Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/56

 The "detenus," holding military rank, received the same pay as prisoners of war, but the civilians nothing. The needy civilians, however, received from the managers of the patriotic fund, something every month, proportionate to their families; so that after the first year or two, there were but very few who suffered, except from their own misconduct.

There were well-regulated public schools established at the expense of the above fund, at all the principal depôts; and at Verdun there were two, one of which was for young gentlemen. These schools proved of infinite benefit; since, by means of them, not only were the boys trained up to industrious habits, but many of the steady seamen, learned to read and write, and also acquired a considerable knowledge of the principles of navigation. These, in turn, not unfrequently became tutors to others; such pursuits afforded an amusing occupation to many, and considerably diminished the irksomeness of hours, which must otherwise have been intolerably tedious and hateful. From