in his pocket, and I fought him with a halter about my neck, that I would fight him for all that, and if he fell, I fhould not tarry here a moment for the tender mercies of fuch a miniftry, but would directly proceed to the next stage, vhere my valet de chambre waited for me, and from thence I would make the best of my way to France, for men of honour were fure of protection in that kingdom. He feemed much affected by this. He then told me, that I was an unbeliever, and wifhed to be killed. I could not help fmiling at this, and obferved that we did not meet at Bagfhot to fettle articles of faith, but points of honour, that indeed I had no fear of dying, but I enjoyed life as much as any man in it, that I was as little fubject to be gloomy, or even peevish, as any Englishman whatever, that I valued life, and the fair enjoyments of it fo much, I would I would never quit it by my own confent, except on a call of honour. I then wrote a letter to your lordship, refpecting the education of Mifs Wilkes, and gave you my poor thanks for the fteady friendship, with which you have fo many years honoured me. Colonel Berkeley took the care of the letter, and I have fince defired him to fend it to Stowe, for the fentiments of the heart at fuch a moment are beyond all politicks, and indeed every thing else, but fuch virtue as lord Temple's. When I had fealed my letter, I told Lord Talbot that I was entirely at his fervice, and I again defired that we might decide the affair in the room, because there could not be a poffibility of interruption; but he was quite inexora ble. He then asked me, how many times we fhould fire. I faid that I left it to his choice; I had brought a flask of powder, and a bag of bullets. Our feconds then charged the piftols, which my lord had brought. They were large horfe piftols. It was agreed that we fhould fire at the word of command, to be given by one of our feconds. They toffed up, and it fell to my adjutant to give the word. We then left the inn, and walked to a garden at some distance from the house. It was near feven, and the moon fhone very bright. We stood about eight yards diftant, and agreed not to turn round before we fired, but to continue facing each other. Harris gave the word. Both our fires were in very exact time, but neither took effect. I walked up immediately to lord Talbot, and told him that now I avowed the paper. His lordship paid me the highest encomiums on my courage, and faid faid he would declare every where that I was the nobleft fellow God had ever made. He then defired, that we might now be good friends, and retire to the inn to drink a bottle of claret together, which we did with great good humour and much laugh. Lord Talbot afterwards went to Windfor, Berkeley and Harris to Winchefter, and I continue here till to-morrow morning, waiting the return of my valet de chambre, to whom I have fent a meffenger. Berkeley told me, that he was grieved for lord Talbot's paffion, and admired my courage and coolnefs beyond his fartheft idea that was his expreffion. I have a million of other particulars to relate, but I blush already at the length of this letter. Your lordship will foon fee colonel Berkeley, and I hope in a very few days to pay my devoirs |