Alfred de Rosann — page 98: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ALFRED DE ROSANN. } 89 days ago, that his heart was devoted to another; and he made up his mind to repair, as quickly as he could, the incipient injury already done. With regard to his quarrel, we have before stated that he did not suffer it to annoy him. He possessed the daring and reckless courage of a Frenchman; he did not trouble himself about the possibility of being killed, or, perhaps, mutilated for life; and when the recollection intruded itself upon his memory, he dis- missed it with an expression of contempt, to the effect, “that it was dagatelle unworthy of consideration.” It is in this particular point that the Frenchman differs so materially from the Englishman; not that the dis- crepancy consists in the courage of the one, and the cowardice of the. other, because such an assertion would be ridiculous and false in the extreme. .An Einglishman is as brave as a Frenchman; but the valour of the former is mingled with caution and pru- dence; and the dauntlessness of the latter is blind, and indifferent to, consequences. Thus was it, that often on the field of battle the magnanimity and lion- daring of the sons of Gaul were rendered unavailing, and necessitated to succumb, by the cool and calcu- lating courage of those who fought under the British standard. ‘The Frenchman is all vivacity and rash- ness; he is like the mettled steed that hears the bugle of the huntsman and the howling of the dogs; he often experiences defeat and disgrace, by aiming at impossibilities in a moment of excitement: he rushes headlong upon the bayonet, and does not wait to wrest it from the enemy’s grasp. While De Rosann was seated at his breakfast table, he was surprised by a visit from Mr. Robson. , “T have just been informed of your dispute last night with a Mr. Markham,” said the worthy banker, panting for breath, and throwing himself upon a chair; ‘Cand I hastened to ascertain the particulars. Is it likely that you will hear any more of the individual, who, according to the account Selina gave me, is nothing more than a common swindler or adventurer.’’ 8* CORMICLOO© SS (C@