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Branicki must have quarrelled with Binetti, and now wished to afford Catani an opportunity for triumphing over her rival, on which, however, she set very little value, yet did not fail to receive, with all due politeness, a man whom it would have been highly impolitic to treat with any mark of disrespect. The piece being ended, and Catani ready to return home, Blanicki politely offered her his arm, leading her to her carriage, which had already drawn up, and leaving Tomatis to follow. I was standing at the door, waiting for my carriage, as the snow was falling in large flakes. Catani came down; the coach-door was opened; she got in, and Branicki followed, while Tomatis stood by, immoveable with astonishment. "Get into my carriage, and drive after us," called out the Grand Chamberlain. Tomatis replied, he would enter no carriage but his own, and begged the Count would have the goodness to alight. "Go on," said Branicki to the coachman. Tomatis, however, ordered him to stop, and the man obeyed his master. The Grand Chamberlain, being now compelled to alight, ordered his hussar to give the uncivil Tomatis a box on the ear; which command was so promptly and literally executed, that the poor man had no time to think of his sword, with which he might have defended himself from such injurious treatment. This, however, he did not do, but got into his carriage, and drove home, where, it is probable, the digestion of the box on the ear might somewhat interfere with the enjoyment of his evening repast. I had been invited to sup with him, but, after witnessing the insult he had undergone, I felt little inclination to do so, and therefore returned to my lodgings in an ill humour, and feeling pretty well convinced that a very little would have sufficed to draw the same indignity upon myself.

The next day this affair was the discussion of the whole town. Tomatis kept the house for a fortnight, and applied, in vain, to the King, and all his patrons, for satisfaction. The King himself was at a loss what redress to award to the Italian, as Branicki maintained he had only requited one affront by another. To

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matis told me, in confidence, he knew of one effectual method of revenging himself, but that, having laid last ballet, the loss of this sum must out forty thousand ducats upon the be taken into consideration before he adopted a measure which would oblige him to fly the kingdom. His only consolations were the attentions now treated him with redoubled disof his friends amongst the great, who tinction; and the favour bestowed on him by the King, who, whether menade, never failed to notice him at table, at the theatre, or the pronetti alone enjoyed her triumph in the most gracious manner. Biher exultation whenever I happened undisturbed, and took care to show to meet with her. This, however, occurred but rarely. I was now emhad some hopes of being appointed ployed in writing for the King, and had to play trisette with the Woihis chief secretary; at other times I wode, and to pay my devoirs to the Princess, his daughter, who seemed the 4th of March, the day preceding to take pleasure in my society. On the name-day of the King's eldest brother, the High Chamberlain, Casimir Poniatowsky, there was a grand dinner at Court, at which I was present. When every one was rising, after dinner, the King asked me if I intended going to the Opera, where first time, in the Polish language. a piece was to be represented, for the So great a novelty interested every one, yet could not have the same attractions for me, as I did not understand Polish. This I told the King, who replied, that I must not let this reason deter me, but ought to give it a trial, and must come into his box. during the performance, stood beI bowed, and obeyed; and, hind the King's chair. second Act, a ballet was given, in After the which the King was so much pleased with the dancing of Casacci, a very unusual mark of favour. I was Piedmontese, as to clap his hands, a and the day I dined with Count not at all acquainted with Casacci, Poninsky, he had reproached me for visiting all the other dancers, without introducing myself to her. therefore was tempted, after the ballet, to leave the royal box, and pay a visit to Casacci, in order to com

