Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-20

sion of an orator filed with youth
full vehemence, too verbose, but
sonorous, and possessed of passion
ate earnestness. On taking his seat,
those who would not admit it to-
day gave him a congratulatory
shake of the hand. He did not
appear astonished at this reception.
1t was as if a fortune-teller had
foretold his success. He left the
courtroom proudly conscious that
he had made an impression. He
took a cab, doubtless his first, and
drove away.
When Gambetta entered the as
sembly, in 1869, he created a great
deal OF curiosity. People went to
see him as they would to see a lion
tanner, thinking he would be eaten
up. But they were disappointed; !;
Gambetta held his ground. When
the empire had fallen, and Paris was
blockaded by the Prussians, Gam
BETA, as minister of war, escaped
from the city by balloon. He
landed at Tours. Shortly after
ward | called upon him. He was
putting up at a large building
which bad been used as a college
before the war. 1t was about mid
night when | called. After waiting
an hour in the ante. chamber / was
admitted into the dictator's pres
ence. He was seated in a large
easy chair before q fire, with both
Of his feet on the table. He re-
ceived me kindly, but the only part
Of the conversation that l now re-
member was this parting remark
Of Gambetta: "I 60 tomorrow
with the Army of the Loire. l will
meet you at Berlin" l saw him
next day at the depot. His hat
was a poor affair, not at all in &C.
cord with his offices, though it be.
spoke his humble origin. He stood
waiting for the train. One of his
secretaries was with him, carrying
his portfolio, while a servant was
near by with some wraps. He bowed
as the train moved off. | have
known persons to become giddy by
being suddenly elevated to power
but Gambetta seems to grow cooler
in proportion as he rises. At thi!
period of Gambetta's first elevation
he did not forget his friends. Every
one who ever took a bottle of wine
or a glass of soda with him in the
Latin Quarter, when he was small
lawyer, got an Office. The father
Of one of Gambetta's friends tolC
me one day this anecdote: The die
tator invited his son to sup will
him. After the soup had been re
moved, Gambetta remarked: 81
have only little sub~prefect'S po
sition in the South to offer YOU
After the second course he con,
tinued: "No, you shall be sub
prefect at Toulon." During the
dessert he said: "My friend, you
shall be project"
To-day NJ. Gambetta rolls alone
rather than walks. He has become
fat. His hair is getting gray. HI
still wears a rusty hat, the only
thing that remains the same aftei
so many vioisSitudes. He lives in
the aristocratic quarter, near the
Champs Elysees, at SO Rue de Ia
Chausee d'Antin. He never goes
out unless accompanied by two
friends, like the Roman consuls OF
old. In the streets persons often
turn to look at him; and if one
bows, Gambetta returns the salute
Il
With an an air prouder than a king,
for he does not smile,
Gambetta was cut out to be the
leader Of his party. He has an in.
tiuence over his followers derived
from the prestige power always
gives; and if they threaten revolt
he has the weight of his journal,
La Republique Franchise, and the
constant popularity of his name to
crush them with. NJ. Gambetta
appears in three roles, all of which
contribute to his success. He is a
man of the people, a democratic
Cesar, and the chief of a great po-
litical party. In the assembly there
are two Gambettas. The one sway
ed by his former habits of life, in
terrupts the Speskers, questions
them and shows a fearless and
rough spirit Of opposition. The
other appears in the tribune when
he arises to address the deputies.
This tribune, which unnerYes, ex-
cites and overawes so many speak
ers, calms, cools and quiets Gam
BETA. There he stands with his
head thrown forward, as usual. His
is not the most refined nature. His
voice is more heavy than strong.
When he is pathetic it seems forced.
His grating invectives irritate
rather than destroy. Sometimes
he seems to lose himself in a kind
of sonorons language and in a
curious balancing of his sentences.
He is not a master of irony, but is
perhaps the first cotemporary ora
tor in the assembly. His voice re-
sounds sometimes as if it came