DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

(35% ) which public opinion has caused to disappear is that of Duelling. In its defence it may be said that it exercised some restraint on the violent in- stincts of our ancestors. Many a ‘masher’ would now mend his manners if he knew that they would bring him opposite the muzzle of a pistol at twelve paces. Ridicule was an agent in putting an end to duelling, and the following story is told of Mr. Philpot Curran, a brilliant Irish lawyer who flourished early in this century. Mr. Curran, who was of diminutive stature, once called out a big fellow, who declined the contest on the plea that he was three times the size of Curran, and would there- fore fight at a great disadvantage. Upon this Curran suggested that his own exact size should be chalked out on his adversary’s form, and all ‘outside it was not to count.’ Needless to add, the laugh was with Curran, and nothing more was heard of the duel. I think, from the illustrations I have given of the political and religious intolerance of past times, you may have perceived that the constitutional pro- egress of this country and the progress of public opinion have gone on side by side. But you may justly feel inclined to ask for ‘the causes which so signally subjected to it our manners and customs. I have no hesitation in saying, in reply, that the reasons are the increase in the public itself; for without a public you can manifestly have no public ral