The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-06-24

IThe following lines, by lady, were sent us through the
fostoiiee accompanied by polite We publish
them though, in doing we break toush several of our
rules.J
love to meet thy brilliant eye
Altho' know 4 were best
To show the bright. but fatal glance,
That robs my soul of rest.
love to gaze upon thy face,
Tho Reason bids me fly,
And Prudence whispers all the while
IT'S counting misery.
And thus the May-hy seeks at night
The taper's burning rays,
Flies round and round, till, foolish thing,
1t dies within the blaze.
-
Duel OF Lord Byron and MIR. ChavvOrth.
On the 26th of January, 1865, Lord Byron and
several other gentlemen dined together at the Star
and Garter Tavern in Pall-mall The party were
chiefly from the county of Nottingham, assembled
In club, about seven in the evening. The con-
versation turned upon the subject of game upon
this occasion Mr. Chaworth had warm argument
with gentleman seated next to him about the best
manner OF preserving game. Lord Byron Joined
the conversation, and gave his opinion, that the
best method was to take care of it. Mr.. Cha
worth differed in opinion and thought it more advi-
sable to be strict with poachers. This drew on an
alteration. Mr. Chaworth asserted that there was
not hare in that part of the county which was not
preserved by him, or by Charles SedIey. Upon
which Lord Byron offered bet of f100 that he
had more game on manor manors of his, than
Mr. Chaworth had on any belonging to him. Mr..
Chaworth accepted the wager, and made memo
randum OF 1t. Lord Byron then observed, with
some degree OF warmth, and in sarcastic manner,
Sir Charles Sedley's manorsl where are his ma
nors Z" 10 which Mr.. Chaworth replied, with
equal heat The manors of Hucknel and Nuttall." /"
10 which Lord Byron replied, know manors
of Sir Charles Sedleyh Mr. Chaworth then
observed that the manor of Nuttall was his, and
that he had purchased it from his (Chaworth's) 81
family, and added, If your Lordship wants any
further information about his s.Si.so
Sedley lives in Dean street., and your LordshlI
knows where to Rnd me in Berkeley Square,"
After this alteration the party remained together
for about hour in apparent good humour, and the
conversation turned various subjects. Abou
| eight o'clock Mr.. Chaworth left the room, and
asked gentleman of the name of Douston who
was quitting it at the same time, whether he hac
observed the dispute between him and Lord Byron
This person replied, that he had heard part Of it
On which Chaworth asked him if he thought he
had gone far enough to which Mr.. d. replied tha
he thought he had gone too far, that it was alto.
gether silly business, and neither of them should
think any more about il.
Shortly after Lord Byron left the room also and
met Mr. Chaworth, when he stated that he wished
to speak with him. He then called waiter, and
asked II there were any room disengaged. The
waiter then showed them to an unoccupied ROOM
and went in with a candle which was all the light
except dull fire, that was in the apartment Lord
Byron asked Mr.. Chaworth whether it was to him
or to Sir Charles Sedey, that he was to have
recourse on the disputed subject. Mr. Chaworth
then replied that il to him, and that if he had
any thing further to say in the matter it might be
advisable to shut the door, which he Immediately
did when turning round, he perceived Lord Byron
with his sword half drawn, who instantly exclaimed,
" Draw" Mr.. Chaworth Immediately complied
and at the first thrust his sword passed through
Lord Byrons wastcoat and he thought he had
wounded him, when Lord Byron shortened his
sword and gave him the fatal wound observing at
the same time that he had as much courage as any
man IN England. struggle then took place
between the parties, for when the waiter and the
landlord entered the room they were grasped in
each others arms, Mr.. Chaworth holding his sword
in his left hand, and Lord Byron having his in his
right hand. Chaworth gave up his sword readily
but Lord Byron only surrendered his with reluc.
tance Hawkrup, the surgeon, was Immediately
sent for, and pronounced the wound to be mortal
The sword had entered about an inch on the left
side OF the naval, and passing obliquely upwards
had made its exit about five six inches higher on
the left side of the back, and in its passage had
made large opening in the bottom of The stomach
wounded one of the small intestines and had passed
through the diaphragm.
1t appears that when the sword of Mr.. Chaworth
passed through the waistcoat of his antagonist he
expressed his apprehension that he had seriously
wounded him. Now, under such an apprehension,
1t Is probable that he was thrown off his guard,
wh4n Lord Byron Immediately shortened his sword
and ran him through the body the unfortunate gen.
heman endeavorlng to parry the thrust with his
LETT hand, and seizing the gripe of his sword and
struggling for it, still saying that he hoped his
Lordship was not seriously hurt; it was then that
Lord Byron exclaimed, THAT he hoped he would
acknowledge that he was as brave a man as any
other in the kIngdomn
writing under the agonies of his wound, Cha
worth several times declared, that although he well
knew that he was in immediate danger of death,
and panied and distressed as he then was he had
rather be in his present situation than live under
the misfortune of having killed another person
and when questioned on the nature of the quarrel
he expressed his conviction that it might have been
easily made up. When asked by one of his rela-
ons Mr.. Leveriz, if the business had been fair, he
remained silent He only observed soon after, that
when, after closing the door, he turned round, he
perceived that Lord Byrons sword was half drawn :;
k'iO'oing his man, he drew his own as quickly as
he could, and had the first pass at him. He further
added, that he did not believe that Lord Byron
intended fighting him when they entered the room,
but seeing HIM up by the door, with scarcely any
light in the room, he believed he thought he had
him at advantage.
Lord Byron, in his defence, stated that the de-
ceased had treated him during the alteration, in
a sighting and contempuous manner" stating
that he had more game on five acres OF his manor,
than was on all his lordships estates. He further
stated, that on leaving the club-room he met Cha
worth on the stairs, who asked him if he had any
commands for him." to which he replied, "I should
be glad of an opportunity of speaking few words
to you" The door being closed, Lord Byron
asked him How am | to take those words you
used, intended affront from Sir Charles Sed-
ley yourself" to which, according to the survi-
vor's statement, chaworth replied, :" Your Lord
ship may take them you please, either as an
affront not, and imagine this room is as fit a
place any other to decide the affair in" Lord
Byron admitted, that at the very moment when his
antagonist received his mortal wound he exclaimed
i am afraid have killed your Lordship" while
at the same time he put his left hand to his belly,
and Lord Byron observing that blood was flowing,
expressed his fear that he had seriously wounded
him, when he went to pull the bell for assistance
Mr.. Chaworth saying, My Lord, all have to say
is, that you have behaved like gentleman
The House of Lords found William Lord Byron
"not guilty of the felony of murder, but of man.
slaughter" and his Lordship, claiming the benefit
Of the statute of Edward vi, was discharged, pay.
ing his fees"
This unfortunate duel leads to many important
reflections. 1t appears that the parties were sober
that no previous will existed between them; bu
that the vanity of both had been hurt by reflections
on their manoral possessions; and the subject 0
game has ever been, and still continues to be,
sore one amSngss country ssntlsmsp, To aEh