New-York tribune., 1881-12-26
GAMBETTA AND HIS RIVALS.
ANOTHER VICTORY WON BY TIE PREMIER.

,,ortb uaq ouIv duel and has not afforded to
Ga,nbatta the amount Of ventilation that lie re-
ouired IL lust gave four hundred Deputies an
opportnnity 70 fall prostrate before the Govern
ment which full well understands that II the tlde
of success receded from it all those legislators
wOuld turn round and do ObeIsance TO the VictoT'
The chief orators in the Parliamentary tllt WeLe W.
Gambetta who entered the lists four times anu Si'
Camille pelletan who made n great literary reputa-
tion when the Assembly was at versailles oy
doing picturesque or descriptive reports OF It's
sittings for le Rappcl. He is the only son OF d.
Fupene Pelletan. who in 1862 fiagellated the
Emnre in Ia Nourelo Bd5ylOne, and who many
vears earlier wrote that singarly impressive work.
Io Pasteur du Desert" NJ Eugene Pelletan has
uhtsiognOmy which reveals his hereditary antece-
denis and to some extent so has Camille. But In
tho latter is superadded good deal that is boee
rdrdieT lie is very frank, very funny very
ori1nal, and in his hatred of narrow conventions
and his love of personal independence yertabie
wild man Of the woods" Camille Pelletan mas
singuIarly clear head. penetrating eye, and hnenV
tongue His speech was all about Tunis' ana whaC
the Government should do to disentangle ltseH
from the embarrassing situation IN WHICH IL IL
,loced Inv n. Ganbetta's full acceptance Of the
treaty of Kasr-Said NJ. Pelletan the younger
although queer-loOkng man, Is master OF hls
mounted the tribune in the debate of which have
been speaking. for the first time, and neyer once
o At his self-possession. Some Of the worst blows
ever inflicted on iho Tunsian policy of the late Gov
nment were dealt by him. M Jnles Ferry, who
sat behind the Ministerial benches, literally
wrthed in his place, and Gan BETA demanded Ia
pqroIe or leave to take priority in answering tho
young orator NJ Camille Pelletan was never yio-
lent vulgar or supplementary. His brilliant
success appeared triumph Of mind over matter
As Delilah asked Samson, so ono fclt disposed to
ask Tell mo- | pray thee, where his strength
leth."
NJ Pelletan is of mean presence, although tall.
lie was born with his left arm paralyzed and
figure awry. There is no hump on his back, or
spinal curvature But one shoulder is considerably
higher than the othcr His hair used to be unkeInpt
and a wild shock 1t is now clipped close. But the
dark brown beard is allowed TO grow as it likes.
NJ. Pelletan has q small face. This beard OF his
gives TO it a curious hedgehog appearance when he
is seen in profile. When he is seen in front one can
only look at the eyes which are Of extraordinary
beauty They have the cloquence OF a unmb
animal whose instincts are kindly. and whose in
teligence is of a high order. have seen dogs with
such eyes and indeed Arab horses too NJ. Clenen-
ceau regards Camille Pelican as an adopted son.
He was proud and happy to note the effect that his
speech produced in the Char Der, and whenever
the speaker hit ont at the late or the present Gov
crnnent turned his eyes toward GAmbetta OF Ferry
10 see how they took the blow. Pclctau's style is
unamhltious There Is in il great sincerity Orc
feels that he eXtemporzc'. 9nl , able to do 50 be-
cause ne thoroughly understands his subject lie
went 10 Tunis Immediately after he was elected
Deputy last August. to get himself well posted np.
All his ideas Gowcd from facts which were seen
through a remarkably bright prism. The fancy
WAS bright the wit pointed and the language sober
and un5tlcL. lie and Clemenceau form new
school of oratory. from which fustian and bombast
will bc excluded.
NJ. Camille Pelletaa's speech. however had one
unlooked-ror effect Il served NJ GamJctta in lieu
ol an interpcllation II enabled hun to breathe the
air Of the tribune for want Of which he has been
,,nce he formed his Cabinet. like fish out OF
water.
Gainhetta in the tribune is not tho Gamhetta
who has been onthronel for two years in the Pres-
DENTAL chair Nor ia he rs Prime Minister there
the orator | have often seen on balconies. in
citc',srs and in dancing saloons. addressing thou
sand, OF auditors. He comes into the Chamber with
p tail Of Ministers tchlni him, nervous agitatei
and impatient and advances IN a rolling gait to-
ward his seat on The Ministerial bench As he goes
on he shakes hands to right and left, and gives
short audiences to Deputies. One sees that be Is tho
Master. When he speaks there i, the feeling that
nagyier dJii When hc SITS down the Ministers do
not place themselves around him according TO their
are or the Importance OF their respective port
folIos. The ones who arc his most intimate friends
take precedence of the Others and it thus sometimes
happens that Under Secretaries of State have the
highest seats In listening to Camille Pelctan he
wa, all attention. lie leaned forward on his desk
with his chin leaning Oh his crossed hands When
he demanded priority he lifted the right hand, and
closing all the fingers except the first advanced 1t
rapidly in a horizontal direction. There power
and some majesty in this gesture. II was one that
Raphael might have been glad TO reproduce IN
paintiug of the Forum. had he been asked by Leo
y 10 execute one. Gambclta, in advancing to the
tribune seems intent collecting his ideas His
har dS are in his pockcrs his brow is slightly knit
his face is flushed. and his step is heavy When he
asccnds it he turns his profile slightly toward the
right gauces toward the ceiling II still seeking
for inspiration pulls his beard gently, and finally
! with ono hand casts tho hair from his temples. All
this il Picturesque. But it was more when he
WAS slender and mad leonme head of hair. In be-
ginning 10 speak he plants firmly both hands the
desk OF the tribune, pulpit. 1t shakes under
them. Gambettas hands arc heshy but not
coarsey so. The fingers taper greatly, and their
ends are smooth and finished off with weli-kept
nails. When he was President he used to ttcnd to
his nails each time there was a tedious speaker.
Gambettas voice does not show its peculiar qua-
ties at the start People who hear him fer the fist
time are disappointed in it, until he begins warm
up. lie sets ont in a low and somewhat husky
bass 1t is dc protRdS. But as he advances it be-
comes clear, full aud Of a spendidly rich tone. No
more than would pealing organ has he any diff
Guilty in filling with it vast chamber. His is
l,,.ha ofr,g,, 4
keep attention alive, but never false notes. He also
preserves u musical rhythm or cadence to which his
ample style of eloquence lends itself There is such
oa in anU k,isc