Camp Dinner

: War.

During the war, in which the eccentric Count Schaumbourg
Lippe commanded the artillery in the army of Prince Frederick of Brunswick,

against the French, he one day invited several Hanoverian officers to dine

with him in his tent. When the company were in high spirits, and full of

gaiety, several cannon balls flew in different directions about the tent.

"The French," exclaimed the officers, "are not far off." "No, no," replied

the Count, "the enemy, I assure you, are at a great distance; keep your

seats." The firing soon afterwards recommenced; when one of the balls

carrying away the top of the tent, the officers suddenly rose from their

chairs, exclaiming, "The French are here!" "No," replied the Count, "the

French are not here; and, therefore, gentlemen, I desire you will again sit

down, and rely upon my word." The balls continued to fly about; the

officers, however, continued to eat and drink without apprehension, though

not without whispering their conjectures to each other upon the singularity

of their entertainment. The Count, at length, rose from the table, and

addressing himself to the company, said, "Gentlemen, I was willing to

convince you how well I can rely upon the officers of my artillery; for I

ordered them to fire during the time we continued at dinner, at the

pinnacle of the tent, and they have executed my orders with great

punctuality."



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