Page:An account of a savage girl.djvu/36

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8
The History of

tion either of her body or feet; and to run along with her was impossible. The small example I was shown, which was but a trifle, having been performed only in a hall of no great length, convinced me, nevertheless, of the truth of what she had told me before, that even for several years after she was caught, she could overtake the game in the chace. Of this she gave proof in presence of the Queen of Poland, mother to the Queen of France, about the year 1737, as she was going to take possession of the Duchy of Lorrain. That Princess, in passing by Chalons, having heard of the young savage, who was at that time in the convent des Regentes, had her brought before her. Though she had been then several years tamed, yet her disposition, her behaviour, even her voice and speech, were, as she affirms herself, but like those of a child four or five years old. The sound of her voice, though weak, was sharp, shrill, and piercing; and her words were short and confused, like those of a child, at a loss for terms to express it's meaning. In a word, her childish and familiar gestures and behaviour shewed plainly, that as yet she only took notice of the persons who caressed her the most; which the Queen of Poland did extremely. On being informed of the swiftness of her running, the Queen desired that she might accompany her to the chace. There finding herself at liberty, andgiving