The Gentler Sex on the "Code.—Jefferson, in his volume about doctors, has some stories concerning women duellists, which are introduced into the work because surgeons must dress wounds given iiv female fighters as well as men duellists. We qnote the following from his book : —" The few duels fought between women have, generally, been characterised by great ferocity. Madame Dunoyer mentions a case of a duel with swords' between, two 'ladies of ip.nk, who would have killed each other had they not been separated; In a feminine duel on the Boulevard St, Antoine,' mentioned by De la Coloinbier, both the principals received wounds on the face and bosom — -a, iiiost important fact illustrative of the pride the fair sex take in those parts. Sometimes ladies have distinguished themselves by fighting duels with men. Mdlle'. Dureux fought her lover Antonet'i in an open street. The actress llaupin challenged Dumeny, but bo declined to give her satisfaction ; so the lady i; ripped oft' his watch and snuff-box, and bore them : vay as trophies of victory. The same' lady on occasion having insulted^ in a ball room, a r stinguished person of her own sex, was requested by several gentlemen to leave the entertainment., She obeyed, but forthwith challenged and fought each of trie meddlesome cavaliers—and killed them all! The slaughter accomplished, she returned to the ballroom, and danced in the presence of her rival. The Marquise de Nelse and the Countess Polignac, under the regency, fought with pistols for the possession of the Due de .Richelieu. In about 1827, a lady of Uhataaureux, whoso husband had received a slap in the face, called out the offender, and severely wounding him in a duel fought with swords, wiped off the stain from her lord's hunor. The most dramatic affair of honor, however, in the annals of female duelling, occurred in the year 1825, when a young French girl challenged a. garde dv corps who had seduced her. At the meeting the seconds , took the precaution of loading without ball, the fair principal, of course being kept in ignorance of the arrangement. She T-i-ed first, and paw her seducer remain unhurt. Without flinching or trembling, or changing color, Aie stood watching her adversary,-while he took a deliberate aim, (to test her courage,) and then,' after a painful suspense, fired in thq tax."— English. Magarletf. - . : • . ;., ' ;•: ■, '.' „'
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Otago Daily Times, Issue 180, 13 June 1862, Page 5
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389Untitled Otago Daily Times, Issue 180, 13 June 1862, Page 5
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