n the way a person would excuse himself
if he came into a drawing-room without a coat.

The theatres are by degrees reopening. In order not to shock public
opinion, the programmes of their entertainments are exceedingly dull.
Thus the Comedie Francaise bill of fare for yesterday was a speech, a
play of Moliere's without costumes, and an ode to Liberty. I can
understand closing the theatres entirely, but it seems to me absurd
increasing the general gloom, by opening them in order to make the
audiences wish that they were closed. Fancy, for an evening's
entertainment, a speech from Mr. Cole, C.B.; the play of _Hamlet_ played
in the dresses of the present century; and an ode from Mr. Tupper.

A few days ago the newspapers asserted that M. Thiers had entered Paris,
having been provided with a safe conduct by the King of Prussia. It is
now said that he is not here yet, but that he shortly will be. Of course
if Count Bismarck allows him to come in, he does so rather in the
interests of Prussia than of France. I cannot believe myself that,
unless Prussia has given up the idea of annexing Alsace and Lorraine to
Germany, negotiation will be productive of good results. If Metz can be
taken, if the armies of the provinces can be defeated, and if the
provisions within the city become less plentiful than they are now, then
perhaps the Parisians will accept the idea of a capitulation. At
present, however, the very large majority believe that France must
eventually conquer, and that the world is lost in wonder and admiration
of their attitude. The siege is one long holiday to the working classes.
They are as well fed as ever they were, and have absolutely nothing to
do except to play at soldiers. Although the troops are unable to hold
the villages within the fire of their forts, they are under the delusion
that--to use the favourite expression--the circle in which we are
inclosed is gradually but surely being enlarged. I was this morning
buying cigars at a small tobacconist's. "Well," said the proprietor of
the shop to me, "so we are to destroy the Prussians in twenty days."
"Really," I said. "Yes," he replied, "I was this morning at the Mairie;
there was a crowd before it complaining that they could not get meat. A
gentleman--a functionary--got upon a stool. 'Citizens and citizenesses,'
he said, 'be calm; continue to preserve the admirable attitude which is
eliciting the admiration of the world. I give you my honour that
arrangement