"4. That no man be deemed beaten unless he fails coming up to the line in the limited time, or that his own second declares him beaten.
"5. The winning man to have two-thirds of the money.
"6. The principals to choose two umpires, who shall choose a referee.
"7. That no boxer is to hit his adversary when he is down, or seize him by the ham, the breeches, or any part below the waist; a man on his knees to be reckoned down."
The regard that Englishmen had for boxing in the last century may be judged from an article in the "Connoisseur" (Aug. 22, 1754).
"Every man," says the "Connoisseur," "who has the honor of the British fist at heart must look with admiration on the bottom, the wind, the game of this invincible champion, Slack."
This praise followed Slack's fight with Petit, a full report of which was published in the "Connoisseur," which was one of the first literary publications of the period. It is interesting to observe what kind of a fight was this. I quote from the "Connoisseur:"
Harlston in Norfolk, July 30, 1754.
"Yesterday, in the afternoon, Slack and Petit met and fought. At the first set-to, Petit seized Slack by the throat and held him up against the rails and grained him so much as to make him extremely black. This continued for half a minute, before Slack could break Petit's hold."
The fight proceeded in this style, Petit seizing Slack "by the hams," and Slack flinging Petit off
