| Citation |
PP-P.781.069
31 Jul 1781:12, 13 (10/762)
From the Political Magazine, for February, 1780. [Report on
the treatment of British soldiers taken by the French in the
West-Indies]
Our officers were first carried into the Grenades. While
they remained there, they had full liberty to go on shore
whenever they thought proper. There they stayed about
fourteen days, and from there they were carried to Cape
Francois in St. Domingo.
. . . While at the Cape all the officers had leave to go
ashore, and remain as long as they pleased, and were carried
to the theatre, and other public entertainments. The Cape
is a large well built town, but the streets are rather
narrow, like those of Paris; there are many excellent houses
in it, the theatre in particular is very elegant.
. . . On arriving at Paris, a French gentleman accompanied
them to Versailles, where they saw the King and Queen at
chapel, where every body is admitted; afterwards saw then at
dinner, and all the royal family at separate tables.
. . . That evening they saw the Queen at cards; she is tall,
handsome, quite an angel. Her majesty sent, and asked the
English gentlemen to see a ball she was to give the
Wednesday following. On the day of the ball, they had an
invitation from the Countess de Lowendhal, to dine at her
house where they were very elegantly entertained; and after
dinner were served with punch made with Champagne instead of
water. The countess and her sister are elegant women and
both speak English. In the evening they went to see the
ball, where seats raised above the rest, were provided for
them: it need not be said, that the company were elegant,
brilliant and polite. Her majesty led down two English
country dances, and shewed the company how to figure them.
. . . Four days after the ball at court, they left Paris,
and set out for England. The ball was on the Wednesday
before Christmas; . . .
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