His Natural Vivacity Prompts Him To Hazard In Company Every Thing
That Comes Uppermost, Without Any Respect To His Seniors Or
Betters; And Ten To One But He Says Something, Which He Finds It
Necessary To Maintain With His Sword.
The old officer, instead of
checking his petulance, either by rebuke or silent
disapprobation, seems to be pleased with his impertinence, and
encourages every sally of his presumption.
Should a quarrel
ensue, and the parties go out, he makes no efforts to compromise
the dispute; but sits with a pleasing expectation to learn the
issue of the rencontre. If the young man is wounded, he kisses
him with transport, extols his bravery, puts him into the hands
of the surgeon, and visits him with great tenderness every day,
until he is cured. If he is killed on the spot, he shrugs up his
shoulders - says, quelle dommage! c'etoit un amiable enfant! ah,
patience! What pity! he was a fine Boy! It can't be helpt! and in
three hours the defunct is forgotten. You know, in France, duels
are forbid, on pain of death: but this law is easily evaded. The
person insulted walks out; the antagonist understands the hint,
and follows him into the street, where they justle as if by
accident, draw their swords, and one of them is either killed or
disabled, before any effectual means can be used to part them.
Whatever may be the issue of the combat, the magistrate takes no
cognizance of it; at least, it is interpreted into an accidental
rencounter, and no penalty is incurred on either side.
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