276 COCHINCHINA. 
and fertile in expedients, when difficulties are to be sur- 
mounted. His conceptions are generally just; his conduct 
firm ; he is neither discouraged by difficulties, nor turned 
aside by obstacles. Cautious in deciding, when once re- 
solved, he is prompt and vigorous to execute. In battle he 
is always eminently distinguishable. At the head of his army 
he is cheerful and good humoured ; polite and attentive to 
all the officers under his command, he studiously avoids to 
mark out any individual as a favourite beyond the rest. His 
memory is so correct, that he is said to know by name the 
greater part of his army. He takes uncommon pleasure in 
conversing with his soldiers, and in talking over their adven- 
tures and exploits ; he makes particular inquiries after their 
wives and children ; if the latter go regularly to school ; how 
they mean to dispose of them when grown up ; and, in short, 
enters with a degree of interest into a minute detail of their 
domestic concerns. 
His conduct to foreigners is affable and condescending. 
To the French officers in his service he pays the most marked 
attention, and treats them with the greatest politeness, fa- 
miliarity, and good humour. On all his hunting excursions, 
and other parties of pleasure, one of these officers is always 
invited to attend. He openly declares his great veneration for 
the doctrines of Christianit}'^, and tolerates this religion and 
indeed all others in his dominions. He observes a most scru- 
pulous' regard to the maxims of filial piety, as laid down in 
the works of Confucius, and humbles himself in the presence 
of his motlier (who is still living) as a child before its master. 
With the works of the most eminent Chinese authors he is 
1 
