The weekly Butte record., 1863-05-02
From Al the Year R5uni-l
Horace Vernet and Grosiean.

We'll, l should think be would paint your
portrait for about twenty sous-peThaps for
less, If he hasn't much 10 do-but you mast
beat him down. If he asks twenty-five sous,
offer him twenty. Ii he says twenty, ofer hin
fifteen, and he'll take eighteen. You remem-
Der his address ?"
~Oui, mon capitaiBe"
First large house near the palace. Go up
to the first floor and ring the bell, Now, right
about face, and mind you are back to drill"
This was the answer l gave GroSjean, re-
cguit, who inquired of me Where be could
have bis picture done" He asked me to di-
rect him to rather tiptop artist, and said he
was willing to pay literally. So mischiev-
ously thought OF Horace Ve,uet, that great
French painter who was one Of the first of
leaders among men struck by death in this
year sixty three. and sent him patron.
Horace Vernet had points of independence
that led him 10 be considered by innocent peo-
pie, who knew nothing of his ways, rather
daft. One day, for example, one of my men
came to barracks with about half dozen
glasses of wine too many in him. The most
experienced unmilitary eye could not have de-
tected it, for the old fellow IS twelve years
service man. He stood upright as q lamp
post and at parade went through every move
ment commanded with the incest precision.
But it was that very uprightness and precision
which revealed to me that Monsieur Giroux
was not in his normal state. Besides which,
he had quid in his mouth, and we never
allow that in the ranks.
After observing him right about face ="
las if he were piece Of clock work. several
times, felt convinced that be was drunk, aud,
going up to him, said "Giroux, you are
drunk" Yes, mon capitaine." You are
chewing !" MO, mon capitaine." Down
his throat went the quid. "Where have you
been drinking ?" ~At the infantry canteen"
Who gave you the money a civilian"
What for? - For looking at the fountains ="
oh how much did he give you?' Two
francs" How long did you look at the foun-
tains ?" Half an hour" And what did the
civilian do?" In an incoherent jumble IN
derstood, Walked up and down looking at
me-told me TO move about and admire-then,
all Of a sudden, rushed up to me and said, as if
he were commanding, by your right don't
move. there, so ~ "Wen?" Then he took
out bis pocket-book and took down my regi-
mental number, l suppose; so, seeing that, l
gave it him, l24S--I hadn't done anything
so he may report me if he likes-he offered me
the money, and took it-who cares for him :?
"Well, WELL that'll do-go TO bed
l guessed that Vernet had been treating
him. so l said nothing about it. One day
Vernet stopped sapper just as he was put
ting a petit verre TO his lips, and kept him in
that position for quarter Of an hour. Fancy
the old trooper, dry and thirsty, with the aro-
matte drop just under his nose. Another day,
at review, he shouted to dragoon that bed
give him hundred francs if be would stop in
a certain position for five minutes only The
man was just going head over heels of his
horse, and got q regular cropper. Nernet
painted from life; when possible from life in
activity outside his studio. He roamed about
Versailles Park, the cavalry and infantry bar
racks, and there picked up attitudes and groups
of soldiery Hence the yivacity Of all his mil
itary tableaux.
Well. we were garrisoned at Versailles, and
recruit Grosean had asked me, his captain, to
direct him to tiptop artist. Grosjean. altho'
but a recruit, is fine soldier-like looking fel-
low. H has splendid beak nose. high fore
head, heavy moustache, and bread shoulders.
As be asked me the question, it struck me that
he was fine subject for Vernet, so sent him,
knowing that at all events he would offer his
twenty sous for portrait in way that would
amuse the genial Horace. Gosjean wanted his
portrait for his mother All recruits in our
army, when they are well shaken into their
uniforms, have a picture ''done" of themselves,
and send it to their parents. There are in all
garrison towns certain fellows, calling them
selves artists, who will keep stock of litho-
graphed pictures of all the troops Of France
that is, of all the hundred odd regiments.
These lithographs are plain, and drawn in cut
line only. When a man wants his portrait to
send home, he inquiries for an artist of his COM
rades, or serjeant. or of an officer. The com
rades proclaim as the tip-top artist that one
who uses the most brilliant colors, and layishes
on his portraits the most liberal quantity Of
golden ornaments. If an artist wishes 10 es
tablish a reputation among the soldiery, the
best thing be can do is to ornament each Of his
patrons as he would a faldmarshaL They
rarely patronize the photographer, perhaps be-
cause his works are too truthful. The soldier
having listened to the merits of different ar