all the nobility and "jontry" at levees and
"drawn–rooms," and was sprinkled copiously
with "excellency" and other proconsular
adulation. One morning came the Earl of Bellamont
—and note how melodious and romantic these
Irish titles are—craving audience, in company
with other postulants. To him presently enters
an aide–de–camp with word that he, the earl,
need not wait, for that his excellency would
not be at leisure to see him that day; and
then turning to other parties bade them wait,
as his excellency would see them presently.
No doubt this speech was flavoured with the
true ante–room hauteur, and delivered about as
offensively as it conveniently could. "Then,"
said the Earl of Bellamont, "his excellency
will be pleased to ascertain at what time he
will see me. I have already waited several
times by appointment, and have been sent away
each time." To him presently the aide–de–camp,
returns with a fresh message, that the thing
was impossible, and that he should come on
Wednesday which was the day for military
matters. "Sir," said the earl, "you will be
good enough to inform his excellency, that as
a peer of the realm, I have a right to audience.
But, if his excellency does not know what he
owes to me, I also know what I owe to myself,
and therefore will not wait upon him here or
elsewhere."

This last assurance was a mistake; for
by–and–by his excellency comes to London, and
after some twelve days is waited on by another
earl, Dr. Johnson's Lord Charlemont, on the
part of the Earl of Bellamont. This nobleman
commenced matters by requesting permission
to read a statement on the part of his noble
friend, which was at once accorded. Nothing
could be in better taste than this document, or
more graciously worded; it even commenced
with a handsome acknowledgment: "I wait on
your lordship," read the "elegant Charlemont,"
as Macaulay calls him, "first to return your
lordship thanks for the recommendation to the
king with which you honoured him, and for
which it was his intention to have thanked you
in person." He then apologises for not waiting
on him earlier, but he felt a reluctance to
break in upon him when he would be engaged
giving an account of his province to the king. He
then recapitulated all the details of the scene at
the castle; stated that Lord Bellamont had
resigned his commission in his majesty's service,
in order that he might with more propriety
proceed in this delicate matter without being
restrained by duty.

Poor Lord Townshend, who had no doubt
forgotten all about the transaction, then asked
what apology Lord Bellamont required? Upon
which the "elegant Charlemont," prepared at
all points, began again to read. "The only
apology that the nature of the affront will
admit of, is that of asking Lord Bellamont's
pardon." It was added that there was no wish to
hurry his lordship, but that an answer would be
expected at least one day before his lordship left
town. Lord Townshend replied, "I cannot ask
pardon, as it would be an acknowledgment of an
offence I never intended." But the two Irish
noblemen had "drawn the pleadings " between
them too skilfully to admit of any loophole. "I
am not at liberty," said the elegant Charlemont,
"to take back any answer to Lord Bellamont
than that your lordship begs his pardon; or,
that your lordship desires to take time to
consider it. I therefore entreat your lordship to
reflect before you lay me under the absolute
necessity of delivering another message to your
lordship, which Lord Bellamont sends with the
extremest regret, and which I shall deliver with
equal reluctance." Lord Townshend having
persisted in his refusal, Lord Charlemont then
read the following article: "I am enjoined by
Lord Bellamont to state to your lordship, that
he considers you divested of every principle that
constitutes the character of a man of honour."

This severe language was no doubt delivered
with all the sweetness and affability of which
the accomplished nobleman was capable. The
situation was getting to be grave; so Lord
Townshend asked permission to call in a friend,
and presently arrived Colonel Fraser; he then
requested that the last passage might be
read over again, for the benefit of the new
comer, which was done. Then Lord Townshend
proposed entrusting Lord Charlemont with a
reply to carry back to Lord Bellamont. This
was declined, the skilful diplomatist pleading
that his instructions were to receive no message,
but that such must come through a channel of
his lordship's own providing.

This took place on Christmas Eve, and at
half–past eleven on boxing–night—an appropriate
festival—a letter was left at Lord Bellamont's,
in Curzon–street, from Viscount Ligonier,
politely requesting to know when it would
be convenient to his lordship to receive a
message from Lord Townshend, with which he
should have the honour of charging himself. In
conclusion, he had "the honour to be,
                              "My lord,
                      "Your lordship's most
             "Obedient and most humble servant,
                                                        "LlGONIER."
To this Lord Bellamont replied that same night
that he should be at home the whole of the next
day.

Accordingly, on Sunday morning at half–past
eleven o'clock, "Lord Viscount Ligonier" arrived,
and was about delivering his message,
when Lord Bellamont interfered, and hoped he
might have permission to introduce his friend
Lord Charlemont, for, as Lord Townshend
had called in his friend, Colonel Frazer, to
hear himself described in no very complimentary
language, it was only equitable that he
should have the same privilege. Lord Charlemont
then came in, and all preparations being
now duly made, "Lord Viscount Ligonier"
began to deliver his terrible message. "What
will your lordship say when, notwithstanding
the force of this message, I am authorised to
assure your lordship that Lord Townshend never
meant to offend you." No doubt the Irish