Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-03-16

glass, walked over to the Frenchman,
and with every sign Of courtesy, chal-
lenged him to drink. The Frenchman
rose, poured out some claret, and boy
ed.
Monsieur exclaimed the English
blackguard, with the smile still on his
lips, there's confusion and death to the
whole race Of frog eaters
The Frenchman emptied his glass,
bowed courteously, and resumed his
seat.
Doesn't understand a word of En-
glish-thought it was compliment re-
marked the wanton insulter, as he re-
turned to the table. Presently another
Englshman proposed to repeat the ex-
pertinent. I Indignantly refused to par
ticipate in such an outrage, and told the
party that it was cowardly for them to
amuse themselves at the expense of a
gentleman, whose only misfortune was
in being ignorant of the meaning Of the
language in which they addressed him (;
and who, if he could understand how
their words belied their manner, would
most assuredly punish their insolence.
But John Bull was brutal, and determin-
ed to have little more sport with the
stranger; upon which withdrew to a.
mother table.
A second toast was proposed to the
Frenchman, with the same mock courte-
sy. He Immediately filled the glass, and
arose. The toast was given:
Louis Philippe, and be id to him.
The Frenchman answered, and with
a prolusion of Acknowledgements, drained
his glass. Immediately filling it, he
walked across the room, and pointing TO
portrait of William w., which hung
on the wall, bowed with great politeness
and drank. The Englishmen were mean
enough to acknowledge the health of
their sovereign, proposed under circum-
stances SO disgraceful to themselves but
instead of feeling so singing rebuke
and making all the atonement in their
power, they multiplied their insults
The Frenchman responded TO every sem
timent which cast ridicule on his coun-
try and contempt on himself, with an
apparent simplicity and confdingness
which, bat for the brutality of the whole
proceedings, would have been absolute
ly ludicrous.
AT length the Englishmen arose and
took leave of their victim with every ges-
ture of courtesy, but words of Shameless
audacity; such as Goodbye, you id
fool 'We shall meet again, Monsieur,
Jackass,' &c.
No sooner had the door closed upon
them, than the Frenchman started up,
and advancing towards me, with his hand
extended, said, in excellent English
Captain, do you know the names of
those young gentleman, and where they
can be found p
YES replied with establishment and
delight, as shook his hand.
'And have you mind to stand by me
in this little affair p
TO the last, promptly responded.
Six challenges were ponned, which
delivered Immediately, and early next
morning, it was funny to see as many
Englishmen, with their seconds, assem-
bled in retired place little outside
the town. One hour had been fixed for
the meeting with all. To do them JUS
tice, they were heartily ashamed of them
selves, and, | am convinced, would have
gladly apologized, but from conviction
that reparaticn could not be made in that
manner. The man who offered the first
insult, was first called upon to take his
place. Pistols were the weapons. The
Frenchman was as calm and dignified as
on the preceding evening. He smiled
when | handed him his weapon, and
said,
captain, we shall give these gentle
men lesson, which they will never, nev-
err forget
All being ready, the word was given.
The Englishman fired promptly; the
Frenchman, unframed, raised his pistol
deliberately above his head ard fired in
HE air
The scene which followed is not east
ly described. With one impulse the
Englishmen rushed towards the chival-
ric man, and implored his PARDON
Tears sprang to their eyes and rolled
down their cheeks, as they We'd with
each other in acknowledging the noble
forhearance of which they had been the
objects and the witnesses.
Gentlemen said the true victor of
this novel combat, when the excitement
had somewhat abated-'Gentlemen, we
will return to town and breakfast togeth-
err. will venture to say that you will
not again forget-not even when heated
with wine-that greater man than an
Englishman or Frenchman, is a gen
tleman.'
The affair was talked of in Malta full
nine days.