venture to prophesy, that when the times come, that sirloins are no more brought upon the table, we shall not be able to produce one Englishman, who can knock down an ox. Our present race of spindle-shanked beaux had rather close with an orange wench at the play-house, than engage in a bye-battle at Tottenham-Court. It it is therefore no wonder that they should object to this manly practice, for which they are so ill fitted. How can we imagine, that they could stand against the buffets of a bruiser, when they might almost be patted down with the fan of a lady? An attempt was once made by Broughton to bring his study into vogue, by establishing a school for boxing, in which he was himself to be the lecturer. He invited the young gentlemen of the army, and all other men of spirit, to engage under his directions; and promised to arm their feeble wrists with mufflers, so that nothing might be apprehended by the softest head or tenderest skin. A few, indeed, were hardy enough to try a fall with him: but most of our young fellows gave up the gauntiet for scented gloves; and loathing the mutton fists of vulgar carmen and porters, they rather chose to hang their hands in a sling, to make them white and delicate as a lady's. I cannot but regret that this design was not generally encouraged, as it might perhaps have abolished almost the only use, that is at present made of the sword; and men of honour, instead of tilting at each other, might have had satisfaction in a tight set-to behind Montague-House. The amusement of boxing, I must confess, is more immediately calculated for the vulgar, who can have no taste for the more refined pleasures of whist and the hazard-table. Men of fashion have found out a more genteel employment for their hands, in shuffling a pack of cards and shaking the dice; and, indeed, it will appear upon a strict review, that most of our fashionable diversions are nothing else but different branches of gaming. What lady would be able to boast a rout at her house, consisting of three or four hundred persons, if they were not to be drawn together by the charms of playing a rubber? and the prohibition of our jubilee masquerades is hardly to be regretted, as they wanted the most essential part of their entertainments, the E O table. To this polite spirit of gaming, which has diffused itself through all the fashionable world, is owing the vast encouragement which is given to the Turf; and horse-races are esteemed only as they afford occasion for making a bet. The same spirit likewise draws the knowing ones together in a Cock-pit; and cocks are rescued from the dunghill, and armed with gaffles, to furnish a new species of gaming. For this reason, among others, I cannot but regret the loss of our elegant amusements in Oxford Road and Tottenham Court. A great part of the spectators used to be deeply interested in what was doing on the stage, and were as earnest to make an advantage of the issue of the battle, as the champions themselves to draw the largest sum from the box. The amphi theatre was at once a school for boxing and gaming. Many thousands have depended upon a match; the odds have often risen at a black eye; a large bet has been occasioned by a cross-buttock: and while the house has resounded with the lusty bangs of the combatants, has at the same time echoed with the cries of five to one, six to one, ten to one. The loss of this branch of gaming is a public ca lamity and I doubt not but the gentlemen at White's, and all others whom it concerns, will use their utmost endeavours to restore it. The many plates given all over the kingdom have undoubtedly improved our breed of horses; and if the diversion of boxing was to meet with equal encouragement, we should certainly have a more stout and hardy race |