have been asked for a long
time what we understand by the words--La Commune. Tell them, if you
know. Write it, proclaim it, and we will placard it. Even if you don't
know, tell them all the same; the great art of a good cook consists in
making jugged hare without hare of any kind." And this is why there
appeared this morning on the walls an immense placard, with the
following words in enormous letters: "Declaration to the French people."

Twenty days ago a long proclamation, which pretended to express and
define the tendencies of the revolution of the eighteenth of March,
would perhaps have had some effect. To-day we have awaked from many
illusions, and the finest phrases in the world will not overcome our
obstinate indifference. Let us, however, read and note.

[Illustration: VERMOREL,[65] DELEGATE OF PUBLIC SAFETY.]

"In the painful and terrible conflict which once more imposes upon
Paris the horrors of the siege and the bombardment, which makes
French blood flow, which causes our brothers, our wives, our
children, to perish, crushed by shot and shell, it is urgent that
public opinion should not be divided, that the national conscience
should not be troubled."

That's right! I entirely agree with you; it is undoubtedly very urgent
that public opinion should not be divided. But let us see what means you
are going to take to obtain so desirable a result.

"Paris and the whole nation must know what is the nature, the
reason, the object of the revolution which is now being
accomplished."

Doubtless; but if that be indispensable to-day, would it have been less
useful on the very first day of the revolution; we do not see why you
have made us wait quite so long for it.

"The responsibility of the mourning, the suffering, and the
misfortunes of which we are the victims should fall upon those who,
after having betrayed France and delivered Paris to the foreigner,
pursue with blind obstinacy the destruction of the capital, in order
to bury under the ruins of the Republic and of Liberty the double
evidence of their treason and their crime."

Heigho! what a phrase! These clear and precise expressions, that throw
so much light on the gloom of the situation, are these yours, Felix
Pyat? Did the Commune say "_Pyat Lux!_" Or were they yours, Pierre
Denis? Or yours, Vermorel? I particularly admire the double evidence
buried under the ruins of the Republic. Happy me