e man. When the vote on the Plebiscite was
taken, his majority consisted of "Ouis" which were given because it was
supposed that he was about to treat. Since then we have gone on from day
to day vaguely hoping that either the Neutral Powers or the armies of
the provinces would get us out of the mess in which we are, or, even if
these failed us, that by a sortie the town would be revictualled. At
present none believe in the intervention of the Neutrals; few in the
success of a sortie; but all still cling, as drowning men do to a straw,
to the armies of the provinces. To destroy this belief it will be
necessary for the Prussians to obtain a substantial advantage not only
at Orleans, but over the armies of Keratry and Bourbaki. When once we
find that we are entirely left to our own resources, and that it is
impossible for us to penetrate the lines of investment, I cannot help
thinking that we shall yield to the force of circumstances. At present
all the newspapers are for fighting on as long as we have a crust,
regardless of the consequences; but then, as a rule, a besieged town is
never so near surrendering as when it threatens to hang the first man
who speaks of surrender. The majority would even now take a practical
view of matters if they dared, but Trochu is their man, and Trochu, much
to their secret sorrow, refuses to hear of a capitulation.

Some German officers who are prisoners on parole have been insulted in a
restaurant, and for their own safety it has been found necessary to
confine them in La Roquette. I am not surprised at this. French officers
are, of course, incapable of this contemptible conduct, and it must be
owned that the majority of the Parisians have not, under the trying
circumstances in which they find themselves, lost that courtesy which is
one of the peculiar attributes of the nation. But there is a scum, who
lived from hand to mouth during the Empire, and which infests the
restaurants and the public places. Some of them wear the uniform of the
National Guard; others have attached themselves to the ambulances; and
all take very good care not to risk their precious lives. I was
peaceably dining last night in a restaurant; a friend with whom I had
been talking English had left me, and I found myself alone with four of
these worthies, who were dining at a table near me. For my especial
benefit they informed each other that all strangers here were outlaws
from their own country, and that the American