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Essays and addresses

24 While it is reasonably certain that the fatal result of this duel was due to Le Lievre, he acted secundum artem.

In the Code settled by the Gentlemen Delegates of Tipperary, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon at the Clonmell Summer Assizes, 1775, generally agreed to and followed throughout Ireland and in substance elsewhere, Rule 5 reads as follows : 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.

Lyon had not, of course, taken the first alternative and the firing must necessarily proceed, if the Code was to be adhered to.

Notwithstanding this, he spoke to both principals.

Wilson seemed very desirous of settling, but Lyon said it was impos- sible.