Page:Sketch of the life and character of His Royal Highness the late Duke of York (1).pdf/3

 3 ly the Duke. It was here that His Highness, used frequently to order two of the attendants to raise a garter to the height of his mouth, from which he retreated, and then sprung over it. He could repeat this exertion several times without failing. The early years of the life of His Royal High- ness were spent in comparative tranquillity and privacy. Nothing deserving of any particular no- tice occurred till the period when he was created Duke of York and Albany. This event took place on the 27th of November 1789: This very year was marked by a circumstance so remarkable in the history of the Royal Duke as to require a particular mention. We allude to the affair of honour with Colonel Lennox, afterwards Duke of Richmond. This dispute originated in an obser- station of His Royal Highness, viz. that Colonel Lennox had heard words spoken to him at the Club, at Daubigney's, to which no gentleman ought to have submitted.' This observation being reported to the Colonel, he asked His Royal High- eness, at the parade, what the words were he had submitted to hear, and by whom spoken; the Duke gave no answer, but ordered him to his post. Colonel Lennox then wrote a circular to every om member of the Club, requesting to know whether any such words had been used to him; and their silence was to be considered a declaration that no nonuch words could be recollected. As no answers were returned, the Colonel requested His Royal Highness to contradict the report; but he having declined to do so, the Colonel sent him a challenge. The parties met at Wimbledon Common. The Duke of York was accompanied by Lord Raw- lon; Colonel Lennox by the Earl of Winchelsea. The distance was twelve paces. On the signal