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a fellow…citizen； has as little merit to plead from exposing his own person； as a highwayman； or housebreaker； who every day risques his life to rob or plunder that which is not of half the importance to society。 I think it was from the Buccaneers of America； that the English have learned to abolish one solecism in the practice of duelling： those adventurers decided their personal quarrels with pistols； and this improvement has been adopted in Great Britain with good success； though in France； and other parts of the continent； it is looked upon as a proof of their barbarity。 It is； however； the only circumstance of duelling； which savours of common sense； as it puts all mankind upon a level； the old with the young； the weak with the strong； the unwieldy with the nimble； and the man who knows not how to hold a sword with the spadassin； who has practised fencing from the cradle。 What glory is there in a man's vanquishing an adversary over whom he has a manifest advantage？ To abide the issue of a combat in this case； does not even require that moderate share of resolution which nature has indulged to her common children。 Accordingly； we have seen many instances of a coward's provoking a man of honour to battle。 In the reign of our second Charles； when duels flourished in all their absurdity； and the seconds fought while their principals were engaged； Villiers； Duke of Buckingham； not content with having debauched the countess of Shrewsbury and publishing her shame； took all opportunities of provoking the earl to single combat； hoping he should have an easy conquest； his lordship being a puny little creature； quiet； inoffensive； and every way unfit for such personal contests。 He ridiculed him on all occasions； and at last declared in public company； that there was no glory in cuckolding Shrewsbury； who had not spirit to resent the injury。 This was an insult which could not be overlooked。 The earl sent him a challenge； and they agreed to fight； at Barns…Elms； in presence of two gentlemen； whom they chose for their seconds。 All the four engaged at the same time； the first thrust was fatal to the earl of Shrewsbury； and his friend killed the duke's second at the same instant。 Buckingham； elated with his exploit； set out immediately for the earl's seat at Cliefden； where he lay with his wife； after having boasted of the murder of her husband； whose blood he shewed her upon his sword； as a trophy of his prowess。 But this very duke of Buckingham was little better than a poltroon at bottom。 When the gallant earl of Ossory challenged him to fight in Chelsea fields； he crossed the water to Battersea； where he pretended to wait for his lordship； and then complained to the house of lords； that Ossory had given him the rendezvous； and did not keep his appointment。 He knew the house would interpose in the quarrel； and he was not disappointed。 Their lordships obliged them both to give their word of honour； that their quarrel should have no other consequences。
I ought to make an apology for having troubled a lady with so many observations on a subject so unsuitable to the softness of the fair sex； but I know you cannot be indifferent to any thing that so nearly affects the interests of humanity； which I can safely aver have alone suggested every thing which has been said by； Madam； Your very humble servant。
LETTER XVI
NICE； May 2； 1764。
DEAR DOCTOR；A few days ago； I rode out with two gentlemen of this country； to see a stream of water which was formerly conveyed in an aqueduct to the antient city of Cemenelion； from whence this place is distant about a mile； though separated by abrupt rocks and deep hollows； which last are here honoured with the name of vallies。 The water； which is exquisitely cool； and light and pure； gushes from the middle of a rock by a hole which leads to a subterranean aqueduct carried through the middle of the mountain。 This is a Roman work； and the more I considered it； appeared the more stupendous。 A peasant who lives upon the spot told us； he had entered by this hole at eight in the morning； and advanced so far； that it was four in the afternoon before he came out。 He said he walked in the water； through a regular canal formed of a hard stone； lined with a kind of cement； and vaulted overhead； but so high in most parts he could stand upright； yet in others； the bed of the canal was so filled with earth and stones； that he was obliged to stoop in passing。 He said that there were air…holes at certain distances （and indeed I saw one of these not far from the present issue） that there were some openings and stone seats on the sides； and here and there figures of men formed of stone； with hammers and working tools in their hands。 I am apt to believe the fellow romanced a little； in order to render his adventure the more marvellous： but I am certainly informed； that several persons have entered this passage； and proceeded a considerable way by the light of torches； without arriving at the source； which （if we may believe the tradition of the country） is at the distance of eight leagues from this opening； but this is altogether incredible。 The stream is now called la fontaine de muraille； and is carefully conducted by different branches into the adjacent vineyards and gardens； for watering the ground。 On the side of the same mountain； more southerly； at the distance of half a mile； there is another still more copious discharge of the same kind of water； called la source du temple。 It was conveyed through the same kind of passage； and put to the same use as the other； and I should imagine they are both from the same source； which； though hitherto undiscovered； must be at a considerable distance； as the mountain is continued for several leagues to the westward； without exhibiting the least signs of water in any other part。 But； exclusive of the subterranean conduits； both these streams must have been conveyed through aqueducts extending from hence to Cemenelion over steep rocks and deep ravines； at a prodigious expence。 The water from this source du temple； issues from a stone building which covers the passage in the rock。 It serves to turn several olive； corn； and paper mills； being conveyed through a modern aqueduct raised upon paultry arcades at the expence of the public； and afterwards is branched off in very small streams； for the benefit of this parched and barren country。 The Romans were so used to bathing； that they could not exist without a great quantity of water； and this； I imagine； is one reason that induced them to spare no labour and expence in bringing it from a distance； when they had not plenty of it at home。 But； besides this motive； they had another： they were so nice and delicate in their taste of water； that they took great pains to supply themselves with the purest and lightest from afar； for drinking and culinary uses； even while they had plenty of an inferior sort for their bath； and other domestic purposes。 There are springs of good water on the spot where Cemenelion stood： but there is a hardness in all well…water； which quality is deposited in running a long course； especially； if e