savagism, will become a disgrace, and the soldier will carry on his brow the curse of Cain,
Single combats for the deciding of special differences come down to us from ancient dates. Many are found in the Illiad of Homer, and the Hebrew scriptures, the Mahometan, Greek, and Roman records contain the accounts of some. But it was during the Dark Age that trial by combat assumed its deepest color of superstition. Attended with religious ceremonies the wager of battle was then a direct appeal to the decision of the almighty, and success was proof of right. The ordeal was recognized, and in criminal cases which seemed to be soluble in no other way, sanctioned by law.
Upon the establishment of the dogma of Francis I. that "the lie was never to be put up with without satisfaction, but by a baseborn fellow," lies were classified and thirty -two distinct methods of satisfaction pronounced. From France duelling then spread rapidly all over Europe. During the reign of Louis XIII. duelists would join the left hands and stab each other with the right; they would enter a dark or lighted room and there remain until only one could leave. Females have fought their duels in France. Finally edicts were issued for its suppression, but the custom had become so rooted to the sentiment of honor that pardons were almost as frequent as the offence.
To obviate the necessity of personal encounter, tribunals of honor for the reconciliation of disputes in the army were established in Prussia; if the court failed in its purpose the duel took place, and after the offence imprisonment. The students of the German universities mdulged freely in this pastime, wearing armor and fighting with swords; but the boys seldom hurt each other. In England duels became more common as society became more refined and orderly; disputes were settled by the individuals themselves rather than by more general engagements.
