The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-25
HORSEWHIPPING A DUKE.


There are many indications that the awe Of
kings, at which the French revolution struck
the most serious blow of modern times. has
passed away almost entirely. The divinity
that formerly hedged about royalty is now
a mere tradition, like so much else that was
transmitted from the distan, feuda ages.
The condition Of monarchy in general must
have sunk very low when the heir of one Of
the oldest royal houses in Europe is in immi-
nent danger Of being horsewhpped by an in
dignant husband who belongs to an obscure
family which can make no claim even TO no.
bic blood. What would the stately Louis
XIV. think if lie could rise from the grave
and read the account If the determined efforts
which Mr.. Armstrong is making to lag cow
hide across the royal shoulders of the Duke
OF Orleans. who has recently alienated the
affections OF the fair Mrs. Armstrong?
The brave Scotchman first challenged the
Duke TO fight duel not being able to see
that there was sufficient difference in their
social positions to justify refusal to give him
the satisfaction which be demanded. But the
Duke declined to meet him, on the
ground that the Bourbon blood was so
blue and the Armstrong blood 50 pale that
only degradation would be incurred by the
Bourbon heir if he accepted the challenge.
Under the code which prevails among
those who have a strong faith in the remedial
effect Of pistols aud coaee for two the Duke |
by declining to fight exposed himself TO the !
danger of being horsewhipped on sight. Mr. /
Arr - 81 .
which has been offered to him, and is now
lying in wait at street corners where the
Duke IS likely to pass. The suit for civil
damages which he has brought is supposed
10 be entirely subordinate 10 his intention to
secure satisfaction in physical form.
The DIXIE, believing that prudence is the
better part Of valor, is kee ping out of the way
of the angry Scotchman. and doubtless never
goes abroad in public without rolling his ewes
toright and leftin fear that the pursuer is about
to bring his whip down upon bis royal head
and shoulders. 1t is a strange position 70 be
occupied by the heir of line of kinrs that
stretches so far back into the past that its
origin - lost IN obscurty. In the good old
times when royalty smiled upon the wives Of
other men the husbands were considered IN
be very lucky dogs. but manners have
changed. Royalty is now thought to be no
better than the ordinary run of mankind
md all improper entertainments by it upon
he personal rights of subjects are resented ,
With as much heat as if the insult came from !
commoner.
The world is all the better for the dssipa. /
ion Of the prestige Of the kngly Office. t
When monarchs are accounted mortal and !
eld responsible for their wicksdness. il ia
ign that civilization is in state OF progress e
nd not Of retrogresslon. The most power y
III ruler Of the world in this age is public /,
pinion, and before its frown neither kings 0
or private citizens can maintain an indif. ]
'rent front as if they occupied position u u
boye its influence !,
The youth of the Duke OF Orleans NAV
,ften somewhat the censure which he bss s.
used by his fagrant immoralities. but there =,
little doubt that his course of life is rapidly e
sstroyins what prospect remains Of the res. a.
ration of the Count Of Paris 10 the throne "
his ancestors. A horsewl ipping from
r Armstrong Is a punishment which he -,
'hly deserve. and if the sentiment of the th
ore respectable portion of mankind could a.
ing him into the hands of that Scotch Phil
Inc he would soon be writing under the III
ows Of whip which would do all the more on
ective execution because il was really be
ping out the stain upon more than one en- e.,
nily name. ey