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pliment her on the high honour the King had paid her. On my way to her box, I had to pass by that of Binetti; and, as the door was open, I stopped there for a moment. Immediately after, Count Branicki entered; and he being her acknowledged admirer, I bowed, made way for him, and repaired to the box of Casacci, who was surprised at seeing me, and gently reproached me for never having visited her before. Just as I was making her the most violent protestations of admiration, Branicki entered. A few moments before, I had left him with Binetti: it was therefore plain that he had followed me, but for what reason I was at a loss to imagine, unless he wished to seek a quarrel with me. Bininski, the lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, accompanied him. I rose up, on their entrance, not only from politeness, but because I was really going to leave the box. Branicki, however, stopped me, saying, "I have interrupted you, Sir-you seem to be a lover of this lady's?" "I think her most charming," I replied; "is not your Excellency of the same opinion?" "Undoubtedly," said he; "and, what is more, I am her lover, and I will not brook a rival!" I answered, that, knowing this, I should not think of visiting her again. "You yield to me, then?" said he. "Most certainly," I replied; "who would not yield to a person like your Excellency?" Upon this, he addressed me in terms too gross either to be borne or repeated. "This is rather too much," said I, quitting the box, looking him full in the face, and pointing to my sword. Three or four officers witnessed the whole transaction. I had not got four steps from the box, before I heard myself honoured with the appellation of Venetian poltroon. "In the field, not in the theatre, a Venetian poltroon may, perhaps, make a Polish bravo change his tone," said I, turning back, and then proceeding towards the great staircase which led to the street. There I waited for a quarter of an hour, in the expectation of seeing Branicki. Not being deterred by Tomatis's fear of losing forty thousand ducats, I should have compelled him to draw his sword on the

spot. He, however, did not make his appearance; and, being almost petrified, I called my servants, and ordered them to drive to the Grand Woiwode's, where the King had himself told me he intended to sup.. When quietly seated in my carriage, I turned over in my mind all that had passed, and could not help congratulating myself that I had not drawn my sword in the box, and that I had waited in vain for Branicki, at the entrance of the theatre, since Bininski being with him, with a sabre at his side, I should have had very little chance of escaping with life. The Poles, notwithstanding the polished manners they have adopted, do not belie their ancient origin. At meals, in battle, or in anger, they are still Sarmatians and Dacians, whenever what they call friendship is brought into action. That one man should singly oppose another, and that it should not be permissible for numbers to rush forward and massacre one individual, is what they cannot comprehend. I saw plainly that Branicki had been urged to follow me by Binetti, and that he had intended for me a similar treatment with that of Tomatis. The box on the ear, indeed, I could scarcely have been expected to endure; but the difference in the insult was not great, and three officers had seen it offered to me. My nature revolted at the idea of bearing this calmly.

Something must be done. But what? Complete satisfaction was necessary; mediation was not to be thought of. In this frame of mind, I arrived at the Woiwode's, determined to disclose the whole affair to the King, and appeal to him for redress. The Woiwode, on seeing me, slightly reproached me for having kept him waiting so long, and we sat down, as usual, to trisette. I was his partner; and having played two games, and lost them both, he took me to task for the blunders I had committed, and asked me where were my thoughts? "Four miles from here* your Highness," said I; upon which he answered, "When a person plays

* German miles are here alluded to,

one of which is equal to about five English.

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trisette with a man like myself, who has no other object in it than amusement, he should not allow his thoughts to wander four miles from the game." So saying, he threw away the cards, and began pacing up and down the room. I was much annoyed, and walked to the fireplace, consoling myself with thinking that the King would soon arrive; but, in about a quarter of an hour, the Chamberlain Pernigoti entered, to give notice that his Majesty was prevented from coming. This was like a dagger to my heart; but still I repressed my feelings. Supper was placed, and I took my usual seat, at the left of the Woiwode. We were eighteen or twenty in number; the Woiwode scarcely spoke to me, and the dishes passed me untouched. Before the repast was ended, Prince Gaspar Lubomirsky, a general in the Russian service, came in, and seated himself just opposite to me, at the other end of the table. On seeing me, he began, very audibly, expressing his regrets for what had passed. "I am sorry for you," said he, "but Branicki had drank a great deal too much, and no man of honour could feel compromised by what was said by a person in his condition." "What has happened?" "What is the matter?" were the general questions. I answered not a word. Lubomirsky was appealed to for explanation; but he replied, that since I chose to be silent, he must be the same. The Woiwode looked grave, and asked me kindly what had occurred between Branicki and myself? "When supper is over, my Prince," I replied, "I will give you, in private, a true account of all that has happened." Indifferent subjects were talked of during the rest of the meal, and when all the company arose, I followed the Woiwode to the little door through which he usually retired to his chamber, where, in five or six minutes, I related to him the whole affair. He sighed, sympathized with me, and said I had indeed reason enough to wander four miles from the card-table. "I beseech your Highness," said I, "to assist me with your counsel." "In these sort of affairs it is impossible to interfere," he replied; "either much must be done, or nothing."

