CHAPTER II.
In a letter to his friend Miss Seward, dated Philadelphia, May 23, 1778, Major André gave the following account of the great fête in honor of General Howe:
"That our sentiments might be the more unreservedly and unequivocally known, it was resolved among us that we should give him as splendid an entertainment as the shortness of the time and our present situation would allow us. For the expenses the whole army would most cheerfully have contributed; but it was requisite to draw the line somewhere, and twenty-two field-officers joined in a subscription adequate to a plan they meant to adopt. I know your curiosity will be raised on this occasion; I shall, therefore, give you as particular an account of our Mischianza[13] as I have been able to collect.
The Mischianza Ticket.—(Drawn by Major André.)[14]
"From the name you will perceive that it was made up from a variety of entertainments. Four of the gentlemen subscribers were appointed managers—Sir John Wrottesley, Colonel O'Hara, Major Gardiner, and Montressor, the chief engineer. On the tickets of admission which they gave out for Monday, the 18th, was engraved, in a shield, a view of the sea, with the setting sun, and in a wreath the words 'Luceo discedens, aucto splendore resurgam.' At top was the general's crest, with 'vive! vale!' All round the shield ran a vignette, and various military trophies filled up the ground.[15]
Lady's Head-Dress.
(Drawn by Major André.)