Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-12-29
NUMBER 50.
CONCERNING DUELS.

In tho time Of Henry III, in single
province of France, 220 gentlemen were
killed in duels in six months. In tho
reign of Henry Quartre 1900 were killed
in two years. In those days seconds as
we'll as principles engaged in the quarrel.
The good King granted over $4,000 par
dons tor quarrels alone. From the be-
ginning of tho reign Of George III, to
1910 upwards of 200 leading duels took
place in England, including 400 prinoi-
pals and as many seconds. In three OF
thom both combatants were killed /; in
tho others, about eighty killed, 100
wounded, one-half of whom desperately
the other half slightly tho rest escaped
unhurt. 1t is estimated that ones chance
of life in duel is ono in five, and ono
half, more or less, arc severely wounded.
Twenty trials occurred some were
found guilty of man slaughter, four OF
murder, two were hanged, the rest i'm
prisoned.
The world has been evor full OF mon
ready to fight for fanccd grievance at
tho drop of hat or ifthey had no cause,
then to make one. The nobleman who
fought fourteen duels to prove that Dam
to was greater poet than Aristo, and on
his death bed admitted that no had never
road either, was no more cracked brain
than one Of Washington's aids, who
fought general second in rank in tho
revolutionary war to prove that Wash
ington was equal to the official position
he held, and that, rs II private gentleman,
he was entitled to consideration and re-
| spect.
Some gossipng babbler once told La
tain was too intimate with his wife, and
that he must fight him. Bucking on his
sword he encountered tho officer, told
him his object, and announced his intcn-
ton of fighting him. Tho officer dsarm-
cd the poet, and assuring him of tho RI
diculousness and falsehood of tho rumors,
said il he was the cause OF so much trou-
BILE he would come to his house no more.
hN piHNul NVihAhb oO IlNN0Nh iAh iNH-
taino that he Immediately declared that
come he must, and il he did not he sure
ly would Gght him. Caglistro, tho quacle
and charatan Of Louis NV's time, WIS
challenged by aphysician. Tho renown-
ed professor Of legerdemain proposed
that it boing medical duel, it DO settled
incidentally; that the parties swallow
two pills, ono poisonous, the othor inno-
cuous. 1t is needless to say tho duel was
of.
Marquis Do Teutaniac, from Britain
ny, once challenged tho whole pit Of
theater Stepping from behind ono ot
tho shove scenes of the stage he shouted
out something which the pit hissed. Ad-
vancing to the iootlighls, in the iull gazs
Of tho audience he said "Ladios and
gentlemen, with your permission piece
will be performed tomorrow, Tho In
science of the Pit Criticised by Mar
qus Do Toutaniac, In as many acts as
may be desired" No ono responding,
the crack drained duelist was removed.
Prince Dolgoroucki challenged an old
Russian general named Zass, and ut tho
Same moment the Swedish artillery WAS
heard, and news camo that the enemy
were attacking reduubt Tho two ut
once engaged in their duel by standing
in their embrnsure till one or the other
was struck. The Prince was cut into by
IA cannon ball, and tho general made
mastery retreat. Count D3 Tolstey and
a naval captain fought. Tho latter insist
ed on n naval duel, and proposed that
they seize oach other and jnmp into tho
water. The Count said no could not
swim; tho captain charged him with
cowardice, and rudely soizing him, jump.
ed into tho sen. Both were rescued, but
tho captains injuries were 50 severe that
he died few days after.
Perhaps The most ridiculous story Is
that told Of General Putnam of ravolu-
tionary wolf Flame, known rs odd Put"
During the French war he was chnlIeng-
ed by nm English officer. He proposed
that each sit on keg Of powder, into the
5ung of which was lighted fuse. Aftor
the fuse got well under way, and the
flame was uncOmlortaby near tho. hole,
tho officer ran. Hold on, my friend
It's only onion seed !" Gentlemen of tho
cloth have not always been slow to resent
injuries. De Retz doffed his cowl and
priestly robes, and showed himself mas
ter Of the fence and thrust us often us oc-
cason required.