It seemed to me that the proud Helvetians of Morgarten and Sempach, these forefathers of democracy and liberty, had emerged from their national Grütli to line the road in our honour, and to give their blessing to the sons of the young republic. I cannot describe the mad jubilation which surged through our veins. France! France the beloved! France of our blood and our heart. France the eternal, resuscitated by the German aggression, once more become the champion of freedom. France hailed by the neutrals, and by all men who respect the right! I was drunk with happiness. This single night was a compensation, for you, noble fellows mutilated in the war; for you, my brother, with broken ear-drums and split skull; and for you, my friends, all my dear dead friends, who sleep in Lorraine, in Belgium, in Flanders, and on the Marne. FOOTNOTES [1] On this point I am in entire agreement with my friend François Poncet. His little book, published a year before the war, _Ce que pense la jeunesse allemande_, besides being couched in an admirably concise and clear style, is of substantial value. [2] Many German liberals have held the opinion, in all good faith, that the new generation of France is reactionary. I do not know why, but a young man coming from Paris, and having nothing to do with either royalism or clericalism, was regarded by them as a remarkable exception. [3] Vide _supra_, note on p. 17. [4] The system of having no more than one or two children. [5] M. Deschars was killed by the Germans in Belgium, in August 1914, together with all the wounded and the staff of Dr. Sedillot’s ambulance. [6] Let me repeat once more that such is the belief of every German liberal. In their view we are all nothing more than replicas of Charles Maurras. [7] Are you not ashamed, you, the French democracy, to be allied with the Russian barbarians? [8] Provençal execration. [9] Are any of you sick? Any tropical fevers? [10] Sergeant-major. [11] A slang word, universally employed, meaning “smashed” or “ruined.” Accent on second syllable. [12] Treat a ruffian gently and he will knock you about; knock a ruffian about and he will fawn upon you. [13] It need hardly be said that this story has no pretensions to historical accuracy. The current talk among soldiers is, as a rule, no less “imaginary” than the chatter of the drawing-rooms. [14] Refer to previous note. [15] O my native place! O my native place! O Toulouse! O Toulouse!… [16] Old city of Cahors, so old and so smoky! [17] A few days later the regulations established the right to send four cards and two letters each month. [18] Dear fatherland, calm heart be thine, Firm stands and true the watch by Rhine! [19] Hail to thee in the victor’s crown, Ruler of the fatherland! [20] The men would rather have a little more bread than so much spiritual nourishment.