You are supposed to be cool and collected, and your
friend's feelings are more or less irritated.
2. Use every effort to soothe and tranquilize your principal; do not
see things in the same aggravated light in which he views them;
extenuate the conduct of his adversary whenever you see clearly an
opportunity to do so, without doing violence to your friend's
irritated mind. Endeavor to persuade him that there must have been
some misunderstanding in the matter. Check him if he uses opprobious
epithet towards his adversary, and never permit improper or insulting
words in the note you carry.
3. To the note you carry in writing to the party complained of, you
are entitled to a written answer, which will be directed to your
principal and will be delivered to you by his adversary's friend. If
this be not written in the style of a gentleman, refuse to receive it,
and assign your reason for such refusal. If there be a question made
as to the character of the note, require the second presenting it to
you, who considers it respectful, to endorse upon it these words: "I
consider the note of my friend respectful, and would not have been the
bearer of it, if I believed otherwise."
4. If the party called on, refuses to receive the note you bear, you
are entitled to demand a reason for such refusal. If he refuses to
give you any reason, and persists in such refusal, he treats, not only
your friend, but yourself, with indignity, and you must then make
yourself the actor, by sending a respectful note, requiring a proper
explanation of the course he has pursued towards you and your friend;
and if he still adheres to his determination, you are to challenge or
post him.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25