nity of its shrinelike back, and carvework of fruits and flowers, angels and shields, on which the fire flung a full and ruddy glow. Before the astonishment occasioned by this mysterious and abrupt (not to say, uncourteous) departure of the Dominican from the hospitable hall of Goldenrood, had time to subside, a sudden darkness enveloped the lordly chamber, and what resembled a monstrous scarlet cowl, fit only for the scalp of a colossus, was seen, by the obscured light, descending slowly upon the fire in the centre of the hall; for an instant the festive flame cowered beneath this strange extinguish. er, but immediately recovering, shot upwards, and on every side, such broad bickering and forked flames, as quickly scattered to a distance the courtly ring which had so lately encircled its pleasant hearth. Fiercely recoiled the necromantic blaze, now climbing the solid wainscot, now waving up and down the heavy tapestry, rolling in red billows along the hall pavement, and curling like palm branches of living gold, over the massy beams and sculptured architraves of the mighty roof, but neither consuming nor even impairing any thing it touched. The panic which ensued, it were vain to attempt describing!-the scared guests betook themselves to flight; but before they could achieve their escape from the various outlets of the hall, a thunderlike explosion of laughter burst from the high lovery; and looking up they beheld, dilated to prodigious dimensions, the exaggerated features, white hair, flowing beard, and glittering eye, of the strange Dominican. "Ha ha! ha!" he exclaimed, "thanks mine host, and you, his garrulous guests, thanks! you have reported me well! but I will tell you my best story myself!" The apparition vanished; and immediately a hideous tempest arose and raged with preternatural violence: windows clattered, doors banged, tiles flew off; and what seemed a shower of mingled ashes and gore, sputtered through the lovery, finally extinguishing the fire; while the terrified company fled aghast to their chambers in every direction. Wild and dread were the accounts of this horrible interruption to the Christmas festivities of Goldenrood Castle, which flew round the neighbourhood; full long did it furnish the gossips theme to that and the adjacent counties. and even the preparations for the bridal suspended. In time, however, the marvellous tale died away; and, so much does even the most astounding event lose its power, when for a time familiarized to the mind, that the Baron de Mainefort and his friends, ere long, learnt to persuade themselves that the whole transaction was the work of some mere mortal, who, by way of a Christmas gambol, and by the aid of mask and cloak, an old gong, chemical preparations, and so forth, had played upon their credulity, by this successful piece of mummery. At any rate, the bridal, thus terribly interrupted, was announced to take place at the high festival of Pentecost; and it was with green trees waving over their heads, and gay flowers strewing their path, that Sir Ildebrand Blondel and the Lady Leonora, quitted the venerable church porch of Goldenrood, when the village parson, a man of exemplary piety and great learning, united in holy wedlock their long affianced hands. The Goldenrood traditions say, that it was solely owing to the wise precautions of this good man, (who not only sprinkled the bridal bed with abundance of holy water, but also took care to have a large red cross emblazed upon the door of the bride-chamber,) that all further molestation was prevented from Friar Redcowl. Certain it is, that many of the domestics were known to affirm, that, on the night of their nuptial, strange noises were heard in the great gallery of Goldenrood, at whose eastern extremity the bride-chamber stood; such as groans and imprecations, accompanied by impatient stamping, as of baffled rage; nay, some went so far as to protest, that a gigantic spectre, with eyes glaring, like stormy moons, from beneath a great Red Cowl was to be seen, for many a night, keeping watch at the folding doors. But, whether it was owing to the sagacious manoeuvres of the parson of Goldenrood, or whether this his first defeat in mischief utterly disheartened the fiend (as the tiger is said to retreat abashed, if baffled in his spring,) the Castle chronicles, while they relate the pomps and pageants of many successive Christmas festivals at Goldenrood, are uniformly silent as to any further visitation from THE FRIAR WITH THE GORY COWL. And at the Castle itself, all the merry-making was at once broken off, Glasgow, November, 1836. LONDON: H. G. Published by Effingham Wilson, Junior, 16, King William Street, London Bridge. Where communications for the Editor (post-paid) will be received. [Printed by Manning and Smithson, Ivy-lane,] OF FICTION, POETRY, HISTORY, AND GENERAL LITERATURE. No. 128. