Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-05-24
THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.
sr WARRINGTON 1Kvrse.

bI WAh1hGTOS IkNlHo.
The French Intellect is quick and ac-
tive. It flashes its way into subject
with the rapidity of tightening, -seizes
upon the remote conclusions with sud-
den bound, and its deductions are al
most intuitive. The English is less rap
id, but more persevering; less sudden,
but more sure in its deductions. The
quickness and mobility of the French en-
able them to find enjoyment in the null
tiplicitysef sensations. They speak and
act more from immediate impressions
than from reflection and meditation
They are therefore more social and COM
municstive; more fond of society, and of
places of public resort and amusement.
An Englisman is more reflective in his
habits. He lives in the world of his
own thoughts, and seems more self-e1-
isteat and self dependent. He loves the
quiet of his own apartment; even when
abroad, he in manner makes little
solitude around him, by his silence and
reserve; he moves about shy and solita-
ry, and, as il were, buttoned up body
and soul.
The French are great optamists; they
seize upon every good as it flies, and rev.
ei IA the passing pleasure. The English
man is too apt to neglect the present
good, in preparing against the possible
evil. However adversities may lower,
let the sun shine bat for moment, and
forth saiiies the mercnrial Frenchman,
in holiday dress and holiday spirits,
gay as butterfly, as though his sun
shine were perpetual: but let the sun
beam ever so brightly SO there be a
cloud in the horizon, the wary English
man ventures forth distrustfully, with
his umbrella in his hand
The Frenchman has wonderful ia
cility in turning small things to adyan-
tage. No one can be gay and luxurious
on smaller means; no one requires less
expense to be happy. He practises a
kind Of gliding in his style of living, and
hammers cat every guinea into gold
leaf. The Engfshman. on the contrary,
is expensive in his habits, and expen-
sive in his enjoyments. He values eve
rything, whether useful or ornamental,
by what it costs. He has no satisfac-
ton in show, unless it be solid and COM
plete. Everything goes with him by
the square foot. Whatever display he
makes, the depths sure to be equal to
the surface.
The Frenchman's habitation, like HIM
self, is open, cheerful, busting, and
noisy. He lives in part of a great ho-
tel, with wide portal, paved court, spa
'cious dirty stone staircase, and family
on every feor. AL is,clatter and chat
ter. He is good humored and tslkative
with his servants, sociable with his
neighbors, and complainant to ali the
world. Anybody has access to himself
and his apartments; his very bedroom
is open to visitors, whatever may be its
state of confusion; and all this not from
peculiar hospitable feeling, but from tha
communicative habit which predomi
mates over bisccharacter.
The -Englishman, on the contrary, en-
,sconces himself in a snug brick mansion
which he has all to himself; locks th'
front door; puts broken bottles along hi
walls, and spriDg-guns and man-trap
Hn his gardens; shrouds himself witt
trees and window-curtains; exults in hi
sauiet and privacy, and seems disposet
20 keep out noise, daylight and compa
nv. His house, like himself, has re
served, inhospitable exterior; yet who
ever gains admittance, is apt to find
warm heart and warm freside within
The French excel in wit; the Englisl
in hamor; the French have gayer fancy
the English richer imaginations. Th
former are full of sensibility; easil
moved prone to sudden and great ex
-citement; but their excitement is not du
rsble; the English are more phlegmati
notsso readily affected; but capable {
being aroused to great enthusiasm.-
The faults of these opposite tempers
ments are that the vicinity of the Frenc
is apt to sparkle up and be frotby; th
gravity of the English to settle dow
and grow muddy. When the two chal
iactsrs. can be fixed in medium, tn
French kept from efferyescence and tn
English from stagnation, both will b
found excellent.