The Vauxhall affray: or, the Macaronies defeated : being a compilation of all the letters, squibs, &c. on both sides of that dispute. With an introductory dedication to the Hon. Tho. Lyttleton, Esq;.

THE VAUXHALL AFFRAY; OR, MACARONIES DEFEATED.

THE following paragraph appearing in the MORNING CHRONICLE of Tuesday, July 27, opened the literary campaign, in which the Maca∣roni forces have so fatally suffered.

"THAT the public may not be mis-informed by the news collectors of an affray and its consequences, which happened at Vauxhall last Friday night, the following is declared to be the truth of the whole.—Mrs. Hartley, the celebrated actress, being in com∣pany with others, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Bate and Mr. Colman, was put out of countenance, by what she deemed the impudent looks of four or five gentlemen, who purposely placed themselves di∣rectly opposite to her, which obliged her to appeal to Mr. Bate on the occasion, who, observing as she did, arose and seated himself between her and these rude-looking gentlemen, who taking offence at this,

got up one by one, and reconnoitred him with all possible contempt, telling him, the said Bate, that he looked like a stout, tight-made fellow, and capa∣ble, no doubt, of bruising; to which Mr. Bate re∣plied, They were four impertinent puppies, and could not be gentlemen for their behaviour to Mrs. Hartley, &c. This brought on a general dispute, which was divided into three acts, till at last a gentleman, one Captain Crofts, addressed himself to Mr. Bate, and asked him, Whether he meant any thing against him? who was answered, No: however, Capt. Crofts, perhaps imprudently, made himself a principal with the rest, and after much ill language had passed, brought upon himself an expression of anger from Mr. Bate, that he would wring him by the nose: addresses were then given; very scurrilous language was received by Mr. Bate afterwards in the Gardens, a challenge was sent to him the next morning, and an appointment made in the afternoon at the Turk's Head Coffee-house, Strand, where Mr. Bate with a friend, Mr. Dawes, waited with punctuality for near an hour, when Captain Crofts, in company with the honourable Mr. Lyttleton, came in: a short recapitulation began between Mr. Bate and Capt. Crofts, who were interrupted by Mr. Lyttleton, as second to the latter, by desiring that a crisis should be made without words; that Mr. Bate should ask the Captain's pardon in the papers, or name his weapon, and go with him in half an hour. Mr. Bate, in a very manly way, refused begging par∣don, where no offence was given; but after expatiat∣ing on the impropriety of his deciding the difference as a clergyman in a military manner, waved a re∣membrance of his profession in defence of his honour, and agreed to adjourn with Captain Crofts, to such

place as should be appointed by the seconds, Mr. Dawes for Mr. Bate, and Mr. Lyttleton for the Captain; who, after exerting every thing in their power to prevent any ill consequences, reduced the causes of quarrel and defence to writing, the better to un∣derstand what ground they were to stand upon, as friends to the combatants, Mr. Bate being the whole time as impatient for decision as any man living, who had conceived himself injured; but just as Mr. Lyttleton and Mr. Dawes were going out to chuse their pistols, the Hon. Mr. Fitz-Gerall broke in with apparent anger, and demanded satisfaction of Mr. Bate, for his friend Capt. Miles; but Mr. Lyttleton and Mr. Bate remonstrated with him on the great in∣consistency of giving that satisfaction, when Mr. Bate and Capt. Crofts were then going out; yet he insisted on his friend's having satisfaction first; to which Capt Crofts, replied, in a way that did him honour, that he was highly offended at the mode of Mr. Fitz-Gerall's calling on Mr. Bate, after they had agreed to go out on one and the same quarrel, and said that he never understood that one man was bound to fight a whole company, where the sup∣posed offence was given in gross, and not in par∣ticular. Mr. Fitz-Gerall however continued his an∣ger, saying that his friend could not wait, and he was determined Mr. Bate should not go out with Capt. Crofts till his affair was settled. From this circumstance, Mr. Lyttleton and Mr. Dawes then thinking, from the particulars they had heard on both sides, a trifling acknowledgment that each was wrong, would be best, recommended it to the parties, who, with some difficulty complied, and were made friends. Thus ended matters relative to Capt. Crofts; and with respect to Mr. Fitz-Gerall,

he declared, that had Capt. Crofts, Mr. Bate, and their seconds, Mr. Dawes and Mr. Lyttleton, gone out, he would have prevented a duel, by putting the former under an arrest. The former matter be∣ing thus settled, Mr. Bate desired Mr. Fitz-Gerall to introduce his friend, who he alledged was in∣jured. He answered, that it would be better with∣out, for that he was a hot-headed man, and might come to blows without ceremony. Mr. Bate, however, insisted on seeing him, observing that he could not receive any violence from him, being con∣scious he had never offended him. On being intro∣duced, he said, unless Mr. Bate would box him, he would beat him in every public place he met him. Mr. Bate then said, if he did, he would defend himself; for though he was capable of boxing, he never chose to decide any differences that way, but with those from whom he could have no other satis∣faction; still, as Capt. Miles triumphed in this refusal, Mr. Bate, with very great reluctance, con∣sented to meet him on his own terms, and accord∣ingly a long room was fixed on, and Mr. Dawes and Mr. Fitz-Gerall were to second the bruisers, who immediately prepared themselves for battle, in the presence of Mr. Lyttleton, Mr. Fitz-Gerall, and ano∣ther. At first, the advantage seemed against Mr. Bate, but a fair set-to for about twenty minutes, convinced the company (but particularly Capt. Miles) that Mr. Bate, though inferior in size, was victorious, who never received one blow that he felt. Capt. Miles was sent home in a coach, with his face a perfect jelly, and Mr. Bate was invited to dine with the Hon. Mr. Lyttleton on the morrow, as a proof of the applause he highly merited. A greater instance of true courage never

appeared in man, than in Mr. Bate, who ac∣cording to the proverb, etiam quos contra statuit equos placatosque demisit, enforced the applause of his ad∣versaries."

In consequence of the foregoing imperfect ac∣count, the following appeared in the MORNING POST of Friday, July 30.

To the EDITOR of the MORNING POST.

LETTER I.

SIR,

I SHOULD hold it an insult to the world, if this public appeal on a late dispute, was grounded simply on injuries I had received individually. So∣ciety at large is however so far connected with it, as to render it a matter of some importance; a mis∣representation of facts cannot therefore be permitted, without a manifest partiality to that indecorum my situation compelled me to correct.

There will not be wanting those, even amongst my own fraternity, rigid enough to censure my con∣duct in a professional point of view, however com∣mendable it may appear to them in any other. For these I have no other answer, than—I was neither born a Philosopher—nor bred a Pharisee. The candid however, from similar feelings with my own, will acknowledge, that during the outrage I complain of, the formalities of my profession might slumber, without any glaring injustice to decency, or religion.—I mean no contempt to the natural laws of gallantry, when waving their sanction I appeal to the more serious one of humanity, where an helpless

woman was wantonly, and repeatedly insulted, by a set of poltroons the most wretched, and contemp∣tible.—

The CASE.

BEING at Vauxhall Gardens on Friday evening last, I saw Mrs. Hartley (in company with Mr. Hartley, Mr. Colman, and Mr. Tateham) seated on a bench, not very far distant from the orchestra. Hav∣ing the pleasure of her acquaintance, I joined the party and their conversation; when we presently ob∣served two gentlemen pass by, and look at her in a manner not altogether genteel; however, as custom has in some measure ridiculously indulged our fine gentlemen in these familiarities en passant, little or no notice was taken of it. Not satisfied with this in∣dulgence, these gentlemen presently returned, with two or three others of a military appearance, who all seated themselves at a table directly opposite to her, and began an attack in form, resolutely determined to stare her out of countenance. Situated in the middle of her company, she bore this treatment for some minutes, before she even complained to Mr. Hartley of her distress. Imagining that their triumph was near complete, he begged her to continue her seat, till the conclusion of the Cantata then singing, after which we would all retire. These gallant heroes however still continuing the siege, she found her∣self under the disagreeable necessity of addressing her friends generally, telling us,

"That the behaviour of these Gentlemen was so uncommonly rude, she could bear it no longer."

