Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-02-03

called forth by the physical likeness OF
Madame Soule with the wife Of Louis
the Fourth, who is represented to have
been as coiputent as she was beautiful
Looking at the remark in this light, il
does seem TO us that the offence was
not of such character as TO justify an
appeal to arms. Why if all our wives,
who, in their physical conformation,
are tending somewhat to em-Jon-p point,
choose to consider themselves insulted
whenever the matter may be spoken
Of in public, we fear that some Of us
would have to arm ourselves in triple
steel, for We should have fight on our
hands all the time. Indeed, speaking
for our individual self, we tremble for
our safety whenever we think of it,
If this kind of diplomatic trouble is the
necessary result Of having fat wives,
we pray always to be relieved from the
honors of foreign embassy.
The next day after this supposed
offence was given, the Duke dc Alba
was surprised TO receive a belligerant
note from young Soule. He immedi-
ately wrote an explanatory note in re-
ply, disclaiming all intention Of saying
anything personally offensive. That
if he made the remark imputed to him,
it could not have been intended to ap-
ply to Madame Soule, as he had not
the honor to know her even by sight.
With this explanation young Soule pro-
fessed to be satisfied, and the matter
was considered as amicably settled.
The question then recurs again,
what did they fight about? Why sim
ply because some of the English papers
saw proper to misrepresent the matter
to the prejudice of the Duke, and
young Soule did not take the trouble
to correct the Misrepresentation.
Hence to vindicate his honor, he deem
ed it necessary that hostile meeting
should take place. The bloodless re-
suit we know.
In connection with this affair there
is one little incident gravely related
by the friends of Mr.. Soule, which to
our mind is so perfectly ridiculous that
we must be pardoned for mentioningit.
When the elder Soule first learned oi
the difficulty between his son and the
Duke de Alba, he went Immediately
to seek the Duke, and having perceiv-
ed him near the buffet, he went to
him, took him bv the elbow, and look
ed sternly IN his eyes. Not word ap-
pears to have been said by either, and
the Duke turned and walked quietly
away. Doubtless the American Min
lister had heard of the celebrated David
Crockett who could look a wild cat out
of countcnance SO that he would turn
tail and run, and about his being able
to grin a coon from the top of the tall
est tree in the forest. So he thought
he would try the experiment on the
Spaniard. But the Duke never hav-
ing heard of the grinning exploits of
the renowned Tennessean, did not
comprehend exactly what the Ameri-
can Minister would be at, and so he
turned quietly away and left him to
stare at vacuity.
And now it may be asked, what did
the elder Soule and the Marquis Of
Turgot fight about? Why it was at
the ball given by the Marquis, that the
original offence is said TO have been
given by one of his guests, in whose
honor the fete was given. And be-
cause the French Ambassador would
not make the quarrel his own, and
chastise the offender for his supposed
insolence, M. Soule sought to hold the
Marquis responsible, and demanded
personal satisfaction. The Marquis
utterly disclaiming any influence or
control over the conduct of his guests,
and solemnly denying having used the
offensive language imputed to him,
nevertheless accorded to Mr.. Soule,
the elder, the satisfaction demanded.
And the result of the second duel Yas
broken leg, on the part of the
Frenchman, and outraged honor salts
fed on the part of Young America.
1t is said that another duel is still to
come off between Mr.. Perry, Secrcta-
ry of the American Lega tion, and the
French Consul, growing out of this
same ridiculous affair. What may be
the upshot of this we have yet to learn
We beg pardon for occupying SC
much space with this serio-comic af.
fair, in which the Soules, father and
son, have acted SO distinguished a
part.