“’Twas but three days after the 15th November 1712 (Esmond minds him well of the date), that he went by invitation to dine with his General (Webb).” At the end of the feast Swift rushes to say that Duke Hamilton had been killed in a duel. “They fought in Hyde Park just before sunset.”
When I read the story in Esmond I was naturally struck by Thackeray’s making the duel occur three days after 15th November instead of on that day. I applied to my friend Dr Henry Jackson, who pointed out that the apparent error arises from the absence of a comma. The above passage should run:—
“It was about three days after, the 15th of November 1712 (Esmond minds him well of the date), that he went, etc.” This makes Thackeray’s account agree with Hearne’s. Dr Jackson has pointed out to me that the duel was fought at 7 A.M., not just before sunset as Swift is made to declare. The evidence is in Swift’s Journal to Mrs Dingley, of which extract Charles John Smith gave a facsimile in his Historical and Literary Curiosities, 1840:—
“Before this comes to your Hands, you will have heard of the most terrible Accident that hath almost ever happened. This morning at 8, my men brought me word that D. Hamilton had fought with Ld. Mohun and killed him and was brought home wounded. I immediately sent him to the Duke’s house in St James’s Square, but the porter could hardly answer for tears and a great Rabble was about the House. In short they fought at 7 this morning the Dog Mohun was killed on the spot, and wile (sic) the Duke was over him Mohun shortening his sword stabbed him in at the shoulder to the heart the Duke was helpt towards the lake house by the Ring in the park (where they fought), [39] and dyed in the Grass before he could reach the House and was brought home in his Coach by 8, while the poor Dutchess was asleep. . . . I am told that a footman of Ld. Mohun’s stabbd D. Hamilton; and some say Mackartney did so too. Mohun gave the affront and yet sent the Challenge. I am infinitly concerned for the poor Duke who was a frank honest good natured man, I loved him very well and I think he loved me better.
Jonat. Swift.
“London, 15th Nov. 1712.”
I insert the following extract as it records what was of great importance to Hearne personally, since he refused to recognise George I. as the legitimate monarch.
3rd Aug. 1714.—“On Sunday morning (Aug. 1st)
died queen Anne, about 7 o’clock. She had been taken ill on Friday immediately before. Her distemper an apoplexy, or, as some say, only convulsions. She was somewhat recovered, and then made Shrewsbury lord treasurer. On Sunday last, in the afternoon, George Lewis, elector of Brunswick, was proclaimed in London King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, by virtue of an act of parliament, by which those that are much nearer to the crown by bloud are excluded.”
The following extract illustrates the feeling in Oxford under the first Hanoverian sovereign. Very few, however, showed Hearne’s consistent and courageous Jacobinism:—
29th May 1715.—“Last night a good part of the presbyterian meeting-house in Oxford was pulled down. There was such a concourse of people going up and down, and putting a stop to the least sign of rejoycing, as cannot be described. But then the rejoycing this day (notwithstanding Sunday) was so very great and publick in Oxford, as hath not been known hardly since the restauration. There was not an house next the street but was illuminated. For if any disrespect was shown, the windows were certainly broke. The people run up and down, crying King James the third! The true King! No usurper! The duke of Ormond! and healths were everywhere drank suitable to the occasion, and every one at the same time drank to a new restauration, which I heartily wish may speedily happen.”
I give the following extract as a record of the dinner hour in Oxford in 1717:—