| Show A to douai an anecdote of alie emperor charlca VI is worth preserving during the reign of that monarch an italian officer of distinction was dispatched to vienna with news of a battle in which the imperial troops had been completely routed on his arrival at alie frontier tron tier ho was informed by alie governor of the first fortified town he entered that although tho object of his journey was to announce ft defeat he must on the contrary proclaim a victory chero ever ho went and be preceded by twenty or couriers each blow ing a horn obliged to conform to this ridiculous custom the officer continued his route and on reach ing vienna was instantly admitted to the imperial presence upon which ho exclaimed in a loud voice victory sire victory adding in a lower tone for the especial benefit of alie emperor sire your has lost tho dayl on receipt of this intelligence lua majesty made u sign to the envoy to accompany him into alio next room and demanded the particular of the disaster what became of my cavalry he asked cut to pieces sire replied the officer and alio infantry bolted as fast as legs voute carry them sire the emperor with perfect gravity to thin catalogue of then entering reentering re the hall of audience addressed the assembled courtiers as follows let A te deum bo sung in honor of the triumph of our annal |
