 man who defies his fellow-creature into the field, in a private quarrel, must first desy his God; and what are his hopes, but to be a murderer to do an irreparable injury to the innocent family and dependents of the murdered?—But since you have been let into the matter so far by the unaccountable Letter you let me see, I will shew you Sir Hargrave's to me.—This is it, pulling it out of his pocket-book.
YOU did well, Sir Charles Grandison, to leave your name. My scoundrels were too far off their master to inform themselves by the common symbols, who the person was that insulted an innocent man (as to him innocent, however) on the highway. You expected to hear from me, it is evident; and you should have heard before now, had I been able from the effects of the unmanly surprize you took advantage of to leave my chamber. I demand from you the satisfaction due to a gentleman. The Time your own; provided it exceed not next Wednesday;

which will give you opportunity, I suppose, to settle your affairs; but the sooner the better. The Place, if you have no objection, Kensington Gravel-pits. I will bring pistols for your choice; or you may for mine, which you will. The rest may be left to my worthy friend Mr. Bagenhall, who is so kind as to carry you this, on my part; and to some one whom you shall pitch upon, on yours. Till when, I am
Your humble Servant, HARGRAVE POLLEXFEN.
Saturday.
I have a copy of my answer somewhere—Here it is. You will wonder, perhaps, Mr. Reeves, on such a subject as this, to sind it a long one. Had Sir Hargrave known me better than he does, six lines might have been sufficient.
SIR,
MR. Bagenhall gave me yours on Saturday last, just as I was stepping into my chariot to go out of town. Neither the general contents, nor the time mentioned in it, made it necessary for me to alter my measures. My sister was already in the chariot. I had not done well to make a woman uneasy. I have many friends; and I have great pleasure in promoting theirs. I promised an answer on Monday.
My answer is this—I have ever refused (and the occasion has happened too often) to draw my sword upon a set and formal challenge. Yet I have reason to think, from the skill I pretend to have in the weapons, that in declining to do
