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_ The
sun has set for ever on another star in the Pugilistic Hemisphere, and
upon one, too, whose like we "ne'er shall see again." Jack Randall, the
Nonpareil of the Ring, is no more! - he breathed his last at his own
house, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery-lane, on Wednesday evening last,
soon after six o'clock. The mark of the "Grim King of Terrors" had been
set upon him for some months before, but he did not become seriously
indisposed till about ten weeks back, when he took to his bed, and from
thenceforth the flickering flame of life gradually diminished in
lustre, til the oil was exhausted, and poor Jack closed his eyes in
eternal darkness! He was sensible to the last, with the exception of
some trifling aberrations of intellect during the last few days; and,
on Tuesday, he was visited by a Clergyman, with whom he partook of the
sacrament. He has left a widow and two children to lament his loss, and
to seek the protection of those with whom he was so deserved a
favorite. His widow intends to continue the business, and we have no
doubt will meet the generous sympathy of every friend and member of the
ring.
_ Jack,
so deservedly called the Nonpareil (for he never met his equal), was
what is called an Anglo-Irishman, that is to say, he was descended from
Irish parents, and born in England. In the Hiberuian colony of St.
Giles's he first drew his breath, on the 25th of November, 1794 - so
that, at his death, he was three and thirty years of age. Brought up in
the school of adversity, and at an early age left to fight his own
battles while his parents sought the means of putting a potatoe in his
belly, he acquired an independence of character which stuck to him
through life; and having naturally a strong and hardy frame, he soon
knew how to take his own part. Fear was a word which did not belong to
his vocabulary; and when attacked, whether by great or small, he never
flinched from the consequences. At the age of thirteen, he commenced
his milling career in public. The Archery-ground in the Long Fields
near Russell-square, and now covered with houses, was the early scene
of his prowess, and here he polished off "Snuff," well known in the
boxing circles, no less than three times. He also beat a man of the
name of Leonard, on the same ground; and these victories were followed
by successive conquests of Henshaw and Murphy. His first battle of note
was with Jack the Butcher, in Regent's Park, Mary-la-bonne, for five
guineas, which he won cleverly in twenty minutes; after which, on
August the 26th, 1815, he aspired to higher honors, and made his debut
in the same ring in which Scroggins and Eales had contended, at Coombe
Wood. His antagonist was Walton, the Twickenham Youth. They fought for
five guineas, and in a short space of ten minutes, Walton left the ring
without a chance. On the 24th of April, 1816, he fought George Dodd, in
the same ring in which Carter and Robinson contended, and was again
successful; and on the 28th of May in the same year, he took the pride
out of Ugly Borrock, a Jew. The extraordinary capabilities which he
exhibited on these occasions - his admirable science, heavy hitting,
and sound judgment - were the themes of general encomium, and it was
determined to match him against West Country Dick, for twenty-five
guineas a-side. No sooner proposed than accomplished; and on the 3rd of
April, 1817, they entered the roped arena on Twickenham Common, but
after fighting thirty-three minutes and a half, and twenty-nine rounds,
Randall was proclaimed the conqueror. Dick had not a chance. Harry Holt
was his next antagonist, for a similar stake of twenty-five guineas
a-side. They fought at Coombe Warren, but Harry shared the fate of his
predecessors, and succumbed to superior talent. This affair came off on
the 20th of May, 1817, and occupied twenty-five minutes, during which
time eight rounds were fought. General Barton, who backed Randall, and
who was ever after his staunch supporter, with Colonel Berkeley,
Captain Barclay, and other distinguished amateurs, were present on this
occasion; and perhaps, the science of pugilism was never displayed to
greater advantage. In his former fights, Jack was most remarkable for
his in-fighting qualities, but with Holt, who was a master of the art,
he had to play a different game; he had in fact, to out-fight him, and
this he did in a style which electrified the Ring. He planted not less
than forty blows on Holt's face, and altogether, spoiled the symmetry
of his nose; in fact, the terrible character of his punishment admitted
of no parallel, and all Holt's knowledge went for nothing. Four months
afterwards, on the 30th of September, 1817, he fought Belasco, at
Shepherton Range, and by the astonishing display of his milling
qualities, on that day he obtained the cognomen of The Nonpareil.
