From an 1822 source...
YORKSHIRE FIGHTING.
From Mr. RYLEY'S "Itinerant."
At length the company were summoned into
the barn, to witness a battle between two noted
Yorkshire fighters. Amidst the crowd I perceived
two men naked to their waists lying 'on
the ground, grappling each other, perfectly silent,
and sometimes pretty still ; then, as if moved
by one impulse, a desperate scuffle took place ;
soon, however, the one extricated himself, quickly
obtained his legs, and retreating some paces,
returned with great violence, and before his antagonist
could rise, kicked in three of his ribs :
the vanquished lay prostrate, whilst the victor
stamped and roared like a madman, challenging
all around.
Retiring to my seat in the house,
disgusted with Yorkshire Fighting, I determined
to finish my wine, and leave the brutes to the
enjoyment of their brutality, when a laughable
circumstance detained me, and in some measure
made amends for the misery I had suffered. —
There is, I believe, a respectable personage, who
amongst amateurs in sporting, bears the appellation
of a Belward, a gentleman who gets his
livelihood by leading a bear by the nose front
village to village ; such an one now arrived at
this public house, and placing his companion in
the pigsty, seated himself by the fire, and called
for a pint of ale. The Yorkshire warrior, elated
with his victory, and intoxicated with liquor,
went from room to room, and bade defiance to
every one ; on entering the kitchen, he espied
the Belward, who, being a stout fellow, and a
noted pugilist, was immediately requested to
take a turn with himn— " No, no," replied the
stranger, " I dont like Yorkshire fighting; hugging,
biting, and kicking, does not suit me ; but
I have a friend without who is used to them
there things : if you like, I'll fetch, him in ?" "
Ay, ay, dom him, fot him in : I'll fight ony
mon i' th country." The Belward repaired to
the pigsty, and brought forth Bruin, who from
a large sized quadruped, was changed instantly
to a most tremendous biped. In this erect posture
he entered the house, and as it was nearly
dark, the intoxicated countryman was the more
easily imposed upon — " Dom thee," he said, "
I'll fight a better mon than thee, either up
or down," and made an attempt to seize him
round the middle, but feeling the roughness of
his hide, he exclaimed — " Come, come, I'll tak
no advantage ; poo off thy top coat, and I'll
fight thee for a crown."
The bear not regarding this request, cave him
such a hug as 'tis probable he never before experienced ;
it nearly pressed the breath out of
his body, and proved, what was before doubted,
that there was as great a bear in the village as
himself.
Louie
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