FIGURING FITZGERALD'S LIFE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 9, 30 April 1877, Page 2

FIGURING FITZGERALD'S LIFE.

1 When Mr Fitzgerald was introduced at the French Court to King Louis XVI., the ambassador thinking to compliment the oourage of Fitzgerald, said, " Your Majesty this brave gentleman has killed nineteen antagonists in as many duels, and never has been wounded ! " The King replied in sorrowful rebuke, '* M l'Ambassadeur ! I should have been more pleased to have heard that he had saved the lives of nineteen persons, or of even one of hia Majesty's subjects." It was a faot that he had never been wounded, though opposed by excellent marksmen, who were instructed in those days to aim between the belt and throat ; for to shoot above or below was considered ungentlemanly and non-cavalieo. Fitzgerald was a terror in the Society of srery club, and he belonged, to many 5 for no person dare blackball him for fear of a leaden ball in return. No ono presumed to put his name upon tho bulletin for expulsion, for fear of bullets in his own body. He insulted anyone who offended him by a blow on the face with bis glove. The insulted gentleman was compelled to challenge him, whioh gave Fitzgerald the choice of weapons— his deadly pistol, with which he had often " snuffed " a candle out at ten paces.

People wondered how it was that be was never wounded, Many were the aumisee, with bated breath and whispered suggestions. At that time, in Ireland, duelling was the fashion, and Indies favored no lover who had not been out with his man. Fitzgerald, of noble family, was their reigning favorite. There h>ed in County Galway a rich country gentleman, Eichard Martin, who became renowned as a modern Richard Cceur de Lion. He was the father of "Animal Martin," so called from his humanity to J animals—the Henry Bergh of Parliament.! Richard Martin was a quiet, brave man; in manners the reverse of Fitzgerald, >ho was frivolity personified. The conversation at a club turned upon the mavellous carrer of the latter, when Mr Martin observed that he did not believe Fitzgerald oare fight a duel with his body to his belt entirely naked. This suggestive remark reached tho duellist, who instantly insulted Martin by striking him across the face with his glove. Richard Martin had never fought j a duel, being opposed to it upon principle, unless for libel, or slander or gross personal insult. He Was, therefore, compelled to challenge—which fact gave Fitzgerald the choice Of weapons. Martin's secind insisted that the principals should be placed at thirty paces distance, approach each other at the signal, and &m at pleasure aa they approached—each step of course lessening the distance between them. This arrangement was agreed to, the distance measured, and the men placed faco to faca. " Arc you ready, gentlemen?" "Yes." "One, two, three, ahd fire!" It was noticed that Fitzgerald was nervous, even in the preliminaries, for tho original ramark of Martin causing the duel suggested knowledge or belief as to the frudulently concealed armour. They had advanced only two paces each when Fitzgerald suddenly fired, and, for the first time, missed his man, his bullet, however, carrying away a portion of Martin's shirt ruffle. Tho arrangement was that when either had fired he was to stop and receive tho fire of his opI ponenfc. There were twenty-six paces left between them, and Richard Martin slowly advanced, and when within only four paces fsred point blank at tho very heart of Fitzgerald, who stood erect, smiling and unhurt. | Martin instantly reversed his pistol, seized the I barrel, and, rushing upon Fi.zgerald, inflicted a terrible blow before the seconds could interfere, and as quickly tore open the embroidered < shirt of his prostrate foe, disclosing to the eyes of all the concealed bullet-proof coat of mail—close steel chain or ring armour, lined with a wadded inner coat, impervious to bullet, sword, or dagger. After the duel, and in consequence of it. came in the fashion of fighting naked to the waist. Fitzgerald 1 died almost instantly. Richard Martin was tried for murder and acquitted by acckmmation, not only by the jury, but Y.j all Ireland, England, and Europe, who saluted him as a public benefactor.