[189] The ground immediately before Fontenoy presents for fully eight hundred yards a gentle and unbroken slope. An officer who went over the ground with me assured me that Mars la Tour itself does not offer a more perfect natural glacis for modern rifle-fire.
[190] Every one knows the legend of "Messieurs les Gardes Françaises, tirez les premiers." "Non, messieurs, nous ne tirons jamais les premiers." But every English account agrees that the French fired first, long before the question had been raised, and I take the authority of Ligonier (who drew up the official account) as final. He says distinctly, "We received their fire."
[191] Campagnes des Pays Bas.
[192] Ligonier to Harrington, May 5 16 . Cumberland to Harrington, May 11 22 .
[193] Fawkener to Harrington, July 19 30 .
[194] General Bligh to Cumberland, June 28 July 9.
[195] Cumberland to Harrington, July 2 13 .
[196] Ibid., July 14 25 .
[197] Ligonier to Harrington, July 14 25 .
[198] Harrington to Cumberland, Sept. 4 15 ; Oct. 1 12 , 19 30 .