Note: I have attempted not to repeat the same facts over but rather to draw attention to the unique information each article brings to bear on the matter.

The Monthly Magazine March 1809 at 294

Died, of a wound received in a duel with Mr. Powell of Devonshire-Place, Lord Viscount Falkland. The quarrel which produced this fatal meeting originated in Lord Falkland’s addressing Mr. Powell, with whom he was on terms of intimacy by a nick-name, and persisting so do to after he had taken offense at it, in a large company at the Steeven’s Coffee-house in Bond-street. Hence ensued the challenge and the subsequent duel at Goldar’s Green; where, according to etiquette, Mr. Powell fired first and inflicted the mortal wound. Lord F. stood for above a minute in his position, and then threw his pistol away without discharging its contents. On arriving in town, and the chaise coming on the stones, it was observed to his Lordship that Powell’s house was near at hand; Lord F. instantly expressed a desire to go thither in preference to any other place, for the world would then be convinced he owed no enmity to his antagonist. Here his lordship languished two days before he expired. Lord Falkland was a captain in the navy, and succeeded to the title of Viscount Falkland on the sudden death of his brother Thomas, in May 1796; his patrimonial fortune was very small; but he was a very dashing officer; and though he lived in the gayest style, he had realized a very large sum by prize-money. The sister of Mrs. Gibbs, the actress, who had succeeded Mrs. Clarke in the establishment of a Royal Duke, took the name of Carey, whilst she was under the protection of Lord Falkland, then Captain Carey. 

His lordship married in the West Indies in the year 1803, the daughter of a merchant of the first respectability. She has three sons and a daughter, the eldest boy who succeeds to the title being only five years old. His conduct as a husband and a father has been exemplary. He was about forty years old, was distinguished for a fine manly person and his company was very much courted, which occasioned him to mix too frequently in convivial societies; he was lately dismissed from his ship on account of some irregularities arising from too free a circulation of the bottle at his own table; but he was about to be restored to a command, a circumstance which had greatly exhilarated his spirits, and perhaps occasioned that levity which has been attended with such severe consequences.

The Athenaeum March 1809 at 356

This publication adds the following particulars to this story.

. . . .

Various reports, the whole of which are erroneous, have appeared, respecting this unfortunate business, but the following particulars may be relied on. Lord Falkland dined at Mr. Powell’s house with a large party on the Saturday preceding the duel, the party broke up early, and Lord F. ad Mr. P. went to the opera together, having taken plenty of wine.

They returned from the opera to Stevens’s Hotel, Bond-street, and parted as they had met most intimate friends. On Sunday evening, Lord F. looked in at Stevens’s again, and on espying his friend Mr. P., he accosted him in words similar to these–”What drunk again to night, Pogey,” and it was understood that neither were at this time perfectly sober. Mr. P did not relish the mode in which he had been accosted, and after a retort, Lord F. snatched a cane from a gentleman’s hand and used it about his friend. The waiter and some gentlemen present extricated Mr. P., who retired. On the following morning Lord F. went to Mr. P.’s house and apologised, attributing his rash conduct to inebriation. Mr. P., observed that he could not accept his lordship’s apology, unless made at Stevens’s, before the persons who were present at the outrage, or to make a public one in another way. Lord F. could not accede to this proposition; but in the afternoon of the same day (Monday) Captain Cotton waited on him from Mr. P., to state, that if he (Lord F.) would allow Captain C. to make the public apology for him at Stevens’s he would be satisfied. Lord F. was unwilling to go further than he had done at Mr. P.’s house and shortly after Mr. P. sent him a challenge. The parties met at Golders-Green.

. . . .

Universal Magazine March 1809 at 377-378

Deaths in and Around London.

Lord Falkland. In consequence of a duel with Mr. Powell on Tuesday the 28th of February, at Chalk Farm. They were attended to the ground, the former by Sir Charles Cotton of the navy, and the latter by _______ Ross, Esq. The distance of ten paces being stepped and the pistols loaded by the seconds, the parties took their ground, when, by etiquette, Mr. Powell being entitled to the first shot, his ball fatally entered the groin of Lord Falkland. The wound was pronounced mortal, and it was thought that his lordship could not survive. He was attended by Mr. Heaviside, the surgeon.--Lord Falkland, after hearing the surgeons’ opinion, said, (with a faltering voice as well as intelligibly as the agonized state of his body and mind would permit), “I acquit Mr. Powell of all blame in this transaction; I alone am culpable.” After the lapse of some hours, he again desired to see Mr. Heaviside, who was in attendance. Lord Falkland then expressed a wish to have the ball extracted. Mr. H. said it was impossible, with the operation causing almost instant death. “You may live three or four hours afterwards but not more,” continued Mr. H. His lordship then said he would first settle his worldly affairs, by making his will; this was done at a late hour. On the night of Tuesday, he asked Mr. H. “how long he might probably survive if the operation was not performed?” “I have known cases,” (replied Mr. H.) wherein the sufferer has lived for forty hours.” After a long pause, his lordship fixed upon one o’clock on Wednesday afternoon for the operation to be performed. The operation was not performed, in consequence of his lordship having been on the whole much easier; the pain had considerably abated. During the after part of the day, he had a relapse and towards the night he became delirious; and at two o’clock on Thursday morning, March 2, his lordship expired.

