GEORGE ROBERT FITZGERALD.
George Robert Fitzgerald and Mr. Richard Martin, M. P. for Galway—The “Prime Sergeant,” Lord Altamont’s wolf-dog—Shot by Fitzgerald—The circumstance resented by Mr. Martin—The latter insulted by his antagonist in the Dublin Theatre—Mission of Mr. Lyster to George Robert, and its disastrous consequences—A legal inquiry and strange decision—Meeting between the principals—Fitzgerald receives two shots without injury—Explanation of that enigma.
A very illustrative anecdote of the habits of former times is afforded by the celebrated rencontre between George Robert Fitzgerald of Turlow, member for Mayo, and Mr. Richard Martin of Connemara, member for Galway county, which occurred nearly half a century ago. Both were gentlemen of great public notoriety: both men of family and of fortune. But of all thecontraststhat ever existed in human nature, theirs was in the superlative degree; for modern biography does not present a character more eminently vindictive and sanguinary than the one, or an individual moresignalised by active humanity and benevolence than the other.
With the chief of Connemara I have now been nearly forty years in a state of uninterrupted friendship:—failings he has—“let him who is faultless throw the first stone!” The character I should give of him may be summed up in a single sentence. “Urbanity toward women; benevolence toward men; and humanity toward the brute creation.” I must observe, however, that he is one of those good fellows who would rather do any body’s business than his own; and durst look any thing in the face rather than his own situation. As to hischarity, I cannot say too much; as to hispolitics, I cannot say too little.
His unfortunate antagonist, Mr. Fitzgerald, has long since met his miserable fate. Mr. Martin still lives; and seems to defy, from the strength of his constitution, both time and the destroyer. Ifeverhe should become defunct, there is not a bullock, calf, goose, or hack, but ought togo into deep mourningfor him.
The virulent animosity and unfinished conflicts between these celebrated personages once formed a subject of very general conversation. When the bullets of holster pistols flatten against the ribs of a gentleman, there can be no great use in fighting any more withhim: it is better to break fresh ground with some more vulnerable amateur; and as “fire eating” was at the period I allude toin full taste and fashion, no person who felt apenchantfor chivalry need wait a single hour for a thrust. Every gentleman then wore his sword orcouteau de chasse, which there could be no trouble in drawing.
I was quite unacquainted with the true state of the quarrel between these parties, or the facts of their rencontres; and have begged my friend Martin to give me a circumstantial detail, lest I might mistake and be called a “bouncer:” he was so obliging as to comply; and I conceive that his Ms. statement is so perspicuous and fair, almost amounting to perfect impartiality—in that conversational style, too, best calculated for narrative,—that I determine to give it in nearly the same words; and when it is combined with a few facts which I learned from another friend, I venture to think that a better outline of Mayo and Galway lords, commoners, judges, country gentlemen, andfire eaters, cannot be found. As, however, there is nothing in it chivalrous in theladies’way—the whole being abouthatewith not one particle respectinglove, I fear it will not be a favourite sketch with the gentler part of the creation. To make them amends, I’ll search my old trunks, and find if possible some pretty sketch that hasnothing but loveormarriagein it, which they shall have as well dressed and garnished as they can reasonably expect from so old acuisinier;and now, with their kind permission, we will proceed to County Mayo.
“George Robert Fitzgerald, having a deadly hate to all the Brown family, but hating most Lord Altamont, rode up one morning from Turlow to Westport House, and asked to see the big wolf-dog called the ‘Prime Sergeant.’ When the animal appeared, he instantly shot it, and desired the servants to tell their master that ‘until the noble peer became charitable to the wandering poor whose broken meat was devoured by hungry wolf-dogs,hewould not allow any such to be kept.’ He, however, left a note to say that hepermittedLady Anne, Lady Elizabeth, and Lady Charlotte Brown, each to keep onelap-dog.
“Proud of this exploit, he rode into Lord Sligo’s town of Westport, and proclaimed in the marketplace that he had just shot thePrime Sergeantdead. The whole town was alarmed; an uproar arose: but after some debate among the wisest or rather thestoutestpeople in the town, whether George Robert Fitzgerald ought not to be arrested if possible for this deliberate murder of Counsellor Brown; he quieted all by saying, ‘I have shot a much worthieranimal, the big watch-dog.’[16]
16.The Prime Sergeant of the Irish bar was then Lord Sligo’s brother—a huge, fat, dull fellow; but the greatlawyerof the family. Prime Sergeant Brown was considered as an oracle by the whole county of Mayo: yet there could scarcely be found man less calculated totell fortunes. The watch-dog was named after him.
