Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-04-12

L j. 7
** Montpensier challenged the In
fante, and the challenge was of course ac-
/ cepted. Pistols were the. arms chosen, and
Generals Cordova, Alamipos and Soils were
the seconds of Montpensier. The ill starred
Prince found no General SO poor as to do him
homage Not one of all those who were SO
eager at his bidding, so lately, when his bro
ther was King of Spain, could be found will.
ling to act as his second not even one of his
/ brother officers, for he was General in the
navy The duel was to take place on Satur>
day. morning. February 18th, and at mid
night, Friday, Dor Enrique had as yet found
no seconds. He was Freemason, and at
that hour hs went to his s-lodge, and there
found Don federico Rubio, the Republican
leader. and Deputy from Seville, who con-
sented to act as hiszsecond, procuring, for the
purpose two other friends. Don Enrique
then retired to his house, passed the night in
arranging his papers and in writing, and at
seven in the morning was about to leave his
house quietly, without disturbing any one,
when he was met by his son, young man of
some twenty years, who insisted on az
companying him. A most affecting scene
followed the son pleading to be allowed to
go with his father the father beseeching his
son to desist from his entreaties. Finally
heart-rending separation took place, Don En-
rique convincing his son of the impropriety
Of his presence on such an occasion.
The place selected for the duel was park,
little way out OF Madrid, called La Casa
de Campo, but when the respective parties
arrived there they found it already occupied
by the police. This was the only show made
by the authorities toward preventing the en-
counter. On finding this tobstacle,in their
way, the yarties Immediately left and drove
toward Carabanchel, three miles frein Mad
rid, where they selected the encampment for
target -practcing as the most eligible site for
their purpose The spot chosen was behind
the target and the duel took place in the
presence of all the officers of the artillery reg
iment stationed there.
Fateiseemed flavor Don Enrique to The
very last moment, when it deserted him. In
drawing lots, his was the first shot, and by lot
he was placed with his back to the sun. He
was a tall, slender man, and Montpensicr is
very corpulcnt. The distance was ten meters.
Both ombatants perfectly cool, and showed no
signs of emotion. The Infante fired first
without effect. Then Monpcnsier's second
made him observe that he was presenting q
full front to his adversary. He changed his
position, and his first shot was also without ef'
feet, but it must have barely grazed Don En-
rique's head, from the involuntary movement
he made. Don Enrique's second shot was al
so wide, and then Montpensier fired in the air.
This was objected to by Don Enrique seconds,
who knew that he was determined to mortal
lg wound his adversary if possible. The In
tante's third shot was also wide, and Munt-
pensier's third hit the stick of the Princes
pistol This was fatal to the latter, for from
that moment he became entirely disconnected,
and his fourth ball went nowhere near his ad
versary. 1t is said that at this Monpenseir
absolutely refused to fire again ; but the sec
onds on both sides insisted to such a degree
that he hastily, us if only to satisfy them, and
apparently without aiming, fred his last ball,
which struck the Infante in the temple, caus
ing instantaneous death.
On seeing his enemy fall, Montpensier ex-
claimed, Good Good what have l done ?
This is the first human being that [ have ever
injured in my life God knows that it is not
my fault ~ And carrying his clenched hand
to his mouth, he bit the flesh till the blood
nervous attack, became specifies, and had
tainted completely when he was carried to his
coach by his seconds, and in this state was
taken to his house The friends of Don En-
rique carried his corpse to the chapel of the
barracks, and at an early hour Sunday morn
ing he was brought to Madrid.
The news of this sad affair spread like wild
fire through the city, and, notwithstanding
the obloquy cast on the Bourbon name in
Spain, sympathy is everywhere felt for the
unfortunate man cut off in the prime of his
life, and the old national prejudice against
the French. is again ripe among the lower
classes, who are loudly demanding the punish
ment of the Frenchman who has murdered
the Spauiard. The death Of the Prince will,
no doubt, be used as formidable weapon
against Montpensier, should he continue in his
pretensions to the Grown.
Montpensier, who was SO overcome as to
take his bed on reaching his house, was i'm
mediately surrounded by all the quondam
satellites of O'Donnell, who are most solicitous
in their attentions to him. This makes him
still more obnoxious to the public; while
none of the powers that be, have sent one
word of coincidence to the house of mourning.
The Masons and Republicans are there though,
watching by the dead. They have embalmed
the body, and arc preparing an imposing and
costly funeral, which will take place tomor-
row, and will no doubt serve as public mani
festation of hostility to Montpensier.
Don Enrique's children, now orphan Is are
left perfectly destitute. The Oldest, the Duke
of Seville, and Captain in the Hussars, ID
alone in Madrid the rest, who are mere
children. are in Paris. 1t is supposed that
the ex>Oueen will take them under her pro-
lection. Montpensier has offered to adopt
them but his offer was indignantly rejected.
Don Enrique was forty.two years old. his
assignment as Infante of Spain, was suspended
by the Revolutionary Government, and a
short time before her dethronement, the
Queen had cashiered and banished HIM, strip
ping him of all his military honors, tor an
abusive letter which he had written to her,
and which he had read to the Cabinet before
sendinp il to her. At a late hour this even
ing pasouins lave been found posted about
the CITY, calling on all spaniards to attend to-
morrow the funeral of their murdered coun-
tryman, and to avenge his death. But the