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1836. Price Two-pence A DUEL IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. [The following account, from the French of Monsieur Coustard de Massi, of a duel in the early part of the seventeenth century, is particularly interesting, and exhibits, in a singular light, the qualities of the combatants. We question if the annals of duelling afford a more remarkable instance of ferocity, courage, and magnanimity, combined. The particulars of the deadly struggle are given by the survivor, with a minute ness and perspicuity that forbid us to doubt his veracity; while his own courage, and that of his unfortunate rival is rendered conspicuous.] HAVING thus far treated of duels in France, it might be deemed a great blemish, not to say an unpardonable omission in this performance, were the writer to remain totally silent concerning that homicide practice in England. The custom of fighting with seconds, to prevent any of the unfair dealing which is to be suspected in the rencontres of France, is adhered to in England; although, from the known generous disposition of the people, without such witnesses being present, the maliciously taking any base advantages, from any accident whatsoever, is seldom to be feared; as can be proved from numerous and undoubted instances among even the lower part of the nation, where we see fellows, when stript to fight, before and after the engagement, shake hands with a kind of savage gallantry; for which, at times, as Pierre says in Venice Pre-> served, I could have hugg'd the greasy rogues, they pleas'd me イ and they detest nothing so much as the least imputation of foul play, or the having taken a mean advantage. Examples of this kind of athletic bruising are to be seen every day, by those who are curious enough to seek after such scenes, which may with the strictest propriety be called duels with the fists. But, as instances of the mode of fighting practised in higher life, with the auxiliary implements of sword and pistol, are on one hand not to be seen so often, and on the other, few persons, especially those endowed with the tender sensations of humanity, would choose to be spectators of so terrifying an experiment, here, softened from all the horrors of real inspection, through the medium of a faithful narrative, shall be presented to our readers as determined a duel as ever was fought; and this specimen will suffice to convey a proper idea of British valour, when called upon à toute outrance, as in that celebrated single combat between a gentleman of the illustrious Sackville family, and a Scotch peer, Lord Bruce. Their letters previous to the fight will convey an adequate idea of the spirit of such antagonists. 1. A MONSIEUR SACKVILLE. "I, that am in France, hear how much you attribute to yourself this time that I have given the world leave to ring your praises If you call to memory where I gave you my hand last, I told you I reserved the heart for a truer reconciliation. Now be that noble gentleman my love once spoke you, and come and do him right that Could recite the trials you owe your birth and country, were I not confident your honour gives you the same courage to do me right, that it did to do wrong. me "Be master of your weapons and time; the place wheresoever, I will wait upon you. By doing this you shall shorten revenge, and clear the idle opinion the world hath of both our worths. 2. EDW. BRUCE." A MONSIEUR LE BARON DE KINLOSS. "As it shall always be far from me to seek a quarrel, so will I always be ready to meet with any that desire to make trial of my valour by so fair a course as you require; a witness whereof yourself shall be, who, within a month, shall receive a strict account of time, place, and weapon, where you shall find me ready disposed to give you honourable satisfaction, by him that shall conduct you thither. In the mean time, be as secret of the appointment as it seems you are desirous of it. fi EDW. SACKVILLE." 03. ! A MONSIEUR LE RARON DE KINLOSS. "I am ready at Tergoso, a town in Zealand, to give you the satisfaction your sword can render you, accompanied 2 "I have received your letter by your man, and acknowledge you have dealt nobly with me; and now I come with all possible haste to meet you. EDW. BRUCE." The public is indebted for a relation of the duel between Lord Bruce and Sir Edward Sackville, to a letter written by the latter to one of his friends in England. Worthy Sir, "As I am not ignorant, so ought I to be sensible of the false aspersions some authorless tongues have laid upon me, in the report of the unfortunate passage which lately, happened between the Lord Bruce and myself, which as they are spread here, so I may justly fear they reign also where you are. There are but two ways to resolve doubts of this nature; by oath, or by sword. The first is due to magistrates, and communicable to friends; the other to such as maliciously slander, and impudently defend their assertion. 