National Republican., 1874-05-07
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rFrom Paris oorrepondencs Nsw York Iines.l
1t was just the Crimean war thai the
French began to give their attention to racing,
at moment when an extremely cordial entents
existed between France aud England. The
nation was then In excellent honor. The
Queen had just distributed lfty thousand Vic
toria medals to the heroes who had fought be-
side the red coats In the East; affairs had pros
pered; financial operSsions were opening up N
every direction; vast improvements were In
progress throughout the country; the lands
were being reclaimed to agriculture; the French
love for military glory had been Satisfied, and
young Prince had been born as II to give
promise of serenity in the future. An excel
lent commercial treaty was concluded with
England, and the nstiouswere on the best of
terms.
The French were suddenly seized with a sort
of Anglophobia, and manly sports became the
rage. Gentlemen's fashions came from Eng
land, and those who could afford 1t had their
clothes made in London. Poole became as
famous upon the bouleyards as Worth is in
another line. English words in abundance
were incorporated into the conversations Of the
day. A railway car became wagon" and
cane "ssick." English names were given
to dogs and horses. The young dsndies af-
fected rough English suits for walking, thick
isoled brogans, and never went out without
"a "stick" in their hands, and accompanied by
the ugliest looking bull pup 1t was possible
to find. The men with horses felt bound to
hind a diminutive "tiger," whom they put into
big boots, under a big hat, and covered with
buttons 4 Il : ----- . . a - .
|, Young men took to tea and pale ale, Stilton
cheese and Worcester sauce, and followed the
supposed English custom Of eating their beef
only slightly warmed on the outside. Half
and-half was ordered ip English quite as pure
bs that ordinarily employed in London for Or
dering this beverage. And as time wore on
they adopted English dickeys and cravats, Ok
ford ties and dogskin gloves, carried an um-
brells in all weather, parted their hair in mid
die or screwed a single glass in one eye,
British GOODNESS and phlegm becamea study,
and all of "milor Anglais' reported eccen-
tricites were taken as real traits of the Britain
mic character and copied with more or less
success. To be as English as possible was then
regarded as the thing for young man who
was a member of the .high lifo,o (another
imported term) or who wished to appear tQbe.
0ftentimes this mania was very amusing,
for French ideas of English habits and customs
were frequently-as Rochefort was accustomed
to say when he told that Cabinet minister
showed an ignorance of anything-were fire.
quentIy "ex-ces-siE-e-ly droll." Perhaps can
best illustrate their general character by re-
cent experience. When going to Chilselhurst,
the other day I was with g young gentleman
OF the highest education and culture, and as
sensible young fellow as I know, and one
who is sure to make his mark In the world.
saw but one thing to criticise in him, and that
was his undue awe for the Prince, who was
our travelling companion. And when Monscig-
neur insisted upon taking pot-luck with US In
London, his enthusiasm knew no bounds. But
this is one Of the results of the social training
lad has in Europe, even in this country of
egaite.S
The next morning I suggested That all should
take tea, instead Of coffee, as In Paris. "Oh
no." cried my friend at once; "while here am
going TO follow English customs strictly" and
with an air of great satisfaction: ~ shall take
a glass of gin and bitters over the counter"
He did so, in fact, swallowing the nasty stuff;
without a grimace, and smacking his lips as If
he liked 1t. He was under the profound con-
viction that every good Englishman went out
to the nearest bar every morning of hisiife and
took glass of gin and bitters sur le zinc. He
had read this in some novel, probably in one
by Paul De Koch, who, never having been in
England, naturally knew all about the man
ners and customs Of the people. As thh young
gentleman seemed so proud of his knowledge,
I concluded to let him enjoy 1t, feeling sure,
however, that the gin taken on an empty
stomach would convince him of his error q
great deal quicker than could do 1t by argu-
ment.