On this I turned my head, and discovered four of these pretty beings staring at her

with that kind of petit maitre audacity, which no language, but the modern French, can possibly de∣scribe! and triumphing over those female distresses which their prowess had nobly occasioned.

To be a silent spectator of such insolence, would be tacitly to countenance it; loudly therefore, in order that they might hear it, I observed to her,

"that I begged she would not be distressed, as I would prevent any future insult of that nature."

—In consequence of which, I immediately placed my∣self on a seat directly between them and Mrs. Hartley. This was an intimation, that their behaviour was generally remarked; and I expected to find it at least productive of the end intended; instead of which, I became now the subject of their loud horse∣laughs and wise remarks. Thus unpleasantly cir∣cumstanced, I thought it better to face these despera∣does, and therefore turned about and looked them, in my turn, full in the face; in consequence of which, some distortions of features, I believe, passed on both sides.

Mrs. Hartley, during this latter transaction, rose up, and made for the walk; observing which, I followed her, with the rest of the company, first justly remarking as I quitted the scene,

"that they were four impertinent puppies."

A gentleman in∣stantly followed me, whom I afterwards found to be Capt. Crofts, of Burgoyne's light dragoons, and asked me,

"Whether I addressed myself in that speech to him?"

—To which I replied,

"Certainly not; as I did not recollect to have seen him in the party."

—Not satisfied with this answer, he again demanded,

"Whether I called him a puppy?"

—To which I rejoin∣ed as before, adding however,

"That the only way to

be perfectly convinced in this particular, was to tell me whether he was one of the four, or more, who formed the party, and then the application would come home; for that I said, and still persisted,—the Gentlemen, who so meanly, and scandalously distressed the Lady with whom I was in company, were four dirty, impertinent puppies."

After this answer, Capt. Crofts observed, that I look'd very big upon the occasion,—surveyed me, with a supercilious kind of air from head to foot, and then remarked,

"You are indeed a good tight fellow, and there∣fore mean to intimidate me I suppose, because you are a boxer."

To this he received for reply,

"that box∣ing was by no means my plan; however, as he seemed determined not to be satisfied, but continued to follow me, if he spoke three more impertinent words to me, I would wring his nose off his face."

—On this he demanded my name and address, which was instantly given him; I then drew off to my company, imagining that the affair would at least stand peaceably over till the morrow.

Previous to our leaving the Gardens, which we intended to do immediately, we were under the ne∣cessity of walking round, in search of one of our com∣pany; when at the further end of the walk, we dis∣covered our former assailants, now made doubly for∣midable by a considerable augmentation.—No sooner did we approach, than they began a fresh attack with redoubled insolence, interlarding their loud sallies of pleasantry, with

"Twig the Curate, &c."

Sub∣mitting to this as long as human nature could do, at last I stopp'd short, with a view of knocking down the first man that insulted me; when Capt. Crofts touched me on the shoulder, called me by name, and

begged to speak another word with me, which I com∣plied with, by going back with him; he observed,

"That he had forgotten my address, which was the cause of this second application on that subject."

I immediately told him again,

"No. 17, Clifford's-Inn; but desired that he would now make sure of it, by getting pen and ink from one of the waiters, and take it down;"

which he did accordingly.

During this transaction, a little effeminate being, whom I afterwards found to be a Mr. Fitz-Gerall, came up to me, dressed a la Macaroni, and impertinently asked me,

"Whether any man had not a right to look at a fine woman?"

After getting over my first surprize at this wanton interference of a man, who was not even present at the dispute, I answered,

"Most certainly; and that I despised the man who did not look at a fine woman; however, I begged leave to observe, that there were two distinct ways of looking at her—with admiration, and with un∣authorized contempt:—that the conduct I censured, was strongly of the latter kind; and on that I founded my opinion, that the offenders were four dirty impertinent puppies."

On this, he consequen∣tially remarked,

"That even he himself had been serv∣ed thus, when he look'd at a fine woman."

To which I answered,

"That I had not the least doubt, but that he merited any observation which might be made to him on that head."

On this, he greatly answered,

"That he would knock the rascal down who dared to say so;"

and nobly put his hand to his sword.

This interesting conference was, for the moment, interrupted by Capt. Crofts, who observed, that he supposed I was a Clergyman. Receiving an answer in the affirmative, he said,

"Perhaps then, you will

take the advantage of your profession, and not give me the satisfaction I shall demand."

To which I replied, That he never should find I availed myself of that, to act in any manner derogatory from the cha∣racter of the Gentleman.—Mr. Fitz-Gerall now be∣came abundantly pleasant on this discovery of my profession, which I parried as well as I was able; and, in return, began to hold up this creature of all creatures to public derision. The dress, hat and feather,—miniature picture, pendant at his snow∣white bosom, and a variety of other delicate appen∣dages to this man of fashion, were naturally seized upon by me, and set off to the best advantage.—Here, however, as the laugh grew warm against him, I was attacked by a bran-span new face, another red∣hot Hibernian, who was scarcely intelligible. His ignorance of our language, I believe, preserved me from that insolence, which his savage countenance strongly menaced. Him however I soon cut short, by observing,

"that the affair could by no means concern him, and that therefore, he was an im∣pertinent fellow for his pains."

The company who assembled round us, on this occasion, being desirous of knowing the cause of the dispute, I told it them in a few words, and then appealed, whether I had not done as much as could be expected of me, even if wrong in the first instance, by giving my name and address?—And whether Mr. Fitz-Gerall, or any indifferent person, had a right thus wantonly to interfere in a matter, in which he was by no means concerned?—So far sensible of the impropriety of his conduct, he was generally hooted by the whole company, and jostled into the middle of the Gardens, where I left him to lament his folly; and immediately took coach, and returned with Mrs. Hartley, &c. to town.

For a confirmation of these several particulars, I beg leave to refer to the Gentlemen above mentioned. The very extraordinary consequences of this trans∣action you will receive, in order to lay before your readers to-morrow.

Your's, &c. HEN. BATE.

No. 17, Clifford's-Inn, July 29, 1773.

The succeeding Day, Saturday July 31, the fol∣lowing appeared in the same paper.

To the EDITOR of the MORNING POST.

LETTER II.

SIR,

ABOUT two o'clock in the morning, my ser∣vant came to my bed-side, and awaked me, in order to deliver the following laconic epistle, which he said, he had that instant received from a man who had the appearance of a waiter, and was then in my chambers expecting an answer.

COPY.

SIR,

WHEREAS you insulted me last night in a manner not to be suffered by a man, much less by a gentleman; I am determined to have satisfaction; and, as boxing is the exercise you seem to pride yourself upon, and the only one that I apprehend you will partake of with me,

this is to give you notice, that if you will ap∣point your time and place, I will meet you upon your own terms; and if you do refuse to give me the satisfaction I require, I will hunt you up and down London till I find you, and will then pull your nose—spit in your face, and pull your black coat off your back.

A. CROFTS.

To the Rev. Mr. Bate, M.A.