66 Your love, not my merits, assure me, you hold me your friend, which esteem I am much desirous to retain; do me therefore, the right to understand the truth of that; and, in my behalf, inform others, who either are or may be infected with sinister rumours, much prejudicial to that fair opinion I desire to hold amongst all worthy persons: and on the faith of a gentleman, the relation I shall give is neither more nor less than the bare truth. "The enclosed (alluding to the above letters) contains the first citation sent me from Paris, by a Scotch gentleman, who delivered it me in Derbyshire, at my father-in-law's house. After it follows my then answer, returned to him by the same bearer. The next is my accomplishment of my first promise, being a particular assignation of place and weapons. which I sent by a servant of mine, by post, from Rotterdam, as soon as he landed there. "The receipt of which, joined to an acknowledgment of my too fair carriage to the deceased lord, testified by the last, which periods the business until we met at Tergoso, in Zealand, it being the place allotted for rendezvous; where he, accompanied with one Mr. Crawford, an English gentleman, for his second, a surgeon, and a man, arrived with all the speed he could. "And there having rendered himself, I addressed my second, Sir John Heidon, to let him understand, that all following should be done by consent; as concerning the terms whereon we should fight, as also the place. To our seconds we gave power for their appointments; who agreed we should go to Antwerp, from thence to Bergen-opzoom, where in the midway but a village divides the States' territories from the Arch-duke's. "And there was the destined stage, to the end that having finished the affair, he that could might presently exempt himself from the justice of the country, by retiring into the dominion whose laws were not offended. It was likewise concluded, that in case any should fall or slip, that then the combat should cease, and he whose ill fortune had so suhjected him, was to acknowledge his life to have been in the other's hands. "But in case one party's sword should break, because that could only chance by hazard, it was agreed that the other should take no advantage, but either then be made friends, or also, upon even terms go to it again. Thus these conclusions, being each of them related to his party, were by us both approved and assented to. "Accordingly we embarked for Antwerp, and by reason, my lord, (as I conceive, because he could not handsomely, without danger or discove) had not paired the sword, I sent him to Paris, bringing one of the same length, but twice as broad; my second excepted against it, and advised me to match my own, and send him the choice; which I obeyed, it being, you know, the challenger's privilege to elect his weapon. "At the delivery of the sword, which was performed by Sir John Heidon, it pleased the Lord Bruce to choose my own; and then, past expectation, he told him, that he found himself so far behind-hand, as a little of my blood would not serve his turn; and therefore he was now resolved to have me alone, because he knew, (for I will use his own words,) that so worthy a gentleman and my friend could not stand by and see him do that which he must to satisfy himself and his honour. Lap "Hereupon Sir John Heldon replied, that such intentions were bloody and butcherly, far unfitting so noble a per sonage, who should desire to bleed for reputation, not for life; withal adding, he thought himself injured, being come thus far, to be now prohibited from executing those honourable offices he came for The lord for answer only reiterated his former resolutions; where upon Sir John leaving him the sword he had elected, delivered me the other with his determinations. "The which, not for matter, but manner so moved me, as though, to my remembrance, I had not for a long time eaten more liberally than at dinner, and therefore unfit for such an action, (seeing the surgeons hold a wound upon a full stomach much more dangerous than otherwise), I requested my second to certify to him I would presently decide the difference, and therefore he should presently meet me on horseback, only waited on by our surgeons, they being unarmed. "Together we rode, but one before the other, about two English miles; and then passion, having so weak an enemy to assail as my discretion, easily became victor, and, using his power, made me obe dient to his commands. I being verily mad with anger that Lord Bruce should