without assistance, without education, without any brilliant action, or any stroke of good fortune, by the mere faithful performance of his duty, can, after twenty-five years’ service, secure an income of L20 or L25 a year, they will snatch at the advantage of entering the ranks; and I warrant you, the personal interest of each will attach them more firmly to the Government, as the depository of their savings.  When the house of a notary is on fire you will see the most immovable and indifferent of shopkeepers running like a cat on the tiles, to put out the fire and save his own papers.  On the same principle, a Government will always be served with zeal in proportion to the interest its servants have in its security.”

“Of course,” said the Prelate,

“I understand your argument perfectly.  Man requires some object in life.  A hundred and twenty scudi a year is not an unpleasant bed to lie upon after a term of military service.  At this price we should not want candidates.  Even the middle class would solicit employment in the military as much as it now does the civil service of the state; and we should be able to pick and choose our men.  What frightens me in the matter is the expense.”

“Ah!  Monsignore, you know a really good article is never to be had cheap.  The Pontifical Government has 15,000 soldiers for L400,000.  France would pay half as much again for them:  but then she would have the value of the extra cost.  The men who have completed three or four terms of service, are those who cost the most money; and yet there is an economy in keeping them, because every such man is worth three conscripts.  Do you then, or do you not, wish to create a national force?  Have you made up your mind on the subject?  If you do wish for it, you must pay for it, and make the sacrifices necessary to obtain it.  If, on the contrary, your Government prefers economy to security, begin by saving the L400,000, and sell to some foreign country the 15,000 muskets, more dangerous than useful, since you don’t know whether they are for you or against you.  The question may be summed up in two words:  safety, which will cost you money; or economy, which may cost you your existence!”

“You are proposing an army of Praetorians.”

“The name is not the thing.  I only promise you that if you pay your soldiers well, they’ll be faithful to you.”

“The Praetorians often turned against the Emperors.”

“Because the Emperors were silly enough to pay them ready money.”

“But is there no motive in this world nobler than interest?  And is money the only lasting tie that binds soldiers to their standard?”