(disdaining Compton, being less both in stature and courage,) told the second that brought the challenge, in a vapouring manner, that he would not stir a foot to encounter Compton, unless he would meet him in a sawpit, where he might be sure Compton could not run away from him. The second, that looked upon this as a rhodomontado fancy, told him, that if he would appoint the place, Compton should not fail to meet him. Bird, making choice both of the place and weapon, (which, in the vain formality of fighters, was in the election of the challenged,) he chose a saw-pit and a single sword; where, according to the time appointed, they met. Being together in the pit, with swords drawn, and stript ready for the encounter, Now, Compton,' said Bird, thou shalt not escape from me;' and hovering his sword over his head, in a disdainful manner said, 'Come, Compton, let's see what you can do now.' Compton, attending his business with a watchful eye, seeing Bird's sword hovering over him, ran under it in upon him, and in a moment ran him through the body; so that his pride fell to the ground, and there did sprawl out its last vanity. Which should teach us, that strong temptation is the greatest weakness; and it's far from wisdom in the most arrogant strength to slight and disdain the meanest adversary."* To bring the history of duelling down to the present times, we may mention the second desperate combat which took place between the late Mr. Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Mr. Matthews; who were both at that time residing at Bath. The particulars of it, as given by Mr. Sheridan's biographer, were as follows.t "When the flight took place," (of Mr. Sheridan and Miss Linley to the continent,) "it naturally became the subject of general conversation at Bath; where, from the known intimacy that had subsisted between Matthews. and Sheridan, and from a variety of circumstances, it was freely said that the former must have been concerned in the elopement. The conjecture was perfectly natural and well * Wilson's Life of James the First, page 727. founded; but Matthews thought proper to deny all knowledge of the transaction; and he went so far as to throw out reflections injurious to the reputation of Miss Linley and her lover. The matter found its way into the newspapers; and the Bath Paper contained some animadversions upon the fugitives, which excited much attention, as evidently coming from the pen of one who must have been well acquainted with their affairs and former history. Sheridan could not long be ignorant of these dastardly attempts to injure his honour, and to destroy the peace of one who had a claim upon him for the protection of her character. Having traced, for certainty, the calumny which had been so scandalously propagated, to the original author, our hero instantly proceeded to Bath; but his arrival there was no sooner known, than Matthews thought it most expedient to decamp for London; where he was as closely pursued by the man whom he had betrayed and abused. He was discovered in a tavern, at the corner of Henrietta-street and Bedford-street, Covent-Garden ; and the parties being resolutely bent, they both drew their swords, while Mr. Charles Sheridan alone acted as the second in the fray. The rencontre was desperate, for each was a complete master of the weapon; but after a display of much courage and skill, Matthews was disarmed, and thrown upon the floor, in which situation he sued for his life. In addition to this, he signed a confession of the falsehoods which he had caused to be circulated; and this declaration was immediately published in the journal where the original paragraphs from the same hand had appeared. The vanquished párty being thus completely covered with disgrace, retired to his estate in Glamorganshire; but, even there, he could not be free from the observation of his neighbours, for the whole story quickly spread throughout the kingdom, especially as the duel was one out of the ordinary practice of single combat, in this country. "Stung by the sarcasms of his old companions, and irritated by being thrown out of the gay circle, where he had been considered as a leader, Matthews became almost frantic with rage; and, though conscience told him that the blood of another could not obliterate the signature which he had affixed to his own confession of treachery, he resolved to perish in the attempt to get revenge. Accordingly, he returned once more to Bath, and immediately caused a message to be delivered to Sheridan, demanding another meeting. This the latter might have declined, by all the rules of duelling, and upon every principle of strict honour; for his antagonist having already, when defeated, obtained the grant of his life upon a condition that fixed upon him a mark of odium, had no right to the interview which he now sought. But though the friends whom Mr. Sheridan consulted on this occasion remonstrated, in strong terms, and with conclusive arguments, on the impropriety of complying with the requisition, his lofty spirit could not brook the idea of sheltering himself from a conflict under any plea whatever. It was accordingly settled, that the parties should meet, at four in the morning, on Kingsdown, near Bath, each attended by his second; who were, however, peremptorily interdicted from interfering their offices during |