Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-06-12
THE ZOUAVE.
TnE FRENcm ZouAvE IN THE CRIMrA.

TnE French IoUAvE IN THE CRIMrA.
Mr. Willis, in last weeks Home Jour.
nal, reproduccS some passages from re-
cent work of an English officer on the
War in the Crimea, not yet rcpublished
here. In these days of military prepara-
ton, and imitation of the Xouave drill the
writer's description Of the French Zouavo
IN the Crimea is readable:
CURIOUS STUDY.
"The Iouave is small, fine e,featured
mar, rather loosely put together. lie
has that expression offace which prepares
you at once for any cool, intrepid, harm
less piece OF impudence. say harmless,
for among friends lie is soft hearted as a
woman, pei haps moreso. lie is bragga,
docio, hut full of kindlineSs and Gevoid of
envy. lie viii. believe OF others stories to
the full as marvellous as he relates ofhim-
selc, and give them entire credit for any
species of impossible adventure to which
they may lay claim. His mind is at once
shrewd and imaginative, yet singuarly
free from suspicion. The stupidest strick.
Stcr might win his faith and deceive him
and to do so even with subsequent impu-
nitv, for he does not know what il is to
bear enduring malice. In spite of this
boyish simplicity, however, he is un.
matched in invention and resources. H.
would live, and live well, where ingenuity
itself would starve. He would succeed
where wisdom and experience incarnate
would fail. lie is brave to rashness, un..
selfish 10 chivalry, unexacting. good-hu.
nored, ready to oblige or assist Others to
a degree that is inexpressibly graceful ana
winning but he must be humored, for he
LcliYv"s la nnuseIi, UuJ II you put him out
he will begin to talk about 'Le sohlt Frn,~
co.'s. rovc-,ro,y,' and then nothing in the
world is TO be done with him until he is
pacifed A word, however, will paciv
him. believe a single kindness would
touch his generous heart more than
years Of wrong injury or ingaiitude.
/ lie is a curious study, hut the more
YOU think OF him the more he will amuse
you, and the more you will learn to love
and admire hm--the reckless, provoking,
gallant, sharo-wtted dare devil.
HIS TRICKS.
He is the good-humored despair Of
his officers. He will submit to no disciP'
line, and le defes punishment. In fact,
it is a positive temptation to him TO do
wrong, even whore there is no other. lie
is a grown up gdptin, street boy dressed
in mans clothes, and longing to forget
his dignity, and have game at pitch-and-
toss, or leap-frog. He is an artful dodg-
er, masuuerading with his tongue in
his cheek, and laughing at the company.
"He has a strange, wild, rakish, good
natured face: the longer you look at him
the more you believe in his good nature,
and doubt Of everything else about him.
He is dirty to degree and even slovenly
except at particular times, when his dress
becomes strangely attractive and brilliant
Hrs immense moustaches are rusty from
want of care-one turns up and the other
turns down. II you are person in au-
| thority he will begin to twirl those when
r YOU talk to him, as 4 ready resource
to cover his confusion at being detected il
escapade. He is always in sc-ape, vel
! you cannot be angry With him-that il
= altogether impossible for his trouble!
. are as absurd rs those of an lrishman at 6
fair, aud his dongs, however reprehensi-
= bic, are sure TO be mixed up with some ir
!, resistible piece Of fun, which absolutely
: strikes YOU speechess before you can be
w
4 ing to speak 10 him in a voice Of thunder
= he suddenly chokes you with laughter a
= his keen wit, or astounding unconscioui
!. impudence, or his consummate acting o
= absurd contrition.
: "You internally acknowledge that you
! dignity as a commandin. officer can onl
:, be preserved by biting firmly into you
{ cigar, and retiring, as promptly as posi-
\ ble TO place where you can convenient
= ly give play TO your risible muscles with
I : out bringing discipline and the interest
;, of the service into open contempt Tn
" rogue understands this perfectly, and j
> spite of his assumed bashfulness; nothin
is so reassuring to his mind, when he ha
been at any mischief, than a summons il
= = to the actual presence of his commanJin
y officer he knows that the game IS wo
y then, for it would be a shrewd colonel
indeed, that would catch him tripping.
d MS RECKLEssNEss.
e Though ready and useful soldier whe
y any real fighting is TO be doLe, he is quit
ID hopeless on parade. He has a genius fo
re anything you like, except the theoreuci
at part of his profession. Perpaps ne know
n, far to well, that campaigning really is I
lg attach too much Importance TO it, and Sc
OF cretly votes drilling and reviewing Dor
is of no common magnitude. He would
lg anything in the world for an officer ths
knows how to lead him but drilling an
~ orderly conduct are really too much fc
in him.
@. "His dwelling, whether tent, or bar
I'd racks, or hovel, is perfect muddle {