ever I am again in
Africa I shall eat the national dish whenever I get a chance. During the
siege of Londonderry rats sold for 7s. each, and if this siege goes on
many weeks longer, the utmost which a person of moderate means will be
able to allow himself will be an occasional mouse. I was curious to see
whether the proprietor of the restaurant would boldly call rat, rat in
my bill. His heart failed him--it figures as a salmi of game.

_November 15th._

We have passed from the lowest depths of despair to the wildest
confidence. Yesterday afternoon a pigeon arrived covered with blood,
bearing on its tail a despatch from Gambetta, of the 11th, announcing
that the Prussians had been driven out of Orleans after two days'
fighting, that 1,000 prisoners, two cannon, and many munition waggons
had been taken, and that the pursuit was still continuing. The despatch
was read at the Mairies to large crowds, and in the _cafes_ by
enthusiasts, who got upon the tables. I was in a shop when a person came
in with it. Shopkeeper, assistants, and customers immediately performed
a war dance round a stove; one would have supposed that the war was over
and that the veracity of Gambetta is unimpeachable. But as though this
success were not enough in itself, all the newspapers this morning tell
us that "Chartres has also been retaken," that the army of Keratry has
effected a junction with that of the Loire, and that in the North
Bourbaki has forced the Prussians to raise the siege of Amiens. Everyone
is asking when "they" will be here. Edmond About, in the _Soir_, eats
dirt for having a few days ago suggested an armistice.

At the Quartier-General I do not think that very great importance is
attached to Gambetta's despatch, except as an evidence that the
provinces are not perfectly apathetic. It is considered that very
possibly the Prussians may have concentrated their whole available force
round Paris, in order to crush our grand sortie when it takes place.
General Trochu himself takes the most despondent view of the situation,
and bitterly complains of the "spirit" of the army, the Mobiles, and the
Parisians. This extraordinary commander imagines that he will infuse a
new courage in his troops by going about like a monk of La Trappe,
saying to every one, "Brother, we must die."

Mr. Washburne received yesterday a despatch from his Government--the
first which has reached him since the commencement of the
siege--informing him that his