty-five minutes,
Archer took the inner crook with his left leg,
and, although Pyle put every manoeuvre in
execution to slip it, he could not, nor could
he prevent himself from receiving as feir a
back fall as was ever, perhaps, witnessed in
the London ring. When the second bout
commenced, Archer made almost instant play,
and again locked Pyle's right leg, but the
latter disengaged himself very adroitly, and
threw Archer a foil, which was much ap-
plauded. Archer got a little more on his
mettle after this, and went to work desperately ;
but Pyle's coolness did not for a moment for-
sake him ; and although it was now quite
evident, even to himself, that he was over-
matched, yet the manner in which he conti-
nued to save his back when repeatedly floored
with the toe, was the admiration of the ring.
Once only did Pyle attempt to lead, but it
was no go ; and the only hope of his friends
was that he might tire the young one ; but
this hope was futile ; and at the expiration of
three quarters of an hour, after doing all that
man could to protract the struggle, and get
half a chance, Pyle was again thrown, by the
same lock, a second indisputable back fall,
and lost the match. Archer played without
a shoe on the right foot, and the manner in
which Pyle kept out, prevented any extraor-
dinary display of tactics. He is, however,
a first-rate player, and the amateurs present
appeared highly satisfied with the match.
CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND WREST-
LING FOR A SILVER CUP AND OTHER PRIZES.
On Good Friday, in 1829, the annual Wrest-
ling and Leaping Matches for ten distinct
prizes, raised by Subscription, and only
allowed to be played for by natives of the
above counties, took place at the Eyre Arms
Tavern, St. John's Wood, in the presence of
an immense assemblage of spectators, whom
the fineness of the morning and the usual
superiority of the sports had attracted to the
grounds. The prizes consisted of a silver
cup (the grand prize) value 20, six silver
snuIF-boxes, two handsome gold seals, and a
chased gold watch-key, of the value of thirty
shillings, the latter to be awarded to one of
ten candidates who should cover the greatest
336
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
quantity of ground in two hops and a leap.
The grand prize was a beautiful piece of
workmanship, shaped as a vase, and made to
contain aquart; the outside richly ornamented,
and the inside gilt. On one side appeared
the figures of two men wrestling, over which
was the motto, " The labour itself is a plea-
sure ;" and on the other side, " Grand Prize,
played for by natives of Cumberland and
Westmoreland only, April 17th, 1829." Within
the lid of each box was engraved its number
as a prize, and the date. Soon after twelve
o'clock the sports were commenced with the
hopping ; and, after a very excellent display,
the gold key was awarded to a native of Cum-
berland. For the Wrestling prizes nearly two
hundred candidates entered their names on
the Committee's list ; and after some of the
finest play ever witnessed (in the style pecu-
liar to the counties of Westmoreland and
Cumberland, which is widely different from
the usual Cornish and Devonshire modes of
wrestling, but of which our limits will not
allow us to enter into a detail), four prizes
were adjudged as follows . The grand prize
to Joseph Dobson, of Cubbom, Westmore-
land. A silver snuff-box, beautifully chased,
value 12, to Joseph Stamper, of Keswick,
Cumberland. A plain silver snuff-box, value
8, to Joseph Wells, also of Keswick.
A silver box, value 5, to William Robin-
son, of Highcomb, Westmoreland. The five
remaining prizes were then played for in a
second bout by the losing men in the first
play ; and, notwithstanding the unwelcome
visitations of several April showers, every
turn was admirably contested, and the final
decision was protracted until near night-fall,
when they were awarded by the Committee in
the following manner : A chased silver snuff-
box to Timothy Dobson, a relative of the for-
tunate winner of the silver cup. 2nd. A plain
silver snuff-box to John Elwood, of Appleby,
Cumberland. 3rd. A silver box, of less
value, to John Hick, of Cumberland.-^lth. A
chased gold seal to Thomas Foy, of West-
morland. 5th. A plain gold seal, to Miles
Dodd, of Westmoreland. The company, which
was highly respectable, departed highly gra-
tified with the sports; and the Committee,
with a very numerous party of friends, after-
wards partook of an excellent dinner, served
up in Messrs. Hinton and Bailey's best style,
and did not separate until a late hour.
