CHAPTER XXV.
"Behold the Ring! how strange the group appears Of dirty blackguards, commoners and peers; Jews, who regard not Moses nor his laws, All ranks of Christians eager in the cause.
What eager bets--what oaths at every breath, Who first shall shrink, or first be beat to death.
Thick fall the blows, and oft the boxers fall, While deaf'ning shouts for fresh exertions call; Till, bruised and blinded, batter'd sore and maim'd, One gives up vanquish'd, and the other lam'd.
Say, men of wealth! say what applause is due For scenes like these, when patronised by you?
These are your scholars, who in humbler way, But with less malice, at destruction play.
You, like game cocks, strike death with polish'd steel; They, dung-hill-bred, use only nature's heel; They fight for something--you for nothing fight; They box for love, but you destroy in spite." ~392 ~~ THE following Tuesday having been appointed by the knowing ones for a pugilistic encounter between Jack Randall, commonly called the Nonpareil, and Martin, as well known by the appellation of The Master of the Rolls, from his profession being that of a baker; an excellent day's sport was anticipated, and the lads of the fancy were all upon the "_qui vive_." Our friends had consequently arranged, on the previous night, to breakfast at an early hour, and take a gentle ride along the road, with a determination to see as much as possible of the attractive amusements of a milling-match, and to take a view as they went along of the company they were afterwards to mingle with.
"We shall now," said Dashall (as they sat down to breakfast) "have a peep at the lads of the ring, and see a little of the real science of Boxing." "We have been boxing the compass through the difficult straits of a London life for some time," replied Bob, "and I begin to think that, with all its variety, its gaiety, and ~393~~ its pride, the most legitimate joys of life may fairly be said to exist in the country." "I confess," said Dashall, "that most of the pleasures of life are comparative, and arise from contrast.

Thus the bustle of London heightens the serenity of the country, while again the monotony of the country gives additional zest to the ever-varying scenes of London.

But why this observation at a moment when we are in pursuit of fresh game ?" "Nay," said Tallyho, "I know not why; but I spoke as I thought, feeling as I do a desire to have a pop at the partridges as the season is now fast approaching, and having serious thoughts of shifting my quarters." "We will talk of that hereafter," was the reply.

"You have an excellent day's sport in view, let us not throw a cloud upon the prospect before us--you seem rather in the doldrums.

The amusements of this day will perhaps inspire more lively ideas; and then we shall be present at the masquerade, which will doubtless be well attended; all the fashion of the Metropolis will be present, and there you will find a new world, such as surpasses the powers of imagination--a sort of Elysium unexplored before, full of mirth, frolic, whim, wit and variety, to charm every sense in nature.