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Story
October 15, 1767
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In Paris on July 23, a storm terrifies a superstitious gentleman who, in the dark, sprinkles ink instead of holy water on his wife and new furniture, ruining them and ending his bigotry. (148 characters)
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On Friday evening, the 23d of July, there happened a very great storm at Paris, which was succeeded by thunder and lightning for near two hours, and gave birth to the following whimsical circumstance.
About midnight a certain Gentleman of fortune, newly married, and a bigot, being suddenly awaked by his spouse, was so terrified that he immediately jumped out of bed, and knowing there was a bottle of holy water in a closet of his room, he went to take it out, without any other light than that of the constant lightning, and soon began to sprinkle his Lady, himself, and even the very furniture, to engage, without doubt, the protection of Providence.
The bottle being quite empty, and the storm abating a little, he returned to bed pretty well composed, and began to value himself highly on the efficacy of his operation; but how great was his surprise when at daylight he awoke and turned towards his Lady, who he found as black as a curl-pated inhabitant of Africa, and all the bedding, tapestry, and furniture of the room, of the same melancholy complexion.
Greatly at a loss what to think, he at first imagined that it was the effect of the lightning; but one of the servants coming in, acquainted him that instead of taking the bottle of holy water he had snatched up a bottle of ink, which stood in the same closet, and emptied it in the place of the consecrated element.
Enraged at his mistake, which will cost him a good many louis d'ors, as his furniture was entirely new, he was cured of his superstition, and swore he would have nothing to do with the tricks of the church, as they might possibly lead him some time or other into fresh errors and distress.
About midnight a certain Gentleman of fortune, newly married, and a bigot, being suddenly awaked by his spouse, was so terrified that he immediately jumped out of bed, and knowing there was a bottle of holy water in a closet of his room, he went to take it out, without any other light than that of the constant lightning, and soon began to sprinkle his Lady, himself, and even the very furniture, to engage, without doubt, the protection of Providence.
The bottle being quite empty, and the storm abating a little, he returned to bed pretty well composed, and began to value himself highly on the efficacy of his operation; but how great was his surprise when at daylight he awoke and turned towards his Lady, who he found as black as a curl-pated inhabitant of Africa, and all the bedding, tapestry, and furniture of the room, of the same melancholy complexion.
Greatly at a loss what to think, he at first imagined that it was the effect of the lightning; but one of the servants coming in, acquainted him that instead of taking the bottle of holy water he had snatched up a bottle of ink, which stood in the same closet, and emptied it in the place of the consecrated element.
Enraged at his mistake, which will cost him a good many louis d'ors, as his furniture was entirely new, he was cured of his superstition, and swore he would have nothing to do with the tricks of the church, as they might possibly lead him some time or other into fresh errors and distress.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Moral Virtue
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Thunderstorm Paris
Holy Water Mistake
Ink Superstition
Furniture Ruined
What entities or persons were involved?
Gentleman
His Spouse
Servant
Where did it happen?
Paris
Story Details
Key Persons
Gentleman
His Spouse
Servant
Location
Paris
Event Date
Friday Evening, The 23d Of July
Story Details
During a storm in Paris, a superstitious newlywed gentleman mistakes a bottle of ink for holy water and sprinkles it on his wife and furniture, ruining them and curing him of his superstition.