Wrestling and Wrestlers: Biographical Sketches of Celebrated Athletes of the Northern Ring; to Which is Added Notes on Bull and Badger BaitingRobinson, Jacob
History
Wrestling and Wrestlers: Biographical Sketches of Celebrated Athletes of the Northern Ring; to Which is Added Notes on Bull and Badger Baiting
Robinson, Jacob
Wrestlers; Wrestling
The following sketch of Weightman appeared in the columns of the
_Cumberland Pacquet_, and is supposed to be from the pen of William Litt.
"As for the victor, Weightman, he is to a stranger a complete puzzle. To
judge from the almost universal disrepute with which he is regarded in
Carlisle and its vicinity, you expect to behold in him every
personification of a finished blackguard; but the very first glance is
sufficient to stagger any ideal opinion respecting him. I never saw a man
of equal birth and education, that had so much of the gentleman in his
appearance, and there is, even in his conversation, an unassuming mildness
equally striking. As a wrestler, if much cannot be said of his science, his
_powers_ will not be limited by those who have either tried or seen him
wrestle:--for, to cut the matter short, I do not think there is a man in
the world possessing any chance with him, the best of five or seven falls.
His behaviour in the ring was strictly correct; but such is the general
opinion of his powers, that though the wrestling was never previously
surpassed, yet the almost certainty of his winning greatly allayed that
anxiety for the final result which is essential for creating and keeping
awake the interest which the scene usually excites."
A letter appeared in the columns of the _Carlisle Journal_, dated September
16th, 1823, touching facetiously upon a point which, in later years, has
been successfully carried out. The writer says:--
SIR,--As a great admirer of athletic sports, I always
make a point of being present at the wrestling at our
races, but being "small of stature," I frequently miss
a good deal of the sport. To gain a complete view I
should willingly pay a small sum, and I have no doubt
if those concerned in the management of the sports
would provide seats for those willing to pay, that they
would be soon filled, and the funds be materially
increased, as well as a great convenience granted to me
and those of my fellow creatures who have not the good
fortune to be above six feet. I am, Sir, &c.,
JOHN _LITTLE_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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