Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-03
Murtester 9aiIg Spy.
GAY OFFICERS.

work on the Crlmean campaign, which is, as
yet unpublished in this country. We copy
the following excellent portraits of French and
Russian officers
THE FRENCH oFFICER-HIs GENERAL CHAR"
ACTER.
He is curiosity of vanity, bonhOmmie and
contrivances. He is at once lavish and self
denying-of a ticklish honor, yet of easy in.
tercourse. The great leading star of his life
is tinery | do not mean mere finery OF dress
or simple love of baubles, but tinery in every
thing-fnery of idea, of language, OF manner.
He thinks in his heart that Napoleon the frst's
proclamation to the army the finest things
in literature. He believes in wealthy mar
rages in rank and FORUM acquired suddenly
He will even act in youth often under the
strong impression that he himself will be
among the fortunate. Debt is rather a glory
than disgrace to him. He is even apt to
give himself the credit of it when he 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 hight, easy, odd,
careless philosophy. 1t conceas an extraordi
nary earnestness and depth of character-a
quick sense of every beauty or sorrow in life
He will profess the loosest and most corrupt
ideas, wrapped up in an epgram that will al.
most make an Englishman's haiI stand on end.
In reality his heart is as pure as childs, and
as gentle as maiden's. He may be even p-
Gus, though he would not own it on any ac
count; and he has boyish pride to his dying
day in giving himself out Tor worse than lie
is.
HOW HE "KEEPs UP APPEARANCES"
He is a great sticker for appearances before
the world. He will have vanished toes
though he japans his own boots and cigars,
though circumstances render it prudent for
him 10 dispense with his breakfast. He would,
/ believe, refuse dinner simply because he
was hungry, and he would be certain to act
with excessive GOODNESS and hduteur if lie felt
his heart weakening tuward any one who off
cred 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 subject. He mere
ly deceives himself He is delighted with the
inery of republican phrases and arguments,
also with the hazard OF expressing them at
the present crisis. But-and do not forget
this-he is eminently an arisiocrat by nature.
Equality in France only applies TO CONNER
cial clerks and bagmen and even they wish
ii only to include the classes above them The
students of the Quarter Latin, indeed, appear
to act as if they wished it sincerely but it 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 70 be on
friendly terms with waiter anywhere, but at
a cafe or restaurant.
HIS IDEA OF LIFE.
The French officer understands the art of
living agreeably better than any person what
ever. He looks upon his pleasures as necessi-
ties and no more grudges the price of them
than that of his food aud clothes. He con-
siders that fair share of his income belongs
naturally to theatres and dominos. He is
never haunted by remorse for having so APP
piled it He loves to live gayly out OF doors,
and he will do so, 10 whatever prvatioEs lie
may have to submit at home. No man is
more unselfish in his pleasures, or has clearer
idea of socialties. He would not hesitate for
an instant 10 give his last franc to mistress
or friend and he passes at once into rb-
nance aud drearllHr'd, "hee, he ~ i;s
family at home he has an ~ latest
perIeci respect and propriety OF condue. y, 10
pa lis tat,er. and his brother is usually his
fr;snd and comiade. He has especially the
hmm, art of making something or nothlng'
and good out OF all things.
HOW HE GETS HIMSELF Up
He was born an excellent tailor, tasteiui
dresser on small means. He has happy
knack OF putting on old clothes which qulle
,aals mir ave and iuirmities He know
1,soro about the proper entertainment oil nous
tarhes than an Austrian and his gloves are
;rrrnroachable, though he may have made VI
i;s mind TO renounee the hidden luxury ol
NE IS ATHoME IN COMPANY
ue Is admirable in all departments OF draw
;nr room conversation, persifiage, and ladies'
s talk Immediately he draws near
ILL ;ndeed there occurs most Vlslol
nhance IN his manner AMI bearing lie feei
L;mse,it nm the stage of his dearest trlumpn'
Ue begins to brighten up and sparkle: n
h.ro,,es interesting, almost af1ec,lhg, III ID
grace and gallantry. lie hrts wltlio9. Omen;
En- art TO which other men can hardly atial
G,r Irritation is as natural to him as certai
.lnnoss and awkwardness toward stranger
dies in an Englishnan. His conversation
positiyely cure Tor hypochohoiia' 10
shrewd clever, and worldly "!se-y ..t.
Ight. polished, and airy. lie can jest vino
e.,,d,;ny and set even rival at his ease.
atr,;d lie is a little given to eXaggeratlo
from that love of fnery which has been !
naadv nointed out put he would scorn !
ami you NAV place a trust as implicit IN
,.ori as in his friendship One OF MS gre
weaknesses is, perhaps, merelrlclous SEQ
of small appearances. This seduces nun ~
Thousand follies; to be lavish with slene
800 aud tn give where he would find
ri.;ser .o receive. He has the most nerve
dread of shame and ridicule lie woulo sol
or he stabbed than sneered or laugheu AT d
he hasnot very correct ideas ABOUT tnat p" y
il ridiculous and that which is nor, So I"a'
absurd scorn OF a fool would pam III" DIS III, ~
as the reasoning smile OF wise man. n'
a mate,ialist in speech-but i'll speech oni.
.... ,..,,l "a fllpd with all the burn
nhantasNs of romance, and the lottlest as
mrs of ADDITION and chivalry. de hard
and even bromes morose iii misfortune,
he overfoys again with philanthropy
Lindness athe first smile of returning ha
ness. He ishe very model OF soluer'
TIN RUSSIAN OFFICER.
He is a trit, slim, soldiery, distinguish
leaking man; OF handsome, nor even g
looking, but mic He is shaven to the
,reme Of neatnes His clipped mousta
are iaullless. Ihyeneral elegance Of his
;shingly well made. His manners are CHI
;ng He has none OF e cold, naughty res
.nSards civilians whi' characterzes the
tr;an officer II you AXE hands with
lives such a court vet cordial SOU
INT Won might fancy livery wellbred
,as II his warm agreele, fingers. ii
o;atv he is delightful. s conversation
t;yelv sparkles with goo'sayings, and
tares,inp from its gay ,plgsion Of the
ant and well told anecdote, His courte
w;nniug 10 a degree. hSpologzes
readily and gracefully for tfuost trihi
cident than any gen'ienlan Europe.
feel positively under an o,5lligon to Ii
having inadvertently trodds len. your t
inserted his elbow in your RIOS ' Gro,
WHAT HE KNOWS
He is SO accomplished lingu, tbs
would inwardly confess he speak ,ol
language better than you do yoel
languages, indeed, seem to come. NJ
easy to him. Then he is traveller travel,
traveller He speaks with equal. !
". 40 North Pole and the Trc