Transcription
MILLING AMONG The Fair Sex! A Full and Particular Account of that Gallant and most Extraordinary BATTLE, that was Fought on Thursday last, 30th day of June, 1825, in the Market Place of Aberdeen, between a Soldier's Wife, and a Dandy young Fish Wife, at that place. ON Thursday last a scene, very rarely witnessed here, although among the Billingate Ladies in the south, it is nothing un- common, accured in the Fish market in this Town. It was not premeditated, and therefore there was no betting on either side though there might be several of the fancy present. A Soldier's wife having, as is often the case, accasion to go to the market to lay out her scanty pittance in the most beneficial and economical manner, by some means or other, fell into a dispute with a young aspiring dandy Fish wife, to whom she applied an epithet, which it may be as well not here to repeat; suffice it to say, that it had the effect of rousing all the Amazonian courage in the blood of her antagonist. The insulted dame considered it her imperative duty to vindicate her character and respectability, and instantly rushed on her traducer, and gave her such a blow on the breast, that sent her a reeling among the creels of the fish women. The Soldier's wife, loth to be behind, and also considering the whole British army to be grossly insulted in her person, gave the retort uncourteous, when instantly a ring was formed by the females in the market, and a regular set to commenced. The dreadful conflict now commenced in grand stile, and if they could not boast of using so much science as was lately displayed in this neighbourhood, by Robinson and Crosbie, they certainly shew- ed they were real game, and produced, at least, as much claret. The Battle continued a considerable time, neither of the eombatants seeming inclined to give it up; but the Soldier's wife, who seemed to have most wind, as well as better science, snatching up a Native from her opponent's creel, by a dexterious man?uvre, thrust it, tail foremost, down her rivals throat. This, for the fish woman, was a complete finisher; she fell in a moment, and instantly grew black in the face ; and, if she had not been relieved by some of the by- standers on the instant, she must have been choked. Her resuscitation, however, served only to renew her rrge, and encrease her courage, and they were about to set to afresh, with as much appearance af vigour and strength as at the beginning, when a Town Officer, who had got notice of the affray, made his appear- ance, and with much difficulty, separated them. The condition of both the amazons was truly disgraceful, and said little for the hu- manity of the spectators. Edinburgh; Printed for Alexander Turnbull....Price One Penny.
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Date of publication:
1825 shelfmark: L.C.1268
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