| Citation |
BG.744.038
25 Dec 1744:21,22 (1191)
London. August 30. From Bettberg in Bavaria, we have the
following article, relating to the character of some of the
Queen of Hungary's troops, who have made a great noise in
the late campaigns; viz.
As we have had the Pandours and Croats quartered in this
town all the winter, we have had an opportunity of knowing
them better, than the world generally does: The are a quiet
good-natured people, as any under the sun, who would not do
the least injury to any body, nor so much as impose upon a
child. One never hears of pilfering among them; so far are
they from it, that they do their landlords all the good they
can, and give all their superfluous victuals to the children
of the house where they are quartered, saying that it is not
their custom to make a penny of it. They are cruel and
greedy of spoil; but that is only when they are in an
enemy's country, and to those with whom they are at open
war; so that the French were not also either in the wrong to
set them out for barbarians. Had it been their good fortune
to converse with them on the same footing as we do, they
would have painted them in less odious colours; but since
they never saw them but as declared enemies we need not
wonder at the ill name they have given them. Another of
their customs worthy of notice is, that they never suffer
any woman of ill fame among them; for whatever they find
among them; for whenever they find that any of their
comrades has had to do with any such creatures, they lose no
time about carrying a complaint to their officers, but
immediately seize the offender, and beat him most
unmercifully, tho' he were their dearest friends. Such is
the punishment they inflict upon one another for this vice;
and they think it very warrantable, in order to prevent
debauchery, which they say is the band of courage, and
enervates too much men designed for war. As to the rest,
they take care enough of their bellies, and spend a good
deal of time at table; but however, they are not great
slaves to them as to neglect bodily exercises. We see them
seeking all opportunities to divert themselves in dancing,
which they always chuse to do in the company of modest young
women; but when they meet with none, they dance and leap
amongst themselves, after the fashion of their own country,
because such exercises, tho' a little violent, makes them
strong and healthy. But when foul weather obliges them to
stay at home, they pass the time in gaming, which they seem
to love passionately. Upon the whole, they are very
agreeable guests, and we should not be sorry if they were to
be always among us.
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