Personal Sketches of His Own Times, Vol. 2 (of 3). Jonah Barrington

      But if the parties would rather fight on, then, after two shots each, (but in no case before,) B may explain first, and A apologise afterwards.

      N.B. The above rules apply to all cases of offences in retort not of a stronger class than the example.

      If a doubt exist who gave the first offence, the decision rests with the seconds: if they won’t decide or can’t agree, the matter must proceed to two shots, or to a hit, if the challenger require it.

      When the lie direct is the first offence, the aggressor must either beg pardon in express terms; exchange two shots previous to apology; or three shots followed up by explanation; or fire on till a severe hit be received by one party or the other.

      As a blow is strictly prohibited under any circumstances amongst gentlemen, no verbal apology can be received for such an insult: the alternatives therefore are – first, the offender handing a cane to the injured party, to be used on his own person, at the same time begging pardon; – second, firing on until one or both are disabled; or thirdly, exchanging three shots, and then asking pardon, without the proffer of the cane.

      If swords are used, the parties engage till one is well blooded, disabled, or disarmed; or until, after receiving a wound, and blood being drawn, the aggressor begs pardon.

      N.B. A disarm is considered the same as a disable: the disarmer may (strictly) break his adversary’s sword; but if it be the challenger who is disarmed, it is considered as ungenerous to do so.

      In case the challenged be disarmed, and refuses to ask pardon or atone, he must not be killed, as formerly; but the challenger may lay his own sword on the aggressor’s shoulder, then break the aggressor’s sword, and say, “I spare your life!” The challenged can never revive that quarrel – the challenger may.

      If A gives B the lie, and B retorts by a blow (being the two greatest offences), no reconciliation can take place till after two discharges each, or a severe hit; —after which, B may beg A’s pardon humbly for the blow, and then A may explain simply for the lie; – because a blow is never allowable, and the offence of the lie therefore merges in it. (See preceding rule.)

      N.B. Challenges for undivulged causes may be reconciled on the ground, after one shot. An explanation or the slightest hit should be sufficient in such cases, because no personal offence transpired.

      But no apology can be received, in any case, after the parties have actually taken their ground, without exchange of fires.

      In the above case, no challenger is obliged to divulge his cause of challenge (if private), unless required by the challenged so to do before their meeting.

      All imputations of cheating at play, races, &c. to be considered equivalent to a blow; but may be reconciled after one shot, on admitting their falsehood, and begging pardon publicly.

      Any insult to a lady under a gentleman’s care or protection, to be considered as, by one degree, a greater offence than if given to the gentleman personally, and to be regulated accordingly.

      Offences originating or accruing from the support of ladies’ reputation, to be considered as less unjustifiable than any others of the same class, and as admitting of slighter apologies by the aggressor: – this to be determined by the circumstances of the case, but always favourably to the lady.

      In simple unpremeditated rencontres with the small sword, or couteau-de-chasse the rule is – first draw, first sheath; unless blood be drawn: then both sheath, and proceed to investigation.

      No dumb-shooting or firing in the air admissible in any case. The challenger ought not to have challenged without receiving offence; and the challenged ought, if he gave offence, to have made an apology before he came on the ground: therefore, children’s play must be dishonourable on one side or the other, and is accordingly prohibited.

      Seconds to be of equal rank in society with the principals they attend, inasmuch as a second may either choose or chance to become a principal, and equality is indispensable.

      Challenges are never to be delivered at night, unless the party to be challenged intend leaving the place of offence before morning; for it is desirable to avoid all hot-headed proceedings.

      The challenged has the right to choose his own weapon, unless the challenger gives his honour he is no swordsman; after which, however, he cannot decline any second species of weapon proposed by the challenged.

      The challenged chooses his ground: the challenger chooses his distance: the seconds fix the time and terms of firing.

      The seconds load in presence of each other, unless they give their mutual honours they have charged smooth and single, which should be held sufficient.

      Firing may be regulated – first, by signal; secondly, by word of command; or, thirdly, at pleasure – as may be agreeable to the parties. In the latter case, the parties may fire at their reasonable leisure, but second presents and rests are strictly prohibited.

      In all cases, a miss-fire is equivalent to a shot, and a snap or a non-cock is to be considered as a miss-fire.

      Seconds are bound to attempt a reconciliation before the meeting takes place, or after sufficient firing or hits, as specified.

      Any wound sufficient to agitate the nerves and necessarily make the hand shake, must end the business for that day.

      If the cause of meeting be of such a nature that no apology or explanation can or will be received, the challenged takes his ground, and calls on the challenger to proceed as he chooses: in such cases, firing at pleasure is the usual practice, but may be varied by agreement.

      In slight cases, the second hands his principal but one pistol; but, in gross cases, two, holding another case ready-charged in reserve.

      Where seconds disagree, and resolve to exchange shots themselves, it must be at the same time and at right angles with their principals.

      If with swords, side by side, with five paces interval.

      N.B. All matters and doubts not herein mentioned will be explained and cleared up by application to the committee, who meet alternately at Clonmell and Galway, at the quarter-sessions, for that purpose.6

      Crow Ryan, President,

      James Keogh, }

      Amby Bodkin,} Secretaries.

      No party can be allowed to bend his knee, or cover his side with his left hand; but may present at any level from the foot to the eye.

      None can either advance or retreat, if the ground be measured. If no ground be measured, either party may advance at his pleasure, even to touch muzzle; but neither can advance on his adversary after the fire, unless the adversary step forward on him.

      N.B. The seconds on both sides stand responsible for this last rule being strictly observed, bad cases having accrued from neglect of it.