The Judge of the County of Dublin, Egan, fought the Master of the Rolls, Roger Barrett,[[2]] and three others; one with swords.
[2]. On the duel between Judge Egan and Counsellor Roger Barret a curious incident occurred, of hackneyed celebrity, but very illustrative of that volatile eccentricity with which the gravest events were frequently accompanied in that country.
On the combatants taking their ground (secundum consuetudinem), Roger (who was the challenger) immediately fired without much aim, and missing his antagonist, coolly said, “Egan, now my honour is satisfied,” and began to walk away with great stateliness and composure.
The judge, however, (who had not fired,) cried aloud, “Hulloa, Roger—hulloa!—stop—stop, Roger; come back here; stay till I take a shot at your honour!”
Roger obeyed; and with the same composure cried out, “Very well, fire away, Jack.”
Egan presented, and seemed by his motions determined to finish Roger:—at length he cried out, “Pho! pho! I won’t humour you, by G—d! I wouldn’t be bothered shooting you, Roger!—so now you may go to the devil your own road; or shake hands, whichever you like best.”
The finale may be anticipated. This circumstance is truly Irish; it took place on the site of Donnybrook fair, and some hundreds of amateurs were present.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Honourable Isaac Corry, fought the Right Honourable Henry Grattan, a privy counsellor, and the chancellor was hit. He also exchanged shots or thrusts with two other gentlemen.