Firing at a mark. May 1803.

                         

                         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