midst of all the miseries of the 13th and 14th
centuries. The memory of to-day will be written on the hearts of our
children. 'It was the year,' they will say, 'when we received no
presents, when we did not kiss our father, because of the Prussians.
They shall pay for it!' Let us hope that the payment will commence this
very day. But if we are still to be vanquished, we will leave to our
children the memory of our wrongs, and the care to avenge them."

The following article is from the _Verite_:--

"What troubles would not have been spared to our unhappy country if only
it had been told the truth. If only anyone had been courageous enough to
tell us what were our resources when Grammont made his famous
declaration from the tribune, the war would not have taken place. On the
4th of September, many members of the new Government were under no
delusions, but as it was necessary to say that we were strong, in order
to be popular, they did not hesitate to proclaim that the Republic would
save France. To-day the situation has not changed. On the faith of the
assertions of their rulers, the population of Paris imagines that
ultimate victory is certain, and that our provisions can never be
exhausted. They have no idea that if we are not succoured we must
eventually succumb. What a surprise--and perhaps what a catastrophe--it
will be when they learn that there is no more bread, and no chance of
victory. The people will complain that they have been deceived, and they
will be right. They will shout 'treason,' and seek for vengeance. Will
they be entirely in the wrong? If the Government defends itself, what
future awaits us! If it does not defend itself, through what scenes
shall we pass before falling into the hands of the Prussians! The
Republic, like the Empire, has made mendacity the great system of
government. The Press has chosen to follow the same course. Great
efforts are being made to destroy the reciprocal sentiments of union and
confidence, to which we owe it that Paris still resists, after 100 days
of siege. The enemy, despairing to deliver over Paris to Germany, as it
had solemnly promised, on Christmas, adds now the bombardment of our
advanced posts and our forts to the other means of intimidation by which
it has endeavoured to enervate the defence. Use is being made, before
public opinion, of the deceptions which an extraordinary winter and
infinite sufferings and fatigues are causing us. It is said, indeed,
that th