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MAGDALEN

bore the name of Radecký,[1] On holidays, such as Corpus Christi, the eighteenth of August, Easter Sunday, and at funerals, the society came out in all its glory. At the consecration of the banner, the princess herself had been godmother.

Each member was covered with gold,—the lace, the stripes of the trousers, and the lapels,—everything was of gold, while upon their hats waved majestically black panaches. Their president was Václav Benda. It was a pleasure to look at those stately men and to see the military spirit revive in them during such parades! Just as though an old warhorse, drawing a plough, suddenly heard the march of Prince Eugene! He struts along proudly, keeping measure, neighs, and raises his head,—just so our veterans filed by with sure steps before the local dignitaries!

But two years before another society of veterans had been formed, at the instigation

  1. Field-marshal Count Radecký (Radetzky).