CHAPTER XII.

DUELLING IN FRANCE DURING THE REIGN OF LOUIS THE SIXTEENTH.

State of the court and country on his accession.--Duelling chiefly confined to the soldiery.--Duel between the Count d’Artois and the Prince de Condé.--Between the Prince de Condé and Vicomte d’Agout.--Exploits of the Chevalier d’Eon.--And of the Chevalier St. George.--Efforts of Louis to reform his court.--“Le beau de Tilly.”--His observations on duelling.--Humorous duels.--Between Ney and a fencing-master.--De Tilly’s description of the Court of Honour.--Outbreak of the Revolution.--Duel between Charles Lameth and De Castries.--Resolution of the municipal body of Paris against duelling.--Proceedings in the National Assembly against duelling.--Speech of Camille Desmoulins.--Cause of the hatred in which duels were held at this time 205