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Read Ebook: Personal Sketches of His Own Times Vol. 2 (of 3) by Barrington Jonah Sir
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Ebook has 624 lines and 117550 words, and 13 pages
N.B. The spirit of the Hutchinson family was proverbial, and their good nature was no less so.
Footnote 3:
Two hundred and twenty-seven memorable duels have actually been fought during my grand climacteric.
Tipperary and Galway were the ablest schools of the duelling science. Galway was most scientific at the sword: Tipperary most practical and prized at the pistol: Mayo not amiss at either: Roscommon and Sligo had many professors and a high reputation in the leaden branch of the pastime.
Footnote 4:
In truth, these oracles were in general gentlemen of good connexions and most respectable families, otherwise nobody would either fight or consult them.
Footnote 5:
There was an association in the year 1782, which was called the "Independent Light Horse." They were not confined to one district, and none could be admitted but the younger brothers of the most respectable families. They were all both "hilt and muzzle adepts;"--and, that no member might set himself up as greater than another, every individual of the corps was obliged, on entering, to give his honour "that he could cover his fortune with the crown of his hat, and had exchanged a shot or thrust before he was ballotted for."
Roscommon and Sligo then furnished some of the finest young fellows I ever saw: their spirit and decorum were equally admirable, and their honour and liberality conspicuous on all occasions.
The theatre of the Knights of Tara, on these occasions, was always overflowing:--the combatants were dressed in close cambric jackets, garnished with ribbons, each wearing the favourite colour of his fair one: bunches of ribbons also dangled at their knees, and roses adorned their morocco slippers, which had buff soles, to prevent noise in their lunges. No masks or visors were used as in these more timorous times; on the contrary, every feature was uncovered, and its inflections all visible. The ladies appeared in full morning dresses, each handing his foil to her champion for the day, and their presence animating the singular exhibition. The prizes were handed to the conquerors by the fair ones from the stage-boxes, accompanied each with a wreath of laurel, and a smile then more valued than a hundred victories! The tips of the foils were blackened, and therefore instantly betrayed the hits on the cambric jacket, and proclaimed without doubt the successful combatant. All was decorum, gallantry, spirit, and good temper.
The Knights of Tara also had a select committee to decide on all actual questions of honour referred to them:--to reconcile differences, if possible; if not, to adjust the terms and continuance of single combat. Doubtful points were solved generally on the peaceable side, provided women were not insulted or defamed; but when that was the case, the knights were obdurate, and blood must be seen. They were constituted by ballot, something in the manner of the Jockey Club; but without the possibility of being dishonourable, or the opportunity of cheating each other.
As far as my copy went, they appear to have run as follows:--
The practice of duelling and points of honour settled at Clonmell summer assizes, 1775, by the gentlemen delegates of Tipperary, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and Roscommon, and prescribed for general adoption throughout Ireland.
RULE 1.
The first offence requires the first apology, though the retort may have been more offensive than the insult: example;--A tells B he is impertinent, &c. B retorts, that he lies: yet A must make the first apology, because he gave the first offence, and then B may explain away the retort by subsequent apology.
RULE 2.
But if the parties would rather fight on, then, after two shots each, B may explain first, and A apologise afterwards.
N.B. The above rules apply to all cases of offences in retort not of a stronger class than the example.
RULE 3.
RULE 4.
RULE 5.
If swords are used, the parties engage till one is well blooded, disabled, or disarmed; or until, after receiving a wound, and blood being drawn, the aggressor begs pardon.
RULE 6.
N.B. Challenges for undivulged causes may be reconciled on the ground, after one shot. An explanation or the slightest hit should be sufficient in such cases, because no personal offence transpired.
RULE 7.
But no apology can be received, in any case, after the parties have actually taken their ground, without exchange of fires.
RULE 8.
RULE 9.
All imputations of cheating at play, races, &c. to be considered equivalent to a blow; but may be reconciled after one shot, on admitting their falsehood, and begging pardon publicly.
RULE 10.
Any insult to a lady under a gentleman's care or protection, to be considered as, by one degree, a greater offence than if given to the gentleman personally, and to be regulated accordingly.
RULE 11.
RULE 12.
RULE 13.
RULE 14.
Seconds to be of equal rank in society with the principals they attend, inasmuch as a second may either choose or chance to become a principal, and equality is indispensable.
RULE 15.
Challenges are never to be delivered at night, unless the party to be challenged intend leaving the place of offence before morning; for it is desirable to avoid all hot-headed proceedings.
RULE 16.
RULE 17.
The challenged chooses his ground: the challenger chooses his distance: the seconds fix the time and terms of firing.
RULE 18.
The seconds load in presence of each other, unless they give their mutual honours they have charged smooth and single, which should be held sufficient.
RULE 19.
RULE 20.
RULE 21.
RULE 22.
RULE 23.
If the cause of meeting be of such a nature that no apology or explanation can or will be received, the challenged takes his ground, and calls on the challenger to proceed as he chooses: in such cases, firing at pleasure is the usual practice, but may be varied by agreement.
RULE 24.
In slight cases, the second hands his principal but one pistol; but, in gross cases, two, holding another case ready-charged in reserve.
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