The King at this time drove away the company of Italian actors, and would not permit another in its place.  So long as the Italians had simply allowed their stage to overflow with filth or impiety they only caused laughter; but they set about playing a piece called “The False Prude,” in which Madame de Maintenon was easily recognised.  Everybody ran to see the piece; but after three or four representations, given consecutively on account of the gain it brought, the Italians received orders to close their theatre and to quit the realm in a month.  This affair made a great noise; and if the comedians lost an establishment by their boldness and folly, they who drove them away gained nothing—­such was the licence with which this ridiculous event was spoken of!

CHAPTER XI

The disposition of the armies was the same this year as last, except that the Princes did not serve.  Towards the end of May I joined the army of the Rhine, under the Marechal de Choiseul, as before.  We made some skilful manoeuvres, but did little in the way of fighting.  For sixteen days we encamped at Nieder-buhl, where we obtained a good supply of forage.  At the end of that time the Marechal de Choiseul determined to change his position.  Our army was so placed, that the enemy could see almost all of it quite distinctly; yet, nevertheless, we succeeded in decamping so quickly, that we disappeared from under their very eyes in open daylight, and in a moment as it were.  Such of the Imperial Generals as were out riding ran from all parts to the banks of the Murg, to see our retreat, but it was so promptly executed that there was no time for them, to attempt to hinder us.  When the Prince of Baden was told of our departure he could not credit it.  He had seen us so lately, quietly resting in our position, that it seemed impossible to him we had left it in such a short space of time.  When his own eyes assured him of the fact, he was filled with such astonishment and admiration, that he asked those around him if they had ever seen such a retreat, adding, that he could not have believed, until then, that an army so numerous and so considerable should have been able to disappear thus in an instant.  This honourable and bold retreat was attended by a sad accident.  One of our officers, named Blansac, while leading a column of infantry through the wood, was overtaken by night.  A small party of his men heard some cavalry near them.  The cavalry belonged to the enemy, and had lost their way.  Instead of replying when challenged, they said to each other in German, “Let us run for it.”  Nothing more was wanting to draw upon them a discharge from the small body of our men, by whom they had been heard.  To this they replied with their pistols.  Immediately, and without orders, the whole column of infantry fired in that direction, and, before Blansac could inquire the cause, fired again.  Fortunately he was not wounded; but five unhappy captains were killed, and some subalterns wounded.