Firing at a mark.
An extract from a letter written to the editor of The Sporting Magazine in May 1803. "
The sword was the weapon of our forefathers, but skill had so great and
certain a superiority, that a good swordsman might almost put on paper,
every pass and parry which he would allow his ignorant antagonist. To
remedy this evident inequality, pistols gradually came into use, as a
mean of putting men on more of an equal footing.
Of
all offensive weapons, the pistol seemed that in which skill could do
little. No one dreamt that individuals who claimed the apellation of men of honour,
would deliberately set to work, like a mechanic at his trade, to
acquire a superiority in the use of what had only been adopted for the
sake of putting all on a footing! Some, however, having unfortunately
too much time on their hands , employ it in acquiring a degree of skill
so great as to be able to hit a wafer, or the pip of a card; and then,
presuming more on their science than courage, swagger into company, and
challenge a man who perhaps never touched a pistol before, and probably
could not hit the end of a waggon. Is the man who takes his ground,
conscious of such superiority, a man of honour?.. we say no.
The
very essence of a duel requires, that the opponents shall be on a fair
and equal footing, at least, that any inequality shall not be owing to
the wilful exertions of either party. A split ball, slugs, or unfair
pistol, will not be allowed. And what are these when compared with
constant pratice and skill? It ought, we humbly concieve, to be reckoned
as dishonourable to practice at a mark, as any action which can
disgrace a gentleman. Why does our young spark practise?-- That, if ever
he is called upon, he may have an advantage over his antagonist. Let
the pistol be held sacred as the arbiter of the laws of honour, and let
the man who practises in private, or practises at all, be branded with
infamy with him who marks cards or loads dice, for he regulates the chance nearly as much. Those who innocently practise at a mark, merely
as an amusement , must have little ingenuity if they cannot find another
and a better."
Anon.
(Courtesy of The Sporting Magazine, May, 1803)
David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk