Belle France, and mixing with her mercurial sons of all degrees, perhaps it may be advisable to refresh their memories, or to inform their understandings, with the facts and processes of the duello, in case they may ever get involved in some delicate affair in which "things must take their course;" without the additional fear of horrid arrest by burly policemen, and a still more horrid trial at the Old Bailey, or elsewhere, with small mercy to expect from the big wigs, the juries, the indignant and facetious press, and the horrified public at large. They manage things otherwise, if not better, in France. Duelling, if not absolutely permitted, is certainly tolerated, especially among the military.* In connection with duelling, the method of practice to secure proficiency, and the routine of a duel must always claim attention as parts of the subject; but this matter has never, hitherto, attracted the notice of the historians of the chivalric institution. It will be found that I have gone thoroughly into the interesting topic, both from personal recollection and with the aid of the experience of other writers. The general subject of duelling has occupied several writers both in England and in France; among the * The Penal Code does not expressly treat of duelling, but, in the view of the legislator, the chapter on crimes and misdemeanours against the person were to be applied to it, and this bas of late years been enacted by the Court of Cassation, the seconds being treated as accomplices, and the family of the person killed having a right of action for damages. VOL. I. b latter may be mentioned Cauchy, Bataillard, Genau det, Fougeroux de Campigneulles, in 1836, and more recently, Colombey; among the former, besides several practical writers on the subject, we have Moore's 'Full Inquiry,' published in 1790, Gilchrist's 'Brief Display,' in 1821, Dr. Millingen's History of Duelling," published in 1841, and two or three smaller works more or less interesting. Millingen's History of Duelling,' although not without its merits, was defective, even at the time of its appearance, as a chronicle of remarkable duels, and in some of the important particulars of hostile meetings. His chief sources were the 'Histoire des Duels by Fougeroux de Campigneulles, and Gilchrist's collection, the latter being a digest, as far as British duels are concerned, from the Gentleman's Magazine' and the ‘Annual Register.' In the present work, I have had recourse to many other sources; have introduced several remarkable duels not to be found in any other collection; rectified many improperly described, and, moreover, related not a few from personal remembrance in my youth, and which, I think, will be found not the least interesting and romantic in the collection, endeavouring throughout to perform my task in a manner which inspires the hope that the reader will be able to “point the moral" of every tale, which I have not attempted to "adorn." CONTENTS. THE ROMANCE OF DUELLING. CHAPTER I. THE OLD NOTIONS ABOUT DUELLING AND Ar the present day no arguments are required to demonstrate the wickedness and absurdity of Duelling. It is not only proscribed as a felony by law, but, among the great majority of the people of England, the bare idea of it is a subject of ridicule, and few can imagine how, after receiving one injury, a man can be foolish enough to run the risk of getting another inflicted upon him by his offender. It is, therefore, only on account of its past history that duelling awakens an interest, and claims the attention of all who feel concerned in the common lot of humanity-its passions, errors, dangers, and suffering. In this respect, no page of history or romance is VOL. I. 39 B |