A VERY STRANGE FRENCH DUEL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 312, 11 April 1879, Page 9

A VERY STRANGE FRENCH DUEL.

The recent grotesque duel between Gambetta and Fouitou has brought in mind other queer duels fought by Frenchmen, some of which are rehearsed in the Paris> journals. One of" the queerest was fought in 171)0, between Cazales and lUrnavc. In the Assembly, the former, in an eloquent speech, called the Left •• brigands." * The latter replied that he could take no notice of a collective insult, but if it were personally applied he would feel bound to notice it. Of course Cazales gratified Barnavc ; but the matter was arranged by common friends. The next morning, however, Cazales called with St. bimon upon Barnavc, saying. •' I am very sorry, bat the ladies are unwilling we should be at peace." " I had expected as much," was the laconic reply. •• When, where, and how ]" •• At the Bois. in an hour, with pistols." Cizales insisted that his antagonist should fire first. Barnave refused, because the provocation mentioned by Cazales had not been intentional. They threw dioe, at wLiA Cazalos. said he had no luck. Barnavc wjn ; fired at thirteen paces, and missed. Twice Cazales' pistol mi.ssod fire. " Pardon me for keeping you waiting," lie said. an. l l.is adversary rcjoim-d, "I am here t'u wait."' ■when he had mi.^.-il his man the third ihno, his sjcond, Charles dc Lambeth, wanted the a'fair stopped, bit St. Simon was ! unwilling. Meanwhile, the combatants were walking about arm-in-arm.talking pleasantly together. "I should be very sorry to kill ■ you," remarked Cazales. •• But you are greatly in my way in the Assembly. Let me disable you from debating for the present.' 1 '•You are more generous than I am,*' responded Barnave, '• in wishing to let me off easily. You me the inaiu support of your party; my party would hardly feel my loss."' Again Bainavc won the toss, and his adversary fell, shot in the forehead, with the words, '* This is what I came here for." His cooked hat had, however, broken the force of the bullet : the surgeon soon pronounced the wound not serious, which Cazales corroborated, adding, " And 10. the ass opened his mouth and spake."' He went home in Lambeth's carriage, proffered as more comfortable than St. Simon's, and, in a few weeks, the combatants dined together, and spoke of the duel as a delightful little recreation. — Exchange.