Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-19
THE DAILY"TIMES
FIGHTING FTTZGER4LD-

One of the most noted duellists during tn
great duelng age of last century-l770 to $50
was George Robert Fitzgerald, commonl,
known as the Fighting Fitzgerald. The fathe
of this desperate was George Fitzgerald, gen
tleman OF property in the county of Mayo. WHIT
had married Lady Mary Hervey, daughter Of on,
and sister of two Earls of Bristol George Rob
ert was the eldest son of this pair; both of WHOM
were of an eccentric character, which was inhe
rited by their offspring. After being educated a
Eton' George Robert entered the army, in which
he rose to the rank of captain. but not without
quarreling with his brother officers and fighting
sundry duels, into which he was precipitated by
his ungovernable temper aud arrogant bearing
Introduced to good society in Dublin, he became
acquainted with Miss Connolly, q young lady Of
fortune, whom he had the address to carry of
and marry in spite of the opposition of her rea-
tives. Shortly afterwards. he went with his young
wife to Paris, and here 'the name and character
of this fine, lighting. frolicsome lrshman,' says
his biographer, got him into the society of the
| Count d'Artois, who was attracted by the
| bold bearing of the young man, but still more
| by seeing that he could easily fleece such a per-
| son at play; and he succeeded Of course the
| lrishman, by this respectable means, acquired a
| standing at the French court, which he endeavor-
ed to improve by shelving off his exploits in hunt.
| ing.
While fluttering in the fashionable society of
Paris, George Robert engaged in course of Joe.
keying transactions not very creditable, that end
ed in duel with brother blackleg, which they
were obliged to fight beyond the border of the
French territory. Fitzgerald was severely wound-
ed in the heel-a wound which made him halt in
walking for the rest of his life and kept him for
a long time confined in Brussels. From thence
he went to London, where he pursued the pro-
pensites he had unhappily acquired in Paris. be-
came gambler and jockey, and contrived to
heap double insult upon man of the name of
Bates, upon whom he palmed his footman as gen.
tleman. and sent them out to fight He then
tered into a paper-war on some jockey point,
wrote an appeal to the public and went over to
Lisle and fought another DUEL
Returning to London, he made himself the ter
ror of society; for it seemed to be his aim to pick
quarrels everywhere, with a view to indulgence
in his lighting propensities. Numerous anecdotes
are related OF this period of bis career; but we
confine ourselves to one, detailing the manner in
famous club of its day.
10 procure admission, Fitzgerald applied to Adj
miral Keith Stewart to propose him as a candi.
date; and the worthy admiral well knowing that
he must fight or comply with his request, chose
the latter alternative Accordingly. on the night
in which the balloting was to take place, the
duellist accompanied the admiral to st. James's
Street, and waited in the room below whilst the
sutfrages were TAKEN in order to know the issue.
The ballot was soon over; for without hesitation
each member threw black ball: and when the
scrutiny took place, the company were not lit
| tie amazed to find not even one white among the
number. However, the point of rejection being
carried unanimously, the grand affair now was,
! as to which of the members had the hardihood
| to announce the same to the expectant candidate.
| No one would undertake the office, for the an
| nouncement was sure to produce challenge; and
| duel with Fighting Fitzgerald had in almost ey-
| cry case been fatal to his opponent. After much
debate, it was resolved to ballot again, and this
time to put one black ball in the box: such being
believed to be the plan least likely to provoke an
outrage. Intelligence of this result was commu-
nicated by waiter to Fitzgerald, who, affecting
to suppose that there must be some mistake, or
dered him to 60 up stairs and bring correct in
| formation. OF went the much puzzled waiter,
not knowing very well what to do.
After some fresh alteration, Mr. Brookes in
terfered and attempted tomake Fitzgerald aware
that he was rejected but the bully treated his
explanations with scorn. and, to the consterna-
ton ofall parties, marched straight up stairs to
the cubroom On entering. he asked each mem
Der individually if it was he who had black
ed him, and all, one after the other, fearing
the consequences, denied that they had done
so !
According to the account of the transaction gi.
ven in the work, the Clubs of London, the mem
bers saw there was nothing for it but to send the
to occupy himself drinking at one of the side ia
bles. On the departure of the wretch, which was
great relief to all the members, it was resolved
to have him taken into custody by body of con-
stables, should he again present himself. OF
some such measure, Fitzgerald seemed to be
aware; for he never Showed himself at Brookes's
again, though he boosted everywhere that he
had been unanimously chosen member of the
club!
The narrator of the circumstance has thought
it necessary tovndicate the character of the mem.
bers of the club. lest it should be supposed that
they were deficient in personal courage. He OBJ
serves that in addition to the we'll founded and
rational dislike whichmany men have to duelling,
| family considerations and natural love of life
were sufficient to deter any man OF sense from
encountering the Fighting Fitzgerald either with
sword or pistol; for, being really good swords
man and marksman, and being accounted almost
tmvulnerable in his own perssn, the result of a
combat with him ceased to be an affair ofchance,
but amounted to dead certainty. 1t is surpri-
sing, then, that no gentleman should have had
the hardwood to espouse the cause of all, by
throwing away his own life on the desperate
chance Of overcoming protested bully?'
We would not dispute the correctness of this
view of the affair." but take leave to say that the
members were in no small degree blameable for
not at once calling in the aid of constables to pre-
vent the anticipated outrage. Such undoubtedly
WOulu nave Dteu tue S0lutlOn OI the ulmCulCy Ill
the present day; and that the club did not in this
manner shelter itself under the protection of the
law. gives one strange idea of the state of pub
lie feeling, as well of social arrangements Sc
venty years ago.
Subsequent to this ridiculous event. Fitzgerald
returned to Ireland. and resided either at his
house, Merton Street, Dublin, or at Rockfeld,
near Turlough In Dublin, his conduct was
marked by deeds wild and unwarrantable, which
| hop int 81 h,,f oh Il
not much outrage the spirit of the times. Besides
fighting duel with John Toer, afterwards Lord
Norbury, be is said to have fred pistol on one
occasion at Denis Brown, the brother of Lord AL