1348. Laura de Noves died. She was born in 1304, and is celebrated for
having been beloved by Petrarch, and for having returned his passion by
indifference. He fostered his love at Vaucluse, a romantic spot,
wherein he had nothing to employ him but recollection of her charms, and
imagination of her perfections. These he immortalized in sonnets while
she lived; Petrarch survived her six and thirty years.
Francis I., who compared a court without ladies to a spring without
flowers, caused Laura’s tomb to be opened, and threw verses upon her
remains complimentary to her beauty, and the fame she derived from her
lover’s praises.
1803. Colonel Montgomery and captain Macnamara quarrelled and fought a
duel at Primrose-hill, because their dogs quarrelled and fought in
Hyde-park. Captain Macnamara received colonel Montgomery’s ball in the
hip, and colonel Montgomery received captain Macnamara’s ball in the
heart. This exchange of shots being according to the laws of duelling
and projectiles, Colonel Montgomery died on the spot. Captain Macnamara
was tried at the Old Bailey, and, as a man of honour, was acquitted by a
jury of men of honour. The laws of England and the laws of Christianity
only bind honourable men; men of honour govern each other by the
superior power of sword and pistol. The humble suicide is buried with
ignominy in a cross road, and a finger-post marks his grave for public
scorn; the proud and daring duellist reposes in a christian grave
beneath marble, proud and daring as himself.
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