The Noble English Art of Self-Defence E-Book

Various Authors

• Herausgeber: Pushkin Press
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Seitenzahl: 45

Beschreibung

"Never let the heat of action lead you to forget good-temper. Be manly; seek no undue advantage. Science and pluck give advantage enough"Ned Donnelly, a former prize fighter turned boxing instructor and author (with a lot of help from his literate friends), was a household name as a one of the most successful, famous, and respected instructors in the history of British boxing. This delightful book - more than an instruction manual, more than an amusing pastime - captures the fighting style from a crucial moment in boxing history right after the Prize Ring had become extinct. With a detailed clarity of expression, and accompanied by charming illustrations of a slightly paunchy boxer, it is a fascinating insight to the man who trained George Bernard Shaw.The Noble English Art of Self-Defence is part of 'Found on the Shelves', published with The London Library. The books in this series have been chosen to give a fascinating insight into the treasures that can be found while browsing in The London Library. Now celebrating its 175th anniversary, with over 17 miles of shelving and more than a million books, The London Library has become an unrivalled archive of the modes, manners and thoughts of each generation which has helped to form it.

Leseprobe

THE NOBLE ENGLISH ART OF SELF-DEFENCE

With Illustrations, Showing the Various Blows, Stops, and Guards

Contents

Title PagePreface Self-Defence; or, The Art of BoxingBoxing Competitions About this BookAbout the PublisherCopyright

SELF-DEFENCE; OR, THE ART OF BOXING

BY NED DONNELLY

NED DONNELLY, a boxer and boxing instructor, was born in 1841. He was one of the most significant and successful instructors in the history of British boxing, noted for his “inborn knack of imparting his own knowledge”. He was also fond of his drink, and a proficient step-dancer. He could not read or write, but among his pupils were King Edward VII and George Bernard Shaw. He died in 1911.

Ned Donnelly

Preface

In presenting to the public a book on the subject of the art which I pursue and profess, I think it necessary to explain, for the information of those who do not know me, the basis of my claim to their confidence as an authority on the noble English art of self-defence. He who would teach must first have learned; and in boxing a man learns best under the serious responsibility of actual encounters in the Prize Ring. A man who has boxed only with the gloves on, and has never had experience of a real fight, can be considered only as an amateur; though he may possibly be a good amateur. The boxer who may fairly claim to be a professional is the one who has practically encountered the dangers and the difficulties of fights with good antagonists. The Prize Ring is now extinct. The prizes have disappeared, but the lessons remain; and I may claim public confidence on the ground that a career commenced in the Ring has been successfully continued (and still continues) in the boxing school.

At the early age of seventeen my young enthusiasm for the fistic art had already led me to commence the study of boxing; but I did not actually taste the hardships, dangers, toils, and triumphs of the Ring until 1864, when, in my twentieth year, I was matched for the first time. I was trained carefully at Barnet, and in the month of January, 1864, I met in the roped ring and there defeated Styles, of Paddington. My first fight occupied sixteen and a half minutes, and was happily finished in ten rounds. My next opponent was Tom McKelvy, whom I fought and beat in July, 1866. In this fight I fought for an hour with my right arm disabled, in consequence of my antagonist falling upon me and putting out my shoulder. Only my left arm was left to me, and upon this single weapon I had to rely. Tom Sayers was reduced to a similar condition in the immortal fight with the giant Heenan. My second fight lasted one hour and twenty-one minutes, and was finished in twenty-one rounds. Both these encounters were arranged and brought off satisfactorily under the auspices of Nat Langham.

Since my retirement from the Prize Ring I have been and still am occupied in teaching boxing, and I may fairly boast of success with my pupils. I have, indeed, as I may modestly urge, been rather remarkably successful in teaching, since I have taught no less than fourteen winners of the Marquis of Queensberry’s Cup. To use an old sporting phrase, “I am still to be heard of,” at Mr. Waite’s well-known school of arms, 22, Golden Square, Regent Street, where I give lessons, and where I may be seen any day between ten and six.

The Prize Ring may be dead, but boxing is still as much alive as ever, and must always form a part of the athletic education of every young Englishman. My experience both in fighting and in teaching has led me to believe that I could render service to students with the pen, as well as with the gloves on my hands; hence this little manual of the noble art. If any of my definitions with pencil or with pen should seem to require further elucidation, I shall be happy to demonstrate in person to any pupil all and any of the glories of our art.

N. D. 22, GOLDEN SQUARE, REGENT STREET, LONDON, W.1ST JANUARY, 1879.

Self-Defence; or, The Art of Boxing

The Art of Boxing has been practised more or less among the two great nations of antiquity. The Greeks and Romans held it in high respect, and even the Jews did not wholly eschew the art of smiting, while the descendants of the Tribes who settled in England have contributed many of the most brilliant boxers to the roll of fame. That every man who desires the development of the muscular powers of the human frame, the possession of quickness, decision, endurance, and courage should practice boxing is a matter of necessity, since by no other means can all these qualities be so thoroughly tested and cultivated. Every man should be able to use the weapons