they may depend on, receiving the proper
reward of their villany, in the most public manner.
The world will be candid enough to judge
properly (I make no doubt) of any private abuse
on this subject for the future, as nobody can
defend himself from an accusation he is ignorant
of.
"' THOMAS MATTHEWS.'"

In vain Miss Sheridan appealed against these
charges; in vain Charles Sheridan generously
denied them, and was about to seek satisfaction
at the sword's point, when Mathews,
cowardly as he was frantic, suddenly left Bath
for London.

In reply to the slanderous and insolent
letters of Mathews, Richard Sheridan declared
that he would never sleep in England till he had
treated Mathews as he deserved. He kept his
word. He sat up all night at Canterbury. His
own contemptuous account of the cur's
behaviour when challenged in London must here
be given:

"Mr. S. came to Mr. Cochlin's, in Crutched-
friars (where Mr. M. was lodged), about half-
after twelve. The key of Mr. C.'s door was
lost. Mr. S. was denied admittance. By two
o'clock he got in. Mr. M. had previously been
down to the door, and told Mr. S. he should be
admitted, and had retired to bed again. He
dressed, complained of the cold, endeavoured to
get heat into him, called Mr. S. his dear friend,
and forced him to sit down. Mr. S. had been
informed that Mr. M. had sworn his death—
that Mr. M. had in numberless companies
produced bills on France, whither he meant to
retire on the completion of his revenge. Mr. M.
had warned Mr. Ewart to advise his friend not
to come in his way without a sword, as he could
not answer for the consequences. Mr. M. had
left two letters for Mr. S., in which he declares
he is to be met with at any hour, and begs
Mr. S. will not 'deprive himself of so much
sleep, or stand on any ceremony.' Mr. S. called
on him at the hour mentioned; Mr. S. was
admitted with the difficulty mentioned. Mr. S.
declares that, on Mr. M.'s perceiving that he
came to answer them to his challenge, he does
not remember ever to have seen a man behave
so perfectly dastardly. Mr. M. detained Mr. S.
till seven o'clock the next morning. He (Mr. M.)
said he never meant to quarrel with Mr. S.
He convinced Mr. S. that his enmity ought
to be directed solely against his brother and
another gentleman at Bath. Mr. S. went to
Bath. . . ."

On his arrival at Bath with the Linleys,
Richard instantly accused Charles of the slander.
Charles indignantly denied it, and
approved with warmth of the elopement. As soon
as the family had retired for the night, the
two brothers slipped out and took post to
London, Richard Sheridan leaving behind him
the following letter for Mr. Wade, the master
of the ceremonies. It is a curious specimen of
the duellist's punctilios in that age:

"Sir. I ought to apologise to you for again
troubling you with a subject which should
concern so few. I find Mr. Mathews's behaviour to
have been such that I cannot be satisfied with
his concession, as a consequence of an explanation
from me. I called on Mr. Mathews last
Wednesday night, at Mr. Cochlin's, without the
smallest expectation of coming to any verbal
explanation with him. A proposal of a pacific
meeting the next day was the consequence,
which ended in those advertisements and the
letter to you. As for Mr. Mathews's honour or
spirit in this whole affair, I shall only add that
a few hours may possibly give some proof of the
latter; while, in my own justification, I affirm
that it was far from being my fault that this
point now remains to be determined. On
discovering Mr. Mathews's benevolent
interposition in my own family, I have counter-
ordered the advertisements that were agreed on,
as I think even an explanation would now
misbecome me: an agreement to them was the
effect more of mere charity than judgment. As
I find it necessary to make all my sentiments as
public as possible, your declaring this will
greatly oblige—Your very humble servant, R. B.
Sheridan. Sat., 12 o'clock, May 2nd, 1772.

The scenes the next morning in the romantic
and impulsive Linley and Sheridan families
were terrible. Everybody was in tears; Miss
Linley and all the ladies fainted. The high
words of the night before had been
overheard, and it was supposed that the brothers
had left Bath for a deadly combat. Grave Dr.
Priestley, who was lodging in the Linleys'
house, was the incongruous witness of this
excitement and terror.

Instantly on his arrival in town, Sheridan
called the cowardly rogue out, Mr. Ewart being
his second; Captain Knight officiated for the
Welshman. They entered Hyde Park about
six o'clock, and walked together to the Ring.
Sheridan, in his own account, says:

"Mr. Mathews refusing to make any other
acknowledgment than he had done, I observed
that we were come to the ground; Mr. Mathews
objected to the spot, and appealed to you. We
proceeded to the back of a building on the
other side of the Ring; the ground was there
perfectly level. I called on him and drew my
sword (he having previously declined pistols).
Mr. Ewart observed a sentinel on the other
side of the building; we advanced to another
part of the park. I stopped again at a
seemingly convenient place; Mr. Mathews objected
to the observation of some people at a great
distance, and proposed to retire to the
Hercules' Pillars till the park should be clear; we
did so. In a little time we returned. I again
drew my sword; Mr. Mathews again objected
to the observation of a person who seemed to
watch us. Mr. Ewart observed that the chance
was equal; and engaged that no one should
stop him, should it be necessary for him to
retire to the gate, where we had a chaise and four,
which was equally at his service. Mr. Mathews
declared that he would not engage while there
was any one in sight, and proposed to defer it