"In those days, when every one with any pretensions to gentility wore a sword, and duelling was rife, it is no wonder that exhibitions of skill in that weapon were favourites. Like modern prize fights, they drew together all the scum and riff-raff, as well as the gentry, who were fond of so-called _sport_. They were disreputable affairs, and were decried by every class of contemporary. The preliminaries were swagger and bounce, as one or two out of a very large number will show.[60]
"'At the Bear Garden in Hockley-in-the-Hole.
"'A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between two Profound Masters of the Noble Science of Defence on _Wednesday_ next, being this 13th of the instant July, 1709, at Two of the Clock precisely.
"'I, _George Gray_, born in the City of Norwich, who has Fought in most Parts of the _West Indies_, viz., _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, and several other Parts of the World; in all Twenty-five times, upon a Stage, and was never yet Worsted, and now lately come to _London_; do invite _James Harris_, to meet and Exercise at these following Weapons, viz.:
_Back Sword_, } { _Single Falchon_ _Sword and Dagger_, } { _and_ _Sword and Buckler_,} { _Case of Falchons_.'
"'I, _James Harris_, Master of the said Noble Science of Defence, who formerly rid in the Horse Guards, and hath Fought a Hundred and Ten Prizes, and never left a Stage to any Man; will not fail, (God Willing) to meet this brave and bold Inviter, at the Time and Place appointed, desiring Sharp swords, and from him no Favour.
"'_Note._ No persons to be upon the Stage but the Seconds. _Vivat Regina._'"
This is not the only available advertisement, but it is a typical one, and will serve for all.
"The challenger would wager some twenty or thirty pounds, and the stakes would be deposited and delivered to the Challenged: the challenger receiving the money[61] taken at the door, or as we should term it, _gate money_; which, frequently, twice or thrice exceeded the value of the stakes.
"There is one remarkable exception, I have found, to this monetary arrangement, but it is the only one in my experience. For, in an advertisement of the usual character, there comes: 'Note.--That John Stokes fights James Harris, and Thomas Hesgate fights John Terriwest, three Bouts each at Back Sword, for Love.'