| Citation |
AWM.745.002
28 Dec 1744-1 Jan 1745:21 (1304)
Flanders. The army of the Allies not being able to
undertake anything, but having lost several parties, and
above 1500 horses, and beginning to be under difficulties
for want of forage, broke up on the 7th, O.S. from Chateau
d'Anstien, St. Guin, &c. in order to return to their strong
camp by the Scheld, and thence into winter quarters, having
sent their heavy baggage to Ghent, but as Count Sax had been
reinforced by 30, 000 men, it was conjectured, that he would
not let slip the advantage to be made of a superiority of
force, tho' the Allies did; especially as his troops have
been flush'd with success in several skirmishes, and are
daily spirited up and diverted at the expence of the Allies,
and of the English in particular, by a company of comedians
from Paris. These people perform a humourous play, where
Harlequin in scene 1 represents an English officer, whom
Scaramouch asks where he is going? To the siege of Lisle,
(answers he) which we shall take in 5 days. --Scar.-- You
have not a sufficient force. --Harl.--Don't mind that. --One
English man will beat five French, Huzza Boys. --Scar. --
But where is your artillery? Harl. --Od so, (scratching his
head) We have forgot it. --Let me think. --it is at Ostend,
or Antwerp, if it has escaped the late storm. -- In the
succeeding scenes, Harlequin comes in with his arms and one
leg off, but declares he still rises to preferment. --
Scaramouch asks him in scene 4 what are you now? Harl. -- I
have the pleasure to see myself a Lieutenant-General, but
must lament one thing; the the French dogs whom we have
beaten, have run away with all our horses. --Scar. --Very
strange indeed! --supply with yourselves from the D--h and
H--ns; for they dare not use them. --In the last scene,
Harlequin comes in without a head, Scar.--What do you call
your self now, Monsieur? --Harl. --I am the general of the -
-- Scar. --True, Monsieur Harlequin, you have two wooden
arms, and one wooden leg, but you must have another
qualification, that is, a wooden head.
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