18th Century Boxing/References to the sport in old newspapers

There are several terms here I've got no clue on.

The Derby Mercury 14 Many 1773
Norwich, May 8. Monday last an extraordinary Piece of Manhood in the boxing Art was performed at Northwould, between John Last and William Frail, two very noted and expert Bruisers, of the same Place, for a considerable Sum. They began with the usual Form of parrying and mounting Guard, which over, the Heat of the Battle lasted about thirty Minutes, with great Courage and Activity on both Sides; and it is said by the knowing ones in that Profession, that there has not been such a smart Battle fought for many Years. The Art and Expertness with which each defended himself, and attacked his Antagonist, was very great. Last had got some new Touches in the Art, called the Silent Tip and the Scalping Stroke, with the latter of which, near the Conclusion of the Battle, Frail had an Ear taken off, an Eye flushed, and an Arm broke; but at the same Instant Frail put in the Snug Dart upon Last, with which he immediately dropped and expired. It is thought the Bruises the other received will prove mortal. Last was a single Man about 25 Years of Age. Frail has a Wife and Family.— The Seconds, who were the noted Spinke and Buffler, could not agree in the Decision of the Battle, as when Frail gave Last the fatal Stroke he dropped, and before he knew of his Antagonist being dead, had, through Weakness and the great Swelling of his broken Arm, given up the Battle. As such it is to be decided in the Broughtonian way by Spinke and Buffler on Monday next, at the same Place, unless prevented by the chief and petty Constables which will be summoned to attend.

 

Middlesex Journal - October 29, 1772
Boxing matches have become so frequent in the neighbourhood of Islington, and such swarms of people, like Wildman’s bees, attend, that yesterday some of the knowing-ones took possession of Sampson’s riding ground, and took 6d. each for admittance to see a boxing match, and succeeded well.—It is hoped the High Constable of Finsbury division will take notice of these offenders, and punish the ringleaders.

London Evening Post - April 5, 1770
On Thursday afternoon, about three o’clock, was fought a great boxing match at Chinkford, in the county of Essex, between a gunsmith in the Minories, and one Gregory, a baliff, which was won with great difficulty by Gregory. It is supposed that not less than a thousand pounds was lost on the occasion, nor less than 3000 spectators present.

Hoey’s Dublin Mercury - August 8, 1771
To such an amazing pitch is duelling come to in this kingdom, that the lower order of Hibernians have dropt boxing, and taken to sword and pistol; for instance, Tuesday last one Jack Cack, an old cobbler, and one Kelly, a barber, discharged a café o pistols at each other; the seconds wisely charged with powder only, or these new-made bravoes might have destroyed each other.—

N.B. This affair happened in Corn-Market

Bingleys Journal - August 4, 1770
For several days past Sir Richard Perrot has fought many boxing matches, in which, it is said, he has always remained master of the field. A certain librated (Mrs. Q—rr—g—n) is the object of his love, who was lately delivered up to her husband by the prisoners; since which, the husband has committed to the Marshalsea, and the Lady has once more surrendered herself into the arms of the handsome Baronet.

London St James Chronicle - October 17, 1778
Lewes Oct. 19. In a Boxing-Match, on Wednesday last, between two carters, in the Service of John Pelham, Esq. of Crowherst, in this Country, for a Pot of Beer, one of them, named Cramp, was killed on the Spot. The Deceased, after he had received the fatal Blow, knocked down him Antagonist, but immediately after dropped down himself, and instantly expired. He has left a Wife and three Children. The surviving Combatant was on Friday committed to Horsham Gaol.