His hitting and getting away, his style of stopping and returning, with
the excellent judgment he manifested, added to his activity and
quickness on his legs, all tended to stamp him as one of the most
finished boxers of his weight. The men fought for fifty guineas a-side,
and the fight lasted fifty-four minutes and a half, during which seven
rounds only were fought. Jack now mounted in the scale of consequence,
and was matched against Parish the Waterman, for one hundred guineas
a-side. The fight came off on Hayes Common, Kent, on the 27th of
November, 1817, and again did Jack wear laurels of victory, winning in
eleven rounds, and fifty-three minutes, after a most determined
scientific fight. On the 6th of April, 1818, while at Tom Reynold's
Free and Easy, in Drury-lane, a big Hiberoian, named Dan M'Carthy,
thought proper to reverse the words of the favorite song, "Politeness
an Irishman's trade is," in Jack's presence, and to be very ungenteel.
Jack called him to "order," but only produced disorder, and a room
fight ensued, in which, in fifteen minutes, the nob of Mr. M'Carthy was
completely chanceried, and he admitted that he had never received a
more imposing lesson on good manners. Jack next entered the ring with
Woolwich Burke, for one hundred guineas a-side, on the 16th of June,
1818, on Wimbledon Common; and after twenty-three rounds, fought in
forty-five minutes, Jack preserved his fame by adding an additional
conquest to his list, although it was felt, that on this particular
occcasion he was not exactly "himself." The most important epoch of his
life now approached: it was that in which he was matched against the
supposed invincible Ned Turner. Articles were signed for one hundred
pounds a-side, on the 18th of October, 1818, and the 1st of December
was fixed for the combat; but in consequence of the death of Queen
Charlotte, the meeting was postponed to Saturday, the 5th of December,
on which day the men met at Crawley Hurst. Perhaps, in the annals of
boxing, there never was an event which excited more speculation; all if
we were to say that a million of money depended on the issue, we,
perhaps, should not overshoot the mark. All classes seemed to be
interested, and the betting on the Stock Exchange equalled any thing of
the sort ever witnessed. At first, Randall was the favorite at 2 to 1
and 7 to 4. These odds, from a report he had got a cold in his neck,
dropped to even betting, but again rose on the day of fighting to 6 to
4. Never did we witness such a "turn out" from London as that on the
morning of fighting: the road down to the scene of action was literally
covered with vehicles of every possible discription, among which were
some score of carriages and four filled with the higher grade of
amateurs, including many nobelmen of distinction, while the commoners
were beyond all calculation. A more extraordinary exhibition of talent
and generalship was never witnessed than during the fight. So well did
each man guard his points, and so admirably did he out-manoeuvre his
opponent, that no less than two hours, nineteen minutes and thirty
seconds, were occupied in the struggle, which ultimately terminated in
favor of Randall, after fighting thirty-four rounds. A higher treat was
never afforded to the Fancy, and even those who lost their money could
not withhold the meed of praise from the loser. Randall had now reached
the acme of his glory, and on defeating Turner, was considered to have
gained the "top of the tree" - an elevation the more extraordinary, as
he never received a lesson on the art of self-defence; and was from
first to last, the architect of his own glory. he had a natural
prepensity to the sport, and his genius seemed particularly calculated
for its indulgence. He had not yet, however, closed his labors, for in
the same month of December, he was matched against Jack Martin (the
Master of the Rolls), 150L to 100L., to fight on the 30th of April, but
this day was afterwards altered to the 4th of May, in order (as in Neal
and Bob's case) it might not interfere with the Newmarket Races.
Pending this mill, he had a turn-up with Ben Burns, and took the
conceit out of my "uncle." While training at Hampstead, he ran a race
against his antagonist for 5L., but was beaten. On the day appointed,
the fight came off on Crawley Downs, in the presence of a multitude
scarcely less numerous than that assembled at his fight with Turner.
