The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

FRENCH POLICY.

AMONGST the Parisian refugees who lately came to Dieppe, in their way to England, was Monf. D. brother to an eminent tradesman in London, who arrived at the above port late in the evening, and finding the packet would not sail until the morning, he sent his trunk on board, and retired to rest at his inn, with a promise from the Captain that he should be called previous to the sailing of the vessel; in the hurry, however, poor Monf. D. was forgot, and the packet of course got under way without him. It was day-light before he awoke, when, on inquiry, he found, to his inexpressible mortification, that she had put to sea full three hours. He ran immediately to the beach, but the extreme thick fog which prevailed, utterly prevented him even obtaining a transient glimpse of her sails. Notwithstanding it rained in a most violent degree, a waterman undertook, for an additional reward, to follow the packet: At two leagues distant from Dieppe, a boat came along side of her, and Monf. D. immediately got on board completely wet to the skin, as if he had been ducked. The Captain, on seeing him enter the cabin, was thunderstruck with his appearance, and requested to know how in the name of wonder he came from land? Monf D. insisted that he had swam on board, and shewed him his wet clothes in proof of his assertion. The Captain in vain attempted to discover the boat, which was returning on account of the fog, which still continued. After complimenting his passenger on his extraordinary abilities as a wonderful swimmer. he waived taking the sum agreed on for the passage, and in due time they landed at Brighton. The following day the Captain dined with a party of gentlemen; the conversation happened to turn on swimming, and one of the company offered to lay a bet of two hundred guineas that he had a servant that would beat any man in England at that exercise; the wager was immediately accepted by the commander of the packet, who went in search of Monf. D. He started at the proposal, conscious that he could not take a single stroke; understanding, however, that the wager was play or pay, and that if he succeeded he should have 100 guineas for himself, he consented, and the following morning at five o'clock was fixed for the trial of skill. All parties were at the place by the appointed time, except Monf. D. After waiting some minutes, they observed him striding towards them in an enormous pair of fisherman's boots drawn close round his thighs--a large oil-skin great coat, strapped about his waist--his hat tied under his chin with a silk handkerchief, and under his right arm he carried a small box. On their desiring him to draw off his boots and undress, he replied, "Veritable, me vil not, I do alvaise take de long journne in de boots and des habits." "The devil you do!" exclaimed his opponent, "Let him alone," replied the Captain of the packet, "I have been a witness of what he can perform: but surely you do not mean to swim with the box too!" "Begar, but me do," was the answer; "vat, yon take me for one grand fool, to vim all de vay from Brighton to Dieppe, without I eat or drink"; and opening the box, discovered, to the no small amazement of all present, a cold roasted chicken, a pint of wine, and a French roll. On seeing this, his opponent positively declined the contest, swearing by G--, that he could be no man, but the devil himself, in disguise, and if he ventured, would certainly drown him. Monf. D. pocketed the hundred pieces, and is now in London, laughing at the successful trick he has played on English credulity.