London Craftsman Or Say Weekly Journal - October 2, 1773
Monday last a mob of several thousand people assembled in Stepney-fields, to see a boxing match, upon which several hundred pounds were depending, between the fighting Jew and an Irish coalheaver; but while they were stripping for battle Justice Sherwood with half a dozen constables appeared amongst them, when the combatants made their escape; but the mob increased, and notwithstanding all the advice the Justice gave to disperse, they would not, till as last he resolutely picked out, one, by one six of the most daring and insolent, and conveyed them to the watch-house,. On his return again to the fields he found the mob still more numerous and insolent, till at last he was obliged to read the Riot Act, upon which they soon dispersed. One daring fellow threw a large stone at the Justice, but escaped. Two of the above were committed, and the rest upon the application of their friends were discharged.


Morning Chronicle And London Advertiser - March 14, 1775
Norwich, March 11. On Monday a severe boxing match was fought in a valley upon Moushold, between Bantam and Wilson, two inhabitants of the hamlet of Pockthorpe, when after a sharp contest of near an hour, in which many terrible blows were exchanged, Wilson received a fall, and was carried off from the place of combat for dead. He is somewhat recovered, but continues very dangerously ill.

Public Advertiser - December 29, 1775
The Boxing Match at the Precinct Meeting of a certain Ward, we find on Enquiry, is entirely without Foundation; and that the Parties, between whom this Fracas is said to have happened, appeared together at the Wardmote in seeming good Humour with each other.

General Advertiser And Morning Intelligencer - October 9, 1778
Yesterday afternoon som hundreds of blackguards entertained themselves till dark, in a field at Paddington, in seeing a boxing match, between a noted dustman, well skilled in this genteel science, and a bucher, and one or two more contests of inferior note.—Is it not a pity that the constables will not likewise attend on such occasions, when men are so much wanted, as by such means the navy might be soon supplied with men that would be a terror to the enemies of their country, and not be left at home to frighten the peaceable and quiet.

Public Advertiser - October 20, 1777
The Spa Fields are now become a regular Boxing Theatre on Sunday Mornings. Yesterday no less than nine Battles were fought, in one of which one of the Combatants had two of his Fingers roke. The Place of Fighting is under the first Bank above Merlin’s Cave, and it would be easy for two or three Constables to suppress it, bu attending at Six in the Morning.

Public Advertiser - August 25, 1772
On Sunday Morning two well dressed Men, having some Party Dispute the preceding Evening, met in St. George’s Fields, in order to decide it by a boxing Match, when one of them struck his Antagonist on the Temple and killed him on the Spot: The Delinquent endeavoured to make his Escape, but was soon taken and committed to Gaol.

Morning Chronicle And London Advertiser - May 24, 1774
The magistrates would do well to order a few constables to attend on Sunday mornings about Seven-dials, to prevent the usual practice of boxing in Great St. Andrew’s-street, last Sunday, there was no passing for a considerable time, for the above brutish practice.

General Evening Post - April 2, 1776
Yesterday a boxing match, for three guineas, was fought at Hackaey, between a pavior and a smith, which lasted near 50 minutes, when the former won the battle, and the latter was so terribly bruised, that he died soon after.

Morning Chronicle And London Advertiser- May 13, 1774
Wednesday last a boxing match was fought between a bruising hat-dyer, and a carman, on Blackheath, which drew together of the great vulgar, and the small, almost as many as attended his Majesty’s review on Monday last; the carman, after thirty five minutes contest, proved the conquering brute. It has been longer wished than talked of, that parliament would make such set challenges felony, which are the chief remains of barbarism that disgrace this nation. The Justices having notice might suppess them.