Though in expectation of some interview on the preceding night's fracas, and perhaps a recapitulation of circumstances, yet I must confess, the style of this letter,—the bearer,—the time,—and mode of its delivery, staggered me not a little. However, I ordered my servant to tell the man who waited with∣out,—

"That having some little business to settle in the morning, I must defer seeing the Gentleman till two o'clock in the afternoon, at which time I would expect him."

—Contemplation naturally arose with me in the morning, when the impropriety of this intended meeting struck me, having no friend, on my part, to be privy to any transaction that might succeed. I resolved, therefore, to adjourn the ecclaircissement of this matter to a place less exceptionable than my own chambers, and in the mean time, prevail upon some friend to be present at the interview. Accordingly I wrote the following, which I delivered to my ser∣vant, with strict injunctions not to leave the cham∣bers on any pretence whatever; that if any Gentle∣man of the name of Crofts, or any Gentleman who said he came from Mr. Crofts, should call, to deliver it to either of them.

To Captain CROFTS.

SIR,

I WAS in hopes, that a moment's reflection would have convinced you of the general im∣propriety of that conduct last night, I was un∣der the necessity of remarking. However, from a letter the most extraordinary, which I received in bed, at near two o'clock this morning (by the hands I suppose of a waiter) without any date or address, I am sorry to find, that you mean a justification of the measures of your associates, and further, insist upon satisfaction from me for my just censure of them.—The unseasonable hour was the cause of your receiv∣ing a verbal answer,—that I should be at home precisely at two o'clock, and expect you. However, upon more serious consideration, I find myself under the necessity of begging you to meet me at the Turk's Head Coffee-house, in the Strand, that I may avail myself of a friend's presence at our interview, lest our conversation be misrepre∣sented.—I shall wait for you till four.—Violent measures are in every point of view disagreeable to me; but, when I wish to avoid them, it can∣not be expected that it should be done at the expence of my honour. I heartily wish our meeting may be different from what your threats seem to denounce; for you must take some pains to bring me to extremities. However, sensible that the cause I espouse was strictly a

just one, I am determined neither to be shaken from it by menaces, nor intimidated by any of your most desperate resolutions.

I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, H. BATE.

No. 17, Clifford's-Inn, Saturday Morning, July 24, 1773.

Immediately upon this, I repaired in search of, and soon found Mr. Tateham, a gentleman who was present at the affray in the Gardens, and who readily accompanied me to dinner to the Turk's Head Coffee-house, in the Strand. On our arrival here, I gave orders to the waiters, that if any gentlemen inquired for me, to shew them to our room. In the course of our dinner, Mr. Dawes, a young gentleman of the law, and a friend of mine, hearing of the nature of the dispute, and of my being there, sent in his name, and begged to attend me through it; to this I will∣ingly consented, as Mr. Tateham was under the ne∣cessity of going out of town that evening, and I knew not at a certainty when the matter might be finally decided.

Not long after this, Capt. Crofts, attended by his friend, (whom I afterwards found to be the Honour∣able Mr. Lyttleton) arrived, who were immediately shewn in. After some customary civilities on each side, Capt. Crofts addressed me, by observing,

"That he supposed I knew the nature of his visit."

—To which I answered,

"I certainly did, if that letter which I had then in my hand was written by him, and contained his sentiments."

—He rejoined in the affirmative to both;

on which I remarked, that it was not possible then we could go out upon the terms he might require, until he had put some of his threats in execution.

Mr. Lyttleton on this warmly interfered; and ob∣served,

"that this was not the time to recapitulate parti∣culars; the matter being simply reduced to one point, which, as Capt. Crofts's friend, he was deputed to ask me, viz. Whether I chose to ask Capt. Crofts's par∣don in all the public papers, for saying I would wring his nose off his face, or go out with him in half an hour?"

—To this peremptory demand, I directly replied:—

"That being sensible of no impropriety in this instance, I should not make any concession at all; nor did I think myself justified, after the treatment I had received in Capt. Crofts's letter, to go out with him, till he had executed one of his threats; after which I would certain∣ly attend him."

—

Mr. Lyttleton on this begged leave to reduce the substance of the question and answer to writing; which was done by him and me, in words nearly as above.—After this he asked me,

"Whether I was not now wrong in urging Capt. Crofts to strike me; as from his situation in a military capacity, nothing but the life of one of us could atone for it?"

—To this I an∣swered,

"That having been in the army myself, I was not to be informed of the etiquette thereof in this particular; and was therefore apprized of the grounds on which I stood."

On this Mr. Lyttleton observed,

"that he must beg then I would go over to France, lest the consequence might prove fatal to his friend."

—This new expedition however, I begged leave to wave, by informing him,

"That sensible of the propriety of my conduct, I would by no means leave England, be the event what it would."

—Here Capt. Crofts interposed,

and said,

"The matter might be settled without such an excursion; for as a misrepresentation of my character had been the cause of his sending me the above letter, and being now convinced that the reverse of the report was the fact, he apologized for the error, and acquainted me, that he now looked upon me as a gentleman in every respect."

Immediately upon this, I took him by the hand, confessed his behaviour to be manly, and told him,

"That as we could now go out as gentlemen, I was ready to attend him, according to his request:"

—Then turning to Mr. Dawes, begged he would provide a case of pistols, and any other necessaries that might be wanting. The Ring in Hyde Park being proposed as the ground, I objected to it, for fear of interruption; and therefore recommended to Mr. Lyttleton and Mr. Dawes, our seconds, to pro∣vide a more private place; at the same time intimat∣ing a desire, that we might have a gentleman of the faculty near us, in case either of us should unfor∣tunately stand in need of his assistance.—Here Mr. Lyttleton observed, that the afternoon was rather an unusual time for these matters, and therefore urged it might stand over till Sunday morning four o'clock.

To this I answered,

"That the affair was dis∣agreeable enough at present in every point of view to me, and therefore I would not on any account, suffer it to hang another night upon my mind."

This, with Mr. Dawes's citing the case of Lords Townshend and Bellamont, to prove that it was not so very unusual as was represented, produced an unani∣mous agreement, that we should therefore instantly take a post coach and four, with a surgeon, drive down to Richmond-Park, and there finally deter∣mine the whole difference.

At the instant we were about to quit the room, Mr. Fitz-Gerall abruptly broke in upon us, with his hat on, and, in the most insolent tone of voice, demanded satisfaction of me,

"in the name of his friend Capt. Miles, who was without in the Coffee∣room, waiting with the utmost impatience."

Hay∣ing recovered from the surprize, I answered,

"That he came rather mal a propos, as I was going out that moment to settle a point of honour with Capt. Crofts, which I hoped would rectify the whole matter."

—To this he replied,

"That his friend insisted upon satisfaction first; and therefore I should not go out with any other man until he had received it; and that even after this, there were three or four others who insisted upon the same."

—I now appealed to Mr. Lyttleton and Capt. Crofts, to know in what manner I should act; telling them, I could fight but one at a time, and therefore would be directed by them; my second frequently interrupting with similar observations:—I begged leave that Mr. Fitz-Gerall would introduce his friend Capt. Miles, that I might see this man, whom I was assured I could not have offended.

He replied,

"he could not do that, as Capt. Miles was so enraged against me, that probably he might beat me."

I observed, That I fancied myself in the company of Gentlemen; and even at the worst I could defend myself, and therefore begged he might be introduced.—He now informed me,

"That Capt. Miles only came to fight me my own way; and there∣fore if I did not box him immediately, he would knock me down wherever he saw me in public."

