He therefore telegraphed to the Emperor, asking his permission to fight. Duelling used to be a very common practice in Europe, and was considered the only means of avenging an insult. It was, however, carried to such an extent, that men would call one another out, as it was termed, for the most trifling offence. So many good and brave men were killed in this unreasonable manner, that one country after another began to make laws forbidding the practice. These laws have only been in force for a very few years, and in cases where men are terribly provoked, they still turn to duelling as a means of settling their disputes. The Emperor of Austria, when he learnt of the shameful things that had been said to the Count, felt that, were he in the Premier's place, nothing but a duel could satisfy his honor, and so he gave his permission, and the duel took place. Count Badeni was shot in the arm, and severely wounded; Dr. Wolff escaped unhurt. Immediately the duel had taken place the Premier's enemies seized upon it as a means of disgracing him. They raised a tumult about it, and declared that a man who would break the law by fighting a duel was not fit to manage the affairs of Government, and begged that the Count be dismissed from office, and arrested. The Premier was, however, well aware of the serious nature of the act he contemplated, and that duelling was not a becoming occupation for a Prime Minister, so, when he asked the Emperor's permission to fight, he also sent in his resignation as Prime Minister. The Emperor of Austria appears to be a very fair-minded man. Having given his permission for the duel, he was not going to desert the Count. He refused to accept the Count's resignation, and, as a reply to the enemies of his Prime Minister, issued a decree forbidding the courts from prosecuting the Count for breaking the law. Such a decree would not do for us in America, where the law is the highest power in the state, and even the President is bound to obey it; but in Austria, where such a thing was possible, it was certainly very considerate of the Emperor to stand so bravely by his minister. Duelling is also against the laws of the Church, and the Count might have got into fresh trouble with his bishop if kind friends had not helped him in this direction also. His case was represented to the Pope, who also recognized that he had been terribly tried and provoked, and graciously pardoned him. Despite the efforts of his enemies, he has been able to make peace with both his emperor and his bishop, and though he will not have a pleasant time of it with such a parliament against him, he ought to be able to overcome his difficulties with two such powerful friends behind him. * * * * * There was a delightful celebration the other afternoon in New York at East River and Twenty-fourth Street.