what was in reality the effects of despair; but he assured me again and again that their excessive gallantry proceeded from no other cause than their being Frenchmen.
I was much pleased with a sentiment expressed by the same intelligent person, which also, now that their zeal for making converts is abated, is held by most respectable Frenchmen, and marks the return the nation is making to its former habits of thinking. I asked him what reception an Englishman would receive at his hands, who would offer to serve in the armies of the French republic; He answered, he should endeavour to dissuade him from his purpose; but if his arguments proved ineffectual, it would then be his duty to signify the offer to the commander in chief, or the minister at war. In that case, the Englishman might probably receive an appointment, but from that moment he should consider him unworthy of a place at his table, and not deserving to receive the slightest attention or civility. He would view him as a soldier with suspicion, and as a man with contempt. In these sentiments, he added, most