Mr. Lyttleton, Capt. Crofts, and Mr. Dawes now in∣terposed, by observing, That I had behaved in every respect like the gentleman; that from my present

conduct, my character must have been totally misre∣presented; and therefore begged this matter might drop, and Capt. Crofts and I go out to settle our point:—This however Mr. Fitz-Gerall flatly refused; but while I was in conversation with him, Mr. Lyttleton, Capt. Crofts, and Mr. Dawes consulted together, and agreed, that with my consent, the affair between Capt. Crofts and me might be adjusted, if some concessions were made on either side; to which I immediately assented, if it could possibly be done consistent with my honour. Capt. Crofts there∣fore first declared,

"That Mrs. Hartley having been ungenteelly treated, Mr. Bate acted with great spirit and propriety in defending her."

To which I readily replied,

"That point being granted, I begged Mr. Crofts's pardon for any unguarded ex∣pression, which arose from a misunderstanding on both sides."

Thus far being amicably settled, we returned to the former subject; and on Capt. Crofts's retiring, Captain Miles was introduced. Addressing myself to him, I acquainted him,

"That I had never seen his face before, and therefore was ignorant how I could offend him."

I therefore begg'd leave to ask him, Whether he was the person who took Mr. Fitz-Gerall's part in Vauxhall-Gardens? To which he confusedly answered,

"Yes; and he now came to take the part of his friend Mr. Fitz-Gerall."

I told him,

"That he would be disappointed of the satisfaction he intended himself, for that I never boxed with a gentleman, nor ever would; but if he had a violent inclination to box, and nothing would satisfy him without it, I would send for two chairmen, give them a guinea a-piece, and beat, or be beaten, by them."

—Mr. Fitz-Gerall

now said,

"It did not signify talking any more about it, for that if I did not fight him now, Capt. Miles was determined to beat me at Vaux∣hall, or any where he next saw me."

To which I answered,

"I should be there every night next week, and would certainly defend myself."

Here the congress broke up, Mess. Lyttleton, Fitz-Gerall, and Capt. Miles going out. Not willing they should enjoy any thing like the shadow of a triumph, I run instantly after them into the street, perhaps indeed, imprudently, and, overtaking them on the pavement, opposite Catharine-street, I told the Captain,

"That rather than receive any public insults, if he would fix an hour on Monday morning, and bring either of the gentlemen then with him, I would meet him, and give him the satisfaction he re∣quired."

I received no other answer than

"Damn ye now, Sir."

—Not able to contain myself any longer, I beckoned him into the passage of the Spread Eagle Tavern, where we went into the front dining-room, attended by our friends, as before. I again addressed him, and begged he would not insist upon this porter-like business, or that he would tell me how I had offended him; intimating to him, at the same time, that I shrewdly suspected I could beat him. Not being able to pacify him with words, we stripped, and previous to the onset, I addressed Mr. Lyttleton,

"to testify how disagreeable it was to me; and if there could be a propriety in such an exercise, which I much doubted, begged it might be here observed on both sides."

These proper preliminaries being settled, the Captain received in about fifteen minutes the satisfaction he required, not being able to discern a single ray of light, by which to find his way home.

Three Irish Chairmen, I have this instant learnt, were hired to attend the meeting (according to their own confession to Mr. English, Hosier, in Catharine-Street)

"to see their little Tommy, (Capt. Miles) had fair play;"

and if it came to a riot in the street, that they might lend a friendly hand, to carry the point of an infamous assassin.

This ungentlemanlike business being however settled, we all returned to the Turk's Head, except the un∣fortunate Capt. Miles, when my conduct was in general highly commended, and Mr. Lyttleton, on his leaving us, begged I would oblige him with my company to dinner the next day, (Sunday.)

On their departure, Mr. Dawes and I began to collect together some circumstances, which led us to suspect, that this Capt. Miles was an hired bruiser.—His most amazingly confused address, the manner in which his friends treated him, and his new awk∣ward vestments, all conspired to convince us he was a made-up gentleman for the business. Determined, however, to act with caution in the investigation of the matter, the next day when I dined with Mr. Lyttleton, I asked him in the drawing-room apart,

"Whether he knew Capt. Miles?"

To which he answered, with a shrug of the shoulders,

"He did not."

Not a word more on the subject passed the whole day, though Capt. Crofts and Mr. Fitz-Gerall were of the party.

On the Monday morning I was informed, that his vanquished friend Capt. Miles was Mr. Fitz-Gerall's own footman. In consequence of this intelligence, which was a confirmation of my own suspicions, I sent the following note to Mr. Lyttleton:

COPY.

Clifford's-Inn, Monday July 26, 1773.

MR. Bate's compliments to the Honourable Mr. Lyttleton, and requests he would favour him with the address of Mr. Fitz-Gerall.—Every thing having been settled of the late fracas to Mr. Bate's entire satisfaction, except the affair of Mr. Fitz-Gerall's friend, the boxing Capt. Miles, he wishes to have that single point (which ap∣pears at present mysterious) cleared up, to com∣plete the general ecclaircissement.

To the Hon. Tho. Lyttleton, Gerrard-street.

To this I could get no answer till Tuesday, which was then but a verbal one, with,

"his compliments, and that Mr. Fitz-Gerall was to be found always at dinner at the Cocoa-tree."

I now immediately wrote and sent the following:

COPY.

Clifford's-Inn, Tuesday July 27, 1773.

MR. Bate's compliments to Mr. Fitz-Gerall, and having a small matter of business to settle with his friend Capt. Miles, requests the favour of his address, or the name of the place at which he is most likely to be met with.

To — Fitz-Gerrall, Esq. Cocoa-tree, Pall-Mall.

From sending repeatedly after him, I received the following concise message at twelve o'clock at night,

"That there was no answer."

—On the Wednesday I therefore wrote thus to him:

COPY.

Clifford's-Inn, Wednesday.

MR. Bate's compliments to Mr. Fitz-Gerall, and is sorry to inform him, that the mes∣sage he has received in answer to his note, gives him strong reason to apprehend, that there are some grounds for the report, that his friend Capt. Miles, was no other than his own foot∣man. However, not willing to condemn him without the fullest conviction, he gives him by this intimation, an opportunity of confirming the truth, or falsity of such report.

To — Fitz-Gerrall, Esq. Cocoa-tree, Pall-Mall.

To this I have not been able to procure the least answer whatever, even to the present hour.—

This is a strict, and nearly literal recapitulation of the various occurences which have attended this dispute, and is now presented to the public for their conclusions. From the tenor of the whole, I hope it will be at least observable, that wherever I erred, it was from judgment only, and not from principle. The reader will discover, that I have been particu∣larly attentive to the darkest hero of the piece, whose principal shades have ever owed their height of colour∣ing to the distresses he could force upon an individual, or his daring outrages on society at large. This in∣timation will therefore be sufficient to prevent the public interposition, should such a wretch be severely cudgelled by the man he has now so grossly insulted;

who means only by so friendly an act, to prevent his making a more general atonement at the hands of a common executioner.

I am, SIR, Yours, &c. H. BATE.

No. 17, Clifford's-Inn, July 30, 1773.

In consequence of an unseasonable visit from Mr. Fitz-Gerall to Mr. Bate, at his chambers on Sunday morning, the following was published in Monday's MORNING POST.

LETTER III.

To — FITZ-GERALL, Esq.

SIR,

THE honour of your visit to me this morning at one o'clock, was of so singular a nature, that a pub∣lic acknowledgement of it cannot be chargeable with any violent impropriety.—It will save us both an infinity of trouble. The curious will be informed of the circumstances on both sides, without the tedious formalities of separate narrations.—

In the late infamous affray, from whence I de∣rived the melancholy consequence of your ac∣quaintance, it is I believe, generally understood, that I acquitted myself with a tolerable degree of prudence and fortitude. The voice of candour has therefore upon that event, prescribed a solemn di∣stance

between us for ever: you will, perhaps, think it too rigid; since it will now scarce permit me to look down upon, or lament the situation of a wretch, since that wretch is the wanton, self-created, out-cast of society. Yet premeditated Villainy must not go unpunished: However dark and secret his footsteps, I will industriously trace the monster, till public atonement be made, or he hide his savage head eter∣nally in oblivion.

