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DUELLING 213
and amounts, therefore, to premeditated and cold-blooded
murder, the outcome of a long-standing vindictiveness.
Continental jurists, who wish to give the duel a different
appearance from premeditated murder, attach great
importance to the fact that in duelling certain rules must be
observed ; that both adversaries are on the alert and can
defend themselves, and so forth. But in reality these
circumstances only serve to aggravate the offence from the
point of view of crime, as they clearly manifest the animus
delinquendi. One would think that European civilisation,
which God be thanked has reached the age of reason and
looks down with scorn on the superstition and absurd
practices of the Middle Ages, would have long ago abandoned
duelling as contrary to common sense. As a matter of fact,
it often happens that in a duel the offended party and not
the offender is the one to suffer.
Duelling is altogether unfair and unsportsmanlike. There
is no handicap provided for the better swordsman or the
superior shot. The great exponents of duelling are too often
sure to avoid any danger by killing their adversary before he
can possibly have a fair chance of defending himself. Having
the issue in their own hands, there is really no bravery on
their part in being willing to face their adversary. The
equipment of a French journalist of repute is not only his
style, but also his mastery in fencing. Rochefort and Paul
de Cassagnac could insult a man with impunity, because
should a duel be the result they were quite safe, owing to
their proficiency in fencing.
If needs be, a boxing bout is a much better test of personal
courage. At a public meeting in London an orator was
interrupted by the remark, " You are a liar ! " " If you
repeat that once more I shall punch your head," ejaculated
the orator. " You are a liar ! " repeated the interrupter.
Whereupon the orator left the platform and carried out his
threat, amidst the applause of the meeting. Before
continuing his speech, he said : " I know I should not have done
that as a gentleman, but before being a gentleman I am an
Englishman." This way of dealing with the offender was
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