M. Cresson: "Let us consult Vacquerie and Meurice and my two
sons." He replied: "Willingly." The six of us held a council. We decided
that three thousand tickets should be distributed on Sunday, the day
before the lecture, at the mairies of the twenty arrondissements to the
first persons who presented themselves after noon. Each arrondissement
will receive a number of tickets in proportion to the number of its
population. The next day the 3,000 holders of tickets (to all places)
will wait their turn at the doors of the Opera without causing any
obstruction or trouble. The "Journal Officiel" and special posters
will apprise the public of the measures taken in the interest of public
order.

November 25.--Mlle. Lia Felix came to rehearse _Sacer Esto_, which she
will recite to the people on Monday.

M. Tony Revillon, who is to make a speech, came to see me with the Gens
de Lettres committee.

A deputation of Americans from the United States came to express their
indignation with the Government of the American Republic and with
President Grant for abandoning France--"To which the American Republic
owes so much!" said I. "Owes everything," declared one of the Americans
present.

A good deal of cannonading has been heard for several days. To-day it
redoubled.

Mme. Meurice wants some fowls and rabbits in order to provide against
the coming famine. She is having a hutch made for them in my little
garden. The carpenter who is constructing it entered my chamber a little
while ago and said: "I would like to touch your hand." I pressed both
his hands in mine.

November 27.--The Academy has given a sign of life. I have received
official notice that in future it will hold an extraordinary session
every Tuesday.

Pates of rat are being made. They are said to be very good.

An onion costs a sou. A potato costs a sou.

They have given up asking my authorisation to recite my works which are
being recited everywhere without my permission. They are right. What I
write is not my own. I am a public thing.

November 28.--Noel Parfait came to ask my help for Chateaudun.
Certainly; with all my heart!

_Les Chatiments_ was recited gratis at the Opera. An immense crowd. A
gilt wreath was thrown on the stage. I gave it to Georges and Jeanne.
The collection made in Prussian helmets by the actresses produced 1,521
francs 35 centimes in coppers.

Emile Allix brought us a leg of antelope from the Jardin des Plantes. It
is