icanism. I think it was St.
Augustine who did not despair of the devil eventually turning over a new
leaf; in the same way I heard an ardent patriot express the hope of
being able to convert "William" himself to the creed of the Universal
Republic. At the club where these fraternal sentiments were expressed
there is a lady who sits on the platform. When anyone makes what she
considers a good speech she embraces him on both cheeks. She is by no
means ugly, and I had serious thoughts of making a few observations
myself in view of the reward. That bashfulness, however, which has been
my bane through life, prevented me. The lady occasionally speaks
herself, and is fond of giving her own experiences. "I was on my way to
this club," she said, "the other evening, when I observed a man
following me. 'What dost thou want?' I asked, sternly eyeing him. 'I
love you,' replied the vile aristocrat. 'I am the wife of a citizen,' I
answered, 'and the mother of the Gracchi.' The wretch sneaked away,
abashed to seek other prey. If he addresses himself to some princess or
duchess he will probably find a victim." The loudest applause greeted
this "experience," and several very unclean-looking patriots rushed
forward to embrace the mother of the Gracchi, in order to show her how
highly they appreciated her noble conduct.

The newspapers are already beginning to dread that possibly some doubts
may be cast upon the heroism of everyone during the last week. The
_Figaro_ contains the following:--"No matter what certain
correspondents--better known than they suppose--may say, and although
they are preparing to infect foreign countries with their
correspondence, our Bretons did not run away on Thursday. It is true
that when they saw the Saxons emerging from their holes and shouting
hurrah, our Bretons were a little troubled by this abrupt and savage
joke, but"--then follows the statement of several of the heroes
themselves that they fought like lions. The fact is, as I have already
stated in my letter of yesterday, the Mobiles fought only tolerably
well, and some of their battalions rather the reverse of well. The Line,
for young troops, behaved very fairly; and the reckless courage of the
officers, both of the Line and Mobile, was above all praise. It is,
however, a military axiom that when an undue proportion of officers are
killed in a battle their troops have hung back. Good soldiers cannot be
made in two months, and it is absurd to expect th