The first duel in Hyde Park (chronicled in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, which commenced in 1731) is one fought on February 24, 1750, “between Admiral _Knowles_ and Captain _Holmes_, with pistols, when two or three shots were exchanged on each side, but no hurt was done. His majesty being informed that more challenges were depending, particularly four Challenges sent to the said Admiral, order’d three officers into Custody.” But the bellicose officers under his command did not care for that example, and on March 12 next ensuing, “at 7 in the morning was fought in _Hide Park_, a duel with sword and pistol between Capt. _Clarke_ and Capt. _Innes_, belonging to Admiral _Knowles’s_ squadron; Captain _Clarke_ fired first, and the ball went through Capt. _Innes’s_ breast into his body, of which wound he dy’d at 12 o’clock at night; the Coroner’s jury brought it in wilful murder.” Captain Clarke was sentenced to be hanged, but was respited. If the facts brought out at the trial were true, he ought to have suffered the extreme penalty of the law, for his pistols were rifled, with barrels 7 inches long, whilst those of his antagonist were only ordinary pocket pistols, with barrels about 3½ inches in length; and they were not more than five yards distant from each other, when they turned about, and Captain Clarke fired before Captain Innes had levelled his pistol. “Jan. 5, 1762. A duel was fought in _Hyde Park_ between an _English_ officer and an _Irish_ gentleman, when the former was so dangerously wounded in the belly, that his life has been despaired of. He is now, however, in a fair way of doing well.... A lady in _Bond Street_, said to be nearly related to the young officer who was wounded in _Hyde Park_, shot herself through the head with a pistol, and died in great agonies.” “May 13, 1769. A duel was fought between two gentlemen in _Hyde Park_, occasioned by a quarrel at Vauxhall, one of them was run thro’ the sword arm, and the other wounded in the thigh, after which they were parted by their seconds.” “July 19, 1769. A duel is said to have been lately fought in Hyde Park between a Captain Douglas and the Rev. Mr. Green, who some time ago was tried for a rape at the Old Bailey, and acquitted. Mr. Green, it seems, disabled the Captain in his sword arm; but, what is the wonderful part of the story, the Captain Douglas, whom the Rev. Mr. Green disabled, cannot be found, so that it is supposed this parson, as the humourous sexton of a neighbouring parish says, never fights with a man but he buries him.” “Mar. 17, 1770. A duel was fought in Hyde Park, between George Garrick Esq^{re} and Mr. Baddeley, both of Drury Lane Theatre, when the former, having received the other’s fire, discharged his pistol in the air, which produced a reconciliation.”