Marshal Boufflers.—­A few days previous to the battle of Malplaquet, it was publicly talked of at Versailles, that a very important battle would soon take place between the French army commanded by Marshal Villars, and the allied army under Prince Eugene and Marlborough.  Louis XIV., who for some years had met with many mortifying repulses, seemed to be very uneasy about the event.  Marshal Boufflers, in order to quiet in some degree the perturbation of his sovereign’s mind, offered, though a senior officer to Villars, to go and serve under him, sacrificing all personal considerations to the glory of his country.  His proposal was accepted, and he repaired to the camp.  On his arrival, a very singular contest took place between the two commanders.  Villars desired to have Boufflers for his leader; but the latter persisted in yielding him all the glory, while he shared the danger.  No event in the life of Boufflers ever contributed more to render his name illustrious.  Marshal Villars, who commanded the left wing at the battle, being obliged to retire on account of a wound he had received, Marshal Boufflers charged the enemy six times after this accident; but finding they had made themselves master of a wood through which they penetrated into the centre of the French army, he yielded them the field of battle, and made a retreat in such good order, that the allies declined pursuing him.

War by Candle Light.—­Shortly after the commencement of the last Peninsular war, a tax was laid on candles, which, as a political economist would prove, made them dearer.  A Scotch wife, in Greenock, remarked to her chandler that the price was raised, and asked why.  “It’s a’ owin’ to the war,” said he.  “The war!” said the astonished matron, “gracious me! are they gaun to fight by candle licht?”

Admiral Duncan’s address to the officers of his fleet, when they came on board his ship for his final instructions, previous to the memorable engagement with Admiral De Winter, was couched in the following laconic and humorous words:—­“Gentlemen of my Fleet, you see a very severe WINTER fast approaching; and I have only to advise you to keep up a good FIRE!”

A Noble Enemy.—­When the Laura and Andromeda frigates were wrecked in a violent hurricane in the West Indies, on the coast of the Martinique, thirty-five men were thrown ashore alive.  The Marquess de Bouille, on hearing of the circumstance, took them to his house, where he treated them most hospitably.  After he had cured them of their bruises and sickness, and had clothed them from head to foot, he sent them with a flag of truce to the commanding officer of St. Lucia, with a letter, stating that these men having experienced the horrors of shipwreck, he would not add those of war, and had therefore set them free, and at liberty again to serve their country.