An Italian Turn-up.
Surprising Novelty in the Sporting Circle.
On Tuesday next, at Seven o’Clock in the Evening,
A special grand combat will be decided at the
WESTMINSTER PIT,
FOR ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS,
Between the extraordinary and celebrated creature, the famed
Italian Monkey:
Jacco Maccacco,
And a Dog of 20lbs. weight, the property of a Nobleman
well-known in the circle.
[32] Tom Cribb, born at Hanham, Gloucestershire, July 8, 1781. His last fight was with Molineux, a black, for £600, at Thistleton Gap, September 28, 1811. Presented by the Sporting World with a cup of the value of eighty guineas, December 2, 1811, at the Castle Tavern, Holborn. Which he received from the hands of Mr. Emery, the comedian, who made the following complimentary address:—“Thomas Cribb, I have the honour this day of being the representative of a numerous and most respectable body of your friends; and though I am by no means qualified to attempt the undertaking which has devolved on me, by a vote of the subscribers, yet the cause will, I am confident, prove a sufficient excuse for my want of ability. You are requested to accept this Cup, as a tribute of respect for the uniform valour and integrity you have shown in your several combats, but, most particularly, for the additional proofs of native skill and manly intrepidity displayed by you in your last memorable battle, when the cause rested not merely upon individual fame, but for the pugilistic reputation of your native country, in contending with a formidable foreign antagonist. In that combat you gave proof that the innovating hand of a foreigner, when lifted against a son of Britannia, must not only be aided by the strength of a Lion but the Heart also.
“The fame you have so well earned has been by manly and upright conduct, and which I have no doubt will ever mark your very creditable retirement from the ring or stage of pugilism. However intoxicated the cup or its contents may at any future period make you, I am sufficiently persuaded the gentlemen present, and the sons of John Bull in general, will never consider you have a cup too much.”
Tom Cribb took a farewell benefit under the auspices of the Pugilistic Association, at the National Baths, Westminster Road, November 12, 1840. Died in High Street, Woolwich, May 11, 1848. Monument erected to his memory in Woolwich Churchyard, May 1, 1851.
[33] All-Max in the East.—The very antipodes of the Almack’s in the West—was held at the Coach and Horses public house, Nightingale-lane, East Smithfield, which was kept by a person of the appropriate name of Mace. Here it required no patronage;—a card of admission was not necessary; no enquiries were made, and every cove that put in his appearance was quite welcome, colour or country considered no obstacle; and dress and Address completely out of the question. Ceremonies were not in use, therefore no struggle took place at All-Max for the master of them. The parties paired off to fancy; the eye was pleased in the choice, and nothing thought of about birth and distinction. All was happiness!—every body free and easy, and freedom of expression allowed to the very echo. The group motley indeed;—Lascars, blacks, jack tars, coalheavers, dustmen, women of colour, old and young, and a sprinkling of the remnants of once fine girls, &c. were all jigging together, provided the teazer of the catgut was not bilked out of his duce. Gloves might have been laughed at, as dirty hands produced no squeamishness on the heroines in the dance, and the scene changed as often as a pantomime, from the continual introduction of new characters. Heavy wet was the cooling beverage, but frequently overtaken by flashes of lightning.
“I am quite satisfied in my mind, said Logic to Tom, it is the Lower Orders of society who really enjoy themselves. They eat with a good appetite, hunger being the sauce; they drink with zest, in being thirsty from their exertions, and not nice in their beverage, and, as to dress, it is not an object of serious consideration with them. Their minds are daily occupied with work, which they quit with the intention of enjoying themselves, and enjoyment is the result; not like the rich, who are out night after night to kill time, and what is worse, dissatisfied with almost every thing that crosses their path, from dulness of repetition.”
“There is too much truth about your argument, I must admit,” replied Corinthian; “and among the scenes that we have witnessed together, where the Lower Order have been taking their pleasure, I confess they have appeared ALL HAPPINESS. I am sorry I cannot say as much for the higher ranks of society.”
[34] E. L. Blanchard’s History of the Adelphi Theatre.
[35] Mr. Edmund Kean.