The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-24
THE FRENCH DUEL.

Whilst the duel had a place In the social
establishment of the South, whatever
might be said against II, It certainly eT-
ercised a healthful influence there. It's
wholesomeness PROCEEDED from the fact
that duels were serious encounters in
which one. or both parties, would prob
ably be killed or badly wounded. But the
French duel is one Of the most absurd
and ridiculous phenomena that modern life
ever presents, and irresistibly funny, as
portraying French character 20 perfec-
ton, the most notable quality Of which
is a propensity to play at serious things.
The duel of which the telegraph has
just given us an account, between NJ.
Clemenceau and NJ. De Roulede, is the
funniest that ever the French have fur
nished us with for a long time, and. with
out apologies, we shall restate the lead
Ing events Of it categorically. that they
may be seen together, unencumbered and
disguised by eXtraneoUs matters.
1t being determined that the duel should
take place, NJ. De Roulede participated in
a most affecting scene at parting with
his friends for the duelling ground. He
embraced and kissed them repeatedly
and assured them that he would die in a
manner worthy Of the Legion Of Honor,
Of which he is a member. When one Of
his friends expressed the hope that the
encounter would not nave a fatal ending
he shook his head mournfully. lie fully
expected, he declared, TO lose his life.
At the same moment NJ. C%lemencoau,
Reichemberg, prepared himself likewise
for "the scene OF mortal combat" (sea in
French Geographic accounts Of the affair.
He gave directions about the issue Of his
paper, La Justice, and left orders as TO
the management Of the paper, in the event
Of any fatality occurring to him. The
staff crowded around their chief. and he
kissed and embraced them each In tu.n.
Some Of them shed tears, and begged him
not to expose himself to more danger
than necessary. VI. Clemenceau gently
rebuked them. lie said: Il have too
often stood on the field Of honor to have
any apprehension now" He said that he
preferred death to dishonor. and spoke In
a tone of resolution that evoked the adj
miration Of his assistants.
We have given the details Of what took
place before the duel in the words Of the
French newspaper correspondents at
Paris as they telegraphed them to this
country, with no exaggeration whatever.
Now, II it were possible 10 imagine such
a thing. what would the public have ex-
pected in former years, when duelling was
practiced here, from a duel arranged to
take place between two distinguished Vir-
%ginians, of which it was told. before the
duel, such details as the preceding? 1t is
useless TO answer the question. Now what
did actually occur under the modern
French school? At the moment these
affecting scenes were taking place the
principals knew that it was arranged for
the duel to take place with pistols, each
party to fire three shots, the c%omba.ants
to be s%eventy-five feet from each other.
Seventy-iye feet is one-third of the length
Of a Richmond city square. Clemenceau
knew that he was as safe to nave De
Roulede to shoot at him with a pistol at
that distance as he is in ordinary travel
ing on a railroad car. and De Roulede
knew the same. Under these circum-
stances what a ridiculous rubbing the
eyes with onions this tear and embracing
act was.
But what actually took place? The par
ties fred two shots apiece without effect,
when a friend rushed forward n begged
the combatants ito cease the murderous
encounter" Both declared they must
have another shot; it was fired without
effect. and, says the French reporter,
'the two seconds then ran up n In
sisted that the duel must terminate; that
both had behaved in a most heroic manner
and that any outrage upon their honor
had been fully indicated"
We believe the ~Anti-Duelling Society
hires Frenchmen to fight French duels.