New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-21

he.u,;frl TO see. "In the twinkling Of an eye" or
. done IN no time" can alone describe the rapdity Of
tho exploit.
Every appliance may, however, be wanting on
certain occasions in war-it matters not-tbe French
soldiers are Taught how to mount wall without any
instrument whatever-with their feet and the hands
and the fingers alone. Bullets and cannon balls
Leaves holes and indeptaiions in the hardest walls
,bes. ara represented ON the walls Of tie Gymaa-
s;um-sud thus they practice this last resort OF the
resolute and determined besiegers. II there DO no
holes--no points d0ppui for the afcen'-wDas 'neh
WHY. then they build u pyr0md q men-'our men
stand as base, two or four more pereh themselves
ON the shoulders Of rlese-and then one mounts W
the top on the shoulders Of the latter by way "peN
They have adorted all the feats OF the trGpeSe-as
performed by acrobats. These tend to suehs'"eh
the arma and promote tbat self-relInnce ana coui-
dence which are tue prime elements oil good so'der
Som. Of their swinging leaps with the tropeEe were
p,odiaious, from one end of the long gymnasium to
tie other, where they alighted, and canght on the
ton Of the wall. and descended to the ground, with
hand aud fingers by mimic bullet holes, as before
described.
FLYING leaps on and over a wooden horse are
praciiced in every possible direction and the French
cavalry are required he able to leap on their horses
from the rear while galloping, and to leap over
hedge or barrier together with the horses, but on
foot, holding the leius 1t is impossible to believe
that very many can do this but that IL the alm aud
the higher the aim the greater the effort, end some
thing worth having is sure TO DO doue, even II we
fill Of the highest attainment.
Tie most laborious of tie practices is probably
that of carrying, the top of their speed, all the
implements of war, fsscines, sand bags gabions.
&C. whose weight is progressively III
creased from 90 to 50 lbs. They must also practice
carving ladders beams cassoDs, dragging gun car
riaees, &C., and they equally babituated to carry
rsuidly and ekfuy the wourded from the field OF
battle by placing ON lilters or any substi'uie at
hand in the gymnasium.
Ssord exercise, bayonet exercise, boxing end
fencing are also taught. but only the rudnents. In
the regiment, and batalions they have more epEoru
mites Of perfectng Themselves in these accomii-h
peps IL was rather odd TO find that the fencing was
confined to it, elementary Passes and parties, but the
fact is that tie authorities do not wish to inpart
much sl in this natter thinking Of itsconseqaences
EH
not generally known, that ia the French army
dueng among the men, with the sword, Is not only
permitted but sometimes commanded by the colonel
soldier NUT not fight without leave and the colo
mel may grant it il he thinks proper. In this case II
the man s disabled be- becomes entitled to bis pen
sion for the wound. The offending party in disputes
or broils is sometimes required To give Satisfaction
in a duel, ordered by the colonel, in addition to bis
other punishment. 1t is supposed that people WIZ
guard their tonguos and restrain their nets all thc
more if they know that they run the chance oil being
pinsed in duel II should, however, DO mentioned,
that in such cases the maitrc darmfs or fencng-nas'
ter Of the regiment always stands beside tie con-
batsnte 10 parry off any thrust or cut likely TO be
crit cal.
There was one exercise which never before saw
performed excepting by s'alwart hindoo III tne
streets of London. Armed with stick about two
Yards long. the gymnast went through variety OF
vertical, obque, and horizontal movements win H.
seeming to prove that rod Of iron OF the same d.
mansions would with such skill, completely keep al
bay three or four antagonists armed with the sword
or even with the rifle and bayonet. a light cavalry
carbire. furnished with sword bsyonet, might be
practced afIe- tie manner Of tbistrue "sngle SICK.
Such is a succinct account of the military gymnas'
tics Of the French. The 300 various fea's ard prac-
tees have emily object in view preparation for
the possibo and probable casualties OF war, bnt they
have, meanwhile, the positive and immediate effect
Of giving the men the utmost freedom Of motion,
aplonb self-reliance and that very useful se-ess-
mste in the solder namely. that be is superior to
every other in the world. Depend upon it, he will
not be easily deprived Of that opinion. IL will take
=. vast deal TO knock that conceit out Of him.