Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-27
The Fencing Masters Duel.
Kissing After A Sword Thrust.

[Paris Correspondence of the London News.l
The fencing masters duel is an inexhausti
BILE source of boulevard gossip When after
momentary difference in the choice of arms
fighting was deemed inevitable, the arbitra-
tors. NJ Paul de Cassagnac and NJ Alfonso
d'Aldama, decided that Signor San Malato
should have an Italian sword and M. Pons a
French sword. They were expressly manu-
factured for the fray. That of the Italian was
made after model furnished by an Italian
nobleman. The rendezvous was given yes
terday afternoon for the Rond Point at Cour-
bevoie, and there only M. de Cassagnac and
his colleague, the grand masters of the tour
nament were to choose the fighting ground.
Signor San Malato took only cup of coffee
in the morning, eating nothing. nj. Pons
breakfasted as usual, and his friends say that
during the combat he suffered from lmper-
feet digestion and cramps in the stomach.
According to what it seems is the duelllng
code in the rare case of professional fencers
fighting, the seconds on each side were tenc-
ing masters
When the parties arrived on the prelimina-
nv ground at Courbevoie, it was found that
Signor San Malato had left behind at his club
a regulation glove and strap. Three uncom-
Portable quarter-hours were passed, the duel
lists and their friends pacing up and down
while the necessary belongings were sent for.
During this time some journalists and others
had congregated to see the fun M. de Cas-
sagnac chose the Vesinet Racecourse for the
encounter ground, as he well knew it, having
fought six duels there himself. The parties
stripped in the weighing and Jockeys dress
ing. room. considerable audience of pea
santry was collected outside the railing 1t
seemed to be agreed that the seconds, albeit
professors of fence, little understood the
rules of the duello, and NJ. de Cassagnac and
M. Aldama directed the combat. M. de Cas-
sagnac gave the word, ''Gentlemen, do your
duty"
The fight lasted more than an hour. Each
combatant when out of breath occasionally
demanded rest and drink. M. Pons, whose
talkativeness was the original cGsus 6eES,
once complained that his adversary handled
his sword like a sabre, but M. de Cassagnac
ordered him to hold his tongue. scratch on
Sieuor San Malato's hand led to a discussion
whether the duel should be stopped, but he
declaring he did not even feel 1t the fight went
on At length Signor San Malato received
thrust in the forearm in the direction of
the cubitus, and near large artery. Blood
flowed freely. The judges then stopped the
combat. NJ de Cassagnac recommended the
parties to shake hands. They, bettering his
instructions, kissed each other, fervently ex-
pressed their regrets at their misunderstanding
ing professed the greatest esteem for each
other, and then the whole party went home
to Paris in a iolly mood Signor San Maia.
to's wound is not serious, and he has walked
out to-day with his arm in sling.
Professor Morse sent the first telegraphic
message, 'sWhat hath God wrought" from
Washington to Baltimore thirty seven years
| ago Wednesday. In that time the forty miles
of wire have grown to four hundred thou
sand miles in this country.
The Charleston (S. CO Neoos has been in
vestigating the use of quinine as preventive
! remedy and it says: ''On the whole it has
| been established, we think. that by the hber-
al and judicious use of quinine whites can
and do live in safety inal most every rart OF
| the low country of South Carolina, even in
places where, without quinine, the country
fever is sure to attack white residents and
travellers"