Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1906 — “After Yon, Gentlemen.” [ARTICLE]

“After Yon, Gentlemen.”

The French at Fontenoy, sheltered by the ridge, could scarcely believe their eyes at the sight of the English gunners slewing round their pieces to cover them. When they at length realized that It was one of the enemy’s and not one of their own batteries the officers of the Gardes Francals rushed to the head of their men, shouting to them to deploy and charge the cannon. Almost at the same moment the grenadiers cleared the hilltop and began to descend upon him. It was then ttiat there occurred that wonderful meeting which has charmed so many generations of readers. Every one knows the description of the scene for which Voltaire was indebted to D’Argeson; how the French officers, in their blue and silver coats and their long scarlet vests and stockings, waited the approach of the grenadiers, hat in hand; how the redcoats doffed their marvelous shield fronted caps, while Lord Charles Hay bowed to the opposing line, with the words, “Gentlemen of the French guard, please to fire first!” to which the Comte d’Anteroche replied: “Gentlemen, we never fire first. Fire yourselves!” Such was a battle of the grand age as pictured by the aristocrat who saw the universe reflected in the mirrors of the Oeil de Boeuf, but in the Lothian papers there is a yellow letter, written by Hay, in hospital after action, which gives a ruder and, it is to be feared, more natural version of the story.—London Spectator.