I would fain attribute your dark attempt of last night, or rather this morning, to those Bacchana∣lian sallies, which have regularly preceded you to the chair of Infamy: But it savours too much of deliberate villainy, to be less than the machination of some daemon of revenge.—I own my situation was somewhat unpleasant, when four armed gentlemen, attended by two others, came to my chambers in the dead of night, knocked up my servant, and endea∣voured, under a feigned voice, and other specious pretences, to allure me from my bed: the instant I had entered amongst you in the dark, I doubt not but your triumph had been complete. The summons of a known poltroon I never obey, and therefore I escaped; for, Mr. Fitz-Gerall I believe was the only one who had even a pretence for speaking with me. I honour the impudence of that man, who, knowing he has too far degraded himself below the dignity of a gentleman ever to be seen in that light again, now talks of nothing but Bullets and Bagshot. Before my knowledge of your friend Captain Miles, you could tamely submit to be called an impertinent, meddling puppy in the midst of Vauxhall Gardens; a phrase that would have called forth the resentment of a grocer's apprentice; but when you and the world are informed of the mode of chastisement I have

laid out for you, and which is the only one I can now condescend to bestow upon you, we hear of nothing but Slugs in a Saw-pit.

Think not, young gentleman, that the humours of last night, however oft repeated, will shake me from my resolve. I have zeal in some instances, which may surmount the resolution of an assassin. Should you continue to watch each pale moon to her cham∣bers of retirement through the circling year, and then steal out when darkness reigns propitious to your de∣sign, still, as long as I can escape the stiletto, the ruffian shall be dragged forth, however reluctant, to public view; where, as his designs were dark and hor∣rid, his punishment shall be proportionably ignomi∣nious.

I am, Sir, Yours, &c. H. BATE.

Clifford's Inn, Sunday noon, Aug. 1. 1773.

The day after, Tuesday Aug. 3, the following was published in the GAZETTEER.

LETTER IV.

To the Rev. Mr. HENRY BATE.

SIR,

THE unwarrantable freedom you have taken with my character in your narrative of the Vauxhall trans∣actions, and the little regard you have paid to truth and candour, constrain me to lay before the public a

true and impartial account of that affair, so far as I had any concerns in it directly or indirectly: Nor can I entertain the least doubt, but that upon a fair hearing, my conduct from the beginning to the end will bear the common sterling stamp of the gentleman, the man of honour, and, (if rightly considered by Mr. Bate himself) the real friend.

To begin then my justification; even you your∣self, Mr. Bate, will do me the justice to acknowledge I was not present when the pretended rudeness you so much complain of was offered to Mrs. Hartley. In fact I was in another part of the gardens: But the rumour being instantaneously spread over the whole place, that Capt. Crofts had been insulted with the grossest abuse and foulest language by a gentleman then unknown; I own, Sir, I made what expedi∣tion I could to find my friend, in order, if possible, to prevent any fatal consequences. When I found Capt. Crofts, Sir, you was in conference with him, words had run very high between you both, and the cause of all this fracas, it seems, was, that

"Mrs. Hartley had been looked at in a manner (as you say) not altogether genteel."

This being the ground of the quarrel, I thought there was room to qualify the supposed affront that had unintentionally been given to this lady, and I observed, that certainly every man had a right to look at a fine woman. I flattered myself, that by giving Mrs. Hartley that epithet, which so justly is her due, I should receive at least a decent, if not a polite answer, more especially as I declared to you, that I only came to mediate the af∣fair. Sir, I am now appealing to the tribunal of the public, and upon my honour I solemnly de∣clare I had no other intentions when I accosted you, but to mediate the affair between Capt. Crofts and

you. The one I knew to be a gentleman, the other, by his dress, appeared to be so; and I was in hopes of reconciling you both. But, Sir, what opinion must the public have of your veracity in telling your own tale, when, instead of thanking, or at least meeting me half way in my endeavours to mediate, you abruptly an∣swered in these very words,

"Damn you for your mediation; you are an impertinent puppy for your pains."

This answer of yours, Sir, you have not only jesuitically with-held from the public; but you are pleased to tell them another story, and add,

"that on this, I greatly answered, I would knock the rascal down who dared to say so, and nobly put my hand to my sword."

Sir, you know in your own conscience I never men∣tioned the word rascal, nor did I tell you that I would knock any man down who dared to say so. Nature, Sir, has not cast me in an athletic mould, nor has the science of bruising had any share in my gymnastic education. It is true, indeed, when you gave me the ungentlemanlike answer I have mentioned above, I observed to you that you had no sword, but that you might easily borrow one, and that we had better retire than make any noise in so public a place. I declare, Sir, upon my honour, that at the time I gave you this whisper in the ear, I was an utter stran∣ger to your profession; nor, from your preceding be∣haviour, could I possibly divine that you were in holy orders; much less could I dream of any such thing by the answer you gave me, which was, that you did not chuse to encounter me that way, but that, if I had a mind to try my skill at bruising, you was entirely at my service. Thus, Sir, stood the demelé I had with you, when Capt. Crofts gave me to understand that you was a PARSON. Upon this ecclaircissement you are pleased to say, that

"I became abundantly plea∣sant

and witty upon your ecclesiastical character."

The real truth is, and I will not disguise it, I replied, That I was ashamed of your behaviour, and that you ought to have your gown publicly stripped from off your shoulders; and from that moment I determined, Sir, even though your conduct towards me had been a thousand times more reprehensible than it really was, and though you had sworn a thousand more oaths than I am sorry to say you did, I determined within my own mind to pay every possible respect to your cloth, and treat you as a man, who, if not out of his senses, was at least within the sacred pale and protection of the church. For, Sir, I had a character at stake, which I might have endangered, had I applied either my sword or my cane, knowing you to be a clergy∣man. But, Sir, notwithstanding the lenity and pru∣dence I manifested on this occasion, I cannot help repeating, that I think you deserve to have your cas∣sock pulled over your ears. I may, however, be erroneous in my judgment, as no person is a proper judge in his own cause; but if you think my judg∣ment in the wrong, Sir, I am very willing to submit the censure I thus pass upon your public conduct to the decision and final adjudication of your own Dio∣cesan, who, I understand, is the Bishop of London, and whom all the world must allow to be a competent arbitrator.

GEO.-ROB. FITZ-GERALL.

The succeeding day, this answer came out in the MORNING POST.

LETTER V.

To GEO.-ROBERT FITZ-GERALL, Esq.

SIR,

WHEN villainy has wrought the human mind to a certain degree of deformity, the phaenomenon, at∣tracting our admiration, may influence the weakest of our passions.—Having confessed the originality of your character, and even now astonished at such a wonder-work of Providence, considering the frailty of human nature, I wish our dealings hereafter to be as limited as possible. I own that you have betrayed me into a weakness, by forcing me for a moment to dis∣pute the rectitude of the universal system. But, doubtless, the same extensive Wisdom who gave being to the blood-enveloped house-breaker, and assassinating foot∣pad, found it necessary, in his mysterious operations, to create a being, in whom should center the defor∣mities of both. The man, impatient of violent in∣juries, may here be rather innocently led to arraign the Divine Justice; but I am thankful, that reflection has weight enough with me to banish such melancholy ideas; and rejoice from thence to find, that a sacred ne plus is assigned even to the most refined degeneracy. If we could ever be led to doubt the position, your letter of this day must convince us—that the vicious ignorance of the darkest profligate betrays itself in language; and that his vices are therefore seldom or never contagious, but from a personal intercourse.

