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e moored。 As I said before； Ville Franche is built on the face of a barren rock； washed by the sea； and there is not an acre of plain ground within a mile of it。 In summer； the reflexion of the sun from the rocks must make it intolerably hot； for even at this time of the year； I walked myself into a profuse sweat； by going about a quarter of a mile to see the gallies。
Pray remember me to our friends at A's； and believe me to be ever yours。
LETTER XV
NICE； January 3； 1764。
MADAM；In your favour which I received by Mr。 Ml； you remind me of my promise； to communicate the remarks I have still to make on the French nation； and at the same time you signify your opinion； that I am too severe in my former observations。 You even hint a suspicion； that this severity is owing to some personal cause of resentment； but； I protest； I have no particular cause of animosity against any individual of that country。 I have neither obligation to； nor quarrel with； any subject of France； and when I meet with a Frenchman worthy of my esteem； I can receive him into my friendship with as much cordiality； as I could feel for any fellow…citizen of the same merit。 I even respect the nation； for the number of great men it has produced in all arts and sciences。 I respect the French officers； in particular； for their gallantry and valour； and especially for that generous humanity which they exercise towards their enemies； even amidst the horrors of war。 This liberal spirit is the only circumstance of antient chivalry； which I think was worth preserving。 It had formerly flourished in England； but was almost extinguished in a succession of civil wars； which are always productive of cruelty and rancour。 It was Henry IV。 of France； （a real knight errant） who revived it in Europe。 He possessed that greatness of mind； which can forgive injuries of the deepest dye： and as he had also the faculty of distinguishing characters； he found his account； in favouring with his friendship and confidence； some of those who had opposed him in the field with the most inveterate perseverance。 I know not whether he did more service to mankind in general； by reviving the practice of treating his prisoners with generosity； than he prejudiced his own country by patronizing the absurd and pernicious custom of duelling； and establishing a punto； founded in diametrical opposition to common sense and humanity。
I have often heard it observed； that a French officer is generally an agreeable companion when he is turned of fifty。 Without all doubt； by that time； the fire of his vivacity； which makes him so troublesome in his youth； will be considerably abated； and in other respects； he must be improved by his experience。 But there is a fundamental error in the first principles of his education； which time rather confirms than removes。 Early prejudices are for the most part converted into habits of thinking； and accordingly you will find the old officers in the French service more bigotted than their juniors； to the punctilios of false honour。
A lad of a good family no sooner enters into the service； than he thinks it incumbent upon him to shew his courage in a rencontre。 His natural vivacity prompts him to hazard in company every thing that comes uppermost； without any respect to his seniors or betters； and ten to one but he says something； which he finds it necessary to maintain with his sword。 The old officer； instead of checking his petulance； either by rebuke or silent disapprobation； seems to be pleased with his impertinence； and encourages every sally of his presumption。 Should a quarrel ensue； and the parties go out； he makes no efforts to compromise the dispute； but sits with a pleasing expectation to learn the issue of the rencontre。 If the young man is wounded； he kisses him with transport； extols his bravery； puts him into the hands of the surgeon； and visits him with great tenderness every day； until he is cured。 If he is killed on the spot； he shrugs up his shoulderssays； quelle dommage！ c'etoit un amiable enfant！ ah； patience！ What pity！ he was a fine Boy！ It can't be helpt！ and in three hours the defunct is forgotten。 You know； in France； duels are forbid； on pain of death： but this law is easily evaded。 The person insulted walks out； the antagonist understands the hint； and follows him into the street； where they justle as if by accident； draw their swords； and one of them is either killed or disabled； before any effectual means can be used to part them。 Whatever may be the issue of the combat； the magistrate takes no cognizance of it； at least； it is interpreted into an accidental rencounter； and no penalty is incurred on either side。 Thus the purpose of the law is entirely defeated； by a most ridiculous and cruel connivance。 The meerest trifles in conversation； a rash word； a distant hint； even a look or smile of contempt； is sufficient to produce one of these combats； but injuries of a deeper dye； such as terms of reproach； the lie direct； a blow； or even the menace of a blow； must be discussed with more formality。 In any of these cases； the parties agree to meet in the dominions of another prince； where they can murder each other； without fear of punishment。 An officer who is struck； or even threatened with a blow must not be quiet； until he either kills his antagonist； or loses his own life。 A friend of mine； （a Nissard） who was in the service of France； told me； that some years ago； one of their captains； in the heat of passion； struck his lieutenant。 They fought immediately： the lieutenant was wounded and disarmed。 As it was an affront that could not be made up； he no sooner recovered of his wounds； than he called out the captain a second time。 In a word； they fought five times before the combat proved decisive at last； the lieutenant was left dead on the spot。 This was an event which sufficiently proved the absurdity of the punctilio that gave rise to it。 The poor gentleman who was insulted； and outraged by the brutality of the aggressor； found himself under the necessity of giving him a further occasion to take away his life。 Another adventure of the same kind happened a few years ago in this place。 A French officer having threatened to strike another； a formal challenge ensued； and it being agreed that they should fight until one of them dropped； each provided himself with a couple of pioneers to dig his grave on the spot。 They engaged just without one of the gates of Nice； in presence of a great number of spectators； and fought with surprising fury； until the ground was drenched with their blood。 At length one of them stumbled； and fell； upon which the other； who found himself mortally wounded； advancing； and dropping his point； said； 〃Je te donne ce que tu m'as ote。〃 〃I'll give thee that which thou hast taken from me。〃 So saying； he dropped dead upon the field。 The other； who had been the person insulted； was so dangerously wounded that he could not rise。 Some of the spectators carried him forthwith to the beach； and putting him into a boat； conveyed him by sea to Antibes。 The body of his antagonist was denied Christian burial； as he died w