| Citation |
RNYG.773.045
15 Jul 1773:22 (13)
Anecdote of a Fighting Woman. La Maupin, an opera-girl at
Paris, had often signalized herself by valourous exploits.
By having been brought up in the midst of academical
exercises, she became exceeding fond of fencing. She often
dressed herself in men's cloaths, in the view either of
diverting herself, or revenging affronts. An opera-actor,
by the name of Dumenil, having insulated her, she, habited
cavalier like, watched his coming out of one of his haunts
one evening in the Place des Victoires, and challenged him
to fight her. On his refusal she caned him, and took from
him his watch and snuff-box. Dumenil, the next day, related
his adventure at the opera-house, but quite different from
the manner of its happening. He bragged of having valiantly
defended himself against three street robbers, and that
notwithstanding his resistance, they had taken from him his
watch and snuff-box.
"It is a lie, said she, thou coward; thou wast attacked
only by me, and as a proof of what I say, here I return to
thee thy watch and snuff-box." Dumenil withdrew without
saying a word.
Being at a ball, given by the King's brother, in the
Palais Royal, and disguised as usual, in men's cloaths, she
there, from some indecent words spoken to a young lady,
drew upon her the resentment of three gentlemen, the lady's
friends, who, taking aside the pretended cavalier, made her
walk down to the square. La Maupin stepped out without
hesitation, drew her sword, and wounded all three.
Returning coolly to the ball-room she made herself known to
the King's brother, who obtained her pardon. This singular
girl died towards the end of 1707, aged 33. She was the
delight of the opera, by as fine a voice as was ever heard
there.
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