Being now in no danger of becoming a convert to the creed of libertinism and treachery, from the im∣potence of those arguments dealt out for their support by niggard Nature, a distant correspondence of this kind I will never refuse you. If such condescension can at all amuse in this your disgraceful state of exile from society, I have that Christian charity which will not let me with-hold it from you.—Forlorn and wretched as you really are, I will give you a tempo∣rary relief from the pangs of self-conviction, by en∣ticing your feeble talents ever and anon into their di∣minutive kind of exertion.

Dragged forth with horrible reluctance, ten days being elapsed, you make a miserable entrance in this day's Gazetteer; and after the example of every self∣convicted culprit, unwilling to plead guilty, you make a contemptible appeal to the public, in the nature of a defence. Generously giving you credit for its ma∣sterly formation, I apprehend the whole burden of it to be strictly this:—That your interposition was that of a mediator;—that I damn'd you for your mediation, and called you an impertinent puppy for your pains;—that you told me I had no sword on, but that I might borrow one;—and that I replied, I did not chuse to engage you that way, but that if you had a mind to try your skill at bruising, I was entirely at your service.—

Unfortunately for you, my gentle Paris! not a shadow of truth rests on either of these assertions, ex∣cept that indeed of your being

"an impertinent puppy for your pains,"

which I acknowledged in my letter of yesterday to have said to you; nor need you there∣fore have taken such an infinity of pains to enforce, what is already so strongly impressed on my mind, and on that of the public.

Rescued from the danger as a naked man, I can∣not now but laugh at your savage notions of a media∣tor;—but my wonder ceases, when I recollect to have read of two gentlemen going out to fight, one of whom was shot through the head by a mediatorial friend, in order to prevent the consequence of a tri∣umph on either side.—I fancy Capt. Crofts cannot but recollect the mode of your first address, and there∣fore I will not enforce the evidence of my friends, till that gentleman, or some other, will step forth in public, and bear you witness. As far as respects the sword business, it is entirely either the effect of a phrensied and distempered brain, or the paltry, forged evasion of an equivocating reptile. To one and the same cause must I assign the origin of the bruising, since I repeatedly and studiously told you all, THAT was never my plan. Nay, had it been,—what could tempt me to it, when Mr. Fitz-Gerall was the tiny object of my resentment! I appeal to your friend Capt. Crofts, whether I did not repeatedly disown such a mode to him? and if I waved it here, where some triumph might have been the consequence, how could I condescend to think of such an operation, when your little presence of aerial divinity courted my thoughts from manhood, to a silent contemplation of the progressive beauties of the pigmy system?

No, my dear little whimsey-formed being, let no such rude forebodings disturb thy pretty peace in future! Terrific as my strides appear to such silphs and silphids, I have long forgotten that school-boy pleasure of breaking butterflies on the wheel; nor would I now crush a noxious reptile, had it not attempted to sting the foot, that meant not to disturb it.

I cannot take leave of you, without acknowledging your political merit, in referring the nature of our

dispute to the arbitration of the Bishop of London. I will not accuse you with the thought, notwithstanding its excellence.—Candid as it may appear, I must however decline it, tho' no man esteems this illustri∣ous prelate more than I do. I know his worth, as a man; his excellence, as a christian: yet his decree must be in some respect, opposite to the feelings of humanity. You know not perhaps, the motto of the reverend bench,

"If a man smite thee on the right cheek, turn unto him thy left also."

This, I own is an ex∣cellent system, accompanied with lawn sleeves: these pious appendages have a soporific quality, depriving the wearers of any other than a theorical knowledge of it. However, point me not out to their Lordships as an heretic in this instance; for I have no objection to fall into their notions, upon similar terms.—

The fiery taper of youth will naturally burn less and less glaring, as Time with frigid hand shall call forth his hoary emblems on our head. The mitre then adorns the reverend brow; the holy crosier guards its single priest from violence.—In this calm stand-still of life, the hour may come, when I shall wish for such sacred protections; and without an abundance of miracles, time might vouchsafe to work me to the sacred purpose.—Then, being free from the wanton attacks of libertinism, my right-reverend feelings, would be reduced to a narrow and peaceable compass;—then could I perhaps, declaim in favour of that non-resistance which my youthful impetuosity pointed out as no virtue, and even being smitten by Mr. Fitz-Gerall on the right cheek, might, from a fortitude truly religious,—turn unto him my left also.

I am, SIR, Your's, &c. HENRY BATE.

Clifford's-Inn, Aug. 3, 1773.

Mr. FITZ-GERALL's LETTER to the Rev. Mr. HENRY BATE, concluded in Thursday's GA∣ZETTEER, August 5.

LETTER VI.

To the Rev. Mr. HENRY BATE.

SIR,

THE letter I addressed to you, Sir, in Monday's Gazetteer, I flatter myself hath fully convinced the impartial Public, my conduct throughout this trans∣action hath been that of the gentleman, and the man of honour: of the gentleman, by my treating you as such, so long as I took you to be a LAYMAN. Of the man of honour, by ceasing to demand satisfaction, the very moment I knew you to be in holy orders. It now remains that I convince the same impartial Public, that I also acted to you as a real friend; I say real friend, Sir, because if I see a Clergyman of the Church of England scandalously exposing himself in public, and can possibly make him feel his folly so as to prevent a return of a similar paroxysm; I think, Sir, even in your own opinion, I must be allowed to be doing that Clergyman an act of real friendship. If you grant me this position, then my reply is,

"Na∣than, thou art the man."

For I appeal to the whole company who were that night at Vauxhall, whether they did not deem you, as a man, lost to all sense of public shame, public character, and public decorum?

Desperate as your disorder was, I did not despair to cure it. The only doubt with me was the modus curandi.

To have consigned you over to Lord Mansfield's tipstaff might possibly have had a temporary effect,

but it would not have gone to the root of the disorder, and a relapse in such a calenture as yours, seemed to me to be death unavoidable.

On the other hand, had I taken this matter up se∣riously, had I attempted to convince you, that the fate of nations is not now-a-days, decided by bodily strength or muscular adroitness, but by the fusil, bay∣onet, and cannon; and that consequently, in a poli∣tical point of view, the science of bruising, so far as it relates to gentlemen who are born to command fleets and armies, can be of no service, and therefore contemned by them as a thing of no value; nay, had I even acknowledged that I approved of this bruising science, when confined to the lower class of people, because I think the national habits of vulgar courage ought never to be checked; I say, Sir, had I attempt∣ed to have reasoned with you in this manner, I should only have added fuel to fire. The only method then I could make use of with any hopes of success, was to hold up to you the mirror of ridicule, not doubting but that I should find with the poet Horace,

Ridiculum AeriFortius ac Melius, magnas plerumque secat res.

On this plan, Sir, I will not conceal from you, that my first intention was to have borrowed one of Foote's wooden heroes; strip him stark naked, put him in a true Broughtonian attitude, and have told you, that he insisted upon your fighting him. It was ob∣jected, that you must certainly see through the game that was going to be played upon you. I was, indeed, of a different opinion; and I observed, that if the Knight of La Manch, who, in every respect, that of frantic courage excepted, was an excellent scholar,

and an accomplished gentleman, could seriously en∣counter a wind-mill, or a barber's bason, your dis∣order being similar to his, you would easily fall into a similar deception, specie recti.—However, Sir, to comply with my friends, I suffered my opinion to be over-ruled; yet unwilling to leave you uncured, I dressed one of my servants, introduced you to him, as a person you greatly affronted, and a pitched battle ensued between you both, to the great diversion of the few bye-standers, who were privy to the secret, which hath been pompously recorded by your own pen in the Morning Post. But there is one little circumstance, which out of charity I now tell you, and that is, I gave my servant strict orders not to beat you unmercifully, and when we thought he had given you a sufficient dose, we not only interposed and parted you, but we highly commended your bravery, and made you believe that you had sealed up both the peepers of the redoubtable Capt. Miles.

