The greater part of the grant is spent, but all the same you live in poverty, decent and hidden, but poverty all the same.

A lieutenant earns less than many operatives, but he must buy himself showy uniforms, be smart, and frequent when he wants amusement the same places as the rich.

He can only see before him long years of waiting and of hidden poverty, borne with dignity, until some promotion provides him with a few duros more monthly.

You all suffer dragging on this existence of slaves to the sword, the nation who pays grumbles at seeing you inactive, and forgets other superfluous expenses to fix its complaints solely on the military.

Believe me, for a modern army, you are too few and badly organised; to keep the peace at home you are too many and too dear.