Samuel
Johnson, although he was very sorry to be poor, 'was a
great arguer for the advantages of poverty' in his ill
days. Thus it is that brave men carry their crosses, and
smile with the fox burrowing in their vitals.
*
Now, what I like so much in France is the clear,
unflinching recognition by everybody of his own luck. They
all know on which side their bread is buttered, and take a
pleasure in showing it to others, which is surely the
better part of religion. And they scorn to make a poor
mouth over their poverty, which I take to be the better
part of manliness.
*
If people knew what an inspiriting thing it is to hear a
man boasting, so long as he boasts of what he really has,
I believe they would do it more freely and with a
better grace.
*
A girl at school in France began to describe one of our
regiments on parade to her French school-mates, and as she
went on she told me the recollection grew so vivid, she
became so proud to be the countrywoman of such soldiers,
and so sorry to be in another country, that her voice
failed her and she burst into tears. I have never
forgotten that girl, and I think she very nearly deserves a
statue. To call her a young lady, with all its niminy
associations, would be to offer her an insult. She may
rest assured of one thing, although she never should marry
a heroic general, never see any great or immediate result
of her life, she will not have lived in vain for her
native land.
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