Note 16 — Chapter XXIII · THE PRISONERS ON PAROLE IN SCOTLAND
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The rank of garde-marine in the French Navy corresponded with that of sub-lieutenant in the British Navy; there was no rank actually equivalent to our midshipmen.
The British midshipmen were sources of continued anxiety and annoyance to their custodians in their French prisons. They defied all rules and regulations, they refused to give their parole, and were ceaseless in their attempts to escape. ‘I wish to goodness’, said a French officer at Bitche one evening at dinner, ‘I knew what to do to keep those English middies within bounds!’
‘There is only one way, Sir,’ said a lady at the table.
‘What is that?’ asked the officer eagerly.
‘Put them on their honour,’ replied the lady.
General Courcelles, at Verdun, shut up 140 middies in the monastery at St. Vannes, and made them pay for maintenance.