I’m going to focus however on the reverse side of the broadsheet, under a section called “Duels”. That’s right. “Duels”. Printed in the local paper like it was simply a weekly weather forecast. The first, and most entertaining of these stories, goes like this…
“Duels – Yesterday a duel was fought in a field near Bayswater, between the Hon. Mr. H. and S. L. Esq. – in consequence of a dispute which originated on the preceding day, respecting a public appointment. They met at eight o’clock in the morning, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel L. and Sir J. S. and after exchanging each a shot, in which they were both slightly wounded, the one in his right and the other in his left arm, their seconds then interfering, they left the ground, and retired to a Coffee-house in Oxford-street, where the misunderstanding was amicably settled.”
“Boys!” – As the great Hermione Granger one said.