Morning Post And Daily Advertiser - July 13, 1779
A girl, dressed in the habit of a sailor, made application for work, some weeks since, at a ship-builder’s yard, in Wapping belonging to Mr. Tony, and agreed with a captain of a privateer sitting out at that place for the South Seas to article herself as an apprentice to him for five years; her affable behaviour, and her assiduity in learning the duty of a seaman, gained her the good will of the captain; she was remarkably nimble, and would go to the main opimast head with as much expedition as the best on board, she lay every night in a loft with the men who concealed themselves for fear of the press, and gave proofs of her courage in several boxing matches with boys who had offended her; not in the least suspicion was ever entertained of her sex, until having accidentally dropped a letter which she had written to her friends, it led to a discovery; it seems this heroine, at the age of fourteen years, conceived a violent affection for a youth who was an apprentice of her uncle, that matters had been settled between them for an elopement, but being betrayed by one she entrusted, the scheme was laid open to her father, and the young fellow was sent to sea. The girl determined, if possible, to find her lover, and having made free with a few guineas of her father’s, and his horses, dressed herself in a suit of her brother’s cloaths, and set out in quest of the young fellow. After selling the horse, she went to every sea port in Ireland, came back to England, which she has travelled most part over, enlisted as a Drummer, under the name of James Johnson, in a matching regiment, with which she continued near four months, deserted, was taken, and escaped, has worked her way from Newcastle to London, but is now, in consequence of the discovery last week, obliged to resume the petticoats, which she complains of being exteamly awkward to her. She is now under seventeen years of age, pretty face, but much tanned by the sun and weather.

Public Advertiser - October 28, 1772
Tuesday two Men having quarrelled on their Way to a Fair at Charlton in Kent, agreed to decide their Dispute bu boxing; accordingly they retired to a Sand put close by the Roadside, when after having tore one another, A-la-mode d’Angloise, like two Bull Dogs, one of them had one of his Eyes beat out by his Antagonist, and was carried off the Field speechless, without the least Hopes of his Recovery.

Dublin Journal - July 27, 1776
We have Authority to say that the Magistrates in their respective Diversions have taken infinite Pains to suppress that barbarous, shameful, and disgraceful Abuse of the Sabbath by Boxing Matches in the Fields near Islington and Tottenham-court-road; and if any of the Neighbours, to whom these must be a Nuisance, bor any other Person, will give such early Notice of such Boxing Match to the High Constable of the Division where such Boxing Match is intended, so that he may have it in his Power to prevent it, a constant Attention will be paid to such Notice.

 

London Evening Post - July 18, 1776
To the Magistrates and Peace Officers of the Parish of St. James, Clerkenwell.

THERE is an unutterably scandalous, public nuisance, and a soul-damning evil, which has been practiced for some considerable time past, and which is increasing weekly; I mean that of boxing and prize fighting near Sadler’s Weils on Sundays, which is very frequent. I have complained of it, but to no purpose. I therefore this publicly call upon you to put a stop to it, by putting the laws in execution, left it be laid to your charge, when the Judge of all the Earth will avenge the neglect of such bounden duties.

VIGILANT

Southampton Hampshire Chronicle - October 11, 1773
Last Tuesday two servant men, belonging to a farmer at Chalfont, in this county, having some words about a young women, which each of them paid his addresses to, agreed to decide the matter by a boxing round; one of them struck at his antagonist with great force, but missing his aim, fell with great violence; his head picching against a stone, fractured his skull, and expired before any assistance could be had.

Morning Post And Daily Advertiser - September 2, 1778
Yesterday a great boxing match was fought on a stage erected for that purpose on Hounslow-Heath, between the celebrated Stevens a Nailor, and Selway the Sawyer, when after two or three rounds, victory declared in favour of the latter. The odds, two to one on the victor. After this a very desperate battle was fought for thirty minutes between two pupils of he fist, which proved as severe a contest as has been known for some time. Not a shock-head within twenty miles of London but was present on the above occasion.

Morning Chronicle And London Advertiser - April 21, 1774
On Monday the 11th instant, the noted Turner, and his pretended antagonist Storer, met at Twycoss in Leicestershire, to decide the grand boxing match for 60l. when after having collected a deal of money from the spectators, they made a sham fight, and one of them pretending to have received a blow which disabled him, the combatants quitted the stage, and the left the credulous populace to reflect on the folly of spending their time and money so unworthily.

Dublin Journal - May 29, 1777
A few days ago two Men boxing in Winetavern Street, one of them received a Blow on the Stomach that killed him on the Spot.

