Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/341

 HUTCHINSON. - 337 was, therefore, defeated in his prosecution, but consoled himself by saying, “that though he was disappointed now, he should be more certain the next time; for, if another challenge was brought him, he should cut off the bearer's ears, and match them to his head in court.” This subterfuge, however, did not quite answer the learned doctor's purpose. The imputation of cowardice was as highly disgraceful with the Irish bar, as it could be in the military profession; and the doctor, in consequence of his prosecution, quickly found himself in Coventry with his brother gownsmen, and that nothing could restore him to their intercourse but the purification of h i s honour. He resolved, therefore, t o take the first opportunity, which was soon afforded him b y the very youth h e had prosecuted, who sent him a message b y a herald with whom there could b e n o shuffling. The doctor accepted the invita tion. The next morning was appointed for the interview. His antagonist, with a friend, was first o n the ground. The doctor's delay excited some doubts; but a hackney coach, i n which were the doctor and his second, was seen approaching, and soon drew u p close t o the scene o f action; immediately the doctor descending from the off side, made the detour round the vehicle, and followed b y his second, advanced towards his antagonist i n a very formidable stile. He was muffled t o the chin i n a heavy great coat, his nose surmounted b y a huge pair o f spec tacles, and with a large bell-muzzled blunderbuss raised t o his shoulder, h e marched towards his opponent, and de manded, “where was the villain that had designs upon his life—that h e might blow him t o atoms.” The opposite second demanded a parley, and remon strated o n the total unfitness o f fighting with such a weapon: but the doctor would hear n o argument; “he came there t o fight, and not t o talk:—he was not obliged t o please any man's fancy i n the choice o f his weapon, and h e would fight with n o other.—Where was his anta gonist and why did h e not take his ground f"—(cocking and presenting h i s wall-piece with deliberate aim ) I t was WOL. 11. 2