To the greater number the laws of duty and honour are a dead letter.

I know that the gendarme does not always respect private property.

I know that the factions rely at least much as we ourselves do on the support of the army.

What good is it to us to have fourteen or fifteen thousand men on foot, and to spend some millions of scudi annually, if after such efforts and sacrifices, foreign protection is now more necessary to us than it was the first day ?" "Monsignore," I replied, "you place things in the worst light, and you judge the situation somewhat after the manner of the Prophet Jeremiah.
The Holy Father has several excellent officers, both in the special corps and in the regiments of the line; and you have also some good soldiers.

Our officers, who are competent men, render justice to yours, both as regards their intelligence and their goodwill.