Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-22
Tho DuelIO.

TACT is not to be ignored, that per-
sons, alike distinguished for their
endowments and moral
worth, have not been found back
ward in resorting to the duello
when aspersions upon their fame
have been INDUCED in by response
ble individuals. William Pitt, for
the illustrious premier of
Great Britain, whom political friend
and foe alike frankly recognized as
a moral and religious man, patron.
lied the duello, requiring not to be
invited twice. by Tierney, to meet
him in deadly encounter. The
"Iron Duke" " too IA truly conscien-
tious and scrupulous man at heart),
hesitated not a moment to "call
out" on a certain occasion, Lord
Winchelsea, than whom (the pha-
lanx of bishops included) no more
religious man sat in the house of
peers. The meeting between this
good man and the duke proyiden-
TALLY "ended in smoke, Lord Win
chelsea firing his pistol in the air.
Oanning's manifest sympathy with,
and prediction for, the " code of
honor" betrayed themselves more
than once, and more especially in
his last encounter with a young
sprig Of aristocracy, a member of
the house Of commons, whom Can
ning's scarifying satire had rem
dered furious. A meeting was
the result. At the first fire,
no harm being sustained by
either, Canning hurled his pistol
at his antagonist, contemptuously
remarking, 4" Kennel, sir !" The
young nobleman insisted that this
was "no satisfaction at ALL" and
demanded that they should fire
again. At the second fire Canning
was seriously wounded in the thigh,
a result, we believe, which pretty
effectually cured one of the most
gifted prime ministers England
ever had, of his dueliug propensi-
ties. Sheridan's well-known en-
counter with Captain Matthews, Of
the British army growing out of q
feeling of jealousy, cherished by
both, in regard to Miss Lindley, has
about the same claim on our atten-
tion as Canning's affair with the
young nobleman. The initiative,
we believe, lay with Sheridan, who
challenged Captain Matthews as
his most formidable and hated rival
in the affections of Miss Lindley.
1t was the result of the duel, con-
sequent upon this state of things,
that enabled Lord Byron to com.
pliment his friend Sheridan, by
remarking that he had written
the best comedy ever acted, made
the best speech ever spoken, and
married the handsOmest woman
that ever lived" In his first encoun
ter with Matthews (they fought
with swords), Sheridan had decided
ly the advantage, poor Matthews
having been reduced to the necessi
ty Of begging his life. He was at ono,
sent to Coventry" by his brother
officers, and, to redeem matters
resolved once more to "try it on
with Sheridan. Again they Tough
with swords, and this time poo
Sheridan presently found himsel
in the very predicament to which
he had reduced Matthews on tn
former occasion, that is, prostrat
on the ground, with Matthews
weapon pointing at his throat, an,
its master insisting that Sheridan
this time, must "beg his lire." |
would seem that Richard Brinsle
was not in the least appreciative 0
Matthews demand, and refused
point blank, and with an unseeml
oath, to do anything of the sort
Thus terminated a duel who's
bloodless character alone redeeme,
it, in great measure, from infamy
The duel, however, which has al
ways appeared to us as exceedin
in magnanimity all others we hay
read Of ESQ far, at any rate, as on
of its principals was concerned
was that of the late Duke of Yor
and a certain Colonel Tortens (w
think that was the nancy, Of til
British army, The colonel chal
lenged his royal highness (the ot
fense charged, we well rcmembei
was most trivial one), and tn
duke promptly responded to tn
challenge. They met-and. that tn
colonel meant mischief became oil
, yious from the accuracy of his ain
The bullet very materially disal
, ranged the dukes curl. The duk
had wholly abstained from firms
and manifested no intention wha
ever Of doing so. he as cOolly {
courageously, however, demande
j., of the colonel if he was satis6e,
! magnanimously inviting him
:. "fire again" if such was not Il
case. The colonel, it would seen
! was not altogether brute, and d
= = sisted from his audacious impert
nence.