ns were going to be crumpled up like a
sheet of paper. It was disgusting to hear the bragging in the studio,
and they were almost furious with me when I ventured to hint mildly that
the Prussians were not fools, and would not have chosen this time to
force France into a war if they had not felt that they were much better
prepared for it than Napoleon was. Since then it has been just as
exciting the other way--the stupor of astonishment, the disappointment
and rage as news of each disaster came in; then that awful business at
Sedan, the uprising of the scum here, the flight of the Empress, the
proclamation of the Republic, and the idiotic idea that seized the
Parisians that the Republic was a sort of fetish, and that the mere fact
of its establishment would arrest the march of the Germans. Well, now we
are going to have a siege, I suppose, and as I have never seen one, it
will be interesting. Of course I have no shadow of faith in the
chattering newspaper men and lawyers, who have undertaken the government
of France; but they say Trochu is a good soldier, and Paris ought to be
able to hold out for some time. The mobiles are pouring in, and I think
they will fight well, especially the Bretons. Their officers are
gentlemen, and though I am sure they would not draw a sword for the
Republic, they will fight sturdily for France. I would not miss it for
anything. I am not sure that I shan't join one of the volunteer
battalions myself."

"You have nothing to do with the quarrel," his companion said.

"No, I have nothing to do with the quarrel; but if I were walking along
the streets and saw a big lout pick a quarrel with a weaker one and then
proceed to smash him up altogether, I fancy I should take a hand in the
business. The Germans deliberately forced on the war. They knew
perfectly well that when they put up a German Prince as candidate for
the throne of Spain it would bring on a war with France. Why, we
ourselves were within an ace of going to war with France when Guizot
brought about the Spanish marriage, although it was comparatively of
slight importance to us that Spain and France should be united. But to
the French this thing was an absolutely vital question, for with Germany
and Spain united their very existence would be threatened, and they had
nothing for it but to fight, as Germany knew they would have to do."

"But the candidature was withdrawn, Hartington."

"Withdrawn! ay, after the damage was done and France