The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-20
The English and French.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING

| Inc frencn Intellect Is quick ana active.
flashes its way into subject with the rapidity o.
lightning; seIZes upon remote conclusions with d
sudden bound, and its deductions are almost intui
tive. The English intellect is less rapid, but more
| persevering; less sudden, but more in its de.
ductions. The quIckness and mobility of the
French enable them to find enjoyment in the muI.
tplcny of sensations. They speak dE act more from
! immediate Impressions than from reflection and
meditation. They therefore more social and
communicative; more fond of society and Of places
Of public resort and amusement. An Englishman
is more reflective in his habits. He lives in the
world OF his own self dependent He loves the
quiet of his own apartment even when abroad,
! he in a manner makes q little solitude around him
bv his silence and reserve he mnves about shy
| and solitary, and as it were, buttoned up, body
and soul.
The French are great optimists they seize up
on every good as it flies, and revel in The passing
pleasure. The Englishman is too apt TO neglect
the present good in preparing against the possible
evil. However adversities may lower, let the sun
shine bu, for momon, and forth sallies the mer.
curial Frenchman, in holiday dress aud holiday
spirits, gay as butterfly, as though his sunshine
were perpetual but let the sun beam never so
brightly. there be but cloud in the horizon, the
| wary Englishman ventures forth distrustfully,
with his umbrella in his hand.
The Frenchman has wonderful facility at turn.
ing small things TO advantage. No one can be gay
and luxurious on smaller 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 Engshman,
| on the contrary, is expensive in his enjoyments.
He values everything, ~ neither useful ornameu.
tai, by what it costs. He has satisfaction in
sho unless it be solid and complete. Everything
goes with him by the spare foot. Whatever dis
play he makes, the depth is sure TO equal the sur.
face.
The Frenchman's habi!aton. like hrmsclf, is
open, cheerful, bustliDg and noisy. He lives in a
part Of great hotel with wido portal paved court,
spacious, dirty stone staircase, end family on
every floor. All is catter and chatter. He is
good humored and talkative with his servants, so.
cabIe with his neighbors, and cotnp'aisant to all
the world. Anybody has access to himself and
his apartments his very bedroom is open 10 Wis.,
ilors whatever may be it's state Of confusion and
all this not from any peculiarly hospItabe cling
but from that communicative habit which predo
inmates over his character.
The Englishman, on the contrary, ensconces
himself in a snug brick mansion which he has all
to himself; locks the front door puts broken
bottles along its walls and spring guns and man
traps in his gardens shrouds himself with trees
and window curtains exulls in his quiet privacy,
and seems disposed to keep out noise, daylight and
company His house like himself has reserved
inhospltable exterior; yet whoever gains admit
tance is apt to find warm heart and warm fire.
side within.
The French excel in wit, the English in humor
the French have gayer fancy, the English richer
imaglnations. The former are full of sensibility (,
easily moved, and prone TO sudden rnd great ex-
element, but their exctemen, is durable the
English are more phlegmatic, easily affect.
ed bu, capable of being reused to great enthusiasm.
The faults of these opposite temparaments are,
that the vivacy Of the French is apt to sparkle
up and be frohy the gravity Of the English TO
settle down and grow muddy. When the Two
characters can be fixed in medium-the French
from effervescence and the English from stagna.
tion-boh will be found excellent.
This contrast Of character may ulso be- noticed
in the great concerns Of :he two nations. The ar
den Ftenchman is all for military renown he
fights for glory, that is to say for in
For, provided the national flag be victorious, he
cares little about the expense, the in Justice, the
inutiliy OF the war. 1t is wonderfully how the
poorest Frenchman will revel a triumphant
bullenn and al the sight OF military sovereign,
bringing home captured standards, he throws up
his greasy cap in the air, and reudy to jump
out of his wooden shoes for JOY.
John Bull on the contrary, is reasoning, con-
sderate person. Ii he does wrong, it is i'll the
most rational way imaginable. He fights bacause
the good of the world requires it, He is moral
person, and makes war Upor his neighbor for the
maintenance Of peace and good ordrr, and sound
principles. He is money making parsonage,
and fights for the prosperity of commerce and ma.
nufaciures. Thus The two nations have been fight
ing, time ont of mind, for glory and gold. The
French, in pursuit Of glory have had their capita
twice taken and John Ball, IN pursuit of gold,
has ron himself over head and ears in debt.
ssUnfOm SaGe.,, rs