So saying, he retreated to his chamber. I put on my pelisse, got into my carriage, drove home, and slept six hours. Waking at five o'clock in the morning, I debated in my mind what course I ought to pursue. Much, or nothing! The nothing I rejected; I must therefore decide for the much; and, consequently, either kill Branicki, or oblige him to kill me, provided he would honour me so far as to fight with me. Should he insult me by refusing this, nothing remained but to assassinate him, though, in doing this, I exposed myself to the risk of perishing by the hand of the executioner. My resolution was fixed. The duel must take place four miles from Warsaw, since the Starostei embraced a circuit of this extent around the town; and those who fought within the limits were amenable to a capital punishment. I therefore, with all due forms of politeness, wrote a challenge to Branicki, which I will here transcribe:

5th March 1776, 5 o'clock A.M. NOBLE SIR!

Yesterday evening, your Excellency was pleased to insult me, without having either right or cause for doing SO. I have reason to believe that I am in your way, and that you would willingly dismiss me from the ranks of the living. I have both power and inclination for giving your Excellency an opportunity to do so. Have the goodness to convey me in your carriage to a place, where, in conformity to the laws of Poland, you would be safe from punishment, should I be destined to fall, and where, in like manner, I should be in security, should Heaven favour me so far as to allow me to kill your Excellency. The high sense I entertain of your magnanimity induces me, noble Sir, to make you this proposition.

I have the honour to remain, Your Excellency's Most devoted and obedient Servant, CASANOVA.

An hour before day-break, I sent my servant with this note to the Count's apartments in the palace, (which, as I before observed, were contiguous to those of the king,) de

siring him to give it into his own hand, and to wait for an answer. In half an hour I received one to the following effect :

SIR,

I ACCEPT your proposal, but request you will have the goodness to say at what hour I am to have the honour of seeing you. I am, Sir,

Your obedient humble Servant,
BRANICKI,

Grand Chamberlain.

Delighted with my good fortune, I lost no time in answering, that I would wait upon him at six o'clock the following morning, for the purpose of ending our quarrel in some place of security. He replied, that I must appoint the weapons and the place, and that the whole thing must be settled that very day. Upon this I sent him the measure of my sword, which was two-and-thirty inches, still leaving to him the choice of the ground, provided it were beyond the limits of the Starostei. Immediately after, I received the following note: SIR,

I SHALL consider it as a favour, if you will take the trouble of coming to me immediately. I send my carriage to fetch you; and have the honour to remain, &c. &c.

BRANICKI.

To this I replied very briefly, that business obliged me to remain at home the whole day; and as I was quite determined not to enter his house, unless it were on the road to the place where we were to fight, he must excuse me for sending back his carriage. An hour after, came the Count himself, leaving his attendants without, while he entered my chamber; and sending away three or four persons who were with me on busi-, ness, he then locked the door, and took his station beside me on the bed, on which I was sitting at my writing. As I could not well understand the meaning of all this, I laid hold of a pair of pocket pistols, which lay upon my toilette. "I am not come here," said he, "with the intention of murdering you, but merely to give you notice, that when I accept a challenge, I never defer its execution to the following day.

VOL. XI.

We must therefore fight to-day, or never."

"To day it is impossible," I replied; "Wednesday is post-day, and I have something to finish, which I must deliver to the King."

"You can deliver it to him after we have fought," said he; “believe me, there is no danger of your being killed; and should you fall, the King would forgive you. When one is once dead, reproaches cannot harm

one.

