For general work here French is amply sufficient, because every officer speaks it; but as you see, German is very useful, too, to a young officer who wishes to push himself forward, and is willing to undertake special work of this kind." "But even then, marshal, he would have no advantage over a Prussian officer who speaks French." "It depends a good deal upon the Prussian officer.

The greater portion of them are mere machines--splendid fighting machines, no doubt; but of no great use outside their own work.

Anyone could detect, with half an eye, nineteen out of twenty of them; dress them how you would, disguise them as you like.

They step the regulation length, bring their foot down in the regulation way, are as stiff as if they had swallowed a ramrod.

They have neither suppleness nor adaptability.