Wrestliana, Or, The History Of The Cumberland & Westmoreland Wrestling Society In London - Since The Year 1824 (Paperback)

WRESTLIANA OR, TnE WRESTLING SOCIETY - 1824. - Then at lowpinp hell gang a full yard owre them sw, And at rustlid, whik o them dare try him a faw. ROBXETA RDBESON. Now, clear the ring for hand to hand The manly wrestlers take their stand. BIB WALTBBS COTT. LONDON SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, CO., STATIONERS HALL COURT. ADVERTISEMENT. Tnrs volume contains a full account of all the transactions of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Wrestling Society in London since 1824, the annual gatherings at the Agricultural Rall . and elsewhere, wit11 remarka on most of the celebrated wrestlers who . have figured therein . together 6 t h detailed lists of the winners, first, aecond, and third, up to the present time the contributions to the charitable institutions of the two counties and amounts given in prizes during the last ten years the whole forming a complete history of the Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling in the metropolis. CONTENTS. PAGE. Introduction . . V YEAR 1824 . . 1 1825 . 4 1826 . 5 182 7 . . G 1828 . . . 10 1829 . . 12 1830 . . 14 1831 .. . 16 1832 . . 19 1833 . . 22 1834 . . 25 1835 . . 28 L836 . . 32 1837, . . 35 1838 . . 38 1839 . . 40 18420 . 4 . 3 1841 . . 45 1842 . . 48 1843 . . 51 1844 . . 54 1845 . . 65 1846 . . 56 184 7 . . 57 1848 . . 58 1849 . . 68 T a n PAGS. 1850 . . 70 1851 . . 74 1553 . . 80 1852 secoad meeting . 84 1853 . . . 8.4 1854 . . 83 1855 . . . 91 1856 . . . 95 185 7 . . 102 1858 . . 105 18 s . . 107 1860 . . 110 1861 . . 113,1862 . . 121 1863 . . 131 1864 . . 141 1864 second meeting . 147 1865 . ., . 148 l866 . . 160 186 7 . . 169 IS68 . . 1 78 1869 . . 190 List of Winners . . 209 List of Donations . . 212 List of Prizes during the last ten years . . 213 ExistingRules of the Society . . 213 INTRODUCTION. Tm Cumberland and Westmoreland Wrestling Society was the . first, and, till a recent period, the only one existing in the metropolis that had for its object the practice and annual celebration of athletic aports and though in the present day the importance of athletic exerciaes in-the promotion of health, and the due development of the physical powers, is becoming more acknowledged and appreciated, as shown in the establishment of Gymnasiums and Athletic Societies, both in London and elsewhere yet, the above, as far as London itself is concerned, stands alone, both in point of influence, and the pre-eminent skill and science displayed in the performance of the particular exercises practised by its members. The origin of this Society, and the exact date of its establishment ia somewhat uncertain the best living authorities, however-very old members-agree that it has existed more than a century, the earliest mention of its annual gatherings being, that the a 2 ri ISTBODLCTTO S. atives of Cumberland aad Westmoreland were in the habit of meeting on Kennington Common on Good Friday to celebrate therr favourite sports of wrestling and leaping. The prizes competed for in these days mere insignificant in value, and few in number, a belt being awarded to the champion of the wrestling arena, to which all weights mere a. d mitted, and a pair of buckskin gloves to t, be best leaper, in imitation of the prizes at that time given for competition in many parts of Cumberland and Westmoreland. The local affections and kindly feelings towards each other, so strongly characteristic of the natives of these counties, not only kept alive their ardour, but lentincreased attraction to their meetbgs, drawing together a large number of old friends, many of them old playmates and schoolfellows, who, since leaving their northern homes, and being occupied in various pursuits in different parts of ond don, seldom met, except on such occasions, and at no time to enjoy themselves so much...