| Citation |
BNL.754.002
17 Jan 1754:11 (2689)
Stasbourg, Oct. 5. The evening that the Duke of
Acquitaine's birth was celebrated, the Generals St. Pern and
d'Argenson distibuted bread, wine, and beef to the soldiers,
and M. de Luce, intendant of Alsace, assembled the country
people to the number of 2000, to whom he gave six large
oxen, several hogs, sheep, &c. which he had caused to be
killed and dressed for them, with bread and wine in
abundance. An hundred young men and as many young women,
who were pick'd out, and treated by themselves, after the
repast divered the generals and a great number of officers,
with German dances. Public notice was afterwards given at
Erstein, that all the young women who wanted husbands should
immediately present themselves. Never were any levies made
with such readiness and success. There was scarce a young
woman who did not offer herself. But Mess. de Luce and St.
Pern chose only some of the handsomest, whom they ased to
favour them with their company to the camp. On their
arrival six soldiers of the Regiment of Piedmont, all
Alsatians, whose capitulation was on the point of expiring,
were pick'd out, and the handsomest of the young women being
desired to make her choice, declared for the handsomest and
stoutest of the young fellows.
The were immediately sent to the priest, to get the nuptial
benediction, and had afterwards the honour to dine at M. de
Luce's table who gave the bride 400 livres for her fortune,
and the bridegroom received the same sum from General St.
Pern. The Regiment of Piedmont added 100 crowns, and the
other officers thirty lewidores. The new-married couple
were also declared except from all taxes, and had the
surname of Capt-Erstein given them.
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