Morning Post And Daily Advertiser - October 21, 1779
We hear that the Judges who are to attend the Old Bailey during the present sessions have sent a polite card to Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, earnestly requesting, if any of that venerable body of Gentlemen should feel themselves disposed to the fashionable amusement of a boxing bout during the session, that they will be obliging enough to transact that part business in the Spa fields, which their Lordships humbly presume to be a more proper theatre for those manly exhibitions than the dining-room at Justice-hall.

London Evening Post - January 13, 1774
A severe boxing match was fought yesterday morning in a field near Pancras, between the son of a gentleman of fortune at the West end of the town, and a schoolmaster, wherein the latter received an unlucky blow on the temple, which killed him on the spot. It is said the young gentleman held him a grudge on account of some cruel treatment he received from him when he was his pupil, and meeting him accidentally a few days since at a coffee house in the city, took him by the nose, which was the occasion of the battle, The deceased, it seems, bot understanding the sword, chose to decide the quarrel with their fists, rather than fight with pistols.

Middlesex Middlesex Journal - July 30, 1772
Thursday morning a boxing match was fought on Camberwell Green for twenty guineas, between the noted pavious, and William Bailey the beker; when, after a smart engagement of twelve minutes, victory was declared in favour of the former. Greats betts were depending.

Public Advertiser - January 6, 1772
Thursday last at Ten o’Clock, a prodigious Mob from all parts of the Town assembled in Stepney Fields, to see a grand boxing Match for a considerable Sum, between the noted fighting Jew and a Butcher of Whitechapel; but Information being given to Justice Sherwood at Shadwell, he immediately went up to the Place, and got into the Ring where the Combatants were ready to engage, and by fair Words and haranguing the Mob he persuaded them all to disperse without any fighting, and in less than Half an Hour three People were not to be seen there together. Thus was a most dangerous Mob or some Thousands dispersed by one Man, without the Aid of a single Constable.

The Derby Mercury - 23 Apr 1773
And on Wednesday a Battle was fought at Buckenham Castle, for 160 Guineas, between Thomas Algar, Butcher, and Henry Skipper, (Nephew of the famous John Slack) a Dyer, both of this City: The Contest was decided in a very short time, the Dyer not being able to stand against the superior Strength and Skill of his Antagonist. Very few Betts were depending on the Battle, After the Decision of the above, two young Lads belonging to the Hamlet Pockthorpe mounted the Stage, and fought very furiously for near three Quarters of an Hour, in which Time they shewed much Skill in the Boxing Art, amidst the Applauses of some Thousand Spectators.

The Leeds Intelligencer and Yorkshire General Advertiser - 17 Nov 1772
Thursday night the famous Buckhorse, so well known for upwards of 40 years last past to the Nobility and Gentry at Newmarket, and other public places of resort, fell down dead in Covent-garden, where he was attending, as usual, with his link, to call coaches for the people coming out of the play-house. This famous hero of the bruising stage, in his youth, used to diver the company before the champions mounted with boxing any one who chose to attack him, in order to pass away the time. He was so very hardy that he could bear a great deal of drubbing, and often beat a much bigger and stronger boxer than himself; at last he had one of his eyes totally beat out, and of late years the poor wretch was greatly reduced, so as to carry small twigs and walking sticks about for a livelihood, not withstanding he was formerly so great a favourite with the late Lord Windsor, that he had him to sit for his picture miniature, which he had let round with diamonds, and gave it to a noble Earl of his acquaintance.

The Derby Mercury - 27 Jan 1774
Tuesday a Boxing Match was fought in our Theatre, betwixt the noted Turner, Sping-Maker, and one Ellis, a wool-comber; it commenced about 20 Minutes past One o’Clock, and after a short contest, was decided in favour of Turner.

The Ipswich Journal - 21 Sep 1776
Aldeburgh, Sept. 16. Last Saturday was fought on the White Lion bowling-green in this town, a most desperate battle between B----- R-----d, s-----n, and one G----- C---b, when the superior strength and peculiar art of boxing in Mr. R-----d, the battle soon ended in favour of the above gentleman.

