THE FANCY.

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velty, and bent my attention to the nature ofwhat I was to expect.

I was perfectly aware that there was nothingnew or peculiar to the present day in the prac-tice, of which I was about to visit the exhibition.I was only puzzled at the name chosen to designatethe amateurs in the science of boxing. To be oneof the "Fancy" might, by a foreigner, be readilysupposed to apply to something of the imagina-tion,—some matters of taste or virtu, in whichgentlemen of fancy were engaged. I had metwith fancy bakers, fancy brashes, and fancydresses ; but of the application of such a word tothe sports of the Bear Garden! It was at leastan odd fancy.

The entrance to the Fives Court was surroundedby expectant groups of spectators, eager to catcha glance of those who entered, happy if they couldrecognise a Cribb, a Belcher, a Spring, or any ofthe other noted bruisers, as he made his way tothe chosen spot; and envying those whose means

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