with the celebrated Dr Parr, were appointed his executors, by whom, at their joint solicitation, his lordship was induced to undertake the task of preparing" The Diary" for the press.

"The custom," says the editorial baron, so prevalent during the late reign, among men of parts and fortune, of publishing under fictitious names, has, in our own time, given way to the anonymous fashion, which, though, morally speaking, perhaps the more commendable of the two, is yet exposed to greater disadvantages. Sensible and well-bred people know, when an author withholds his name from the title-page of his works, it is an intimation to the world in general that he wishes not to be addressed concerning them. But low-bred and vulgar persons, by not understanding this, persecute the poor anonymous either with direct fulsome, or aside strictures."

We agree entirely with the noble editor; the life of an anonymous author would in mortal sufferance be far beyond any anguish which we who revel in celebrity, and have bragged ourselves into fame, can conceive, were it not happily ordered, that there are very few vulgar and impertinent persons in the world. And if it should so happen in an author's own time, that, like Mr Burridge, he sees others enjoying the honours and the homage which belong to himself, he has it always in his power to come forward and claim his right.

The anonymous system, however, has certainly been carried too far; and we take blame to ourselves for permitting it to grow to such a head. We say this the more emphatically, as we observe a dexterous use made of it, against ourselves, in the last Number of the Edinburgh Review. It is matter of universal renown with what success we have levelled that mighty and overweening journal to the ground. But, in a late article, Mr Jeffrey has classed all "the bailie's" novels, and more than the bailie's, together; and, without scarcely adverting to the existence of our triumphant Maga, has spoken of them in such a way, that many judicious persons consider it as a sort of handsome peace-offering. Now, what is the fact? Have we not, for the last five years, been playing off a thousand ingenious and clever jokes, ascribing books to different persons, who, as all the world knew, were utterly incapable of writing them ?

Was it not by our instrumentality that the morose Byron has obtained the praise due to the author of Beppo, a poem which, it is no longer necessary to conceal, was from the lively Christian muse of Mr Zachariah M'Aulay?-But did we anticipate that ever the editor of the Edinburgh Review would borrow a leaf from our hoaxing, and so seem to fall in with the erroneous opinions of mankind-opinions which we are in part the source of propagating-as to treat those works as if he was heaping coals of fire upon the guilty heads of the gentlemen to whom they are commonly ascribed ?-We appeal to himself if he does not believe that some of his own correspondents had a hand in more than one of them? We ask Henry Cockburn to declare on his honour as a gentleman, whether or no he did not write "The Provost ?" We ask the Rev. Mr Lapsley of Campsie, that egregious Whig, to say what part he did not write in "Adam Blair?" A recent elevation to the bench alone deters us from hinting at the author of the sweet and mournful" Lights and Shadows." But we look to the ambrosial chambers of Professor Sandford of Glasgow, for an answer with respect to "Valerius." Mr Jeffrey has judiciously abstained from saying anything of "Reginald Dalton.' He intends a sepa

rate article. It certainly would not become himself to speak favourably of that work; and he cannot naturally have any desire not to see it applauded. We have heard of authors reviewing their own books. We shall not impute anything so derogatory to the character of the Editor of the Edinburgh Review. But to return to "The Diary."

It was our intention to have given a few extracts; these, however, we must for the present postpone, as Mr North has informed us that he intends to begin the ensuing year with a series of personal attacks, under the title of "The Volcano ;" and, in consequence, after due consideration, we have been induced to reserve them for that paper. They will come, perhaps, with more propriety, in some one of The Eruptions-not that they possess anything so particularly libellous as to raise the morbid appetite of the public to that state of ecstasy and excitement which some of our juvenile indiscretions produced, such as the Chaldee, for example; but still they are not without a currie, particularly those which relate to certain distinguished members of the English Bar.

Our literature is rich in British Sports, and this admirable little volume will be a valuable addition to the most bang-up library. The author is not only perfectly skilled in the theory of wrestling, but an adept in its practice. He has contended with the best men in the north of England—that is, the world, and has thrown, and been thrown, with the most distinguished applause. He has not been deterred by a false shame from alluding to his own triumphs in the ring; but, like most persons of real talent, he speaks modestly of his greatest achievements, and therein resembles Xenophon and Julius Cæsar. There is none of that bluster about William Litt which there certainly was about Napoleon Buonaparte; and we have no doubt whatever, that, had he stood second at Carlisle for the championship of the world, he would have entertained towards his conqueror none of those petty feelings of spite and envy with which the exile of Helena regarded the victor of Waterloo.

