Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1891 — The Jolly Frenchman. [ARTICLE]

The Jolly Frenchman.

•‘The French are essentially a hap* py people,” says M. Blouet. “Tbei* cheerfulness which strikes the foreigner the moment he sets foot on French soil is due to a sound stomach. Dyspepsia is not known in France. Light bread, generous wine, dainty dishes productive of good humor, never bolted, always eaten in cool apartments or in the open air with jocularity, there lies the foundation of the Frenchman’s happiness. From the rich banker’s mansion in the Champs Elysees to the simple mechanic’s garret at Bellville, business cares are never allowed to interfere with the pleasures of the table. Sea the eyes sparkling with joy as the bottle fills the glasses, and the good humored rebuke of the host when a lady—as most French ladies will—knocks the bottle in lifting the glass to prevent it being filled to the brim. ‘Sapristi, Madame; say that you won’t have any more, but for goodness’ sake don’t shake the I bottle!’ Or look how he frowns if he I catches a guest in the act of adding water to his petwino. ‘Mix this wine with water! My dear fellow, it's a sacrilege! God will never forgive yous There is nothing irreverent in the exI clamation. He is thoroughly convinced that good wine was given to man bj . God to rejoice bis heart, and to spoil it by adding water to it is ia his eye! nothing short of a sin.” ;