The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-14
A French Oddly.


Journal
A Wrench Oddly.
Ii was a warm sunny afternoon in the
beginning Of May. when, leaving my little
chamber in the Rue des Beaux Arts, | be-
though. me Of a stroll in the Tuileries Gar
dens. sauntered along the quays on my
side the Seine, now looking at print. now
stopping at bookstall, until came TO the
Pont Neuf, by which I crossed the water,
and then proceeded direct to the gardens
The fountains were showering their bright
rain in the sunshine, the parterre had been
freshly done up, and the grass was wildly
green; even the windows Of the palace had
all been mended, so as to show no signs Of
revolutionary violence. Everything looked
neat, and beautiful, and pleasant. Above
all was the clear crystal air Of Paris, the
atmosphere Of which gives transparency,
and breathes an elasticity, which is precious
ly peculiar to the fair city Of the Seine. |
loitered a moment over the few flowers, and
then passed On to the sunny dry parts by the
sides Of which chairs are placed, and fur
nished at sou a piece to those who desire
their accommodation On these were seat
ed bright array of French mammas, with
their exquisite bonnets, and the hues Of their
dresses so chastely chosen; and by them, their
nurses, in their various provincial costumes,
with caps piled up with lace in all grotesque-
ly graceful fashions, and arrayed in colors
so brigh. and decided, making the scene
lquite picturesque and piquant. Around
lplayed the children, little bonny brunettes
or blushing blondes, full Of gay grace or
pretty pettishness. | could not, however,
help again observing. as had done the day
before, while taking the same walk with
my friend Elihu Burritt, the predominance
of pugnacious playthings among the boys.
Each little lad had tiny tricolor, or bit
of drum, or a tin sword by his side, sup
ported duly by scabbard and belt. Many
) had guns, and some OF these had metal bay
; onets. French fame and French folly had
already entered those little heads 1t is d
gay and pleasing sight, however-mammas
nurses, and children, in those sunny Tuiler
les Gardens. thought Of my own "wet
OdlfflleS anu Wdlktu OH.
passed into the shade under the splendid
, chestnut ,rees-.hen brightly green in foil
age, and beginning to show their groups o
snowy-white flowers, delicatcly tinted witt
a blushing pink-to the right of the garden
from whence had entered. sat down OF
one of the fixed stone seats, at the foot Of
chestnut which had perhaps the biggest boil
and the most spreading umbrage Of any il
the place, and had just perused the thir,
page OF the last new revolutionary pam
l, |, lphlet, when my attention was distracted b.
: a buzz and suppressed litter in the neares
u path. looked, and saw all eyes turne,
> upon a strange figure which was strutiin
q down the middle Of the pathway. Ii wa
!, that Of young man, with an odd conforms
ton Of head, the forehead receding, and III
e crown low, hair almost colorless, and with
y out either hat or cap. He was dressed in
y bright green coat with gilt buttons; he wor
U a red neckcloth. with the collar slight
u turned over; and in one hand he carried a
immense opera glass, and in the other
switch OF a cane, both OF which he used i
u a most ridiculous fashion.
The poor creature was evidently of wea
= intellect. 1t was not "Poor Joe," dow
in our woodland village north of the o.
D well; but his Sllyness Of the Seine, fine il
his folly, not un sol, but I'm simple, cack
:, ling with conceit, goose of glory. On h
promenaded along the path, apparently ur
accompanied, except by the glances of tn
! curious. Wishing to study specimen O
/ the French fool, rose and followed at
little distance, skirting along the trees, s
! as to be unobserved by my subject, and thu
to avoid the possibility Of giving him pain
u Rumor ran before him, and fame followe
= him. He by no means avoided attraction
= Now he grimaced with his hand, smoothin
Ii down his hairless chin: now he twirled hi
little yellow cane in all kinds Of curiou
circles, until it flew from his hand, and h
u was compelled to the undignifed action Q
: STOPPING TO pick it up: now he seemed to b
/ humming song, sensibly to his own sat-:
: faction. He was in his greatest glory, how
. ever, with bis opera-glass. Every now an
then he applied il to his eye, and took
vi SlSHl
r As ladies approached, he exhibited himsel
y to perfection. He was evidently fascinated
with the fair; and when any appeared with
Z in about eight or ten yards Of him, he hall
= ed, drew himself up in position in whic
! his two legs were close together, and dul
Iplacing his cane under one arm, deliberate
1t ly levelled the barrel of his glass at tn
J, fresh faces which fronted him. Havin
g thus done execution, to the dismay of some
a and to the laughter Of others, and to his owl
l. entire satisfaction, he lowered his glass, an
;. jauntily journeyed on.
Fate, however, follows fame, and glor
n glides away. Some gamins, observing GU
;, hero, followed him, evidently having an in
st telligence among themselves, for some tim
II closely. At length he entered the circula
IT walk at the end of the gardens nearest III
r Champs Elysees. Here some of the lad
l. continued to follow his steps, while other
e went round the other way on purpose I
II meet him. Our hero had fallen into tn
o trap. He continued his round, and was me
g as intended, by the Oldest lad, who, touch
1t ing his cap-for the French are ever polite
1t even in fun-said, d hope monsieur is en-
n Toying his promenade? Yes, yes, NOR
d sieur, was the answer, for the French eve
, say monsieur to boys Of five or six. A fe,
e more words were exchanged, which | di