But I prefer persuasion to severity.

My principle is, that it is better to bring men's heads back to a right way of thinking than to cut them off, and to be regarded as a weak man rather than as a bloodthirsty one.' "The essence of Marshal Brune's character was contained in these words.
"Public tranquillity was indeed twice endangered at Marseilles during the Hundred Days, and both times in the same manner.

The garrison officers used to gather at a coffee-house in the place Necker, and sing songs suggested by passing events.

This caused an attack by the townspeople, who broke the windows by throwing stones, some of which struck the officers.

These rushed out, crying, 'To arms!' The townspeople were not slow to respond, but the commandant ordered the 'geneydle' to beat, sent out numerous patrols, and succeeded in calming the excitement and restoring quietness without any casualties.
"The day of the Champ du Mai orders for a general illumination were given, and that the tricolour flag should be displayed from the windows.
The greater number of the inhabitants paid no attention to the desires of the authorities, and the officers being annoyed at this neglect, indulged in reprehensible excesses, which, however, resulted in nothing mare serious than some broken windows belonging to houses which had not illuminated, and in some of the householders being forced to illuminate according to order.
"In Marseilles as in the rest of France, people began to despair of the success of the royal cause, and those who represented this cause, who were very numerous at Marseilles, gave up annoying the military and seemed to resign themselves to their fate.