Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/317

 292 LAUDABLE ECONOMY.

for our own personal safety, as lest our eyes should be shocked by sights of conflict and bloodshed. But the extreme cold, benumbing nerve and muscle, and checking all effervescence of animal spirits, probably operated as a protection to the peace of the city ; on the same principle that Marshal Soult once quelled the beginning of a formidable insurrection by caus ing the engines to play plentifully upon the mal contents. Would that all distinguished commanders were equally ingenious and merciful in substituting water for blood.

Among the slighter traits of French character, we could not but notice that variety and fruitfulness of resource, by which a little was made sufficient for the necessities of life ; and the respect which was shown to a just economy. No false shame was evinced at the confession, &quot; I should like such a thing, but cannot afford it ; &quot; and a moderate expenditure seemed not only consistent with entire contentment, but was count ed more reputable than the appearance of wealth with out its reality.

Another still more delightful trait is the sweet and affectionate deportment of children to their parents. This is discoverable among all ranks. It reveals itself in the zealous attentions and offices which a younger hand can so gracefully extend to those who are wearied with the cares of life, as well as in the marked and ten der attentions, too often omitted by those whose filial virtues would be called into vigorous action by any

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