and they
abandoned the city of Bremen at the approach of the Hanoverian general,
who took possession of it without opposition.

By this time the court of Versailles, being dissatisfied with the
conduct of the duke de Richelieu, had recalled that general from
Germany, where his place was supplied by the count de Clermont, to the
general satisfaction of the army, as well as the joy of the Hanoverian
subjects, among whom Richelieu had committed many flagrant and inhuman
acts of rapine and oppression. The new commander found his master's
forces reduced to a deplorable condition, by the accidents of war,
and distempers arising from hard duty, severe weather, and the want of
necessaries. As he could not pretend, with such a wretched remnant, to
oppose the designs of prince Ferdinand in the field, or even maintain
the footing which his predecessor had gained, he found himself under the
necessity of retiring with all possible expedition towards the Rhine.
As the allies advanced, his troops retreated from their distant quarters
with such precipitation, as to leave behind all their sick, together
with a great part of their baggage and artillery, besides a great number
of officers and soldiers, that fell into the hands of those parties
by whom they were pursued. The inhabitants of Hanover, perceiving the
French intended to abandon that city, were overwhelmed with the fear
of being subjected to every species of violence and abuse; but their
apprehensions were happily disappointed by the honour and integrity of
the duke de Randan, the French governor, who not only took effectual
measures for restraining the soldiers within the bounds of the most
rigid discipline and moderation, but likewise exhibited a noble proof of
generosity, almost without example. Instead of destroying his magazine
of provisions, according to the usual practice of war, he ordered the
whole to be either sold at a low price, or distributed among the poor of
the city, who had been long exposed to the horrors of famine: an act of
godlike humanity, which ought to dignify the character of that worthy
nobleman above all the titles that military fame can deserve, or
arbitrary monarchs bestow. The regency of Hanover were so deeply
impressed with a sense of his heroic behaviour on this occasion, that
they gratefully acknowledged it, in a letter of thanks to him and the
count de Clermont; and on the day of solemn thanksgiving to heaven for
their being delivered from thei