| Citation |
MG-A(G.771.009
28 Mar 1771:4731 (1333)
London, November 27. 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 surprized
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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