| Citation |
EG.771.029
23-30 Jul 1771:33 (4/157)
London, May 1. The following odd, but true circumstance
happened a few weeks ago at Paris.:-- Two gentlemen going to
a masquerade, went to a place where habits are hired, in
order to dress themselves; accordingly, one of them took it
into his head to be dressed in resemblance of the Devil, the
other something else, leaving their clothes behind them till
the next day. When the masquerade was over they called a
coach, and the gentleman Devil was set down near his own
house: the other went home in the coach. Mr. Devil knocked
at his door, which the footman opened, and seeing the Devil,
slapped it to in a great fright, and fainted away. The
gentleman not being able to gain admittance, walked a little
way to seek for a lodging: at last he spied a light, and a
door on the jar, which he entered, and saw nobody but a
Minister attending a corpse, (which is customary there); the
pious man being asleep, the gentleman did not disturb him,
but sat himself down and went to sleep also. Some time
after, the Minister awaking, and seeing he had got the Devil
to bear him company, ran out in a fright, and presently came
back with a number of people; who all stood at the door to
look at his Highness, but no one durst advance within. In
the scene of astonishment, the people began to upbraid the
holy father (who bore but a very indifferent character) and
insisted upon his going in to ask the Devil his business,
which he refused: during this the gentleman awaked, and was
surpized to see such a mob gathered at the door; and upon
his advancing towards them, they flew back with
precipitation, which he soon guessed the reason of, and
immediately discovered himself, much to their satisfaction.
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