a fact that they seem to labour under the impression that such edifices exist mainly to exploit and defraud them in some mysterious fashion. One would approve of a sentiment of independence, and the conviction of a sacred claim in their usage: but the feeling of distrust of them is ever to be deplored. It is due, no doubt, to groundless suspicions among the benefited themselves, the flame of discontent being steadfastly and perfidiously fanned by the Catholics, ever yearning for Catholic rule in France, that all sorts of reports are spread as to maladministration of the _Assistance Publique_. The fact is, of course, that centralised state assistance to the poor can never be so cordial, so satisfactory and helpful, as that administered by private hands. The State is a functionary-tyrannised machine, which nobody thanks, and from which everything is expected. [Illustration] [Illustration] INDEX Académie Française, 147; reception of M. Lavedan, 149; reception of M. Hervieu, 151; its restoration after the Terror, 154; its influence and mission, 155; prizes, 158 _Affaire Dreyfus_, 88, 93, 101, 126, 220, 237 Alsace and Lorraine, 102 Angoulême, 214 Anti-Semitism, 26, 53, 151 Aristocracy, 47; its disaffection, 50; the old-fashioned aristocrat, 55, 56; the modern rowdy aristocrat, 52, 56, 75, 259 Army, 87; its attitude, 90; its popularity, 91; the perils of militarism, 94; conscription, 94; a military document, 95; military service, 99; attitude of officers in civil courts, 101; M. Urbain Gohier’s indictment of the army, 103, 104; military plays, 105; French generals, 108; military rewards, 109; _Au Tableau_, 110 Artisan, 219, 244 Assistance Publique, 284; contrast of the state of the poor in Paris under the _ancien régime_ and under the Third Republic, 284, 285, 288-292, 300 Aubernon, Madame, 257 _Aversier_, 17 Baccalauréat, 116 Balzac, 148, 205 Barrès, Maurice, 103, 156 Bazin, René, _La Terra qui Meurt_, 106, 205, 227 Béarn, 3 Blaguer, 255 Blaze de Bury, Madame, 178 Bodinière, 252 Bon Pasteur, 225 Bourgeoisie, the, 60; its provincial pretensions, 5; its prejudices, 63-65; its passion for titles, 66; the “little bourgeoise,” 264-274 Bourget, Paul, 51 Breton, 2; Breton superstitions, 19 Brisson, M., 256 Brunetière, M., 53, 152, 156, 159 Catholicism, the cult of St. Anthony of Padua, 18; hostility to the Republic, 89; its influence, 128 Charbonnel, Victor, 252 Châteaux, 9, 21, 22 Child service, 223 Clericalism, 27 Comédie Française, 161; its traditions, 161; its composition, 163; the new theatre, 164 Concierge, 277, 278 Conférence, la, 250 Conservatoire, 170-172 Convent life, 139-146 Country life, 5, 6, 25 Coppée, François, 103, 157, 236 Daudet, Alphonse, 172, 233