Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1843-07-15
IRELAND SIXTY YEARS AGO


The universal practice Of duelling, and the
ideas entertained OF il, contributed not a little
TO the disturbed and feracious state Of society
we have been describing. Nogentlernant had
taken his proper station in life till he had
.s,nelt powder as il was called ; and no bar
rister could gocircuit till he had obtained a re-
~putation In this way; no election, and scarcely
an ~assizes, passed without a number ofduels;
and many men of the bar practiclng half Il
century ago, owed their eminence, not to pow
ers of eloquence, or TO legal ability, but to a
daring spirit, and the number Of duels they
had fought. Sir Jonah Darlington gives some
singular details OF this, and a catalogue of bar
risters who killed their man, and judges who
fought their way to the bench. We shall no.
tice some of them, with a few additional par
tiulars which Darlington has not mentioned.
Among the barristers most distinguished in
their way was Bully Egan, chairman of Kill
mainham for the county Of Dublin. He was a
large, black, burly man, but of so soft and
good natured a disposition that he was never
known 10 pass a severe sentence on a criml-
nal without blubhering in tears. Yet he per-
haps fought more duels than any other man on
or off the bench, Though so tender. hearted
in passing sentence on a criminal, he was
remarkably firm in shooting a friend.
He fought at Bonnybrook with Barrett, the
master OF the rolls. before d crowd of specta-
tors, who were quite amused at the droliery
of the scene. When his antagonist fired, he
was walking coolly away, saying his honour
was satisfied but Egan called ont he must
have a shot at his honour. On his returning
10 his place. Egan said he would not humor
him, OF be bothered with killing him, but he
might either come and shake hands, or 60 to
tic devil. On another occasion he fought
with Keller, a brother barrister. 1t was nc
unusual thing for two opposite counsel to fall
: out in court IN discussing illegal point, retire
10 a neighborinBg field 10 settle It with pistols
and then return TO court to resume the argn-
mlent in a more peaceable manner. Such an
instance occurred at the assizes OF Waterford
about sixty years since Keller and Egan fell
out on a point Of law, and both retired from
court. They crossed the river SUR in a ferry
boat to gain the county Wilkinny. Harry
ffayden, a large man and a justice of the peace
for the county, when he heard Of it, h~astenee
10 the spot, and got in between them just al
they were preparing to fire. They told him Il
get out of the way or they would shoot hin,
and then break every bone in hrs body. HI
declared his authority as a justice of the peace
They told him if he was ST. Peter from ttea
ven they would not mind him. They ex
changed Shots without effect, and then re
turned to court. The cause of their absence
was generally understood, and they found the
bench, iury-box, and spectators waiting quiet
" to hear which Of them was killed.
Fitzgibbon, the Attorney General, who wa
afterward Lord Chancellor and Earl Glare
fought with Curran, afterward with Master Q
the Rolls, withaexormcus pistols, twelve inch
eE>lbng.
Scott, sfterward Lord Chief Justice of tn
Kings Bench and Earl of Clonmel, Tough
Lord Tyrawly on some affair about his wife
and afterward with the Earl of Landau abou
his sister, and with several others. IN miscel
~laneous subjects and with various weapons
swords and pistols.
Metge, Baron of the Exchequer. fougf
with his own brothers, n lGv, and two othe
antagonists.
Patterson, Justice of the Common Plea
fought three country gentlemen, and wounde
Them all ; cae of the duels was with sma
swords.
Toler, Lord rSo-bury, Chief Justice of ii
Common Pleas, fought fighting" Fitzgerald
and two others, with their pistols, muzzle
muzzIe. So distinguished was Ar. ToleE II
his deeds in this way, he was always the ma
depended on by the administration to frlghte
.n.ember of tho opposition-anl SO rapid va
was his promotion in consequence, that It wa
ss;d he shot up in.2 prefsrnient.
Grady. frst counsel TO the revenue, fougE
raher and Cambell, two barsisters. and ssTe
rsl others, :tcs rs-sc-i5sre -1'E1ts ssz