Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-06-12
THE ZOUAVE.
The FRENcM ZouAvE IN THE CRINiEA


The FRENcH ZouAvE IN THE CRlMEA.
Mr. Willis, in last week. Home Jour
nal, reproduces some passages from re-
cent work of an English officer on the
War in the Crimea, not yet republished
here. In these days of military prepara-
ton, and imitation of the Houave drill the
writer's description of the French Zouave
in the Crimea is readable: . ......
- CURIOUS STUDY. .
"rhe Iouave is small, fine featured
man, rather loosely put together. He
has that expression Of face which prepares
you at once for any cool, intrepid, harm
less piece of impudence. say harmless
for among friends he is soft hearted as a
woman, pc, haps moreso. lie is bragga-
docio, but full of kindliuess and 'evoid of
envy. He viii. believe Of others stories to
the full as marvellous as he relates of him.
SELF, 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 singuary
free from suspicion. The stupidest strick.
ster might win his faith and deceive him
and to do so even with subsequent impn-
nity, for Ire does not know what it is to
bear enduring malice. In spite of this
boyish simplicity, however, he is un.
matched in invention and resources. II
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 TO chivalry, unexacting. good-hu-
.nored, ready to oblige CT assist others to
degree that is inexpressibly graceful and
winning but he must be humored, for he
believes in himself, but if YOU put him out
he will begin to talk about 'Lc soIiat Fran>
co.'s, royc;>ro,,S, and then nothing in the
world is to be done with him until he is
paciiied A word, however. will paciiy
him believe single kindness would
touch his generous heart more than
years Of wrong injury or ingaiitudc.
He is 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 him-the reckless, provoking,
gallant, sharn-wittcd dare devil.
.... HIS TRICKS.
| " lie is the good-humored despair of
his officers. He will submit TO no discipr
line, and he defies punishment. In fact,
{ it is a positive emptation 10 him 10 do
wrong, eren where there is no other. He
is n grown up gaolin q 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, masqueradng with his tongue in
his cheek, and laughing at the company.
"lIe 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 adegree, 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 turus up and the other
turns down. II you are a person in au-
thority he will begin to twiri those when
: YOU talk to him, as ready resource
to cover his confusion at being detected in
escapade. He is always in scrape, yet
you cannot be angry with him-that is
altogether impossible for his troubles
are as absurd as those OF an lrishman nj a
fair. aud his dongs, however reprehcnsi-
,, BILE. are sure to be mixed up with some ir'
resistble piece of fun, which absolutely
strikes YOU speechless before you can be-
gin a reprimand. While you are prepar-
, Ing tc speak 10 him in voice Of thunder
he suddenly chokes you with laughter a.
his keen wit, or astounding unconscious
impudence or his consummate acting o
absurd contrition
"You internally acknowledge that YOU
dignity as a commanding officer can onl,
; be preserved by biting firmly into you
l-. iri ne
BILE, TO place where you can convenient
> ly give play to your risible muscles with
out bringing discipline and the interest
Of the service into open contempt Th'
rogue understands this perfectly, amt II
! spite of his assumed bashiulness; nothln
is so reassuring to his mind, when he ha
been at any mischief, than summons IN
, to the actual presence Of his commandin
= officer he knows that the game is wo
then. for it would be shrewd colonel
: indeed, that would catch him tripping
al -Ht n HIS REcKLEssSEss.
Q Though ready and useful soldier whe
y any real fighting is to be doLe, he is quit
a homeless on parade. He has a genius ic
q ANYTHING you like, except the theoretlc'
1t part of his profession. Perpaps ne know
\. far TO we'll that campaigning really IS
" attach TOO much Importance to 1t, and Sc
pf cretly votes drilling and reviewing a boz
is Of no common magnitude. He would d
IL ANYTHING in the world for an officer thi
knows how TO lead him but drilling an
,g orderly conduct are really too much fc
in him.
o, "His dwelling, whether tent or baI
d racks, or bovel, is a perfect muddle