CORRESPONDENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3677, 27 April 1883, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

AVHO AVAS ST. GEORGE ?

[To the Editoe of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir, —All your correspondents arc laboring under a wrong impression concerning this much 'talked about individual. They are evidently unable to separate the truth from the mass of romance surrounding stories which come down to us from ancient times. St. George was one of the earliest members of tho English prize ring, and was champion of England during his lifetime. From his hirsute appearance he was commonly known to the'" fancy " as " George the Hairy'un." The tale of St. George and the Dragon has its orgiu in the greatest fight that took place in the earlydays of the P.R. The Colossus of Rhodes" was the champion of eastern Europe, his subriquet being the " Dragon." Great endeavors had been made to bring these two great champions together, and at last a match was arranged. History is not positive as to the place of combat, but it is generally believed that it was orginally fixed for Beyrout, but owing

to the intervention of the police authorities it came off in a more unfrequented spot at Lvbia. The Colossus was backed by A. Thanasius, while the pieces for George were put down by Julus Cresar, who had had an opportunity of seeing him box at an exhibition during the Roman invasion of Britain. The battlcwas short but decisive, as the Dragon was knocked completely out of time in the third round. A. Thanasius is said to have been so overcome by the result (on which he had staked his all) that when the news was; la-ought to him he exclaimed "Eureka." and instantly expired. The English were so pleased with their champion that after his death they caimonised him, and ever since he has been tho patron saint of Old England.—l am, Sec, Pugilist. April 27, 1883.