The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-18
A FAMOUS DUEL.
the Temper of the Fifth
Lord Byron.
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
Not many people in this generation have
heard or read the details of the quarrel be-
tween the fifth Lord Byron and his neigh
Dor, Mr. Chaworth--a quarrel which was
10 have its effect, fifty years later, upon
one of the greatest of English poets. 1.-The
Argosy" notes that this quarrel, a silly
and groundless one, took place in January
1885,
A club of Nottinghamshire gentlemen of
rank and fortune had met as they usually
did-one evening week-to dine together
at the Star and Garter Tavern, Pail Mall
Everything went Off as usual, good-hu-
moredly, but about O'clock a dispute
arose whether Lord Byron, who took no
care of his game, or Mr. Chaworth, who
was a strict preserver, had most on their
manor. Mr.. Chaworth remarked that he
believed that there was not a hare in that
part of the country which was not either
preserved by himself or Sir Charles Sed-
ley. On this Lord Byron, who was a most
splteful and unamiable person, offered
wager of 900 that he had more game on
his estate than his neighbor in the country
Mr.. Chaworth, had on his. The wager was
accepted and the particulars duly recorded
III Didth anu MlliAt. OioiAly dlltt AAiS
Charles Sedley's manors were mentioned
whereupon Lord Byron exclaimed in some
heat:
sir Charles sedley's manors? Where
are they?" 4.,e r.,l
why, Hocknel and INITIAL" replied Mr.
Chaworth; "the latter was purchased by
his family from one Of my ancestors"
Lord Byron did not dispute INITIAL but
ne claimed Hocknel as his own.
I'm that case" answered Mr.. Chaworth,
IF your iordship requires satisfaction,
why, Sir Charles lives in Dean street, and
you know where to find me, In Berkely
street"
Whether this was real dispute, or only
used as a means of giving vent to angry
feeling, seems somewhat doubtful, though
it is possible that Chaworth used the word
"satisfaction" with a double meaning, yet
the company apprehended no. evil conse-
quences when they parted at 5 o'clock
Lord Byron, however, stepped into an
empty chamber and sent the drawer
after Mr.. Chaworth who was on his way
downstairs, to request few minutes pri-
vate conversation with that unfortunate
gentleman Mr.. Chaworth who was, Il is
said, a most amiable character, and rot
one likely to nourish any ill-feeling, i'm
mediately retraced his steps and went TO
the room where Lord Byron was awaiting
him. 1t was a small apartment, and light
ed only by the dim light OF a tallow can
die and the dying embers of a dun fire.
on Mr.. Chaworth enterlpg the room By
ron asked him whether he was 10 nave
recourse to Sir Charles Sedley 10 account
for the business of the game and the dis
puted lordship of the manor, or to him
self"
ITO me, my lord, If you WISH was the
reply in a somewhat surprised tone. And
/ think if you have anything to say 1t
would be best to shut the door, lest we
should be overheard"
Speaking thus, Mr.. Chaworth moved on
one side to effect this object, but upon
turning round he observed, TO his aston
ishment, that Lord Byron was just behind
hsm wtth his sword half drawn, and heard
him, at the same instant, cali out Draw!
There was nothing for it but for Mr..
Chaworth to draw his own sword in re-
turn, and to his best TO defend himself in
his somewhat awkward position by the
door which he did. He was an excellent
fencer, but unfortunately made a thrust
entangling his sword in the waistcoat of
his antagonist, whereupon Lord Byron
shortened his weapon and inflicted fatal
wound. Mr.. Chaworth was carried to his
house In Berkeley street and survived but
a few hours, though he was able TO dictate
his will and a letter to his mother, and
make a communication to his near rela-
tive, a Mr. Levinge. which appears to have
somewhat impugned the honor Of Lord
Byron.
GOOD heavens" cried the dying man,
.'that l should have been such fool as 10
fight in the dark. His lordship did not in
tend fighting when we went into the room,
but seeing me up by the door he thought
he had me at an advantage and thus en-
counIered me. / die as a man OF honor,
but Byron has done himself no good by IL"
Horace Walpole says that he left be.
hind him a paper In which he allowed it
was fair duel. Mr.. Chaworth died at
o'clock In the morning in his 40th year
and a bachelor Lord Byron was tried
for murder before his peers at Westmins-
ter Hall on April is and II following. He
made a plain. and honorable defense, de-
nying with indignation the inslnuations
made against mis- fairness and honor. On
the conclusion Of his address the lords de-
clared Lord Byron 70 be guilty of man
slaughter only, whereupon his iordship
claiming the privileges OF the peerage as
regulated in the first Of Edward VI, was
discharged upon payment of the usual
fees. BY the statute mentioned, peers in
All cases where the benefit of clergy is al
lowed were dismissed without burning In
hand. loss Of inheritance or corruption Of
blood. Lord Byron, who has come down
to postcrity as 1.-THE bad Lord Byron"
survived his trial three-and-thirty years,
dying in 1898, when the family honors de-
volved upon his granddaughter, George
the poet-son of Capt. Byron. the wild and
reckless prodigal, who married the Scot
fish heiress, Miss Gordon.
This Lord Byron, as we know well, gave
a luster 10 his furnished name which had
never before belonged to II. The memory
Of the celebrated and fatal duel did not die