The good intention I had in playing the risible farce upon you, was, that when you should come to the denouement of the plot, you might see quasi in speculo into what an infinite number of absurdities, embar∣rassments, and vulgarisms your unclassical propensity for bruising must, as a Clergyman, unavoidably betray you; for, a man, not absolutely bereft of reason, to see his error, is to be half cured of it; and I had flattered myself, indeed, that I had happily made this half-way progress, and was determined to be an au∣toptical witness of the real fact. With this intent I went last Saturday to your chambers in Clifford's-Inn; Mr. Montague, Mr. Lyttleton, and Mr. Storer were so obliging as to accompany me. It was nearly eleven o'clock at night, when I pleased myself with thinking that cool reason would have resumed her empire, and

that I should have found you preparing yourself for the next morning's function of your holy office, and that consequently all rancour, animosity, and ill-will was buried for ever in oblivion. But, Sir, how greatly were my hopes crest-fallen, when after gently knocking at your door, I found it barricadoed against me, though I repeatedly told you my name, and the real purport of my visit. In return for this my care and attention, all the satisfaction I could obtain was, to hear myself called,

"an assassin,"

with reiterated assurances from your own lips, that the first time you should meet me, either in the Mall, Vauxhall, Ra∣nelagh, or the Pantheon, you would break every bone in my skin. Sir, it is an easy matter to talk of breaking bones; but if you are not incurably gone, I now caution you not to attempt putting your menaces into execution. For if I must be serious with you, Mr. Bate, you ought to know that the gentleman who can respect the protection of your cloth to a cer∣tain degree, will beyond that degree protect himself. And I must further observe to you, that if in the de∣fence of my person, any fatal consequence should happen either to you or myself, the blame will now lie at the door of your Diocesan, and not at that of

Your humble servant, GEORGE ROBERT FITZ-GERALL.

Mr. BATE's Answer in the MORNING POST of Friday, August 6.

LETTER VII.

To GEO.-ROB. FITZ-GERALL, Esq.

SIR,

THE thread of inconsistent villainy being this day re-united, I have now before me the whole contemp∣tible defence of the most daring, yet ridiculous, dis∣turber of the public peace.—It has been observed, that my former letters soared too far above the nar∣row limits of your puny understanding. I admit in part the propriety of the remark, and therefore, in this reply, I shall studiously confine myself to that simplicity of language which is found the abler advo∣cate in the cause of virtue.

Pardon me, if here I breathe a digressive sigh for some noble and worthy personages, who, till the fatal conclusion of your letter, had comforted themselves with a flattering idea, that their kinsman was rather vicious from accident, than from principle, or fatal necessity. The tears of penitence, young man, are a grateful and efficacious offering even to despairing friends, winning them, as it were, by enchantment, almost to our own terms of remission;—but, from your example, we are taught not to wonder, that a wanton and stubborn perseverance alarms the dig∣nity of their fortitude, and bids them renounce for ever the villain they could not reclaim.—

I have hitherto, Mr. Fitz-Gerall, in this correspond∣ence with you, trifled with my own consequence,

rather pursuing the delusive flights of imagination, than standing forth simply your accuser, as the injured man. However, a just and public sacrifice can never be out of season, and therefore I will now pin you down to that public stake of infamy, from which the extravagance of your conduct will never let you rise. Behold me, therefore, literally a rigid accuser, no longer wishing to trifle with the despondency of a cri∣minal, or the patience of the public, his appointed judge.—If shame will permit you to look up, you may now see how truly formidable is an injured indi∣vidual rationally collected, and inspired with a strong but temperate fortitude, the powerful staff ordained to support him.—The public, Sir, are impatient for the decision, and therefore no hired evasions will longer avail you. The following black indictment courts your dejected eyes; and truly dismal is such a scroll, which bears the stamp of unshaken authen∣ticity.—

CHARGES Against GEORGE ROBERT FITZ-GERALL, Esq.

• I. I have all along accused you, and now more solemn∣ly accuse you of being a wanton leader of the second attack against me in Vauxhall-Gardens;—of being an impertinent meddler in my dispute with Capt. Crofts, to whom I had previously given my name and address; averring that the mode of your mediatorial interpo∣sition was audacious, and presuming.
• II. I accuse you of publickly sporting with my pro∣fession; of putting your hand to your sword against

• me as a naked man, without the least intimation at any time of your desiring satisfaction of me for the extorted ridicule, you received from me in the Gar∣dens.
• III. I accuse you of breaking into a * 14.1 private room the next morning, in the most insolent manner, just at that instant when Capt. Crofts and I were going out to terminate our difference; and, ruffian-like, pre∣vented it, by insisting that your friend Capt. Miles should have satisfaction first.
• IV. I accuse you of introducing your own servant to me as a gentleman and an officer; and of persisting in my boxing with this savage, notwithstanding the interposition of Mr. Lyttleton and Capt. Crofts, who repeatedly told you

  "that my character had been mis∣conceived, and that I had acted in every respect like the gentleman, and man of honour."

• V. I accuse you likewise of hiring three other Irish ruffians, and planting them at the door of Mr. English, the corner of Catharine-street, in order to aid and assist in your infamous project, should it be necessary to enforce it in the street.
• ...

• VI. I accuse you of totally misrepresenting the consequences of the boxing business, since your friend was beat stone∣blind in reality, and I did not receive a single blow.
• VII. I accuse you of misrepresenting the time of your in∣tended assassination at my chambers on the Sunday morning, it being more than a quarter after one o'clock, as can be testified, if necessary, by the affi∣davit of the porter of the Inn.—

This dark catalogue of positive charges, I solemn∣ly lay at your door, and defy your every exertion to remove them. The fact on which they are ground∣ed, I shall conceive as admitted even by your own partizans, who were present at the transactions, ex∣cept one or more of them step publicly forth, and confute them. I now leave you for the present despicable in the eyes of this vast metropolis, and even condemned, alas! by the generous natives of your own kingdom; whose notions of honour, though sometimes too chimerical, will not permit them even to rank with a countryman, who, harsh as it may sound, stands convicted as An INCENDIARY,—a LYAR,—and a POLTROON.

Yours, &c. H. BATE.

Clifford's-Inn, Thursday, Aug. 5.

The following appeared in the GAZETTEER of Monday, August 9.

LETTER VIII.

To the Rev. Mr. BATE.

BY seeing this letter in the paper, do not think I mean to continue a literary correspondence with you, Sir, who thrive by scandal, and live upon defamation; I therefore declare, that as this is the first, so it shall be the last time I will publish any thing concerning the late affair at Vauxhall. I had indeed imagined that you and I, Sir, had finally settled all our differences: but as I find you have revived the subject, by your letters in the Morning Post, it is incumbent upon me to set the misinformed public right, in some particulars which you have grossly falsified.

You publicly call upon me to certify the truth of your having declined boxing, during the whole course of your proceedings. Now, Sir, I as publicly declare, that so far from declining, you long insisted upon it, refusing me the satisfaction I required, and calling upon me to put my threats into execution, which, you said, you would resent with your fist, and your fist only; and it was in consequence of Mr. Lyttleton's assuring you, that the issue of the affair must then of necessity be fatal, that you condescended to

"wave your privilege;"

and, for the first time in your life, put yourself upon the footing of a gentleman.

