Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-02-11
ENGLISH AND FRENCH CHARACTER.
az wAsHGNeToN IRVING.


As am mere looker-on in Europe,
and hold myself as much as possible aloof
from its quarrois and prejodices, I feel
something like one overlooking game,
who, without any great skill of his own,
can occasionally perceive the hlunders of
much ADLER players. This neutrality OF
feeling enables me to enjoy the contrasts
Of character presented ia this ,ime Of ge-
neral peace when the various people OF
Europe, who have so long been sundered
by wars, are brought together, and placed
side by side in this great gathering-place
of the French and English. The peace
has deiuged this gay capital with English
visitors ofal ranks and conditions. They
throng every place Of curiosity and amuse-
ment; fill the public gardens, the galleries,
the cafes, saloons, theatres (; always herd.
Ing together, never associating with the
French. The two nations are like two
threads Of different colors, tangled TO.
gether, but never blended.
In fact, they present continual anti
thesis, and seem to value themselves upon
being unlike each other yet each have
their peculiar merits, which should entitle
them to each others esteem. The French
intellect is quick and active. 1t flashes
It's way into subject with the rapidity OF
lightning seizes upon remote conclusions
with a sudden bound, ani It's deductions
are almost inluitive. The English intel
lect is less rapid, but more persevering
less sudden, but more sure in its deduc-
tons. The quickness and mobility ofthe
French enable them TO find enjoyment in
the multiplicity Of sensations. They speak
and act more from immediate impressions
than from reflection and meditation. -
They are therefore more social and com.
municat,vc; more fond of society, ard OF
places of public resorts aud amusement.
An Englishman is more reflective in his
habits he lives in the worlj Of his own
thoughts, and seems more self.exlstent and
elf.dependent. He loves tho quiet er
his own apartment even when abroad,
he in a manner makes little solitude a.
round him, by his silence and reserve: he
moves about shy and solitary, and as it
were, bntioncd up, body Ia. soul.
The French are great optimists; they
seize upon every good as it flies, and re
vel in the passing pleasure. The English
man is too apt to neglect the present good
in preparing against tho possible evil. -.
However universities may lower, let the
sun shine but for moment, and forth sal
lies the mercurial Frenchman, in holiday
dress and holiday spirits, gay as butter
fly, as though his sun shine were perpet
ual: but let the sun beam never so bright
y, so there be but cloud in the horizon,
the wary Englishman ventures forth dis
| trustiuly, with his umbrella in his hand
The FfeGchman has a wonderful facll-
| ty at turning small things to advantage.
| No one can be gay and Luxurious on small
er means; no one requires less expense TO
be happy. He practices kind of gliding
in his style OF living. and hammers out
every guinea into gold leaf. The Eng
ishman, on the contrary, is expensive in
his habits and expensive in his enjoymcnts.
He values every thing, whether useful or
ornamental, by what it costs. He has no
satisfaction in show, unless il be soil d and
complete. Every thing goes with him by
the square foot. Whatever display he
makes, the depth is sure TO equal the sur
| face.
The Frenchmnn's fabitaiion. like him
self, is open, cheerful, busiing, and noisy.
He lives in part Of great hotel. with
wide portal, paved court, spacious dirty
stone staircase, and family on every
| aoor. Al is CHATTER and chatter. He is
good humored and talkative with his SER
wants, sociable with his neighbors, and
complainant with all the world. Any
body has access to himself and his apart
ments; his very bed room is open to visi.
tors, whatever may be its state Of confu.
sion and all this not from any particular.
| ly hospitable feeling, but from that com
municalve habit which preIominates over
! his character.
! The Englshman, on the contrary, en-
/ sconces himself in snug BRICK mansion,
which he has all to himself; locks the front
door; puts broken bottles along bis walls,
and spring guns and man.traps in his gar
dens shrouds himself with trees and win
dow. curtains exuts in his quiet and pri-
vacy, and seems disposed to keep ou,
noise, daylight and company. His house,
like himself has a reserved, inhospitable
exterior; yet whoever gains aJmittance,
is apt TO find warm heart and warm fire.
side within.
The French excel in wit; the English
in humor: the French have gayor fancy,
the English richer imagination. The for.
mer are full of sensbiIity easy moved,
and prone TO sudden and great excitement /;
but their excitement is not durable !: the
English are more phlegmatic ; not so read
lily affected; but capable Of being reused
! 10 great enthusiasm. The faults OF these
opposite temperaments are, that the viva
city of the French is apt to sparkle up and
be lrothy, the gravity Of the English TO
settle down and grow muddy. When the