As a proof of the esprit de corps which then animated pugilists, we copy a placard circulated on this melancholy occasion.
“TO THE SPORTING WORLD.
“Remembrance of a Brave Man, and Consideration for his Wife and Children. Under the patronage of the P. C. and superintendence of Mr. Jackson. A Benefit for the Widow and Two Infant Children of the late T. Hickman, denominated in the Sporting Circles the Gas-light Man, will take place at the Fives Court, St. Martin’s Street, Leicester Square, on Wednesday, February the 5th, 1823, at which every exertion will be made by all the first-rate pugilists to produce a grand display of the Art of Self-defence. The sets-to by Messrs. Cribb, Spring, Belcher, Harmer, Carter, Oliver, B. Burn, Randall, Turner, Martin, Cy. Davis, Richmond, Eales, Shelton, J. Hudson, Tom Owen, Holt, Scroggins, Curtis, A. Belasco, P. Halton, Purcell, Brown, Lenney, etc.
“In consequence of the melancholy and afflicting accident which befel the late T. Hickman, instantly depriving his Wife and Two Children of his support, he having scarcely commenced licensed victualler (not more than six weeks), but with an excellent prospect of improving his circumstances in life, the above appeal is made to the noblemen, gentlemen, and amateurs composing the sporting world, in order to assist his widow towards providing for her fatherless offspring. The well-known liberality of the sporting world, so highly distinguished upon all occasions, to give a turn to the unfortunate, renders any further comment upon the aforesaid melancholy circumstance totally unnecessary to excite their interest and attention. Tickets 3s. each, to be had of Mr. Jackson, at his rooms, 13, Old Bond Street; of Pierce Egan, sporting bookseller, 71, Chancery Lane; Cribb, Union Arms, Panton Street, Haymarket; Belcher, Castle Tavern, Holborn; Randall, Hole in the Wall, Chancery Lane; Harmer, Plough, Smithfield; Cy. Davis, Cat Tap, Newgate Market; Holt, Golden Cross, Cross Lane, Long Acre; Eales, Prince of Mecklenburg Arms, James Street, Oxford Street; B. Burns, Rising Sun, Windmill Street, Haymarket; and of the widow (Mrs. Hickman), Adam and Eve, Jewin Street, Aldersgate Street.”
The rush at the Fives Court was equal to anything ever experienced. On the door being opened the money-taker was almost carried away from his post by the pressure of the crowd. The attraction was great, independent of the cause; and, on the whole, it was one of the best displays of the science ever witnessed at the Fives Court. Mr. Jackson superintended the pairing of the men, and the result was talent opposed to talent. Oliver and Acton first made their bows to the spectators; Aby Belasco and Gybletts, Gipsey Cooper and Peter Warren, Curtis and Harris, Ward and Holt, Harmer and Shelton, Josh. Hudson and Richmond, Carter and Sampson, Spring and Eales, Belcher and Neat, and Randall and Scroggins, exerted themselves to amuse and interest the audience, and their efforts were crowned with the most loud and lively plaudits. The set-to between Spring and Eales was much admired, from the skill displayed on both sides; and Belcher, in his combat with Neat, received a severe hit on the nose, which produced the claret, when Tom, with the utmost good humour, observed, “That friendly touch prevented the expense of cupping, as it was absolutely necessary he should be bled, and was merely a baulk to the doctor.” Thanks were returned by Pierce Egan.
Neat, unsolicited, left Bristol at his own expense to exhibit at the benefit. Eales also came twenty-five miles on the same morning; and the veteran Tom Cribb hurried from the country to assist at the door, to make “all right and pleasant;” the assistance of his “strong arm” proved valuable in the extreme to all parties. Mr. Jackson (so well known upon all occasions to render his personal interest to the unfortunate) never exerted himself with more successful zeal than in the cause of the widow of Hickman. The receipts were £136 13s. 6d.
So anxious were the pugilists to exert themselves in the cause of the widow and children of Hickman that, as soon as decency permitted them, Randall, Shelton, Spring, Josh. Hudson, Curtis, etc., took the chair for several weeks in succession at the Adam and Eve, and their efforts were crowned with success.
A benefit was also got up for the widow and children of Mr. Rowe, which was liberally supported. The company was most respectable, including fourteen M.P.’s and other persons of “the upper ten thousand.” Great credit is due to Mr. Belcher for his exertions and the attention he gave in getting up this benefit, which realised nearly £100.
We have recorded these minutiæ to show the comparative want of self-sacrifice among the pugilists of “these degenerate days.”
