It was to the possession of these various talents that Tartarin owed his high standing in the town.

There were, however, other ways in which he had made his mark on society.
In Tarascon the army supported Tartarin.

The gallant Commandant Bravida (Quartermaster.

Ret) said of him "He's a stout fellow," and one may suppose that having kitted out so many stout fellows in his time, he knew what he was talking about.
The magistrature supported Tartarin.

Two or three times, on a full bench, the aged president Ladeveze had said of him "He's quite a character".
Finally, the people supported Tartarin, his stolid appearance, the heroic reputation he had somehow acquired, the distribution of small sums of money and a few clips round the ear to the youngsters who hung around his doorstep, had made him lord of the neighbourhood and king of the Tarascon market-place.