Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 1).djvu/224

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  • perior to his adversary in strength and

activity, was far before him in cool intrepidity and skill. The Irishman, wild and furious, struck at random; the Englishman, parrying his blows, reserved his own efforts, only irritating the savage impetuosity of the other by fetching blood. When the preacher was exhausted by ill-directed exertions, Hamilton began with such tremendous force, that his adversary, who had little of what amateurs call bottom, after the first knockdown blow, called for quarter, and Hamilton coolly returned into the house. As it had been resolved not to admit O'Rourke again into the vicarage, he was conducted to a public house in the neighbourhood. Our hero, with Dr. Wentbridge, who arrived that morning, called on him in the course of the day, to learn more fully the purpose of his visit, and to explain to him that every expecta-