In the middle of July, 1829, the Eagle
Tavern, in the City Road, was again the scene
of Sporting events for five days in succession.
These games would be much more numerously
attended than they are, were it not for the
uninteresting and unnecessary delay of making
standards. In the present instance the making
of the standards was not completed before
nine o'clock on Wednesday evening, and much
lissatisfaction was expressed by the specta-
tors, to appease whom the conductors were
under the necessity of beginning the double
play at that late hour ; and Benjamin Sambell,
and Samuel Steers were called on to oppoie
each other the former a Cornishman, and the
latter a Devonshire man, both of first-rate
science ; and from that moment the games be-
came lively, and far more interesting than
they had previously been. Two or three foils
took place between them, one of which was
so much in favor of Sambell, that he consi-
dered himself hardly dealt with in not having
it adjudged to him as a fall. He was shortly
afterwards thrown. Thorn and Howard, both
of Devonshire, were then called on , and, after
a pretty turn, Howard was thrown. This
ended the sports of Wednesday. We cannot
omit to notice, however, a most interesting
turn that took place in the course of that day,
between Olver and Trewicke, both Cornish-
men, and extremely jealous of each other.
Meeting on the ground, and eager to decide
the point at issue, they entered the ring amid
the plaudits of their friends. Three foils took
place, the first in favor of Trewicke, but the
two following, and finally the fall, were de-
cidedly in favor of Olver, whose superiority
was very apparent, and who has thus decided
a point upon which the amateurs of wrestling
were much divided.
On Thursday the double-play was renewed,
and in the commencement it appeared to be
all in favor of the men of Devon : but as the
play advanced the best men on both sides
were called into action, commencing with
Saunders, of Cornwall, and Jones, of Devon,
when the latter was thrown, after an excellent
display of the science. James Cann, of Devon,
and Olver, of Cornwall, were then called, and
entered the ring amid loud cheers, as the hopes
of their respective counties appeared to de-
pend on the result of their contest ; and Cann
seemed to hold the opinion that he had not
been fairly thrown by Olver at their last
meeting. In about ten minutes, however,
Olver threw him by one of those high fore-
hips, which appear to be so dangerous to him-
self to try, but which, he assures us, are
perfectly safe and effective, and of which,
indeed, he gave ocular demonstration. Wray-
ford, Devon who, with James Cann, had
been brought up from Devon, with a strong
hope of their getting the first and second
prizes was then called on to oppose James
Rook, of Cornwall; but he fared no better
than his friend Cann, which blighted all the
hopes of the Devonians, as both their cham-
pions are thus altogether thrown out of any
share of the prizes. Olver caught Rook up
in his arms, as if he had been a child, and
carried him out of the ring in triumph, while
the exultation of the Cornishmen knew no
bounds. The above noble game still maintains
its ground with unabated patronage, and num-
bers of young WRESTLERS are continually
arriving from the country, not only to obtain
the standard of excel lence (the LONDON stamp),
but also to have a shy for the prizes offered by
Mr. Rouse, of the Eagle Tavern, City Itoad,
and other persons. More anon.
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
337
- vX-
THE CRICKETERS.
Now, LIFI, to me, has always seem'd a GAME
Not a mere game of chance, but one where skill
Will often throw the chances in our way
Just like (my favorite sport) the GAME or CRICKET;
Where, tho' the match be well contested, still,
A steady player, careful of his fame,
May have a good lung INNINGS, with fair play,
Whoever bowls, or stops, or keeps the wicket.
THE above manly and noble game of Cricket
may be considered, without the fear of con-
tradiction, one of the truly denominated
BRITISH SPORTS; indeed, it may be said,
Tis English, Sirs ! from top to toe !
