I Think It Was From The Buccaneers Of America,
That The English Have Learned To Abolish One Solecism In
The Practice Of Duelling:
Those adventurers decided their
personal quarrels with pistols; and this improvement
has been adopted in Great Britain with good success; though
in France, and other parts of the continent, it is looked
upon as a proof of their barbarity.
It is, however, the only
circumstance of duelling, which savours of common sense, as it
puts all mankind upon a level, the old with the young, the weak
with the strong, the unwieldy with the nimble, and the man who
knows not how to hold a sword with the spadassin, who has
practised fencing from the cradle. What glory is there in a man's
vanquishing an adversary over whom he has a manifest advantage?
To abide the issue of a combat in this case, does not even
require that moderate share of resolution which nature has
indulged to her common children. Accordingly, we have seen many
instances of a coward's provoking a man of honour to battle. In
the reign of our second Charles, when duels flourished in all
their absurdity, and the seconds fought while their principals
were engaged, Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, not content with
having debauched the countess of Shrewsbury and publishing her
shame, took all opportunities of provoking the earl to single
combat, hoping he should have an easy conquest, his lordship
being a puny little creature, quiet, inoffensive, and every way
unfit for such personal contests. He ridiculed him on all
occasions; and at last declared in public company, that there was
no glory in cuckolding Shrewsbury, who had not spirit to resent
the injury. This was an insult which could not be overlooked. The
earl sent him a challenge; and they agreed to fight, at Barns-Elms,
in presence of two gentlemen, whom they chose for their
seconds. All the four engaged at the same time; the first thrust
was fatal to the earl of Shrewsbury; and his friend killed the
duke's second at the same instant. Buckingham, elated with his
exploit, set out immediately for the earl's seat at Cliefden,
where he lay with his wife, after having boasted of the murder of
her husband, whose blood he shewed her upon his sword, as a
trophy of his prowess. But this very duke of Buckingham was
little better than a poltroon at bottom. When the gallant earl of
Ossory challenged him to fight in Chelsea fields, he crossed the
water to Battersea, where he pretended to wait for his lordship;
and then complained to the house of lords, that Ossory had given
him the rendezvous, and did not keep his appointment. He knew the
house would interpose in the quarrel, and he was not
disappointed. Their lordships obliged them both to give their
word of honour, that their quarrel should have no other
consequences.
I ought to make an apology for having troubled a lady with so
many observations on a subject so unsuitable to the softness of
the fair sex; but I know you cannot be indifferent to any thing
that so nearly affects the interests of humanity, which I can
safely aver have alone suggested every thing which has been said
by, Madam, Your very humble servant.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 134 of 276
Words from 69154 to 69701
of 143308