Jack had it all his own way, and won without a scratch, in nineteen
rounds, and in forty-nine minutes and ten seconds. A good deal of
indignation was produced by an event connected with this match, and
which showed the vallainy into which some men will plunge in the
pursuit of gain. On the morning of fighting, Jack was hocussed by a
person well known in the ring. It was suspected that a sleeping potion
had been given to him in a glass of mulled wine, and it required all
the energy of his friends to prevent its fatal consequences. On the 4th
of October, 1819, he had a turn up with Hood, a fighting tailor, in
Battersea-fields; and after fighting four rounds, sewed up his
opponent, who it is but due to state, proved himself a good customer,
and gave Jack the quid pro quo. In June, 1819, Jack was matched
by an amateur against Scroggins, for 100L a-side; but this having been
done without Jack's knowledge, and having just then paid a large
deposit for "the Hole-in-Wall," Chancery-lane, he reluctantly suffered
his friend to forfeit.
_ At
this period it was considered that Jack had received not less than
1,200L. by his good fortune, but "easy got, easy gone." - As fast as it
was received it was spent - until at last prudence suggested the
expediency of laying the foundation of something substantial for his
family, and he accordingly closed his bargain for "The Hole in the
Wall," under the patronage of General Barton, his friends giving him a
pipe of wine, instead of a piece of plate, to commence operations; and
on the 17th of August, 1819, he gave his opening dinner, at which
Mr.Jackson presided. Two years were now devoted to the duties of a
Boniface, when Jack once more "came out," or rather gave a challenge to
all England, of his weight, for five hundred guineas. This sum he
subsequently reduced to 300L., and the gauntlet was taken up by the
friends of Jack Martin, who for the second time, matched him against
the Nonpareil.
There was a good deal of management about this affair, and we have
reason to believe that Randal was strongly tempted to do wrong - but he
was honest to the back bone, and it was "no go." Those who calculated
upon his weakness therefore found themselves in the wrong box; and the
match came off on the square on the 16th September, 1821, on Crawley
Downs, and was decided in one round. Whispers were afloat as to the
motives for so short a struggle on the part of Martin; but it is not
our purpose to go back into details which are sufficiently fresh in the
recollection of the sporting world. Martin subsequently challenged Jack
to renew the combat, for 300 guineas, and after a good deal of
newspaper chaff, a third match was made on the 11th May, 1822, for 300L
a-side, and a bet of 700 guineas, to take place on the 3rd September.
Two deposits, amounting to 410L. were down, but on the third meeting,
Randall's friends were too late by seven minutes, and Martin claimed
and received forfeit. On the 21st of May following, he publicly
challenged Martin, at the Fives' Court, to fight for 500L or 1000L; and
on the 27th August, a fourth match was made for the former sum, to come
off on the 3rd of December; but this, although the whole stakes of
1000L. were made good, became a draw, on the ground that Randall's
backers, who forfeited the 205L. were threatening to sue Martin for
that sum, which had been given to him by friends, and thus ended all
negociations between these men. Gypsey Cooper afterwards challenged
Jack for 200L. but he refused to fight for less than 300L. He had a
house and business to attend to, and a wife and family to support,
which he would not neglect for less. From thenceforth he pursued the
beaten path of a publican, and was highly respected by all ranks of the
fancy. The liberality of his friends, however, added to his own
predilection for daffey, gradually paved the way to the "break up" of
his constitution, and for some months back he was but the shadow of his
former self. There has recently been a good deal said about a match
between him and Dick Curtis, but we believe no serious intention of the
sort was entertained by either man, nor would the condition of Randall
have justified such an undertaking.
_ Such
is the general outline of this man's career. That he had his faults, we
will not attempt to deny, and who is there without them? - but he
maintained to the last, towards his friends, a sincere feeling of
gratitude, and his memory will ever be respected for the honesty which
invariably characterised his appearance in the Ring.
_ We
regret to add, that his widow is not left in the most flourishing
circumstances; but it is pleasing to find, that the amateurs of
pugilism are about to endeavour, as much as possible, to repair her
loss, by giving her a benefit at the Tennis-court; at which every man
in the ring, we have no doubt, will be proud to assist.
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