New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-23
A FAMOUS DUEL.
THE TEMPER OF THE FIFTH LORD
BYRON.


Not many people in this generation have
heard or read the details Of the quarrel between
+. the fifth Lord Byron and his neighbor. Mr..
Chaworth-a quarrel which was to have Its
effect. fifty years later. upon Of the greatest
of English poets THE Argosy' notes that this
quarrel, a silly and groundless one. took place
. in January. 1865:
A club OF Nottinghamshire gentlemen Of rank
and fortune had met as they usually did-one
evening a week-to dine together at the star
and Garter Tavern. Pail Mall. Everything went
off as usual, good-humoredy, 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 coun.
try which not either preserved by himself
or Sir Charles Sedley. On this Lord Byron. who
was most spiteful and unamiable person,
offered a 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 &C
cepted and the particulars duly recorded IN
black and white. Shortly after this Sir Charles
Sedleys manors were mentioned. wnereupon
Lord Byron exclaimed In some heat:
Sir Charles Sedleys manors! Whers arc
they"
why. Hocknel and INITIAL" replied Mr.. Cha
worth: the latter was purchased by his FAMILY
from one of my ancestors.
Lord Byron did not dispute INITIAL but he
claimed Hocknel as his own.
I'm that case" answered Mr.. Chaworth. III
Your Lordshp requires satisfaction. why. Sir
Charles lives in Dean-st.. and you know Where
TO find me in Berkeley-st
Whether this real dispute or only used
as & means OF giving vent to angry feeling seems
somewhat doubtful. though II Is possible that
Chaworth used the word satisfaction" with a
double meaning. yet the company apprehended
evil consequences when they parted at
o'clock.
Lord Byron. however. stepped into an empty
chamber and sent the drawer" after Mr.. Cha
worth, who his way downstairs. to re-
quest a few minutes private conversation with
that unfortunate gentleman. Mr.. Chaworth.
who was, II is said, most amiable character,
and not one likely 10 nourish any ill-feelng. i'm
mediately retraced his steps and went to the
room where Lord Byron was awaiting him. 1t
was small apartment, and lighted only by the
dim light OF O tallow candle and the dying en-
bers Of a dull fire. On Mr. Chaworth entering
the room Byron asked him whether he was TO
have recourse to Sir Charles Sedey 10 account
for the business Of the game and the disputed
lordship Of the manor. or to himself"
ITO me, my lord. IL you wish was the reply
in a somewhat surprised tone. And think II
YOU have anything to say ii 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 establishment. that
Lord Byron just behind him with his sword
half drawn, and heard him. at the same instant.
There was nothing for 1t but for Mr.. Cha
worth to draw his own sword In return. and do
his best to defend himself in his somewhat
awkward position by the door. which he did
He was an excellent fencer. but unfortunately
made thrust entangling his sword In the
waistcoat OF his antagonist whereupon Lord
Byron shortened his weapon and inflicted
fatal wound Mr. Chaworth was carried 10 his
house in Berkeley-st. and survived but few
hours though he able to dictate his Will
and a letter to his mother. and make
munication 10 his near relative. Mr.. Levinge
which appears 10 have somewhat iiDpugned the
honor of Lord Byron.
Good heavens" cried the dying man. that
should have been such a fool to fight in the
dark His lordshp did not intend fighting when
we went into the room. but seeing me up by the
and thus encountered me. die as a man Of
honor. but Byron has done himself no good
by it,"
Horace Walpole says that he left behind him
q paper in which he allowed It was fair duel
Mr. Chaworth died at 8 o'clock in the morning
in his fortieth year. and bachelor. Lord Byron
was tried for murder before his peers at West
minister Hall on April 16 and II following. He
made a plain and honorable defence. denying
with indignation the insinuations made against
his fairness and honor On the conclusion Of
his address the lords declared Lord Byron to
be guilty of "mansa lighter only, whereupon
his lordshp. claiming the privileges OF the peer
age as regulated in the first of Edward vi. was
discharged upon payment or the usual fees. BY
the statute before mentioned. peers in all cases
where the benefit OF clergy Is allowed were dis
missed without burning In hand, loss OF in
heritance corruption Of blood. Lord Byron.
who has come down to posterity as "the bad
Lord Byron" survived his trial three and thirty
years. dying in 179S. when the family honors
devolved upon his Granddaughter George-the
post-son Of Captain Byron. the Wild and rsck-