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CHAPTER VI.

THE CODE OF HONOUR, OR THE REGULATIONS OF THE DUELLO.

ALTHOUGH many a duel has been unfairly fought on one side or the other, the institution itself has all along been regulated by a code of honour, the restrictions of which have always been held binding by all right-thinking, honourable men; and I shall reproduce in the present chapter the leading points of this Common Law of the Duello, as a necessary introduction to the narratives which are to follow, although much of it is very absurd.

This elabrate Code of Duelling was published in the year 1836, by Chateauvillard, and was quoted entire by Millingen in his 'History of Duelling.' *

* An interesting article on this Code du Duel appeared last May in Chambers's Journal,' and one in 'All the Year Round,' April 18, 1863, both of which have been useful to me in writing this chapter.

1. Duels with the Pistol.

Instances have frequently occurred where one or both parties, when on the point of firing, have taken a dead aim at each other, and presented as though practising before a target. This has occurred sometimes wilfully, at others from the individuals being ignorant that it was unfair. It was the duty of the seconds instantly to step up and insist upon a change of position.

If a pistol misses fire, the party loses the shot: he cannot, under any circumstances, be permitted to fire again.

Sometimes a man is placed in a situation when he considers it his duty to "delope," or fire in the air. This is quite proper in every way; but if such be his intention, he should be cautioned to keep it carefully concealed until his antagonist has discharged, and to raise his pistol with the same nerve and accuracy as if he intended to fire; because, when a principal is aware that the opposite party does not intend to fire at him, his aim is likely to be much more accurate, and his arm more steady, than while he expects the re

verse.

If any dispute arises while on the ground respecting the position, or other circumstances, the principals should not leave the spot on which they are stationed, but remaining, have the pistols handed to them. A second discharge cannot take place without the consent of all parties; and either of the principals has the privilege of refusing to fire more than once.

VOL. I.

Upon a delope the affair immediately terminates, and the seconds should never permit another discharge. When a man fires in the air, it is considered an acknowledgment that he has been in fault; and although he may still refuse to make an apology, the opposite party has no right to demand another fire: he has "given satisfaction." Some years ago a duel took place in England, in which the parties met in the evening, when nearly dusk; they fired without effect -one deloping. Another discharge was insisted upon by the individual who had marked his antagonist, and was improperly permitted by the seconds. The man who had deloped fell, mortally wounded, exclaiming "Oh! my God! there was no occasion for this!" and expired.

A pace in duelling is about three feet, and duels are generally fought at ten, twelve, and fourteen paces. If a man has a good shot for his opponent, and is but an indifferent shot himself, it is decidedly to his advantage to fight at the shortest distance; if a good shot, and opposed to an inferior, he should then choose the longest distance.

Among the French, fifteen paces is the nearest distance, and it may be thirty-five paces; in the latter case the offended party has a right to the first fire; if only fifteen paces are marked, the first fire is decided by drawing lots.

The seconds have a right to ascertain that the principals do not carry any defence about their person; a

refusal to submit to this examination is considered a refusal to fight. The French not only give the word "MAKE READY," but also the word "FIRE."

A flash in the pan is always considered a shot, unless a stipulation to the contrary has been made.

If one party is wounded he may fire upon his antagonist, but not after the expiry of two minutes.

In a pistol duel termed à volonté—“at will”—the seconds mark out the ground, at a distance of thirtyfive to forty paces; two lines are then traced between these two distances, leaving an interval of from twenty to fifteen paces. Thus each combatant can advance ten paces. The ground being taken, one of the seconds, drawn by lot, gives the word "MARCH." The combatants then advance upon each other, if they think proper, holding their pistols vertically while advancing; but they may level the weapons and take aim on halting, although they may not fire at the time, but continue to march on to the line of separation marked with a cane or handkerchief, where they must stop and fire. But although one of the parties may thus advance to the limits, his antagonist is not obliged to move on, whether he has received the fire of his opponent or reserved his own. The moment one of the combatants has fired, he must halt upon spot, and stand firmly to receive the fire of his adversary, who is not, however, allowed more than one minute to advance and fire, or to fire from the ground he stands on. When one of the parties is wounded

the

the affair must be considered ended, even though the wounded party should express his wish to proceed— unless the seconds consider him in a fit state to continue the combat.

Obviously, the moment a man has fired he must remain a prey to the most uncomfortable feelings, whilst his adversary adjusts his aim and covers him. On this account, in Ireland, there has always been a reasonable prejudice in favour of receiving the adversary's fire, the apparent risk being more than counterbalanced by the enormous advantage of a quiet aim, without the disturbing influence of a hostile barrel, which must naturally confuse and agitate.

In the pistol duel termed à marche interrompue, the combatants advance fifteen paces from the same distance (forty-five or fifty paces) in a zigzag step, not exceeding two paces. They may take aim without firing, and while advancing stop when they choose, and advance again; but having once fired, both parties must halt on the spot. The combatant who has not fired may now fire, but without advancing; and the party who has fired must firmly stand the fire of his opponent, who for that purpose is allowed half a minute: if he allows a longer time to elapse, he must be disarmed by the seconds.

This kind of duel appears at first sight to differ little from the one last described; but there are grave and important points of distinction. Out of these various shapes of encounter the skilful amateur will