New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-11-14
THE TEST OF COURAGE,

3 Sos-Lhas
Charles Hotel. 4s..
THE TEST OF COURAGE.
One evening, a short time after the battle Of
Fontenoy, (1745), a group Of the Kings body
guard was coDgregated near the Latona basin,
at Versailles, listening to two Of their number
discussing subject which at that period was
rarely matter Of controversy in military cir
cles. i'aA .ql9s
ssRefuse duel after public afront J" ex-
claimed the tallest of the speakers, whose
bronzed features were rendered almost ferocious
by a thick red moustache ss it is stain that
all the waters of the deluge would not wash
away" sg
al repeat, Monsieur de Malatour,'' replied
the other in calm, polite tone, sc that there is
more true courage in refusing than in accepting
duel What is more common than to yield to
passion, envy or vengeance; and what more rare
| than to resist them Therefore it is q virtue
wnen exhibited at the price of public opinion;
for what costs nothing is esteemed as nothing. :
GA marvel Monsieur dArgentre, would
advise, if ever the king gives you the command
| Of company, to have engrayen on the sabres Of
the soldiers the commandment, Thou shalt do
| no murder. ~ -
| "Apd wherefore not? His majesty would
have better servants, and the country fewer
| ulunderers, if we had in our regiments more
soldiers and fewer bullies. Take, as an exam
pie, him with whom you seem SO much IN
censed; has he not nobly avenged what yon
call an affront, by taking, With his own hands,
| an enemy's colors, while you knaves most likely
| formed prudent reserve behind the baggage
4 VA s Cowards themselves have their moments Of
! courage s5as sTsg- L. t,.,5, ,.5.s5a.s..
4 s. And the brave also their moments OF fear.
4 ssThe expression is not that of gentleman Z
/ eIt is that of Monsieur de Turenne, whose
family euualed either of ours, and who ayowed
shat he was not exempt from such moments
Every body has heard of his conduct to brag-
gadocia, who boasted in his presence that III
had never known fear. He suddenly passed {
lighted candle under the speakers nose Wh'
instantly drew back his head, to the grea
amusement of the byHtanders, who Laughed
heartily at this singular mode of testing th
others assertion" !"
8 None but a marshal of France had daret
to try such pleasantly. To our subject, sir
l maintain that your friend is coward, an
you" a=. SE
And T. repeated D'Argentre, his eye
flashing, and his lips firmly compressed.
"HoIloa, gentlemen :" exclaimed q thir
party, who, owing to the warmth of the argr
ment, had joined the group unperceived. 9Th
is nv affair." said he to Monsieur d dArgentr
Y holding his arm; then turning to his adversar.
added, &c Monsieur de Malatour, am at you
I" orders''
s.In that case, after you, if necessary" sal
D'Argentre, with his usual calmness
"By my honor, you charm me, gentlemen
Let us co. "' IS zt :
aOne moment,' replied the new conner, VIII
Young as he was, wore the cross of st. Louis.
aNo remarks Gentlemen, hasten
ssToo great haste in such cases evldeno
less q contempt for death than an anxiety
get rid Of his phantom" 29 5giss5
=, "I listen, sir !" al4a lssa 5saa .538.H,s
% "Monsieur d'Argentre just now stated tn
the bravest have their moments OF fear WIZ
out taking as serious his anecdote OF Monsle
rs de Turepne, I shall add that, with the except
of the difference that exists between muscles q
nerves, the courage Of the duelist is more
affair of habit than of principle; for it IS t
natural state of man to love peace, If not for
!. sake of others, at least for himself. Do y
wish me to prove it.
: 'sEnough. sir: we are not here to listen Y
v Sermon an sael .s6lg sE5s
S5e !as ssYet d moment. Here is my propositic
we are all assembled this evening previous to
9ts ,pv. leave of absence invite you, then, as a
. these gentlemen present, to o bear hunt on
cry estate, or rather amongst the precipices Of q
W. in the Eastern Pyrenees. You are very expe
ully Monsieur de Malatour; you can snuff o can
'"s with pistol at twenty PAGES, and you have
We equal at the small-sword Well, shall pl
ser you before bear, and if you succeed do
s..s ass even say in lodging a ball in his head,
:. merely in firing upon him--1 shall submit
aia has mediately after to meet you face to face
L. any weapons you choose to name, since 1t IS
xs ussd at that price am to gain your good opinie
ssAre you playing comedy. sir .5a55l
ssQuite the contrary. And / even rel
Is. that this extreme heat shows more the couI
lST of the nerves, than Of the true courage ari
ire In from principle" e 81
wo wSns Of aWhat guarantee have I, should | &C
:. your proposition, that you will not again
ysl sold deavor to evade me =
j for Nv word, sir; which I take all my
evil rades to witness, and place under the safeg'
a a Inc of their honor"
! There ran through his auditory such
iSs Who of appreciation, that De Malatour, though
Irsues a bad grace, was obliged to accede to the
d and rangement. 1t was then agreed that on tn
Vim of September all present should assemble a
Chateau du Glat.
Whilst the young lord of the manor is ma
the necessary preparations for their recep
we shall explain the accusation OF which nj
i the object, yet which had not branded hlm
Y. any mark Of disgrace among class of m,
~ punctilious on the point of honor
lEH The young Baron de Villetreton, in ent
M=SS5A among the gentlemen who formed the hous
! them guard of the King of France, carried witt
alsaS aamb principles which remained uncorrupted am
,a. the frivolities of one of the most lcentious
iah in, in Europe Such, EaEsyer, is the chal
of ,;n+,o a,,an N tba i1st of vica that h;a
The nu- Nlieuo, S'on - ono -|AA1s - 'S'
y in re- plary conduct had not only gained hlm u
ence VI | - E I:r. -, .,d a. rn;,odoh;,
be ex- teen ol HIS oniceIs, aAu eio iiiehuehip
Tin the ooAnto-, ~ - - =.
under the King nlmSeiI.g OHe alohe aIohS MS
aS,esS rade Monsieur de Malatour, took umbra
sdaive this general favor, and, on the occasion o.
self, re- trihing expression Of gesture, publicly in
NJ o. him Villetreton refused to challenge hi
1853 being contrary to his principles, but deter
. ,s ognd M that this seeming coWardice in not tgh
scsnsy we'll known duelist, should be redeemed b.
MD. action OF eclat during the campaign juo'
naytiea meneeh That moment had arrived, a
his noble conduct in taking the English
at the battle of Fontenoy. he received ths
- Of St Louis from the Kings own hand
from field, the eulogium Of Marshal Sake, and
-. doubled enmity on the part Of De Malato