—I have lost sixty millions on salt and postage. I shall regain them through the customs; which also gives me something more precious.
—What, pray?
—International relations founded on justice, and a probability of peace which is equivalent to a certainty. I will disband the army.
—The whole army?
—Except special branches, which will be voluntarily recruited, like all other professions. You see, conscription is abolished.
—Sir, you should say recruiting.
—Ah, I forgot, I cannot help admiring the ease with which, in certain countries, the most unpopular things are perpetuated by giving them other names.
—Like consolidated duties, which have become indirect contributions.
—And the gendarmes, who have taken the name of municipal guards.
—In short, trusting to Utopia, you disarm the country.