THE DUEL HAS A NEW CODE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XX, 15 May 1897, Page 618

THE DUEL HAS A NEW CODE.

I ONE day asked Alexandre Dumas if be thought duelling would ever disappear from our customs. • Y es,’ he replied. * But when’’ I queried. ‘When there are no longer any men and women on this earth.’ he responded. Fifty years ago, a group of gentlemen, at the instigation and under the directions of the Marquis de Chateauvillard clubbed together for the purpose of codifying the accepted rules in matters of affairs of honour. From this reunion sprang that precious book which has been in one way or another regarded as an authority by men of honour and which has rendered them inestimable services. But the Code Chateauvillard does not fulfil its mission any longer. It has suffered the fate of all things in this world—it is ont of date. Several later works have been undertaken to comment upon, explain and complete this work of Chateauvillard, but this work to be successfully consummated could not have been done by one individual, no matter how well posted be was. Its only possibility of success depended upon a number of gentlemen uniting in themselves the competence and the sincere desire to do something useful toward mitigating the effects of men’s ill humours. This is the reason why the reunion of fencers, sportsmen and men of the world, known under the name of La Sociite du Coutre de Quatre, were in a position to realise the task that was proposed to them by one of their most enthusiastic members. A commission of a dozen members was appointed by the Coutre de Quatre, their mission being to prepare a work, which, upon completion, should be submitted to a general assembly of the members of this society, each of which should be at liberty to criticise, amend or approve of it. The idea of the authors of this new duelling code has been to place before their readers in concise and yet clear and precise terms the rules which should regulate an affair of honour, and which can be usefully and quickly consulted by those interested in

the question, enabling them to avoid a laborious search among the authorities. But that is not its whole mission. It aims to haimonise with our actual manners of to day certain decisions laid down by the Code Chateauvillard and which have fallen into disuse. For instance, according to the new code, a duel with swords can only take place when both parties agree to it. and with pistols as the weapons the duel at the word of command is alone admissible. But the lovers of serious combats may reassure themselves ! The distance agreed upon—sixteen metres as the minimnm—the number of balls to be exchanged, and the time between the command still permit, in the case of a grave offence, the running of great chances for the lodging or receiving of a ball in a vital snot. In fact, this little book seems to have come at an opportune moment, and to fill a long felt want. But the scoffers will ask • Will your new duelling code prevent the novice or the unskilful one from killing one an other ?’ • Mon Dieu ! No !’ I reply to these fault finders, but at any rate it will teach them to do it correctly. And, as you know, the Prince d’Auric says. ‘ In everything there is a way of doing it!’