The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-09-16
From the Ne0 York Evening Post.
The FRENCH ARMY.
T<s n},oi ,1;,. n.,.,;haa ~ . n~-. Wi, NJ.

world has ever seen. Formed almost entire.
ly Of conscripts, the sons Of honest families,
it draws its strength from the best blood of
the nation. For seven years they are kept
circulating through France, except when
each regiment takes its turn in Algiers
Thus the entire country is known to.the
entire army, from the thronged capital to
the most quiet provincial town. The IDEAS
of the most ignorant are enlarged, their
minds expanded, as they are drawn away
from the contracted circles of their little
communes; and the sons Of the poorest
villagers enjoy the pleasure and read the
profits Of travel.
Each individual of this mass is taught 20
walk, to stand, to run, to jump, to swim. TO
climb, to handle the small sword and the
broadsword, to manage the musket and the
hayonet, with such skill as not only to slay
his enemy far off or near at hand, but to
protect himself against more numerous bay
onets. or against the long sword of taooper,
or even the far-reaching and more formi-
dable lance.
Paris is the centre Of this system, and
having one day obtained the necessary per-
NIT. had an opportunity Of seeing how
se'luously this training is attended to.
There were not more than half dozen SOL
diers exercised at this time, but it must be
remembered that those WHO show most
fitness for the task are chosen and drilled
most thoroughly, so that in their turn they
may become teachers in their several rcyi-
mens.
After some-of the more ordinary gym
nastic trats three men were placed in front
Of an en- wall. against " ich were three
platforms, rising one above the other 10
the roof. Each Of the upper platforms
was smaller than the one below it hv about
eighteen inches, enough to make comfort
able standing room for man. Each plat
form had three equal faces, forming a half
hexagon, and just under the edge of each
fare Of each Of the platforms firmly G.sten
Ell Il round iron bar so that if man were
not tall enough to jump and catch the edge
Of the platform he might catch the bar be-
low. ] forgot to- mention that each plat
form was about seven feet hgl', and, be-
sides being fas,end to the wall, was snp-
ported by wood work below, but SO far
from the edge rs not to interfere will, the
! men.
Three soldiers were placed in front Of
these platforms, standing on the ground, and
each opposite one of the faces. The mo-
ment the word of command was given each
man jumped at the edge Of the first plat
form; caught it; raised himself up SO as to
turn up one elbow, and so get on the top;
jumped in like manner at the second plat
form, and got on it, and then upon the
third. All was done so quickly, in fact
with such startling rapidity, that 1 can
readily understand the confusion of the
Austrians at the startling movements of the
French soldiers, 1t seemed but an instant
before the same three soldiers who had
been standing motionless upon the ground
in frontof the platform, were standing just
as motionless upon the highest platform,
waiting for the next command. At the
word they descended in the same way and
stood once more upon the ground. In a
yard attached to the gymnastic noticed a
: jumping ditch. some two feet deep and
about four feet wide At the end, spreading
out to about nine, feet at the other. It was
: abnut ten feet long, SO that the widening
was sufficiently gradual. 'r-
Here WIS also strong plank fence with
a roof Oh top. forming a sort Of shed, with
the back stowsrd yon. and about fifteen feet
high. The roof did not lap over the fsnce,
f but scarcely fastened 10 1t, as was also a
strong iron red running along the fencs at
it's junction with the roof: Slats; of inch
plank we're nailed on this FENCE. abobt three
inches.part; and the whole fence slipped
f ont from the bottom to de top. SO that
: when man caught hold of tire Stats ,xith
his fingers his feet would,swing clear, and
he could thus get 90 assistance. from them
. in climbing. ~ :
8 The samstbsee soldiers. Who had scaled
? the platforms were placed in front Of this
: fence. At the word Of. command each
: jumpedat It With his fingers looked Ike
= claws, and, having no hold bu. what the
q slats gave thsn. they c,awed their WY wssi up
+ quickly 70 lie top. .Tbsre, catching hold
: Of the bas, they doubled. taera.elyes up Is 4
: most curious wsy. tdrnipg 4. 4eksonseras.
r spd lying At fall faa,th opthssss baeLs !, apos,
n Soof. wnb .heF ANS against their sidss.
Il the next eenaana tI'es. slsstshsd o,i, OH
thsir ssms, eaugbs hold of sie bss. ,hrsp
upt their lecs 20 d 10 tasn h teSesie SntneSsAt