1 62 TRAVELS THROUGH 



fail of very fine line of battle mips. This, 

 I am inclined to believe is true, but think, 

 that the Miniftry will find it difficult to 

 fpare the fums fufficient, fuppofing the 

 peace to laft fix years longer. There is one 

 circumftance which is favourable to them, 

 which is the reduction of their army : this 

 has leffened their land expences, and it 

 fhewSj that they mean, in future, to exert 

 themfelves more at fea, otherwife we may 

 he certain that this was the laft flep a French 

 minifter would have taken. 



As to the ftate of the army in France, it 

 is excellent. There is never, in time of 

 peace?> any fault to be found with the order 

 and difcipline of their troops : I before ob- 

 ferved, the number was much reduced on 

 the peace. After the peace of Aix-la-Cha- 

 pelle, they kept up near two hundred thou- 

 fand men, but their prefent eftablifhment 

 does not exceed one hundred and ten thou- 

 fand. This has been a prodigious eafe to 

 the finances : indeed they were in luch dif- 

 order, that, had not this meafure been 

 taken, the expences of the Court, the marine, 

 and every other branch of their expendi- 

 ture> muft have been greatly retrenched : 



a circum- 



