t to his wife, who, in some mysterious
manner, confides it to Bismarck. Then General Trochu has an
aide-de-camp, a Prince Bibesco. He is a Wallachian, and a son of an
ex-Hospodar--I never yet heard of a Wallachian who was not more or less.
Can a doubt exist in the mind of any reasonable being that this young
gentleman, a harmless lad, who had passed the greater part of his
existence dancing cotillons at Paris, is in direct communication with
the Prussians outside? A day or two ago two National Guards were
exchanging their strategical views in a cafe, when they observed a
stranger write down something. He was immediately arrested, as he
evidently intended to transmit the opinions of these two military sages
to General Moltke. I was myself down at Montrouge yesterday, when I was
requested by two National Guards to accompany them to the nearest
commissary. I asked why, and was told that a woman had heard me speak
German. I replied that I was English. "Zat ve saal soon zee," said one
of my captors. "I spek Anglish like an Anglishman, address to me the
vord in Anglish." I replied that the gentleman spoke English with so
perfect an accent that I thought he must be a fellow-countryman. The
worthy fellow was disarmed by the compliment, and told a crowd which had
collected round us to do prompt justice on the spy, that I not only was
an Englishman, but _un Cockne_; that is to say, he explained, an
inhabitant of London. He shook me by the hand; his friend shook me by
the hand; and several ladies and gentlemen also shook me by the hand;
and then we parted. Yesterday evening on the Boulevards there were
groups discussing "the traitors." Some said that General Schmitz had
been arrested; others that he ought to be arrested. A patriot observed
to me that all foreigners in Paris ought, as a precautionary measure, to
be extirpated. "Parbleu," I replied, and you may depend upon it I rolled
my eyes and shrugged my shoulders in true Gallic fashion. This morning
General Trochu has published a proclamation, denouncing all attacks upon
his staff, and making himself responsible for its members. It is an
honest, manly protest, and by far the best document which this prolific
writer has issued for some time. Another complaint is made against the
generals who damp the popular enthusiasm by throwing doubts upon
ultimate victory. In fact, we have got to such a condition that a
military man dares not venture to express his real opinion upon military