Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-26
THE GAZETTE.
SATURDAY MORNING. MARCH ID. lSj.
OLD TIME pUELS IN IRELAND.

SATUK DA1 MORNlNG, MANI u ~, 1917
OLD TIME DuEi.S IN IRELAND.
In an article ON the Correspondence of
Charles, first Marquis CORVALLIS, in the last
London Quarterly. we find AZ interesting
sketch of the Jrish code of honor during the
Administrations CORVALLIS a. herd Lleuten-
ant Of Ireland ,--e-,.-- 49,
The Reviewer, in speaking If one of the
plans adopted by the Opposition to the Union
between In gland and Ireland, } which was
the arbitramento Of the pistol or sword, remarks
that, the truth u.s. the scheme was in accord
ance with the manners of the period; and the
Irish laws of duelling seemed framed for the
express purpose Of encouraging DULLES and
neutralising any incidental good which has
been supposed to result from the practice
- ANY anxiety for an explanation or accommo-
dation on the part of either seconds or princi-
pals was thought to betray a lack Of courage
Challenges were given or provoked by
way Of mere brayado; and what would now
be considered the most indefensble ire
gularities, were permitted on the ground.
In the duel between Lord Clare, then At
torney-General, and Curran, the parties were
left to fire when they chose. Il never, said
Curran, "saw any one whose determination
seemed more malignant than Fitzgibbon' s.
After had fired, he took aim at me for at least
half minute; aud on its proving Intellectual,
! could not help exclaining 10 him, 1T was
not your fault Mr.. Attorney-you were delib-
crate enough" g--.,.- g .E@
In the duel between Cory and Grattan,
Cory was wounded at the first fire, yet they
went on covering each with their second
pistols, each wishing to reserve his fire,
until it was arranged that both should fire
at a signal, which they did and missed
The duel between Alcock and Coldclough,
which took place in the presence Of several
hundred freeholders and eight or ten county
magistrates, was preceded by discussion
whether, one of the combatants being near
sighted, neither should wear spectacles or
both. Without my glaesses.." exclaimed the
near-sighted combatant, 81 could not see To
shoot man ut twelve PAGES, If 1t was my own
father" Eas .a...
Martain tried the temper ofGeorge Robert
Fitzgerald g concealed armour by discharging
two holster pistols point blank against his
ribs. Notwithstanding the repeated detee-
ton and exposure of this notorious bully's
cowardly and treacherous mode of fighting,
he retained footing in society till ne was
hanged.
The climax Of unreason was reached in
Curran's affair with Major Hobart then Sec
retary for Ireland Curran, having been af-
fronted BY man named Clifford. declared
she would rather do without fighting all his
life than fight such fellow" but az Clifford
was revenue officer, maintained that Major
Hobart should dismiss him for his imper-
thence, or 6ght in his place. The Secretary
demurred, and on Curran's insisting referred
the question to Lord Carhampton the cOmman-
der-in-chief.. who decided it thus: ~ secreta-
~ of state fighting for an exciseman would
be rather bad precedent. but major in the
Kings service is pugnacious by profession.
and must fight ANYBODY that asks him.
They exchanges shots without harm to eth
er. In one remarkable instance, Lnrd Car
hampton, the Colonel Luttrell Of MiddleseX
celebrity, did not abide by his maxim; for he
refused to fight his father. not because he was
his father, but because he was not gentle
man!
Station, however grave was not claimed or
accented as a bar. The Provost Of the Col
lege, Hutchinson, fought Doyle, a Master in
Che merry, and when pupil asked his advice
about a course Of legal study, replied. "Buy
a case of good pistols, learn the use OF them,
and thew will get YOU on faster than Fearne
or Blackstone Toler (Iord Norbury) fol-
lowed this method 40 successfully that he was
said to have shot up into prefsrment a Gu
rious specimen Of language has been preser,
we'd, along with many other curious traits of
Irish manners. by Mr.. Charles Phillips
"Had tsaid Toier) heard a man out of doors
using such language as that by which the
honorable member George Ponsonby) has
violated the decorum Of Parliament. would
have seized the rufiian by the throat and drag
ed him to the ground"
The only CLEAN of good sense in their code
ofhonor, was the common understanding that
no affront was implied in a joke.-So"the'"
argue. r. ... ...L-.