Attracted thousands upon thousands of country people

"The wrestling on Wednesday, attracted thousands upon thousands of country people, to witness their favourite sport. The play, according to pully-hauley critics, was scientifically excellent. The men squeezed, nipped, buttocked, etc., in the most charming style; and great was the applause of the vast mass congregated around the ring, when some sturdy athlete measured his long length on the ground. On the first day, the grand contest lay between the celebrated Robson, a fine young fellow of about twenty-two, weighing fifteen stone, ten pounds, and the still more celebrated Weightman, also a young man, but of more experience, and five pounds heavier than the weighty Robson. This pair of modern Ajaxes stood up nobly to each other. 'A breathless silence (says a spectator) reigned throughout the ring.... They laid hold like menlike true athletaeeach confident in his own powers.
The struggle beginsnownownowhuzza! the invincible Weightman is again victorious! Honour and glory once more for the East of Cumberland!!' So says our scientific informantbut not so Mr. Hercules Robson and his friends. They declared that the fall was not a fair one, and the mighty business of the ring was for a while suspended; but the umpire, Mr. Todd, and a great majority of the spectators decided otherwiseand Weightman soon finished the game, and pocketed the first prize, by finally laying low the able-bodied George Irving."


Source: Wrestlings and Wrestlers