CHAPTER XXI

THE DUEL

Duelling resorted to as a means of bringing to an end hostilities between different groups of people, p. 497 _sq._--Duels fought for the purpose of settling disputes between individuals, either by conferring on the victor the right of possessing {xviii} the object of the strife, or by gratifying a craving for revenge and wiping off the affront, pp. 498-502.--The circumstances to which these customs are due, p. 503 _sq._--The duel as an ordeal or "judgment of God," p. 504 _sq._--The judicial duel fundamentally derived its efficacy as a means of ascertaining the truth from its connection with an oath, p. 505 _sq._ How it came to be regarded as an appeal to the justice of God, p. 506 _sq._--The decline and disappearance of the judicial duel, p. 507.--The modern duel of honour, pp. 507-509.--Its causes, p. 509.--Arguments adduced in support of it, p. 509 _sq._