16.The Prime Sergeant of the Irish bar was then Lord Sligo’s brother—a huge, fat, dull fellow; but the greatlawyerof the family. Prime Sergeant Brown was considered as an oracle by the whole county of Mayo: yet there could scarcely be found man less calculated totell fortunes. The watch-dog was named after him.
“I was at this time much attached to the family; and debating in my own mind how best to conduct myself toward my friends, I determined not to tell George Robert my opinion, as it would be in effect to declare that Lord Altamont wanted courage to defend his own honour. I therefore resolved on seeking some more plausible ground of quarrel, which soon presented itself; for at the summer assizes of Mayo, holden at Castlebar, Charles Lionel Fitzgerald prosecuted his elder brother George Robert for false imprisonment and savage conduct toward their father, upon whom George Robert had fastened a chain and dray!
“The affair came on before Lord Carleton, and I volunteered in the only cause I ever pleaded.[17]
17.Mr. Richard Martin had been called to the Irish bar, as the eldest sons of the most respectable families of Ireland then were, not, as might be supposed, to practise for others, but with a supposition that they would thereby be better enabled to defend their ownterritoriesfrom judgments, mortgagees, custodiums, &c. &c., and to “stave off” vulgar demands, which if too speedily conceded, might beget very serious inconveniences.
17.Mr. Richard Martin had been called to the Irish bar, as the eldest sons of the most respectable families of Ireland then were, not, as might be supposed, to practise for others, but with a supposition that they would thereby be better enabled to defend their ownterritoriesfrom judgments, mortgagees, custodiums, &c. &c., and to “stave off” vulgar demands, which if too speedily conceded, might beget very serious inconveniences.
“An affidavit was produced, stating that the father wasnotconfined. I observed, ‘that Robert Fitzgerald had long notice of this cause coming on; and that the best answer would be theattendanceof the father when he was called as one of the magistrates in the commission for the county of Mayo.’
“Remesius Lennon, a battered old counsellor, on the other side, observed that the father was one of the worst men living, and that it would be unjust to censure any son for confining such a public nuisance.
“I opposed putting off the trial of George Robert, and concluded to this effect:—‘Though believing that, in course of a long life, this wretched father had committed many crimes, yet the greatest crime against society and the greatest sin against Heaven that he ever perpetrated, was the havingbegotten the traverser.’
“On this, George Robert said, smiling, ‘Martin, you look very healthy—you take good care of yourconstitution; but I tell you, that you have this day taken very bad care of yourlife.’
“The trial went on; and it wasproved, among a great number of other barbarities, that the fatherwaschained by his son George Robert to a dray, and at times to a muzzled bear: a respectable jury found the traverser guilty; and Lord Carleton sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, and to pay a fine to the king of five hundred pounds.
“‘Kissing’ at this time went ‘by favour;’ and Mr. Conally, the brother-in-law of George Robert, obtained from the late Duke of Buckingham, then Lord Lieutenant, the pardon and release of Fitzgerald.
“Some months after, I happened to pass through Castlebar, and learned that Mr. Fitzgerald was inthe town. I had heard of his denunciations, but my determination was, neither toavoidnorseekmy antagonist. Desirous of ascertaining what I had to expect, I requested a friend to call on him, and, after conversation on some ordinary subject, to say thatIhad been in the town.
“This was done, and George Robert answered, ‘that he hoped, whenever we met, it would not be asenemies.’
“My friend reported this: but, on the whole, I thought it as well not to seek any occasion of meeting a person who, I apprehended, might, so soon after our dispute, be induced to depart from his pacific resolution; I therefore proceeded on my journey to Dublin.
“Mrs. Crawford, I found, had been engaged to play for a few nights at Crow Street theatre, and I determined to see herBelvidera. I had not long taken my seat in the front row of the stage-box, when I heard a noisy, precipitate step, and an order given in a commanding tone for the box to be opened. I turned, and saw Mr. Fitzgerald, who took his place on the next row. His look indicated rage, and I therefore left my place in front, and took my seat on the same row with him. He stared for a moment or two directly into my face, then turned away and laughed, on which I asked, ‘Have you any thing particular to say tome, Mr. Fitzgerald?’
“He answered, with a stern look of defiance—‘Onlyto tell you that I followed you from Castlebar, to proclaim you thebullyof the Altamonts.’
“‘You have said enough, Mr. Fitzgerald; you no doubt expect to hear from me, and it shall be early in the morning.’
“‘Ishall hear fromyouto-morrow!’ he repeated, contemptuously, making, as he spoke, a blow at me, and adding, ‘this will refresh your memory.’ He then pulled back his body from behind the curtain of the box, and instantly retreated toward the lobby.
