The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-09-10
a Return to R.rbari,m.

SO much annoyed by continual applica-
tlons from persons engaged in duels for
permission'to use his grounds that he
has been compelled to intimate to the
professors of small sword and pistol the
propriety Of having park of their own.
Paris, which contains almost everything
else in the world, is destitute, it seems,
OF suitable dueling ground. The want
is felt to be serious one, in view of
the recent extensive revival in that city
OF practice which the reason of man
Kind has long since condemned as sense
less and barbarous, and which, almost
everywhere else, has become obsolete.
In France, civilization in this respect ap-
pears to havetaken q step backwards. a
lighting mania has taken hold of GER
tain portion of Parisian society. It is
the subject of earnest comment in the
English press. The Saturday Reoiep
goes so far as to say that sit begins to
look as If Englishmen would soon find a
knowledge of the sword, or of the pistol
at least, as indispensable requisite to
residence in France as it was in the years
which followed the battle of Waterloo"
It7adds, half seriously, that .'if it were
not 80 late IN the season for such an en-
terprise, We should recommend the pub
llcation of six-penny hand. book of this
art forThe use of English visitors to Pa
Yet it does not appear that any par
ticular grudge against Englishmen is ut
the bottom of"any of the duels which
have been'lately fought. If Englishmen
are more apt than other foreigners to be
drawn into unpleasant collisions with
Frenchmen, it must be because of the
national trait of bad manners which they
are in the habit of carrying with them
abroad. On the contrary, most of the
duels which have taken place have been
between Frenchmen, and in majority
OF cases the parties were journalists, or
the provocation grew out of something
published in the papers. In many in
stances, it is but the out-cropping of the
long-standing feud between the Bona
partists and tue Republicans. In such
cases, the Government looks mildly on,
apparently well pleased to see the gen
tlemen OF the quill cutting each others
throats, or, at least, Indifferent OF the re-
suit. No attempt is made by the police,
usually SO vigilant, to spoil the sport,
and the preliminary arrangements are
made with almost as much publicity as
the particulars are afterwards canvassed.
Perhaps in allowing this large license
to Journalists, the Government seeks to
make amends for the restrictions i'm
posed upon them in other respects. It
IS the French liberty of the press. An
other reason for the non interference of
Government in duels between editors
may possibly be that the most celebrated
duelist and best swordsman in Paris is
ar ardent supporter of the empire-M.
Paul de Cassagnac-one of the editors
Of the Pays. This gentleman has re-
Gently had duel with M. Gustave de
Flonrens, esteemed the best fencer among
the Republicans. The offence given was
that NJ. Cassagnac, in the Pays, spoke
Of NJ. Flourens us q ''mad Republican,
describing himself, Mt the same time, as
mad Bonapartist. On the day
originally appointed for hostile meet
ing, NJ. Cassagnac was at home, sick.
~. Flourens permitted himself to in
dulge in some rather indelicate Jokes in
regard to the nature of M. Cassapnac's
sickness. Another meeting was arran ped
for the next day. NJ. Cassagnac rose
from his sick bed, and after combat of
twenty-five minutes duration, charac-
terized by a display of great skill and
coolness on both sides, he wounded NJ.
tlourens in three places-hand, arm and
breast. This done, NJ. Cassagnac wrote
a card for publication, explanatory of his
Aai1uHe W come 10 time on the f1rSt day,
and went back to bed. AS soon as M.
Cassagnac RECEIVERS from his fever and
NJ. Flourens from his wounds, it is said
they will fight again.
In the meantime, a gentleman, at pre-.
sent confined in one of the Paris prisons
for some political offence, but whose
term of imprisonment is about to ex-
pire, addresses Nj. Cassagnac, publicly,
challenge of different character. In
stead of swords, the weapon for his mas
terry OF which M. Cassagnac has gained
such reputation, he. proposes pistols,
and that they shall fight breast to breast,
EACH placing the muzzle of his pistol
against the others forehead, one pistol
only to be charged with ball, the choice
" ot:pistois'to be determined by Lot, and
neither to know when the word is given
who has. the loaded weapon. This
tempting invitation being out of his line
OF business. NJ. Cassagnac has been com.
PEELED to decline. O..
Thus, in the most refined capital of
the world, the practices of a bsrbarous
age are revived, and duels are fought not
only with impunity, 80 far as any action
OF the authorities is concerned, but witt,
avarv offop1opk ~ =,