| Citation |
AWM.735.011
28 Jan-4 Feb 1735:31 (788)
[In appreciation of Marshal Villars:] . . . The Marshall
Villars was a general of quite different qualifications, a
man of uncommon gaiety and gallantry, which character
continued with him to the last, for fighting or dancing he
was inferior to none, and was indefatigable too, but not in
that studious grave, thoughtful way as was Marshal Berwick.
Whether at a ball, or a siege, he appeared with the same
vivacity and good humour, and seemed an enemy to none except
the Jesuits. [1/2 column, a story of action in 1702:] . . .
M. Villars received the command with pleasure, sent his army
away directly, and they pass'd the Rhine the night at
Hageneau that M. Villars made a great ball, and invited many
ladies and gentlemen, and danced till two o'clock in the
morning, at which time he ordered his horses to be brought
to the back-door, where he mounted unobserved, and followed
his army, and surprizing the Prince of Baden, gained a
compleat victory, by that time the ball was broke up. For
this action the King gave him the Marshal's baton. . .
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