The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
EANOUy DUEL.


Psst MooPs and the Essayise Jenfsys
That was memorable encounter be-
tween the poet Tom Moore and the critic,
esssyist. and iurist Francis jeffrey. Both
Of them were Of keen and polished wit
both warm-hearted, generous, impulsiye,
and more or less capricious. In 1870
jeffrey attacked Moore's "Odes and Epls-
tlesO in the Edinburgh Reuier, de-
pounclng them on account OF their I'M
morality. This was too much for the sen.
sjtiye poet. He felt that blood alone couid
wash away the stain OF that abomlnaDie
criticism. Accordingly he challenged the
| traducer to mortal combat.
Jeffrey. though small OF stature, was
great in courage, and he straigntwsy ac-
cepted the challenge, and named pistols a.
the WEAPONS. Seconds were selected anu
preliminaries arranged, when Moore be-
| thought him that il would be necessary
| that he should provide himself with pis-
tolls: and further, as the challenging party,
IL would be proper for HIM 70 furnsh
| weapons for both.
Now. deadly weapons OF any kind Moore
had never been partial to, and pistols DC
had never owned-at any rate, proper
duelling pistoIs--but he knew that MS
dear friend, Sir William Robert Spencer,
owned beautiful pistols, and to him ne
applied, being obliged, OF course, TO tell
what he wanted them for. Sir William
cbeerfuIly lent his pistols, and then as
soon as the messenger was gone from DIS
sight he hurried away to the Bow-street
office and engaged two officers OF hls
acquaintance to hold themselves in readi-
ness 10 preyent the two little peppery
men from ri.k!ng mortal damage to one
another.
The duel was to be fought At Chalk farm
early in the morning. DIR. Joseph Hume
was Moore's second, while Francis Hor-
ner. OF the Edinburgh ReUie,o, was second
for jeffrey; but others were on the ground,
though not in sight, for both men had
many friends, who were deeply anxious.
And there on that ground chosen for dead
ly strife Thomas Moore and Francis JET
ircy met face to face for the first time.
They did not offer to shake hands, but
Jeffrey-he and his antagonist were now
alone together, the others OF the party
being engaged in the solemn duty OF load
Ing the pistOls-said
"Wbat beautiful morning it is !"
To this Moore answered, Yes"; and
then added, with smile, q" A morning
made for better purposes"
Jetlrey's response to this was sigh.
They passed each other, and turned; and
when they met again Moore related to his
antagonist a comical story about an Irish
barrlster. Billy Eagan, who had gone out
on bright morning, as they were out
then, for the purpose OF fighting duel.
Jeffrey was still smiling at this story when
the seconds came cut from the adjacent
thicket and announced, "All ready"
TIE men were placed twelve PAGES apart
and the pistols given into their hands.
"Now," said Hume, remember the
word. Raise your pistols at the word
Ready.' Then one-two-and at three
you will fire."
"Ready!v Nobody can say where
Noore's heart was, but his pistol was
raised, and so was Jcfrey's. They waited
for the fatal signal.
That signal, however. was not gwen.
Instead thereof two Bow-street officers
emerged from the thicket, one OF whom
advanced to Jeffrey and struck his pistol
down with his staff, while his companion
went up and collared Moore.
The beligerents were marched off to
their respective carriages and conveyed to
Bow street, where, as no blood had been
spilled, they were let off lightly. And
from that Office Tom Moore and Francis
Jeffrey went forth friends, and their friend
ship grew and strengthened while they
lived