162 
and Mathews’ piece longer was too long to be effectually used, 
as swords are not sharp for cutting towards the hilt. Presently 
Mathews, being able to reach out, got hold of a pointed end, thus 
gaining a useful weapon, and, first having offered Sheridan his life, 
which he refused, he presently stabbed and pinned him through the 
ear and neck. Finding that resistance ceased he exclaimed, “I 
have done for him ”—rose, and being himself not much hurt, 
chiefly* a wound in the left part of the belly, entered one of 
the chaises in waiting, with four horses, and drove off, 
accompanied by his second, for London,t and so _ presently 
he crossed to France, there to await until the great storm 
raised by the affair had subsided. Sheridan, who had 
received besides his ear wound three or four other wounds in 
his face, breast and sides,§ and with his hand cut, was assisted 
to his chaise,|| showing hardly a sign of life, and driven off 
rapidly, accompanied in turn by his own second, to the White 
Hart Hotel—a painful ride for a man in a state of collapse So 
ended this most unmanly struggle. ‘Two surgeons, Mr. Sharpe, 
and Mr. Ditcher a friend of the family, were sent for and 
quickly attended, but would not allow him to be further 
removed. The next morning his sisters “found the situation 
from noise and heat so uncomfortable they obtained leave to 
remove him to his own house.”’ As the White Hart Hotel at this 
date was never asleep, could hardly have been quiet, especially 
if on the ground floor either by night or day this removal must 
have been a great relief. On the 7th July a London paper 
announced that by private letter from Bath had come the 
information the general opinion of the faculty was that Mr. 
Sheridan would not recover from the wounds he received 
in the duel™; but, two days later, on the gth July, it was 
* Moore. + *‘ Historical and Biographical Magazine.” 
t General Evening Post, 4th July, 1772. 
§ Chronicle. || Moore. S| General Evening Post. 