"But I have got my will to make," said I.

"Your will, too! Then you are reallyafraid of dying! Make yourself easy-you need not make your will for fifty years to come.”

"But what objection," said I, can your Excellency have to putting off the duel till to-morrow?”

"A very clear one; because we should both be put under arrest today, by order of the King."

"That cannot be," I replied, "un. less you have given his Majesty in

timation of the affair."

"I! You make me laugh-I know pretty well what is fit to be done on these occasions. You have not called me out in vain. I will give you satisfaction to-day, or never."

"Very well, then. I have this duel too much at heart to afford you any pretext for withdrawing from it. Come and fetch me, therefore, but not till after dinner, as I shall require to be fortified for the occasion."

"With pleasure-I shall sup after the duel. Apropos-what was your meaning in sending me the measure of your sword? I intend to fight with pistols; with those whom I do not know, I never make use of the sword."

"How do you mean those whom you do not know? I can call twenty people in Warsaw to witness that I am no adept in fighting. I do not like to fight with pistols, and you cannot oblige me to it. Here is own letter, in which you leave the choice of the weapons to me."

your

"That is true enough; strictly speaking, you are in the right, as I see I did leave the choice with you. But you are too much a man of the world, not to consent to the pistols, when I tell you this will really be doing me a favour. It is the least

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complaisance you can show me. In reality, there is less danger with pistols, as the shot seldom takes effect; and if mine misses, I give you my word we will fight with swords, as long as ever you wish. Will you then do me this favour?"

"You speak so eloquently, I quite delight in listening to you, and I really am happy to be able to afford you this barbarous enjoyment, in which, after all, I perhaps may somewhat participate myself. I therefore agree to the change you propose, but only on these conditions: You shall bring two pistols, both of which must be loaded in my presence, and I must take my choice. If we miss our aim, we will then fight with swords till one of us bleeds, but no longer. If this satisfies you, all is settled, as I am prepared for everything, even for death. Come and fetch me at three o'clock, and we will choose a place where the arm of justice cannot reach us.' "Very good," said he; " you are really a man worth knowing.

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You

must allow me to embrace you, but give me your word of honour not to say a syllable of this to any one. Should it transpire, we are inevitably arrested."

"How can you imagine I would incur such a risk, when I would willingly walk ten miles to acquire the honour you are going to confer upon me?"

"So much the better-the thing is then settled. We meet again at three o'clock."

As soon as he had left me, I sealed up all the King's papers, and sent for Campioni, the opera dancer, a man in whom I knew I might confide. "You will give me back this packet in the evening," said I, "if I am then alive; if not, carry it to the King, and explain the circumstances of the case; but bear in mind, that I am for ever dishonoured, if a word of this transpires beforehand, and that any indiscretion on your part would make me your most inveterate enemy."

(To be concluded in our next.)

CHARACTERS OMITTED IN CRABBE'S PARISH REGISTER.

No. II.

Register of Births-The Surgeon's Apprentice.
SOME say my pen on woe delights to dwell,
The crimes and sufferings of mankind to tell :
More light, I own-more pleasing were the theme,
To paint the world as youthful lovers dream;
But truth requires, that, with impartial hand,
I take my facts as they recorded stand :
My present extracts I with grief relate,
The truth confirm, that Folly makes our Fate.
With giddy head, light heart, and wayward mind,
We plunging sink, and call our stars unkind.
Again I dip my warning pen, to shew
What sad misfortunes from our follies flow.

John Marshall was a sprightly, thoughtless boy;
His days were pleasure, and his nights were joy;
In Fashion's train a sprucely-scented fool,
He squir'd the ladies ere he left the school;
In dress a fop-to fiddle, dance, and sing-
To run the round in fluttering Pleasure's ring-
To smile, and prattle nonsense with the fair-
For these he liv'd, and had no other care:
From what the world calls vice, the lad was free,
Was not licentious, nor a debauchee;
But he in trifling pass'd his time away,

For ever thoughtless, and for ever gay;

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