The game having originated with our ances-
tors in Great Britain ; and for the last sixty
years it has not only obtained the support of
the nobility of the highest class in the king-
dom, but also the flattering patronage of
Royalty.
n
The late King, George IV., when Prince of
Wales, was so much attached to the noble
Game of Cricket, that he ordered a piece of
ground ( > be railed in at Brighton, contiguous
to the Pavilion, and called the Prince's
Cricket ground ; and which retains its name
and situation to the present day. Upon the
above ground some very celebrated matches
have been contested ; and in which several
personages of great notoriety have exhibited
their talents with the bat and ball. The late
Lord Barrymore, who unfortunately lost his
life owing to his blunderbuss accidentally
discharging its contents, as he was ascending
his Phaeton, very often appeared amongst the
celebrated " ELEVENS," at that period in high
repute all over the kingdom, as crack players.
338
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
well-known as the thorough-bred, affable,
jolly, good-natured, and high-spirited Colonel
Lennox, anxious at all times to keep the game
alive, a most distinguished cricketer, and a
great lover and patron of athletic sports upon
all occasions, displayed his knowledge of the
game : indeed, for a loot-race, or a standing
or running jump, his agility and great speed
were so very conspicuous, that few men in the
kingdom could compete with the late Duke
of Richmond, at the period alluded to, with
any thing like a chance of success ; and, to
the last hour of his life, the above buoyancy
of good spirits never deserted him. In
Canada his Grace was quite a model for life
and activity for all the young officers ; indeed,
the company of the late Duke of Richmond
(who did not at all appear to feel the infirmi-
ties of age) was so much admired for the
de gaiete de cceur, which he always possessed,
that he was surrounded by the * young ones' at
all times, who had the permission to visit his
Grace.
The liberal-minded, late patriotic DUKE of
BEDFORD, whose statue in Russel-square
must always remind the passer-by of his
Grace's noble qualities, and sincere attach-
ment to the cause of liberty, was a great sup-
porter of the game of cricket, and all other
athletic sports.
The late DUKE of HAMILTON, of sporting
notoriety, was acknowledged a first-rate
cricketer, and the best bowlers found much
difficulty to derange his stumps ; and there
was a mark in Lord's Old Ground, called the
Duke's stroke ; it was an unusual length,
measuring, from the wicket, to where the ball
first fell, 132 yards, a circumstance scarcely
paralleled.
VERSES IN PRAISE OF CRICKET.*
By the Rev. M. Cotton.
Assist all ye muses, and join to rehearse
An old English sport, never prais'd yet in verse ;
'Tis Cricket I sing of, illustrious in fame,
No nation e'er boasted so noble a game.
* To Mr. T. W. BOWER, Mathematical Master in
Winchester College, we are indebted for the MS.
of the above song, written above half a century
since by the Rev. iVfr. COTTON (observes Mr. Samuel
Maunder, a gentleman of considerable research, and
whose recently published Universal Dictionary re-
fleets the highest credit on his persevering disposi-
tion and extensive mind) who at that time was the
Master of Hyde Abbey School, in that city. Instead
of offering any excuse for giving it a place in " Death's
Doings," we think we may fairly urge the following
as reasons why it ought not to be withheld : first,
that it is eloquent in the praise of the game of
cricket ; secondly, that it not only commemorates the
successful prowess of the far-famed Hambledon Club,
which at one time was the pride of Hampshire, and
the envy of " all England," but affords us an oppor-
tunity of introducing a biographical sketch of the last
.^urvivor of the original members of that club ;
snd thirdly, that its author was the conductor of a
r chool which has had the honor of enrolling in its
list of pu iils, many talented youths who, in after-life,
have fille.l 'he most distinguished stations, of which
'we may (without appearing invidious to others) ad-
duce a brilliant example in the person of the present
enlightened Secretary of State, the Right Hon.
George C .inning.
