Southern telegraph., 1836-07-15

I '~''i0N N'Sl lltS carriage, ulI STRUCK
hnm repeatedly with the fiat Side Of his
sword -.
An insult so grossly offered in the public
streets compelled the prince 10 come to
terms, and he Immediately proposeda cham
p'on an Las cause, in the person Of his sis
,ess only son, the duke Of Marina, of the
house Of Cariacciol.
Inc count admitted the 81, ,stitation of
lhls youthful adversary, and even agreed TO
years delay, in order that the duke might.
hn'sh hs edncation;" by which / suppose,
Is meant, that he might perfect himself in
lenclng. The day was named and the field
OF battle fixed at Ostuni. a small town in
Lower Apulia, the jurisdiction Of which had
6een turlously disputed by both noblemen.
DARK hints Of this singular duel got abroad,
and the eyes Of the whole kingdom were
turned nnXIously to the spot. In these mat
ters, people always select fayorite, and as
the duke was young, handsome, accomplish
cd, and of cheerful disposition, he carried
away nearly all sympathy from the gloomy
oId count, who, however, so high was his
lame as swordsman, was considered by
every one us the sure victor.
The prince Of FrancavaIla, actuated more
by tho apprehension Of shame in the event
OF defeat, ;hon by feelings Of affection for
his nephew, endeayored to insure success
ny lhe following straiagem:-A gentleman
VINO mad been for some time, as was the
custom IN those days, a retainer in his fmi-
" Ieit It abruptly one night, aud sought the
Count Of Conyersano's castle, into which
he gained admission by a recital Of injurious
treatment and fictitious wrongs hoapcd upon
nm by the iyrannical and arbitrary temper
oi the Prince Of FrancavlIla. A complaint
OF this nature was always passport to the
counts good gracca, and he not only admit
tea THIS gentleman to the full erioyment Of
bis prInceIy hospitality, but having found
that he was dcXtcrouS swordsman, passed
most OF his time iii practising with him that
art, which he hoped would soon insure the
triumph he valued mos. On earth
A few days previous to that fixed for the
dacI, the guest, under pretence of paying a
visit to his relatives, Withdrew from the
count Of Conyersano's territories, and Sc
creuy returned to those of his employer
where he lost no time in Communicating all
the pecullariilos and advantages repeated
experience had enabled him to remark ir
the counts manner of fencing. The Dakc
OF Martina was thereby taught that the only
chance of success which he could look tC
was by keeping on the defensive during the
carly part Of the combat. lie was instruct
ed that his antagonist, though ayowedly the
most able manager Of the sword in the king
dom, was exceedingly violent, and that i
he could parry the thrusts made on the frs
attack, however formidable from supero
Hand strength of wrist and arm, he might
perhaps, afterwards obtain SUCCESS over al
adversary, whose person, somewhat inclined
to corpuency, would speedily become OK
haustod from the effects of his own impe
tuosity. The Duke of Martina, furnishe,
with this salutary advice, and strong in th
conviction of wkat he considered ils
cause, awaited in calm anxiety the G.v G
n battle; and the behaviour Of the two com
batants on the last morning, strongly cha
% racterizes their different dispositions, as wei
as manners and habits Of the age they live
in.
The Duke of Mlrtina made his viii, con
iessed himself, and took anaffsctionale loly
- of his mother, who retired to her oratory
pass in prayer the time her son devoted
- the conflict; while, On the o'hcr hand, N
Count Of Conyersano ordered SUMPTION
j feast to be prepared, and invited lis friend
,e and re'amers after the fight; he then car,
o. IcssIy bade his wife farewell, and aladin
D. to his adyersary's youth and inoxperionc,
IN said, V0do a far an caprctto--[I am goin
W to Kill kid.] They met at the plate al
n pointed; 1t was an open space before MOI
a. astery Of irlags at Ostunl; but these COS
fathers, by their iniercession and PRAYER
he prevailed upon the combatants to reno,
as to another similar plot of ground in front
ri. the Capuchin convent in the same towI
u- here the bishop and clergy, carrying Ii
rv host in solemn procession, attempted in va
he to dlssuade them from their bloody purpos
r. they were dismissed with scorn. and Il
,e. duel began. 1t was of long duration, al
he afforded the duke an opportunity of availil
In himself of the counsels he had receive
~ when he found the count began to be out
no breath, and off his guard, he assumed the
se, fensiye part, and having wounded him,
he manded if he was satisfied, and proposed
nj desist from any further hostility; but, stu
nd to the quick by this unexpected reverse, t
,oo count refused all offers Of Accommodate
n. and by blind revenge and redoubled Al
ii. mostly, soon lost all command of himsc
in and received second wound, which t
,nd minated the contest together with his life
,se Itis quite as well, or perhaps much b
&c. ter, that the count died in the duel, for I
,ry subtle and cowardly Prince of Francavil
les fearing that, in spite of his precautions,
ant nephew might fall, had posted strong ba
bnt Of assassins to way-lay and murder Conv
led sano on his road home, had he come of '
led torlous at Ostuni.
leir l * - bi
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