Morning journal and courier., 1882-07-28
Personal RecoIlectfons of Skobelef.
 [From the Pall Mall Gszette.l

In the course of conversation asked Sko- beleff why he spoke such evil of Bismarck. !" Because" he answered, s' he Is a ruffian. He has no sense of honor or fairness. Look how he fooled Austria and served us Prince Gortchakof fell into the great error of heip- ing Bismarck in 1870. We Panslavists were alive to the mistake, but did not agitate or romonstrate. What was the reward Our gov ernment resped Germany seven years later prevented the emancipation of the sub Danubian Slavs. She snstches from us the fruits of victory. Before God, I tell you that at Plevna I was only animated by two entiments-brotherly love toward the Slavs and hatred of Mohammed. To prove to my self my own sincerity went where thought danger was greatest. If my motives were not pure, I could never have borne up against the trials of that winter and the slaughter that witnessed of our own people. I laid my soul bare before God, and asked him to punish me if there was self deception.
 Whenever I had an opportunity impressed upon the late Czar (to whom the Slavs not engaged in war of conquest, but of liberation. Germany-that is to say, Bis marck-robbed of the fruits of our cam
 paign'
 General Skobelef was fond of Paris and it's small, light pleasures. He spoke French admirably, liked French literature French seusibility, and that openness of character which prevents French liars being success. full deceivers. In outlandish places where he was quartered he could not help, as he
 was no gamester, saving money. He came, when he had leave of absence, to Paris to spend hls savings. He was here to amuse ! himself when the Carlist war broke out
 Love of military adventure impelled him to go to Spain. Under false name he joined the Carlists in besieging town. Had it not been for this escapade, he told me- Plevna
 might not have been taken. All the experi
 ence he gained with Don Carlos was utilized | before the Turkish stronghold General ! Skobeleff's temper was nasty, but his dispo- sition was of singular benignity, He was | anything but impeccable/ His frailties were more than redeemed by the immensity of his | repentance. The mea calpo was acted upon
 with great fervor. His best actions came | from the heart impulses. The mind was ca 1 pacious, but had no influence on his conduct,
 was led rather by his feelings, and spirit than by intellect and judgment. He felt
 what was the right thing to do, and did it
 straightway. Whether he might be praised, | blamed, punished, or rewarded never oc- | cured to him. Though not luxurious he was
 nice and delicate as 8 refined woman, and
 hated coarse linen and material grossness.
 The tactile sense of the long tapering fingers
 was exquisitely fine. The tall figure had so
 much 1.-the grace that one did not observe its
 strength. In dressing Skobeleff paid minute
 attention to his toilette, but was for the rest | of the day thoughtless about his personal ap
 pearance. He had passionate fondness fol
 the Boulevards. When young officer he was
 a hard drinker, but suddenly shook of the | vice of bibulous intemperance. His love fol
 cold water baths was excessive, and he wa,
 reckoned one of the best swimmers in tn. Russian army. With the poor his sympatb,