THE FIGHT
First republished in Literary Remains, vol. II. p. 193. For another account of the fight and, more particularly, of the journey home, see P. G. Patmore’s My Friends and Acquaintance, III. 41, et seq. The fight (between Hickman, the ‘Gas-man’ and Bill Neat) took place on Dec. 11, 1821. For an account of Tom Hickman (who was thrown from a chaise and killed in the following December) see Pierce Egan’s Boxiana, where particulars will be found of all the ‘Fancy’ heroes referred to by Hazlitt in this essay.
PAGE [1]. ‘The fight,’ etc. Cf. Hamlet, Act II. Sc. 2. Jack Randall’s. Cf. vol. VI. (Table-Talk), note to p. 202. ‘The proverb ... musty.’ Cf. Hamlet, Act III. Sc. 2. [2]. Jo. Toms. Joseph Parkes (1796–1865), the Radical politician, at that time articled to a London solicitor. ‘So carelessly,’ etc. As You Like It, Act I. Sc. 1. Jack Pigott. P. G. Patmore. ‘What more felicity,’ etc. Spenser, Muiopotmos, st. 27. Tom Belcher’s. Tom Belcher (1783–1854), a younger brother of the better known prizefighter, James Belcher, kept the ‘Castle’ tavern in Holborn. ‘Well, we meet at Philippi.’ Cf. Julius Cæsar, Act IV. Sc. 3. [3]. ‘I follow Fate,’ etc. Cf. Dryden, The Indian Emperor, IV. 3. [4]. Tom Turtle. According to the author’s son (see Literary Remains, II. 201) this was John Thurtell (1794–1824), afterwards notorious as the murderer of Weare. ‘Quite chap-fallen.’ Hamlet, Act V. Sc. 1. Martin. Jack Martin, known as ‘The Master of the Rolls.’ Mr. Richmond. Bill Richmond, presumably, the veteran coloured hero, who had recently taken to teaching the art of boxing. ‘Where good digestion,’ etc. Macbeth, Act III. Sc. 4. [5]. ‘Follows so,’ etc. Henry V., Act IV. Sc. 1. ‘More figures,’ etc. Cf. Julius Cæsar, Act II. Sc. 1. ‘His dream,’ etc. Cf. Othello, Act III. Sc. 3. ‘Seriously inclined.’ Cf. Ibid. Act I. Sc. 3. [6]. ‘A lusty man,’ etc. Cf. Canterbury Tales, Prologue, 167. [7]. ‘Standing,’ etc. Henry V., Act III. Sc. 1. ‘He moralised,’ etc. Cf. As You Like It, Act II. Sc. 1. ‘A firebrand like Bardolph’s.’ 1 Henry IV., Act II. Sc. 2. ‘Loud and furious fun.’ Cf. ‘The mirth and fun grew fast and furious.’ Burns, Tam O’Shanter.