A pugilistic encounter between hastings (left) and burke (right) with their respective seconds and backers. The figures have numbers referring to an explanation beneath the design. Both principals are stripped to the waist; a jewelled turban lies at the feet of hastings (2), his wig and spectacles are beside burke (1). Behind hastings are his two counsel in wig and gown, one (4) with clenched fists acts as second, the other (6), his bottle inscribed 'd-l-s', is bottle-holder. Behind these and on the extreme left stand thurlow (7) holding a roll inscribed 'art--icles' [of impeachment] and cornwall the speaker (8), both wearing their official dress. Behind burke is his second, fox (3), and on the extreme right. Sheridan (5) holding a bottle inscribed 'sherry'. Beneath the title is engraved:
'between those celebrated prize fighters, the irish buffer and the bengal bruiser - fought this day at west------r, on a commodious stage, erected for the purpose at a great expence; where, from the long time the combatants have been in training, and from the various shiftings and evasive fallings expected to be exercised by the party supported by law, and from the other finding justice in the wit, cunning, and scientific skill of his bottle holder and second, & it being agreed that should neither side obtain a master blow before the evening the battle to be drawn till, and resumed in the morning the amateurs of the art are in high expectation of its being the longest & sharpest contest hitherto known, and doubt not the number of rounds they will be able to stand to will afford several days excellent sport - especially as all the great fighting-men, from big ben to little mendoza, will be present, & bye battles allowed - the odds at one time 6 to 4 in favor of the bruiser - then 4 to 1 on buffer - at present the betting even - some say the bruiser will be quite done over - others declare, from the judgement he has shown in chusing law for his second, he'll appear as clear as a white sheet of paper - but the knowing ones think at the end of the contest he'll give in with triffling damage. Principals { 1 mr b--- seconds { 3 mr f---
2 mr h--- 4 mr l---
bottle holders { 5 mr s--- umpires {7 l----c
6 mr d--- 8 the s
13 february 1788
etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 245 mm; Width: 340 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Benjamin Bryan. Collection: British Museum. The Grand Pitch Battle (BM 1868,0808.5683 1)
Loading...
