And the humiliation of leaving to my heirs an estate burdened with a perpetual rent. Still one must pay what he owes, no matter how foolish a use may have been made of the money. That accounts for one hogshead, but the five others?
—One is required to pay for public services, the civil list, the judges who decree the restitution of the bit of land your neighbor wants to appropriate, the policemen who drive away robbers while you sleep, the men who repair the road leading to the city, the priest who baptizes your children, the teacher who educates them, and myself, your servant, who does not work for nothing.
—Certainly, service for service. There is nothing to say against that. I had rather make a bargain directly with my priest, but I do not insist on this. So much for the second hogshead. This leaves four, however.
—Do you believe that two would be too much for your share of the army and navy expenses?
—Alas, it is little compared with what they have cost me already. They have taken from me two sons whom I tenderly loved.
—The balance of power in Europe must be maintained.
—Well, my God! the balance of power would be the same if these forces were every where reduced a half or three-quarters. We should save our children and our money. All that is needed is to understand it.
—Yes, but they do not understand it.
—That is what amazes me. For every one suffers from it.
—You wished it so, Jacques Bonhomme.