, 1872-12-25
mr.. PHILIP LEES ADVENTURE.

Ee Dimes with the Knickerbockera
of the East Side-And in introduced
to Governor Seymour and the Vener-
able Author Of Thanatopsis-Pistols
and Howic-Knives Drawn - The
IsloodIcss Duel.
From, the Neo York Sun, Dec. q.
Mr. Philip Lee, the husband of Hiss Nelson,
the actress; is al English gentleman of wealth,
refinement, and taste, but with o small modicum
Of discernment. Brought up, in O measure, in
the London clubs, and becoming = sort OF
toned to gauge American society and customs
with his London model.
A few days ago Mr. E. A. sothern, the we'll
known actor, met N1r. Lee IN the Manhattan
shoulder, be- said, dWeu, old boy, how do you
like the land Of the free and the home OF the
brave"
"N1y dear fellow" Mr. Lee responded, "it'sa q
blawsted country. Nc society, my boy, no So
leans, You know, but for an English gentleman
"Why, PHILIP said Mr.. sothern, t'the Ameri-
cans are good fellows. I suppose you haven't
been much in society, and, Of courso, have had
sssociety, my boys p said AIr. Lee. "Ihey
hare no society in this blavated country! I've
been in what they call society here. I visit in
Fifth avenue you know, and upon my soul, they
treat me as well as they know how. There's
some pretty girls on the avenue, and all that sort
of thing, you know. But no society, you know.
no society Why, my dear boy, this place is
bore, perfect bore Nothing like London, you
know And tho clubs Cwavng his hand around
him), why, demne what is this to our London
clubs ?"
'sWhat /" exclaimed Mr. sothern, ssyou've only
been introduced in Fifth avenue don't Won
der that you arc disgusted with society here.
You want to visit on the East Side. lou can't
see anything Of New York society on Fifth ave.
nue."
A1r. Lee was astonished, as we'll he might be.
He had looked On the residents ct Fifth avenue
Ho said, 'sNo!"
''Not ut all, my dear boy" said n1r. sothe1n.
'sNow, I'll tell you what you do. Come and dine
with mo tomorrow at 8. I'll introduce you to
some Of the Knickerbockcrs, and then you will
sec how unjust your thoughts have been toward
the American people. viii you come :"
"Ny dear fellow, Of course I'll come. want
to take away good impression of America. But
really, you know, thought Fifth avenue was
where all the society people lived"
sothern. "Come tomorrow, and I'll introduce
you to some frst-claas people. I'll have some
good boys there, you may depend on it."
And 80 The P?t was ,1 1ad On @ the following
appearance at an East Side hotel. He
was met by Mr. Sothern and William J. Flor
ence, both old personal friends, and conducted
by them to the banquetting hall.
Inc LaDI9 HlB bfJ1eau, alQ AA1Qt lAS
room were Neil Bryant, Ne1se Seymour, Billy
Birch, Chris: connor, and one OF two other we'll
known sporting characters. All were dressed in
nashy, foppish style, and all were introduced
to Mr. Lee By titles which appealed to his Eng
lish prejudices. Neil Bryant wore an Immense
circ1et Of paste diamonds on tho bosom Of lis
shirt. They sparkled in the gaslight like genu-
inc stones, and hfr. Lee expressed himself sur
prised at their brilliancy. He thought that at
last he was about to mako his entree to tho go
min nft tho ron1 KrinkarhorEara of fha Now
World.
The introductions and ordinary salutations
having been concluded. the party seated them
selves at the table. Dir. Sothern sat at the head
On the left Of Mr.. sothern sat Neil Bryant, and
NIr. Lee was sandwiehed in between him and
Nclse Seymour. Lee was arrayed in q full-drcss
suit, with white neck tie and patent leather
boots.
Tho oysters we1e placed upon the table, while
social converse ran nimb1y. Neil Bryant took
his napkin and tied it over his head in such q
manner that only his mouth and chin we're visi-
ble. lr. Lee gazed upon him with unfeigned
touched the bivalyes before them, Neil raised
his plata and deliberately smet Of the oysters.
Then he reached over and grasped Ne1se Sey-
mour's plate, and smelt Of that. He said, look
ing at Seymour: "Nelse, your oysters are better
than mine. Hero. you can have these"
Then he deliberately passed his own plate over
to Seymour and began eating the oysters which
he had taken. Seymour jumped to his feet,
apparently trembling With passion Putting his
hand behind him, he drew forth largo bowie
knife, which he brandished fercely at Neil
Bryant. He roared out:
"You have insulted US, sir. will have your
life, sir. Had each particular hair thousand
| ing down the knife and looking at his victim
soal.'' ~ ~
Mr. Lee looked at the bowie knife and the
Knickerbocker who had drawn it. He tried to
push his chair back and escape but it was
Wedged in tightly between the two Knicker-
bockers to whom he had but just been intro
duced. In the mean time Neil Bryant, who had
swallowed tho oysters, eating them with his fin
gers, without paying the least attention to what
Nelse vas saying, sprang to his feet From the
rear pocket Of his pantaloonB he drew forth d
| huge navy revolver. Pointing it across the face
| of The frightened Englshman, at Nelse Seymour,
he shouted: S'Iake back those words, sir, or
will have your blood"
Seymour made feint with his knife at the
head Of Bryant. The latter dexterously parried
it with his pistol. At this point the whole party
| arose, and drew knives and pistols, and clash
whom this action OF the Knickerbockers WAS to-
tally ine1plicab1e, managed to push his chair
back, and edging out, attempted to escape from
the room. Nelse Seymour detected him Is he
was sneaking away, and caught him in his arms.
He held him tightly bound between himself and
the muzzle Of Neil Bryant's pistol, while Bryant
continually called out to Lee to get out Of the
way, and let him shoot the ungentlemanly ras-
cal.
While tho company were in this hubbub some
one put out the lights. Then arose series Of
groans and laughter, above which rang out loud
and clear the shouts Of Mr.. Lee, 't Murder !!
Fire!" He finally succeeded in escaping from
bis persecutrs: and Vas driven rapidly to the
Fifth Avenue.
On Thursday man visited Justice Bowling
and informed him that duel WAS to be fought
between Mr.. Lee and Mr. sothern. The JUS
tlce on the impulse Of the moment, granted
a warrant for the arrest OF the two
gentlemen. Afterward it occurred to
Justice Bowling that the process WIS but q
continuation Of the practical joke upon Mr.
in its place iseued subpnnas commanding Ed
ward A. sothern and William J. Florence to
appear before him in the Tombs at o'clock
yesterday morning. At that hour the two actors
appeared in answer to the summons. They re-
Inained in the oficars' roono until tll1I Mhan