d my
attention particularly, and with an air of mysterious sagacity, to a
thick octavo, written in barbarous Latin by one Hedelin, a Frenchman,
and having the quaint title, "Duelli Lex Scripta, et non; aliterque."
From this he read me one of the drollest chapters in the world
concerning "Injuriae per applicationem, per constructionem, et per se,"
about half of which, he averred, was strictly applicable to his own
"refinedly peculiar" case, although not one syllable of the whole matter
could I understand for the life of me. Having finished the chapter, he
closed the book, and demanded what I thought necessary to be done.
I replied that I had entire confidence in his superior delicacy of
feeling, and would abide by what he proposed. With this answer he seemed
flattered, and sat down to write a note to the Baron. It ran thus:

Sir,--My friend, M. P.-, will hand you this note. I find it incumbent
upon me to request, at your earliest convenience, an explanation of this
evening's occurrences at your chambers. In the event of your declining
this request, Mr. P. will be happy to arrange, with any friend whom you
may appoint, the steps preliminary to a meeting.

With sentiments of perfect respect,

Your most humble servant,

JOHANN HERMAN.

To the Baron Ritzner von Jung,

Not knowing what better to do, I called upon Ritzner with this epistle.
He bowed as I presented it; then, with a grave countenance, motioned
me to a seat. Having perused the cartel, he wrote the following reply,
which I carried to Hermann.

SIR,--Through our common friend, Mr. P., I have received your note of
this evening. Upon due reflection I frankly admit the propriety of
the explanation you suggest. This being admitted, I still find great
difficulty, (owing to the refinedly peculiar nature of our disagreement,
and of the personal affront offered on my part,) in so wording what I
have to say by way of apology, as to meet all the minute exigencies, and
all the variable shadows, of the case. I have great reliance, however,
on that extreme delicacy of discrimination, in matters appertaining
to the rules of etiquette, for which you have been so long and so
pre-eminently distinguished. With perfect certainty, therefore, of being
comprehended, I beg leave, in lieu of offering any sentiments of my own,
to refer you to the opinions of Sieur Hedelin, as set forth in the
ninth paragraph of the chapter of "Injuriae per applicationem, per
constructionem, et per