yet been determined and proclaimed.

While I have not yet been appointed, time presses, and I expect to leave
for Bordeaux to-morrow. There will be nine of us, five masters and four
servants, plus the two children. Louis Blanc wants to leave with us. We
shall make the journey together.

In my hand-bag I shall take various important manuscripts and works that
I have begun, among others, _Paris Besieged_ and the poem "Grand Pere."

February 13.--Yesterday, before dinner, I read to my guests, M. and Mme.
Paul Meurice, Vacquerie, Lockroy, M. and Mme. Ernest Lefevre, Louis Koch
and Vilain (Rochefort and Victor did not arrive until the dinner hour),
two pieces of poetry which will form part of Paris Besieged ("To Little
Jeanne," and "No, You will not Take Alsace and Lorraine").

Pelleport brought me our nine passes. Not having yet been proclaimed
a Representative, I wrote on mine: "Victor Hugo, proprietor," as the
Prussians require that the quality or profession of the holder of the
pass be stated.

It was with a heavy heart that I quitted this morning the Avenue Frochot
and the sweet hospitality that Paul Meurice had extended to me since my
arrival in Paris on September 5.

THE ASSEMBLY AT BORDEAUX. EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS.

February 14.--Left yesterday at 12.10 P.M. Arrived at Etampes at 3.15.
Wait of two hours, and luncheon.

After lunch we returned to our drawing-room car. A crowd surrounded it,
kept back by a squad of Prussian soldiers. The crowd recognised me and
shouted "Long live Victor Hugo!" I waved my hand out of window, and
doffing my cap, shouted: "Long live France!" Whereupon a man with
a white moustache, who somebody said was the Prussian commandant of
Etampes, advanced towards me with a threatening air and said something
to me in German that he no doubt intended to be terrible. Gazing
steadily in turn at this Prussian and the crowd, I repeated in a
louder voice: "Long live France'!" Thereat all the people shouted
enthusiastically: "Long live France!" The fellow looked angry but said
nothing. The Prussian soldiers did not move.

The journey was a rough, long and weary one. The drawing-room car was
badly lighted and not heated. One feels the dilapidation of France in
this wretched railway accommodation. At Vierzon we bought a pheasant, a
chicken, and two bottles of wine for supper. Then we wrapped ourselves
up in our rugs and cloaks and slept on the seats.

We arrived at Bordeaux at 1