DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0180
156
LIFE OF LORD CAMELFORD.
you have been imposed upon by a strumpet. Do not
insist on expressions under which one of us must fall.”
To this remonstrance Lord Camelford replied: “ Best,
this is child’s play ; the thing must go on.”
It has nevertheless been asserted, that after reflecting
on the whole affair, Lord Camelford in his heart acquitted
Mr. Best, and that he acknowledged, in confidence, to
his second, that he himself was in the wrong ; that Best
was a man of honor, but that he could not prevail on
himself to retract words which he had once used. The
reason of the obstinacy with which he rejected all ad-
vances towards a reconciliation, was, that his lordship
entertained an idea, that his antagonist was the best shot
in England, and he was apprehensive lest his reputation
might suffer, if he made any concession, however slight,
to such a person.
Accordingly his lordship and Mr. Best on horseback,
took the road to Kensington, followed by a post-chaise,
in which were the two seconds. On their arrival at the
Horse and Groom, about a quarter before eight, the par-
ties dismounted, and proceeded along the path leading to
the fields behind Holland House. The seconds stepped
out the ground, and they took their stations at the dis-
tance of thirty paces, which measured exactly twenty-
nine yards. Lord Camelford fired first, but without
effect. A space of several seconds intervened, and from
the manner and attitude of Mr. Best, the people who
viewed the transaction at a distance, imagined that he
was asking whether his lordship was satisfied. Mr. Best
then fired, and his lordship instantly fell at full length.
The two seconds, together with Mr. Best, immediately
ran up to his assistance, when he is said to have seized
the latter by the hand, and to have exclaimed, “ Best, I
am a dead man : you have killed me, but I freely forgive
you.” The report of the pistols had alarmed several per-
sons
LIFE OF LORD CAMELFORD.
you have been imposed upon by a strumpet. Do not
insist on expressions under which one of us must fall.”
To this remonstrance Lord Camelford replied: “ Best,
this is child’s play ; the thing must go on.”
It has nevertheless been asserted, that after reflecting
on the whole affair, Lord Camelford in his heart acquitted
Mr. Best, and that he acknowledged, in confidence, to
his second, that he himself was in the wrong ; that Best
was a man of honor, but that he could not prevail on
himself to retract words which he had once used. The
reason of the obstinacy with which he rejected all ad-
vances towards a reconciliation, was, that his lordship
entertained an idea, that his antagonist was the best shot
in England, and he was apprehensive lest his reputation
might suffer, if he made any concession, however slight,
to such a person.
Accordingly his lordship and Mr. Best on horseback,
took the road to Kensington, followed by a post-chaise,
in which were the two seconds. On their arrival at the
Horse and Groom, about a quarter before eight, the par-
ties dismounted, and proceeded along the path leading to
the fields behind Holland House. The seconds stepped
out the ground, and they took their stations at the dis-
tance of thirty paces, which measured exactly twenty-
nine yards. Lord Camelford fired first, but without
effect. A space of several seconds intervened, and from
the manner and attitude of Mr. Best, the people who
viewed the transaction at a distance, imagined that he
was asking whether his lordship was satisfied. Mr. Best
then fired, and his lordship instantly fell at full length.
The two seconds, together with Mr. Best, immediately
ran up to his assistance, when he is said to have seized
the latter by the hand, and to have exclaimed, “ Best, I
am a dead man : you have killed me, but I freely forgive
you.” The report of the pistols had alarmed several per-
sons