‘The parties fired almost on the same instant…’

An editorial feud that led to pistols at dawn was one of the more sensational early reports

Of all the editorial disputes that have taken place in the 200-year history of The Scotsman, none comes close to events of 1829 when founding co-editor Charles Maclaren fought a duel with Dr James Browne, editor of rival title the Caledonian Mercury.

Maclaren had been stung by journalistic attacks from Dr Browne, and a period of trading insults led to Maclaren claiming the Mercury was at a low ebb, as befitted “a speculation founded on quackery and ribaldry”. Bloodshed was proposed as a solution, and the pair agreed to meet at Ravelston Road. Each was attended with a second and a surgeon, and 12 paces were measured out.

“They then successively loaded, in one another’s presence, a brace of pistols each, and the principals took their ground,” reported the next edition of The Scotsman. “A pistol was given to each party; and on the word ‘fire’ the parties fired almost on the same instant, without effect.”

There followed an inquiry from Dr Brown’s representative, to see if Maclaren had authorised an apology. He had not.

There was then debate over whether a handshake should take place, and when this was deemed to be unnecessary, the seconds shook hands instead, and all parties left the field.

“It may be proper to state,” the report added, “that Mr Ritchie [William, co-editor with Maclaren] appeared at a short distance from the parties while the pistols were loading, and Mr Peterkin having signified to Mr Macdonald that it was improper for any but the seconds and the surgeons to be present, Mr Ritchie, on Mr Macdonald’s suggestion, left the field.”

Ritchie was relieved to see the matter concluded without the loss of his founding partner, and Dr Brown survived at the helm of the Mercury, although the publication lasted only a further 30 years, when in 1860 it became part of the new Weekly Scotsman, sister title to The Scotsman.