Anne Plumptre (A Narrative of three years' residence in France from 1802 to 1805, I.436).

"You would not believe it, Madame, said a gardener to her at Nimes, that during the Revolution we dared not scold our children for their faults.

Those who called themselves patriots regarded it as against the fundamental principles of liberty to correct children.

This made them so unruly that, very often, when a parent presumed to scold its child the latter would tell him to mind his business, adding, 'we are free and equal, the Republic is our only father and mother; if you are not satisfied, I am.

Go where you like it better.' Children are still saucy.