the fight by william hazlitt summary
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William Hazlitt (1778-1830) was a preeminent man of letters—essayist, philosopher, art critic, literary critic, and social analyst. He was, as well, a practitioner, as he was a painter of considerable ability. An intimate of such figures as Charles and Mary Lamb, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Stendhal as well as deeply acquainted with the world of Parisian art, Hazlitt also knew the seamier side of urban life as he frequented prostitutes because he felt uncomfortable around women of his own class. Despite his skills as a writer and artist (or perhaps because of them) Hazlitt was a difficult man to know and like over time and many his friendships fell apart.
“The Fight” is, arguably, his most famous essay; certainly it is one of the most famous pieces of writing not only about boxing, but about any sport. The fight described in the essay took place on Hungerford Common on December 11, 1821 between Bill Neate, a Hungerford butcher, and Tom Hickman, the “Gaslight” Man. It must be remembered that prizefighting, though tremendously popular in Regency England, was illegal at this time, so the location of fights was always something of a mystery, a rumor, a tip, or some sort of “inside dope,” for the pilgrims journeying to see them. Twenty-two thousand people attended this particular match (a crowd the size of which ought not to have eluded the attention of the police). This was Hazlitt’s first prizefight, yet he speaks like a seasoned spectator and gives the reader an insider view of the world of the Fancy, the habitués, aficionados, denizens, and patrons of the world of prizefighting. His description of the actual bout is as good as anything Pierce Egan, the premiere boxing journalist of the day, could have written. Note that under the rules of prizefighting at that time wrestling, hair pulling, butting, tripping, and holding were all legal tactics. A round ended when one of the combatants was knocked down or fell down. Each fighter then returned to his corner and given 30 seconds to “come to scratch,” a line drawn in the middle of the ring, to signify they were willing and able to continue the match. A fight ended when one of the combatants was unable to continue. Gloves were not used. Also note that “New Eloise” that Hazlitt mentions at the end of the essay as the reading matter of one of the Fancy, is the novel Julie or the New Eloise by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
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