The soldier will have some feeling of personal dignity when he ceases to find himself exposed to contempt.

These poor fellows are looked down upon by everybody, even by the servants of small families.

They breathe an atmosphere of scorn, which may be termed the _malaria_ of honour.

Relieve them, Monsignore; they ask nothing better." "Do you think, then, the means are to be found of giving us an army as proud and as faithful as the French army?
That were a secret for which the Cardinal would pay a high price." "I offer it to you for nothing, Monsignore.

France has always been the most military country in Europe; but in the last century the French soldier was no better than yours.
The officers are pretty much the same, with this difference only,--that formerly the King selected them from the nobility, whereas now they ennoble themselves by zeal and courage.