Year: 1878

THE POINT OF HONOR.


Shortly after Waterloo had been fought, an
English regiment (Which had taken distln,
guished part in that great victory, stationed
in Mediterranean garrison, gained an un-
enviable notoriety there by sudden mania
for dueling that broke out amongst the
officers, and which threatened to become
chronic in its character SO seriously as to inter-
fere with the discipline of the corps. QUAR-
rels were literally made to order at mess
time for the most trifing affairs, and scarce
" day passed without hostile meeting ta.
king place, which the colonel-a weak-min'
ded man-expressed himself powerless to pre-
vent Indeed, he had already been sent to
Coventry" by bis subordinates, which as our
readers doubtless know, is kind Of social ex.
communication, that, when acted upon in an
English regiment, generally ends in the re-
tirement from the corps of the individuals on
which it falls. 1t was so in this instance, for
the colonel saw that the vendetta-like conduct
of his officers towards him was gradually di.
vestiug him of all authority in the eyes of his
men and as he had none but his social In.
ferors to whom he could turn for counsel and
advice he was compelled to relinquish his com.
mand and return to England. On arrival in
that country he lost no time in proceeding to
the Horse Guards, where he sought and gain.
ed an interview with the Duke of Wellington,
to whom he gave graphic account of the state
of affairs which existed in the regiment he
had just left.


The Iron Duke listened attentively to the
narration, and knitted bis brow in anger as
the colonel related the story Of the dueling !;
and, when the latter had finished speaking, he
exclaimed, in an unmistakably stern and us.
compromising tone: ,.


at is your fault, sir! You should have
brought some of the ringleaders to court
martial, and cashiered them on the spot. You
have sadly neglected your duty and that is
thing which never pardon


The colonel left the Horse Guards in very
crest-fallen state, and he was scarcely surprised
when he saw in the next Gazette the announce
ment that ellis Majesty had no further need
of his services"


In the meantime the duke had obtained
special audience of the Prince Regent, to whom
he explained the condition of affairs in con-
nection with the regiment in question. The
result of the interview was that Colonel A
a well-known martinez, then on half:pay, was
sent for, and the circumstances explained to
him the prince offering him the command
of the regiment on condition that be would
undertake to cure the duelling propensities of
its officers. Colonel A. was delighted at
the prospect of active service, and he willing
ly accepted the sask assigned to him, it being
understood that he was to be granted roy
al indemnity for anything serious which might
happen to anybody else in his endeavors to
put stop to the duelipg. He was man of
high reputation, and had previously held
other difficult commands, being known
throughout the army as good soldier, but
stern disciplinarian.


Such was the old soldiers feelings at the
special honor conferred on him that, on leav-
ing St. James palace, he actually forgot to
return the salute of sentinels posted at the
gates, to the great astonishment of the latter,
who knew his punctilious habits.


On his arrival at the garrison he lost no time
in making himself acquainted with his broth
er.oficers. He had already laid out his plan
of action in his own mind, and was fully de-
termined to allow nothing to swerve him
hairs breadth from his path of duty. At
the mess-table he behaved with studied po.
liteness and amiability of manner; and his
subordinates indicated that they were great
ly pleased with their new commander. He
chatted pleasantly with all, from the senior
major down to the youngest ensign, and when
the cloth was removed RECALLED them with
the latest gossip and doings of London socie.
ty. Before they separated for the night, how
ever, be took the opportunity of informing
them, in very quiet manner, that he had
heard of the frequent duels which had alrea.
dy taken place in the corps, and that it seem.
ed matter of regret to him that they could
not manage to live in peace and amity.


However" he said, "if it be your wish.
gentlemen, to fight out your quarrels in this
way, I shall not interpose any obstacle to your
doing So But this can only be by your pledg.
ing your word of honor now, to the effect that
in the future no duel shall take place with
out my permission first having been o.
tanned. As am your colonel, it is necessary
that my authority should be acknowledged in
all that relates to the. honor of the regiment"


The officers looked at each other and then
at the colonel, and somewhat embarrassing
silence ensued but it was broken by Colonel
A, who said:


"Don't be afraid that I shall refuse your
request on the contrary, shall only be too
pleased to grant my permission if, on exam
lining the facts of the case, | find sufficient
reason to think that the applicants amour
propre has been wounded, and that hostile
meeting is indispensable"


At these reassuring words of the colonel,
the young 6re-eaters were satisfied, and at once
gave the promise demanded ; and Col. A
then retired to his chamber, where, overcome
with the fatigue Of a rough voyage, he soon
found himself snugly ensconced in the arms of
Morpheus.


On the following morning he was rather
rudely awakened from refreshing slumber by
loud rapping at his chamber-door; and, on
challenging his early visitors, he was inform
ed that it was Captain Lord Vellum and En-
sign Warbottle who wished to speak to him
on a matter of the gravest Importance


"You might have chosen a more convent
ent hour for your visit, gentlemen" said the
colonel, who was naturally loath to rise from
his bed at five o'clock on the first morning
after his voyage.


ut is an affair of honor colonel" was the
significant reply, land cannot be delayed.
We beg you will admit US instantly"


The colonel rose and opened the door to the
early corners. They were two handsome
young men, who had on the previous evening
attracted Col. As attention by the ex'
treme friendliness which they exhibited for