DUEL BETWEEN M. GAMBETTA AND M. DE FOURTOU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5584, 17 January 1879, Page 7

DUEL BETWEEN M. GAMBETTA AND M. DE FOURTOU.

The Daily News' Paris correspondent writes as follows on Nov. 21: — Contrary to almost universal anticipation, M. Gambetta has fought a duel with M. de Fourtou. For reasons not explained, M. de Fourtou changed his originally appointed seconds, M. do la Pochette and M. Langle, and sent a challenge by M. Robert Mitchell and M. Blin do Bourdon, both deputies. M. Gambetta chose as his friends M. Alloin Targes and M. Olcmenceau, also deputies. A meeting was resolved upon under the circumstances graphically described in the following prods verbal , signed by the four seconds “ In the sitting of Nov. 18 M. do Fourtou having addressed M, Gambetta in the following terms‘ When one declares war on all Frenchmen not animated by an old Republican faith.’ I M. Gambetta replied, ‘ That’s a lie, monsieur.’ On an observation of the President of the Chamber, M. Gambetta some minutes later said, ‘ On account of the regulations I withdraw the word.’ M. de Fourtou, considering that the offensive expression was not withdrawn so far as ho was concerned, charged M. Blin do Bourdon and M. Robert Mitchell to demand from M. Gambetta a retraction or satisfaction by arms. M. Gambetta appointed M. Allain Targd and M. Clomonoeau to confer with the above. The four seconds met. M. Blin de Bourdon and M, Robert Mitchell declared that in their opinion the text of the Journal OJflciel gave satisfaction to the President of the Chamber, but repeated the insult as regarded M. do Fourtou. They therefore demanded that M. Gambetta should withdraw the words < on account of the regulations.’ M. Allain Targs and M. Clomenceau then said M. Gambotta had, in fact, withdrawn the word out of deference to the Chamber, but that now that explanations were demanded of him ho resumed the word, and was quite at M. de Fourtou’s service. M. Blin de Bourdon and M. Robert Mitchell declared that the distinction drawn by M. Gambetta, instead of attenuating the insult, made it wbrse. Under these circumstances the four seconds were of opinion that a meeting could not be avoided. It was agreed that the choice of arms belonged to M. do Fourtou. The conditions of the meeting were settled as follows s—The

duel to bo fought with rifled pistols, at a distance of 35 paces, and but one shot to bo exchanged at the word of command. In faith of which wo have signed these present*. For M. Gambetta, Alluin Targe Clomenceau ; for M. do Fourton—Dlin do Bourbon, Robert Mitchell.”

Second Prods Verbal. —" Paris, Nov. 21. The meeting took place to-day at I’lcssts Piquet conformably to tho conditions stipulated. Neither party was touched," Private accounts say that when tho affair was happily over, the four seconds shook hands, and the fluellists raised their hats to each other. Ploseis Piquet is a picturesque hamlet on high ground near Fontenay-nux-Rosos, about five miles from tho Tuilorics. The morning was foggy, and so cold that tho most practised hand might well have held a pistol unsteadily. Thirty five paces is not a murderous distance, and it is no wonder that tho laudable desire of the seconds that no harm should bo done was fulfilled. In England, probably, M, Gamhelta will be blamed both for the unparliamentary language he very unnecessarily used, and for risking his life in such a barbarous, antiquated, haphazard proceeding as a duel. But in France things are regarded in a different light, and! do not think M. Gambetta’s prestige will suffer in the least. It is the first time he Ims fought, and bis pluck is much admired for going out. Last night he dined with M. Teisserenc do Bort, was very gay, and nobody suspected that the conditions of a duel at 9 this morning was settled in their minutest details. Two surgeons attended the duel—one for M. Gambetta, Dr Lannclongue, the Republican candidate chosen to oppose M. Paul do Cassagnac in the Gere ; the other Dr Ihevenet. M. Gambetta appeared in his place at Versailles this afternoon, and was greatly congratulated by his friends.