Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.
I.
CHILDREN of the two sexes, until a decided difference in
form begins to become apparent, may have their playthings
and amusements in common : but when, while the softness and
gentleness of outline remain in the girl, in the boy the characistics
of the man begin to show themselves, the resemblance
changes little by little, and one sex turns and attaches itself
definitely to dolls, the other to guns, trumpets, and drums.
Together with the fancy for arms, there usually awakes in
boys a passion for soldiers in some temperaments it is only
:
passing in others
; violent, irresistible, and lasting. And it is
exactly
in this that the difference in the two natures manifests
itself first and most noticeably ;
for while the woman
seeks and loves that which signifies peace, weakness, and love,
the man dashes with ardor toward that which represents
strength, power, and glory.
After the members of the family and household, our first
affection, our first outburst of enthusiasm is for the soldier.
Soldiers are the first figures which we draw on the school-room
walls and the book covers ;
soldiers the first persons whom we
turn back to look after in the street, stopping and obliging
the person who is
holding our hand to do the same. The first
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