thirst after my life with a kind of assuredness; seeing I came so far, and needlessly, to give him leave to regain his lost reputation. "I bade him alight, which with all willingness he quickly granted; and there, in a meadow, ancle deep in water at the least, bidding fatewell to our doublets, in our shirts began to charge each other; having before commanded our surgeons to withdraw themselves at a pretty distance from us; conjuring them besides, as they respected our favours, or their own safeties, not to stir, but suffer us to execute our pleasure, we being fully resolved, (God forgive us!) to dispatch each other by what means we could. "I made a thrust at my enemy, but was short; aud in drawing back my arm I received a great wound therein, which I interpreted as a reward for my short shooting; but, in revenge, I prest into him, though I then missed him also, and then received a wound in my right pap, which passed both through my body, and almost to my back; and there we wrestled for the two greatest and dearest prizes we could ever expect trial honour and life; in which struggling, my hand having but an ordinary glove dreamt of it, came full at me with his Lordship's sword; and, had not mine with my sword interposed, I had been slain by those base hands; although my Lord Bruce, weltering in his blood and past all expectation of life, conformable to his former carriage, which was undoubtedly noble, cried out, rascal, hold thy hand.' "So may I prosper, as I have dealt sincerely with you in the relation, which I pray you, with this letter, to deliver to my Lord Chamberlain. 66 "At last, breathless, yet keeping our holds, their past, on both sides, propositions of quitting each other's swords. But, when amity was dead, confidence could not live; and who should quit first was the question, which on neither part either would perform; and wrestling again afresh, with a kick and a wrench together, I freed my long captivated weapon: which instantly levelling at his throat, being master still of his, I demanded if he would ask his life, or yield his sword? both which, though in (Now only occasionally used as an adjunct to the neighbouring inn.) that imminent danger, he bravely denied to do.. "Myself being wounded, and feeling loss of blood, having three conduits running on me, which began to make me faint, and he courageously persisting not to accord to either of my proposi tions; through remembrance of his former bloody desire, and feeling of my present estate, I struck at his heart, but, with his avoiding, missed my aim, yet passed through the body, and drawing out my sword, repassed it again through another place, when he cried, Oh! I am slain!' seconding his speech with all the force he had to cast me; but he being too weak, after I had defended his assault, I easily became master of him, laying him upon his back; when, being upon him, I re-demanded 'if he would request his life; but it seemed he prized it not at so dear a rate to be beholden for it, bravely replying,he scorned it; which answer of his was so noble and worthy, as I protest I could not find it in my heart to offer him any more violence, only keeping him down, until at length his surgeon afar off cried out, he would immediately die, if his wounds were not stopped:' whereupon I asked, if he desired his surgeon should come; which he accepted of; and so being drawn away, I never offered to take 'his sword, counting it inhuman to rob a dead man; for so I held him to be. "The matter being thus ended, I retired to my surgeon, in whose arms, for want of blood, I lost my sight; and withal, as I then thought, lost my life also; but strong water, and his dili gence, quickly recovered me, when I escaped from a very great danger. "Lord Bruce's surgeon, when nobody Louvain, September 8, 1613." ON A TUFT OF DAISIES, Ah! thou hast chosen well thy time to plant thy petals here, Pale porter of this Ancient House so desolate and drear! For when, on each high festival, with horsehoofs' prancing din, The Baron's guests, in rich attire, eame clamorously in, What careless eye had deigned a glance, upon thy pleading face? "Twere much in sooth if thou hadst 'scaped the grinding heel's disgrace. now,-O, feeble sentinel of this But dishonoured hall! Fond vassal vainly ling'ring on the threshold's mossy pall! Mid lichens dead emblazed as bright as on the verdant Lee, I bless the door that shuts me out, since it hath harboured thee. Thou would'st not that a stranger's tread, (the hostel's passing guest), The mansion's social spirit thou, sprung Alas! more like in loveliness (so bright The marble effigy that doth some sepulchre adorn; Surviving, in its cold repose, the memory of the dead, At most but a remembrancer that all we Well! spread thy leaves! blockade the HORACE GUILFORD. |