An opinion of Duelling in Ireland: June 1789.
"To The Printer,
Sir,
Duelling is a practice which of late years has been carried
to great lengths in England, and is become so prevalent, that a man is liable
to be called out and run the risk of losing his life , if he dares advance an
opinion contrary to hot brained men of honour.
Indeed, honour is so nice a point now-a-days ,that the most
insignificant dispute cannot be determined to the satisfaction of the parties ,
without an appeal to pistols--------“The satisfaction of a gentleman is
demanded”…. Now what is generally termed satisfaction, I conceive in the very
opposite light; for I cannot be so fashionable as to bring myself to think,
that I am receiving satisfaction when I gave the villain who has endeavoured to
take away my character, a fair chance of also to take away my life, should I
challenge a man and he accept of it
however infamous that man’s conduct, however villainous his actions to
the world they would be buried in oblivion, for it would be readily said , he had
shown himself a man of courage, and a man of honour; and without entering any
further into the matter, would confide him as such; so that instead of
satisfaction I sought, I find that I have only been serving him at the risk of
my own life. This is rather supporting than punishing villainy, holding out a
premium for its suppression. The absurdity of duelling is therefore palpable;
let us now consider it in another point of view.--- I will ask the man who goes
out with determined resolution, if possible, to kill his adversary, whether he
can reconcile it to his conscience , as an act justifiable in the eyes of God; ---- But in case conscience to such a
man should be a stranger, I shall venture to give my opinion. I do not see that
an attempt to murder is a crime of as equal magnitude as having actually
committed it; for the intention is to be looked to, and not the deed. Should
one of the parties fall, I conceive he can only be looked upon as a suicide,
though the other is a murderer for he is neither more nor less saying I shall
do my utmost to shoot you and you may do the same with me, he therefore,
suffers himself deliberately to be killed , whilst the other is a murderer by
doing it and each day tells us fatal are the consequences that accrue from this
passion of barbarity------ a disgrace to the laws of God, as well as the laws
of society."
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Published anonymously. Obviously worried that they may have upset someone!
We are always interested in any material related to duelling in Ireland.
Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk
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