ther of the
counsellor's, and a correct model of the morning costume of the French
noblemen!

From Mr L. B. I learnt, that the worst land in Provence, when well
cultivated, produces only three for one. The common produce of tolerably
good ground, is from five to seven for one. The greatest produce known
in Provence is ten for one. But for this, the best soils are weeded, and
plenty of manure used. Our banker's account of the soil here is more
favourable; but I am doubtful whether he is a farmer. Mr L. B. has a
farm, and superintends it himself.

I had the good fortune to attend a trial, which had excited much
interest here. In the conscription which immediately preceded the
downfall of Bonaparte, it appears, that the most horrid acts of violence
and tyranny had been committed. People of all ranks, and of all ages,
had been forced at the point of the bayonet to join the army. Near
Marseilles, the _gens-d'armes_, in one of the villages, after exercising
all kinds of cruelty, had collected together a number of the peasantry,
and were leading them to be butchered. The peasants, in Provence, are
naturally bold and free. The party contrived to escape, and all but one
man hid themselves in the woods. This poor fellow was conducted alone;
his hands in irons. His comrades lay in wait for the party who were
carrying him away, and in the attempt to deliver him, three of the
gens-d'armes were killed. The unfortunate conscript was only released to
die of his wounds. Three of his comrades were seized, and indicted to
stand trial for the murder of the gens-d'armes.

I judged this a most favourable opportunity of ascertaining the public
feeling, and attended the trial accordingly. The court was a special
one, for this is one of the subjects which Bonaparte did not trust to a
jury. It was composed of five civil and three military members. The
forms of proceeding were the same as I have fully noticed in a
subsequent chapter,--the same minute interrogations were made to the
unhappy prisoners--the same contest took place between these and the
Judges. One was acquitted, and the other two found guilty of "_meurtre
volontaire, mais sans premeditation_."--Voluntary, but unpremeditated
murder. These two were condemned to labour for life, but a respite was
granted, and an appeal made to the King in their behalf. I was not
disappointed in the ebullitions of public feeling which many of the
incidents of the trial called forth. Mr L. B. and anot