On the Pleasure of Hating

William Hazlitt's tough, combative writings on subjects ranging from slavery to the imagination, boxing matches to the monarchy, established him as one of the greatest radicals of his age and have inspired journalists and political satirists ever since.
The Fight

'- The fight, the fight's the thing,
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.'

Where there's a will, there's a way - I said to myself, as I walked down Chancery-lane, about half-past six o'clock on Monday the l0th of December, to inquire at Jack Randall's where the fight the next day was to be; and I found 'the proverb' nothing 'musty' in the present instance. I was determined to see this fight, come what would, and see it I did, in great style. It was my first fight, yet it more than answered my expectations. Ladies - it is to you I dedicate this description; nor let it seem out of character for the fair to notice the exploits of the brave. Courage and modesty are the old English virtues; and may they never look cold and askance on one another! Think, ye fairest of the fair, loveliest of the lovely kind, ye practisers of soft enchantment, how many more ye kill with poisoned baits than ever fell in the ring; and listen with subdued air and without shuddering, to a tale tragic only in appearance, and sacred to the FANCY!

William Hazlitt (1778–1830) was a prolific journalist, parliamentary reporter, drama and literary critic, essayist, and lecturer. He was the one of the first English writers to make a profession of descriptive criticism. Some of his most famous works include Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays and The Spirit of the Age: Or, Contemporary Portraits. View titles by William Hazlitt
William Hazlitt on The Pleasure of HatingThe Fight

The Indian Jugglers

On the Spirit of Monarchy

What is the People?

On Reason and Imagination

On the Pleasure of Hating

About

William Hazlitt's tough, combative writings on subjects ranging from slavery to the imagination, boxing matches to the monarchy, established him as one of the greatest radicals of his age and have inspired journalists and political satirists ever since.

Excerpt

The Fight

'- The fight, the fight's the thing,
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.'

Where there's a will, there's a way - I said to myself, as I walked down Chancery-lane, about half-past six o'clock on Monday the l0th of December, to inquire at Jack Randall's where the fight the next day was to be; and I found 'the proverb' nothing 'musty' in the present instance. I was determined to see this fight, come what would, and see it I did, in great style. It was my first fight, yet it more than answered my expectations. Ladies - it is to you I dedicate this description; nor let it seem out of character for the fair to notice the exploits of the brave. Courage and modesty are the old English virtues; and may they never look cold and askance on one another! Think, ye fairest of the fair, loveliest of the lovely kind, ye practisers of soft enchantment, how many more ye kill with poisoned baits than ever fell in the ring; and listen with subdued air and without shuddering, to a tale tragic only in appearance, and sacred to the FANCY!

Author

William Hazlitt (1778–1830) was a prolific journalist, parliamentary reporter, drama and literary critic, essayist, and lecturer. He was the one of the first English writers to make a profession of descriptive criticism. Some of his most famous works include Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays and The Spirit of the Age: Or, Contemporary Portraits. View titles by William Hazlitt

Table of Contents

William Hazlitt on The Pleasure of HatingThe Fight

The Indian Jugglers

On the Spirit of Monarchy

What is the People?

On Reason and Imagination

On the Pleasure of Hating