Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-04
..gbe Ohio 6tatesnra,tt
Gay Officers-Ep auIetted Freiich and
1iiv o.. Russian soldiers.

Gay Officers-Ep auletted French ant
I ''4o Russian soldiers.
/ Mr.. Willis, In the Home Journal of Iaa
week, makes copious extracts from an Enplist
work on the Cfimean campaign, which Is, a
yet, unpublished In this country. We COPY th
following excellent portraits of French and Rus
sian oiicers1 nln sI373- i.' ,h't e1l
THE FRENCH oFTIcER-HIs GENERAL CHARACTER.
u He sa curiosity of vanity, boahommie ant
contrivances. He 10 at ence lavish and0self-
denyrg-ofa ticklish honor, yet of easy inter-
course, The great leading-star of bis life Il
fnery; do not mean mere fnery of dress, or
simple love OF baubles, but fnery in everything
-hnery Of idea, Of language, Of manner. He
thinks In his heart that Napoleon the First's
proclamatons to the army are the finest things
in literature. He believes in. wealthy MARI
ages, in rank and fortune acquired suddenly
He will even act in youth often under the strong
impression that he himself will be among the
fortunate. Debt Is rather glory than dis
grace to him. He is even apt to give himself
the credit of II when be has been too prudent to
incur the reality. He is very polite and good
natured, but equally sensitive Do not Judge Of
him by his light, easy, odd, careless philosophy.
IL conceals an extraordinary earnestness and
depth oil character--a quick sense of every beau
ty or sorrow in life. He will profess the loosest
and most corrupt ideas, wrapped up In an epi--
gram that will almost make an Englishman' q
hair stand on end. In reality bis heart is as
pure es child's and as gentle as O maiden's.
de may be even pious, though he would not
own 1t on any account; and he has boyish
pride to his dying day in giving himself out for
worse than he Is. ,.t-.r .
HOW He "KEEPs UP APPEARANCES.
He 10 great stckler for appearances before
the world. He will have vanished toes, though
heIjapans his own boots; and cigars, though
circumstances render 1t prudent for him to dis
pense with his breakfast. He would. believe,
refuse dinner simply because he was hungry;
and he would be certain to act with excessive
coldness and hauteur If he felt his heart weak
ening toward any one who offered him benefit.
He will profess the most large and liberal views
on politics, but he would entirely decline to put
them personally into practice. He Is incapable
Of Intention to deceive on this or any other sub
ject. He merely deceiyes himself. He is de-
lighted with the fnery of republican phrases
and arguments, also with the hazard Of express
ing them at the present crisis. But--and do
not forget this-be is eminently an arjstocrat
by nature. Equality in France only applies to
commercial clerks and bagmen; and even they
wish 1t only to include the classes above them
The students Of the Quarter Latin, indeed, ap
pear to act as If they wished it sincerely, but
is only In appearance. They have no objection
to place themselves on perfectly equal terms
with grisette, but they would absolutely re-
fuse to sup with her brother, or to be on friend.
ly terms with waiter anywhere, but at a cafe
or a restaurant.
HIS IDEA OF LIFE. 4.
The French officer understands the art Of liv,
Ing agreeably better than any person whatever
He looks upon his pleasures as necessities; and
no more grudges the price of them than that
OF his food or clothes. He considers that fair
share Of his income belongs naturally to theatres
and dominoes. He is never haunted by remorse
for having so applied it. He loves to live
gayly out of doors, and he viii do 80, to what
ever privations he may have to submit at home,
No man Is more unselfsh of his pleasures, or
has clearer idea Of social ties. He would not
hesitate for an instant to give his last franc to
a mistress or friend; and he passes at once in
to romance and dreamland, when be thinks of
his family at home. He has an unspeakable
tenderness for his mother and sisters-the lof- |
tiest, most indulgent love for his wife-the most
perfect respect and propriety of conduct towards
bis father, and his brother is usually also his
friend and comrade. He has especially the |
happy art of making something of nothing, and |
good out of all things.
HOW HE "eETs HiMsELF UP"
He was born an excellent tailor, tasteful
lresser on small means He has happy knack of
putting on old clothes which quite conceals their
lge and inirmites. He knows more about the
roper entertainment for mouetaches than an
Austrian; and tis gloves are irreproachable.
hough he may long have made up bis mind TO
enounce the hidden luxury of stockings.
HE Is AT HOME IN COMPANY.
He is admirable in all departments ofdrawine
oom conversation, persifage, and ladies' email
ak. Immediately he draws near o LADY, in
Iced, there occurs most visible change In his
manner and bearing. He feels himself on the
tage OF his dearest triumphs. He begins to
,righten up and sparkle. He becomes interest
ng, almost affecting, in his grace and gallantry.
lie hirts without offence-an art to which other
men can hardly attain--ior Irritation is as natural
o him as q certain shyness and awk wardness
oward stranger ladies In an Englishman. His
conversation is positively cure for hypochon-
ria. IL Is go shrewd, clever, and worldly
yet go light, polished and airy. Ho can Jest
Without wounding, and set even q rival at his
ase. am afraid he 10 little given to exag
,eration, from that love of fnery In language
Fhich has been already pointed out; but he
Fould scorn lie, and you may place trust as
IMPLICIT in his word as in his friendship. One
4 bis great weaknesses is, perhaps, meretri-
ious scorn Of small appearances. This seduces
i'm into thousand follies to be lavish with a
lender purse, and to give where he would find
{ wiser to receive. He has the most nervous
read Of shame and ridicule. He would sooner
10 stabbed than sneered or laughed at, and be
oLo.e Al. IL
idiculous and that which is not, 90 that the alb
urd scorn Of a fool would pain him as much as
be reasoning smile of a wise man. He is a
naterialist In speech, but In speech ony--for his
ecret soul is filed with all the burning phanta-
les of romance, aud the loftiest aspiripgs of !
mbition and chivslry. He hardens and even
ecomes morose In misfortune, but he oyerfovs
gain with philanthropy and kindness at the first
mile Of returning happiness. He is the very !.
,odel Of soldier. m p1g % b.tla 1o
gd go THE RUSSIAN OFFICER. a agl
He is trim, slim, soldierly, distinguished ,
,oking man, not handsome, nor even good :
,oking, but nice. He is shaven to the extreme !
{ neatness. His clipped moastaches are fault ,
sss. The general elegance of his exterior is
ldisputable. His uniform is astonishingly well :
lade. His manners are charming. He has !
one of the cold, naughty reserve towards !
Williams which characterizes the Austrian off, ,
or. If you shake hands with him, he gives
ach courtly yet cordial squeeze, that you :
light fancy his very well-bred soul was In his !,
arm, agreeable fingers. In society he is de-
ghtful. His conversation positively sparkles .
ith good sayings, and Is interesting from Its ,
ay profusion Of the most apt ard well-told
uecdotes. His courtesy is winning to degree. :
Ie apologies more readily and gracefully for
A-fn H. Il