96 CONFEDERATE PORTRAITS
purpose. In appearance and habits of life he resembles the first Napoleon, and like him eats but frugally. At supper I have frequently observed him only partake of a small portion of biscuit and a glass of water." ^ Whether Napoleonic or not, temperance, almost complete absti- nence, from stimulants and tobacco marked Beauregard through life.
Chivalrous and courteous in all things, he was a de- voted admirer of women. *' Like many of our other dis- tinguished soldiers, especially of his race," says Wise,
- 'he was fond of the gentler sex, and at his best when
in their company." 2 This is severe, but Wise is inclined to be satirical. Cooke's account of the general's social relations is more just. With both men and women he was polite and kindly, " wholly free from affectation and assumption." And the biographer tells a pretty story of the presentation of a bouquet from some young ladies, which the general received ** stammering and blushing like a girl." ^
Persons of a different race will perhaps consider as a Gallic trait in Beauregard his singular, simple, outspoken, ever-present vanity, not so much a high conceit of self as an instinctive desire, unrepressed and irrepressible, to occupy the centre of the stage, no matter what is going on.
Note that in Beauregard's case, as in D'Artagnan, in Dumas, for that matter in Napoleon himself, this vanity is quite compatible with genius, with real greatness, even
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