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being a local event and of an extraordinary character, has added 
much local colour and interest to this story. Mrs. Henry Lefanu 
wrote that this duel occurred on Claverton Down, and this Moore 
accepted and has handed down without thought or investigation, 
notwithstanding that he had before him documents, which he 
quotes, telling a different tale. Everyone in Bath knows 
Claverton Down, as it is always in evidence, and this lady writer, 
writing after years had elapsed, remembered this name, 
perhaps did not know more or did not think of historical 
exactness. So, then, thanks to Mrs. Lefanu, we have 
the well-known story of the fight on Claverton Down, and 
that Sheridan wounded was carried to the White Hart 
Hotel. Very lately there has been a further addition to the story, 
which happens to be really delightful. Here we are told that 
after the meeting “Sheridan was taken to the nearest place of 
succour, which happened to be the White Hart Inn, the inn that 
still stands at the foot of Widcombe Hill. It is erroneously 
supposed he was brought to the old White Hart of Pickwick 
and Sam Weller fame, that stood on the site of the present Grand 
Hotel.”* Thus boldly all previous writers are flatly contradicted, 
and this without giving any authority or reference, apparently 
only because there happens to be a White Hart Inn at the foot 
of Widcombe Hill. It happens also, and very unfortunately for 
this new discovery, that the Claverton Down story is all untrue. 
The duel took place on Kingsdown. 
First, as to the question of the actual day for the event. 
Moore is responsible again for the present error. He 
writes—‘ The Bath Chronicle on the day after the duel, 
July 2nd, &c.”—and thus causing the date of the duel 
to be read as the 2nd July. The proper form for the 
reference would have been—-“‘ The Bath Chronicle of the 2nd 
July, the day after the duel, &c.,” and all would have been clear, 
* Meehan’s “ Memorable Houses,” p. 25. 