Mr Litt is a person in a respectable rank of life, and his character has, we know, been always consonant with his condition. He is, in the best sense of the word, a gentleman, and his name, "familiar as a household word" all over the north, is a sufficient pledge and proof of the perfect accuracy of all the statements in this "wrestler's manual." It was highly gratifying to the thousands collected round the ring at the last grand northern meeting, to see him honoured by the especial notice of the members of the most powerful noble family in England. He ought to be, indeed, from what we can learn, is, by the unanimous voice of the North,† elected umpire of the wrestling ring. John Jackson is not more a magnum et venerabile. nomen in the pugilistie hemisphere, than William Litt in the other half of the gymnastic world. Both are as honest, upright, inde-pendent Englishmen, as ever floored or threw ; and while either ring continues to enclose such sterling characters, we

need not fear for our country, notwithstanding the pressure of times, tithes, taxes, raw wet weather, and Joseph Hume.

It is impossible for a cold, dull, phlegmatic character, (but for such we do not write, "procul, procul, esto profani,") to conceive the intense and passionate interest taken by the whole northern population in this most moral and muscular amusement. For weeks before the great Carlisle annual contest, nothing else is talked of on road, field, flood, foot or horseback; we fear it is thought of even in church, which we regret and condemn ; and in every little comfortable "public," within a circle of thirty miles diameter, the home-brewed quivers in the glasses on the oaken table to knuckles smiting the board in corroboration of the claims to the championship, of a Grahame, a Cass, a Laugklen, Solid Yaik, a Wilson, or a Wightman. A political friend of ours, a staunch fellow, in passing through to the Lakes last autumn, heard of nothing but the contest for the county, which he had understood would lie between Lord Lowther (the sitting member) and Mr Brougham. But, to his sore perplexity, he heard the names of new candidates to him hitherto unknown; and on meeting us at that best of inns, White Lion, Bowness, he told us, with a downcast and serious countenance, that Lord Lowther would be ousted, for that the struggle, as far as he could learn, would ultimately be between Thomas Ford of Egremont, and William Richardson of Caldbeck, men of no landed property, and probably radicals.

It is, in our opinion, and according to our taste, (and both our opinion and our taste are found to go a longer way with some people than they are aware of,) not easy, even to the most poetical and picturesque imagination, to create for itself a more beautiful sight than the ring at Carlisle. By altering one or two words, (eggs to men, and so forth,) Mr Wordsworth's lines on a hedge-sparrow's nest, become a

sensible enough exclamation in such a

case.

The scope and tendency of Mr Litt's dissertation on the inductive philosophy of beans and bacon, (truly expc

Few visions have I seen more fair,
Or many prospects of delight
More pleasing than that simple sight.”

Fifteen thousand people perhaps are there, all gazing anxiously on the candidates for the county. Down goes Cass; Wightman is the standing member; and the agitation of a thousand passions, a suppressed shudder, and an under growl, moves the mighty multitude like an earthquake. No savage anger, no boiling rage of ruined black legs, no leering laughter of mercenary swells—sights and sounds which, we must confess, do sicken the sense at Newmarket and Moulsey-but the visible and audible movements of calm, strong, temperate English hearts, free from all fear or ferocity, and swayed for a few moments of sublime pathos, by the power of nature, working in victory or defeat.

We love pugilism and Pierce Egan, but in some respects they must yield the palm to wrestling and William Litt. All sorts of arguments, everything bearing the most remote resemblance to abstract reasoning, is our abhorrence, and, unless we give up reading the Edinburgh Review entirely, will be our death. Therefore (confound that logical-looking pedant of a word with his formal phiz) we shall not follow Mr Litt through his "Philosophical Dissertation on Wrestling, compared with other amusements of the present day;" however, we have read it,and prefer it infinitely to Macvey Napier's" Dissertation on the Scope and Tendency of Lord Bacon." Mr Litt seems more master of his subject, possesses a clearer head and style, is less assuming, although with every supposable reason to be more so, and brings to his task a larger mass of general erudition. If in any point he be inferior to Macvey, it is, we think, in the number of his authorities; yet, no doubt, many readers will prefer a writer who tells you what he knows, and has himself seen, to one who knows and has seen nothing, but endeavours to supply these deficiencies by quotations from the sundry languages of divers people.

superior, as a British field-sport, to pugilism, cock-fighting, horse-racing, foot-ball, running, leaping, and single-stick; to which may be added, nem. con, badger-drawing and bullbaiting. From the little we have said, it may appear that we are Littites; but we acknowledge frankly that our opinion remains wavering between the comparative merits of the science of the Fist, of the Back-hold, and of the Quarter-staff; just as our opinion has long remained wavering between the comparative merits of Poetry, Painting, and Music. In these six sciences we excel; in pugilism, a Spring—in wrest ling, a Tom Nicholson-in single-stick, a Wall-in “building the lofty rhyme,' a perfect Pindar; as a limner, Haydon yields to us the title of modern Raphael; and on the violin, theorbo, and flageolet, we succumb only to Ballantyne.