Charles John Cary, Viscount Falkland and Baron Cary was born in November, 1768, and succeeded his brother Henry Thomas, who died in May 1796. The peerage is one among the few instances in which Scotch titles are held by English families. It stands first in the list of Viscounts in Scotland. His Lordship was a lively, pleasant man, manifested great gallantry in his profession on several occasions, and had acquired a considerable fortune by captures. In consequence of some convivial excesses on board his vessel, he was dismissed the service a year or two ago, but was recently restored. He was about forty years of age, with a handsome manly person. A widow and four children are left to mourn the loss of the deceased.--When the Coroner’s Inquest sat on the body, Surgeon Heaviside stated that he had known Lord Falkland for about two years. He was called on to attend his lordship soon after one o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, at the house of Mr. Powell. He was sitting in a chair when Mr. H. arrived, and he was immediately put to bed by the surgeon’s advice. On examining the body, the witness discovered that a ball had entered the lower part of the abdomen on the right side, and the symptoms were alarming as the ball could not be found. Witness attended his lordship until Thursday morning, at two o’clock, when he died. The body was opened on the same day, when it appeared that the ball had passed directly across the cavity of the belly, and lodged in the back bone. In its passage it had wounded several vessels, the blood from which had settled in the cavity, and became in a putrefied state, and one of the large intestines was also wounded. Mr. H. could not speak to the cause of the wound, but the deceased died in consequence of it.--There was no evidence whatever relative to the duel. Verdict–Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. 

Account of the Duel from The Examiner, March 3, 1809.

FATAL DUEL.

On Tuesday morning, about nine o’clock, a meeting took place at Chalk Farm, between Lord Falkland, a Captain in the Navy, and ________ Powell, Esq., of Devonshire-place, a gentleman well known in the polite world and an intimate friend of his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. They were attended to the ground, the former by Sir Charles Cotton, of the Navy, and the latter by _______ Ross, Esq., lately an officer in the 17th Light Dragoons. The distance of ten paces being stepped, and the pistols loaded by the seconds, the parties took their ground, when by etiquette, Mr. Powell being entitled to the first shot, his ball fatally entered the right groin of Lord Falkland. The wound was pronounced mortal and it was thought that his Lordship could not survive the night. He was attended by Mr. Heaviside, the Surgeon. 

The cause of this fatal duel arose from, it is said, a misunderstanding that took place the night before at Stevens’s Hotel, in Bond-street, from Lord Falkland addressing Mr. P. by the familiar appellation of Pogey; on which the latter expressed much displeasure, remarking “that he had not the honour of being sufficiently acquainted with him, to entitle his Lordship to take so great a liberty.” This drew from Lord Falkland a sarcastic reply, accompanied by some threats; on which Mr. P. rejoined, that “he had that in his hand (meaning his stick) which would defend him against any menace, even from a Lord.” Lord F. on the instant snatched a cane from some gentleman in the room, and as it is reported, struck Mr. P. many severe blows with it. The consequence was a challenge from the latter, which produced the melancholy catastrophe above stated.

Mr. P. had always been esteemed, by a numerous body of most respectable friends and acquaintance as one of the best tempered and most non-offensive men that exist. After the duel, Lord Falkland was conveyed to the house of Mr. Powell, in Devonshire-place, in the latter gentleman’s carriage. Lady Falkland was kept ignorant of this calamitous event through the whole of Tuesday, at her apartments at Dorant’s Hotel, Albemarle-street, from no friend having sufficient fortitude to impart to her the melancholy event. About seven o’clock in the evening however, she received some information respecting it, and proceeded, with her children, to Devonshire-place to visit his Lordship.

