French journalism.
The excellence of the
French in journalism is almost as marked as in every other department of intellectual effort.
Englishmen and
Americans are accustomed to plume themselves upon their journalistic capacity, but excepting a certain vigor and fullness of expression which are peculiar to the
English tongue, our language has not the capacity to produces such newspaper writers as the
French.
The facility, transparency, point and life which characterize French journalism, when it is free and untrammeled, seem inimitable and unattainable by English pens.
Instructive without being heavy, graceful without affectation, pointed without personality, concise and comprehensive, yet clear and beautiful as a sunbeam, it has been truly said that ‘"if in any country men are born journalists, it is in
France; if any tongue be the native language of newspapers, it is the
French."’ The Zouaves of the Pen in
Paris are quite equal in their audacity, sprightliness and vigor to those of the bayonet; but, like them, they are only permitted to use their weapons against the common enemies of
France.
Their rare capacity of making themselves clearly understood by all the world, is not often permitted to be exercised upon subjects which concern the policy of the
Government.
Of late, however, the more rigid restrictions upon the press have been removed, and the bright; limpid stream of thought and style, so characteristic of French journalism, has been released from its icy fetters. -- We believe that this relaxation has proved in no degree injurious to the public interests, and that in
France, as in
England, it is possible that the press may be free without becoming licentious.
