New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-25
COL. DE VILLEBOLS- M4REUTL.
RECOLLECTIONs OF THE LATE FRENCH
AUTHOR-OFFICER WITH THE BOERs

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE FRENCH
AUTHoR-oFFICER WITH THE Beers.
J. E. C Bodley, author of France" in The
Athen9un.
Colonel de ViIlebois- MareuiI. who was killed
last week commanding the Beers in the skirrish
near Boshof was a voluminous writer and
man Of letters of versatile talent. He the
author Of several novels. including Sacrifice
which was said 10 be founded episode in
his own life, and Entire Civilises," in which the
scene was laid in India, where during long
tour, ne had received great hospitality from the
English authorities. He was also a constant
contributor 20 the Correspondent" the vener-
able review Of the Clerical party, founded under
the Restoration. In IL he did me the honor to
criticise France, and if mention the fact il is
because the essay which he founded on that
book was characteristic Of all his political writ
iTgs in that il displayed his profound respect for
English institutions and for the British race
His admiration for Us went far that he as
sured me that after mis- Indian he would
have applied TO be naturaliZed an English sub
Alglers IN 1871, just before ne became the young
est colonel in the French army. He hoped to be
thesyoungest general. but successive Ministers
or w ar did not encourage MS legitimate aspra-
tons, and q few years later he resigned his COM
mission. But though disappointed in his career,
his ambitions were not checked.
He founded in Paris the association Of the So
cleties Regime ltaires big club for SOUS Off
ciers who had done their military service and
resided in the capital. He took me TO see t last
summer, and l was much struck with the i'm
portance of this organization Of hundreds Of the
best class of trained soldiers, engaged in civil
pursuits. organized according 10 their old regi-
ments. and practically under the command of
this ambitious and brilliant officer. I feel sure
that il was the future development of this or
ganizatOn, with view 10 political changes
in France. and not animosity TO the British En-
ptre which tempted him 70 South Africa Dur
ing the year before he went out I him con-
stantly. he paid three long visits to Biarritz.
He was fluent talker, and few days passed
without having lengthy conversations
public questions. Last October he went straight
from my table 10 catch the train which took him
embarked. Ee talked of a mysterious mission
which had been offered to him. and I suggested
in chaf, knowing his aims that il con-
necJed with the approaching centenary Of Gen
eral Bouaparte's Coup d'Etat de Brumaire. No
one here had the faintest suspicion Of the ad
venture which he was starting. and even his
nearest relations were not in the secret.
His conduct in taking arms against the Eng
lish has been severely judged by certain of his
cOuntryulen who witnessed his ca erness TO cul-
tivate English friendships. His action was, in
deed inconsistent with his reiterated and spon-
1aneous expressions. But his death takes him
out Of the category Of less courageous foes of
England who run no risk Of being shot, like the
French and German journalists who attack u.s.
or the English cartridge makers who sold
nunition TO the Beers in the certainty of its
being used against All the same, ii is in
the irony OF things that the writer who last year
praised in his last novel ''Ihospitalite la plus
accueilIante ct Taimabite Ia plus engageante"
which he had received from English people
should have wantonly gone forth risk his
death from an English bullet.