t can speak the truth,
this official denial proves conclusively the contrary of what it
states." It is indeed difficult to know who or what to believe; all I
know for certain is, that M. Jules Favre assured Mr. Washburne on
Saturday night that since M. Thiers had quitted Paris he had had no
communication with the outer world, and did not even know whether the
Tours delegation was still there. Men may lie for a certain time, and
yet be believed, but this "arm of war" has been so abused by our rulers,
that at present their most solemn asseverations meet with universal
incredulity--not, indeed, that the Parisians are cured of their mania
for crediting every tale which comes to them from any other
source--thus, for instance, every newspaper has contained the most
precise details from eye-witnesses of a conflict which took place two
nights ago before the battery of Hautes-Bruyeres, in which our "braves
Mobiles" took between two and three thousand prisoners, and slew
hecatombs of the enemy. Now, I was both yesterday and the day before
yesterday at the Hautes-Bruyeres, and I can certify myself that this
pretended battle never took place.

It is impossible to predict what will occur during the next fortnight.
_Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas._ General Trochu has this
morning issued a lengthy address to the inhabitants of the city,
informing them that, had it not been for their riotous conduct on Oct.
31 the armistice would have been concluded; and that now all that
remains for them to do, is to "close their ranks and to elevate their
hearts." "If we triumph, we shall have given our country a great
example; if we succumb, we shall have left to Prussia an inheritance
which will replace the First Empire in the sanguinary annals of conquest
and violence; an inheritance of hatred and maledictions which will
eventually prove her ruin." The great question which occupies all minds
now is "the sortie." General Trochu and General Ducrot insist upon at
least making an attempt to pierce the Prussian lines. All the other
generals say that, as it cannot succeed, it is wrong to sacrifice life
to no good purpose. This is how the matter is regarded by officers and
soldiers. As for the National Guard, they distinctly say that they will
be no parties to any such act of folly. Even in the councils of the
Government there is a strong feeling against it; but General Trochu
declines to allow the question, which he says is a purely military o