Great Pindar has bragg'd of his heroes of old-
Some were swift in the race, some in battle irera
bold;
The brows of the victors with olive were crown'd ;
Hark ! they shout, and Olympia returns the glad
sound !
What boasting of Castor and Pollux, his brother !
The one fam'd for riding for bruising the other !
Compar'd with our heroes they'll not shine at all ;
What were Castor and Pollux to Nyren and Small.*
* The whole of the Hambledon Club have now been
bowled down by death ; Mr. John Small, sen., of
Petersfield, Hants., who was the last survivor of the
original members, having terminated his mortal
career on the 31st of December, 1826, aged nearly
ninety.
The great have their historians, and why should
not the small ? Nay, since every one in the present
day exercises his right of publishing his " reminiscen-
ces," if he can but find a bookseller who is bold
enough to venture on the speculation, we trust we
shall stand excused for preserving a few stray notices
of this venerable cricketer, whose exploits were once
the theme of universal praise, and whose life was as
amiable as his station was humble.
John Small, sen., the celebrated cricketer, was
born at Empshott, on the 19th of April, 1737,
and went to Petersfield when about six years of
age, where he afterwards followed the trade of a
shoemaker for several years ; but being remarkably
fond of cricket, and excelling most of his contempo-
raries in that manly amusement, he relinquished his
former trade, and practised the making of bats and
balls, in the art of which he became equally profi-
cient as in the use of them ; and, accordingly, we find
that these articles of his manufacture were, in the
course of a short time, in request wherever the game
of cricket was known.
Mr. Small was considered the surest batsman of his
day, and as a fieldsman, he was decidedly without an
equal. On one occasion, in a match made either by
the Duke of Dorset, or Sir Horace Mann (for we can-
not exactly call to mind which), England against the
Hambledou Club, Mr. Small was in three whole days,
though opposed to some of the best players in the
kingdom nor did he at last lose his wicket, his ten
mates having all had their wickets put down. At
another time, in a five-of-a-side match, played in the
Artillery-ground, he got seventy-five runs at his first
innings, and went in the last mate for seven runs,
which it is hardly necessary to say, were soon scored.
On this occasion, the Duke of Dorset being desirous
of complimenting him for his skill, and knowing that
Small was as passionately fond of music as he was ot
cricket, he made him a present of a fine violin, which
he played upon many years, and which is now made
use of by his grandson.
We shall not, however, enter into a detail of thf
numerous proofs he gave of his skill as a cricketer, no(
of the flattering testimonies of approbation he at vari
ous times received from the patrons of the garnet
suffice it to state, that the first County match he
played in was in the year 1755, and that he continued
playing in all the grand matches till after he was
seventy.
Mr. Small was also an excellent sportsman, and
capital shot. He held the deputation of the Manor of
Greatham and Foley for many years, as game-keeper
under Madame Beckford, and retained it under her
son and successor, till the property was parted with,
which did not happen till Small was nearly seventy
years of age ; yet, such was his strength and activity
at that time of life, that, before he began his day's
amusement, he regularly took his tour of seven miles,
frequently doing execution with his gun, which to re-
late would appear almost incredible.
We ought also to mention that among other active
exercises for which Mr. Small was famed, was that
of skating those who have witnessed his evolutions
on Petersfield Heath Pond, (a fine sheet of water, a
mile in circumference) have no hesitation in pro-
nouncing him equal to any who have figured away on
tl.e Serpentine, how much soever they may have
<f astonished the natives."
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
339
Here's guarding, and catching, and running, and
crossing,
And batting, and bowling, and throwing, and tossing ;
Each mate must excel in some principal part,
The Panttahlon of Greece never show'd so much art.
The parties are met and array'd all in white ;
Fam'd Elis ne'er boasted so pleasing a sight ;
Each nymph looks askew at her favourite swain,
And views him, half stripped, both with pleasure and
ain.
