but
he remained, still waving his flag. Sergeant Truffet then got over the
barricade, and went towards him. Several Germans immediately rushed
forward, and sergeant, flag, and Germans, disappeared within the enemy's
lines. The next day, General Vinoy sent an officer to protest against
this gross violation of the laws of war, and to demand that the sergeant
should be restored. The officer went to Creteil, thence he was sent to
Choisy le Roi, where General Jemplin (if this is how he spells his name)
declined to produce the sergeant, who, he said, was a deserter, or to
give any explanation as to his whereabouts. Now Truffet, as his
companions can testify, had not the remotest intention to desert. He was
a good and steady soldier. He became a prisoner, through a most odious
stratagem, and a Prussian general, although the facts have been
officially brought before him, has refused to release him. The Germans
are exceedingly fond of trumping up charges against the French, but they
have no right to expect to be believed, until they restore to us our
Truffet, and punish the Bavarians who entrapped him by means of a false
flag of truce.

The subscription for the 1500 cannon hangs fire. The question, however,
whether both cannon and Chassepots can be made in Paris is solved, as
the private workshops are making daily deliveries of both to Government.
At the commencement of the siege it was feared that there would not be
enough projectiles; these, also, are now being manufactured. For the
last week, the forts have been firing at everything and anything. The
admirals in command say that the sailors bore themselves so, that they
are obliged to allow them to fire more frequently than is absolutely
necessary.

I have been endeavouring to form an estimate of the absolute cost in
money of the siege, per diem. The National Guard receive in pay
24,000l., rations to themselves and families amount to about 10,000l.,
the Mobiles do not cost less than 30,000l. Unproductive industries
connected with the war, about 15,000l. Rations to the destitute, 5000l.
When, in addition to these items, it is remembered that every
productive industry is at a standstill, it is no exaggeration to say
that Paris is eating its head off at the rate of 200,000l. per diem.

Flourens has been re-elected commander-in-chief of five battalions of
Belleville National Guards. The Government, however, declines to
recognize this cumulative command. The "Major" writes a le