Richelieu, then Bishop of Lucon, had given
offence by some representations he had made to Mary of Medicis,
determined, since he could not challenge an ecclesiastic, to challenge his
brother. An opportunity was soon found. Themines, accosting the Marquis de
Richelieu, complained, in an insulting tone, that the Bishop of Lucon had
broken his faith. The Marquis resented both the manner and matter of his
speech, and readily accepted a challenge. They met in the Rue d'Angouleme,
and the unfortunate Richelieu was stabbed to the heart, and instantly
expired. From that moment the bishop became the steady foe of the practice
of duelling. Reason and the impulse of brotherly love alike combined to
make him detest it, and when his power in France was firmly established,
he set vigorously about repressing it. In his _Testament Politique_, he
has collected his thoughts upon the subject, in the chapter entitled "Des
moyens d'arreter les Duels." In spite of the edicts that he published, the
members of the nobility persisted in fighting upon the most trivial and
absurd pretences. At last Richelieu made a terrible example. The infamous
De Bouteville challenged and fought the Marquis de Beuvron; and although
the duel itself was not fatal to either, its consequences were fatal to
both. High as they were, Richelieu resolved that the law should reach them
both, and they were both tried, found guilty, and beheaded. Thus did
society get rid of one of the most bloodthirsty scoundrels that ever
polluted it.

[Illustration: SULLY.]

In 1632 two noblemen fought a duel in which they were both killed. The
officers of justice had notice of the breach of the law, and arrived at
the scene of combat before the friends of the parties had time to remove
the bodies. In conformity with the cardinal's severe code upon the
subject, the bodies were ignominiously stripped and hanged upon a gallows
with their heads downwards, for several hours, within sight of all the
people.[62] This severity sobered the frenzy of the nation for a time; but
it was soon forgotten. Men's minds were too deeply imbued with a false
notion of honour to be brought to a right way of thinking: by such
examples, however striking, Richelieu was unable to persuade them to walk
in the right path, though he could punish them for choosing the wrong one.
He had with all his acuteness, miscalculated the spirit of duelling. It
was not death that a duellist feared; it was shame, and the contempt