Hartford Courant – 05 Jul 1774
Friday last two soldiers, one of them named Low, the other Eliot, both belonging to the 64th regiment, now in garrison at Castle William, having engaged in a boxing match upon some supposed affront given, wherein the latter received so much hurt, that he died soon after. A jury of inquest was summoned from this town, (by the desire of Col. Leslie, the commanding officer) who we hear, brought in their verdict that his death was occasioned by the blows he received, and Low is since committed in order for trial.

The Derby Mercury – 23 Dec 1774
Monday last a thorough Trial of Skill, Courage, and English Fortitude was displayed in the boxing Profession, in Nottingham Park, before near two Thousand Spectators, who assembled to see a Battle fought according to the Rules of Art, between Thomas Hitchcock Jeweller, and Wm. Clews the younger, each in his nineteenth Year. The Contest which was for a Wager of One Guinea, began at Two o’Clock, and did not conclude till near six at Night; when neither of the Combatants yieldinf, tho’ quite spent out with Blows, Fall, and loss of Blood; the Seconds persuaded them to desist, and each acknowledged a drawn Battle. The Parties then adjourned to a neighbouring public House, with their Seconds and Friends, to enjoy themselves after their most terrible Struggle for Superiority. This Battle would have been much sooner decided, had not the Father of Clews attended and encouraged his Son to fight manfully; when he found his Son’s Strength exhausted and his Spirits fail, he told him that he should never enter his Doors again if he did not conquer. This Behaviour of the Father, together with allowing two Minutes between each and every fall, occasioned the Dispute for Victory to be thus held out to the uncommon Length of four hours.

The Ipswich Journal – 28 Jun 1777
CHELMSFORD, June 27
Last Monday afternoon a boxing-match was fought at Fairmead-bottom, near the Bald-faced stag, Epping Forest, between John Wilson (alias Gray) of Stock, and James Perrot, a noted London bruiser, for 100 guineas. The combatants were as nearly equal as possible with respect to their muscular appearance, and in weight there was not 3Ib. difference. The battle, which lasted about 30 minutes, terminated in favour of Gray, who, by a violent blow and fall, slipt his antagonist’s knee.

Jackson’s Oxford Journal - 24 Apr 1773
On Tuesday a severe trial of manhood was fought at Ranworth in Norfolk, for a considerable sum of money, between the noted Watson and one Driver, when, after upwards of an hour’s smart boxing, they were parted; victory not declaring itself in favour of either of the combatants. It is said, that Driver is since dead of the bruises he received.

 

The Ipswich Journal - 17 Apr 1773
Norwich, April 16.

Wednesday the great boxing match between Algar and Skipper, was decided at Buckenham castle, for one hundred and sixty guineas. It lasted about seven minutes, and was won by Algar.

The Leeds Intelligencer and Yorkshire General Advertiser – 10 Sep 1776
On Friday se’nnight at Ashton-under-line- in Lancashire, two men trying their skill in the art of boxing, the one received such a blow in the engagement as occasioned his death the day following.

The Derby Mercury – 01 Apr 1774
A BOXING MATCH

ON Monday next, the 11th of April, a Battle will be fought between WILLIAM TURNER, Spring-maker, and THOMAS STORER, Woolcomber, at Twycross, Leicestershire, near Atherstone, for Sixty Pounds.—Turner stakes 40l. to Storer’s 20l.

Rind’s Virginia Gazette – 08 Oct 1772
Thursday afternoon a famous boxing match was fought, in the presence of many thousand spectators, in the valley between the city and Goswell street roads, near Islington, between the noted bruisers Sam. Stevens the shoemaker, and Ben. Hamilton the tripeman, for a considerable sum of money. Bets running high among the knowing ones, their arts were never more conspicuous, which occasioned the poor fellows to fight four severe battles; towards the end of each, one side or other cried a foul blow, and then the interested mob broke in and wrangled for an hour between each battle, neither side allowing the money lost. Stevens, however, was declared conqueror at last, by the aforesaid manoeuvre. A fifth battle is expected.

