“Sure, sir, you do not think I would fire my pistol at you.” And thereupon he let it off in the air. The seconds proceeded to inquire into the feelings of their principals, and if they thought satisfaction had been given. “Although I am wounded,” said the Earl, “I am able to go on if you feel any resentment.” “I hope I am incapable of harbouring such a sentiment,” returned the soldier. “As your Lordship is wounded, and has fired into the air, it is impossible for me to go on.” And so the little group dispersed, the seconds having declared that “the parties had ended the affair by behaving as men of the strictest honour.” Could anything be nearer mummery and fiasco than this? Approaching the spot outwardly on friendly terms, while inwardly chafing and showering maledictions each on his opponent—a shot into space. And then— Smiles, bows, compliments, and an end to the life and death question of a few minutes before. The Church and the Law were not less addicted to this swaggering or appearance on the duelling grounds of Hyde Park, for that same year a duel was fought between the Rev. Mr. Bates and a Mr. R——, a student of the law. Both of these men were on the staff of _The Morning Post_. The first fire fell to the lot of the clergyman, who wounded Mr. R—— in the fleshy part of his arm. He was not incapacitated, however, for he was able to return the fire, but missed, whereupon the seconds declared the matter settled. Two years later, Mr. Dulany, a gentleman who owned a great deal of property in Maryland, and who lived in Park Street, Grosvenor Square, quarrelled with the Rev. —— Allen, who was also engaged on _The Morning Post_. In the issue of that paper on 29th June 1779 an article had appeared, headed “Characters of Principal Men in Rebellion.” Allen had owned the authorship of this, in a letter written to Dulany in insulting and threatening terms. Dulany sent a verbal message in reply; other communications followed, and the men who carried them—Morris for Allen, and Delancey for Dulany—came forward as their seconds. [Illustration: Camp Kitchen in Hyde Park. _From an Old Print._] On the evening of 26th June, Dulany and Delancey were to be seen walking across the Park from Grosvenor Square about half-past nine. There at an appointed place they met Allen and Morris. Pistols were fired at eight yards distance. Dulany fell, dangerously wounded. He died at his house in Park Street six days after. Allen and Morris were advertised for, with a reward of ten guineas to the finder. They surrendered, and were tried for “Wilful Murder.” But finally Allen was fined one shilling, and sentenced to six months imprisonment, and Morris was acquitted. It would be rather amusing if newspaper quarrels were settled to-day in this fashion, and whole battalions of writers were seen wending their way in the early hours of the morning to Hyde Park, to enjoy the pleasures of dramatic encounters which seldom had a serious ending.