Re-printed from the New Hampshire Gazette, August 2, 1771

The following odd, but true circumstance happened a few weeks ago at Paris..

Two gentlemen going to a masquerade, went to a place where habits are hired, in order to dress themselves; accordingly, one of them took it into his head to be dressed in resemblance of the Devil, the other something else, leaving their own clothes behind them till the next day.  When the masquerade was over they called a coach, and the gentleman Devil was set down near his own house, the other went home in the coach.

Mr. Devil knocked at his door, which the footman opened, and seeing the Devil, slapped it to in a great fright, and fainted away.  The gentleman not being able to gain admittance, walked a little way to seek for a lodging.  At last he spied a light, and a door on the jar, which he entered, and saw nobody but a minister attending a corpse, (which is customary there).

The pious man being asleep, the gentleman did not disturb him, but sat himself down and went to sleep also.  Some time after, the minister awakening, and seeing he’d got the Devil to bear him company, ran out in a fright, and presently came back with a number of people; who all stood at the door to look at his highness, but no one durst advance within.  In the scene of astonishment, the people began to upraid the holy father, (who bore but a very indifferent character) and insisted upon his going in to ask the Devil his business, which he refused.

During this [time] the gentleman awoke, and was surprised to see such a mob gathered at the door; and upon his advancing towards them, they flew back with precipitation, which he soon guessed the reason of, and immediately discovered himself, much to their satisfaction.