“My feet got entangled in the curtain when I rushed out to follow my antagonist, and I fell upon the floor. The present Lord Howden, then Major Craddock, kindly lifted me up. When on my feet, I sprang into the lobby, which was crowded almost to an overflow. I uttered all that rage could dictate, accused Fitzgerald of cowardice, and told him he had created the presentscenein order that we should be both bound over to the peace.
“‘You have got a blow,’ replied he: ‘I desire to disgrace you, and when you are punished to my likingthatway (and not before) you shall have thesatisfactionof being shot, or run through the body.’
“Next day, I met the late Lord Donoughmore, and he most kindly said, if I required it, he would deliver a message to Fitzgerald. I said, ‘No, Icould not think of embroiling any friend of mine with such a fellow; that I would wear my sword, and trust to my opportunities of meeting Fitzgerald.’
“I watched his house closely for several days, but he did not appear. At this critical moment, a Mr. George Lyster called upon me, and said he would take my message to Fitzgerald.
“I answered, ‘that of all things I most desired to meet him; that I found I could not unkennel the fox; and that I would thank whomsoever should succeed in putting us face to face.’ I was, however, cautious of employing Lyster, knowing him to be Fitzgerald’s cousin, and supposing it possible he might have been employed by Fitzgerald himself: this induced me to try him and to say, ‘As you haveofferedto go to this gentleman, I will thank you to appoint theearliest momentfor a meeting.’
“Mr. Lyster drew not back, but went to his cousin’s house, and was ushered by one of the servants into the drawing-room. Mr. Fitzgerald shortly entered, and as soon as Mr. Lyster hinted his business, our hero desired the footman to send one of the valets: when the latter entered, Fitzgerald said, ‘Francis, bring my cudgel with the green riband.’ When Fitzgerald got this weapon, he addressed his relative thus—‘How dare you bring amessageto me? Hold out your finger with the diamond-ring upon it!’ Poor Lysterobeyed, ignorant of his design, and with one blow Fitzgerald broke the finger, and the band of the ring, which fell on the floor. ‘Now,’ proceeded he, ‘I order you to take up the ring, and present it to me.’ As if thunderstruck, Lyster obeyed. When Fitzgerald got possession of the ring, he put it into paper, and returned it to Lyster, saying, ‘Young fellow, take care of the ring! put it up very safe, and don’t swear I robbed you of a present from some fair one.’
“This dialogue (recounted to me by Lyster himself) was followed by several blows, which cut and battered the young man severely. At last, he rushed to the window, drove his head through a pane of glass, and cried out for assistance. The police, hearing the cry, soon assembled; and not finding any of the city magistrates, they having seized both parties, conducted them into the presence of Mr. Justice Robinson.
“The judge first heard Lyster, and seeing him severely bruised, and supposing his skull might be fractured, declared that the prisoner could not be bailed.
“Fitzgerald now, on the other hand, asked to have his examination entered against Lyster. He stated, ‘that Lyster was his relative, and protected by him, and that I hadinfluencedthe young man to deliver a message from me.’ He said, ‘that Mr. Lysterhaddelivered such amessage: thathehad answered mildly, that he would not fight Mr.Martin;’ whereon, (says Fitzgerald,) this young gentleman said, ‘Then you must fightme.’ My answer was, that I would not fightany man; on which,’ continued George Robert, ‘he made several blows of the cudgel I hold in my hand’ (his own) ‘at me. I happened to be more dexterous than my assailant, and was fortunate enough to take the weapon out of his hands, and in my own defence was obliged to strike in turn, or I should have been murdered.’
“The old judge, believing every word of so plausible a statement, said, ‘I have heard enough; I commit Lyster for trial, and bind over Mr. Fitzgerald to prosecute; and I do so, expressing my approbation of Mr. Fitzgerald’s manly conduct, in refusing to fight Mr. Martin, and thus appealing for redress to the laws of his country.’
“Shortly after this curious scene, I heard that Fitzgerald was at Castlebar, and had it intimated to him that I should be there. I travelled with Mr. H. Flood[18]in his carriage, and he kindly offered to be my friend, which I declined—fearing to have exposed him to some insult.
18.This was the celebrated Henry Flood, the antagonist of Grattan—certainly the ablest statesman of his day. He had himself fought more than once; and had killed Mr. Eager, the father of Lord Clifden, of Gowran.
18.This was the celebrated Henry Flood, the antagonist of Grattan—certainly the ablest statesman of his day. He had himself fought more than once; and had killed Mr. Eager, the father of Lord Clifden, of Gowran.
