That melo-dramatic perfor...
That melo-dramnatic performance in which Lord LoNDON- DERRY and Ir. BATTIER have been for some time exhibiting themselves before a very numerous audienee, opened in the manner of a tragedy, and has ended somewhat like a farce. 'rhe late duelwas undoubtedly no conspicuous proof of wis- dom in either of the above parties, becau.se it was no greater dlemonstration of courage than both of them had previously credlit for. The truth is, that the quaTrel ought to hav eended many weeks before the fighting began. Mr. BATTIEe'S appeal te the public, though not undistinguished by some appearances of weakness, was triumphant as compared with the appeal of' his titled antagonist to the same tribu- nal ; and with that first victory Mr. BATTIElt might have been satisfied: but he " went farther," and hli has in all respects "fare(d worse." The Gazette of yesterday con- tains a notification, that the name of MIr. BATTIER has been struck off the hialf-pay list. Is not this a severe measure, if really a chastisement for fighting ? And the more so, when we finil by a General Order, dated from the Horse Guards on Thursday last, that the MiTar- quis of LONDONDERSY, for the same offence, of stand- ing to be shot at by a half-pay Ensign, has been no otherwise visited from Head-quarters than by an ex- pression of His MAJESTY'S "concerni anid displeasure !" Why should the great General be no more than gently blamed for the same act for which the luckless Ensign is irretiievably ruined? AVfiy s'Aould not a breach of discipline be punished by a severity commensurate with the known experience of the culprit-with his presumed knowledge, and the tendency of his example to beget imi- tators ? Verily the army is, now-a-days, aticklish profession. What young inas of spirit would choose the army for a profession, when he sees an Ensign dismissed from the service, and a General gently reprimanded, for the same oj7'encee?