PUGILISM, or BOXING, is the art of defending one's self or attacking others with the weapons which nature has bestowed—viz., fists 'and arms. The origin of boxing, or the use of the fists, is likely as old as man himself. We find numerous allusions to it in the classic authors. Pollux, the twin-brother of Castor in the heathen mythology, was reckoned the first who obtained distinction by the use of his fists, conquering all who opposed him, and obtaining, with Hercules, a place among the gods for his sparring talents. The ancients were not, howdver, satisfied with the use of the weapons of nature, but increased their power by the addition of the cestus (q.v.). With the ancients, pugilism was considered an essential part in the education of youth, and formed part of the course of training practiced in their gymnasia; it was valued as a means of strength ening the body and banishing fear; but it was practiced in public rather with a view to the exhibition of the_power of endurance than for mere skillful self-defense. The earliest account we have of systematic British boxing is in 1740, when public exhi bitions of professors of the art attracted general attention. Up to this period, the sci ence of self-defense had made but little progress, and strength and endurance consti tuted the only recommendations of the practitioners at Smithfield, Moorfield, and Sculls wark fair, which had long had booths and rings for the display of boxing. Broughton, who occupied the poiition of "champion of England," built a theater in Hanway street, Oxford street, in 1740, for the display of boxing; advertisements were issued announc ing a succession of battles between first-rate pugilists, who never quitted the stage till one or other was defeated, the reward of each man being dependent upon, and propor tioned to, the receipts. Broughton was for 18 years champion of England, and with him commences the first scientific era of pugilism. He propounded some rules for the regulation of the ring, and these remained in authority till 1838, when they were materially altered. Rule 1 is, that a square of a yard be chalked in the middle of a stage, and that in every fresh set-to after a fall, the seconds are to bring their men to the side of the square, and to place them opposite each other, and until this is done, it is not lawful for one to strike the other. Rule 2, that if either of the combatants is unable to be brought up to the square within 30 seconds after a fall and the close of a round, he shall be deemed a beaten man. No man is permitted to hit his adversary when lie is down, or to seize him by the breeches, or below the waist, and a man on his knees is to be reckoned down. These rules laid the foundation of fair play, and robbed boxing of half its horrors. To Broughton also is due the introduction of gloves for "sparring matches," where lessons could be taken without injury. The greatest professor of the art was Jackson, who was champion in 1795. He was not only the most scientific boxer of his day, but he gave his art such a prestige and popularity that half the men of mid: and fashion of the period were proud to call themselves his pupils. He opened rooms for the practice of boxing in Bond street, and for years these were crowded by men cf note. His "principles of pugilism" were, that contempt of danger and confidence in one's self were the first and best qualities of a pugilist; that in hitting, you must judge well your distances, for a blow delivered at all out of. range, was like a spent shot, and valueless; that men should light with their legs, using all possible agility, as well as with their hands; and that all stiffness of style and position was wrong. Jackson is still regarded as the best theorist on the "noble art," and since his time, it has received no essential improvement. Shaw, the life-guardsman, who immortalized himself at Water
loo, was a pupil of his, and the prowess which he so brilliantly displayed on that occa sion, was owing as much to his scientific training as to his great strength. At this period, pugilism was actively supported by many persons of high rank—the dukes of York and Clarence, the earls of Albemarle, Sefton, etc., lords Byron, Craven, Pomfret. In 1314, when the allied sovereigns were in England, among other entertainments, a `• sparring" display was provided under Jackson's management; and the distinguished foreigners expressed the great gratification they had experienced from the exhibition of so much science and fine physical development. Besides Jackson, Belcher, Gulley, and Cribb were noted champions at this period. George IV. was a stanch patron of boxing in his youth, and although he discontinued by his presence to give countenance to the sport. frequent indications were observable of his desire for its promotion. At the time of the coronation, when the popular feelings were much enlisted in behalf of queen Caroline, who was excluded from the throne, a body of pugilists were employed to pre serve order; and so well did these men perform their duties, that the king presented each man with a gold medal, to commemorate the event, and to show his satisfaction. This period may be termed the "palmy days of the ring;" and from various causes, its decline has since then been uninterrupted. Among other causes, several cases occurred of prize-fighters who were tempted to lose fights on which large sums had been staked, and to deceive their most influential backers. The more distinguished patrons of the ring gradually seceded; the " pugilistic club." which had been established in 1S14, and which included all the aristocratic patrons of the ring. was broken up. The magistracy of the country set their faces against the lawless assemblies of " roughs" and pickpockets who latterly formed the greater part of the spectators at prize-fights. The electric tele graph, and the establishment of an efficient rural police, have given the finishing touches to an already expiring profession. Matches can now only be got up by stealth, and the place of meeting is kept a profound secret to the last moment, for fear of interruption. A few years ago, however, the international combat between Tom Sayers, the English map, and John Heenan, the American, revived for a moment public interest iu the art; but apart from exceptional matches, the popular feeling is that prize-fighting should not be countenanced. and we may look for its gradual extinction. The art of boxing, as an active and healthy exercise, is likely to be maintained; and the display of science between two accomplished boxers is very interesting, while it is deprived of all the hor rors of the prize-ring; the rapidity of the blows, the facility with which they are mostly guarded or avoided by moving the head and arms; the trial of skill and maneuver to gain a trifling advantage in position, all give a wonderful interest to the spectator, who can watch the perfection of the art devoid of the brutalities of the ring. The pugil ists of the present day are mostly publicans; their friends and the patrons of the "fancy" meet at their houses for convivial evenings, sparring-matches, ratting, and the like. It has constantly been urged in defense of pugilism that, were it abolished, the use of the knife would increase, and Englishmen would lose their present manly system of self-defense. This may be true, if the use of the fist in self-defense depended on the mercenary exhibition of pugilistic encounters, which, however, is mere assumption.— The best authority on the subject of pugilism is FAtiana, 1868, office of Bell's Life.