But although candour constrains us to say that "this is a moot point," Mr Litt has certainly established the su perior antiquity of his favourite science. Wrestling seems to be one of the few things not borrowed from the Egyptians; for says our author

"We find in the 32d chapter of Genesis, that Jacob, having passed his family over the brook Jabbok, was left alone. In its

history of events at this early period of the world, with a brevity commensurate with relates only those particular occurrences its high importance, the Bible minutely which refer to some covenant, or promise, then made, renewed, or fulfilled. It narrates facts, without commenting upon them. Therefore, although Jacob's wrestling with the Angel was too remarkable an incident to be omitted, yet we are not told in what manner he came, nor of any preliminary conversation or agreement between them. It, however, appears very evident, that until the Angel manifested his miraculous power, Jacob believed his opponent was a mere mortal like himself; and on whichever side the proposal originated, it was acceded to by the other, either as a circumstance not unusual, or as an amicable amusement, which might be practised without the least infringement on cordiality. If it was not unusual, we are warranted in supposing it a common diversion antecedent to that period, and that Jacob was himself a scientific practiser of the art when he was the

father of a large family. Nay, we might even hint, his celestial opponent was himself no stranger to that athletic, amusement. If it then had its origin, no admirer of this athletic science can wish for one more ancient, or more honourable. That the Patriarch's antagonist was a being of a superior order, and sent by Divine authority, no Christian has ever yet dis. puted. That it was a corporeal struggle, or, bona fide, a wrestling match, between them, is universally admitted. It cannot therefore be denied, that it is either of divine origin, or that a Being more than mortal has participated in it. It is true, many of the commentators dwell upon it as a spiritual, as well as a corporeal struggle. This we are very ready to admit; but we will at the same time contend, that instead of diminishing, it adds considerably to its splendour. An amusement from which so many inferences and conclusions have been drawn to promote the welfare of Christianity, cannot be either degrading or confined in its nature; but, on the contrary, noble and scientific.

"It is a common and received proverb, that A man is known by his works, and a tree by its fruits.' Here then is an amusement peculiarly chosen, not only by one of the best of men, but by one better and greater than any man :-and if to give strength and firmness, combined with quickness and elasticity, to the limbs ; discrimination and vigour to the body; coolness to the head, and perception to the mind-the whole forming an energetic combination of the whole power given to man! no exercise could have been selected tending more to exalt his character, and from which such typical illustrations could have been deduced for his spiritual advantage. Here then we take our stand.Advocates for any other diversion, be it whatever it may! can you produce an origin either so ancient or so honourable? Men of common sense, what can you object to it ? Poets and lovers, ye who deal in heroics, and invoke ideal heathen divinities! or ascribe to a mere mortal, like yourselves, the epithet angelic! or even angel itself! while any proof you could bring forward in support of your imaginary divinities (or even the propriety of using such expressions) would be disputed -nay, condemned! by thousands of welldisposed Christians:-in all that we have advanced respecting Wrestling, none but heathens or atheists will attempt to confute."

Mr Litt, we before observed, makes no great show of erudition; but there are good schools in the north: and our author seems to know the history of the ancient world just as intimately as Izaak Walton. The following passage VOL. XIV.

is quite in the classical vein of the Complete Angler.

"Having proved the existence of this amusement at so remote an era, it would be neither necessary nor important to trace the practise of this art through that period of time which intervenes from the time of Jacob, to the formation of the Grecian republics. The blindness and wilful transgressions of the Jews, and the barbarous ignorance of those nations whom God permitted to chastise them, render their exercises a matter of neither curiosity nor utility. But when Greece, emerging from obscurity and ignorance, began to take the lead in civilization, in military knowledge, and in the cultivation of learning and sciences, the utility of Public Games, not only to infuse a generous and martial spirit into the minds of the young men, but to improve their bodily strength, was too appa.. rent to be neglected. Accordingly, we find these athletic exercises not only practised and encouraged in each particular state, but the highest honours and rewards bestowed on the victors at the Olympic, Nemean, and other games, where prizes were awarded, and contended for before the whole nation. It would be foreign to our purpose to quote the wrestling match of Hercules and Anteus, or anything bordering either on the fabulous or miraculous stories incidental to the times in which it is placed; but we may be allowed to observe, that these prizes were contended for, and often won, by men distinguished as much by their birth, patriotism, and valour, as by their skill in those exercises in which it was their pride to excel.

"The influence of these sports in advancing Greece, from a few petty states not equal in extent of territory to one half of England alone, into the most powerful kingdom at that time in the world, is universally acknowledged by all historians and commentators who have ever treated of the subject. And it is singular to remark, that while the fact is admitted by all modern legislators, few or none have recommended an imitation of them."

