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."