Again, Sir, in your letter to Mr. Fitz-Gerall, you assert that I said,

"Mrs. Hartley having been ungen∣teelly treated, Mr. Bate acted with great spirit and propriety in defending her."

—This, Sir, as I

never thought, I never said: the concluding words that passed between us were as follows; I confessed that you would have acted properly in protecting a lady who had in your company been publicly affronted, but that I did not think Mrs. Hartley came under that predicament; and as to myself, I neither intended nor offered her an insult. In answer to which, you re∣plied,

"I am sorry my passion forced improper words from me, and I ask your pardon."

These, Sir, were your words; and as they were much attended to, they must have been heard and remembered by every gen∣tleman present. I little thought the affair would have terminated thus amicably, as I was far from imagining that there would have been any stop put to my determined resolution of chastising your in∣solence.

Now, Sir, I take my leave of you, advertising you that I have heard of your terrific threats, and denun∣ciations of revenge. These I look upon as the ravings of a lunatic, and the frantic workings of a distempered brain. If, however, you have coolly concerted schemes of meditated vengeance, I shall not, Sir, appeal to the mediation of your diocesan, or the interposition of Justice Fielding. I, Sir, am a soldier, and look equally with an eye of contempt at the mischief of a monkey, and the malice of a monk.

W. CROFTES.

Richmond, August 5.

Mr. BATE'S Answer, on Tuesday, August 10, in the MORNING POST.

LETTER IX.

To W. CROFTES, Esq.

SIR,

AS a man truly sensible of your situation, I cannot but pity your misfortunes.—You must at last I think discover, the fatality of your league with an abandoned and despicable associate, who will not let you now en∣joy that retreat from an extravagant imprudence, which your penitentials, and my sympathy, had hap∣pily wrought for you. Convicted himself,—after the most candid and dispassionate hearing, he seems divested of that savage kind of clemency which has dignified the robber and assassin; who bear individually the ven∣geance of society, rather than involve the partner of their guilt in the horrors of their punishment. This was the etiquette of heroic villainy; but now lost in the dastard refinements introduced by our modern fine gentlemen: for Mr. Fitz-Gerall has hauled you forth, ere the conscious blush of guilt had lost its empire o'er your cheek, insisting that you shall make a similar atonement with him, and that on the same public, and disgraceful scaffold.

With what a becoming diffidence do you face the world, Mr. Croftes, in this day's Gazetteer!—Your anticipations are so melancholy and well founded, that I could, as far as respects myself, let them die away contemptibly with the jargon and nonsense of the day.—We lament the distresses of the wretched, culprit mariner, who declares with aching heart, that if he weathers but the perils of his present voyage, he ne'er

will tempt the watery main again.—Yet Society has its sacred claims on culprits of every denomination; on that account, though you studiously wish to pre∣clude my reply, I cannot let you fall a slow and mi∣serable sacrifice to your own wretched feelings and falsehoods, when one friendly crush may annihilate you for ever.

After a lethargy of three tedious summer weeks, you are roused from your somnolency, and now attempt to invalidate a simple narration of facts, which your silence, and the public candour, have solemnly con∣firmed. However apparently insignificant its orbit, that little fiery meteor Fitz-Gerall has its influence I perceive on certain pliant bodies; forcing the timid into that disgraceful service in which he himself has been so shamefully defeated. The servile awe with which the whole petit maitre tribe look up to this gilded phantom of prowess, is a justification of your prudence. I jump with you in opinion, that an ex∣perimentary insult on a peaceable clergyman, who fights not but from necessity, is less hazardous, than even a difference in opinion with another, whose va∣lour is founded on * 16.1

"his having fought eleven duels,"

and whose principal beauty arises from having lost the roof of his skull by a pistol shot.—

The world, Sir, are already convinced of your folly, and my circumspection.—I will not therefore now dispute with you myself on the two facts, the subject of your letters, which you have so totally misrepre∣sented. The candid will be satisfied without it; and even the incredulous shall be eased of any doubts and

scruples about it, by the public testimony of those Gentlemen, who were present at the discussion.

I cannot however but remind you of this aukward introduction of yourself to the public.—You ac∣knowledge to stand forth on my appeal.—Now, Sir, if my memory serves me, the appeal was to prove,

"that I observed to you repeatedly at Vauxhall, that boxing was by no means my plan, and therefore, if I refused to you, where some honour might suc∣ceed a bruising conquest, how could I (in Vauxhall observe) think of such a mode with the tiny Fitz-Gerall?"

Your masterly reply (admitting it true for the mo∣ment) is,

"That I insisted upon your putting the threats of your letter in execution, &c. &c. the next day at the Turk's Head Coffee-house."

This is a mode of advancing so truly Hibernian, that nothing but Mr. Fitz-Gerall having a mechanical command of you, could possibly have occasioned.

I believe I have worked myself up into that phi∣losophical contempt for complicated vice and folly, to be able to hear any thing you can advance, how∣ever false and atrocious, without the least emotion. Since your own passive disposition, and the well-con∣certed interposition of an Irish renegado, and his at∣tendant ruffians, prevented the proof positive of my courage, I will not sigh for a fresh opportunity of displaying it, but rather be thankful, that my honour has been preserved, without the loss of blood on either side.—You may now indulge yourself, young man, with paroxysms of rage and vengeance; since neither my necessities, nor vices, are so pressing, as seriously to demand my forfeit life,—since I never mean to be∣friend that most abject of all beings, who has not spirit enough to disengage himself from his miseries, but

cowardly courts another's hand to drive him from ex∣istence.

As a proof that I never vowed the least vengeance against you whatever, I will even consent that all your anxieties shall cease in future.—You shall be a man of gallantry,—but it must only be in those politer re∣gions, where beaux plume themselves on distressing the fair sex!—You shall be a man of honour—in that country where they ask a public, and an ignominious acknowledgment of a supposed offender, or his blood in half an hour, and yet after that—blush not to make the first concession.—You shall be a man of cool, tho' resolute courage,—where danger is happily precluded by the known interposition of some generous friends.—You shall be a man of strict veracity,—where, after having been mean in one instance, they get over it, by honestly denying the fact in another.

Nay! come back from Richmond;—for, however offensive to Colonel Burgoyne, you shall even be a SOLDIER still!—But it must be in that arduous service, where FORTS and ARMIES own your friend Fitz-Gerall's hereditary government; where they fight with scented quil pop-guns, loaded with bleu mange;—whose armour is composed of miniature pictures, and chicken gloves;—who escape the severities of a noxious climate, by an artificial atmosphere of ambrosial essences.

H. BATE.

Clifford's-Inn, Aug. 9, 1773.

Notes

• * 14.1

  It remains to be answered—How Mr. Fitz-Gerall came to know of this place of meeting, except from Capt. Crofts or Mr. Lyttleton; as Mr. Fitz-Gerall never called at Mr. Bate's chambers; nor did even Capt. Crofts, and his second, Mr. Lyttleton, know it was to be at the Turk's-Head, until the receipt of Mr. Bate's letter to Capt. Crofts a few minutes before their arrival there.
• * 16.1

  This was one, amongst others, of Mr. Lyttleton's observations to me (perhaps in terr••••…••••…) at the Turk's Head. It seems not to tally, however, with an anecdote now circulating at Stuart's, in Bond-street; where a case of pistols are said to be still hanging as disgraceful mementos of Mr. F—'s forgetfulness.