Mr. Correard, one of those whom it had most agreeably affected, hearing the woman still recommend herself, as she had done when in the sea, to our Lady of Laux, exclaiming every instant, “our good Lady of Laux do not forsake us,” recollected that there was, in fact, in the Department of the Upper Alps, a place of devotion so called,[23] and asked her if she came from that country.  She replied in the affirmative, and said she had quitted it 24 years before, and that since that time she had been in the Campaigns in Italy, &c. as a sutler; that she had never quitted our armies.  “Therefore,” said she, “preserve my life, you see that I am a useful woman.”  “Oh! if you knew how often I also have braved death on the field of battle, to carry assistance to our brave men.”  Then she amused herself with giving some account of her campaigns.  She mentioned those she had assisted, the provisions which she had provided them, the brandy with which she had treated them.  “Whether they had money or not,” said she, “I always let them have my goods.  Sometimes a battle made me lose some of my poor debtors; but then, after the victory, others paid me double or triple the value of the provisions which they had consumed before the battle.  Thus I had a share in their victory.”  The idea of owing her life to Frenchmen, at this moment, seemed still to add to her happiness.  Unfortunate woman! she did not foresee the dreadful fate that awaited her among us!  Let us return to our raft.

After this second check, the fury of the soldiers suddenly abated, and gave place to extreme cowardice:  many of them fell at our feet and asked pardon, which was instantly granted them.  It is here, the place to observe and to proclaim aloud for the honour of the French army, which has shewn itself as great, as courageous, under reverses, as formidable in battle, that most of these wretches were not worthy to wear its uniform.  They were the scum of all countries, the refuse of the prisons, where they had been collected to make up the force charged with the defence and the protection of the colony.  When, for the sake of health, they were made to bathe in the sea, a ceremony from which some of them had the modesty to endeavour to excuse themselves, the whole crew had ocular demonstration that it was not upon the breast that these heroes wore the insignia of the exploits, which had led them to serve the state in the Ports of Toulon, Brest or Rochefort.

This is not the moment, and perhaps we are not competent to examine whether the penalty of branding, as it is re-established in our present code, is compatible with the true object of all good legislation, that of correcting while punishing, of striking only as far as is necessary to prevent and preserve; in short, of producing the greatest good to all with the least possible evil to individuals.  Reason at least seems to demonstrate, and what has passed before our own eyes authorises us to believe that it is as dangerous,