Power had a set-to with Richmond (see ante) at a sparring match at the Fives Court, on Dutch Sam’s benefit, soon after the above contest. Something about a white feather being mentioned, Power instantly mounted the stage, and addressed the spectators thus:—“Upon the day previous to the night when I fought Richmond I was following my business as a plumber, in making paint. The fumes of white lead are of so strong and poisonous a quality, that, to prevent any serious effects operating upon the constitution, we are necessitated to drink a quantity of castor oil; in addition to which I had been drinking, which rendered me then unprepared; but now,” said Power, “if Richmond can take out the white feather, as he pleases to term it, that I possess (stripping off his clothes), let him come up here, and I will fight him instantly for £50.” At his own benefit he again offered to fight Richmond.
Power’s excesses are thus leniently touched upon in “Boxiana:”—“In concluding this sketch, the most painful part remains to be performed. No boxer commenced his milling career with a fairer prospect to arrive at the top of the tree, or become a fixed star in the pugilistic hemisphere, than Jack Power; but, possessing a gaiety of disposition which could brook no restraint, the fascinating charms of company and the enlivening glass proving too powerful for his youth and inexperience to withstand, he plunged into excesses which induced premature debility. In this last battle, although gaining the victory, he endangered his existence. From being stripped in the open air for nearly an hour and a half, the severity of the weather afflicted him so seriously, that for several hours his frame did not experience the least warmth whatever, notwithstanding the best medical treatment was resorted to. His sufferings were acute, and he observed, ‘All the milling that he had received in the whole course of his pugilistic career was trifling in comparison with the pain he sustained on his return to a state of convalescence.’ He, however, was not long in returning to the metropolis to receive those congratulations which his noble courage had so justly entitled him to. The supporters of pugilism gave him a most flattering reception, so that Power’s time was principally occupied with the pleasures of society, and the enlivening charms of the bottle. Power was no churl, full of good humour in company, and his song was always ready when called for to support the cause of harmony.”
At a sparring exhibition which took place at the Fives Court soon after, when Jack merely looked in as a visitor, and Carter was present, several of the amateurs expressed a wish to witness a set-to between them. It proved a sharp contest; but the superiority was decidedly, in point of science, as in the fight, in favour of Power.
A public dinner, in honour of Power’s victory over Carter, took place at Mr. Davenport’s, the Three Pigeons, Houndsditch, when Jack presided, supported by Tom Cribb. Conviviality was the order of the day; and, upon the introduction of Carter, the behaviour of Power to his fallen adversary was attentive, generous, and manly, and he strongly recommended him to the attention of the fancy in general. Soon after this period he rapidly declined, and endeavoured to recruit his health by a journey to Oxford. It proved too late, and the last stage of consumption was reducing him daily. He witnessed the memorable set-to of Molineaux and Carter, and expressed himself astonished to hear it termed “fighting!” He returned to his dwelling in Plough Court, Fetter Lane, not only exhausted in person, but, to add to his afflictions, one of his children took ill and died. Mr. Jackson, ever attentive to the wants of brother pugilists, on being made acquainted with his peculiar situation, instantly made a collection for him among the patrons of the science. His disorder was so flattering that, at times when his spirits were good, he would observe, “Let me get but a little better, and I’ll show the lads how to fight; many of those that pretend to teach it scarcely know anything about the sound principles of milling—they are only sparrers.”
Power departed this life June 2, 1813, at the early age of twenty-three, and lies interred in the burial ground of St. Giles’s-in-the-Fields. He was in height about five feet nine inches and a half, and in weight twelve stone. He turned out several good pupils.
WILLIAM NOSWORTHY, THE BAKER.
As the conqueror of the renowned Dutch Sam, albeit in the day of his decadence, the name of Nosworthy is preserved from oblivion.
In his boyish days, Nosworthy, it appears, was not altogether unknown in Devonshire, both as a wrestler and pugilist. He was born at Kenn, a parish in the hundred of Exminster, of respectable connections, on the 1st of May, 1786. He was of an athletic, prepossessing appearance, and extremely well made. In height five feet six inches, and weighing about eleven stone. In disposition he was cheerful, good-natured, and inoffensive; but in the ring Nosworthy was a glutton of the first mould. Several sporting characters denominated him the “Young Chicken,” from some likeness he bore to the celebrated Hen. Pearce.
“The historian” having given us the usual “servings out,” “polishings off,” etc., of unknown opponents, judiciously omitted by the compiler of “Fistiana,” brings Nosworthy to town. Here it appears that “the Baker” attended a Devon and Cornwall gathering of wrestlers, and was matched against one Pentikin, whom he threw.[[165]] The defeated wrestler offered to post a guinea and thrash Nosworthy for the stake. The contest took place on the 3rd of May, 1808, in Pancras Fields. Nosworthy was seconded by Tom Jones and Bill Ryan. The superiority was evidently on the part of Nosworthy for the first twenty minutes, Pentikin being milled in all directions. It was presumed that, had the fight continued without any interruption victory was by no means doubtful on the side of Nosworthy, who had, at this period of the battle, considerably reduced the strength of his opponent. But Nosworthy was here representing a county partisanship of Devon versus Cornwall, and was moreover unknown in comparison to Pentikin. The ring, it is said, was broken in consequence, much confusion ensued, and some delay occurred before the combatants could appear in a new ring. The contest was renewed with increased ardour, and Pentikin appeared more fresh from the delay. Reciprocal fighting continued for one hour and twenty-five minutes, when Nosworthy was reduced to insensibility, and carried off the ground by his brother. The game he displayed was highly praised. Pentikin, although the conqueror, could not be induced again to face his fallen adversary, and forfeited three times to Nosworthy.[[166]]
After some irregular battles the bakers of the metropolis, looking upon Nosworthy as a leader in their sporting circle, a match for ten guineas a-side was made between him and Barnard Levy, a Jew, which took place at Golder’s Green. Levy was known to be a good man, and proved himself deserving of that character throughout the fight. Nosworthy was not in condition, and the Jew maintained an evident superiority for the long space of two hours. The game displayed by the Baker astonished every one present—he fought undismayed, and showed himself a “taker” of no common mould. Notwithstanding the punishment the Jew had administered, he could not take the fight out of him, and at length became exhausted. Nosworthy, contrary to all expectation, appeared refreshed, and finished the Jew in high style during the last twenty-five minutes. From this conquest the Baker gained ground. The fight lasted two hours and twenty-five minutes.