The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-08

lord had not endeavored 10 gain tho eye Of Madame
Grisi, by riding on horseback constantly before her
house but this freak combined with all the other dis
plays, LEFT his conduct without excuse and exposed him
to the suspicious which have led TO depIorable re-
suit
The husband Of Madame Grisi, M. Gerard de Mslcy,
French gentleman Of good family is not person 70
tolerate experiments Of this nature and having
to believe that the young viscount medated something
more decisive than making sweet eyes IN public, on
gaopng in Regent street, took measures to stop than
at the threshold In consequence Of his precautions
letter ION Tuesday Wednesday last, are uncer-
tain whch) addressed by Lord Castlereagh TO Madame
Grs into his hands before could reach the lady
for whom it intended. The letter. happily for Ma
dame Grs and the future repose Of her husband, bore
internal evidence OF her honor for il the first deca-
ration OF young man who affected to be desperately in
love- ard had no reference 10 any encouragement given
by her, or TO any circumstance which could touch her
reputation.
M do Melcy did not communicat the circumstance
TO his wife, but he instantly went to the residence Of tho
noble lord with the intention Of demanding satisfaction
Lord Castereagh not in town, he was at Ascot M.
de Mecy repeated his visit on the following day, but
his lordship had not returned and then M. de Mecy
without consulting with friend, addressed note to
Lord Castlereagh, informing him that his letter was in
teceped and calling for the only reparaon that 1t was
in tho young noblemans power TO give. Lord Castle
resgh returned from Ascot on Friday, and finding the
card and letter OF Mr. de Melcy his house, lost not
moment In waiting that gentlemen, and oferingto
give whatever satisfaction was required. he commence
ed the observation by stating that he had not received
the most distant encouragement from Madame Grisi.
He then expressed his deep at the consequence
stated his ffsdnfessre5 in The most handsome manner
cumstances Of the called him to give N. De Merys
in reply stated that insult 10 his wife could not be
settled by an, verbal excuse; thai os4.i All bs
atoned for by hostile meeting, and he called on tho
noble loid to name friend who would be prepared TO
act on his behalf.
Lord Castleesgh, thus pressed and feeling that as
man OF honor nothing further in the shape OF concia-
ton could be done, gave the name Of Mr. Bentinck at
Whites Club the person in whose hands his charac-
ter would be placed nj. de Mecy lost time in CALI
ing to his aid French gentleman, M Cottreau,to
whom he, for the first time opened all the crcumstan-
ces of the case Mr.. Cottreau put himself without de-
lay into communication with Mr.. Bentinck, and both
these gentlemen seeing of the world that recon-
citation impossible, proceeded to settle the basis on
which the hostile meeting should take place But al
the very first step difficulty presented itself arising
out OF the difference which exists between the laws OF
duelng in France and in England. In France the
challenger of the person aggreved has the right to choose
time, place, and weapons while in England custom has
given that privilege TO the challenged. M Cottreau, on
behalf Of his friend DESTROYS that the sword should
lie appealed TO- while Mr.. Bentnck was equally anxious
that pistols should decide the quarrel M Cettreau was
not disposed TO yield, until, being assured that LORD
Cas,lereagh was not accustomed TO SWORDS, nc waived
that point, but still claimed the right Of lighting with the
pistol in the that weapon resorted toi France
Our readers are that the French practice is to
place the antagonists at forty PAGES distance and ogve
them the privilege Of walking up to fixed points eight
PAGES from each other, and OF firing either before or
after arriving at those points This NJ Coireau INSIST
ed on in consideration ofhis abandonment of the sword
but Mr. Bentinck very properly told him thathe could
not answer for public opinion duel SO fought was at
tended with any fatal result and he prayed M Cotreau
to agree to the old fashioned English mode oil equal
l-snu TAttrno otrnr
ged hard for his right but he agreed at length to sub
nit himself the customs Of this country, and ne un-
derook on behalf ofM de Melcy, to fight with pistols
at the word Of command, at twelve PAGES
These prelminares being all arranged, the hour Of
meeting was fixed for Saturday morning at half past
four o'clock Both the gentlemen were in readiness
but previous to that hour another discussion arose be-
the seconds the pistols thatwere to be used
when was, after long debate arranged that the par
ties should those with which they had been ac-
cusomed 10 practice and that two pair should be taken
at hazard from gunshop. This circumstance delayed
for some hours the proposed meeting. as was impos
sble early in the morning to procure arms ana It
diton 10 take their ground : =
AT that hour they met at Worms, and Scrubs, one
surgeon being in attendance. They were placed at IL
distance and instructed that the words to be given
were" Gentlemen, are you ready! Fire. accompa-
MED by the dropping Of handkerchief
Previously to the signal Lord Caslereagh caused his
second to deliver into the hands OF M. Cottreau Win
paper signed by him, declaring in the most solemn man
ner on the word OF perhaps about to appear be-
fore his creator in few minutes that Madame unsi nad
in the slightest encouraged his attentions,
that her conduct was in all respects reproachabe ana
that he had never received letter from her. cores
ponded with her before. The word was then given,
and the signal dropped They raised their pistols at
the instant. M. de Melcy carried his in manner
by which surer aim is taken but by which the person
is wholly exposed while Lord Castlereogh bsre his in
that form which gives some protection the chest but
which less effective in attack. They fired at the
same instant Lord Castlereaghs ball did not take eff
feet, while M de Mecys passed through his antago-
nists right arm the wrist, across the wastcoat,
grazing the skin Of the chest and leaving track Of
blood The noble lord staggered by the blow, but
in second he shook off the faintness, and received the
attention Of his friends with composure twas feared
first that he MORALLY wounded, as the train OF
blood across the chest was formidable symptom, but
was soon found tina. though his wrist was severely
injured his life not in the least endangered Most
probably he saved by the position OF his arm for u
the hand had been directed straight before him, the ball
would have lodged in his breast Asst was he has re-
ceiyed very wound, which IT is TO be hoped VIII
be attended with no serious result Mr. Bentinck, on
seeing the condition of Lord Caseresgh declared that
as his friend wounded the affair could not be car
ried further mot for the present, added NJ de Mel
Cyl who had left his ground to give assistance to his
wounded adversary Mr. Beniinck hoped that the
matter would be altogether at end for that the honor
OF M de Mecy was fully satisfied and the written de-
csrson Of Lord Castereagh must be sufficient vlndi
cation Of Madame Grisi. M. dc Melcy said he was
not DESTROYS Of carrying his resentment any farther
Lord Casereagh carried to the house Of peasant
and there he was attended by the surgeon who Witness
ed the proceedings. He removed TO town IN the
course of the afternoon and was, when we last heard
going on as favoraby as could be expected
From the Nashville Republican.
The Elk PRESIDENT 1t will be seen from the fol-