Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2 (of 3): Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-1740, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863Miles, Henry Downes
History
Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2 (of 3): Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-1740, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863
Miles, Henry Downes
Boxing
The sports of Donnybrook Fair, on August 27, 1819, were considerably
heightened by the presence of Donnelly, Cooper, and Gregson. They were
thus described in a contemporary Dublin newspaper, _Carrick’s Evening
Post_:—“Upon no former occasion have we witnessed more enticement to eye
or palate: booths of a superior and extensive nature were erected, in
which equestrian voltigeur tumbling, sleight of hand, serious and comic
singing, and other performances were exhibited. Donnelly, for some
reason we cannot account for, has no tent; but he has a booth, wherein
Cooper, Gregson, and the Irish champion exhibited sparring, to the great
amusement of an admiring audience. This booth was but hastily prepared,
but the persons who obtained admittance appeared much pleased with the
scientific display of these celebrated pugilists. An amateur of great
eminence from Liverpool, at a late hour in the evening, ascended the
platform (a ten feet enclosed ring), and encountered Gregson with the
gloves. He was evidently no novice in the milling school, and was much
applauded. Cooper exhibited superior science, and Gregson displayed the
remnant powers of a once first-rate superior man. Dan was thought by the
amateurs present to be much improved, but gave himself little trouble
else than to show how things ‘might be done;’ he was cheerful and
laughing during each ‘set-to.’ The whole passed off in the most regular
and quiet manner. The persons present seemed anxious to accord with the
expressed wish of the pugilists, that the public peace should be rigidly
preserved.” On Tuesday the crowds were greater than upon any previous
occasion. The itinerant vocalists were not wanting to contribute their
portion of harmony. A variety of songs were circulated, from which we
select the following crambonian lyric:—
“DONNYBROOK FAIR.
TUNE—_Robin Adair_.
“What made the town so dull?
Donnybrook Fair.
What made the tents so full?
Donnybrook Fair.
Where was the joyous ground,
Booth, tent, and merry-go-round?
Where was the festive sound?
Donnybrook Fair.
“Beef, mutton, lamb, and veal,
Donnybrook Fair.
Wine, cider, porter, ale,
Donnybrook Fair.
Whiskey, both choice and pure,
Men and maids most demure,
Dancing on the ground flure,
Donnybrook Fair.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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