According to reports of the day, street fighting was not uncommon in
the early days of Brisbane Town. In fact, many of the townspeople considered outbreaks
of pugilism an entertainment.
To the disgust of one correspondent to the Moreton Bay Courier, some of the most enthusiastic spectators were
women.
 |
| Colonial Soldier |
PUGILISTIC DISPLAYS. - A correspondent in calling our
attention to a desperate fight which took place in North Brisbane on Tuesday
last, between a soldier and a sawyer, says:-
"I counted no less than eight women who were
present, looking on with great interest; and one disgrace to her sex was
actually cheering and goading the men on by applause, oaths, and shouts!
This virago was
the wife of one of the combatants."
Women were not only spectators. They were not shy to enter the field of
combat themselves.
A frequent correspondent to the
Moreton Bay Courier using the nome de
plume "Asmodeus”[3],
described one such bout in the area of humble abodes behind the main street of Brisbane
Town.
The report is a wonderful example of the erudite and entertaining
writing style of a educated person of the time, observing the street life of
the town.
 |
| Early View of Queen Street, Brisbane |
RUMPUS -A correspondent signing himself "Asmodeus[4]"
calls our attention to the rows which he states nightly take place in some of
the houses at the back of Queen-street, near the Military Barrack.
On Monday evening it appears there was a regular
“shindy" amongst the folks in the "back slums," and a first rate
scene was exhibited between two married females, both of middle age.
The combatants commenced by belabouring one another with
broomsticks, and eventually resorted to "fistycuffs," displaying no
little science, and several distinct rounds came off with great applause.
Jealousy, we understand, was the belli tete rima causa[5],
and we are enabled to state that the conjugal rights were effectually
vindicated, as the offended spouse completely destroyed that beauty which had
beguiled her husband, who, by the way, stood by during the whole combat,
apparently delighted at the contest for his affections.
 |
| Victorian Era Street Scene |
To his great astonishment, however, his spouse having
demolished her feminine adversary, immediately directed her energies to her
liege lord and master, and, amid the roars and cheers of the bystanders, gave
him a sound drubbing.
She was, however, "hauled off," as Jack would
say, but not before the countenance of her dear husband had been made a
miniature map of the Carribbee Islands, which had been graphically described
thereon by the nails of his better half.[6]
There are no reports of any police involvement in the skirmish so the
citizens involved seemed to have settle their dispute without the interference
of the law.
No comments:
Post a Comment