pale as death,
and assured us all, that he had no intention to affront any person or
people. "Your principles, doctor," resumed the old gentleman, "are
no secret--I have nothing to say upon that head; but am very much
surprised, that a man who despises us so much, should notwithstanding
live among us, when he has no visible motive for so doing. Why don't you
take up your habitation in your beloved France, where you may rail at
England without censure?" To this remonstrance the doctor thought proper
to make no reply, and an unsocial silence ensued; which I perceiving,
took notice, that it was pity such idle disputes, maintained very often
through whim or diversion, should create any misunderstanding among
gentlemen of good sense, and proposed to drink down all animosity in
another bottle.

This motion was applauded by the whole company. The wine was brought,
and the English champion, declaring he had no spleen against any man
for differing in opinion from him, any more than for difference of
complexion, drank to the good health of all present; the compliment was
returned, and the conversation once more became unreserved though
more general than before. Among other topics, the subject of war
was introduced, on which the general declaimed with great eloquence,
recounting many of his own exploits by way of illustration. In the
course of his harangue he happened to mention the word epaulement, upon
which the testy gentleman asked the meaning, of that term. "I'll tell
you what an epaulement is," replied he, "I never saw an epaulement but
once, and that was at the siege of Namur. In a council of war, Monsieur
Cohorn, the famous engineer, affirmed that the place could not be
taken." "Yes," said the Prince of Vandemont, "it may be taken by
an epaulement." "This was immediately put into execution, and in
twenty-four hours Mareschal Boufflers was fain to capitulate." Here he
made a full stop, and the old gentleman repeated the question, "But
pray what is an epaulement?" To this interrogation the officer made no
immediate reply, but rang the bell, and called for the bill, which being
brought, he threw down his proportion of the reckoning, and, telling the
company he would show them an epaulement when his majesty should think
fit to entrust him with the command of our army abroad, strutted away
with great dignity. I could not imagine why he was so shy of explaining
one of the most simple terms of fortification, which I forthwith
de