“I had sent my duelling pistols by a fellow who got drunk on the road, and forgot his errand;—so that I remained some hours at Lord Lucan’s house,expecting in vain their arrival, during which period I heard that Mr. Fitzgerald was parading the town with a number of persons from Turlow, his own estate, famous for its mobs trained to every kind of outrage.[19]I heard, too, that he said, I waited for Lord Altamont’s carriage, which, observed he significantly,would not arrive. Here I have to remark that I had written a note to Lord Altamont, to say that I would gladly compound for a slight wound in the expected affair, and that I requested his carriage might be in waiting for me at Castlebar, which is only eight miles from Westport. George Robert had heard this, and said to the mob, ‘Mr. Martin expects Altamont’s carriage, but he may wait long enough; for though the horse is a brave animal, I fancy Altamont’s are like the owner, and will not stand the smell of powder.’
19.These were the gentry by whom the author was some time subsequently so closely beleaguered at the yarn fair at Castlebar, as hereafter mentioned.
19.These were the gentry by whom the author was some time subsequently so closely beleaguered at the yarn fair at Castlebar, as hereafter mentioned.
“These taunts reached me; and procuring a case of the common holster pistols my servant rode with, I determined to use them: but they were so stiff in the trigger that I could hardly let them off. I fastened on my sword, and putting my hand under Doctor Merlin’s arm, walked into the town, and soon saw Fitzgerald, followed by his mob. He too wore his sword, and I instantly told him to draw. He answered that he was lame,the pavement bad, and that he could not keep his footing; that I had Lord Lucan’s mob on my side; and that, in short, he would not fight me.
“I then said, ‘You will find me in the barrack-yard, where I shall remain.’
“‘I shall be in no hurry, after having struck you for your pertness,’ said he.
“On this I flung a switch into his face, walked to the barrack, and got sentries posted, with orders to keep out all persons but Mr. Fitzgerald and his friend, whilst we should be fighting. He and Mr. Fenton soon appeared: he had a good case of pistols in his hand, while I had the wretched tools I named.
“I stood against a projecting part of the barrack wall, and desired Mr. Fitzgerald to come as close as he pleased. He said a cannon would not carryso far. I answered, ‘I will soon cure that, for I will now march up until I lay my pistol to your face.’ I accordingly advanced, until our pistols touched. We both fired: he missed me, but I hit him full in the breast, and he fell back, supporting himself by a projection of rock, and exclaiming, ‘Honour, Martin, honour!’
“I said,—‘If you are not disabled, I will wait as long as you choose!’
“At this moment, he couched treacherously like a cat, presented, fired, and hit me. I returned the fire, and hit him: he again recovered, came up, begged my pardon, asked to shake hands, andsaid, ‘Altamont has caused all this, and now would not send you his carriage;—let us both kick him!’
“Flood met me at the gate, and I leaned on him. I was taken to Doctor Lendser’s, to have the wound dressed, but on the way desired my servant to go with my compliments and inquire how Mr. Fitzgerald felt. Mr. Flood said, ‘On no account make any inquiry, or, if he lives, you will have a second fight.’ I was foolish, as will appear, and sent.
“I had not been many moments in bed when my hero entered the room with a careful, timid step. He said, ‘Doctor, how do you find Mr. Martin?’ I was quite surprised, but said, ‘I am very well, and hope you are not badly hurt.’
“He then addressed me, and observed, ‘Doctor Merlin insulted me, and I consider him a bully, and instrument of yours, and as such I will makeyouaccountable.’
“I answered, ‘If I account with you, on a mutual understanding that Doctor Merlin is beneath your notice, I shall have to fight him also for such an imputation:—so put your renewed quarrel on some other ground. If you say you did not ask my pardon, I will fight you again; or if you say you are fond of such anamusement, I will fight ‘until my eyelids can no longer wag.’
“‘Shall you be at Sligo?’ was Mr. Fitzgerald’sreply.
“I said, ‘It was not my present purpose; but if hewishedit, I would be there, and that immediately.’
“He named the day, to which I assented. It wasreported, but I cannot vouch for the fact, that a party was sent to intercept and murder me. Shortly after I reached Sligo, my opponent sent Sir M. Crafton to say, that ‘Mr. Fitzgerald did not require any further renewal of the quarrel;’ and thus the affair ended. My surprise at Fitzgerald’s being alive and well, after having received two shots fromhorse-pistolsfull upon him, was soon cleared up; he hadplated his bodyso as to make it completely bullet proof. On receiving my fire, he fell from the force of the balls striking him direct, and touching his concealed armour.—My wound was in the body.
“The elegant and gentlemanly appearance of this man, as contrasted with the savage treachery of his actions, was extremely curious and without any parallel of which I am aware.”