I've pretty much always disliked the French. I remember during the 50's when the French started acting (like they are now) as if they were some great world power and criticized the United States constantly. I asked my father why, after all we had done for them in two wars they hated us so much. My father told me that it is human nature to resent people to whom you owe debts of gratitude.
I'm sure most of you have seen the Miltary History of France. I first encountered it at Rantburg, but I was informed that the original is here. The best thing about reading the original is he gives you links to all his references.
Last night I had my friends, Michael and Cindy, over for dinner. One of the bottles of wine we drank was a 1990 Bordeaux (What! You want me to pour it out? It's been in my cellar for years.) Naturally we got to talking about the French. Cindy told me I should post excerpts from Mark Twain's The French and the Comanches where Mark Twain compares the two and rates the Comanches as more civilized. Seems French bashing was popular in Mark Twain's day, at least by Mark Twain. I like this little excerpt:
The most attractive feature of the French national character, and its most encouraging one to the missionary, is its admirable and unapproachable docility. We look upon rabbits as being meek. But what is the meekness of the rabbit to the meekness of the Frenchman? Are there any rabbits that would allow themselves to be abused, insulted, and trodden under foot persistently and continuously for a thousand years, and never offer to bite? Europe is freckled all over with daring little communities which have risen against powerful oppressors time and time again, and compelled redress. The list stretches out to weariness. William Tells and Wat Tylers have been common nearly everywhere but in France. Yet France rose at last--and would have retired to its warren quite contented with a cuff and a bonbon if the foolish King had offered them, but it was not his style to do the needful thing at the needful time, so the chance went by. Then the nation cast its rabbit skin and put on its other national garment, the tiger skin, being closely pressed by Europe in arms, it went a step further and asserted its manhood, and was doubtless surprised to find how much it had of it. Napoleon, the great foreigner, brought the people's soldiership up to the last summit of perfection; and when he got ready, he dressed the nation in their rabbit skins again, and put his foot on their necks, and they glorified him for it. Napoleon III accommodated them in the same way, to their vast satisfaction.
This was written in the 19th Century.
Another excerpt that I liked, and have the link for is The Great French Duel. Excerpts follow:
Much as the modern French duel is ridiculed by certain smart people, it is in reality one of the most dangerous institutions of our day. Since it is always fought in the open air, the combatants are nearly sure to catch cold. M. Paul de Cassagnac, the most inveterate of the French duelists, had suffered so often in this way that he is at last a confirmed invalid; and the best physician in Paris has expressed the opinion that if he goes on dueling for fifteen or twenty years more--unless he forms the habit of fighting in a comfortable room where damps and draughts cannot intrude--he will eventually endanger his life.
Mark Twain acts as a second and visits the challenged dueler's home.
The next thing in order was the choice of weapons. My principal said he was not feeling well, and would leave that and the other details of the proposed meeting to me. Therefore I wrote the following note and carried it to M. Fourtou's friend:
Sir: M. Gambetta accepts M. Fourtou's challenge, and authorizes me to propose Plessis-Piquet as the place of meeting; tomorrow morning at daybreak as the time; and axes as the weapons.
I am, sir, with great respect,
Mark Twain.
M. Fourtou's friend read this note, and shuddered. Then he turned to me, and said, with a suggestion of severity in his tone:
"Have you considered, sir, what would be the inevitable result of such a meeting as this?"
"Well, for instance, what would it be?"
"Bloodshed!"
Mon Dieu! Bloodshed? Follow the link. Read the rest of it.
He also goes after our good friens the Germans. Here's the index. Check it out.
Cindy's father was in Europe during WWII and he observed a fight between two French soldiers. He couldn't believe it. They slapped each other.
It's so much fun to bash the French. They're such easy targets.
Posted by denny at February 23, 2003 08:09 PM Category: French Bashing