| Citation |
PG-P.733.045
16-22 [=22-29] Nov 1733:31 (261)
Paris, Octob. 3. . . The Count de Clermont, who is in
orders, and the Prince of Conti, about 14 years of age,
going the other day to the King to ask his leave to serve in
the army, his Majesty answer'd the one, that his office in
the church made it decent to put a negative to his desires;
and told the other, that he was at the present too young for
a campaign: Whereupon the Count briskly reply'd, If my cast
of life, Sir, is an objection with your Majesty, I had
rather be depriv'd of my benefice than of the honour of
serving you: The Prince of Conti added, that a Prince of
the blood could not learn his trade too soon; and that he
thought it much more suitable to a person of his rank to be
bred up amidst the martial sound of drums and trumpets in
the field, than to be enervated with the notes of soft
musick in an opera.
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