but the most awkward customer the French ever came across
was my fellow-countryman the late gallant Colonel Sir Charles S--, of
the Engineers, who was ready for them with anything: sword, pistols,
sabre, or fists - he was good at all; and though never seeking a quarrel,
he would not put up with the slightest insult. He killed three Frenchmen
in Paris, in quarrels forced upon him. I remember, in October, 1815,
being asked by a friend to dine at Beauvillier's, in the Rue Richelieu,
when Sir Charles S--, who was well known to us, occupied a table at
the farther end of the room. About the middle of the dinner we heard
a most extraordinary noise, and, on looking up, perceived that it arose
from S--'s table; he was engaged in beating the head of a smartly-dressed
gentleman with one of the long French loaves so well known to all who
have visited France. Upon asking the reason of such rough treatment
on the part of our countryman, he said he would serve all Frenchmen
in the same manner if they insulted him. The offence, it seems, proceeded
from the person who had just been chastised in so summary a manner:
he had stared and laughed at S-- in a rude way, for having ordered three
bottles of wine to be placed upon his table. The upshot of all this
was a duel, which took place next day at a place near Vincennes, and
in which S-- shot the unfortunate jester.

When Sir Charles returned to Valenciennes, where he commanded the Engineers,
he found on his arrival a French officer waiting to avenge the death
of his relation, who had only been shot ten days before at Vincennes.
They accordingly fought, before S-- had time even to shave himself or
eat his breakfast; he having only just arrived in his coupe from Paris.
The meeting took place in the fosse of the fortress, and the first shot
from S--'s pistol killed the French officer, who had actually travelled
in the diligence from Paris for the purpose, as he boasted
to his fellow-travellers, of killing an Englishman.