Leaving the Hebrews and the Greeks without reluctance, we take a leap with Mr Litt of a few thousand years into the ring of Longwathby Mill, A. D. 1778. That village, on Christmas or New Year's Day, and Melmerby on Midsummer's Day, (both, we believe, in Cumberland,) were the scenes of two distinguished annual contests.Mr Litt, with that strange and undefined desire to extol past times at the expense of the present, which seems a principle in human nature, and makes every man "laudator temporis acti," observes

4 U

"About forty-five years ago, or about the year 1778, back-hold Wrestling was more practised, and in higher estimation in that extent of country which comprises the borders of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, and Northumberland, than in any other place in England or Scotland. Since those days of our fathers, great indeed is the change effected in the habits, customs, and manners of all classes of people throughout England; and in no part of it more than in the north. The festivities of Christmas, the hilarities of sheep-shearing, and other seasons of mirth and jollity, are now but the mere shadow of what they were, even at the short distance of time we treat of. Though some dainties, neither much known nor wanted in those days, are now in common use, yet home brewed, that soul and cementer of good fellowship, so often spoken of in raptures by the aged, has nearly disappeared. At that time, if money was more scarce, ale was better and cheaper; and pastimes were not only more frequent, but enjoyed with much less care for to-morrow. Accordingly, on the borders of these counties, prizes of different descriptions were frequently given to wrestle for. Although a belt was the most usual prize, yet silver 'cups, leather breeches, and other things of considerable value, accompanied by a belt, were by no means uncommon."

The cock of the north at this era was ADAM DODD, who, in the opinion of many who were acquainted with him, had won more prizes than any other man, either remembered at this period, or who has since appeared in the ring. But Mr Litt, from the most authentic accounts he has been able to collect, thinks he yielded in that respect to WILLIAM RICHARDSON of Caldbeck, (now alive and hearty,) who has gained, it is said, 240 belts, and is, we think, better entitled than old Howard of Castle-Dacre himself, to the cognomen Belted Will." Mr Litt's portrait of Adam is, in its way, quite as good as Milton's, of his great ancestor and namesake.

"Adam, though not termed a big one, was yet far above the middle-size of wrestlers. He was between five feet ten and five feet eleven inches high, and weighed near fourteen stones-belonging to that class in which we have elsewhere stated the most distinguished wrestlers and pugilists were to be found. He has been described to us

as a clean and well-built man, but withal

rather flattish bodied, and slender backed, for such a distinguished wrestler; this is said by some to have been the only thing that prevented him from being invincible. He was a straight stander, and easy to satisfy with a hold; but the moment it was taken, eager to be at work, and sel

dom desisted from the attack till the fall was over. He seldom had recourse to the buttock; striking was his forte; and his dexterity and method of parting, or what is often provincially called livering, (a contraction of delivering,) his man, was such, that he seldom either missed his object, or went to the ground. His favourite method was the outside, and he was partial to feinting with one foot, and striking with the other; however, on striking out, he often seconded the attack with the foot he feinted with; and we have heard it assert. ed he struck uncommonly high. In this his trade as a miller might be advantage. ous to him. From frequent practice in lifting and removing loads with his arms, in which the knee and foot are sometimes used as auxiliaries, he might have acquired more strength in the leg when striking out, and felt less incommoded when balancing and turning his man, than if he had been brought up to almost any other trade. would be impossible for us, or any other person at this period, to enumerate the tithe of his victories. Suffice it to observe, he was the hero of his day; and at the great annual meetings at Longwathby and Melmerby as well as at Alston, often threw, not only the most noted wrestlers of the neighbourhood, and the borders of Cumberland and Westmoreland, but all the dons from Yorkshire and Northumberland who came to try their prowess with him. It would be foolish to assert, or lead any person to suppose, he was not occa

It

sionally thrown; for that is a thing which, like time and tide, happeneth to all men;" but we believe we shall not be contradicted, when we say he ranked the very first on the list. He was a remarkably civil and peaceable man; and his conduct and character through life accorded with these two essential recommendations to respect and esteem-having never been called in question on any occasion. His death was occasioned by incautiously lying down to sleep upon the kiln when drying some oats, which brought on an illness that proved fatal a short time after

wards, whilst in the very prime of life. He

died about the year 1782, leaving a widow then with child-having entered into the connubial state not long before his decease."

Then, too, flourished Toм JOHNSTON, now a powerful old man, in the employ of J. C. Curwen, Esq. of Workington-Hall. Tom, "like a true sportsman, still relishes the crack of the whip, and actually carried off the belt from the Cloffick at Workington, at one of the great meetings on Easter Tuesday, when nearly sixty years of age.'

"Another celebrated hero, at the same period, was Thomas Lee, who, we are informed, is at this present time a publican