How this sort of association can be relished by officers of gentle breeding I cannot conceive; and many of them must be so, though a great part are men who, having risen from the ranks, have not been accustomed to more refined companionship.

If it be true that "Strict restraint, once broken, ever balks Conquest and fame," and that it is dangerous for those under command to "-- --Swerve From law, however stern, which tends their strength to nerve," it is difficult to comprehend how the French army is regulated.
The next company which followed the vocal party, came hurrying along, helter-skelter, as if no drilling had ever been thought necessary in their military education; but, while we were remarking the "admired disorder" of their march, we heard their commanding officer's voice loud in reprobation; we could scarcely help comparing the whole scene to that which a militia regiment might present in some country town in England: "What are you all about ?" cried the commander; "Eh, mon Dieu! One would say it was a flock of sheep instead of a party of soldiers!" This admonition brought them into some order, and they advanced a little less irregularly, but still in as slovenly a manner as could well be conceived.

If the French were not known to be good soldiers, one would think this laxity of discipline little likely to make them so; but they are, like French servants, good enough in their way, though careless in the extreme, and too tenacious to be spoken to.
La Rochelle is a more remarkable town, from the characteristic features it exhibits, than any we had met with since we set out on our tour.
Although there is a great deal new in the streets and outskirts, yet much that originally existed remains.

For instance, almost the whole centre of the town is built in the same manner: namely, in arcades.
These arcades project from the ground-floors, are more or less high and broad, and more or less well paved; but they run along uninterruptedly, forming a shelter from sun or rain, as it may happen, and extending along the whole length of the streets on each side.

They are generally of stone, with heavy pillars and circular arches, quite without grace or beauty, but peculiar, and giving an Oriental character to the place.