St James Chronicle Or British Evening Post - January 30, 1777
Leeds, Jan 20, The following Affair happened on Monday the 13 inst, at Lincoln: A Match having been made to fight for five Guineas a Side between James Cheaven, the noted Bruiser of Lincoln, and Banjamin Wike, or Barnsley, Yorkshire; in the first engagement Wike had the Misfortune to break his Arm, after which they fought for upwards of forty Minutes, with various Success. The Odds being sometimes on one Side and sometimes the other; at last Victory decided in Favour of the Yorkshire Man: His second asking him the Reason why he did not use his other Arm, he immediately shewed it to the Company. The Gentlemen of Lincoln were sopleased with this Man’s Courage, that they made him a very handsome Subscription, and got him a skilful Surgeon to set his Arm, and we hear he is likely to do well.

Jackson’s Oxford Journal – 15 Sep 1770
Monday last one Stone, a noted Bruiser, stiled the Champion of Westminster, was committed to Tothill-Fields Bridewell, for shooting, and wounding a Constable in the Execution of his Office.

The Ipswich Journal - 01 Feb 1777
Leeds, Jan. 28. The following extraordinary affair happened on Monday the 13th inst. At Lincoln:

-A match having been made to fight for five guineas a side betwixt James Cheaven, the noted bruiser of Lincoln, and Benjamin Wike, of Barnsley, Yorkshire; in the first engagement Wike had the misfortune to break his arm, after which they fought for upwards of forty minutes with various success, the odds being some-time one the one side, and sometimes on the other; at last the victory was decided in favour of the Yorkshire man: his second asking him the reason why he did not use his other arm, he immediately shewed it to the company. The gentlemen of Lincoln were so pleased with this man’s courage, that they made him a very handsome subscription, and got him a skilful surgeon to set his arm, and we hear he is likely to do well.

The Virginia Gazette - 06 Sep 1770
Boston Aug 13th
Monday evening last, while the barge of the Fowey man of way lay at Wheelwright’s wharf, some of the men got intoxicated with liquor, when two of them went to boxing, one of which struck the other such a violent blow that he fell overboard, and sunk instantly. The next morning his body was taken up; and a jury of inquest being summoned, their opinion was that the blow was the occasion of his death. The man who struck the deceased was immediately carried on board the Fowey, and put in irons; and upon application to the Caption was forthwith sent up to town, and committed to jail.

The Derby Mercury – May 16th 1777
On Thursday last the great Boxing-Match, between one Death, of Whitechapel, and Spriggs Edcote, the Carpenter, of Swallow-Street, was fought at Barnet. It began at ten Minutes past four, and lasted till Five, when Edcote, being most grievously bruised, gave up the Contest. It is said he now lies dangerously ill from Blows he received.

Morning Chronicle And London Advertiser - November 1, 1774
Last Monday afternoon, a battle for forty guineas was fought at Blofield, Norwich, between — Meek, of that town (champion of Blofield Hundred) and Henry Skipper, of Norwich city, dyer, (nephew of that late John Slack, a noted bruiser) when after a contest which lasted near an hour, Meek submitted to his antagonist.

Morning Chronicle And London Advertiser - January 20, 1774
Sunday-last, between the hours of four and five o’clock in the afternoon, a battle was fought beginf the Duke of Bedford’s garden, near the British Museum, between Black Jemmy, a very noted Welsh chairman, and Matthew Kelling, a bargeman, and a very noted bruiser in Berkshir, for a wager of twn guineas, which was chiefly collected by their friends; when after a very obstinate battle of twenty-two minutes, the chairman was carried off by his friends with the loss of one of his eyes, and otherwise bruised in a terrible manner.

