Daily Republican., 1880-02-17
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
Hamilton ROwan-Kis Oh Rivalry
Irish Deeds-Duels i'm Delaware.

Arhsh DeedS-DuehSf I'm delaware.
Some persons having written to ex.
City Treasurer Francis Vincent, re-
questipg sketch Of the Life of Archi.
bald Hamilton Rowan, the wealthy and
celebrated, Irish gentleman who fed
as refugee to this city, and who lived
near the "0ld Barley Mills" and who
was so well known. We extract from
this skst ,h the following anecdote in
relation to him, which throws strong
\ light upon this chlvalrous and romantic
character, we'll understood in Ireland,
but little known here. Also a little
sketch Of the duels in Ireland and Del
aware in that day, exhibiting its man
ners and explaining Mr.. Rowan's con-
duct. Mr.. Vincent says:
| "ln 1888 a young woman named
Mary Neil had been most scandalously
treated by person she could not recog
nize. The one committing this outrage
had been aided by a woman. Lord
Carhampton was supposed to be the
transgressor. Mr.. Archibald Hamilton
Rowan, whose character impelled him
to aid the weak and helpless, took up
her cass and determined, ii possible,
to bring her aristocractic wronger to
Justice. He succeeded in having the
woman convicted and punished, but
was not able to fasten the crime upon
the noblemaa. Many doubted the
girls statement, and asserted she was
an imposter. This only excited Mr..
Rowan the more strenuously to act in
her defence, and he quixotically went
around preaching sort Of crusade in
her favor. and threatening personal
ohas!issment TO her alleged slanderers
both high and low.
At this time an association of young
Irish bsrristers, about twenty in num-
ber, had formsd diuner club in Dab
lin. Amongst them were some who
had ridiculed and spoke in disparage-
ment of Mary Neil, the lady whose
cause he was thus championing. They
had just sat down to the table when
they were informed that a gentleman
below desired to be admitted for mo-
ment. The attendants were ordered to
show him up, when who should make
his entrancs but Mr.. Archibald Hamil.
ton Rowan. His form is described as
zone that would serve as model for
Hercules. His gigantic limbs conveyed
an idea of almost super-human power.
His shoulders, arms and broad chest
were the very emblems of muscular
energy, and his fiat, rough counte-
nance, overshadowed by enormous
dark eyebrows, and deeply furrowed
by strong lines Of vigor and fortituds
completed one Of the finest, yet most
formidable figures" (says Sir Jonah
Darlington, who was presently "that
ever beheld." He was wrll dressed.
Close by his side stalked shaggy New
foundland dog of corresponding magni-
tude, with hair foot long, and who, if
ferociously inclined, seemed to be- we'll
able to devour harrister or two with
out overcharging his stomach. As he
entered, indeed, Ee alternately looked
at them and then up at his master, as
if only awaiting the orders of the latter
to commence an onslaught. His mas
ter held in his hand large yellow
knottsd club, slung by leather thong
around his great wrist. He had also a
long small sword at his side.
This apparition walked deliberately
up to the tables, and having made his
obeisance with seeming courtesy "a
short pause ensued, during which he
looked around on all the company with
an aspect if not stern yet not caloula-
ted to set their minds at eass either as
to his or the dogs ulterior intentions.
"Gentlemen," he said at length, in
courteous; nay, SO polished as fairly to
give the lie, as it were, to This gigantic
and threatening figure, "GentIemen,
have heard with very great regret that
some members of this club have been
80 indiscreet as to caluminate Mary
Neil, which from the part have taken
| feel identified with my own. If any
present have done so doubt not he
will now have the candor and courage
TO avow it. Who avows itY"
The dog looked up at him again. Hs
the glance but c0ntented him
self for the time with patting the ami.
malls head.
The party were seized with extreme
surprise, bordering on CONSERVATION,
aud this rendered all consultation as to {
1 reply out Of the question. A few of
.he company whispered each to his q
leighbor, and one or two stole fruit
knife under the table cloth in case of 9
but none made a reply.
Mr.. Rowan then said three times,
1t each expression elevating his voice, c
Does any gentleman avow it?" A
'aint buzz now circulated around the &
com, but there was no answer. Moth.
ng but dead silence. Then said Mr.. c
Rowan, with loud voice, 81 must sup y
,ose If any gentleman had made any
or assertion against Mary a
Ieil's character he would have had ?
he courage and the spirit to avOw it"
Therefore, continued he, 81 shall take
t for granted that my information was h
erroneous in that point of view, and |
egret having alarmed your society" ii
md without another word, he bowed
hres times, very low, and retired back. 6
Yards the to door,, (his dog also backed
ut with equal politeness) where with 81
saleem doubly cersmonious Mr.. Ro-
ran ended this extraordinary inter i
lew. a.
BY a simultaneous impulse the Icy II
'ers all rose and returned his salute n
lmost touching the table with their e
loses, SO low they bent, which bowing
yas repeated on both sides, ill he was 3
airly out of the room. ".hree or four :"
I the company their ran hastily to Of
he window to be sure that ho aud the p'
og were clear off in the streets. No Ii
ooner hsd this latest failure denouu-