, 1877-09-29
A PEN Portrait.
AS he is.

Leon Gumbetta has for seven or eight
years been conspicuous parsonage IN
French history, but never more so than
at the present time He is brought into
this unusual prominence by the death Of
NJ. Theirs and the ndiscreet prosecutions
of the government, which, while they
have cres ted sympathy for him all the
world over, has inspired for his prosecu
tors well-merited contempt.
The offence OF Gambetta is so venial in
the estimation of people outside of
France, living under constitutional forms
of government, as to he considered no
ofince at all, and it is subject of sur.
prise that Court Of law could be found
in this nineteenth century to adjudge it
deserving of fine and Imprisonment. II
France were even despotism, the case
would excite some surprise; but it goes
under the name of Republic" with a
President instead of a usurper at its head
"a republic in which free speech is II
crime, and n free press beyond federation.
A condition SO anomalous rs this, which
could not exist in any other civilized
country, will not be long endured by II
liberty,loying people like the French.
The man or Ministry which hopes to
perpetuate this unnatural and unwarrant
able state of affairs, exhibits an Ignorance
OF the French character which is unpar-
donable IN those who aspire to be rulers,
and whose inevitable overthrow is a mere
question of time.
The Republic of France has many we'll
wishers even amolg the monarchies of
Europe, while the eyes of our own coun-
trymen are turned towards the election
canvas now going on in the ardent hope
that it may bring defeat and confusion
to the adierents OF her royal pretenders.
A republican triumph will be Gambetta's $
vindication, and it looks as il he would
enjoy it, and the proof be furnished that
he spoke only the truth when he said
submission or resignation must follow an
EXPIRE ssion OF the sovereign will of the
French netiuu. While awaiting the re-
suit, the friends OF Gambelta will be in
teTested in perusng the annexed pen
sketch OF the distinguished statesman,
furnished to the New York World by It's
Paris correspondent:
Though still young, Gambetta has
grown gray and rather stout He has
fine features. The nose is too prominent.
perhaps but the face expresses determi.
nation and power, and it is ut the sIme
time pleasing one. In his youth he
lost an eye 10y accident, which misfortune,
although not so apparent as to render ms
fce unpleasant, is the theme which the
refined editor Of the Figaro loves to
dwell upon. The waving hair is thrown
back over thr broad brow and the head
is very erect; there is humor in the curl
of the lips, and when Gambetth smiles
h. Is certainly very attractive man.
When aroused the face glows with color
and he seems the very incarnation OF
strife, He IS, like most men of the South,
gifted with an ardent Imagination aud
his clJquence is inspiring He resides
at present in n well-npponted building
Ill part ot which serves as the office Ot
the RepuJiYae FrdHctise Having the
means to do SO, VI. Gambctta lives IN
good style, and en,ertans ut this man
sion Ill fact winch seems to offend the
writers of the figayo, Gaulois, Pays, etc.
They cannot accept that the leader Of the
Republican party should live and act rs
gentleman
NJ. Gnmbctta IS an ardent admirer of
our country and institutions. He meets
Americans with ready favor, and betmys
desire to learn oil that is going on po-
litiCnlly and socially on our side of the
ocean. He is well informed. and will be
among those who will cordially welcome
General Grant when he visits France.
He pays special attention to the polti-
cal Standing of the General, and admircs
him for the good fight in maintaining
the UniOn.-LaH