and weighty threats would pass no longer for bravery. But, convinced as I am of the salutary effects which would attend the discontinuance of the detestable practice of duelling, and assured of the facility with which it might be exploded, I am sensible tha in the present state of manners no hope of its abolition can be reasonably entertained. Still, however, must every man's conscience tell him, that sanguinary meetings can at best prove no more than personal courage, or the reverse; that the result of a duel, be it what it may, cannot alter facts, or refute arguments; and that if a man embark in a duel, with any other view than that of vindicating his character, he is unworthy to be called a Christian. "An honest man," says the immortal Junius, " appeals to the understanding, or modestly confides in the internal evidence of his conscience: the impostor employs force instead of argument, imposes silence where he cannot convince, and propagates his character by the sword *." * The Messiah of the gospel manifests the one; the Prophet of the Coran the other. In the first case, Almost every man acknowledges the absurdity of requiring, as a means of satisfaction for an injury received, that the aggressor shall have an opportunity of taking his life also.While reason condemns the practice of duels, fear of the infamy with which the world stigmatises the character of cowardice, constrains men to risk their safety in some unequal combat with a ruffian, (bearing the name of gentleman,) who dares to defend the insults, which prejudice makes it shame to contemn: or to challenge their best friend for some hasty word spoken in ebriety, which the same vindictive tribunal will not allow to be pardoned. Thus, to be reputed brave, brave men become actual cowards; for were they to speak sincerely, they would say, that it was dread of the world's contempt, which led them Truth convinces, persuades, and confirms; in the last, Falsehood deludes, or threatens and compels.Truth calmly spreads its beams like the sun; Imposture launches its bolts like the lightning, and destroys what it would seem to illumine. to engage in a scene of useless blood; hazarding their life to avoid the whisper of a tea-table, or the laugh of a drunken revel. Are the frequenters of such scenes fit judges of conduct? It is certain, that none but the thoroughly valiant can refuse a challenge, or with-hold the sending of one, under particular circumstances. A coward may sneak from a duel; but the brave confronts his adversary, and yet keeps his sword in its scabbard. He that has virtue may dare any thing: there is a divinity that doth hedge it in, which no baseness can undermine, nor violence uproot. An instance of this manly forbearance may be given, which happened on the Continent in the campaign of 1794, at a convivial assembly of officers beonging to the combined army. Amongst the rest were two intimate friends, (both officers in our Foot-Guards,) who, in the course of conversation, fell into an argument. It was debated very calmly by one, but the other (who was inflamed by wine,) urged it with great heat; and at last, in a burst of contradiction, struck his opponent. On receiving the blow, the young officer insta tly arose; and with a dauntless composure addressing his impetuous friend: "I am well aware," said he, "that had you been yourself, you would have perished sooner than have been guilty of this outrage: and I am sensible that to a heart like your's, the feelings of to-morrow will be the heaviest of all earthly punishments;-I therefore forgive you. But," continued he, turning with manly firmness to the company, "I should like to see the man, who shall hereafter affirm or insinuate that I have borne a blow-I should like to see him!" The manner of this young hero awed his companions. And the admiration which such conduct commanded, followed him into the field, where he fought and died for his country. A MAN OF FALSE HONOUR. He was of parts worthy of praise, if they had not been guided by pride, and followed by injustice. For, by a strange composition of mind, there was no man more tenderly sen sible in any thing offered to himself, which by the farthest-set construction, might be wrested to the name of wrong; no man that, in his own actions, could worse distinguish between valour and violence. So proud, as he could not abstain from a Thraso-like boasting; and yet (so unlucky a lodging had valour gotten,) he would never boast more than he could accomplish; falsely accounting an inflexible anger a courageous constancy; and esteeming fear and astonishment righter causes of admiration than love and honour. |