The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-14
LETTERS ON LfyfYG TOPfCs.
Fiabt,na FitzaeraId's Buiict-Proof sbirt-His
Lust Duet

To THE EDITOR OF THB SUS-Sfr: On
Friday there appeared in your columns an IN
tere-tng article uoon the rules OF duenR IN
which Illusion IL made to tho notorious duellt-t
OF n past acc-known as the "lIghting FIJI
gerald Of Ireland, who fraudulent,v wore con-
ceaed arnot to protect himself. Permit me To
narrate his last and fatal duel--th n which none
was ever so dramatic In the annals OF the code.
when Mr.. FITZGERALD W introduced at the
French Court to King Louis xvi, the ambassa-
dors thinking to COM Iiment the courage of
Fl z2erald. said: "Your Majesty this brave gen
tleman has killed nineteen antagonists, In az
many ducis. and never has been woundedI
The King repleds In sorrowful rebukr; " M.
l. Ambassadcuri 1 should have been moro
pleased to have heard that he had saved tho
lives ~ nineteen persons, or OF even one of his
MajesV's subjects" II was a fact that he had
never been wounded, though opposed by excel
lent marksmen, VINO were instructed In those
" to ann between the belt md throat; for. TO
shoot apuve or below, was considered ungcrtle-
manly and nun-CavaiierO.
Fitzgerald was terror N the society OF every
club, ana he belonged to many for no person
dare bla kball MN. for fear 81 lcaden tall IN
return. No one presumed to put his name upon
the iiletn Tor expulsion for fear Of bullets In
bs own uohy; lie insulled any one who Offend
ed him by blow on the lace with his glove.
The insulted gentleman was compelled to cnal-
lerge MIN, when gave Fitzgetald the choice OF
weaDOu-nls deadly ristuI, VITA which he had
often "snufed " Il candle out Il ten paces.
People wondered how IL was that he was
never Wounded. Many were the sutmi es. with
bated breath and whispcrcd suggestions. AT
that time. IN ireland dnelllne was the fashion,
ana ladies' fvOred no lover WHO mad not been
out with MA MAJ. Fl ~ raid, Of NOBLE fjmily,
was their retgniD9 iavprIie.
There lived In county GALWAY, rich country
gentl' man, Richard NJ lrtin. who became re-
u wned 40 modern Richard tpuI de Lion.
II was the father II "Auimal Martln," SO called
from hs humanity to animais-tne Henry liergh
Il Parliamen. Richard Martin was quiet.
brave man I'm manners the reverse Of Fitzgerald,
VINO was iivuhtv Dersonihed.
The conversation at a club turned upon tho
marvellous career Of the latter, ~ncn Mr. ar
d &c fight duel with hts body to his pelt en-
tirelV naked. This suggestive mark re4cned
the dueilist, who Instantly iusulted Martin 10y
stfiklng nun across tue lace WIN his glove.
Richard Martin had never fought n duel. being
opposed to It upon principle, unless for lioe
aud SANDER. or gross personal assault. lie -.
therefore, compelled to Challenge-which fact
gave fHzlerald the choice Of weapons. Martins
second Insisted that tue PRINCIPALS should tie
placed at tnir PAGES distance. approach eaCn
otner at the signal, and fire at pleasure ~ they
APP 70 ched-e ach step, OF course. lessening tue
oi.t,nce between them. his arr n2einent was
agreed to tho distance mea- ured and the men
menf" Yes" lone. twH. ,nree. and dr. !"
1t was noticed that FITZGERALD was nervous.
ev m the preiuinarles, for the original re
mark 81 Martin causing the duel strongly sug-
Ge-ted knowledge or helief IA to the fraudu-
ieutly concealed armor. hey had advanced
only two PAGES eacn. wnen Fitzgerald suddenly
nred, and for The first time, missed his man. his
bullet, however, carrying aw v u portion -
Mar ms shirt runle. Inc arrangement was that
when either had hired he was 10 90 and receive
the IRE OF his opponent There were twenty
six PAGES lett between them. and Richard Mar
tin slowly .dvanced. and when within only four |
PAGES fired poiut hauk It the very neart 81 Fltz-
g',ald, wio STOOD or O.. smiling anu uDhurt. |
rtin Instantly rever ed his pistol, SELF d the |
barre, nd Rushing up n Fnzgetali. inflicted
terrible blow before the seconds could inter
fere, aud as quickly tore oien the emDro idered |
shirt of his trostrate toe disclosing to the ewes
Of all the concealed buhet-proof coat OF mail |
close steel cuain or ring armor, lined with a |
wh1ded inner coat, impervous TO bullet, sword, |
or ieger.
Al er THIS duel, and IN consequence Of II, |
came IN the fshion OF Fighting naked to the |
waist.
T. eyer Id died almost Instantly. Richard |
Martin was tried for murder d acquitted by !
acclImatton, not unIy by the jury. but by ali |
Ireland. England. ana Europe, VINO slluted min |
as a puOuc benefhctor.
GEORGE, THE COUNT JOASSEs.