It is much better that I should have it, and so enable her to live in peace." The Catholic religion, and it alone, is able to prevent these capitulations of conscience.

But, ever since 1789 religion has no influence on two thirds of the French people.

The peasants, whose minds are keen and whose poverty drives them to imitation, had reached, specially in the valley of Les Aigues, a frightful state of demoralization.

They went to mass on Sundays, but only at the outside of the church, where it was their custom to meet and transact business and make their weekly bargains.
We can now estimate the extent of the evil done by the careless indifference of the great singer to the management of her property.
Mademoiselle Laguerre betrayed, through mere selfishness, the interests of those who owned property, who are held in perpetual hatred by those who own none.

Since 1792 the land-owners of Paris have become of necessity a combined body.