Ask a question; pass it on (3)

(Waidmann)

Winnie, short for Winfried.

Have you ever given a thought to what your last name means or where it comes from or what it says about your country of origin?

I do not wonder, my man, I know.

Do you have a favourite song, book or play?

Twelfth Night

Have you taken part in amateur theatricals - or professional performances of any kind?

Father sometimes offered my services to sing at funerals, and charged for it, so I suppose that counts as professional performances.

What is your preferred musical instrument?

I do not play my self, though there is the most wonderful young lady at home who is a wonder with the piano.

Do you enjoy the theater?

Theatre? Never bin, sir.

D'you ever sing to amuse yourself or your friends?

Yes! But strangely the horses always choose that point to bolt and be uncooperative...

What do you find amusing or hilarious?

Foppery.

If you had all the money in the world, what one thing would you buy?

All the money in the world? That's a awful lot o' money...

I'd buy a nice house by th'sea, prob'ly.

If you could have a chat with anyone in the world, ever, who would it be, an' why?

Napoleon. I'd talk to him 'couse... well, I'd want to ask him things, as to why he can't jus' stop t' war n' go back ter where he came from , I think. It's someone I'd least likely be able to talk to anyho'!

Is picking favourites alright and fair?

Of course, especially with the British. I am given to understand that you can not advance beyond the rank of Lt.-Colonel for all the money in the world if you do not have patronage.

Do you think soldiers who disobey orders should be flogged?

I do not believe in the flogging of men.

Are those who buy their place and promotion not thus promoted not because they were capable, but because they were rich?

Of course. That is rather the point.

Are people who fight because they are paid no better than privateers and mercenaries?

No. All Marines, soldiers and sailors should get paid, after all, else you won't be able to recruit anyone into the Marines, Navy or Army, will you? Love of King an' Country ain't goin' to help anyone buy a new uniform, after all.

D'you think it's right to make a man buy his kit out of his bounty money?

No. If a man is to risk his life fighting for his country, the least his country could do in return is provide the tools for that fight.

Do you think the people back home appreciate the sacrifice you and your brothers in arms are doing for them?

Yes. Yes, they know we are here to help in the sruggle to remove the French occupation force out of their home, off their land, away from their mothers, sisters, daughters.

Your opinion on the continental system?

A folly of Napoleon's that will fail. Great Britain has much more to offer other nations than it needs, and in the end, those countries who sign on to the Continental System will suffer more than they gain. Plus, France isn't exactly playing fair in that particular game.

Do you feel the Blue Stockings Society is a worth endeavor or a group of uppity women?

I am not sure of the meaning of 'uppity', but women are as entitled to education as men, and generally put it to much better use.

Do you value freedom more than equality?

Neither -- or rather, I would choose a balance. If we are free to do anything we want (like the animals), then the strong will control the weak. On the other hand, if we wish total equality, there would have to be overly stringent controls on everyone in order to maintain that equality. By giving up a little freedom and a little equality, you can achieve an amiable balance.

Do you believe some people are born naturally bad, or is it the product of their environment and upbringing?

I believe everyone is born bad. The veneer of civilisation is very thin.

What do you mean when you say "sign on to the Continental System"?

*blinks* I suppose by 'sign on' I mean agree to uphold and enforce the British economic embargo. Which not all countries did.

Which would you prefer -- a high-spirited (and therefore somewhat unreliable) horse, or a duller (but more predictable) one?

Well, to put the matter in a nutshell: a beast who from excess of mettle needs much coaxing and manouvring, will give his rider work enough to occupy both his hands and a sinking of the heart when dangers thicken.

So, given that the horse is sound-footed, gentle, moderately fast, willing and able to undergo toil, and above all things obedient--such an animal will
give the least trouble and the greatest security to his rider in the
circumstances of war. I am not sure 'dull' is the word I would use for such an animal, though.

Do you think a country occupied by Napoleon's forces can choose how to conduct its international trading?

[OOC I do love that story of the cavalry officer at Vimiero, who failed to control his horse and it deposited him right onto the French bajonets...]

[OOC laughs at mental image... reins flying, horse giggling over its shoulder...]

Yes.... emphasis on the word "choose". I think a country, like a human, can wear many faces. There is the public face it must show to its French occupiers... cowed and obedient. Then there is its true face.... something only visible behind closed doors, in shadowy alleys, along darkened shorelines. Much commerce is conducted out of the official eye.

Is it best that a woman keep her thoughts to domestic affairs of hearth and home?

I think that depends on what the woman in question thinks is best for her. I have known many women whose loadstone was the hearth and home - although such women I have also always known to have a knowledge of the local economic situation and agricultural needs that would put any City trader or landowner to shame - while others learn languages or natural philosophy or write books or undertake dangerous operations, or fight for their country. But I think it is just as harmful to force the mother content at the hearth to become a polymath as it is to chain the natural polymath to the hearth. What is best for each woman is best for that woman; it is grossly illiberal to consider 'women' as a single entity, with a single need.

Is it best that a man keep his thoughts to military affairs of muskets and bugles?

When in the field, yes. Though when off the field it may return to such things as women and hunting.

Who do you think is the better general, our Nosy or Napoleon?