Thus The
Purpose Of The Law Is Entirely Defeated, By A Most Ridiculous And
Cruel Connivance.
The meerest trifles in conversation, a rash
word, a distant hint, even a look or smile of contempt, is
Sufficient to produce one of these combats; but injuries of a
deeper dye, such as terms of reproach, the lie direct, a blow, or
even the menace of a blow, must be discussed with more formality.
In any of these cases, the parties agree to meet in the dominions
of another prince, where they can murder each other, without fear
of punishment. An officer who is struck, or even threatened with
a blow must not be quiet, until he either kills his antagonist,
or loses his own life. A friend of mine, (a Nissard) who was in
the service of France, told me, that some years ago, one of their
captains, in the heat of passion, struck his lieutenant. They
fought immediately: the lieutenant was wounded and disarmed. As
it was an affront that could not be made up, he no sooner
recovered of his wounds, than he called out the captain a second
time. In a word, they fought five times before the combat proved
decisive at last, the lieutenant was left dead on the spot. This
was an event which sufficiently proved the absurdity of the
punctilio that gave rise to it. The poor gentleman who was
insulted, and outraged by the brutality of the aggressor, found
himself under the necessity of giving him a further occasion to
take away his life.
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