The Code of Honor | Page 8

support of a lady's reputation, to be considered as less unjustifiable than any other of the same class, and as admitting of lighter apologies by the aggressor; this to be determined by the circumstances of the case, but always favorably to the lady.
"Rule 12.--In simple unpremeditated rencontres with the small sword or couteau-de-chasse, the rule is, first draw, first sheathe; unless blood be drawn: then both sheathe, and proceed to investigation.
"Rule 13.--No dumb-shooting, or firing in the air, admissible in any case. The challenger ought not to have challenged without receiving offence; and the challenged ought, if he gave offence, to have made an apology before he came on the ground: therefore, children's play must be dishonorable on one side or the other, and is accordingly prohibited.
"Rule 14.--Seconds to be of equal rank in society with the principals they attend, inasmuch as a second may choose or chance to become a principal, and equality is indispensable.
"Rule 15.--Challenges are never to be delivered at night, unless the party to be challenged intend leaving the place of offence before morning; for it is desirable to avoid all hot-headed proceedings.
"Rule 16.--The challenged has the right to choose his own weapon, unless the challenger gives his honor he is no swordsman; after which, however, he cannot decline any second species of weapon proposed by the challenged.
"Rule 17.--The challenged chooses his ground; the challenger chooses his distance; the seconds fix the time and terms of firing.
"Rule 18.--The seconds load in presence of each other, unless they give their mutual honors that they have charged smooth and single, which should be held sufficient.
"Rule 19.--Firing may be regulated, first by signal; secondly, by word of command; or, thirdly, at pleasure, as may be agreeable to the parties. In the latter case, the parties may fire at their reasonable leisure, but second presents and rests are strictly prohibited.
"Rule 20.--In all cases a miss-fire is equivalent to a shot, and a snap or a non-cock is to be considered as a miss-fire.
"Rule 21.--Seconds are bound to attempt a reconciliation before the meeting takes place, or after sufficient firing or hits, as specified.
"Rule 22.--Any wound sufficient to agitate the nerves and necessarily make the hands shake, must end the business for that day.
"Rule 23.--If the cause of meeting be of such a nature that no apology or explanation can or will be received, the challenged takes his ground, and calls on the challenger to proceed as he chooses: in such cases firing at pleasure is the usual practice, but may be varied by agreement.
"Rule 24.--In slight cases, the second hands his principal but one pistol; but in gross cases, two, holding another case ready charged in reserve.
"Rule 25.--When seconds disagree, and resolve to exchange shots themselves, it must be at the same time and at right angles with their principals.
"If with swords, side by side, at five paces interval.
"N.B. All matters and doubts not herein mentioned, will be explained and cleared up by application to the committee, who meet alternately at Clonmell and Galway, at their quarter sessions, for the purpose.
"CROW RYAN, President." "JAMES KEOG, "AMBY BODKIN, Secretaries
ADDITIONAL GALWAY ARTICLES
"Rule 1.--No party can be allowed to bend his knee or cover his side with his left hand; but may present at any level from the hip to the eye.
"Rule 2.--One can neither advance nor retreat, if the ground be measured. If the ground be unmeasured, either party may advance at pleasure, even to touch muzzle; but neither can advance on his adversary after the fire, unless his adversary step forward on him.
"The seconds stand responsible for this last rule being strictly observed; bad cases have accrued from neglecting it."
This precise and enlightened digest was rendered necessary by the multitude of quarrels that arouse without "sufficient dignified provocation:" the point of honor men required a uniform government; and the code thus formed was disseminated throughout the island, with directions that it should b strictly observed by all gentlemen, and kept in their pistol cases. The rules, with some others, were commonly styled "the thirty-six commandments," and, according to the author, have been much acted upon down to the present day. Tipperary and Galway were the chief schools of duelling. We remember to have heard, in travelling to the town of the former name in a stage coach, a dispute between two Irish companions, on the point, which was the most gentlemanly country in all Ireland--Tipperary or Galway? and both laid great stress upon the relative duelling merits of those counties. By the same criterion, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina, would bear away the palm of gentility among the States of the Union.-

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