But we turn from Mr. Small's athletic amusements
to notice his taste for music ; and, though we cannot
say that his excellence as a musician was equal to
his excellence as a cricketer, still, among his compeers
he was pre-eminent ; and, we have no doubt, that to
the soothing power of music he was not a little in-
debted for the equanimity of temper he possessed,
and the tranquil delight he felt in the company of his
friends for those who knew him can conscientiously
declare that no man was more remarkable for playful
wit, cheerful conversation, or inoffensive manners.
So early did he display his taste for music, that at
fourteen years of age, he played the bass at Peters-
field choir, of which choir he continued a membt-r
about svvsntii-five years, having performed on the
tenor violin there within the last twelve months, aud
that too without the aid of spectacles. After what
has been said it will not be a matter of surprise to
hear that Mr. Small was highly respected by all the
gentlemen who patronized cricket ; and, as they knew
nothing could gratify him more, they frequently
joined in a concert with his musical friends after
cricket was over for the day.
His two surviving sons, John and Eli, not only in-
herit his love for the game, but the first mentioned
particularly excels in it, and both are equally cele-
brated for their musical attainments ; indeed, during
their father's life this musical trio ranked high among
the performers at all the amateur concerts in the
neighbourhood.
O that our readers would but tolerate our " fond
garrulity," for much could we yet inform them con-
cerning John Small ! We should delight in telling
them that he was not merely a player on the violin-
cello and violin, but that he was both a maker and a
mender of them ! with pleasure should we descant on
his mechanical, as well as his musical skill, and show
that his proficiency iu each was the result of his own
untutored ingenuity, proving that he had a natural
genius for fiddle-making, as well as for bat and ball-
making. We should bring proof that he once made
a violiucello, aye, and aright good one too, which he
sold for two guineas nay, we should further prove,
that the old instrument which his son, the present
John Small, plays on at church every Sunday, (made
by Andria Weber, Genoa, 1713) was thoroughly re-
paired by him, and an entire new belly put thereto,
and that since it has been so repaired, an eminent pro-
fessor has pronounced it to be worth as many guineas
as would reach from one end of it to the other. We
should but we have not for-
gotten the old proverb, which says, " too much of a
good thing is good for nothing ;" and we desist, fear-
ing that too much may be said even of our old friend
John Small. But, notwithstanding our deference to
the proverb, and our wish to be as taciturn as possible,
there is one more musical anecdote which we must
he allowed to narrate, inasmuch as it toot only shows
that our praises of his skill are by no means exagger-
ated, but because it cannot fail to be regarded as a
corroboration of a most important fact the influence
of music upon the brute creation or to speak in the
language of the poet, an additional proof that
' Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast .'"
In his younger days, Mr. Small was in the habit of
attending balls and concerts ; sometimes contributing
to the delight of the gay votaries of Tepsichore at
others forming one of the instrumental band, which
met for the gratification of himself and his amateur
friends Returning one evening with a musical com-
The wickets are pitch 'd now, andmeasur'd the ground,
Then they form a la^ge ring and stand gazing around-
Since Ajax fought Hector in sight of all Troy,
No contest was seen with such fear and such joy.
Ye bowlers take heed to my precepts attend ;
On you the whole fate of the game must depend ;
Spare your vigour at first, nor exert all your strength,
Then measure each step and be sure pitch a length.
Ye fieldsmen look sharp ! lest your pains ye beguile,
Move close, like an army, in rank and in file ;
When the ball is returned, back it sure for I trow,
Whole states have been ruin'd by one overthrow.
And when the game's o'er, I O victory rings f
Echo doubles her chorus and Fame spreads her wings ;
Let's now hail our champions, all steady and true,
Such as Homer ne'er sung of, nor Pindar e'er knew.
Birch,* Curry,* and Hogsflesh,* and Barber,* and
Brett,'
Whose swiftness in bowling was ne'er equall'd yet :
1 had almost forgot they deserve a large bumper,
Little George* the long stop, and Tom Suetor* the
stumper.
panion from a concert in the neighbourhood, they
were rather suddenly saluted, when in the middle of