Gustave de Borda
M. Gustave de Borda, who died
last week and who was chiefly known and entered into legend under
the name of "Sword-thrust Borda", had in effect spent
his life with a sword in his hand, formidable to the wicked, but
gentle towards the good and sympathetic towards the unfortunate,
like a knight of Spanish romance, whose appearance he shared.
Decorated for his outstanding conduct during wartime, he was
celebrated for his unequalled talents in fencing and for the
number of duels he fought. What is less well-known is that he
would only make use of his extraordinary skill with a sword to
moderate the effects of its power, which he never abused.
He could be the most dangerous of enemies, but
as he was the best of men he could never be other than the most
moderate, the most just, the most humane, the most courteous of
adversaries. It is moral standards not opinions that make for
virtues; bravery has brought forth men of peace, like Borda; it
cannot be achieved by pacifism. The actions and example of such a
man teach us not to fear death but rather to relish life all the
more. His sympathy, his kindness were delightful, because one
felt that there was no place there for fear, selfishness or
weakness because his was the spontaneous and pure gift of a truly
free spirit. Of a charming and rich intellect, he possessed a
lively and natural taste for the arts, especially for music,
which he liked 'easy' such as befits a brave old man. Did not
Stendhal, who was a veteran of the Russian campaign, prefer
Italian music to all others? That marvellous duellist, M. de
Borda, was also, with his unequalled competence, with his rare
delicacy and kindness, an incomparable second.
It was only the fatigue of his last few years
that prevented him from continuing to venture forth onto the
duelling ground to act as second for his friends, after he had
passed that age when he was able to participate as combatant. The
last person, if our memory serves us correctly, that he assisted
as second was our contributor M. Marcel Proust, who has always
had a veritable cult for him. M. Gustave de Borda counted as his
friends everyone who counted in Paris for their courage, noble
birth and high-mindedness. But the person who was more dear to
him than all others, apart from his physician and friend Dr
Vivier, was Jean Béraud, the great painter. M. de Borda
perceived in this marvellous artist a nature which, in aspects
which are less well-known to the public, in its bravery and
courage, was very much akin to his own. He acknowledged him to be
one of our last knights.
'D.'
Article appeared
in Le Figaro, 26 December 1907 and reprinted in Chroniques
(Libraire Gallimard, 1927).