Another account states that Lord Falkland and Mr. P. were in habits of the most confidential intimacy. On Friday se’nnight they met in a party at dinner with a mutual friend. A discussion arose respecting the properties and perfections of a peculiar description of Burgundy, and his Lordship and Mr. P. taking different sides of the question, some trifling altercation took place, but which was speedily drowned in the juice of the grape. The company then adjourned to the whist table, and in the course of play Lord F. and Mr. P. were frequently partners, and, when adverse, made amicable bets upon the game or rubber. When the party broke up, Lord F. and Mr. P. went arm in arm to Stevens’s Hotel, Bond-street, where they supped  and afterwards drank Madeira negus. The waiters of Steven’s during supper, in the course of conversation, repeatedly heard the interchange of mutual and amicable civility, but shortly the harmony of the company was disturbed by Lord F. rising under the impulse of a very violent passion, and exclaiming “Powell, you’re a damned lying rascal!”--Under this accusation Mr. P. did what every man of spirit must do; but his lordship being the stronger man, and initiated into the maneuvers of the pugilistic science, Mr. P. received many severe blows and was repeatedly kicked by Lord F. whilst on the floor! Considering the etiquette of society, there was no other appeal than to the field of honour. The interference of friends completely failed, and the consequence was as before stated.

(The account of the aftermath of the duel and medical attention is the same as given in the Universal Magazine).

The London Chronicle March 2, 1809

On Monday, the day preceding the duel between Lord Falkland and Mr. Powell, the former gentleman was brought to Marlborough-street Office, with three others, charged with a disturbance at the Mount Coffee-house, on Sunday morning, and assaulting the waiter, watchmen, &c. It appeared in evidence that Lord Falkland and four others were admitted into the coffee-house at three o’clock on Sunday morning, and they drank several bottles of wine, until the hour of six when the coffee-house-keeper refused to serve them any more. The consequence was that the waiter and his master were assailed and poker, tongs, and decanters were put in requisition, until a body of watchmen succeeded in taking the refractory to the watch-house. Lord Falkland and a Mr. Grimsdale were held to bail.

Notice of Lord Falkland’s Death published in the London Chronicle March 3, 1809.

Yesterday morning, at two o’clock, Lord Viscount Falkland died at the house of his antagonist, Devonshire-place, of the wound he received on Tuesday morning last, at Chalk Farm. An Inquest was held on his body this day.

(Details of the medical treatment are the same as above with the following information added after it being noted that Lord Falkland had inquired about having the ball extracted):

About eleven o’clock, a consultation was held, which was attended by Messrs. Heaviside, Cline, Hume, Abernathy, &c., In the evening of Wednesday, his Lordship complained of feeling the cold in his extremities in a great degree; by his desire he was repeatedly taken out of bed, for the purpose of having them warmed. Fomentations were continually applied. Lady Falkland constantly attended his Lordship after she was informed of the wound.

The London Chronicle March 4, 1809

Mr. Powell, who shot Lord Falkland in the late duel, came lately into the possession of a considerable landed property around Fulham,and also a large sum in the funds by the death of a near relation; on which accession of fortune he immediately presented 10,000l., to each of his three sisters, who, before that were but scantily provided for.

The late Lord Falkland had been very successful in making captures from the enemies of his country. His share of prize-money, it is supposed will amount to nearly 20,000l., about six of which his Lordship received before his death.

Lady Falkland is a woman of uncommon beauty and accomplishment; her eldest son, now Lord Falkland, is the heir to a large property at the death of the Dowager Lady Amherst.

Account of the Coroner’s Inquest

March 6, 1809 The London Chronicle.

Saturday evening an Inquest was held at the house of A. Powell, Esq., Devonshire-place, on the body of Lord Falkland, who died there on Thursday, in consequence of a wound which he had received on the Tuesday preceding.

Mr. Heaviside the surgeon, Thomas Norvell, butler to Mr. Powell, and a nurse who had attended the deceased, were the only witnesses examined and their testimony did not in the least bear upon the questions, when, by whom, or under what circumstances the wound had been inflicted.

Surgeon Heaviside stated that on Tuesday forenoon he was sent for to Mr. Powell’s house; he found the deceased sitting on a chair; he examined the wound which was on the right side of the belly, just under the ribs. Being informed it was by a shot, he tried if he could discover it, but without effect. From the dangerous symptoms which he found, he entertained no hopes of his Lordship’s recovery. His Lordship died on Thursday morning, about two o’clock. Mr. Heaviside opened the body on Saturday and found that the ball had injured the intestines and was lodged in the backbone; but from the putrid state of the parts, it was impossible to ascertain the different vessels had been hurt by the ball in its passage.

Mr. Norvell said, that Lord Falkland was brought wounded to his master’s house, in a chaise, on Tuesday morning; he did not recollect the name on the chaise; he attended his lordship during the whole time, but he never disclosed to him one word concerning the unfortunate business.

The nurse (Mrs. King) also stated that his Lordship never said any thing, nor did she know one single instance of the circumstance. The Jury returned a verdict of –Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. 

Disputes Between Gentlemen: Lord Falkland and Mr. Powell

Sporting Magazine April 1809, at 3-5

We noticed in our preceding number the fatal duel which occurred between the late Lord Falkland and Mr. Powell; and as it originated from that declension of manners which is but too visible in this age, we shall take the freedom of making some observations upon the cause of the tragedy, as well as the event.

