The Code of Honor | Page 8

have actually taken their ground, without exchange of fires.
"Rule 8.--In the above case, no challenger is obliged to divulge the
cause of his challenge, (if private,) unless required by the challenged to
do so before their meeting.
"Rule 0.--All imputations of cheating at play, races, &c, to be
considered equivalent to a blow; but may be reconciled after one shot,
on admitting their falsehood, and begging pardon publicly.
"Rule 10.--Any insult to a lady under a gentleman's care or protection,
to be considered as, by one degree, a greater offence than if given to the
gentleman personally, and to be regulated accordingly.
"Rule 11.--Offences originating or accruing from the 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