General Evening Post - July 9, 1776
Monday was fixed for a battle at Chinkford Hatch, between a Horse hair Weaver and a noted Irish bruiser. Large sums were laid on the issue of the battle, which indeed was more fatal than could have been apprehended. The combatants took the ring at two o’clock, and fought with the utmost fury for about three minutes, when the former gave his antagonist a violent blow, which brought him to the ground, and appeared as if it would have decided the contest; but at that instant about 150 Irishman, armed with sticks and bludgeons, which they had secreted under their coats, broke into the rings laid about them at a horrid rate, drove off the Englishman, put an end to the battle, and revived the history of Baise and M’Quirk. A distinguished bruiser was beaten so dreadfully, that he was laid on a dunghill as dead; but afterwards recovered so as to carried to London in a cart. Happy would it have been if the matter had ended there, but the battle was afterwards renewed on the spot, and on the road to London, ‘till in the end, it is said, ten persons were killed; seven Irish and three Englishmen, whose bodies were conveyed to Stratford to be owned. It is supposed that more than 700l. depended on the event of this battle, which is to be fought again on a future day. A correspondent observes, that it is high time we had a law to make it transportation for any man to fight a battle for money, since to this custom we owe the savage ferocity of the lower ranks of people.

London Evening Post - September 11, 1770
Newcastle, Sept 8. Thursday se’nnight as one William Hamilton, a smith at Winlaton, in the county of Durbam, was returning from work, he was accosted by Charles Radcliffe, a butcher in that town, and a noted bruiser, who told, that he had heard that he had said in company he dared to fight with him. On which Hamilton pleaded indisposition; but if he would six his day, he would accept the challenge. Radcliffe then insulted him several times, and insisted on his fighting directly, which so provoked Hamilton that to blows they went; and upon the first meeting Hamilton had the misfortune to receive a blow on the neck, of which he lingered till four o’clock the next morning, and then died.

 

I take it you're alluding to passages like this?:

"Touches in the Art, called the Silent Tip and the Scalping Stroke, with the latter of which, near the Conclusion of the Battle, Frail had an Ear taken off, an Eye flushed, and an Arm broke; but at the same Instant Frail put in the Snug Dart upon Last..."

The writer is using epic poetic language, probably somewhat facetiously. I can definitely see the influence John Milton here, but as for the actual meaning of the metaphors I can only guess.
"Snug Dart" is clearly a hunting metaphor of some kind, probably referring to a well placed fatal shot that brings down dangerous or elusive game, though I'm sure the writer doesn't mean the fighter literally killed his opponent, any more than when we say a guy got his head separated from his shoulders. "Dart" actually means "arrow" here, as it almost always did at this time. (For example poetry of the day often speaks of "cupid's dart".)

"Smart battle" doesn't refer to the craftiness of the fighters, but rather means they put on really a good show. (Kinda sounds like this was the Hagler-Hearns of the day.) "Smart" is never used to mean "intelligent" at this time -and actually neither is "intelligent," oddly enough. "Smart" meant elegant and well-presented. The closest modern equivalent would probably be "spiffy," but the only time you hear that word these days is when your grandma sees you in a tuxedo on a special occasion. As for "intelligent," that meant simply "aware of," as in, "Lord Berdbrane is intelligent of the fact that Lady Tittington shall be supping with us on the morrow". When they actually wanted to call someone intelligent in our modern sense, they'd say "intellect" or, even more often, "wit".

 

I'm not sure you're right, but that is exactly the impression I get from reading literature of the time.

 

Bump, a lot of good stuff in this thread

 

Alot of boxing deaths back then ?

 

Hard to say. I've seen a good few cases where someone is reported to die, then later reported to be in a contest, so a lot of the reports seem to be false.

It's pretty impossible to say how many of the reported deaths are real.

 

There are plenty of reports of somebody being sentenced for killing another man in a boxing match. But as it's an early period, "boxing" could mean a rough and tumble fight, I suppose, or just any fight without weapons.

 

Think about like this though, a boxing match resulting in death is more likely to get reported than just a normal result.