The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-05-08
DUELlNG.

The last number of the American Mon. Maya
cling, and illustrates the ethics rof the code by
several anecdotes, some of which are below:
Lord BrudenelI, son ofthe Earl O: Cardigan,
ran away with n married lady, who was after
wards divorced, and he married her, and she is
now lady Brudenell. But his Lordship, after
the first escapade, somewhat surprised that
he did not receive challenge from the injured
husband, and he was so anxious 10 make repara-
ton, that at last he wrote TO offer il. His note
wus worded ms foows:-'Sir: Having done you
the greatest injury that one man can do another,
think it incumbent upon me to offer you the sat
isfaclion which one gentleman owes to another
in such circumstances. The reply was this-
"My Lord, in taking off my hands woman who
has proved herself wretch, you have done me
the greatest favor that one man can do another;
and | think it incumbent upon me to offer you
the acknowledgment which one gentleman owes
TO another in such circumstances" This man
took cold FLOODED view of The case but he was
right; revenge, in such case, is no reparation.
ard the unworthness of the cause must com
pletely neutIaliZe its relish. Pecuuary damages
are positively base; and Mr. Buckingham himself
would hardly have thought it worth the trouble
Of pursuing The case through Court of Honor
to make the culprt apologize.
The real cause of the most violent quarels is
PLANTATION, and this 1t is which accounts for per-
manent and mortal differences breaking ont OH
\ Il trivial preteXt which seems like nothing; but
is backed by old hatreds, indefinable rights, ri
varies, and boarded animosities. The once no.
torious' Baron Won Hoffman challenged a man
for not inviting him to dinner, cause not likely
to be avowed, but certainly it was the real ONE
The Baron had lost his trunk in the river with all
his letters of introduction, and consequently ill
more came, his standing was not well ascertain
ed. Some persons received him, others de-
nounced him; but this latter class the Baron, If
he could get at Them was always ready TO fight
He knew very well that the ratio ultima regum,
the logic of kings, was also the best logic for i'm
posters; and ifany thought his credentials were
short weight, he was ready 10 throw his pistol in
To the scale. In the case in question: Mr. J :.
II j.. whom the Baron met in certain set
where he had access, famous for his good
dinners, from which the Baron was always left
out Weary of this, he called one day on Mr. r.
and spread his credentials, such as they were,
before him,lhy way ofremovng suspicious which,
he sad he had heard Il =. had expressed, and
against which he made a labored argument. He
left his papers and desired rhey might be return
ed with note expressive of the impression they
produced, but Il returned them in blank
envelope. The Baron thereupon sent challenge,
which was left mt the door as if it had been an
invitation for dinner. Mrs. r =. opened it,
and Immediately replied TO it as follows:-"Sr.
Your note is received. MY husband will not
have any thing to do with you under any cir.
cumstances; but whenever you produce official
proof that you have been aid de camp to Prince
Butcher, as you say, will fight duel with you
myself MARY r 81
One story suggests another, and to stories about
duels there is no end. We will make an end of
telling them, however, with one from Boston,
where, we are told, there is a correspondence go
inu M still xphi nh ham tan ,.,,tl.
challenge. Mr. 4. bachelor, CHI allenged Mr. B.
a married man with one child who replied that
the conditions were not equal, that he must ne.
cessary put more at risk with his life than the
other, and he declined. A year afterwards he
received another challenge from Mr. A. who stat
ed that he too had now wife and child, and he
supposed therefore the objection of Mr. b. was no
longer valid. Mr. b. replied that he now had TWO
children, consequently the inequality still sub
sisted. The next year Mr. A. renewed his chal-
lenge, having now two children also, but his adj
versary had three. This matter, when last heard
from was still going on, the numbers heing SIX TO
seven, and the challenge yearly renewed.
The FARMERS have already commenced the
industrious operations of the season. The Spring
has opened earIey and auspcously, and we on
~ nope that hereafter, when seed-time is over
aud harvest has come, they may realise their fond
est antutnnal anticipations, what a healthy, Rvg-
Grating and beautiful occupation is that of a Has
bandman! How truly independent how COM
paratively free! 1t has associated with it none
of the articles of trade or the double dealings of
the mcrcenary world. No employment has a
stronger tendency to strengthen and elevate the
moral character. Itisa pursnt of contempa-
tive kind, away from the scrambles and duplcty
of men, in the midst of the beautiful objects and
enrolling works of nature. On all sides, around
and above him, are influences of pure and who'll
ly character. The earth, with its myriads of
flowers and blossoms and bird like Establishments.
the soft blue sky with its nvgorating at:nos.
phereand mellow sunlight, areyall his, bestowed
without stint, in abundant pr6aigaty.
But then the process by which vegetation is
brought forward, the way the world is made to
yield up lis fruits, how exquisitely delicate and
beautiful! The surface OF the soil is opened
and invigorated. 1t is warmed by the suns rays
and the little germ of future good is placed in its,
bosom. The vitality of the seed is quickly felt,
gradually swelling as it commences termination.
Its tender shoots soon appear above the surface