LAW OF HONOUR-CELEBRATED DUELS.

Evening Post, Issue 111, 17 June 1865, Page 2

LAW OF HONOUR-CELEBRATED DUELS.

English duels of note, subeeqtWJ^jfyfil^, the disuse of swords, have been g^Uggi^f conducted in a discreet and business-like manner; and the practice received the sanction of the most distinguished personages in the land. We will briefly enumerate the most remarkable instances :—: — The Daks of York had said, or was reported to have said, that Colonel Lennox (afterwards Duke of Richmond), of the Coldstream Guards, had submitted to language at Daubeny's Club to which no gentleman ought to submit ; and, on the Colonel's requesting to be informed to what language H.R.H. alluded, was told that H.R.H. declined answering, but waived all privileges oi birth or military rank. Colonel Lennox then addressed a circular to the members of the club, and, failing to receive the required information, again applied to H.R.H. to withdraw the offensive words, or afford the means of verifying them. On a renewed refusal of explanation, a hostile message was delivered, and the parties met at Wimbledon Common, H.R.H. attended by Lord Radon, and Colonel Lennox by the Earl of Winchelsea. Colonel Lennox's ball passed through H.R.H.'s aide curl. H.R.H. fired in the air, but persevered in his refusal, and, on being requested to say that he considered Colonel Lennox a man of honour, simply remarked that if the Colonel was not satisfied lie might fire again. The affair led to a prolonged discussion amongst the Coldstream Guards, who at length passed a resolution that Colonel Lennox had behaved with courage, but not (under very trying circumstances) with judgment. The Priqce of Wales (George IV.) took up the matter with a high hand as an insult to his family, and refused to stand up in a country dance at a Court ball with Colonel Lennox. This was in May, 1798. The precise details of Pitt's duel with Tierney (1798) will be found in Earl Stanhope's^ excellent " Lile of Pitt." It arose from some remarks by Pitt in the House of Commons, to the effect that Tierney'B opposition to a Government bill was owing to a desire to impede the defences of the country — an imputation which Pitt refused to withdraw. He apprised the Speaker (Addington) privately of what was about to happen, trusting to his honor not to interfere in any. way. They met at Wimbledon, and exchanged two shots without effect. The current story was that Pitt's second, Mr. Ryder, on delivering him his pistol, told him to be careful, as it had a hair trigger. "I do not see the hair," said the statesman, calmly holding the pistol up against the light. He states in a printed letter that his conduct was approved by George 111. Wilberforce gave notice of a motion in the House of Commons on the subject ; but reluctantly withdrew it on Pitt's declaring that, if carried, it would compel his retirement from public life. Fox's duel with Adam (1779) also arose out of a speech in the House of Commons, but, unlike his great rival, Fox, on the first request for explanation, declared he had no intention to offend. Adam, whoappeared satisfied 'at the time, came again next day to complain of the versions of the newspapers (with which Fox said he had nothing to do), and on the ground that his friends required something more, called upon Fox to print his disclaimer, which was refused. Fox was slightly wounded in the breast at the first exchange of shots, but either did not know, or did not mention the fact, and to a fresh overture or demand replied that the affair must proceed. After the second fire, an arrangement was effected, upon which he opened his waistcoat and showed his wound. The feeling that prevailed under George 111. was also strongly shown . in the affair of the ''Blucviad," a satirical poem on the "Blues," published in 1805 by ft ftty young officer, who has since risen to; social and professional distinction as a civilian. The officers came to a resolution to prosecute, and not to fight; but oneof • them, a captain who had joined in it, shook fajd| whip at the satirist as they pasted e*sh, other in Rotten Row. This led to a ch»M lenge, which was refused on the score w|

the WKottiii&n, with the approval of six of the officer*. y \ The captain was forthwith potted ItDOhilk and actually, on large bills pastctK«pW*iii&ihe walls proclaiming him a ciwcrd. One of these met the eye of George. III. : "What, what, what? A captain in my household troops a coward ! What are the Horse Guards about P " A court of inquiry sat, and every officer who had approved the Captain's conduct in offering an affront for which he did not intend to be responsible wan compelled to leave the regiment along with him. Elderly people who knew London society in their youth, may remember a General T. of the Guards, who was an assiduous •dd active frequenter of balls, till past seventy. His affair with Theodore Hook shows how strictly the law of honour was once enforced. Overbearing the celebrated humourist, then a very young roan, declaiming rather coarsely against waltzing, the General uttered a tart rejoinder, on which Hook grasped the collar of his coat, and flung or pushed him on one side with an expression of contempt. This took place in the hall of the house in which a ball had been given, as the company was breaking up. The General having taken no notice of the incident for two days, received a pretty broad hint that he must move in the affair, and eventually he screwed up his courage to the point of sending Hook a challenge through General A. The excuse for delay was Hook's equivocal position in the world ; and Hook, in telling the story, frankly owned that he did not know where to find a second. At length the thought struck him that he had better consult Colonel Reeve, an old friend of his father's, who, a little to his surprise, and much to his delight, undertook to act for him ; stipulating that Hook should apologise after an interchange of shots. Hook contented, nothing loth, and, the first fire having proved innocuous, was preparing for the apology, when General A stepped forward and delivered a written apology to him. The following day General T. went to the Duke of York to report himself, and on mentioning what had occurred, was told that he had better leave the army. "If 1 have to leave the army, what am I to do f" was his very natural exclamation, to which the Duke of Cumberland (the King of Hanover), who happened to be present, replied, "Why turn dancing-master, and be — — — to you." — Fraser's Magazine.