University of Virginia Library

GAMBLING DUELS IN THE YEAR 1818.

It so happened that almost every month of the year 1818 was `distinguished' by a duel or two, resulting from quarrels at gambling or in gambling houses.

January. `A meeting took place yesterday at an early hour, between Captain B — r — y and Lieutenant T — n — n, in consequence of a dispute at

play. Wimbledon Common was the ground, and the parties fired twice, when the lieutenant was slightly wounded in the pistol hand, the ball grazing the right side; and here the affair ended.'

January. `A meeting took place on the 9th instant, at Calais, between Lieut. Finch, 20th regiment of Dragoons, and Lieut. Boileau, on half-pay of the 41st regiment. Lieut. Finch was bound over, some days back, to keep the peace in England; in consequence of which he proceeded to Calais, accompanied by his friend, Captain Butler, where they were followed by Lieut. Boileau and his friend Lieut. Hartley. It was settled by Captain Butler, previous to Lieut. Finch taking his ground, that he was bound in honour to receive Lieut. Boileau's fire as he had given so serious a provocation as a blow. This arrangement was, however, defeated, by Lieut. Finch's pistol "accidentally'' going off, apparently in the direction of his opponent, which would probably have led to fatal consequences had it not been for the implicit reliance placed by Lieut. Boileau's friend on the strict honour of Capt. Butler, whose anxiety, steadiness, and gentlemanly conduct on this and every other occasion, were too well known to leave a

doubt on the minds of the opposite party, that Lieut. Finch's pistol going off was entirely accidental. A reconciliation, therefore, immediately took place.'

February 17. `Information was received at the public office, Marlborough Street, on Saturday last, that a duel was about to take place yesterday, in the fields contiguous to Chalk Farm, between Colonel Tucker and Lieut. Nixon, the latter having challenged the former in public company, for which and previous abuse the colonel inflicted severe chastisement with a thick stick. Subsequent information was received that the colonel's friends deemed it unnecessary for him to meet the challenger, but that his remedy was to repeat the former chastisement when insulted. It was further stated that a few half-pay officers, of inferior rank, had leagued together for the purpose of procuring others to give a challenge, and which it was the determination to put down by adopting the colonel's plan.'

February. `A captain in the army shook hands with a gallant lieut.-colonel (who had distinguished himself in the Peninsula) at one of the West End gaming houses, and Lieut. N — , who was present,

upbraided the colonel with the epithet of "poltroon.'' On a fit opportunity the colonel inflicted summary justice upon the lieutenant with a cane or horse-whip. This produced a challenge; but the colonel was advised that he would degrade himself by combat with the challenger, and he therefore declined it, but promised similar chastisement to that inflicted. It was then stated that the colonel was bound to fight any other person who would stand forth as the champion of Lieut. N — , to which the colonel consented, — when a Lieut. J — n — e appeared as the champion, and the meeting was appointed for Tuesday morning at Turnham Green. The information of the police was renewed, and Thomas Foy apprehended the parties at an inn near the spot, early in the morning. They were consequently bound over to keep the peace. It appears, however, that the lieutenant in this instance was not the champion of the former, but had been challenged by the colonel.'

April. `A meeting was to have taken place yesterday in consequence of a dispute at play, between Captain R — n — s and Mr B — e — r, a gentleman of fortune; but it was prevented by the interference of the police, and the parties escaped. It

took place, however, on the following day, on Wimbledon Common, and after exchanging a single shot the matter was adjusted.'

May. `In consequence of a dispute at a gaming table, on Monday night, in the vicinity of Piccadilly, Mr M — , who was an officer in the British service at Brussels, and Mr B — n, a medical man, met, at three in the morning, on Tuesday, in the King's Road. They fought at twelve paces. Mr B — n was wounded on the back part of the hand, and the affair was adjusted.'

July. `A duel was fought yesterday morning, on Wimbledon Common, between a Mr Arrowsmith and Lieut. Flynn, which ended in the former being wounded in the thigh. The dispute which occasioned the meeting originated in a gaming transaction.'

September. `A duel was fought this morning on Hounslow Heath, between Messrs Hillson and Marsden. The dispute arose in one of the stands at Egham races. The latter was seriously wounded in the left side, and conveyed away in a gig.'

November. `A duel originating, over a dispute at play was fixed to take place on Wimbledon Common, at daybreak, yesterday morning, but in

formation having been received that police officers were waiting, the parties withdrew.'