THE SPIRIT OF FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2322, 2 December 1914, Page 2

THE SPIRIT OF FRANCE

[By Imogen,]

HER GREAT TRADITIONS,

In tho years to come, when the history of the great war that is convulsing I'lurope comes to be written not oven tho colourless unemotional setting forth of facts by careful, unbiased historians will altogether fail to hide from view something of the human element, some thing of the splendid deeds of heroism, of retreats that have been finer thaji victories, of dogged, unyielding valour that resisted overwhelming hordes of the enemy without one thought of yielding. It is deeds such as these that Hash through the murky clouds of war with undying splendour, aud that are destined to be handed down through the centuries for other men and other armies to emulate. Of courage and self-sacrifice this war has already reaped a magnificent harvest.

The British troops at the front have already put to shamo the pessimism that would reiterate that England was decadent. Obviously they at least, are not decadent, and obviously they aro very brave since General French eulogises them so highly. That bravery, however, is just as much a characteristic of the French as it is of the English is evidenced both by their past history and by tho brief uplifting of the curtain that now and again disoloses some stirring charge, some bravely fought and forlorn issue, or some tenaciouslyheld position. Unlike tho English, the Latin temperament lives hi tho spirit,' and Jet it bo animated by one uplifting thought, such as ' lovo " for France, and all thought of self, of bodily needs, is forgotten. The Russian temperament seems to bo somewhat akin, for we have been told that the Russians are fighting as though fighting in a holy war, and are almost lost in mysticism while they are fighting. Quite unlike the British I

Over and over again French history shows what her people can do in the face of tremendous <dds, and always they have been chivalrous. Some of the bravest deeds over associated with war have been recorded in their defeats. The charges of French cavalry in the battles of AVoorth and Sedan were death rides more terrible than Balaclava, so the histories record.

. And to-day our Tommy Atkins and tkf> French Tommy Atkins simply dote Upon one another, and would share all they have even to the last crust, not stopping short of giving their careless casual noroic lives ■'■ for ono another. And British officers over and over again have testified to tho splendid courage and tenacity of tho French armies m the field to-day—never so groat as now in all the long records that fade away into the distance of years behind them. It is a new France, u revivified France, and every man is ready to die for her and for hor priceless traditions of honour and chivalry and bravery. And if the men are' brave what can bo said of the women? Their spirit can only bo illustrated fully by tho following letter which was 'published in the "Morning I'ost," written to a French army mechanic by one of his sisters, who tells him that all of his brothers have fallen, and that he Ms now to ask to bo transferred to the infantry, so that like them ho may fight. Life was nothing. All was for France. The letter was forwarded to the "Morning Post" by an officer of tho British Headquarters Staff in France. . Tho following is tho translation of the letter':— '■' My" Dear Edward,—l bear that Charles and Lucien died on August 28; Eugene is very badly, wounded, Louis and Jean are dead also; Rose has disappeared. Mamma weeps. She says that you are strong, and begs you to go' and avenge them.. I hope your officers will not refuse you permission. Jean had the Legion of Honour. Succeed him in this. Out of tho eleven of us who went to the war, eight are dead. My dear brothor, do your duty whatever is asked of you'.. God gave you your life, and He has tho right to take it back That is what mamma says. Wo embrace you with all our heart, and long to sec you again. ' Tho Prussians are here. Young Joudon is dead; they have pillaged everything. I have como back from Gerbervillers, which is destroyed. The brutes I Now, my dear brother, make the sacrifice of your • life. We have . hopes of seeing you again, for something gives me a presentiment, and tells mo to hope. We embrace you in all our hearts. Adieu and au revoir, if God permits. THY SISTER. It is for us and Francfo. Think of your brothers and of grandfather in '70.