FRENCH ESPRIT.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2894, 25 May 1878, Page 4

FRENCH ESPRIT.

A bit of international feelingis pointedly illustrated by an anecdote given in the *' World." •" Vous avez beau dire; je n'ai trouve* nulle part en France cet esprit dont tous parlez," said an old Prussian general to Princess Metternich, who is noted for her love of France. " What, no esprit I" retorted the princess. " Give what you will to French people, and I wager they will make of it something pretty, elegant, and witty." " WeiVPrincesi/' said the general, with scornful complacency," here is a white hair I find on my nniform. I give it you carte blanche ; send it to Paris, where, for my part, I found only among the men de l'esprit de coiffeur, and among the women de la grace de cuisiniere." Princess Metternich forwarded the white hair to a Paris Jeweller, ordering him to make with it some striking piece of jewellery. To the order she added this postscriptum, " C'est pour faire une nich aun Prussien." A week afterwards she received an ccrin, which she presented to the general, saying ironically, " pray to God that your hair may not break." It contained ft massive gold necklet, with a medallion on which were enamelled ths arms of Prussia ; to the medaillon were suspended, by the White hair, two smaller lockets in black enamel, on which were inscribed, in tri- colour letters formed with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, these words "Lorraine-Alsace."