It has been pretty well ascertained that this fatal occurrence originated in some of those practical rudenesses, in which it is now become a species of fashion to indulge. This propensity was formerly confined to the lower classes; but since our Lord B.’s and C.’s have associated with prize fighters, and forsaken elegance and refined science, it is not wonderful that they should have imbibed the manners of their base companions. Could the late Earl of Chesterfield return from the grave and take a peep, en passant, at our modern academies for finishing the education of fashionable adults, he might hurry back to the confines of death, and console himself for extinction, in the privation of such disgusting exhibitions.

Mr. Powell is reported to be a man of conciliating address, but somewhat dashed with that species of condescension, which ruder spirits are too apt to construe into manifestations of timidity; and on that presumption are frequently inclined to hazard a insult, half disguised, in order to acquire credit with their savage adherents, for being what they term a game fellow, that neither fears to give an offence, nor to receive one: whereas the contrary impulse is the general sign of true courage. The appellation of Pogey, originated from this state of insolent feeling, and the author of the grossness (if true) has paid for his temerity and want of manners.

Lord Falkland was not wholly dissimilar in character to the late Lord Camelford, who prematurely fell in a similar manner: yet there were some traits of difference, for although they were equally violent and rude, they were not equally generous. They were both Naval Officers, and each became the subject of reproof in regard to their official conduct. They were equally proud of their personal strength and their pugilistic science; but, like amateurs of that description, had very little science to boast of any other nature. They were both killed from a random quarrel, in which no true gentleman would have been engaged; and as they had both been highly obnoxious to good sense and delicacy of sentiment while living, they left but few persons who are eager to bathe their monuments with the tears of grief.

Some years since, this lost Lord formed one of that intemperate host of callow men of fashion, who constituted a corps dramatique, under the guidance of the late Lord Barrymore, at Wargrave, in Berkshire; where the loose injunctions of Comus were in more request than the chaster axioms of moral honour: where an Italian buffoon was master of the ceremonies, and some young nobility most scandalously truckled to his measureless insolence! That was the alma mater in which Lord Falkland and his brother graduated, and took their worldly degrees; in common with some other charming sprigs of the aristocracy, who spend their mornings in the lounge at a boxing school, and their evenings at the Frenchman’s hell, in Piccadilly! First squandering their incomes on ruffians and vagabonds, who secretly despise them, and then laying perdu, like spiders in a web, to entrap the first unsuspicious fly that may chance to wander in the inextricable snare, to refill their purses for similar absurdities.

About the year 1792 Lord Falkland, then Mr. Lucius Cary. took the sister of Mrs. Gibbs, the actress under his protection, which lady assumed his name, and has since retained it; she being the frail belle who, it has been said, has had the witchery to hold the Duke of York in mental bondage, while her fair rivals were sinking or sunk, into the shades of oblivion.

We have observed, that as the awe of reproof from the purer part of society has been done away, by an increasing contempt for public opinion, the increase of mischief has arisen in a proportionate degree; and this relaxation of urbanity is now so operative, that the defects are delivered down from father to son, and brother to brother, like a Switzer’s jacket; and the only variation is, that the investiture increases in dirtiness and replusion as it descends!--The late Lord Brute was a polisson and a wit; the existing Peer is a polisson and a blockhead:--they would both insult infirmity, hoax Apollo, and quiz a high priest: the impulses were the same–the difference merely lay in faculty.--These are portraits of nearly the whole brood.

The impertinent habits of our honourable Shuffletons are so fixed, that they are absolute characteristics of their state and order: and it may require a convulsion in morals to restore them to the blandishments of reason. When Mrs. H. Johnstone builds a hospital for deserted infants and Elliston breaks his looking-glass, then, and then only, shall we be inclined to admit the probability of an amendment in our young men of distinction.

Notwithstanding the heavy and serious responsibility which attaches to public violations of good order, yet we find that the practice is continued in spite of concomitant danger. A fracas occurred during this month at the Opera house where two of our modern soi-disant junior gentlemen amused themselves by spitting on the figurantes, from the stage box. One of the jackshapes was afterwards discovered behind the scenes, where an indignant understrapper of the Ballet gave him a sound chastisement for his brutality. But our stylish buckeens seem all pigs of the same sty; parallel in propensities, rudeness and all absence of feeling, either as to what is due to themselves or others, as Christians or as men. They offend the weak because they think they dare do it with impunity; and, eventually, become so insulting from habit, that they seem to have lost all power of stopping in the career of folly and intolerance, until an adequate vengeance sweeps them from the face of the earth.--W.

In Case You Wonder About Mr. Powell

In June 1813 The Gentleman’s Magazine relates that Mr. Powell was killed as the result of falling from his horse. (Gentleman’s Magazine June 1813, at 666).

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