Like all other French soldiers with whom I have had much conversation, Liotir complained of the army arrangements in the matter of food; on all other points he was most amiable, but when he spoke of the extortions of the _cantiniere_ he completely lost his temper.

At a _cafe_, the soldiers could get their cup for 15 centimes, or 20 with liqueur; whereas the _cantiniere_ charged a franc, and gave them very bad coffee.

Wine, too, which would cost them 60 centimes the kilo in the town, was valued at 2 francs by their grasping enemy.

He had an idea that English soldiers are allowed to take their whole pay in money, and spend it as they will; whereas the French foot-soldier, according to his account, gets 25 centimes a day in money, and has everything found except coffee.

A young trooper at Besancon was very eloquent on this subject.