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event, and could not have had a report of the actual duel in time, 
whilst the Chronicle had the advantage of having the two accounts 
in hand and chose to be mysterious. 
Next for other accounts. One says* that Sheridan’s second 
was his brother Charles, who held candles in his hands, as it was 
now dark. The Gentleman’s Magazine in 1816, at the time of 
Sheridan’s death, from which the above account is probably taken, 
says the same, as also does the Z¢mrs on the same event. Mrs. H. 
Lefanu says that Mr. Brereton was the second, and that Charles 
Sheridan remained at Mr. Brereton’s lodgings, and so was not 
even present. Sheridan’s own account says it was Mr. Ewart 
who took up lights in his hand. Which of these accounts can be 
accepted? As Sheridan twice makes Mr. Ewart his second, and 
he certainly ought to know, Mrs. Lefanu is wrong again. Soon 
after the fight Mathews also returned to Bath and gave his 
account of the affair, differing from what Sheridan had reported. 
Sheridan at once contradicted boldly, Mathews he declared 
“misrepresented the whole transaction.” The matter being 
officially investigated a statement was drawn up by Mr. Brereton, 
and agreed to and signed by Capt. Knight as correct, and was so 
acknowledged by Mr. Brereton, so that Sheridan gained nothing 
here, his statement was rejected and not found acceptable. But 
the feeling was against Mathews about his defeat; it was 
considered ungentlemanlike and unpardonable. Being thus 
obliged to leave Bath, he retired into Wales. 
On arriving in England poor Mr. Linley determined to face the 
trouble and take his now soiled daughter to Bath again, hoping to 
stop the “wicked” suggestions going about, and here she was 
when Mathews left. Besides that every lover has a tendency to 
become a poet; at this date writing poetry was a pastime and 
fashionable amusement for those not in love. It was now in the 
* Oliphant. 
